News in brief

Invest more in children -OAS assistant secretary general

Albert Ramdin, the assistant secretary general of the Organisation of American States (OAS), of which Jamaica is a member, has called on governments, international organisations, the private sector and non-governmental organisations to "recognise the value of investing more in the children of the hemisphere".

Ramdin made the call as he opened the 88th Regular Session of the Directing Council of the Inter-American Children's Institute in Medellín, Colombia, yesterday.

"The issues facing our children remain and, in some cases, have become more complex. From poverty to challenges in nutrition and health, child trafficking, protection and defence, we must work harder. Our efforts must not wane, especially in a region where, in many countries, over half the total population is under the age of 18," Ramdin said.

Media should join National Partnership Council - Wint

Alvin Wint, professor of international business in the Office of the Vice Chancellor at the University of the West Indies, has called for the media to be part of The National Partnership Council.

"I think the media have been leading in bringing the importance of dialogue to the fore and we see the media as an extreme part of this partnership process," Wint said at a Gleaner Editors' Forum held at the company's North Street offices, downtown Kingston, last Friday.

"The idea of looking at different views and looking at people's position without demonising them is very critical," Wint added.

J'can Gov't backs Syrian weapons handover plan

The Government of Jamaica yesterday said it is supportive of the positive developments which have occurred in relation to the situation in Syria.

In a media release issued by the foreign ministry yesterday, the country called on all parties to move towards quick implementation of the Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons agreed by the USA and Russia.

"Jamaica has always advocated for a resolution of the situation in Syria through dialogue and consultation. The recent conclusion of the Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons agreed to by the governments of the United States and the Russian Federation is, therefore, a positive and welcome development," the foreign ministry said.

DPP gets Spaldings Market report

Director of Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn now has in her possession a copy of a special investigation by the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) into the Spaldings Market debacle which triggered loud calls for the resignation of Junior Minister Richard Azan.

Months after The Sunday Gleaner broke the story, Dirk Harrison conducted a probe and has submitted his findings to eight state agencies.

The contractor general has also issued the findings of his report to Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis.

The Dirk Harrison-led OCG investigated a complaint regarding the award of contracts to construct/repair and to rent shops at the Spalding Market.

The OCG has also completed its special investigation regarding the 'Right to Supply 360 Megawatts of Power to the National Grid'.