This in the wake of a recent report by the Auditor General, about the 2019 to 2023 programme.

The audit found that while the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) had the appropriate systems in place to track the distribution of agricultural output, it could not provide proof that the allocation given to some members of parliament were distributed to farmers.

Speaking at a Post Cabinet Press Briefing, Mr. Green said the new distribution programme will target short term crops, especially for the Christmas season.

Mr. Green pointed out that under the new programme, a list of beneficiaries must be submitted to RADA, prior to fertilizer being allocated to parliamentarians.

Canada is investing CAD$110 million into strengthening the capacity of Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, to combat transnational organised crime and address emerging security threats.

High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, His Excellency Mark Berman, said the investment, delivered through Canada’s Anti-crime Capacity Building Programme, underscores Canada’s commitment to regional security.

Mr. Berman was speaking at the recent final planning conference for exercise event horizon at the Jamaica Defence Force Caribbean Military Academy.

He noted that trans-national organised crime continues to pose significant challenges across the region, with criminal networks exploiting maritime and air routes to facilitate the trafficking of drugs, firearms and persons, as well as cyber-crime and other illicit activities.

These threats, he said, undermine security and democratic resilience, while harming legitimate trade and limiting economic opportunities for citizens and communities.

The high commissioner emphasized that addressing these challenges requires coordinated regional responses, supported by strong partnerships and investments in the capabilities of national institutions.

Mr. Berman informed that Canada also supports anti-crime capacity building initiatives in other countries, including Costa Rica and Guatemala, recognising that criminal networks operate across borders and require collaborative approaches to combat them.

JFJ has also called for disciplinary action to be applied to parliamentarians for the unbecoming behaviour displayed in the lower house on Tuesday.

In condemning the incident, JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson noted that proper procedure must be used to resolve arguments, not scenes of disgrace and disorder.

Jackson was reacting to reports of a confrontation involving opposition member Mikael Phillips and government member Desmond McKkenzie.

This amid tension about the censure motion brought by the opposition relating to the government’s decision to abstain on the United Nations resolution calling for an end to the embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States of America.

Jackson said Phillips behaviour is unacceptable.

She added that the concerns of the opposition should not be dismissed.

She expressed hope for a positive outcome of next week’s meeting.

The works are slated to commence at 8:00 a.m. and are expected to be completed before 6:00 p.m.

The National Works Agenc noted that a storm water drain located in an area referred to as “Shake Hand Corner” has been destroyed.

NWA Communication Manager Stephen Shaw explained that the pipe culvert, which was made from plastic, has been completely burnt out.

As a result, the road embankment is currently without critical support.

Mr. Shaw said the NWA hired a contractor to replace the pipe culvert and have the embankment secured.

With the planned road closure, motorists heading from the direction of May Pen towards Chapelton are being advised to use the alternative road through Turner and Trafalgar Hill, into Chapelton.

The reverse will obtain for persons travelling from the direction of Chapelton towards May Pen.

Mr. Shaw is reminding persons not to set fires close to drains, as many of these modern features are made from plastic, which can be destroyed.

Persons are also being urged not to use the inlet sections of these culverts to burn garbage, as this too will lead to the drain being destroyed.

He added that the use of these drains to extract power from the Jamaica Public Service company’s network, is also being discouraged.

Mr. Shaw said while the NWA cannot say what caused the fire that burnt the culvert, electrical wires were observed going through the space.

He pointed out that electrical fires caused by faulting wiring will destroy the culverts.

A man hunt has been launched for the 52-year-old welder, who is from Grove Road in Linstead.

Reports are that on Thursday, Vassell was at the home of his spouse, in Tamarind Close, Charlie Mount, Linstead, when an argument developed.

Following the dispute, Vassell allegedly deliberately locked up the house, poured gasoline at various sections, set the building on fire, then fled the area.

The woman and her 11 year old child were still inside the house.

The police and fire brigade were summoned and firefighters carried out cooling down operations.

The occupants of the house were rescued.

The woman reportedly suffered some minor injuries to her hand while attempting to escape.

The child had no visible physical injury.

Both were taken to hospital for treatment.

Vassell remains at large and is being urged to surrender to the Linstead police criminal investigation branch immediately.

Anyone with information on Vassell’s whereabouts is being asked to contact the police.

Shaw  has  now  scored  her  first  hat-trick of  the  season  as  her  impressive  performance  comes  days after  she  was  surprisingly left out  of   the  2026  Fifpro  Women’s  Eleven  shortlist.

Shaw  continues  an  awesome  run  of  form  as  she  has  scored  in  every  league  game  she  has  started  in  so  far this season.

Her second goal came in the 53rd minute, before she sealed the deal on minute 74.

With  the  win  Manchester  City  Women  returned  to  the  top  of   Super  League  table   on  25  points  two  points  clear  of    nearest  rivals  Chelsea  who  drew  1-1  against  Everton.

Police are also warning consumers to exercise caution when purchasing beef, mutton and other meat products.

They should only purchase meat from reputable and legitimate sources and be wary of unusually low prices or suspicious transactions.

The Agricultural Protection Branch(APB) is also urging business entities involved in the sale of meat to exercise due diligence by verifying the legitimate ownership and origin of livestock before entering any transactions.

The APB said it is intensifying its operational response to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in praedial larceny, livestock laundering, fraudulent livestock transactions, as well as the illegal slaughter and distribution of stolen animals.

Persons with information relating to livestock theft, illegal slaughtering, livestock laundering or suspicious agricultural transactions are being asked to contact the police.

This follows Mr. Paulwell’s acceptance of an invitation from the house speaker to attend.

The meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m., follows Tuesday’s adjournment of Parliament amid controversy surrounding a censure motion over Jamaica’s decision to abstain from a United Nations resolution calling for an end to the United States embargo against Cuba.

This then led to a reported confrontation between Government Member Desmond Mckenzie and Opposition Member Mikael Phillips.

In a letter, dated November 6, addressed to the House Speaker and copied to the media, Mr. Paulwell said he welcomed the invitation, noting that what happened on Tuesday cannot be the new normal.

Mr. Paulwell said he is looking forward to a frank discussion, to ensure fairness and respect for Parliament’s standing orders.

In a statement last evening, the Federation said the Government wants officers to forfeit their retroactive payments to settle the negotiations, despite the delay not being their fault.

It also noted that the Government had rejected its claim for a death benefit for police officers who die in the line of duty.

The Federation will be meeting with its membership over the coming days to discuss the issues and decide on the way forward.

The Police Federation said it is deeply disappointed with the formal response received yesterday from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to its counter proposal in the ongoing wages and benefits negotiation.

The response reinforces critical concerns that the Government has failed to demonstrate the urgency required to bring these negotiations to a suitable and just conclusion.

The Federation noted that the parties are now in the 20th month of what should have been a new contractual period, yet members remain without a wage settlement, to date.

It said equally troubling is the government’s continued failure to address the outstanding allowances negotiation, which should have been settled, and effected from April 1, 2022.

It said the Government appears too comfortable with the sluggish pace of these negotiations.

The rank-and-file membership is not.

The Federation said police officers who continue to put their lives on the line in service to Jamaica, cannot be expected to endure indefinite delays, while their legitimate financial interests remain unresolved.

It expressed shock that the Government fully rejected an item of claim relative to death benefit in respect to fallen colleagues, who are killed in the line of duty or die consequent to duty.

The Federation said the patience of members must never be mistaken for acceptance.

It said of particular concern is the Government’s salary offer, which contains proposals that effectively require police officers to make concessions on the quantum of salary payable.

Put plainly, after allowing negotiations to drag on for 20 months, the Government seems to expect police officers to surrender all of their retroactive salary, particularly in the first year, as the price of securing a settlement.

It said that is fundamentally flawed and unfair.

It said officers must not be penalized financially for delays over which they have had no control.

The Federation said these concerns reflect the consensus position of the central committee.

It said it remains resolute in the responsibility to defend and advance the interests of the rank-and-file membership.

The Federation said it has always been prepared to negotiate in good faith, has been negotiating in good faith, but will not allow legitimate entitlements to be eroded, simply to create the appearance of progress, and to the detriment of members.

It said over the next few days, the central committee will embark on a planned island-wide tour to engage delegates and members, sensitize them to the outstanding issues affecting their welfare and compensation and discuss the way forward.

The tour will also be an opportunity to strengthen the collective resolve and encourage the membership to close the calendar year positively, with renewed purpose and determination.

It urged all delegates and members to remain alert to official communication from the central committee and to participate actively in scheduled engagements.

The Federation stressed that members deserve fair treatment and a timely settlement, that recognizes their immense contribution to national security and economic growth, whilst recognizing their tremendous sacrifices.

The resort, which closed its doors, following severe damage from Hurricane Melissa, is scheduled to reopen, on December 1.

The reopening follows a comprehensive renovation of the property and is expected to introduce an enhanced family holiday experience for local and international visitors.

The resort’s renewed offering will include upgraded accommodation, as well as dining and leisure facilities.

The development adds to the range of tourism offerings along Jamaica’s north coast.