Former deputy mayor of Kingston, Winston Ennis, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape by announcing his departure from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to go independent.

In a bold statement released on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Ennis cited disrespect and the need to protect his dignity, values, and family as the driving forces behind his decision.

This move not only breaks a crucial 20-20 tie for the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) but also tips the scales in favor of the People’s National Party (PNP), granting them full control of the parish council.

With the political arena now split evenly at 7-7 between the two major parties and last week’s local government election causing major shifts, the stage is set for an intense power struggle. Jamaican politics is undergoing a seismic shift, and Ennis’s bold move reflects the deep-seated tensions and high-stakes conflicts at play.

Petrojam closes burnt section of refinery, launches investigation into fire.

Petrojam closes burnt section of refinery, launches investigation into fire.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Petrojam has announced that a section of the Marcus Garvey Drive oil refinery has been taken offline as the company continues to investigate and assess the damage caused by a fire at the plant that occurred after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

The state-owned entity has taken this measure to prioritize the safety of its personnel and prevent further escalation.

In a release, Petrojam stated, “To ensure the safety of our personnel and prevent further escalation, the decision has been made to temporarily take the affected plant offline. The entity will now focus on conducting thorough assessments to determine the extent of the damage. Cooling down operations are currently underway to restore normalcy as soon as possible.”

The company also emphasized its commitment to maintaining a substantial reserve of products to ensure an uninterrupted supply to meet market demands. It confirmed that the fire caused no injuries but did not disclose its cause.

Additionally, Observer Online reported that firefighters were working on cooling-down operations at the oil refinery earlier on Tuesday following reports that three heat exchangers had caught fire. Michael Phipps, Head of the Kingston Western Police Division, was on the scene to provide crowd control where necessary and reported that the fire from two of the exchangers was extinguished while firefighters were working on the third.

IC pushes for Warmington’s removal from parliamentary committees.

The Integrity Commission announced its decision to communicate with the chairs of relevant committees after Warmington’s resignation from the Cabinet.

Emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct for parliamentarians and public officials, the Commission highlighted the discrepancy between Warmington’s actions and the expected standards for a Cabinet minister and parliamentarian.

Additionally, the Commission intends to advise the Speaker of the House, Juliet Holness, to involve the Ethics Committee in addressing the matter. These decisive steps ensure an appropriate handling of the issue within the parliamentary framework.

Following controversial statements made by Warmington, including his pledge to withhold public funds from an elected People’s National Party councilor, Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed Warmington’s resignation after a meeting on February 29, 2024.

Armed thugs showed up at Black River High after students’ row.

Incident at Black River High School in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

Alarming events unfolded at Black River High School in St. Elizabeth on Tuesday morning as students and staff found themselves in a state of distress. It was reported that armed individuals invaded the school following an altercation between two students.

According to a police source speaking to Observer Online, the incident occurred mid-morning on Tuesday., March 5, 2024. The source revealed, “Two students had a dispute. One left the school compound and sought out armed individuals from the New Town community, who then entered the school compound.”

It is understood that the two students involved in the altercation, both boys, are from the same community near the St. Elizabeth parish capital of Black River. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or any discharge of weapons. The armed individuals reportedly left the compound before law enforcement arrived at the school.

Police have initiated an investigation, including questioning one of the students involved in the altercation, to identify the armed individuals involved.

Police Seize Two Firearms, including an AK-47 Rifle in Targeted Operation in Flanker.

In a targeted operation in Flanker, St James on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the police seized two firearms. Senior Superintendent Vernon Ellis, commanding officer for the St James Police Division, reported the discovery of an AK-47 mini rifle and a camouflage-suppressed submachine gun at a property in the community.

These firearms were uncovered during an operation at a location associated with Peter Johnson, also known as ‘Jolo’, who was fatally shot by the police on election day.

“We have received numerous death threats against security personnel who were on duty that day following the incident on February 26, 2024, which resulted in the fatal arrest of Peter Johnson, also known as Jolo. This morning, a search was conducted at a premises linked to Johnson, leading to the discovery of these weapons,” stated SSP Ellis.

The senior superintendent of police emphasized that such operations are integral to a broader commitment to “combating violent crimes and dismantling criminal gangs in Jamaica”.