BMX programme aims to teach stunt riding, love in schools

TWO hundred and fifty children at the primary school level in St Mary will be impacted through sports with the innovative bicycle motocross (BMX) Two Wheels, One Love (TWOL) programme.

The programme is geared to take place over a 36-week period starting at the beginning of February. It will be rolled out to five primary schools surrounding the St Mary-based Eden Garden BMX Park, which was recently resurfaced by Digicel Jamaica Foundation.

TWOL is an initiative of the Oracabessa Foundation which aims to teach children the value of love and forgiveness in their daily and sporting lives.

The programme will be implemented as an extra-curricular activity in the Boscobel, Jacks River, Albion Mountain, Oracabessa and Free Hill primary schools, according to Jonathan Gosse, executive director of the Oracabessa Foundation.

“BMX in Jamaica is an absolutely clean slate; no one in Jamaica has participated in BMX competitively,” said Gosse. “This programme has been a long time coming and we are all excited to be here,” he said.

Cycling remains the only sport outside of track and field in which Jamaica has ever won an Olympic medal, reminded minister with responsibility for sports Natalie Neita-Headley

“BMX is big stuff,” she said. “As a government we recognise the enormous power of sport as a tool for galvanising communities, fostering peace, encouraging growth and prosperity for all Jamaicans.”

The Digicel Jamaica Foundation also contributed a storage facility and workshop that will be used to repair bicycles and teach students how to repair their own bikes.

“We understand that the races that will be held at this track involving big name riders, such as Maliek Byndloss, will result in increased revenue that can be used for the maintenance of the track,” said Jean Lowrie-Chin, chair of the Digicel Jamaica Foundation.

“Since sustainability is one of the watchwords of the Digicel Foundation, this is welcome news,” she added.

Once schools have completed the Two Wheels, One Love programme, there will be a race series held at Eden Park to promote healthy competition in BMX. Eden Garden will also take centre stage in May when Byndloss will seek to earn qualifying points racing his bicycle at the St Mary track on his road to representing Jamaica at the 2016 Olympics.

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BMX programme aims to teach stunt riding, love in schools

Jamaica/Canada employment programme pumps J$1.7 b in economy -- Kellier

Tuesday, January 06, 2015 | 7:59 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica  – Remittance inflows from the Jamaica-Canada Employment Programme contributed Cdn$15.5 million (approximately $1.7 billion) to the Jamaican economy during 2014.

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, who made the disclosure, noted that the programme, a vital source of foreign exchange remittances, “continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for thousands of Jamaicans.”

Kellier was speaking at a send-off ceremony for the first batch of farm workers for 2015, under the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Programme, held at the Overseas Employment Services Centre in Kingston, today (January 6).

Hefurther noted that during 2014, approximately 7,952 Jamaicans benefitted from employment opportunities in Canada.

“The farm work component accounted for 90 per cent (7,156) of this number, while the others travelled under the low skill and skilled worker programmes,” he said.

A total of 340 workers, selected under the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme departed the island today to take up employment opportunities on various farms in Ontario, Canada.

This batch of all males, most of whom will do eight-month stints, will be employed in greenhouse crop production, food processing, tobacco plants as well as nurseries which are involved in the cultivation of various vegetables. They will also be engaged in packaging tobacco and fruits for shipment.

The Minister noted that 20 per cent of the workers are new employees, while the remainder are ‘returnees’ or requested workers, noting that “this is a testament to the hard and dedicated work provided by Jamaican workers abroad.”

The Minister reminded the workers that the Overseas Employment Family Services Unit will continue to focus on the welfare of their families through a range of social interventions, including household visits, referrals for assistance, care for the sick and injured, care of children and self-empowerment programmes.

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Jamaica/Canada employment programme pumps J$1.7 b in economy -- Kellier

Bartlett launches welfare programme for elderly, shut-in

ROSE HALL, St James — EAST Central St James Member of Parliament Edmund Bartlett on Sunday launched a welfare programme for the elderly in his constituency.

Bartlett has also formed a group of young ladies in his community, named Ed’s Tulips, who has been mandated to address the needs of the senior citizens within the constituency.

“There are some old ladies and gentlemen who can’t walk and can’t leave the house, and some of them have worthless pickney who don’t give them nothing,” said Bartlett, “but the Tulips are going to go around and comb their hair and they are also going to go around and help to clean their house, and wash a little clothes here and there, and generally to be helpful to the elderly in the constituency.”

The Tulips are also tasked with ensuring that the elderly are registered on the PATH programme and that they receive their pensions.

Additionally, Bartlett announced a feeding programme for the elderly to commence in January 2015.

“The most important thing we want to do is that we want to see to it that the old people who can’t get attention, and whose children don’t look after them, that they get something to eat,” Bartlett said.

“So once a week, starting in January, they will come around with a little lunch on a Sunday, they will visit the people to find out who don’t have anything to eat and give them a little lunch so that they will have something to eat,” he said.

Bartlett announced the programmes during an address at an award ceremony called an Evening of Excellence for Senior Citizens at the John Rollins Success Primary School in Barrett Town in St James.

During the ceremony, Bartlett also presented plaques to the elderly who have served the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) over the years.

— Horace Hines

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Bartlett launches welfare programme for elderly, shut-in

Kamla wants criminal investigation into Trinidad Lifesport Programme

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday July 25, 2014, CMC – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Friday said she had asked her Attorney General Anand Ramloan to hand over copies of the audit of the controversial Lifesport programme to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police “to investigate, detain and prosecute those guilty to the fullest extent of the law”.

Persad Bissessar told Parliament that the audit had revealed a number of discrepancies including procurement breaches; the involvement of some persons in criminal activities; fraud by suppliers; theft of equipment; breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act and a deviation from the mandates of Cabinet.

Former National Security Minister Austin Jack Warner, who described the programme as a “cess pool of corruption” said that in another country, the Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts would have resigned.

The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has filed a motion in the Parliament calling for the censure of Roberts as a result of the programme that they said was riddled with corruption.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar, defending her government’s decision to launch the audit, said that in May, a newspaper publication brought to light allegations of wrong-doing and misuse of resources in the LifeSport programme.

“Based on the very real possibility of there being irregularities I immediately instructed that the programme be transferred to the Ministry of National Security, and that the Ministry of Finance and the Economy, through its Central Audit Committee, conduct a full audit.”

She told legislators that a thorough and focused audit has now been completed and that because the programme was intended to “positively impact some of our most vulnerable, younger citizens, I believe it is appropriate that the report of the Central Audit Unit on the LifeSport Programme be made public, by being tabled here in the House of Representatives”.

She said that the programme began in June 2012 and at the time of the audit, 43 centres had been established throughout the country to cater for young people between the ages of 16-25.

She said that the audit also raised questions regarding possible complicity by officers of the Ministry, given the widespread nature of the breaches.

“What is most shocking and disappointing, is the fact that given the usually stringent nature of the bureaucratic processes in obtaining approvals for projects, implementing programmes and monitoring progress, no action was taken to halt or prevent what the Audit Committee found”.

Persad Bissessar said that she was disappointed of having to immediately halt the programme because it was conceptualised and formulated as part of a comprehensive programme to try to roll back the tide against criminals and criminality in the country.

“It was specifically focused on saving the lives of young men who needed to be protected from the criminals who routinely preyed on them, and helping to shape positive futures for these young people.

“We see our young men as future fathers, future role models, future professionals, who need care, attention and opportunities.

“The criminals see them as pawns and as persons who could front crime and violence. To the criminal elements, these young men are a means to an end, and are, in their view expendable.”

She told legislators that given the fact that the Central Audit Committee has raised the possibility of complicity by Ministry officials, the report will be sent to the Integrity Commission and the Head of the Public Service for further investigation, consideration and action.

“Citizens of our country can rest assured that as we move forward implementing programmes meant to positively impact our communities, we will not tolerate wrong-doing, we will not tolerate corruption, and we will not tolerate the abuse of programmes meant to save our people, for selfish, personal gains.

“In fact, if there is one very important message coming out of this Audit Report is the urgent need for procurement laws to become fully operationalized,” said Persad Bissessar, who made no mention of her Sports Minister during her statement to Parliament.

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Kamla wants criminal investigation into Trinidad Lifesport Programme

Kamla wants criminal investigation into Trinidad Lifesport Programme

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday July 25, 2014, CMC – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Friday said she had asked her Attorney General Anand Ramloan to hand over copies of the audit of the controversial Lifesport programme to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police “to investigate, detain and prosecute those guilty to the fullest extent of the law”.

Persad Bissessar told Parliament that the audit had revealed a number of discrepancies including procurement breaches; the involvement of some persons in criminal activities; fraud by suppliers; theft of equipment; breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act and a deviation from the mandates of Cabinet.

Former National Security Minister Austin Jack Warner, who described the programme as a “cess pool of corruption” said that in another country, the Minister of Sport, Anil Roberts would have resigned.

The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has filed a motion in the Parliament calling for the censure of Roberts as a result of the programme that they said was riddled with corruption.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar, defending her government’s decision to launch the audit, said that in May, a newspaper publication brought to light allegations of wrong-doing and misuse of resources in the LifeSport programme.

“Based on the very real possibility of there being irregularities I immediately instructed that the programme be transferred to the Ministry of National Security, and that the Ministry of Finance and the Economy, through its Central Audit Committee, conduct a full audit.”

She told legislators that a thorough and focused audit has now been completed and that because the programme was intended to “positively impact some of our most vulnerable, younger citizens, I believe it is appropriate that the report of the Central Audit Unit on the LifeSport Programme be made public, by being tabled here in the House of Representatives”.

She said that the programme began in June 2012 and at the time of the audit, 43 centres had been established throughout the country to cater for young people between the ages of 16-25.

She said that the audit also raised questions regarding possible complicity by officers of the Ministry, given the widespread nature of the breaches.

“What is most shocking and disappointing, is the fact that given the usually stringent nature of the bureaucratic processes in obtaining approvals for projects, implementing programmes and monitoring progress, no action was taken to halt or prevent what the Audit Committee found”.

Persad Bissessar said that she was disappointed of having to immediately halt the programme because it was conceptualised and formulated as part of a comprehensive programme to try to roll back the tide against criminals and criminality in the country.

“It was specifically focused on saving the lives of young men who needed to be protected from the criminals who routinely preyed on them, and helping to shape positive futures for these young people.

“We see our young men as future fathers, future role models, future professionals, who need care, attention and opportunities.

“The criminals see them as pawns and as persons who could front crime and violence. To the criminal elements, these young men are a means to an end, and are, in their view expendable.”

She told legislators that given the fact that the Central Audit Committee has raised the possibility of complicity by Ministry officials, the report will be sent to the Integrity Commission and the Head of the Public Service for further investigation, consideration and action.

“Citizens of our country can rest assured that as we move forward implementing programmes meant to positively impact our communities, we will not tolerate wrong-doing, we will not tolerate corruption, and we will not tolerate the abuse of programmes meant to save our people, for selfish, personal gains.

“In fact, if there is one very important message coming out of this Audit Report is the urgent need for procurement laws to become fully operationalized,” said Persad Bissessar, who made no mention of her Sports Minister during her statement to Parliament.

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Kamla wants criminal investigation into Trinidad Lifesport Programme

Popcaan"s sister hosts sex advice programme

Popcaan’s sister, Squid (left) and Danieshka. – Contributed

Squid, more popularly known as Popcaan’s big sister, is one of the new presenters for Suncity radio 104.9 FM first late night interactive radio talk show that will give advice on sex and relationships.

“This one-hour programme will be hosted by newcomers Danieshka and Squid, and was produced after the many request of listeners,” shared Steve Billings, chairman of Suncity 104.9 FM.

Like many relationship talk shows, ‘Naughty Talk’ will concentrate on topics such as cheating, meeting the parents, spicing up your sex life and much more.

The first programme aired featured the sultry dancehall artiste Danielle DI.

Danieshka, one of the presenters of the programme added, “The reception towards the first airing was amazing. the feedback from callers and even on social media made it clear that this programme was needed to spice up everyone’s Thursday night”.

Suncity 104.9 FM is the only radio station in Jamaica to have all themed days and as such ‘Naughty Talk’ airs on Lovers’ Thursday from 10 to 11 p.m.

“It is very important for radio in Jamaica to keep reinventing itself; ‘Naughty Talk’ is an unbiased show that does not discriminate against any race, social class, or lifestyle and that’s one of the reasons it’s so interesting to listen to,” shared Billings.

‘Naughty Talk’ will feature other guests such as D’Angel and the comical LA Lewis, just to name a few.

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Popcaan"s sister hosts sex advice programme

JFJ admits to not vetting controversial sex ed programme

Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is taking blame for what it says is the deficiency of  its Board in not vetting the controversial sex education programme which was administered in six childrens’ homes.
In  a release on Friday, JFJ said it had completed its investigation and came to the conclusion that the children in the homes were exposed to inappropriate content for their age.

It said this arose from a weakness in JFJ’s oversight and vetting process.
According to the human rights body, its former executive director Dr Carolyn Gomes mentioned the programme in three reports to the board.
It also said the communications specialist reported on the programme to the Board on several occasions.
JFJ says the full content of  the programme was never brought to the Board even while admitting that programme details are not normally presented at its meetings.      
It revealed that one of  the providers of  the course material, FAMPLAN, did not sign off  on the final course content which was intended to be delivered to children between the ages of  13 and 17.
JFJ says the programme involved as many as 176 children being trained between January and May this year.

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JFJ admits to not vetting controversial sex ed programme

Trinidad newspaper investigating claims journalist benefitted from LifeSport programme contracts

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday July 7, 2014, CMC – The Newsday newspaper Monday said it had launched an investigation into reports that one of its journalists had benefitted from contracts under the controversial LifeSport programme.

“Newsday has taken note of a story in …the Express newspaper in which one of our staff members is reported to have benefitted from a contract under the Life Sport programme.

“To the extent that this constitutes a serious conflict of interest, Newsday has begun its own inquiries into the matter,” the paper’s editor in chief, Jones P Madeira said in a statement.

The Sunday Express said that the journalist, through his company, had received a contract from the LifeSport programme.

The paper said the journalist had written stories about the death threat on the life of Ruth Marchan, the deputy director of Physical Education and Sport at the Ministry of Sport and the corruption she exposed about how TT$34 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) was paid from LifeSport funds Maths and English lessons to a well known educator, but no work was done.

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The coalition People’s Partnership government has initiated an audit into the controversial programme in which millions of dollars have been spent to get young people to turn away from a life of crime and be involved in social work and other programmes.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has removed the programme from under the portfolio of Sports Minister Anil Roberts and placed it under the Ministry of National Security.

The Minister of National Security Gary Griffith has said that the contracts awarded under the programme were the key to unraveling how millions of tax payers’ dollars were spent.

Giving one person tens of thousands of dollars in a brown paper bag with claims of handing it over to invisible participants because they have no bank account has to be a sick joke.

“If that is not a sign of financial mismanagement, questionable activity and incompetence, then I don’t know what is,” Griffith told the Sunday Express newspaper.

Madeira said Newsday remains confident that its approaches to related stories it has published on the Life Sport issues have not been compromised, “and assures its readers that the newspaper remains committed to the highest journalistic principles in the conduct of its editorial affairs”.

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Trinidad newspaper investigating claims journalist benefitted from LifeSport programme contracts

JFJ seeks to clear Osbourne of any involvement with sex ed programme

The Board of the human rights lobby group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), has moved to distance Kay Osbourne, its current executive director, from any involvement with the now controvesial sex education programme that was introduced in six privately run children’s homes.

JFJ, in a statement released late on Friday night, said it had been forced to respond after it became aware of a letter, “issued to the press, which seems to place responsibility for the content of certain questionable modules,” on Ms. Osborne, who assumed the position of executive director on April 2, 2014.

The JFJ Board said while its internal review of the project “Healthy Sexual Growth and Development in Marginalised Youth: Rights, Responsibilities and Life Skills” was not yet complete, it needed to make it clear that in its review to date, “Ms. Osborne had nothing to do with the development, implementation, preparation and/or approval of the content of the modules, nor did she have oversight of any aspect of the project.”
The project was “designed, negotiated, and contracted by Dr. Carolyn Gomes with funding arranged by Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVCC),” the JFJ Board said.

Furthermore, the release affirmed, the implementation of the project began in October 2013, under the direct guidance of Dr. Carolyn Gomes, who was then Executive Director of JFJ.

Dr. Gomes resigned from her post with JFJ on December 20, 2013 to take up a new post as Executive Director of the CVCC.

Following her resignation, Dr. Gomes was reappointed to the Board of JFJ where she continued as a Director until her resignation in June 2014.

“At no point during this period did Dr. Gomes, either in writing or verbally, indicate to Ms. Osborne that JFJ was implementing a project of this nature. It is therefore wholly inaccurate to attribute responsibility to Ms. Osborne for the content of the modules or for her to bring that content to the attention of the Board of JFJ,” the statement concluded.

Public debate

The sex education programme became a matter of significant public debate, after it was revealed that its contents included, among other items, discussions about anal sex and oral sex, widely deemed inappropriate, especially taking into consideration the age of some of the children. It took on greater national significance, in part, because the revelation of its contents coincided with a wider debate concerning whether there should be more tolerance for homosexuals in the Jamaican society.

The matter is under investigation by several agencies of government and the Attorney General has been asked to determine whether legal action could be taken against anyone who was involved.

JFJ has already apologised for the manner in which it went about administering the programme.

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JFJ seeks to clear Osbourne of any involvement with sex ed programme

Thousands for NYS summer employment programme

Four thousand 500 youngsters will be placed in jobs under a J$90 million summer Employment Programme being led by the National Youth Service (NYS).

Starting on Monday, they will be assigned to public and private sector entities for six weeks.

Deputy Director of  Community Service at the NYS, Nickeisha Lindsay, says the participants were selected from high schools and tertiary institutions across the island.

They were required to have at least three CSEC passes.

Physically challenged persons were included.

Lindsay explained that the programme is not geared towards securing permanent employment for the participants, but to provide work experience.

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Thousands for NYS summer employment programme

Digicel launches Phone Recycling Programme for special-needs schools - Unused phones in exchange for tablets

Representatives and students of the Windsor School of Special Education and Digicel representatives, including Judine Hunter (left), programme manager, for special needs at Digicel Foundation, are all smiles at the handover of the educational pack at the recently held phone recycling launch. – Contributed

On Thursday, scores of persons gathered for the launch of an exciting Phone Recycling Programme that will see special-needs schools collecting unused mobile phones in exchange for brand-new tablets and accessories worth over US$700 each.

The recycling programme, an initiative of the Digicel Foundation, one of Jamaica’s leading supporters of the special-needs sector, was launched in partnership with Autism Ireland to improve the learning experiences of children with autism to help them reach their full potential.

At the launch, held at the Portmore Learning Centre, the foundation handed over educational packs that included an iPad, mini speakers, stylus, protective cover and screen overlay to the Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID).

JAID, the oldest and largest organisation in the country providing services to persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, will be using these tablets to teach children social skills.

“Each school will be given a recycle bin for students, parents, teachers, visitors and other persons in their community to use to collect unused phones beginning June 23, 2014,” Judine Hunter, the programme manager for special needs at the Foundation, said.

“What is important about this programme is that students with special needs will not only have an opportunity to benefit from the latest technology, but they will learn about how important it is to recycle.”

The recycling programme will end on September 30. The foundation will hand over educational packs to its special-needs partners during the school year. The Digicel Foundation will also donate $100,000 to the school that collects the most phones.

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Digicel launches Phone Recycling Programme for special-needs schools - Unused phones in exchange for tablets

WICB/JCA Grassroots programme gets going in Portmore

ST Catherine, Jamaica — Over 20 youngsters from various communities in the sunshine city of Portmore turned out at the Bridgeport Sports Club for the first day of the WICB/JCA Grassroots cricket clinic.

The boys and girls were put through a number of fielding and catching drills under the guidance of coach Hugh Hinds and assistant coach Kirk McKenzie.

The youngsters were drawn from the neighbouring Bridgeport Primary School, Naggo Head Primary, as well as high schools Kingston College, Campion College and St Catherine High.

With Saturday, February 1 being the first of the eight-week programme, Hinds focused on skim catches and casual ground field to get the programme off and running.

“We have some of the youngsters coming back, as well as we have a number of newcomers. We decided that we would start the programme with some catching and fielding fundamentals to improve their hand-eye co-ordination and the children have definitely enjoyed that aspect of the training.”

Hinds added that as the programme progresses he will be implementing other aspects of training.

“Because we are dealing with children ages seven to 13 you have to keep them occupied and engaged at all times, so we will let them have a little knockabout cricket game in the last half-hour of the training just to let them have some fun.”

With half the participants being new to the programme, next week the coaching staff will be teaching the young boys and girls proper bat grip technique as well as proper stance.

“Some of the kids here have never played cricket before, so we will have to teach them everything from scratch. My assistant Kirk McKenzie has been doing a great job with the little ones and we are of the view that if we can get just one of these kids carrying on playing the game we would have succeeded.”

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WICB/JCA Grassroots programme gets going in Portmore

School Board chairmen to investigate noncompliance of principals in training programme

Latest News

Monday, December 30, 2013 | 9:58 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Board chairmen of public primary and secondary schools Monday (December 30) gave an undertaking to ascertain why principals of their schools have not been responding favourably to capacity building interventions being led by the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL).The interventions form part of NCEL’s Effective Principals’ Training Programme and are aimed at improving outcomes at schools, several of which are deemed to be underperforming.At a meeting at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester Monday, school board chairmen from more than 30 schools across the country expressed disappointment with the actions of their principals and gave a commitment to conduct their own investigations to determine what may have contributed to their non-compliance. They also indicated that they would be providing feedback to NCEL in the coming days as it is expected that their principals will become compliant by the end of January 2014.The board chairs were summoned to the meeting following Education Minister Ronald Thwaites’ recent declaration to Parliament that the ministry would take steps to ensure that principals were compliant with required NCEL training programmes.Addressing the school leaders, Principal Director of NCEL, Dr Maurice Smith asserted that the Board Chairmen had a crucial role to play in improving student achievement and emphasized that they must insist on accountability at all levels. “The voice of the Board Chairs is critical to the process. We must make sure all of us are accountable. We cannot go back to our schools and classrooms doing the same thing,” said Dr Smith.Since the middle of 2012, NCEL has been offering its Effective Principals’ Training Programme to leaders of primary and secondary schools, the ministry said. However, a significant number of principals have not been completing the programme of work.According to Dr Smith, 107 of 196 principals as at September this year had not satisfied the requirements with respect to either the Leadership Development Action Plan or the Portfolio. Despite several attempts, including letters from the Chief Education Officer only 30 of the 107 principals had complied. Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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School Board chairmen to investigate noncompliance of principals in training programme

Grass-roots Football Programme moves to a higher level

Sport

Saturday, September 14, 2013

The Digicel/Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Grassroots Programme moves to a higher level when the 18th festival moves to the Three Hills Community Football field in St Mary today.When the JFF announced the programme, which is aimed at introducing the rudiments of the game to children aged 6-12, it indicated that the programme would have four components:1 The staging of festivals in all parishes, targeting 100 children at each. To date, 17 festivals have been held with over 2,000.2 The staging of coaching education workshops aimed at teaching coach educators, at the parish level, the best means of imparting the basics of the game to this age group. To date, over 500 coach educators across the island have been involved in these workshops.3 The appointment of Grass-roots coordinators in each parish. All parishes have recently appointed a Grass-roots coordinator.4 The provision of equipment to the parishes to facilitate a continuous Grass-roots programme at the parish level.Today, the first stock of equipment will be handed over to the St Mary FA at the end of the festival, which is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm. It is expected that the parishes will use the equipment to have small festivals.The JFF had made representation to FIFA for some assistance with Grassroots equipment and FIFA recently approved an allocation to the JFF.

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Grass-roots Football Programme moves to a higher level

Hanna calls for private sector assistance in Ananda Alert programme

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna has called on public and private sector individuals, groups and organisations to get more involved in the Ananda Alert missing children recovery programme to ensure the further success of the system.

Speaking at a press conference held by the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR) at Jamaica House on Friday, September 6, Hanna highlighted the need for a collaborative approach in dealing with reducing the number of children going missing and those being abused.“If we all assist we can create a strong network that will prove to be a valuable and useful tool in reducing the number of children who go missing and drastically increasing the numbers who are found and returned to their families safely,” Hanna said, noting that parents too have significant roles to play in the process.According to Hanna, the Government continues to forge new partnerships with key players even as her Ministry seeks to strengthen relationships that already exist in an effort to fulfil the administration’s commitment to seriously addressing the issue of child safety and reducing and preventing child abuse.Hanna added that her Ministry, through the OCR, is seeking to create a more effective public advisory system for the Ananda Alert programme. The system, she said, will include public education on the safety of children, consistent and real time dissemination of complete profiles of missing children including names, age, photographs, along with other pertinent information, and an update on those children who have returned home.“The OCR continues to make great strides in carrying out its mandate as a key player in caring for and protecting the nation’s children. Much of its success has been achieved through the OCR’s continuous drive to educate the public about child safety and child abuse prevention and reporting,” said Hanna.The Ananda Alert Missing Children Recovery Programme has been allocated $6.7 million which Hanna said will facilitate greater operational efficiency. As a result of the increased budgetary allocation by the Government, staff for the Ananda Alert programme is being increased and more resources are being invested in public education.Hanna said that between January 1, and August 23, this year the total number of children reported missing was 1,518 with 1,297 returning home.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Hanna calls for private sector assistance in Ananda Alert programme

Overnight racing programme for Saturday, August 31, 2013

RACE 1 PURSE:$715,000

NB & IMP 2-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 1000M (5 FUR RD)1.GOLD PRICE 2 TL DCardenas-1 LRobinson 50.52.ACTAT 2 BL OWhite4-4 LRobinson 50.53.FLIGHT DIRECTOR 2 B MGriffiths4-1 LRobinson 50.54.NO NONSENSE MAN 2 T SEllis-1 AnthNunes 54.05.ABYS TRACKSTAR 2 V PWilliams-1 NEdwards 51.56.HIJA DE REINA 2 T AMartin-1 AnthNunes 52.0RACE 2 PURSE:$715,000NB 3YO NW2/IMP 3YO & UP MAIDEN-REST ALLOW II 1200M (6 FUR)1.HAWKEYE 3 &L DaneNelson-1 RAzan 52.52.EXCLUSIVE PRINCE 3 CL DCardenas-1 WDaCosta 56.03.UNCLE G 3 TL RMitchell-1 PaulSmith 50.54.EL NUMERO UNO 3 VTL PFrancis-1 PFeanny 51.55.RASTARAVEN 3 TL PWilliams-1 OSharpe 51.06.ART OF WAR 3 TCL MGrant-1 WSoutar 50.57.TRAIL BLAZER 3 T DCardenas-2 WDaCosta 50.0RACE 3 PURSE:$528,0003-Y-O & UP CLAIMING $450,000-$400,000/NB 5-Y-O NW4 1400M (7 FUR)1.VONALMIGHTY 7 TL 450 SMuir2-1 PThompson 54.02.JARREAU 4 400 DCardenas-1 RBurrell 54.03.I’M ALLWRIGHT 4 T&L 450 KRobinson-1 RyanDarby 52.04.SHEZA BOSSLADY 4 T&C 450 DaneNelson-1 LKirlew 52.55.SURREAL 5 L OWalker-1 STodd 54.06.FIRST’K"BOY 5 BL 450 AMartin-1 STodd 54.07.EL PATRON 4 L 450 DGordon-1 RTownsend 54.08.PRIESTKING 4 TL 450 OWalker-4 GSubratie 54.0RACE 4 PURSE:$438,0003-Y-O & UP CLAIMING $180,000/NB 6-Y-O NW3 1100M (5 1/2 FUR)1.NOTUS 5 TL 180 RLahoe3-1 SCurtis 54.02.MEL AGAIN 4 B& 180 RMcNaughton3-1 RBurrell 57.03.SIMPLY OUTSTANDING 5 T&L 180 RMitchell-1 DPryce 55.04.SIR VALIANT 7 TL 180 ARobles-1 AChong 55.05.CHAMPION LINKS 5 L 180 MGriffiths4-1 CKhwalsingh 57.06.AUSTIN LUKE 5 T&L 180 DaneNelson-1 MPottinger 54.07.PRETTY TING 4 VL 180 SMuir2-1 RyanDarby 54.08.MR. BUTCHER 9 B 180 RLunan-1 PElliott 57.09.LIVE WATER 5 &L 180 RLahoe3-2 EWalker 55.0RACE 5 PURSE:$480,600NB 4-Y-O & UP RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE V (NW2) 1000M (5 FUR ST)1.ONE CREATOR 4 T&L MPowell-1 HMcLeod 54.02.SONGS OF FREEDOM 4 &L JJackson4-1 EBrown 53.03.SHE KNOWS BEST 4 TL KPowell3-1 NGraham 51.04.VALID IMAGE 4 VTL SMuir2-1 NGraham 55.05.CAPTAIN DJ 4 L DRobinson4-1 CMorrissey 54.06.RAINBOW MAN 4 L OSimpson4-1 RTownsend 54.07.STEP IT UP 4 T&CL RLahoe3-1 OMarkland 54.08.BANKROLL 4 HL RMcNaughton3-1 FRichards 53.09.PREMIUM RETURNS 4 CL DGordon-1 JThomas 54.0RACE 6 PURSE:$715,000NB 3-Y-O MAIDEN CONDITION RACE (FILLIES DIV I) 1400M (7 FUR)1.WINESHA 3 T& RLahoe3-1 RyanDarby 52.02.THUNDER HEART 3 VL RHalledeen-1 HowJaghai 56.03.LADY BELRIDGE 3 &L RLunan-4 AnthSmith 56.04.CODE JAMMER 3 B JAnderson-4 AWright 52.05.YES SHE WILL 3 VT& DaneNelson-2 AFerguson 54.06.ROCK ‘A’ WAY 3 TL SEllis-2 AnthNunes 56.07.FASTANDFLASHY 3 &L OWhite4-4 GDavis 55.08.CRUCIAL DANCER 3 V CliveLynch-4 PHylton 56.09.MY GIRL BRITNEY 3 &L KGarvey4-1 EWalker 52.010.NANNYTHEREALTHING 3 TC OSewell4-1 CTulloch 53.011.PUNTER’S CRY 3 VT RPaige-1 HHarrison Jr 52.012.REIGN OF DEFTINY 3 L OFoster3-1 MMcIntosh 56.0RACE 7 PURSE:$492,0003-Y-O & UP CLAIMING $350,000-$300,000/NB 5-Y-O NW3 1200M (6 FUR)1.KATHERINETHEGREAT 5 L CliveLynch-1 NPeralto 54.02.BOURNE’S IDENTITY 5 &L 350 RMitchell-1 HParsard 54.03.LIKKLE BIT 8 L 300 PFrancis-1 CKhwalsingh 52.04.LOVETTA JONES 5 VL 350 DAThomas-4 RHardial 54.05.AWESOME MARQUE 7 TL 350 JJackson4-4 RyanDarby 54.06.GREEN BERET 5 L 300 J.N.E EASubratie 52.07.JAYLEN 7 T&L 350 SMuir2-1 MPottinger 54.08.NEVER GIVE UP 5 TCL RLahoe3-1 BDawes 54.09.SERIOUS BUSINESS 5 L 350 CliveLynch-4 MBeecham 54.010.PRINCESS NIYAH 4 T&CL 350 DaneNelson-1 RAlveranga 53.0RACE 8 PURSE:$715,000NB 3-Y-O MAIDEN CONDITION RACE (FILLIES DIV II) 1400M (7 FUR)1.ETTU ORACLE 3 & PFrancis-1 CMitchell 56.02.PAID OUR DUES 3 DGordon-1 STodd 52.53.CATTALOGUE 3 TL RMitchell-1 CAnderson 54.04.SILVER SANDS 3 BTL AMartin-1 AnthNunes 54.05.INFANTRY OFFICER 3 TL DaneNelson-4 DVanriel 56.06.PRINCESS SALLEMA 3 CL DCardenas-2 HowJaghai 53.07.ZEN ZEN 3 TL RWilson-1 NGraham 56.08.PARALEGAL 3 RMcNaughton3-4 MPowell 56.09.GREAT BROWN 3 L KPowell3-1 MMcIntosh 52.010.MISS DOROTHY 3 JErwin-1 DChambers 52.011.DECAPOLIS 3 &L SEllis-1 SChung 55.012.FLYING MARSHALL 3 CL JJackson4-1 GGriffiths 56.0RACE 9 PURSE:$462,000NB 4-Y-O & UP MAIDEN CONDITION RACE 1400M (7 FUR)1.MR. TRADITIONALIST 4 T PParchment-1 DPlummer 54.02.TOP RANKING 4 T&CL OSewell4-1 WSoutar 56.03.MAWGA GAL 4 AMartin-1 AnthNunes 52.04.BELLAGIO 4 L ANunes-1 AChong 51.55.FLYING AZIMUT 4 BTL JErwin-1 RAlveranga 52.56.ENERGETIC EMILY 4 & KGarvey4-4 MHall 51.07.THE LINCOLN LAWYER 4 BL OWalker-1 PLynch 55.08.EMINENCE GRISE 4 VL RCole-1 TChung 51.09.NAFEESA 4 T&CL PFrancis-1 DThwaites 54.010.ONE MAKER 4 RMcNaughton3-1 GBucknor 51.011.LIFE ON THE RUN 5 V EJackson-4 AWright 51.012.SIR WILLIE 4 VL RHalledeen-1 HowJaghai 56.013.READBETWEENDLINES 4 TCL CBudhai-1 RScott 51.014.SILENT STORM 4 &L DCardenas-1 NPeralto 55.0RACE 10 PURSE:$786,500** THE NIGEL B NUNES MEMORIAL CUP **3-Y-O & UP OPEN ALLOWANCE 1820M (9 FUR+25 YDS)1.COMMANDING CHIEF 5 TL WGriffiths-1 EFrancis 56.02.RAGING PROSPECT 4 L PWilliams-1 FGlispie 50.03.TYPEWRITER 4 L SEllis-1 SChung 57.04.PERFECT NEIGHBOUR 3 TL DCardenas-1 WDaCosta 53.05.UNCLE DONNY 4 TL OWalker-1 AnthNunes 50.06.EXOTIC GOLD 4 TCL SMuir2-1 WDaCosta 50.07.MILITARY MOVE 4 TL PFrancis-1 LFreemantle 50.08.TIMEFORARMS 4 BL J.N.E FGlispie 54.0RACE 11 PURSE:$438,000** THE TRACK PRICE PLUS “DIG-OUT HANDICAP” **4-Y-O & UP CLAIMING $180,000 1000M (5 FUR ST)1.VANA PROSPECT 4 TL 180 SMuir2-1 FGlispie 55.02.QUICK MARCH 4 V&L 180 JAnderson-1 WSoutar 55.03.TIME OF STORM 6 T&L 180 OSimpson4-1 RyanDarby 57.04.THE SMOKER 10 BTL 180 RSaunders3-1 NSmith 57.05.MONEAGUE 4 T 180 PParchment-1 DPlummer 53.06.WILLINSTON 6 VTL 180 DRobinson4-1 WMcIntosh 57.07.EXODUS WAY 4 T& 180 MGriffiths4-1 CAtkinson Jr 53.08.APARAJITA 4 TL 180 KPowell3-1 VWilliams 54.09.GALACTUS 5 TL 180 JErwin-1 BMcIntosh 55.010.JEOPARDY 7 180 ConEllis-1 CKhwalsingh 54.011.SKIPAWAY PRINCE 7 TL 180 J.N.E BMcIntosh 56.012.ZARA 5 TL 180 ABudhu-1 AMcDonald 51.013.HOT STREAK 4 L 180 PFrancis-1 CKhwalsingh 54.014.PEGASUS 4 TL 180 RMcNaughton3-2 PCharlton 57.015.IAN’S GOLD 5 L 180 RLahoe3-1 DPlummer 55.016.STAMP OF AUTHORITY 6 TL 180 RMcNaughton3-1 GresSmith 53.0……………………….. also eligible ……………………………17.SKIPPINFORTREASURE 7 &L 180 OWhite4-1 PHylton 53.018.GOLD RUNNER 5 CL 180 OWalker-1 JThomas 57.019.CASCINA 5 CL 180 DCardenas-1 AChong 53.020.TOURING WITH RHEA 4 T&CL 180 RLunan-1 NRose 56.0

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Overnight racing programme for Saturday, August 31, 2013

Kellier pins hope on overseas employment programme

THE country’s struggle with unemployment could, in another decade, be a thing of the past as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security steps up efforts to satisfy the global labour demand with qualified Jamaicans.

Labour and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier yesterday made the pronouncement while responding to questions from the Jamaica Observer during a courtesy call by Caribbean Airlines Ltd at his downtown Kingston offices, where a partnership between the airline and the country’s overseas employment programme was highlighted.“That is my hope,” Kellier said when asked if unemployment — based on the work programme — would no longer be an issue in another 10 years.“That is really my hope and that is why the ministry is working so hard to get the labour market information so that we can prepare ourselves along with the people in the HEART Trust, in the Ministry of Education and other training agencies to prepare our people to [fill] jobs in the global marketplace. So whether it is in India, Pakistan, down in the [United Arab] Emirates… we can find people to send there.”The minister said that in Canada alone there are some 300,000 jobs to be filled in areas, ranging from fast-food restaurant workers to tax auditors, accountants and engineers.Between Canada and the United States, an average of 14,000 Jamaicans are hired on the Government’s farm work programme alone, which is 60 years running.Should Kellier’s dream become a reality, Jamaica could see a significant jump in remittances, which has for a long time been one of Jamaica’s main foreign exchange earners but which took a hit with the global economic meltdown a few years ago.Kellier told journalists at yesterday’s event that the “Government and the country” have benefited to the tune of billions of dollars from the overseas employment programme.The number of Jamaicans who are unemployed stands at roughly 200,000, which is about 14 per cent of the labour force. The average figure over the years has been 13.80 per cent, save for an all-time low of 9.80 per cent in 2007, according to figures on the website of the Planning Institute of Jamaica. The unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.Yesterday, Kellier said that his ministry is working to grow the overseas employment programme, saying that this year there is an expected 10 to 15 per cent increase in the number of Jamaicans who will gain employment in Canada.He said work has been done to broaden the scope of employment for Jamaicans in various sectors there, including heavy-duty trucking, heavy-duty mechanics and welders.“There are a lot of unemployed persons out there looking an opportunity and we are trying our best at the local level to get them involved,” Kellier said.He said the Government will, in the future, be seeking employment for Jamaicans in the Middle East, where there is also a growing demand for workers with certain skills set.Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier (centre) greets veteran farm worker Vincent Taylor at the ministry’s downtown Kingston offices. Sharing in the occasion is Caribbean Airlines Ltd’s general manager Clive Forbes.Jamaicans selected for the overseas employment programme pay attention during a meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security offices in downtown Kingston, yesterday.

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Kellier pins hope on overseas employment programme

Overnight racing programme for Saturday, August 3, 2013

RACE 1 PURSE:$715,000

NB 2-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 800M (4 FUR ST)1.ACTAT 2 B PWilliams-4 LRobinson 51.52.LIAR LIAR 2 PFrancis-1 RHardial 51.53.KLICKNPLAY 2 DCardenas-1 LRobinson 51.54.MOM RULES 2 L AChatrie-1 GSubratie 51.55.SANTANA 2 B DaneNelson-1 RAzan 54.06.GEORGIAMYLOVE 2 B CBrown-1 EWalker 52.5RACE 2 PURSE:$528,0003-Y-O & UP CLAIMING $450,000-$400,000 & NB 5-Y-O NW4 1000M (5 FUR ST)1.PRINCE THEO 6 TL 450 OWalker-1 LFreemantle 55.02.AQUAMOTO 4 BTL 400 SMuir2-1 AnthNunes 53.03.REAL VIBES MACHINE 4 L 450 RMcNaughton3-1 VWilliams 56.04.SIR D 5 TL 450 DaneNelson-1 GSubratie 54.05.SINK THE BISMARCK 3 B 400 DCardenas-1 WDaCosta 54.06.BUSY 6 450 DGordon-4 LFreemantle 52.07.SURREAL 5 L ODonegal-4 STodd 54.08.LOVETTA JONES 5 VTL 400 PFrancis-1 RyanDarby 50.0RACE 3 PURSE:$516,600NB 4-Y-O & UP RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE IV (NW3) 1820M (9 FUR+25 YDS)1.ROYAL LINE 4 L J.N.E WDaCosta 55.02.I AM THANKFUL 4 L OFoster3-1 WDaCosta 56.03.HE’STHEREAL LINKS 4 VTL OWalker-4 AMcDonald 54.04.VIBES MASTER 4 TL RMitchell-1 AFerguson 54.05.STERLING GOLD 4 V&L SMuir2-1 HowJaghai 55.06.TUDOR DYNASTY 4 L AChatrie-1 KDavis 54.07.I’M ALLWRIGHT 4 T&L PFrancis-1 RyanDarby 52.0RACE 4 PURSE:$715,000IMP 3-Y-O & UP MAIDEN CONDITION RACE 1200M (6 FUR)1.LADY CELTIC 4 BL J.N.E WDaCosta 53.02.CIRCULAR MOMENT 3 L CliveLynch-1 FRichards 54.03.PROUD SONG 3 TL RWilson-1 GLewis 52.04.PREMATUREE 4 BL ISpence-1 PFeanny 57.05.SHEVA’S BOY 5 B&L DAThomas-4 EASubratie 54.06.COUGAR COMMANDER 3 VTL OWalker-1 GSubratie 54.07.BADGE EIGHTY THREE 3 VTL SMuir2-1 FRichards 53.08.EXCLUSIVE PRINCE 3 CL DCardenas-1 WDaCosta 54.0RACE 5 PURSE:$480,600NB 4-Y-O & UP RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE V (NW2 F&M) 1100M (5 1/2 FUR)1.J.T. EXPRESS 4 L DCardenas-1 PLynch 54.02.STEPPING RAZOR 4 TCL OWalker-2 HMcLeod 54.03.BETTE DAVIS 5 TL RSaunders3-4 GBucknor 54.04.NEENO 4 L RLahoe3-1 EFrancis 53.05.MONEYNEVERSLEEP 5 L PBryan-4 GBucknor 55.06.MEROVINGIAN QUEEN 4 VL RMcNaughton3-1 AMcDonald 54.07.AUDRE’S BLESSING 4 L SMuir2-1 WChin 56.08.ALISONBEE 4 &L OWalker-1 GSubratie 51.0RACE 6 PURSE:$715,000NB 3-Y-O MAIDEN CONDITION RACE 1000M (5 FUR RD)1.JOKER CARD 3 OWalker-4 GSubratie 56.02.DUTCHROW 3 L J.N.E AnthSmith 52.03.BEAST 3 L JErwin-4 PLynch 52.04.SANGO 3 V& KPowell3-1 LClarke 52.05.CAN BE ANYTHING 3 TCL PParchment-4 LFreemantle 52.06.SNOWBALL 3 L OSimpson4-1 GSubratie 52.07.CODE JAMMER 3 JAnderson-1 AWright 54.08.DIAMOND PRINCESS 3 &CL DaneNelson-1 RAzan 54.09.INFANTRY OFFICER 3 BTL OWalker-1 DVanriel 51.010.I’M A BELIEVER 3 &L DGordon-1 LFreemantle 56.0RACE 7 PURSE:$715,000** THE THOROUGHBRED OWNERS & BREEDERS ASSOC OF JA TROPHY **NB 3-Y-O RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE II (NW2) 1400M (7 FUR)1.MIRACLE RUN 3 T&L AMartin-1 AnthNunes 52.02.PRINCESS SHANEIL 3 &L SEllis-1 VWilliams 55.03.HAWKEYE 3 &L RMairs-1 RAzan 53.54.PERSIAN BELLE 3 VTL JErwin-1 PChang 54.55.IBELIEVE N MIRACLE 3 L DCardenas-1 PLynch 52.06.EL CLIENTE 3 T&L AChatrie-1 GLewis 55.07.MAMA BLOSSOM 3 TL OWalker-1 GSubratie 55.08.TITANIC 3 L CliveLynch-1 CAtkinson Sr 53.5RACE 8 PURSE:$715,0003-Y-O & UP OVERNIGHT ALLOWANCE 1000M (5 FUR ST)1.LADYLIKE 4 L DCardenas-1 DChen 50.02.RUNJOHNNY RUN 4 L PFrancis-1 PFeanny 50.03.AWESOME CAMILLE 4 L PHolder2-1 GSubratie 51.04.DOUBLE BUTTON 4 TL AChatrie-1 GLewis 51.05.JET SETTER 5 TL PHolder2-2 WDaCosta 52.06.SMOKIN MAN 5 & OSimpson4-1 RTownsend 54.07.SIR VON 6 T&L OSewell4-1 WDaCosta 55.08.NYABINGHI 5 L PHolder2-4 PMcMaster 53.0RACE 9 PURSE:$438,000** THE TRACK PRICE PLUS “DIG-OUT HANDICAP” **3-Y-O & UP CLAIMING $180,000 & NB 6-Y-O NW3 1200M (6 FUR)1.EYESOFGLORY 6 CL ISpence-1 LCalder 55.02.GOLDEN TRAIN 5 B 180 MPowell-1 RRoberts 57.03.SHE CAN PREACH 5 T&L 180 OFoster3-1 CTulloch 54.04.DANCINWITHTHECATS 4 L 180 RLahoe3-1 GresSmith 52.05.CHECKITOUT 5 TL 180 SMuir2-1 MPowell 55.06.MARCI THE BUTCHER 4 &L 180 DCardenas-1 PElliott 54.07.GOOD OVER EVIL 4 T 180 DaneNelson-1 STodd 57.08.MADAM RODHAM 4 BTL 180 RMitchell-1 LFreemantle 53.09.RUN CHARM RUN 6 TL 180 PWilliams-1 WChin 52.010.THE VALIDICTORIAN 6 TL 180 RSaunders3-1 RyanDarby 55.011.SPLITTING IMAGE 6 B&L 180 JErwin-1 NPalmer 57.012.CASH TALKS 4 VL 180 ABudhu-1 KBrivette 54.0

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Overnight racing programme for Saturday, August 3, 2013

Phillips urges support for govt’s economic reform programme

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Finance and Planning Minister, Peter Phillips, is again urging national support for Government’s Economic Reform Programme (ERP), which he says aims to reduce the country’s debt, and set a platform for growth.

Speaking at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Biz Clinic 2013 Forum at the Mandeville Hotel, on Thursday, July 25, Phillips, while acknowledging that the programme’s implementation was a pre-requisite for concluding the new US$932.3 million four-year International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF), emphasised that it is also a “requirement for us to put our economy on a firm footing to achieve sustained levels of growth.”The programme, components of which have either been implemented or are currently being embarked on, aims to reduce Jamaica’s debt from the current 145 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), to 96 per cent by 2020. These components include: attainment of a 7.5 per cent primary budgetary surplus target; implementation of a National Debt Exchange (NDX) programme; tax reform; and public sector reform, restructuring of salaries to reduce ratio to GDP from 10.6 per cent, as at March 31, 2013, to nine per cent by 2015/16. Saying that there is “a tendency on the part of commentators” to associate the programme solely with the EFF, Dr Phillips stressed that whether or not there was an agreement, “we need these economic reforms, primarily, because we have an unsustainable level of public debt.”“It is true that the pain generally comes before the gain, and we are in a period now where the stresses are being felt. But, it is also the case that we can see the prospects of the growth, which is the focus of the entire programme,” he noted.Dr Phillips pointed out that inflation outturn for the April to June quarter was 1.2 per cent, which fell below the two to three per cent forecast.  Additionally, he said the Net International Reserves  (NIR) stood at just over US$1 billion, representing approximately 13 weeks of goods and services imports. This figure, he said, was US$119 million higher than the outturn at the end of the January to March quarter. “The turnaround will not come instantaneously. But, I think it is important to recognise that there are important opportunities for us to even exceed what, admittedly, are moderate growth targets for the first phase of our programme,” the minister said. “We can…complain about all the things that could be different, or we can become part of the change. I want to urge all of you to inform yourselves and be evangelists for economic reform in the country,” Dr Phillips added.

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Phillips urges support for govt’s economic reform programme

Phillips urges support for govt’s economic reform programme

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Finance and Planning Minister, Peter Phillips, is again urging national support for Government’s Economic Reform Programme (ERP), which he says aims to reduce the country’s debt, and set a platform for growth.

Speaking at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Biz Clinic 2013 Forum at the Mandeville Hotel, on Thursday, July 25, Phillips, while acknowledging that the programme’s implementation was a pre-requisite for concluding the new US$932.3 million four-year International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF), emphasised that it is also a “requirement for us to put our economy on a firm footing to achieve sustained levels of growth.”The programme, components of which have either been implemented or are currently being embarked on, aims to reduce Jamaica’s debt from the current 145 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), to 96 per cent by 2020. These components include: attainment of a 7.5 per cent primary budgetary surplus target; implementation of a National Debt Exchange (NDX) programme; tax reform; and public sector reform, restructuring of salaries to reduce ratio to GDP from 10.6 per cent, as at March 31, 2013, to nine per cent by 2015/16. Saying that there is “a tendency on the part of commentators” to associate the programme solely with the EFF, Dr Phillips stressed that whether or not there was an agreement, “we need these economic reforms, primarily, because we have an unsustainable level of public debt.”“It is true that the pain generally comes before the gain, and we are in a period now where the stresses are being felt. But, it is also the case that we can see the prospects of the growth, which is the focus of the entire programme,” he noted.Dr Phillips pointed out that inflation outturn for the April to June quarter was 1.2 per cent, which fell below the two to three per cent forecast.  Additionally, he said the Net International Reserves  (NIR) stood at just over US$1 billion, representing approximately 13 weeks of goods and services imports. This figure, he said, was US$119 million higher than the outturn at the end of the January to March quarter. “The turnaround will not come instantaneously. But, I think it is important to recognise that there are important opportunities for us to even exceed what, admittedly, are moderate growth targets for the first phase of our programme,” the minister said. “We can…complain about all the things that could be different, or we can become part of the change. I want to urge all of you to inform yourselves and be evangelists for economic reform in the country,” Dr Phillips added.Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserver

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Phillips urges support for govt’s economic reform programme