AGP Executive Report

Diplomacy: Kenya has opened its first resident High Commission in Kingston, ending remote Caribbean coverage from Havana and aiming to boost trade, consular services, and people-to-people ties. Integrity & Governance: The Integrity Commission says 70% of public contracts last year were single-source or emergency awards worth $370.68B, while it also admits its probe unit is short-staffed and some delays stem from court challenges. Road Safety: Officials are pushing to cut Jamaica’s road deaths to under 300, with a renewed focus on motorcycle crashes and protecting pedestrians. Public Works & Climate: Water Minister Matthew Samuda says a $200M NaRRA overhaul is coming for Kingston and St Andrew’s failing sewerage, and the government is moving to “cost out” the economic impact of heat. Local Living: Savanna-la-Mar Market vendors remain stranded by flooding and high tides, and NSWMA says Hanover’s garbage backlog needs more workers and trucks. Culture: Reggae roots singer Fantan Mojah died at 49, weeks before his 50th birthday.

UNESCO/AI Governance: St. Kitts and Nevis UNESCO Commission Sec. Gen. Nerys Dockery praised CARICOM’s formal endorsement of the UNESCO Caribbean AI Policy Roadmap, urging humane, ethical AI that empowers teachers and protects students. Education Transport: The JLP says the National Rural School Bus Programme is earning strong praise a year after rollout, with administrators and students calling it safer and more reliable. Public Safety/Crime: Police in St. Andrew arrested six after seizing three illegal guns and 27 rounds of ammo in snap raids. Courts & Rights: The Judiciary clarified that motorists held during Traffic Ticket Public Days at the National Arena were placed in a designated changing room with bathroom access, not a bathroom. Local Governance: JLP says Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie is doing well after being pepper-sprayed during a downtown Kingston incident. Aviation/Travel: Liat Air launched its Guadeloupe–Montego Bay route with a water cannon salute. Sports: Gary Card and Kerrica Hill posted personal bests at the Gyulai István Memorial in Budapest. Tourism Development: UDC says Dunn’s River Falls and Park is set for major redevelopment to turn it into a full-day destination.

UNDP Appointment: Jamaican national Stephen Rodriques has been named UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh, pledging “inclusive, sustainable and responsive” solutions as he takes over from Stefan Liller. Caricom Diplomacy: CARICOM leaders at their summit tackled the controversial US third-country nationals (TCN) issue, stressing safe, orderly transit without disrupting regional security or draining resources. Local Governance: Hanover Municipal Corporation’s 300-year-old Lucea Town Hall and Clock Tower is crumbling, with staff doing stopgap repairs as councillors call on the Ministry of Local Government to intervene. Crime & Courts: Police Constable Andrew Wilson, charged in the May 17 killing of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin, was granted bail and his lawyer urged the public to let the case be tried in court, not “the court of public opinion.” Diaspora & Culture: Jamaicans in the US are gearing up for Jamaica’s 64th Independence with church services, flag-raising and major galas, including a Lauderhill event on Aug. 8 featuring Marcia Griffiths and Beenie Man. Sports: Jamaica’s Odane Binns powered a big win for his side in regional cricket, while Jamaica’s track stars headline the Budapest 100m meet with Elaine Thompson-Herah and Julien Alfred among the women.

Housing & Reconstruction: The Urban Development Corporation says it’s pushing ahead with plans for more than 20,000 housing units across Jamaica, with about 10,000 earmarked for southwest areas as rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa accelerates. Jobs & Investment: Jamaica’s global services sector—drawing about US$900 million in direct foreign investment annually—remains positioned for growth, even as major employers have trimmed staff since 2023. Cannabis Reform: State Minister Delano Seiveright says Jamaica’s cannabis industry changes are “deliberate” and “people-friendly,” with a Cannabis Permit Road Tour rolling out new permit categories and support for traditional cultivators. Tourism Watch: Stayover tourist arrivals fell 27.5% in the first quarter of 2026, though cruise arrivals declined only 1.1%, as Jamaica works to recover from Hurricane Melissa. Weather Alert: Meteorological officials warn El Niño conditions are developing and could bring hotter, drier spells and more extreme weather. Public Safety: Doctors in NYC are sounding alarms over rising injuries from scooter and e-bike crashes, urging safer riding and awareness. Regional Governance: A Bermuda utility regulator, Nigel Burgess, has been elected deputy chairman of the Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators. Crime & Courts: Police are seeking a suspect after an alleged assault on a 65-year-old man at the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue station in Jamaica.

NACAC Athletics: Jamaica piled up another big haul in Tlaxcala, Mexico, winning 25 medals on day two of the NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships, including 14 golds, with standout wins in sprints, hurdles and throws. Local Sports Spotlight: Chee Wah grabbed Under-18 200m gold for T&T in the same meet, while Jamaica’s Alikay Reynolds won the Under-18 800m and the wider Jamaica team kept dominance rolling. Politics & Community: Jamaica mourns former Cabinet Minister and MP Dean Peart, praised across the aisle for decades of service, including building 13 community centres in Manchester North Western. Public Safety: A security guard was charged after allegedly shooting a supermarket customer in Discovery Bay, St Ann, during an altercation. Business & Jobs: Industry Minister Aubyn Hill urged MSMEs to formalise and prepare for NaRRA opportunities, warning that big infrastructure contracts will demand local suppliers and services. Education: PEP top performers in St James East Central were recognised ahead of secondary school, with scholarships and support for high-achieving students. Crime & Courts: An elderly landlord in St Catherine was charged after allegedly cutting locks and robbing a tenant of $400,000 in coins. Migration Watch: PIOJ says Jamaica’s population grew by just 600 in 2025, with the US, Canada and UK leading destinations for emigrants.

Rent Restriction Case: A 69-year-old St Catherine landlord, Lloyd Gonzales (“Gons”), has been charged after allegedly cutting padlocks and stealing about $400,000 in coins from a tenant’s home. Animal Tagging Push: The Agriculture Ministry says it’s ramping up the National Animal Identification and Traceability System, citing 19,000 cattle tagged since January, with more technicians, community assistants, and 130,000 tags due soon. Gun Charges: A 20-year-old St Thomas labourer and a 14-year-old boy face charges after police allegedly found a green imitation firearm during a probe in Morant Bay. Back-to-School Support: Rosh Marketing Co. Ltd donated 5,000 notebooks and 60 tents to St James for students and vendors as families still recover from Hurricane Melissa. Education Wins: Top PEP performers Zurie Cousins and Neeraj Sahukar received scholarships to Campion College, as Jamaica’s Ministry of Education announced more awards for high achievers. Political Loss: PNP mourns former MP and Cabinet Minister Dean Peart, praising 22 years of service and community projects. Population & Remittances: PIOJ reports Jamaica’s 2025 population grew by just 600, while remittances rose 3.8% to US$3.2475b. Crime Update: A Kingston taxi operator, Dennis Miller (“Brown Man”), was charged after alleged knifepoint robberies of two women in Kingston 17. Human Trafficking: PIOJ data says 79 investigations in 2025 led to nine arrests and charges, with victim support expanded. Sports: Jamaica added more medals at NACAC U18/U23 in Mexico, while West Indies beat New Zealand in the ODI opener with a debut for Jamaican Vitel Lawes. Music Spotlight: Maxi Priest’s “Close to You” earns its first-ever British certification, and Shenseea makes Billboard Latin Airplay history with “Echo (FIFA World Cup 2026).”

Banking Shift: Jamaica moves to phase out cheques, with limits starting at $1M (Sept 1) and full discontinuation by March 1, 2028, pushing customers toward electronic payments. Education Access: A special education diagnostic centre is set to open in Portland in September, aiming to cut the need for families to travel to Kingston for assessments. Crime Stop Results: Jamaica’s Crime Stop Programme recorded 76 arrests in 2025, up 38.2%, with reward payments rising to about J$10.3 million, alongside declines in murders and several major violent crimes. Markets Watch: JSE first-half 2026 performance stayed strong on the Main Market, with the Main Market index up 11.28% while the Junior Market fell 9.20%. Tech & Work: PwC says AI is boosting demand for human skills in Jamaica’s services sector, with AI literacy plus judgement and communication becoming key. Public Safety: Police outline security and traffic plans for St James’ Dream Weekend, expecting thousands of visitors. Health Alert: Westmoreland reports an uptick in hand, foot and mouth disease and urges parents and schools to stay vigilant. Sports: Julien Alfred hits 21.51 for third-fastest-ever 200m at the Diamond League.

Food Safety & Exports: Mavis Bank Coffee Factory has secured Safe Quality Food recertification, valid until April 24, 2027, with managing director Dr Norman Grant saying the move underlines Jamaica Blue Mountain’s quality and the company’s support for about 5,000 farmers. Migration & Diaspora: New PIOJ data shows Jamaica’s population rose by just 600 in 2025, with the US, Canada and the UK leading destinations for emigrants—US entries up 7.3% year-on-year. Banking & Cash Use: PIOJ reports Jamaican dollar ABM transactions rose 35.3% in 2025, while US-dollar ABM activity fell 18.4%, with vandalism and Hurricane Melissa cited for fewer ABMs. Public Safety: The Integrity Commission says it remains concerned about inadequate security for staff. Crime Update: A man accused of killing a bus driver with a pitchfork in Old Harbour, St Catherine, was remanded until September 22. Road Deaths: ITA says pedestrians and motorcyclists together account for over half of road deaths this year. Sports: Julien Alfred set a national record and won the women’s 200m at Monaco Diamond League in 21.51, while Jamaica mourns coach Stephen Francis after his July 4 death. Regional Politics: CARICOM leaders agreed to push reparations to the centre of CHOGM in Antigua, including Jamaica’s planned petition to King Charles III.

Athletics Spotlight: Julien Alfred roared to a lifetime-best 21.51 to win the women’s 200m at Monaco Diamond League, moving to third on the all-time list as Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah sits just ahead. Local Sports Development: The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport approved $1.35m for Jamaica’s drone soccer team to compete in South Korea, backing a fast-growing youth sport. Public Finance Watch: Bank of Jamaica says total financial system assets rose to $3.1 trillion to March, while the JSE regional fixed income market edged slightly higher. Aviation Training Upgrade: Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority’s Civil Aviation Training Institute earned ISO 9001:2015 certification, signalling stronger quality standards. Crime & Enforcement: Police charged eight people in Mandeville under fraud and drugs laws during Operation Reset, targeting weapons and lottery scamming. Consumer Justice: ACP-SXM in St. Maarten says it’s preparing legal action against utility firm NV GEBE and is inviting residents to submit complaints ahead of a July 18 intake session.

Tourism Push: Jamaica Tourist Board launches “Jamaica Summer Vibes 2026,” running to Aug. 31, spotlighting beaches, festivals, sports and local culture to bring more visitors to the island. Anti-Fraud Drive: MOCA chief Desmond Edwards calls for stronger, practical anti-fraud collaboration between financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement, urging fraud intelligence be treated as a shared national asset. Justice & Safety: Portmore Probation Office officially opens, with confidential spaces for case management and counselling aimed at reducing recidivism. Infrastructure & Resilience: Kingston Harbour Walk is set for a phased 25-km linear park from downtown to Port Royal, designed to boost climate resilience and public recreation. Water Security: NIC plans canal rehabilitation and pipeline replacement to mitigate dry conditions and cut water loss from leaks. Tax Reminder: TAJ tells employers June 2026 statutory deductions (S01) are due July 14, with online payment options encouraged. Community Environment: Jamaica will observe International Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19, led by JET, with registration details announced. Sports & Youth: Reggae Boyz coaching search targets early 2027, while NACAC U-18/23 100m qualifiers see Jamaicans leading in multiple age groups.

Housing Pressure: A new UN-Habitat report warns the world is off track on SDG 11, with more than 3 billion people lacking adequate housing and the 2030 deadline looming. West Nile Alert: Jamaica Plain in Boston recorded West Nile virus in mosquito tests, with officials urging residents to protect themselves as risk remains low but real. Security for Service Stations: The Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association calls for tighter vigilance after robberies and violent attacks on stations, including calls to upgrade CCTV and reduce window exposure during transactions. Access to Information Reform: A civil society coalition renews pressure for a Joint Select Committee to modernise Jamaica’s Access to Information Act, saying promised updates have stalled since 2002. Sports Delegations: Jamaica confirms 184 athletes for the CAC Games and 73 for the Commonwealth Games, with Jamaica set to compete across 27 disciplines in the Dominican Republic. Dancehall Live: Vybz Kartel and Mavado announce Gaza Vs Gully at London’s O2, with tickets on sale today. Education & Health: MahamaCares backs 145 post-basic specialised nursing students in Kumasi, building on Jamaica-linked deployments.

Public Works Update (Jamaica): Work continues on the F train stop at 179th Street in Jamaica, with a $64.9 million refurbishment covering street, mezzanine, platform and track levels, including tile and elevator replacements, plus weekend-focused track work, with “substantial completion” expected in early 2028. Domestic Violence Policy: Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton backed Jamaica’s Mediation Act in Parliament, saying it can help curb domestic violence that fuels injuries and strains accident and emergency services. Business & Cybersecurity: Finance Minister Fayval Williams urged MSMEs to register on the government public procurement system to access set-aside contracts, while BSJ pushed ISO/IEC 27001 to help firms manage rising cyber threats. Economy & Pensions: The Jamaica Stock Exchange reported a strong June, with the Main Market Index up 3.7% and market cap rising by about $68.6B; meanwhile the Accountant General’s Department is urging pensioners to submit quarterly life certificates on time. Tourism & Nature: Plans are moving to pedestrianise Holland Bamboo in St. Elizabeth for eco-tourism, with nearly $500 million sought for revitalisation. Education Access: A special education diagnostic centre in Portland is expected to open in September, reducing the need for families to travel to Kingston for assessments.

US Deportations Watch: Eswatini says 11 more third-country nationals deported from the US have arrived under a controversial bilateral deal, with rights groups continuing to raise legal and human rights concerns. Jamaica Sports: West Indies were fined for a slow over-rate in the second Test vs Sri Lanka, losing two points in the WTC standings. Basketball Focus: Jamaica’s men missed out on the FIBA World Cup after a tough Americas qualifier run, but coach Rick Turner says the programme has a foundation to build on. Local Football: Dunbeholden FC has appointed Alex Thomas as head coach, aiming for a playoff push with a youth-and-experience mix. Food & Culture: Tastee marks 60 years at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards with a special anniversary menu and cocktails. Travel & Lifestyle: TUI is rolling out a “£12.50 rule” for long-haul economy drink changes from November, sparking passenger backlash. Entertainment: Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces she’s expecting her third child with Andre Gray.

REIT Deal in St Ann: different Capital has been appointed to manage Derrimon’s Drax Hall REIT, aiming to structure and place REIT shares and then run performance for the 12-acre property in Drax Hall, St Ann. Weather Alert for Fishers: Jamaica’s Meteorological Service warns strong to gale-force winds and rough seas are expected Friday and Saturday, with the worst impacts over southern parishes and marine areas like Pedro and Morant Banks—fishers are urged to use extreme caution. Traffic Ticket Crackdown: Kingston and St Andrew’s Traffic Ticket Public Days opened smoothly at the National Arena, with more than 43,000 tickets expected to be cleared over two days. Crime and Justice: St James police identified the body of Alpheus Reid, found in a pit in Gutters with bullet wounds; meanwhile, the JCF is pushing businesses to connect surveillance to JamaicaEye to boost investigations. Business & Innovation: Northern Caribbean University students won the International Business Plan and Pitch competition 2026 with WellNest, an AI tool to help clinicians write notes. Energy Costs: Petrojam says gasoline and diesel prices rise from July 9.

Dancehall Reunion: Vybz Kartel and Mavado will reunite for “Gaza Vs Gully Live” at London’s O2 Arena on September 9, with tickets on general sale July 10—coming after their Jamaica appearance at Reggae Sumfest later this month. Anti-Corruption Courts: Jamaica’s Integrity Commission chair, Ret’d Justice Carol Lawrence Beswick, says the watchdog will keep acting “without fear or favour” as court challenges rise, warning litigation can slow corruption-fighting work. Hurricane Melissa Recovery: In St Elizabeth, Reverend Dr Henley Morgan urges a shift from relief to a “hand up” for rebuilding, while the St Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation questions NaRRA’s lead role and timing. Alpart Restart: JISCO’s Alpart refinery in Nain, St Elizabeth, is set to resume by June 2027 after a US$490m modernisation plan, with upgrades to power, residue management and port/rail infrastructure. Crime Update: The JCF reports a jump in its murder clearance rate to 111%, with 304 murder cases cleared between Jan 1 and July 4. Money & Markets: Bank of Jamaica says net international reserves rose slightly in June to US$6.489b, and Finance Minister Fayval Williams says 25 firms are lined up for the JSE Micro Market. Sports (Cricket): Vitel Lawes, a 19-year-old wrist spinner, earns his first senior West Indies ODI call-up for the opening three matches vs New Zealand. Sports (Basketball): Canada set a new FIBA Americas Qualifiers record with 48 field goals in a 116-78 win over Jamaica. Regional Politics: CARICOM leaders agreed to seek a CCJ advisory opinion on the reappointment process for Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, after Trinidad and Tobago’s objection.

CARICOM Legal Push: CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to seek a CCJ advisory opinion to settle the dispute over the reappointment of Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett, with Trinidad still challenging the process and the bloc saying the status quo stays in place pending the ruling. Housing & Disaster Recovery: Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the New Social Housing Programme will use modular semi-permanent units for areas hit hardest by Hurricane Melissa, with concrete bases and support from NHT and ODPEM. Homeownership Access: NHT staged a Home It Expo in Montego Bay offering building plans, mortgage-readiness checks, guidance on buying and improving homes, and support from partners. Public Safety Abroad: Jamaica’s Consulate General in New York was evacuated after a nearby building was deemed at imminent risk of collapse. Jobs & Fraud Watch: Labour Ministry warns Jamaicans about an unauthorised overseas farm-work recruitment scheme circulating online. Sports & Culture: Kranium earns a second RIAA Gold certification; Jamaica mourns legendary coach Stephen “Franno” Francis. Crime: Two teenage girls were arrested after an elderly man was stabbed in St Thomas.