O-Wrap: Police used car dispute… Gov’t renews crime focus… Teacher on sex charges
In case you missed it, here are OBSERVER ONLINE’s top 10 stories for today:
1. O’Brien’s refuses to terminate contract to supply used cars for police
The Government and O’Brien’s International Car Sales Limited are now locked in another layer of dispute over the delivery of used vehicles for the police, as the supplier has refused to voluntarily exit the contract, which has been under intense public scrutiny since late November when controversial details of the arrangement came to light.
2. $256m in traffic fines collected in 2nd amnesty — TAJ
The Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ) is reporting that preliminary figures show that approximately $256 million has been collected in traffic fines at the end of the second amnesty period, which ran from November 27, 2017 to January 13.
3. Gunmen kill two men in St James, injure two others
Two men were yesterday shot dead in separate incidents in St James, while two others were shot and injured and are currently in critical condition at hospital.
4. Children settled after fire at Walker’s Place of Safety
The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) is advising the public that children are now settled and are undergoing grief counseling after a fire killed two wards and destroyed the Walker’s Place of Safety on Lyndhurst road on Monday night.
5. OUR to assess Digicel’s mitigation measures against credit depletion
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says it will be doing further assessments of mitigation measures implemented by Digicel in 2017 after customers complained of undue mobile credit depletion.
6. UTech, UWI to share $12m in computer equipment
The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) is set to receive $12 million worth of computer network equipment from the Palisadoes Foundation to enhance its computer science education and research development.
7. Gov’t to move with alacrity in resolving public sector wage talks — PM
Prime Minister Andrew Holness is assuring public sector workers that the Finance Ministry’s team will move with alacrity and have serious engagements toward an amicable resolution to the wage negotiations.
8. St Thomas teacher charged with having sex with minor
The police are reporting that a St Thomas teacher was yesterday arrested and charged with having sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years old.
9. PM says gov’t ready to take ‘firm and resolute measures’ in crime fight
Prime Minister Andrew Holness said this afternoon that his Government is now prepared to take what he called “firm and resolute measures” to deal with Jamaica’s crime monster.
10. Gov’t to focus on improving climate for private investments
Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw, is expected to address some of the economic decisions taken by Cabinet last week, when he speaks at Mayberry lnvestments Limited’s first monthly forum for 2018, this evening.
