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Alpart to suspend operations for two years

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Operations at the Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO)/Alpart alumina refinery in Nain, St Elizabeth, are set to be suspended for up to two years to facilitate the plant’s modernization and expansion.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 10), Transport and Mining Minster, Robert Montague, said the Ministry’s technical team recommended several options to JISCO relating to operations, during the modernization discussions.


He noted, however, that after careful consideration, the company decided that the best option at this time is to suspend alumina production and focus attention on a full-scale modernization and expansion programme.


Mr. Montague explained that the decision was arrived at after the consideration of various factors.


These, he said, include worker safety and welfare, the high cost of production and high levels of waste, noting that “to continue producing alumina at over US$480 per tonne is unviable”.


Other factors include the prevailing low and falling price of alumina on the world market, difficulties sourcing parts for old equipment, and discontinuation of the manufacturing of many of the parts and systems used by Alpart.


Mr. Montague said JISCO has indicated that this phase of Alpart’s development is slated to commence within the next 50 days.
“I wish to remind this House and the people of Jamaica that the modernisation and expansion programme will be one of the largest investments in the history of the country. Total investment is projected at US$1.1 billion when completed,” he stated.


The Minister added that the planned upgrade will result in a significantly more efficient refinery and that its production capacity will be increased from 1.65 million tonnes to two million tonnes per year.


LOWER PRODUCTION COST
“One of the principal objectives of the pending modernisation programme is to markedly lower the refinery’s production cost. This will increase its competitiveness, save jobs, reduce waste and generate income for the Government of Jamaica,” Mr. Montague said.


The Minister said the pending modernization and expansion of Alpart will build on work that commenced upon being acquired by JISCO.


“That initial phase of the modernization programme included the installation of some 10 megawatts (MW) of packaged power to augment the existing power plant, which has been a major source of the plant’s problems,” Mr. Montague said.


“Significant civil works, including the pouring of foundations for various buildings and systems, and direct improvements to the power plant have been completed,” he added.


Mr. Montague also told the Lower House that equipment and machinery needed for the expansion are either on site, en route to Jamaica or on order.


JISCO acquired Alpart from United Company RUSAL (UC RUSAL) in 2016 for approximately US$299 million.


By December 2017 the refinery had shipped its first cargo of alumina under JISCO’s ownership.


Initial rehabilitation and upgrades over the years by JISCO are valued at approximately US$300 million.

ALKALINE & SQUASH BEEF CREATES RISING TENSIONS _Fans fear it could turn physical

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Could the Alkaline and Squash beef turn physical?
Members of the dancehall community fear the ongoing feud between the Vendetta and 6ix camp out of MoBay could become more than just a musical clash. Last month, Urban Islandz reported that Squash threatened to put hands on Alkaline on sight. Even though he said it in his diss track ‘Pinocchio’, he added that he was dead serious about it.

Some folks inside his 6ix circle are of the view that he is angry that his rival mentioned his late brother, who was killed by the police.


Reputed Jamaican psychologist, Dr. Leachim Semaj, recently weighed in on the topic, pointing out that there were certain parallels between this lyrical war and past feuds in dancehall like the infamous Gully/Gaza feud between rivals Mavado and Vybz Kartel. If you’re too young to remember the details of that feud, it went way beyond dancehall music, and involved entire communities going against each other. It even spilled over into schools, where students would pick sides in circumstances that often turned physical.


The Gully/Gaza feud eventually made its way outside of Jamaica and spread to the broader Caribbean and other markets that heavily consumed dancehall music like North America, Europe, and parts of Africa. The remnants from that war can still be felt in dancehall a decade after Mavado and Vybz Kartel called a truce.


“A lot of people have no life outside of their music hero so that identification becomes out-blown and can become ugly,” Semaj noted in an interview with the Star. “Oftentimes, even if it is imagined, the persons involved really have no desire to calm it down because it creates more excitement for them.”


So far, the Vendetta/6ix war remains a lyrical battle of who has the better disses, but there are some fans, a minority, who are taking to social media to showcase weapons, perhaps in an effort to prove which side of the divide has the ‘badder’ supporters. This is potentially problematic as those fans could take things to another level and hurt fans of the other side, even as the artistes keep their beef on the airwaves.
What do you think?

MANNING’S HUNT THREE STRAIGHT

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OH YEAH! Green Pond High’s Kevon Lewis (finger on lips) salutes fans as he celebrates with teammates following his equalizing goal in the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Zone ‘A’ match played at Cornwall on Wednesday. Green Pond rallied to earn a 1-1 draw.


Early impressionists Manning’s are among eight schools gunning for three straight wins tomorrow (Saturday, Sept 14) in the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Schoolboy Football Competition.


Impressive to date, Manning’s early pacesetters in Zone ‘D’, are expected to face their first real test when they come face-to-face with Petersfield at the school grounds.


Manning’s sit atop the standings with a perfect 6 points from two games, while Petersfield have garnered just one.

Kamali Powell, who sent Cornwall College ahead in the first half, whips a pass out of midfield during their ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Zone ‘A’ match.


Munro College, who failed to advance from the first round last year, Manchester, Mile Gully, Oracabessa, Annotto Bay, Seaforth and Paul Bogle are the other teams down to hunt a third straight victory.


Meanwhile, the 11-times champions Rusea’s will be aiming to join Frome Technical as leaders of Zone ‘B’ when they challenge Hopewell High in the local derby.


The ‘Russians’ have won their sole game played and three points would see them joining Frome Tech on 6 from two games. Hopewell too can claim second spot should they manage to snag a win.

It will be the clash of the winless two when Green Island and Merlene Ottey battle.


Merelene Ottey has been winless in five games dating back to last season.


In Zone ‘C’, early leaders Herbert Morrison Technical High go in search of back-to-back wins in a hope to maintain the lead when they line-up against William Knibb.


‘Compre’ scored their first win in midweek and will be after a second, which would move them to seven points. Cedric Titus, yet to tick off a win, play at home to Spot Valley, who will also be searching for their second win.


The lead could change hands over in Zone ‘A’, where leaders Green Pond High and Cornwall College, last year’s beaten finalists, will both be at home.


Cornwall are set to be involved in a second successive city derby when they face off with bitter rivals St. James High, oozing confidence after returning to winning ways.


Victory would lift CC to seven points, while a win for St. James High could see them kick-starting their campaign and move to six points.
Green Pond, on the other hand, can assume sole leadership of the zone should they claim three points outright against a tricky Anchovy, if CC lose.


The Gregory Daley-coached Green Pond have scored six goals in their two games, conceding just once.


Maldon and Irwin are both yet to win a game clash in the Zone’s other match.


All games are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
An overall 40 games are scheduled to be contested on the day, ten (10) involving western schools.

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

Cornwall, Green Pond collide

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FOOT TO FACE? DaMarcus Walker, the Herbert Morrison Technical High sweeper, gets an unintentional boot to the face from Spot Valley’s Javaughan McLellan during Monday’s Zone ‘C’ game in the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Football Competition, played at the Spot Valley High School. The contest ended in a 1-1 draw. – Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

Former Inter Zone round qualifiers, Green Pond High, have set up a big clash against city rivals Cornwall College in one of 12 match-ups on later today (Wednesday) as action intensifies in the ISSA/WATA da’Costa Cup Schoolboy Football Competition, with Zones ‘A’ and ‘D’ active.

The much-anticipated Zone ‘A’ encounter is expected to be a close encounter and is set to play out at the home of 11-times champion Cornwall, which will see the winner maintaining their stance at the summit and with a perfect win record.

Both opened their campaigns with wins and while Green Pond looked impressive, Cornwall College had to rally against a determined Irwin before picking up the three points.

Green Pond, who won their opener by a wide margin, currently occupy top spot in the zone on goal difference over Cornwall.

The big match-up has much interest as Cornwall will be out to maintain their dominance of Zone ‘A’, which has seen them winning 39-games in 4-years, 2015 being the last time they dropped points.

Green Pond last had victory against CC some five years, back in 2014, when they snagged a 3-1 win.

During that period, Cornwall have claimed 12 wins and a draw, losing once, while hitting the back of the net 35 times, to Green Pond’s nine.

Elsewhere in the zone, 2008 champions, St. James High, and Irwin, both beaten in their opening games, will be looking to rebound when the two come face-to-face at Jarrett Park.

Last season’s one-game giant killers Maldon, who were also on the receiving end, play their first home game, entertaining the dangerous and unpredictable Anchovy.

Zone ‘B’ will also see some interesting matches with 11-times champions Rusea’s in action against talented Cambridge, and last year’s beaten semi-finalists and former champion, Frome Technical rivals Green Island.

Merlene Ottey engage Hopewell High in another affair, both seeking a first win.

Just two games are on in Zone ‘C’ with ex-champions Herbert Morrison Technical High hunting a first win, playing at home to Cedric Titus, as Holland High face a livelylooking Spot Valley at their home in Trelawny.

William Knibb will be left idle due to the withdrawal of Muschett High.

Meantime, Godfrey Stewart, the 2005 champions, and with a youthful aggregation, play their first match of the season when they line up against Belmont, and Manning’s, go for back-to-back wins when they challenge Maud McLeod who are also after a second straight three points.

Petersfield, whose first game was postponed, face a wounded Grange Hill in another game in the zone.

Live painting with Mark Anthony Hill

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Mark Hill

Do something different for a change. This Saturday, come and be inspired by live painting by celebrated Jamaican artist, Mark Anthony Hill. Hill, who lives and works in the United States, has agreed to return to Montego Bay to conduct a live painting workshop and lecture on September 14 at the courtyard of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, Sam Sharp Square, Montego Bay, beginning at 10 a.m. The painting will be presented to the City of Montego Bay at 6 .p.m., which will be followed by a press conference.

Upon the invitation of Senator Dr. Andre Haughton, Mr. Hill was excited about the invitation and looks forward to sharing his talent, expertise and guidance to students and the citizens of Montego Bay.  He sees this as an opportunity for him to give back to his beloved community and show, especially to inner-city youths, how art can be a vehicle to transform lives and open opportunities to explore the world and influence culture.

Mr. Hill has been an artist and has been painting for nearly three decades, and draws his inspiration from the likes of Pablo Picasso, Valente Malangatana Ngwenya from Mozambique, and Wifredo Lam from Cuba. Hill’s powerful body of work has what it takes to make him one of the standout painters of this era.

Mark’s work will be exhibited at the Cultural Centre and commemorates the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance. He believes this could inspire Montego Bay’s own Renaissance Rebirth by telling the story of its people. He also looks forward to his work being among the permanent collection in the city of his birth. It is hoped that this lecture demonstration by this celebrated artist will serve to inspire artists of the future.

Jinorri Wilson’s steps to success

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Jinorri Wilson

Rashaun Stewart – Summer Intern

Hailing from the community of Mount Salem in Montego Bay, Jinorri Wilson has secured eight subjects in this year’s iteration of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). Of those eight subjects, six are grade ones—all with straight A profiles—and two are grade threes. Wilson is somewhat disappointed by the results, but he is grateful that he has passed all his subjects nonetheless.

“I feel appreciative. I am a bit disappointed with the grade threes, but I am still grateful for what God’s will has been for me,” Wilson told the Western Mirror. That level of subdued gratitude is due largely to the breadth of his preparations for the exams and the knowledge that he prepared as assiduously as he was able given the circumstances. He practiced past papers and used the syllabi outlines to fill gaps in his knowledge pertaining to each subject.

“In preparing for the exams, I had the challenge of managing the little time that was available. In sitting the exams, I was faced with the challenge of managing the time allotted, as the first two exams I sat weren’t finished, namely: English A and Mathematics,” Wilson added.

Going forward, Wilson aims to pursue a career in mechanical engineering and enroll at the University of Technology. “My plans involve attending the Sixth Form programme at Cornwall College, in preparation to commence a mechanical engineering course at UTECH. I need to study, practice and work harder, as the academic load will not remain the same or get easier.”

He accredited the results that he obtained to the influence of his sister and father in particular. While other stakeholders contributed to the attainment of the results that he did, those two individuals are the ones who stand out the most in terms of level of investment in his achievements. “My sister Norrielle Wilson and my father Norman Wilson helped me in obtaining the results,” Wilson commented.

Wilson was an avid participant in the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force, Red Cross Youth Link, Prefect Council, Geography Club and the Spanish Club. His engagement in these co-curricular activities came in the wake of wishing to be more than an academic. To that end, he dedicated himself to the cadet core at Cornwall College, spending all five years of his tenure at the institution involved in the activity.

The young man had some words of advice to dispense to students. “Always seek help when in difficult times and seek to help others as well. Life is a circle.”

Shattered

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Baby Tira
  • Six-month-old baby’s murder crushes parents’ world

Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

The 23-year-old father of six-month-old Tira Thompson – the infant who was shot dead by marauding gunmen in Hollywood, Norwood, St. James on Saturday, has been left confused and in disbelief.

The quiet and soft-spoken young father, who wished not to be named, told the Western Mirror that he is feeling numb and can’t make sense of the incident, which has shattered his world as Tira was his first and only child. He said he and his girlfriend were doing well and he had high hopes for the future until Saturday night, when three bullets took the life of his precious gem.

National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, on a visit to Hollywood following the shooting death of six-month-old Tira Thompson

Tira’s mother, who was also injured during the incident, is distraught and barely coping.

The Montego Hills Police, who are investigating, indicated that about 8:20 p.m., patrons were at a bar at Hollywood Square, when a motor car with men aboard approached them.

The men alighted from the vehicle armed with guns and opened gunfire at the patrons, hitting two teenagers, 14 and 16, before opening fire randomly in the community as they fled on foot. Three of the bullets penetrated the windows of the home of little Tira and her parents.

The police were summoned and on arrival, it was discovered that Tira and her mother were shot and wounded. They, along with the two teenagers, were assisted by the police to the hospital, where Tira was pronounced dead.  The two teenagers were admitted in serious condition, while Tira’s mother was treated and released.

NEGATIVE COMMENTS

Tira’s father has expressed concern over the negative comments swirling around pointing out that neither he nor his baby’s mother is involved in anything negative or unlawful and that he would not put his young family in any danger.

 He said the attack on the house was random as the gunmen were firing shots all the way from the square.

In the meantime, National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, who on Sunday visited the area in the aftermath, described the incident as most unfortunate and tragic, as he sought to assure the family and residents that the security forces were working speedily and efficiently to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“I want to reassure citizens we are in a better position to respond quickly and we are going to take every step required to bring in the killers, to bring them to justice,” Chang said.

Chang, while assessing the situation, suggested that since the granting of extended opening hours for small businesses under the State of Emergency three weeks ago, there has been an increase in the number of homicides committed in the parish. 

“Since that, we have had a series of murders. In the original orders, the shops were required to close at eight. We restored the opening hours to 10 and 12 respectively and therefore, businesses have been more active.”

GUSTAZOS increasing revenue for Local Business

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Shaqueal Benti
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Gustazos means a unique experience in Spanish.

The Gustazos.com business model has been in Jamaica since 2015, partnering with all kinds of local businesses to promote different offerings at promotional prices. It’s no surprise that people keep using the online portal to enjoy and experience the best their country has to offer.

One of Gustazos biggest strengths is its ability to maintain locals inside the country for staycations, tours and road trips that could’ve easily turned into a cruise ship, hotel stay or flights outside Jamaica. Not only that, but people buy a Gustazo, for let’s say a 2-night in a certain hotel, and they visit nearby businesses, causing a direct economic impact in the hotel’s region.

Since 2018, Gustazos has generated over 60,000 transactions as a company in Jamaica, resulting in over 15,000+ room nights sold for hotels. That’s more than US$4 million generated in sales. Gustazos generates over 100K room nights per year for hotels in Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama & The Canary islands.

Every single one of these transactions (US$106 average purchase each) has a direct positive effect on the different regions around the country, from Kingston to Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Negril, etc. Thanks to Gustazos, more people visit and contribute to the local economy, spending money on neighboring establishments like car rentals, restaurants, tours and stores.

The other side of their Jamaica non-hotel business consists of promoting restaurants, spas, events, products and general services. This E-commerce recently generated over 500 leads to a Mitsubishi Dealership in Kingston in less than 15 days.

Gustazos numbers are not only revealed in sales amounts, but also on their digital and social presence with a reach of 100K to 200K of the best consumers Jamaica has to offer thru their email database, Facebook and Instagram reach, website traffic and the engagement effect their promotion creates. Founded in 2011 in Puerto Rico, today they enjoy over 1.1M email subscribers and over 1.2M Facebook & Instagram followers globally.

The Gustazos website has proven year after year its commitment to provide a win-win situation for both businesses and clients. From the looks of it, the Gustazos-Jamaica partnership is blooming and favorable for all sides participating, including thousands of happy customers. Promotional prices and great experiences are a perfect fit for any type of person, and Gustazos knows this.

If you are interested in promoting your business on Gustazos.com please visit: www.gustazos.com/base/contact

D’Cup action continues

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St. James High in action against Irwin during last year’s opening round encounter which the hosts won 2-1 at Jarrett Park. - Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts photo

Play in the 2019 ISSA da’Costa Cup continues later today with another ten matches across the western end of the island from Zones ‘A’ to ‘D’.

Anchovy High, who raised a few eyebrows in last year’s campaign and almost made it through to the Inter Zone round, play their first home game when they line-up against the 2008 winners St. James High.

Anchovy failed to get a point off their opponents last season, losing both games and scoring just once, and they will be hoping for a turn of events this time when the two collide.

Green Pond High, who have struggled in recent years and failed to make it out of the group stage for the last four, get their season up and running against Maldon at Green Pond.

The last time they met, they shared points in a 1-1 draw. Green Pond, though playing at home, will be gunning for a winning start for the third time in as many years.

Elsewhere, 11-times champions Rusea’s enter the part in Zone ’B’ with a home fixture against  Merlene Ottey, a team they slammed 17 past in two games last campaign. Green Island against Cambridge is another game on in the Zone.  

See better. Learn better

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Members of Cornerstone Jamaica - (from left to right) Novia Jerry, Anika Robinson (Cornerstone Jamaica Communications Director) Frances Fulton, Amy Sabella Malone (See Better. Learn Better Programs Coordinator)
  • Making social impact through improving children’s vision

Rosalee D. Wood – rosawwesternmirror@gmail.com

The See Better. Learn Better programme is aiming to decrease the percentage of failing students and increase the economic growth of the country. According the EyeAlliance, a project of The Economic Forum, by improving the vision of a child, health, education and the economy are impacted positively. However, with such a high cost of living many parents are struggling to provide the necessities for their families. Cornerstone Jamaica has therefore stepped in to ease this burden and is aiming to service all schools across the island, to improve the vision of their students.

“It is a well-accepted truth that children who do well in school, have a greater chance of success in life. In the first 12 years of a child’s life, 80% of what they learn, they take in through their eyes,” stated Amy Sabella Malone, programme coordinator. “Unfortunately, many children will not reach their full academic potential simply because they cannot see well,” she continued, a sentiment shared by all members of See Better. Learn Better programme.

Cornerstone Jamaica has partnered with the Rotary Club of Negril, Mission Sight and the Indiana University School of Optometry to pursue the goal of fitting all students that need eyeglasses with a pair. The programme engages each school in a partnership that sees them returning to the school to assess the student’s vision over the course of their primary school tenure. In so doing, they are able to provide statistics showing marked improvement in academic performance by students who were fitted with glasses.

The programme completed its first vision screening in 2015 with just a handful of dedicated volunteers. Since then, they have visited 12 schools, screened 3500 students, provided 1200 comprehensive pediatric eye exams and provided over 500 pairs of new, custom-made prescription eyeglasses. In November, this number is set to increase as the team hosts one week of vision examination clinics in selected primary schools in the parish of Westmoreland.

For more information on Cornerstone Jamaica and their See Better. Learn Better programme, pick up a copy of the Western Mirror each Monday.

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