ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

Flow partners with creatives to drive Internet safety message

Telecoms provider Flow is taking its 2026 Internet safety campaign to the next level, partnering with the local creative industry to reach audiences in more engaging and impactful ways.

On Safer Internet Day, observed yesterday, Flow premiered a five-minute original skit produced in collaboration with Project Quilt, the creative minds behind the acclaimed play Pitchy Patchy. Using humour, storytelling, and relatable family dynamics, the production explores everyday online risks, while reinforcing the importance of responsible digital behaviour.

"Flow remains a local leader in this global effort to improve Internet safety and to educate users about the risks of improper use, especially among young people," said Stephen Price, vice-president and general manager of Flow.

The initiative doesn't stop at the screen. Flow is taking its message directly to students through a Safer Internet Day school tour, emphasising in-person engagement and dialogue. Students will join interactive sessions led by social media personality Tanania, where they will learn practical Internet safety tips and take part in challenges designed to test knowledge and spark meaningful conversations about digital responsibility.

Quarry Hill gets water boost

More than 2,000 residents of Quarry Hill in St Catherine now have reliable access to potable water following the completion of the $36-million Quarry Hill Pipeline Improvement Project.

Undertaken by the National Water Commission, the project involved the installation of approximately 5.2 kilometres of distribution pipelines to resolve low-pressure issues, and improve reliability, efficiency, and quality of potable water delivery. It will benefit areas such as Sunflower Circle, Sundown Avenue, Sunbeam Crescent, Sunbeam Close, Henderson View, and Port Henderson Drive.

Fitz Jackson, member of parliament for St Catherine South, where the communities are located, welcomed the development.

"This represents one of the most substantial, critical infrastructure that we will have in place, where we have water distribution throughout the communities," he said.

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NMIA to get major makeover

PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL) has launched two major renovation projects at the Norman Manley International Airport, advancing the next phase of the airport's ambitious $25.8-billion transformation programme.

Sitara English-Byfield, CEO of PACKAL, commented, "These projects will transform the first and last impression passengers have at our gateway. As we modernise the passenger experience throughout the airport, we are curating a journey that starts the moment you land and continues through to your departure."

The $1.2-billion customs hall and arrivals area upgrade, alongside the $320-million link corridor renovation, aim to modernise both arrivals and departures, while elevating the overall passenger experience.

The customs hall and arrivals area project, slated for completion in approximately 24 months, will feature brighter, more inviting lighting, upgraded flooring, expanded seating, a covered kerbside pickup zone, and a revamped bar and restaurant area -- creating a more welcoming first impression for travellers.

Meanwhile, the 16-month link corridor renovation will revamp the airport's shopping experience, introducing four new retail outlets: two food and beverage locations, a duty-free shop, and a retail store.

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Domestic violence driving divorce

The Legal Aid Council (LAC) has reported that 90 per cent of legal requests received from members of the public are for divorce, many of which are linked to experiences of abuse.

Dian Watson, the council's executive director, made the shocking disclosure at a recently held training session on gender-based violence.

"Most people who seek consultations from the LAC come to us about divorce. Very often, when they first approach us, they do not immediately disclose that domestic violence is the underlying issue. It is only after trust is established that these experiences are shared," Watson said.

She said that gender-based violence remains a critical challenge within the society, affecting individuals, families and communities in profound ways.

"Addressing it requires not only legal knowledge, but also sensitivity, awareness, and a coordinated response across the justice system," Watson said.

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Post office returns to Mocho

The Mocho Post Office in Clarendon will resume operations at its original location in Cedars district on February 20.

Operations at the facility were temporarily relocated to the Four Paths Post Office on Lawson Boulevard in the parish, after the building sustained damage during the passage of Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Senior Director of Corporate Services at Jamaica Post, Carol Saunders Hammond, said that renovation and improvement works have been completed to upgrade the facility and provide a safer, more comfortable and customer-friendly environment.

Saunders Hammond said the reopening restores a key service hub within the community, enabling residents, senior citizens, and small business operators to conduct transactions closer to home.

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Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Robert Nesta Morgan, has emphasised the urgent need for a One Road Authority, noting that it will bring clarity, consistent standards and stronger accountability to how roads are classified, protected, maintained and repaired.

Speaking at a recent Rotary Club of Kingston meeting, Morgan described roads as "the arteries and veins of the economy".

"Right now, too many roads fall through the cracks. The One Road Authority will close those cracks," he said.

Jamaica has approximately 27,000 km of roads, with about 5,000 km being managed by the National Works Agency. The remainder is divided among municipal corporations, private communities, as well as select government agencies. Some roads are under no management.

Morgan stated that this fragmented responsibility contributes to uneven standards, slower response and higher lifetime costs.

"When responsibility is unclear, repairs get delayed, standards vary, and costs rise. A road can become a major corridor, but the governance framework doesn't adjust fast enough", he emphasised.

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