CVM News at Noon covers Melissa relief funds, Cuba tensions and Labour Day projects

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness on Tuesday defended the Government’s handling of Hurricane Melissa relief donations after concerns raised by the Auditor General, saying the weaknesses identified related to record-keeping for building materials rather than missing supplies.

Holness said the administration chose to use donated money to buy visible, trackable items, including roofing material, so the public could see how funds were spent. He acknowledged that materials entering storage should have been signed for by both the Jamaica Defence Force and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

The Government also paid tribute to former Labour Minister Lynden Gladstone Newland, crediting him with helping to establish Jamaica’s National Insurance Scheme. Holness said the reform signalled that workers deserved protection not only during their productive years, but also in old age.

The Opposition People’s National Party urged Jamaica to work with CARICOM on a united regional response to rising tensions around Cuba. The party cited recent United States restrictions and sanctions, saying they had affected fuel, health care, transport, production and vaccinations, and warned of possible implications for tourism, migration and regional stability.

In Westmoreland, police were searching for a man known as “Ja” after a 58-year-old man was reportedly beaten during a domestic dispute in Grange Hill. Police also named 45-year-old mason Germaine Van Horn of Racecourse district as wanted after his 37-year-old girlfriend was allegedly chopped during an argument.

Labour Day activities were also reported in Hanover and St Ann, where residents, police, soldiers, private partners and public officials helped repair, paint and clean schools, roads, postal facilities and community spaces affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. encouraged Jamaicans to use artificial intelligence to strengthen their skills. The programme also featured Jamaica’s first disability inclusion advocate, Alister McClean, who said his focus is improving accessibility, including voting privacy, tactile signage, web access and services for persons with disabilities.