SHORTS

The Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson says all police officers must avoid any form of abuse of authority when dealing with the public. He has warned them not to make threats, intimidate or harass anyone in the execution of their duties.

Major General Anderson reminded that lawmen that the credibility of the Force is dependent on its corporate image and reputation. He said that all members must observe established protocols in the conduct of themselves and the performance of their duties.

Edmund Bartlett, the minister of tourism, says for tourism to maximise its full potential, "ordinary Jamaicans" must be factored in any growth strategy going forward.

The minister, addressing a press conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on July 6, said global trends show that tourist destinations that do not promote high levels of linkages will not produce substantial economic development and may even "foster resentment" of the industry by local residents.

"Our growth agenda must remain people-centred and aligned with broader national economic and social imperatives. It is important that we understand that sustainable tourism must mean inclusive growth that will expand economic benefits to our local population, and in the process help to move people's lives from poverty to prosperity," Bartlett said.

He emphasised that the tourism sector must not only generate prosperity and wealth for a few but must be inclusive to where all Jamaicans feel "they have a legitimate shot at a piece of the pie".

Some $340 million will be spent under a programme that is aimed at cleaning up resort areas.

The five-month collaboration with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to implement the Tourism Resort Maintenance Programme has been funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund and will be administered by the Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo).

The programme will focus on the resort areas such as Negril, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Treasure Beach and Kingston as these areas are frequented by visitors for the Jamaican culinary experience.

"The experience that we sell to the world is not just about bed and breakfast or sun, sand and sea, but it also about the aesthetics and environmental integrity of the area. It is about enabling visitors to come to Jamaica and breathe fresh, clean air. Our job is to make the destination assured, and a big part of that assurance is our partnership with the providers of the services that secure the infrastructure of our country," tourism minister Edmund Bartlett said.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation will be carrying out major drain-cleaning activities in several communities across the Corporate Area starting next week.

The exercise will be undertaken in two phases with communities in 21 divisions benefiting from the project in the first instance.

The divisions are Rae Town, Dallas, Greenwich Town, Seaview Gardens, Duhaney Park, Waterhouse, Chancery Hall, Hughenden, Tivoli Gardens, Denham Town, Havendale, Norman Gardens, Springfield, Barbican, Mavis Bank, Harbour View, Norbrook, Payne Land, Maxfield, Hagley Park and Cassia Park.

Critical drains in communities in the other 19 divisions of the Municipality will be cleaned under phase two.

The expansion of bauxite mining into new areas near the Cockpit Country Protected Area (CCPA) is reportedly of concern to residents of Gibraltar and Barnstaple in St Ann. The two communities were not included in the CCPA that has been declared by the government.

According to the Jamaica Environment Trust, representatives of New Day Jamaica Bauxite told residents of Gibraltar and its environs about the company's intent to expand bauxite mining in that area in the direction of Richmond Pen, Hopewell and Belmont, St Ann.

"This is of particular concern to residents because of the anticipated threat from the proposed bauxite mining to the community's water supply, public health, historical sites, livelihoods and food security. Residents also fear that bauxite will negatively impact the groundwater in the area, which to supplies several North coast rivers, including the Rio Bueno in Trelawny," JET said.