Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has chastised persons he claims recently relocated to Cooper’s Pen, in Trelawny, with an intention to deceive the Government and benefit from support initiatives.

Dr Holness made the comment today while visiting Coopers Pen, and meeting affected residents, following the demolition exercise earlier this month.

The Government plans to find alternative lands to relocate the residents, while assisting them to become legitimate property owners.

Dr Holness says his administration will not allow anyone to prevent affected residents from getting assistance.

Dr Holness said his administration does not condone the ‘ chop di line ‘ and scamming culture.

He added that Minister with Responsibility for Land, Robert Montague has been tasked with reviewing the situation in Cooper’s Pen.

This review is part of a wider aim of developing a policy for regularising and relocating squatter settlements island-wide.

As it relates to efforts to relocate the Coopers Pen residents, Dr Holness noted that assessments and identification of beneficiaries, are being conducted by the Social Development Commission (SDC) and the Social Security Ministry.

Dr Holness noted that the Government’s resources are limited.

Dr Holness visited the community this morning, following a demolition exercise earlier this month that affected 40 families.

In a statement, Spokesperson on Land, Lothan Cousins said after weeks of uncertainty, the Opposition is happy that their strident advocacy has borne fruit.

Cousins said the Opposition is looking forward to a speedy resolution of the matter in favour of the residents.

Mr Cousins is also urging the Government to provide timelines on the commitments made.

Fi We Children Foundation says it is preparing to take legal action to challenge the exclusion of children from school due to grooming infractions.

The foundation says it plans to pursue constitutional proceedings on behalf of affected students, through their parents.

This is in light of the upcoming start of the new academic year next month and concern that school administrators will again bar students for arbitrary grooming breaches when classes resume.

In a statement, the foundation cited among the issues, school rules governing the length and style of Black boys’ hair as well as requirements relating to other hairstyles, belt buckles and varying aspects of students’ appearance.

FWCF says excluding students from school over such infractions could infringe constitutional rights including freedom of expression, protection of the rights of the child and in some cases the right to education.

The foundation is calling for legislative reform, saying the issue highlights the urgent need to examine the scope of the authority granted to school boards under Jamaica’s education laws.

It says while schools have a legitimate interest in establishing standards and maintaining discipline, that authority cannot be exercised as an unfettered power to exclude children from education over rules that may be arbitrary, disproportionate or inconsistent with constitutional protections.

It said discipline has a legitimate role in education but physically excluding a child from school should not be the default response to a grooming infraction.

The foundation said it is prepared to test these practices before the courts and will advocate for a school system in which discipline, dignity and children’s constitutional rights can coexist.

Students who turn up at school in breach of grooming or uniform rules must still be allowed through the school gates.

That’s according to Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Senator Marlon Morgan.

He said disciplinary measures should be administered inside the institution rather than by denying children access to classes.

He reinforced the Government’s position yesterday while addressing the Ministry’s Region 4 Back-to-School Conference for principals at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James.

Reggae veteran Barrington Levy is calling for a return to the era of vinyl records, as he voices concerns about the economics of music in today’s streaming driven landscape.

Barrington Levy shared his views during an interview with UK based platform Nobody Is Really Watching at the WOMAD Festival, where he reflected on the value of physical music releases.

His comments come at a time when an increasing number of artistes have been questioning the financial returns from streaming, with many arguing that the “math is not adding up”.

For Barrington Levy, a return to physical formats such as vinyl could provide a different approach to how music is valued, purchased and consumed.

The discussion also highlights the broader conversation within the music industry about fair compensation for artistes and the challenges of earning sustainable income in an era where streaming has become the dominant way audiences access music.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says he’s deeply saddened by the passing of veteran broadcaster Dervan Malcolm.

Reports are that Malcolm died yesterday following a period of illness.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister noted that for more than 30 years, Jamaicans listened to Malcolm’s calm, distinct and trusted voice.

The Prime Minister stated that through his work at Power 106 and especially his programme “Both Sides of the Story”, Malcolm created space for meaningful conversations on the issues that matter to Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora.

He said Malcolm was a consummate communicator who used his platform to inform, educate and empower, adding that his commitment to public discourse, road safety, child protection, entrepreneurship and the Jamaican diaspora reflected a deep desire to make a positive difference.

Dr. Holness has extended sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the wider media fraternity.

He said Jamaica has lost a respected broadcaster and a distinctive voice whose contribution will not be forgotten.

Meantime, Spokesperson on Information Nekeisha Burchell is expressing deep sadness at Dervan Malcolm’s passing, describing him as “a super talent and a master of the broadcast craft.”

In a statement, she notes that Malcolm began his broadcasting career on October 24, 1993 while still a student and head boy at Calabar High School and went on to spend 31 years with Power 106, serving in several capacities and becoming one of the station’s most recognisable and enduring voices.

She says Malcolm’s gift went far beyond the quality of his voice, stating that he was poised, controlled and totally unruffled behind the microphone with a signature style that was unmistakably his own.

She also remembers Malcolm as exceptional in the specialised craft of outside broadcasting and in his ability to connect Jamaica with its diaspora.

Ms. Burchell says Malcolm’s fairness, authenticity and respect for his audience were as central to his legacy as his technical brilliance.

She is extending heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the entire media fraternity.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness told residents of Coopers Pen, Trelawny that he has no power to keep them on that property.

He made the statement during a visit to the area this morning.

According to the Prime Minister, the conversation should be focused on what alternatives can be presented to residents, to assist them to transition to legal occupation of land.

He said his aim is to create a resolution to the issue.

By: Clement Reid and Sugar Ray Thomas

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says he will be providing back to school support to residents in Cooper’s Pen who were displaced due to the demolition exercise earlier this month.

While noting that the residents should be preparing themselves to relocate, he promised that they should receive back to school support before the new school term gets underway.

In the meantime, residents questioned Mr Holness about the possibility of compensation for losses suffered in the demolition exercise.

A call is being made for the Government and relevant agencies to urgently assess the damage associated with yesterday’s fire along Hagley Park Road in St. Andrew, and provide assistance to affected residents, workers and business owners.

The blaze, which first erupted at Superior Auto Parts around midday, reportedly spread to nearby buildings and homes.

Up to late last evening, firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze.

Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Central Dennis Gordon described the incident as tragic, as several people have been displaced from their homes and jobs.

Mr. Gordon is stressing the need for a recovery response.

He also signalled his intention to convene a meeting with business operators to discuss a possible insurance policy that would provide protection in the event of a similar disaster.

Employees of Superior Parts Limited have criticized the response of firefighters to yesterday’s blaze at their St. Andrew establishment.

Their criticism comes amidst commendations from Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie.

In a release yesterday, Mr. McKenzie lauded the “swift and sustained response” of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB).

He also praised the National Water Commission for “providing critical assistance to the JFB”, an intervention he said was especially important given the national challenges with drought conditions.

However, one worker told IRIE FM News that he saw smoke coming from a section of the property and the firefighters were alerted early to the situation.

He maintained that there would have been less damage if the firefighters had responded quickly.

Another employee agreed that the firefighters should have acted with more alacrity. He also noted that their efforts might have been impacted by the ongoing water crisis.

In the meantime, an onlooker claimed that the fire was raging due to the wind.

Efforts to obtain a response from the JFB regarding the employees’ claims up to late last night were not successful.