Guardsman blast death, NAR scrutiny and land titling lead Jamaica news roundup

One of four Guardsman employees badly burnt in an explosion at the company’s South Camp Road compound in Kingston has died, while two others have been flown overseas for emergency care. The dead worker was identified as 56-year-old Richard Maguire. Another injured employee remained at Kingston Public Hospital.

The blast happened shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday while welding work was reportedly being done on one of the security company’s armoured trucks. The injured workers included a garage manager, a welder and air-conditioning technician, and an operations team member. Three vehicles on the property were heavily damaged, and another sustained minor damage. Guardsman deputy chairman Nicholas Benjamin said the company’s immediate focus was getting the injured staff the care they needed.

In court, a detective constable returned to the witness stand in the Clansman gang matter as prosecutors sought to support the admission of a statement allegedly given by deceased witness Chenise Roberts. Justice Dale Palmer allowed a photograph already in evidence to be shown to the witness, who identified Roberts and said he took a statement from her at the Constant Spring Criminal Investigation Branch in February 2020. The statement relates to the February 2020 killing of Noah Smith at Eureka Place in St. Andrew.

Public debate also continued over the appointment of retired Major General Anthony Anderson to head the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority. JMEA president Katherine Sila expressed confidence in Anderson’s record, while National Integrity Action’s Dr. Gavin Myers called for greater openness around the selection process. Government Senator Marlon Morgan said more than 80 applications were received and defended the appointment as properly handled.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security building at 1F North Street in Kingston was renamed for former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller during Workers’ Week 2026. Tributes were also paid at National Heroes Circle for former Prime Minister Edward Seaga on what would have been his 96th birthday.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness used a land titling ceremony to urge Jamaicans with long-standing land claims to enter the formal system. Ninety-six of 124 new titles were presented to Manchester residents, and the National Land Agency was reported to have issued more than 30,000 titles over five years.

The business report said Butterfield has agreed to buy CIBC’s 91.7 per cent stake in CIBC Caribbean in a deal valued near US$1.8 billion, subject to approvals.