MP Optimistic About Housing In St Thomas | Midday News

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[00:00:24]>> [music] [music] >> Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Western, James Robertson, announced plans to build 5,000 housing units in the parish in the near future. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rozelle Estate development recently, he noted that discussions have been ongoing with several key stakeholders, including the National Housing Trust and the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation.

[00:00:56]161 years ago, 400 lives were lost in that rebellion.

[00:01:05]That's what the records say, and I checked the facts.

[00:01:08]300 individuals were arrested.

[00:01:12]And yes, Paul Bogle was hung at the end.

[00:01:16]1,000 homes is the estimate of what was destroyed.

[00:01:23]Today, I believe we are reversing our future. We are setting a new position for St. Thomas. And along with our urban center, the fastest and best untold road in St. in Jamaica, I can only say that what has been achieved here in St. Thomas makes us all proud.

[00:01:51]After the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, business leaders say despite ongoing challenges, confidence in Montego in Montego Bay, St. James remains strong and steadily growing.

[00:02:03]Shamela Pollen reports.

[00:02:06]State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Investment, Delano Seiveright, says several hotels have already reopened following the passage of Hurricane Melasol. He adds that others are currently undergoing major transformation and renovation projects. Mr. Seiveright says the recovery signals a stronger, more modern future for the resort city. Including, of course, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, um and several other properties, including Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, uh Secrets, and so on, that are going through extensive renovations. So, these hotels are literally going to come back literally brand new uh with with with enhanced um modifications, um uh amazing services, um amazing um um um um amenities that will be added to these properties. So, it's going to be a renewed product in in a sense for many parts of Montego Bay. Mr. Seiveright says that at the same time, investors continue to push ahead with commercial and real estate developments across St. James. The Hip Strip Redevelopment and other key infrastructure works remain a top government priority. Several new restaurants, uh several uh real estate developments are ongoing or will start soon. And we're also seeing a lot of interest in in opening new attractions and so on um throughout the region. So, we're very confident about those developments. And the government said we're excited at the fact that the bypass uh roadway, the perimeter road, is on track and looks as if it will be completed by September or thereabouts.

[00:03:40]And that's going to be a big game changer for Montego Bay in terms of traffic management and easing uh the congestion issues that have plagued the city. Uh we're happy about that and also the extension of the the the new bypass to going down Long Hill. Mr. Seivwright says these developments are expected to boost investor interest in logistics, warehousing, digital outsourcing, and real estate, signaling a new wave of growth for the city. Because of these developments, we expect to see increased investor interest in logistics, warehousing, in the even in the digital outsourcing sector, and also in other commercial enterprises as there is a feeling that Montego Bay will be a brand new city in the coming years given all these development projects, all the real estate projects including Pinnacle and others all signal that this is going to be a new city and the place to invest.

[00:04:33]And this will certainly benefit micro and small business operators because all these developments, all these hotel developments, real estate developments, road works, civil works, the whole works. Shamela Pollen, TVJ News.

[00:04:46]It is time for a break, but stay with us. More stories when we return.

[00:04:50]>> [music] [music] >> Welcome back to the midday news.

[00:05:11]A St. Catherine educator accused of collecting millions of dollars from persons for lands later discovered to belong to the state will have to wait longer to learn whether her matter will proceed in court. Souline Ward-Brown had her case postponed to May 18 when she appeared in the St. Catherine Parish Court yesterday. Her bail was extended until that date. Now, Ward-Brown is charged with proceeds of or rather breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Law Reform Fraudulent Transactions Special Provisions Act, and conspiracy to defraud. Investigators say five complainants reported paying the school principal more than $4 million for lands near Clifton in St. Catherine. One complainant allegedly paid $2.4 million for a plot while the others reportedly paid between $600,000 and $800,000.

[00:06:09]It is now time for the business minute.

[00:06:14]TransJamaican Highways reporting a sharp increase in the first quarter profits driven by higher traffic volumes, network expansion, and continued growth in toll collections.

[00:06:26]The company posted net profit of $13.2 million for the quarter ended March 31.

[00:06:33]That represents a 46% increase over the $9.1 million recorded in the corresponding period last year.

[00:06:42]>> [music] >> Revenue for the quarter rose 29% to $29 million in the same period last year.

[00:06:51]Further afield, [music] the US Department of Energy announced it will release more than 53 million barrels of oil [music] from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This is part of the US pledge to add 172 million [music] barrels to the international market. More than 30 countries are also included in an initiative that focuses on bringing roughly 400 million barrels of oil to the world. The US-Israeli war with Iran led to Iran to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 1/5 of the world's natural gas and oil supply. Crude prices rose to about $30 per barrel since military action began.

[00:07:32]And that's it for the business minute.

[00:07:34]I'm Antonia Atkinson.

[00:07:40]Time now for the top stories from around the world.

[00:07:43]In the region, consumers in Dominica are set to get relief [music] at the pumps as the government moves to offset rising global fuel prices.

[00:07:51]>> [music] >> Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says fuel taxes will be reduced at the end of May under a new government subsidy [music] program. The move follows a more than 30% surge in global oil prices.

[00:08:03]Skerrit says the measure will help households, [music] bus operators, fishermen, and businesses, but will cost the government over half a million dollars monthly.

[00:08:13]And on the international scene, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure as calls grow for him to resign. Nearly 80 members of his own Labour Party have urged him to step down [music] following major losses in last week's local elections. Labour lost more than [music] 1,400 council seats across England, along with setbacks in Wales and Scotland. Despite the backlash, Starmer [music] says he remains focused on governing. And those were the top regional and international stories. I'm Aleia Bryant.

[00:08:46]Thank you, Aleia. We now head to our final break. When we come back, we'll have your midday sports report.

[00:08:56]>> [music] >> As early as your 40s, you may lose muscle and strength. Protein [music] supports muscle health. Ensure Max Protein has 30 g of high-quality protein to feed your muscles up to 7 hours.

[00:09:14][music] So, take the challenge. Ensure.

[00:09:26]>> [music]