Monthly Archives: May 2021

Parris Lyew-Ayee (centre), chairman of the JN Foundation, makes a point to Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change at the media launch of the Water Summit. Looking on is Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation.

Parris Lyew-Ayee, Chairman of the JN Foundation, said that the country’s water problems can only be addressed with a collaborative approach, with the input of key stakeholders, at the public and private sector levels.

“Solving this long-standing water problem is not an easy task,” he said. “The government cannot do it alone. That is why we are hosting this special webinar, to bring together in one place: experts, scientists, engineers, hydrogeologists, economists, financiers, policy makers, and social scientists; including many other stakeholders, to not only discuss issues, but to have constructive dialogue and put forward practical solutions, which we will need to grab and put into action,” he explained.

Mr Lyew-Ayee made those suggestions while addressing the JN Foundation Water Summit, which was held virtually on May 13-14, under the theme “Water is Life.”

The JN Foundation Chairman said that the country’s water challenges are unprecedented, which called for decisive actions and proactive approaches to address the issues.

“Our climate adaptation approach must involve the practices of water efficiencies and conservation,” he pointed out, noting that the summit had brought to the table the relevant stakeholders to discuss water related issues.

The geologist also recommended that upcoming housing solutions, constructed by private developers and government agencies, should feature climate resilience and water conservation fittings, as well as systems, at a minimum standard.

He said there should be an urgent ratification of the draft National Housing Policy, specifically in the areas, which aim to support and promote sustainable climate resilience.

The Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, said the government was pursuing solutions to address informal communities, which are vulnerable to climate change.

“My ministry is currently engaged in a comprehensive national survey of these informal settlements, with a view to obtaining information which will allow us to move toward solutions,” he said.

Minister Charles said that, so far, some 25,202 persons were surveyed in more than 219 settlements, which were conducted in the parishes of Clarendon, St Ann, Manchester, Trelawney, Hanover, and St Elizabeth. He also noted that, currently data is being collected in the parishes of St Mary, Portland, and St Thomas.

“That data which is being collected will also inform the Squatter Management Policy, to provide that strategic direction needed to address squatting, with the aim of also addressing the practice and fostering orderly planned development of our land resources,” he said.

The summit was organised by the Water Project Jamaica, which is being administered by the JN Foundation. Some of the other topics discussed included: water availability and housing; policy and water as a commodity; as well as, water security, water availability and urban planning.

The Hon. Earl Jarrett, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Jamaica National Group addressing the Water Summit.

The Hon. Earl Jarrett, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Jamaica National Group, considers that proper planning is needed to meet the country’s water needs, which he said, have been outpacing supply.

“It is inevitable that, without action, the country will not be able to meet its water needs. We must, therefore, find ways to change certain outcomes,” he said, and pointed out that the government has been doing well in wastewater management.

Mr Jarrett made those observations while addressing the JN Foundation’s Water Summit, which was held virtually, May 13-14, under the theme, “Water is Life.”

He said that the country’s water resources were under threat from climate change, development and a growing population. In addition, he pointed out that Jamaica’s water resources also generally cater to the needs of an additional two million persons annually, who visit the island, as tourists.

Mr Jarrett explained that one of the objectives of the Water Project Jamaica, which is being implemented by the JN Foundation and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, is to engage citizens to become guardians of water resources, by being part of the movement to conserve water.

He said the project’s mandate include educating the Jamaican population to implement water-conservation methods in their homes, with the use of high efficiency toilets and faucets; and to purchase efficient washing machines; as well as, the harvesting of rainwater for domestic use.

The JN Group CEO said the project has also engaged developers to use strategies and techniques in the design and construction of homes, which includes rainwater harvesting and water saving faucets.

Citing other successes of the project, Mr Jarrett noted that householders in nine communities in Kingston & St Andrew, were engaged through a 12-month pilot study, where their homes were retrofitted with water-saving devices, which monitored their usage. He said that the results of the pilot study was astounding.

Some householders, he pointed out, achieved a reduction of up to 42 per cent in their water usage, following the installation of the water-adaptation devices; and the implementation of water-saving measures within their homes, during the past several months.

He informed that a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed earlier this year with the University of Technology, Jamaica, to forge a partnership, which will train more persons in water adaptation, as one of the solutions to address the country’s drought challenges. The partnership will include the development of a course, to certify persons for careers in Water Adaptation and Research, relating to rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling.

Mr Jarrett commended the JN Foundation for organising the Water Summit, which he said, had brought key stakeholders to the table, to discuss solutions to the country’s water challenges.

The summit was organised by Water Project Jamaica, which is being administered by the JN Foundation.

The Hon. Zavia Mayne (left), Minister of State, Ministry of Labour & Social Security makes a point to Jodi-Ann Bowen (right), project officer, at the JN Foundation at the studio recording of the panel discussion. Sharing in the moment are O’Neil Grant (second left) , President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association and veteran trade unionists Danny Roberts.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market, the relevance of the labour laws in place today, and their historical origins are some of the issues to be raised at a Labour Day panel discussion entitled, “From Raising Cane to Remote Work: The evolution of work and labour laws in Jamaica.”

The virtual discussion will be aired on Monday, May 24 on Labour Day, via the JN Foundation’s YouTube Page, at 4:00 p.m.

Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, said the event is being organised by the JN Foundation to raise awareness about the genesis of Labour Day in Jamaica; and to highlight the sacrifices of our fore parents made, so that Jamaicans can benefit from the labour laws being enforced today.

“While there is still work to be done, we cannot disagree that the strong advocacy of trade unionists, community leaders, and political representatives has redound to our collective benefit,” Ms. Allen said.

“With the development of labour laws, which nurture productivity and protect the interests of workers, and employers, we are at a point, where that evolution must continue, if we are to make Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business,” she related.

Jodi-Ann Bowen, project officer, at the JN Foundation, said that the event is being organised by the JN Foundation, through the Parish Histories of Jamaica Project, an initiative of the JN Foundation.

She pointed out that one of the stalwarts of the labour movement in Jamaica, The Hon. Pearnel Charles, Sr. will take viewers on a trip down memory lane; and share some of the historical events, which shaped the Labour Movement in Jamaica.

Meanwhile, Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah, director of the Institute of Caribbean Studies at The UWI, Mona, will moderate the event. The panellists will include the first female Political Ombudsman, the Hon.  Donna Parchment Brown; O’Neil Grant, President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association; and veteran trade unionists: Danny Roberts and Ruddy Thomas. Minister of State, Ministry of Labour & Social Security, The Hon. Zavia Mayne, will also be featured in the programme. 

The Parish Histories of Jamaica is a project being implemented by the JN Foundation. The project is charged to unveil and illustrate the history of the Jamaican people.

Through a collaborative effort with the History and Archaeology Department at The University of the West Indies, Mona, the histories of the parishes are researched and documented. The histories are written for an easy read; and are accompanied by captivating photographs of historical sites. Completed parish histories are housed on the project’s website, www.parishhistoriesofjamaica.org.

To date, the JN Foundation has published the Parish History of seven parishes on the project’s website. These histories include that of Portland, Trelawny, St Mary, St Thomas, St Catherine, St Elizabeth, and St James. The project is now writing the parish history of Kingston and will soon start the history of Hanover.

Michelle Toyloy-Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the Credit Information Services Credit Bureau.

Some persons may shy away from credit, but having no credit history may pose a problem, pointed out Michelle Toyloy-Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the Credit Information Services Credit Bureau.

“You are called credit invisible when you have no credit history. You may think that it is a good thing being credit invisible; but really it is not, because it makes the process a little more challenging for lenders, if you do not have any history. They have nothing to prove whether you are a good or bad performer. Therefore, even if it is a credit card, it is always good to have a presence on the credit landscape” she informed.

Mrs. Toyloy-Carter gave that advice while addressing a JN Foundation BeWi$e Financial Empowerment Webinar, which was held recently. The objectives of the webinar, which was entitled ‘Ask Me Anything About Money,’ were: to increase awareness about financial matters; assist persons to improve their money management skills; as well as, to discuss how they can navigate financial transactions using technology.

Rose Miller, Grants Manager at the JN Foundation; and Team Lead of the BeWi$e Financial Empowerment Programme, who was one of the panellists at the webinar, advised that a credit card, if used responsibly, can assist in building a person’s credit history.

“Many people are afraid to use credit cards, because they do not understand how to utilize this powerful tool to their advantage. You don’t have to be afraid to use a credit card. What you need to do is use your credit card according to how you have budgeted; and just pay the credit card bill in full, on time, every time,” she advised.

She stated that, if persons were to follow that advice, they would incur neither interest nor any other penalties such as late fees. Mrs Miller also noted that no matter how you start building credit, persons should ensure that they take steps to manage it responsibly.

“That includes paying your bills on time; staying well below your credit limit; only opening new accounts when necessary; and checking your Credit Report regularly,” she advised.

Mrs Toyloy-Carter advised there are three Credit Bureaus in Jamaica, which gather information about consumer’s credit history from a lenders’ database and help to keep both lenders and borrowers on their toes. The three bureaus are: Credit Information Services (CIS Credit Bureau), Creditinfo Jamaica, CRIF Information Bureau Jamaica.

She also informed that everyone is entitled to a free Credit Report, annually from each bureau. Persons can request this report by visiting the website of each bureau that are regulated by the  Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) 

All bureaus offer online application via their website (credit.cisjamaica.com) and reports are generally available same day, or within 48 hours.

Your Credit Report will include your personal information, such as: your name, date of birth, TRN, address and employment; as well as, a credit summary of current or past due credit accounts. The summary  includes, payment history, debts accumulated, credit limits, as well as information on  bankruptcy and lawsuits if any.