AGP Executive Report

Water Security Upgrade: The NWC commissioned the $123.8m Hopeton Road to Waltham Road pipeline project in Greater Mandeville, replacing an aged asbestos cement main to cut losses and boost reliability for about 1,300 households. Flood & Storm Watch: NOAA and other forecasters say the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season may be below average, but officials stress “one storm” can still hit hard—so Jamaica should keep preparing. Clean Energy for Fisheries: CRFM’s STAR-Fish project is scaling clean energy and low-carbon upgrades for Caribbean fisheries, including renewable power and cold-chain improvements, with Jamaica among participating countries. Food Safety Push: St Catherine’s Health Department is stepping up inspections in Hellshire and expanding mosquito-breeding checks across schools, health centres and other public sites. Waste Cleanup Tech: A solar-powered rubbish-eating boat in Los Angeles is capturing plastics and microplastics from waterways—an example of what Jamaica could adapt for coastal and river pollution. Governance & Safety: Government plans to evaluate Jamaica’s Zones of Special Operations, including long-term social and environmental outcomes, as part of a transition to “zones of peace and opportunity.”

Water Security Upgrade: Jamaica’s NWC has broken ground on a $148m Santa Cruz By-pass Mains Replacement Project, replacing ageing pipes to boost flow and pressure for about 1,200 customers, with work due to finish by Nov 2026. Water Reliability in Manchester: A separate $123.8m Hopeton Road to Waltham Road Pipeline Project is commissioning now, targeting major water-loss reduction and improved service for roughly 5,200 residents. Hurricane Readiness: NOAA and other forecasters say the 2026 Atlantic season may be below average, but El Niño and “it only takes one” warnings mean Jamaica still needs preparedness. Electricity Reform & Resilience: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says talks on a new JPS electricity licence are progressing, aiming to cut high costs and strengthen resilience after the June 5 all-island blackout. Marine Pollution Rules: Parliament approved Shipping (Prevention of Garbage Pollution) Regulations, 2026, strengthening Jamaica’s ability to prevent ship-generated garbage pollution. Cybersecurity Push: Opposition is calling for urgent cybersecurity legislation after reports of a National Health Fund data breach. Community & Animals After Disasters: Angostura is funding JSPCA vaccination, spay/neuter, and animal food support for communities still recovering from Hurricane Melissa’s impact.

Water Infrastructure: NWC has broken ground on a $148 million Santa Cruz By-pass Mains Replacement Project in St Elizabeth, replacing ageing 1970s cast-iron pipes with durable ductile iron to boost flow and pressure for about 1,200 customers; completion is set for November 2026. Electricity Reliability: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says corrective actions from Jamaica’s June 5 all-island blackout must be treated urgently, after JPS’s preliminary report didn’t conclusively identify the root cause; he’s pushing for the investigation to continue. Energy Policy: Talks are underway for a new electricity licence for JPS as Jamaica moves toward sector reform, with a Green Paper on electricity reform expected to be completed in July. Security Zones Review: Government is extending Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) while conducting a comprehensive evaluation, including social and environmental impact, ahead of a transition to Zones of Peace and Opportunity. Marine Pollution Law: Parliament approved Shipping (Prevention of Garbage Pollution) Regulations, 2026, strengthening Jamaica’s rules to curb ship-generated garbage under MARPOL Annex V. Climate & Disasters: El Niño is officially here, with forecasts pointing to a quieter Atlantic hurricane season—though extreme weather risks remain. Waste & Community: Jamaica’s municipal digital push is gaining momentum, with calls for smarter, citizen-centered systems to track permits and infrastructure projects.

Saharan dust health update: Cayman authorities lifted a Dust Alert after air quality readings stayed in the Good to Moderate range, but residents—especially people with asthma—were told to limit outdoor exertion, keep meds handy, and keep indoor air sealed. Hurricane Melissa recovery funding: Finance Minister Fayval Williams outlined $67 billion allocated to ministries after Hurricane Melissa, including major boosts for tourism ($3.4b), water/environment/climate ($3.2b), roads and debris clearing ($7.5b), and agriculture/fisheries ($3b). Power and water resilience: JPS blamed severe weather and technical faults for an islandwide blackout, while the Government said NWC reforms are underway following an Auditor General audit into capital project and budget execution. Waste and flood-prevention education: NSWMA says Operation CALM includes about $200m for public education on proper waste handling to reduce flooding impacts. Cybersecurity pressure: Opposition MPs renewed calls for faster cybersecurity law after a reported NHF data breach. Local governance push: Neita Garvey urged a Smart Municipal Jamaica Initiative for online permits, tracking, and faster service delivery. Community safety: Police reported four men killed at Retirement Dump in St James during an intelligence operation tied to violence in the scrap trade.

Hurricane Recovery Funding: Jamaica’s Government outlined $67B allocated after Category Five Hurricane Melissa, including major boosts for water and environment ($3.2B), economic growth and infrastructure ($7.5B), tourism ($3.4B), and agriculture ($3B) alongside education, health, energy, roads, and debris clearing. Waste & Flood Resilience: NSWMA says $200M has been earmarked for a public education push on proper waste management under Operation CALM, linking household habits to flood impacts in vulnerable communities. Trade Finance for Greener Growth: IDB Invest and the Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$25M trade finance guarantee to help Caribbean businesses access funding for moving goods and services, supporting smaller economies’ private-sector activity. Mangrove Comeback: A new study reports global mangrove forests are recovering since 2010, driven by stronger protections and natural regeneration—key for storm protection and carbon storage. Climate Risk Ahead: NOAA and Colorado State University both stress that even with forecasts for a below-average Atlantic hurricane season, one major storm can still hit—so preparedness remains essential. Marine Protection Warning: Reports highlight risks to Jamaica’s marine ecosystems from offshore oil exploration, renewing calls to safeguard coastal and reef habitats.

Climate & Disaster Risk: A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for low-lying, flood-prone areas across Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, with an active tropical wave and upper-level trough driving unstable weather through Wednesday; fishers are urged to use extreme caution as sea conditions worsen. Marine & Water Safety: Three Rocky Point fishermen are missing after setting sail for Pedro Cays, with search efforts hampered by weather. Pollution & Enforcement: UC Rusal’s 2021 Rio Cobre effluent trial was delayed after a procedural dispute over required certificates for electronic material; the matter is now set for October 12. Food Policy & Health: The Healthy Caribbean Coalition launched “Make it Make Sense,” pushing for less ultra-processed food and drink marketing in schools across 11 territories, with a petition calling for removal of unhealthy promotions. Coastal Nature Recovery: New research finds mangrove forests are rebounding since 2010, helped by stronger protections and natural regeneration—good news for storm protection and carbon storage. Local Economy & Exports: JMEA says Jamaica’s export slowdown needs macro support, including port/customs fixes, more warehousing and logistics, and affordable financing.

Extreme Weather Watch: Jamaica is under a Flash Flood Watch for low-lying, flood-prone areas in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew until Wednesday 5 p.m., with heavy showers and thunderstorms plus strong gusty winds—especially along the south coast—prompting warnings for fishers to stay alert as sea conditions worsen. Coastal Safety: Three Rocky Point fishermen are missing after setting sail for Pedro Cays; local search efforts are being hampered by weather, and the Coast Guard has not located them yet. Power & Resilience: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says he’s reviewing a preliminary JPS report on an all-island electricity outage, while more outages were reported in several parishes after Monday’s inclement weather. Pollution & Accountability: UC Rusal’s 2021 Rio Cobre effluent trial was delayed after a procedural dispute over required certificates for electronic material; the matter is now set for October 12. Healthy Schools Campaign: The Healthy Caribbean Coalition launched “Make it Make Sense,” urging Caribbean schools to cut ultra-processed food and drink marketing, with a petition running across 11 territories. Mangrove Recovery: NEPA and partners planted 70 mangrove seedlings in Winns Morass, Trelawny, with plans to designate the area a forest reserve to strengthen coastal protection. Waste & Creativity: NSWMA’s Waste to Art competition showcased schoolchildren’s recycled creations, highlighting community action to tackle poor garbage disposal.

Flash Flood Watch: The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a flash flood watch for low-lying, flood-prone areas across Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew, effective immediately until 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 10, with heavy showers and thunderstorms possible and strong gusty winds expected—especially along the south coast and offshore. Mangrove Protection: NEPA and partners planted 70 mangrove seedlings in Winns Morass, Rock, Trelawny, as part of plans to designate the area a forest reserve under the Forestry Act to secure long-term conservation for Oyster Bay. Waste to Art: Solid Waste Day activities highlighted recycling creativity, with students across the Corporate Area turning discarded materials into art pieces at the NSWMA MPM School Waste to Art Competition. Solar Access: TW Solar says it helped cut solar equipment costs in Jamaica by up to 40% through its partnership with Deye, aiming to make renewable energy more affordable for households and businesses. Water Update After Blackout: NWC says full water restoration is expected by Tuesday for customers still affected after the island-wide blackout, with teams working to bring remaining systems back online. Health Upgrade: The upgraded Bamboo Community Health Centre in St Ann reopened after a $68.1M rehabilitation, expanding services from oral health to antenatal and postnatal care. Marine Risk Reminder: A reminder for coastal communities: an offshore Cuba earthquake (M6.1) was felt in parts of Florida, underscoring active seismic activity across the Caribbean region.

NEPA Youth for the Planet: NEPA launched its “Junior CEO for the Day” programme to mentor young Jamaicans as environmental stewards, using an annual video storytelling competition under “Recover Stronger, Recover Greener.” Coastal Cleanup Progress: The Kingston Harbour Cleanup Project says 5.5 million kilos of trash were collected by booms, helping cut pollution entering the harbour. Water & Power After Shocks: After an islandwide blackout linked to lightning, JPS is restoring power for over 10,000 customers, while the NWC reports major water-system restoration with about 65,000 customers still without supply. Health & Community Upgrades: Bamboo Community Health Centre in St. Ann reopened after a $68.1M upgrade, expanding services from antenatal care to oral health and home visits. Climate & Disaster Readiness: Hurricane trackers are watching a Gulf of America disturbance that could bring heavy rain and flooding, while Jamaica’s Met office warns of unstable weather and thunderstorms. Infrastructure Resilience: Western Jamaica is set to get most of 55 new bridges under the Accelerated Bridge Programme after Hurricane Melissa damage.

Coastal Cleanup: Kingston Harbour’s cleanup drive says it has intercepted about 5.5 million kilos of trash using booms, sparing the harbour from further pollution and highlighting the scale of marine waste. Disaster Recovery & Water: After an islandwide blackout linked to lightning damage, JPS and the National Water Commission report restoration work underway, with about 65,000 customers still without water as systems are backfilled and storage tanks recharged. Blue-Green Nature Wins: Mangrove forests are rebounding globally since 2010, with natural regeneration helping protect coasts from storms and store carbon—an encouraging reminder for Jamaica’s coastal resilience. Youth & Sustainability: NEPA launched a “Junior CEO for the Day” programme to train students as environmental stewards, using a yearly video storytelling competition tied to post-disaster “recover greener” planning. Community Climate Action: In St James, a Climate Resilient School Gardens initiative is restoring green spaces damaged by Hurricane Melissa with fruit trees, native seedlings, herbs, and pollinator plants. Food System Shock: Hurricane Melissa’s impact is blamed for a honey shortage after thousands of bee colonies were lost, pushing up costs and stressing manufacturers and suppliers. Sports With a Green Lens: Jamaica’s “The Hive” sports complex in Montego Bay is positioned as a community-focused development, linking facilities to broader local use.

Mangrove recovery: A new study finds the world’s mangrove forests are slowly bouncing back since 2010, helped by stronger protections and natural regeneration—good news for coastal storm protection and carbon storage. Disaster resilience for youth: NEPA launched its “Junior CEO for the Day” programme to train young Jamaicans as environmental stewards through a yearly video storytelling competition under “Recover Stronger, Recover Greener.” Water and power after blackout: JPS says lightning damaged transmission lines and triggered a cascading grid failure; electricity was restored for all affected customers, while NWC reported about 65,000 customers still without water as treatment and storage tanks are refilled. Climate-smart schools: The Institute of Jamaica’s Climate Resilient School Gardens Initiative delivered fruit, native trees, herbs and pollinator plants to five St James schools to help restore green spaces after Hurricane Melissa. Local food system pressure: Jamaica’s honey supply is strained after Hurricane Melissa killed an estimated 16,000 bee colonies, pushing up prices and disrupting manufacturers’ sourcing. Blue-green biodiversity risk: Reports warn offshore oil exploration could threaten Jamaica’s marine ecosystems, raising alarms for coastal and reef habitats.

Caribbean Tourism & Media: The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) honoured journalists and digital creators at its Caribbean Media Awards in New York on June 7, launching CTO TV to boost Caribbean storytelling beyond beaches, with an initial library of 700+ videos. Energy & Water Crisis: Jamaica is still working through fallout from last Friday’s rare islandwide blackout after lightning damage triggered a cascading grid failure; electricity was restored, but about 65,000 NWC customers (12%) remained without water as electrical outages delayed repairs in parts of Clarendon, St Elizabeth and St James. Climate Resilience in Action: After Hurricane Melissa, Operation Shelter Jamaica is installing hurricane-resistant modular “tiny homes” in western parishes, while the Institute of Jamaica’s Climate Resilient School Gardens Initiative is helping schools in St James regrow green spaces with fruit trees, native seedlings and pollinator plants. Food & Biodiversity Stress: Jamaica’s Scotch bonnet pepper supply is under severe strain from back-to-back storms, pushing up prices and threatening the hot sauce industry’s ability to meet demand. Local Environment Work: Clean Harbours Jamaica highlights ongoing marine waste management efforts aimed at cleaner waterways and healthier coastlines.

Power & Resilience: Jamaica is scrambling to restore electricity after a rare islandwide blackout hit overnight, with Energy Minister Daryl Vaz calling it “unacceptable” as JPS investigates the cause and reports restoration progress. Severe Weather Watch: The Met Service says a trough will linger into next week, bringing showers and thunderstorms (sometimes heavy) plus strong winds—prompting warnings to fishers and marine operators, especially along the south coast. Coral Protection & Risk Financing: Saint Lucia launched a Coral Reef Response System to speed up post-storm reef assessments and recovery, supported by regional reef resilience and insurance financing efforts. Infrastructure Built for Storms: Cabinet-approved Accelerated Bridge Project will rebuild 50+ bridges, with Troy Bridge in Trelawny reopened as a durability-focused replacement after Tropical Storm Grace. Waste Management Policy: Opposition MP Omar Newell backs a proposed ticketing system for travel waste offences but argues Jamaica needs a wider overhaul of waste collection, recycling capacity, and enforcement. Food Supply Pressure: Jamaican Scotch bonnet pepper prices are rising amid shortages tied to pests, disease, and hurricane impacts—raising costs for jerk and hot sauce producers.

Food Supply Shock: Jamaican Scotch bonnet pepper prices are rising as farmers report crop losses from pests like thrips, disease, and repeated hurricane impacts (including Hurricane Melissa), squeezing jerk and hot sauce makers at home and across the Caribbean diaspora. Hurricane Readiness: Even with forecasts pointing to a below-normal Atlantic season, experts and responders stress that “one storm is all it takes,” urging Jamaica and the region to keep preparing for the 2026 hurricane season. Waste & Flood Risk: Opposition environment MP Omar Newell backs a proposed ticketing system for travel waste offences but warns it won’t fix Jamaica’s solid waste crisis without stronger enforcement, better collection, recycling infrastructure, and extended producer responsibility. Built for Category 5: Jamaica’s revised building code will require structures to withstand Category Five hurricanes, with stronger enforcement, compliance checks, and penalties for illegal construction in high-risk zones. Ocean Protection & Blue Economy: Jamaica is calling for more financing and support for SIDS to strengthen ocean governance and grow sustainable “blue economy” sectors, while separate reporting flags offshore oil and gas expansion risks to marine ecosystems. Public Sanitation Push: Prime Minister Holness praised NSWMA workers, linking effective sanitation to public health, tourism, and Jamaica’s national image.

Hurricane Preparedness: Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1, with NOAA forecasting a below-normal season (55% chance) but reminding Jamaica and the wider region that one major storm can still do catastrophic damage. Climate-Smart Building: Jamaica’s revised Building Code will require structures to withstand Category Five hurricanes, with stronger enforcement, compliance checks, and penalties for illegal building in high-risk zones. Flood Resilience Cleanup: Government launches Operation CALM to remove bulky waste and educate residents in flood-prone communities ahead of the season, aiming to cut storm-surge and flooding impacts. Ocean Protection vs Oil: A new Earth Insight/Jamaica Environment Trust report warns offshore oil exploration (Walton-Morant block) could threaten Jamaica’s south coast coral reefs, seagrass, and key fishing grounds, with spill, discharge, and seismic survey risks. Blue Economy Diplomacy: Jamaica calls for more financing and support for SIDS to strengthen ocean governance and grow sustainable “blue economy” sectors. Road Safety: Motorcycle riders are urged to wear helmets that meet required standards, with guidance on how to spot genuinely certified gear. Local Rebuild Oversight: Jamaica Fire Brigade will play a major role in Hurricane Melissa reconstruction approvals, including fire-safety plan reviews and building inspections.

Offshore Oil Threats to Jamaica’s Ocean: A new Earth Insight report with the Jamaica Environment Trust warns that exploration in the Walton-Morant block could endanger south coast coral reefs, seagrass and key fishing grounds—risk zones overlap about 99% of coral reefs and 97% of seagrass, with major protected areas and key biodiversity sites also affected. Hurricane Melissa Recovery, Water First: Jamaica is launching a multi-agency push to assess damage to St Ann’s municipal water systems after Melissa, with site visits and engineering evaluations led by the municipal corporation, NWC and RWSL, supported by UDC and JBM. Flood Resilience Cleanup Drive: The government rolled out Operation CALM to remove bulky waste and improve disposal habits in flood-prone communities ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season. Building Back Better: Parliament heard that 1,377 development applications worth $68.8B were submitted under the revised building code and approvals process in Jan–Mar, with the Jamaica Fire Brigade set to play a major role in reconstruction inspections and plan reviews. Tourism, But Make It Sustainable: Caribbean tourism leaders unveiled new initiatives including a digital platform (CTO TV) and Jamaica’s tourism push was highlighted during Caribbean Week in New York, including a marketing award for its “Love Island Influencers” campaign. Local Waste Education: Students in Clarendon were urged to keep communities clean and prepare for hurricanes as the season begins.