AGP Executive Report

5G Rollout: Flow has officially switched on Jamaica’s first 5G mobile network, promising faster data and clearer calls, with coverage live in Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town, May Pen and the North Coast, and more communities slated by month-end. Public Safety & Justice: Police in St Elizabeth linked a murder to a St Ann suicide after detectives traced a missing-person abduction case involving a licensed firearm holder. Crime & Courts: Dequity Capital Management sold its stake in Dolla Financial Services for about $935.75 million as it reshuffles investments. Business & Finance: Banks ended May with about $29b more sitting at the Bank of Jamaica, while Government deposits fell sharply—an update that could affect liquidity and lending conditions. Health System Concerns: Relatives of a man who died at Cornwall Regional Hospital’s A&E say he spent 22 hours on a chair and are pushing for a post-mortem. E-commerce Push: 7Krave launched “Krave Deals” to bring more online shopping spend back to Jamaica with fast delivery. Sugar Tax Support: Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances is helping manufacturers reformulate drinks to cut sugar while protecting taste under the new tax regime. Sports: West Indies beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first T20 at Sabina Park, with Shai Hope top-scoring and Holder/Joseph leading the bowling. Regional Tourism: CHTA named Barbados host for Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2027 after Antigua’s successful run.

World Cup Kickoff: Mexico and South Africa renew their 2010 opener rivalry as the 48-team, 104-game 2026 World Cup begins in Mexico City, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino defending ticket prices amid controversy and noting issues like a Somali referee denied U.S. entry. Jamaica Fans Connected: Flow and TVJ team up to bring World Cup action to Jamaicans, with watch options on the go and customer perks tied to postpaid plans. Local Sports Spotlight: South Africa’s Hugo Broos faces pressure after mixed warm-up form as the teams set their opening-day lineups. Tourism Strategy: Jamaica launches “Tourism 3.0,” aiming to spread benefits to workers, training, and local communities beyond visitor arrivals. Finance Watch: Finance Minister Fayval Williams says a $500m FSC withdrawal won’t threaten the regulator’s stability. Governance & Funding: Opposition’s Natalie Neita Garvey urges municipal corporations be empowered to borrow responsibly to deliver infrastructure. Maritime Environment: House approves Shipping (Prevention of Garbage Pollution) Regulations, 2026, to modernise Jamaica’s rules on ship-generated waste. Culture & Community: Caribbean Music Awards returns for its fourth year with public voting opening June 10 and Lady Lava leading nominations. Remembering Trina Nation: Family and friends honour Trina Nation at the Trina National Memorial Half Marathon tied to the Prince of Wales Island Marathon.

Energy & Infrastructure: JPS says Jamaica’s islandwide blackout on June 5 was triggered by severe weather and technical faults, including lightning-linked transmission line problems that cascaded across the grid; power was fully restored by about 6:34 Saturday morning, though some areas saw setbacks during restoration. Central Bank Watch: BOJ Governor Richard Byles warned Middle East conflict risks pushing inflation above the 4–6% target, with higher energy, transport and food costs expected over coming quarters. Fuel Prices: Petrojam says its revised diesel and ULSD pricing mechanism takes effect Thursday, capping pass-through moves at $12.50 per litre to better manage global oil shocks. Justice Reform: Justice Minister Delroy Chuck says Jamaica will digitise court operations via the IECMS system, aiming to cut paper-based case management and connect justice stakeholders electronically. Public Health: Health Minister Christopher Tufton says Jamaica remains Ebola-free but has strengthened preparedness at ports of entry, including enhanced surveillance and training of about 1,100 key personnel. Local Governance: Neita Garvey is calling for a Smart Municipal Jamaica initiative to move permits, approvals and service tracking online. Business & Community: Golden Krust returned to support school canteen repairs and nutrition through its “Feeding Futures” programme after Hurricane Melissa. Security & Crime: A businessman was charged after US$270,580 in cash was allegedly found concealed in bath soap boxes at Sangster Airport. Sports: KFC Jamaica signed Reggae Boyz captain Andre Blake as the face of its 2026 World Cup campaign.

Health Watch: Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says nine travellers with recent Ebola-linked travel histories are under mandatory self-quarantine as a precaution, with Jamaica still disease-free and no symptoms reported. Cybersecurity: Tufton also confirmed hackers contacted the National Health Fund claiming access to client medical data; NHF has reported the threat to the Office of the Information Commissioner and involved MOCA. Policy Debate: Tufton says a near-complete study on social media’s impact on Jamaicans will be unveiled soon, with a national survey to guide possible restrictions for children under 16. Education Funding: Educators and stakeholders are pushing back on a Capri report, arguing Jamaica’s education spending doesn’t translate into outcomes because unit costs and comparisons may be off. Security Update: Police report seven men killed in separate operations across St Catherine, St Andrew and Clarendon, with a policeman injured and firearms seized. Sports Focus: FIFA World Cup 2026 opener has Mexico hosting South Africa, with attention on team news and kick-off details. Business & Finance: CIBC Caribbean rolls out Google Wallet support in Jamaica and other markets, boosting contactless payments.

US Citizenship Revocation: The U.S. Justice Department is moving to strip citizenship from 17 naturalized Americans tied to serious crimes, including a Minnesotan linked to the Feeding Our Future fraud case. Tourism Debate: Opposition tourism spokesperson Andrea Purkiss says cruise passenger arrivals have fallen 28.4% since 2019 and accuses Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett of “diversification” claims that don’t match results. Power & Accountability: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says JPS’s explanation for last week’s islandwide blackout is “inexcusable,” and orders an independent consultant with the OUR to scrutinise the final report. Security Incident: Four men were killed in a police operation in St. Catherine’s Bog Walk Gorge, with INDECOM investigating after a policeman was also shot. Finance & Markets: Jamaica’s stock market fell about 5,000 points last week as investors stay cautious amid high interest rates and post-Hurricane Melissa slowdown. Business Watch: Kingston Wharves set 2030 targets of $20B revenue and $5B net profit, while Derrimon shelved a US$2.5M Arosa expansion to cut debt and use third-party manufacturing. Tech in Banking: CIBC Caribbean Bank (Jamaica) launches Google Pay, initially limited to credit cards. Local Culture & Sports: DJ Mac keeps pushing modern dancehall; and the Popeyes Challenge Cup final is set for tonight at 8 p.m. between Mount Pleasant FA and Molynes United.

Women’s Cricket: Jamaica Empress officially joins the expanded 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League as a new four-team franchise, with the season running 5–17 September at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown; each team plays the other three, top side goes straight to the final (17 Sept) and 2nd/3rd meet in a playoff on 16 Sept. Economy & Resilience: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that global shocks are becoming a regular feature, urging countries to strengthen economic foundations and planning. Local Energy Oversight: Jamaica’s utilities regulator OUR says it is engaging JPS after last Friday’s island-wide blackout, seeking a preliminary report and corrective measures, with a full report due within 30 days. Business & Wellness: NUGL has started a Jamaica market evaluation with Cannibble Food-Tech for functional beverage samples via Kaya Pizza and Square Grouper Bars, aiming to test consumer demand and future opportunities. Sports (World Cup build-up): Mexico and South Africa open the 2026 World Cup in Group A, with Jamaica’s recent friendly draw with Bafana Bafana adding context to the tournament preparations.

Women’s Cricket Boost: Jamaica Empress has been named the fourth franchise in the expanded 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League, joining Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders, with all matches in Barbados from September 5–17 at Kensington Oval. Football Focus: Jamaica Football Federation unveiled a women’s football strategy aiming to unlock over US$41.7 million in FIFA funding, targeting big growth in registered players, licensed coaches and referees. Weather Watch: A flash flood watch is in effect for several parishes including Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew, with heavy showers and thunderstorms possible until Wednesday, June 10. Sports Update: West Indies’ ODI series against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park was washed out again by rain, leaving Sri Lanka to win the series 1-0. Local Debate: Education leaders pushed back on claims Jamaica spends enough on schooling, saying per-student funding and real classroom resources still lag.

Infrastructure Push: Western Jamaica is set to get most of 55 new bridges under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, with Works Minister Robert Morgan saying the plan is meant to rebuild stronger after Hurricane Melissa. Education & Tech: National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang opened a new computer lab at New Roads Primary in Westmoreland, backing digital access through Starlink support via the Universal Service Fund. Power-Water Fallout: Opposition water spokesperson Ian Hayles says the islandwide blackout exposed how NWC plants depend on the JPS grid, leaving tens of thousands without water and calling for solar-powered resilience. Governance Watch: The National Works Agency has advertised for a new CEO, ending E.G. Hunter’s roughly 14-year tenure amid mounting public frustration over road conditions. Business & Tourism: Afreximbank deepened engagement with Jamaica through a Kingston roadshow, while Sandals announced a $200m redesign of three Jamaica resorts. Sports (World Cup): Jamaica’s football chatter continues as South Africa prepares to open the 2026 World Cup with Mexico, and Portugal faces Nigeria in a final warm-up. International (US): The Trump administration moved to denaturalize 17 U.S. citizens accused of serious crimes, including fraud.

Electricity & Water Crisis: Jamaica is still dealing with fallout from Friday’s islandwide blackout, with JPS reporting restoration work for over 10,000 customers and NWC saying about 65,000 customers remained without water as systems are backfilled and tanks recharged. Accountability & Oversight: Opposition and officials are demanding answers from JPS after lightning-triggered grid failures, while the OUR has sought a report and scrutiny continues. Water Security Debate: PNP water spokesperson Ian Hayles says the outage proves NWC must shift to solar and renewables to avoid a single-point failure. Labour & Jobs Policy: Government says it’s “future-proofing” work through a National Employment Policy partnership with the ILO, targeting tech change and climate disruptions. Youth & Community: St Andrew West Central Chess Fun Day 2026 showcased young talent, while Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation received $4.5M to support adolescent mothers. Agriculture & Youth: Opposition MP Dayton Campbell is upset over the cancellation of National 4-H Achievement Day 2026. Justice & Policing: Zuleika Jess calls for urgent reform after Indecom figures show 133 fatal police shootings since the start of the year. Diaspora & Crime: Superintendent Errol Adams urges Jamaicans abroad to help reduce violent crime at home. Diaspora Services: Integrated Diaspora Services expands its global network, appointing Jamaican-American Peter Gracey. Sports: West Indies’ ODI vs Sri Lanka was washed out by rain, and Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is unhappy ahead of Mexico.

Electricity Crisis: Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says lightning strikes damaged transmission lines and triggered a “cascading effect” that caused Friday’s islandwide blackout; the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has ordered JPS to submit a preliminary report by Monday and a full report within 30 days, while Energy Minister Daryl Vaz called the outage “an embarrassment” and water supply remains affected for some customers. Bail & Violence: A Clarendon man accused of fatally stabbing his cousin in a Mocho dispute was granted $1M bail, with conditions including no contact with witnesses and relocation. Football—World Cup Build-up: Hugo Broos says Bafana Bafana’s 1-1 draw with Jamaica fell short, warning players to fix mentality and performance ahead of South Africa’s opener against Mexico. Sports—Cricket & Weather: Rain washed out the second ODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Sabina Park, leaving Sri Lanka leading the series 1-0. Governance & Corruption: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Haiti lowest in the Caribbean, while several others remain among the region’s stronger performers. Business & Tourism: Mayberry Investments signs on as title partner for the World Cup Village at Caymanas Park, backing a major fan experience during the tournament.

Power Crisis: Energy Minister Daryl Vaz called Friday night’s all-island blackout “an embarrassment,” while JPS says lightning damaged transmission lines and triggered an unexpected cascading grid failure; OUR has ordered a preliminary report and a full report within 30 days, as about 65,000 customers were still without water after power restoration. Public Safety & Crime: A US citizen charged with murdering his partner in a Hanover rental house was remanded in custody, and a separate Negril shooting left a restaurant owner dead and a visitor injured, with a suspect charged. Agriculture & Food Prices: Hurricane Melissa losses left Jamaica facing a honey shortage, with manufacturers struggling to source supply at fair prices. Health & Community: Hanover churches received nearly $8.5 million for hurricane clean-up and restoration, while a new push highlights the need for healthier food environments amid rising obesity concerns. Business & Local Life: Yaadie Kennels grew from a home kennel into a multi-service pet-care business, and JN Properties says diaspora investors want trusted property management on the island. Sports: Rain washed out the second West Indies–Sri Lanka ODI at Sabina Park, leaving Sri Lanka leading 1-0 ahead of Monday’s decider.

Islandwide blackout: Jamaica plunged into darkness Friday night after an island-wide power outage, with Energy Minister Daryl Vaz calling it “unacceptable” and ordering an emergency probe into the cause and delays in restoration. Power restoration: JPS later reported phased recovery, restoring service to about 500,000 of 700,000 customers by early Saturday, with the last customers energized by 6:30 a.m. Weather watch: A trough across the central Caribbean is bringing unstable conditions—cloudy skies, showers and thunderstorms (heaviest in eastern and south-central parishes) plus strong winds—prompting marine advisories for the south coast. Road safety: ITA says road deaths are down—49 fewer fatalities up to June 5 compared with the same period last year. Housing finance: Senate approved amendments to the NHT Act allowing $11.4b annually to support the Budget. Sports & culture: Express Canteen Services donated J$1m to Sts Peter and Paul Prep’s defence programme; Jamaica also won CTO Caribbean Week awards for tourism storytelling and social media promotion.

Power Crisis: Jamaica is dealing with an island-wide blackout after a system failure, with Energy Minister Daryl Vaz calling it “unacceptable” and ordering a probe; JPS says power is being restored in phases while an investigation continues. World Cup Focus: Ghana’s GFA has released Black Stars squad numbers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Jamaica’s own football scene keeps moving with GFA-related tournament updates and regional club competition scheduling. Tourism & Business: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett pushed a “supply-side” shift at Caribbean Week in New York, urging the region to measure tourism by local production and value retention; locally, Afreximbank held its first Jamaica roadshow to boost trade and investment links with Africa. Community & Services: Showfa Express and Paymaster launched a flat-rate parcel delivery option, and St. Elizabeth is rolling out disaster readiness planning with UNDRR support. Justice & Crime: A St Catherine woman accused of selling property she didn’t own was granted $1.5M bail.

Oil Watch: Jamaica is weighing early signs from offshore exploratory drilling off Morant Bay, with Energy Minister Darryl Vaz urging “cautiously optimistic” patience as timelines could stretch to production in the 2030s. Disaster-Ready Building Code: The revised code will require Category Five hurricane-resistant construction, with stronger enforcement powers, compliance checks and penalties for illegal building in high-risk zones. Reconstruction Leadership: NaRRA’s new CEO, Ambassador Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, says his engineering and large-scale project experience positions him to coordinate Jamaica’s next infrastructure push. Blue Economy Push: Jamaica is calling for more global support for SIDS ocean governance and blue economies, citing tourism’s major role in jobs and GDP. Road Safety: Motorcyclists are being urged to wear helmets that meet required standards, with guidance on how to spot truly certified gear. Business & Housing: Resorts World and Cirrus are moving into workforce housing, buying a Jamaica, Queens site for up to 700 homes. Sports & Culture: BYD is named official car partner of CPL 2026, while Vybz Kartel drops “God and Time” and FyaVerse links with BeatZBunnie on “HypnotiZed.”

Housing & Disaster Response: Prime Minister Holness says another 300 container homes will arrive today, with 1,200 already in-country and the rest of the 2,500 Melissa housing solutions expected by July. Shelter Upgrades: Desmond McKenzie announced $60 million for emergency shelter improvements and plans for larger, purpose-built shelters in Clarendon, St Elizabeth and Westmoreland ahead of hurricane season. Hurricane Readiness: NSWMA is prepositioning equipment 48 hours before storms, holding fuel reserves for 72 hours, and preparing alternative disposal sites after lessons from Hurricane Melissa. Oversight & Investor Confidence: Opposition MP Peter Bunting warns government moves against oversight bodies could hurt investor confidence, while National Security Minister Horace Chang says he has full confidence in FLA CEO Shane Dalling despite Integrity Commission findings. Business & Jobs: BPO leaders reject Opposition claims that AI is an existential threat, saying competitiveness and costs are the real challenge. Health Support: Preemie Foundation donates a $1.7m incubator to Mandeville Regional Hospital’s NICU, and Golden Krust will refurbish canteens for seven Western Jamaica schools still recovering from Melissa. Crime & Safety: Police impose a curfew in March Pen, Spanish Town after a deadly gun attack, and a CMU staffer is charged over alleged misuse of student funds.

Police Accountability: A police officer has been charged with murder after the killing of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin during protests in Granville, with Indecom saying bail was denied and another hearing set for mid-June. More Violence in St. Andrew: A former JCF member, Mark Raby, was fatally shot by police after an alleged confrontation on Camp Road, according to reports. Public Sector Pressure: The Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) is urging the Ministry of Finance to urgently settle outstanding travelling allowance claims dating back to 2024, saying workers are being forced to absorb costs while other salary issues remain unresolved. Marine Environment Watch: A new report warns offshore oil and gas exploration in Jamaica’s Walton-Morant block could threaten coral reefs, seagrass beds and key fishing grounds. Tourism & Travel: Jamaica’s Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is bringing tourism leaders together, while Jamaica’s JUTC is listed as transportation partner for Reggae Sumfest 2026. Business: Caribbean Cement says cement supply has improved, with production up and dispatches rising after April weather disruptions. Sports (World Cup build-up): South Africa’s Bafana Bafana trained in Mexico under heavy security ahead of a warm-up against Jamaica.