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La réouverture la route nationale numéro 2 constitue la principale préoccupation des nouvelles autorités communales de Gressier (sud de la capitale). Depuis deux ans la région métropolitaine de Port-au-Prince est totalement coupée de la péninsule sud par les gangs qui avaient érigé deux murs sur la route.

Le directeur général de la Mairie de Gressier, M. Alexis Claudy, confirme que les deux murs ont été récemment démolis mais que la route reste inaccessible. Il note qu’il s’agit d’une avancée significative dans les efforts des autorités locales visant le rétablissement d’un climat sécuritaire dans cette commune entre Carrefour et Léogane.

Le directeur général dément les rumeurs faisant état de négociations avec les gangs pour faciliter la démolition des murs. Il rappelle que les bandits ont été repoussés dans plusieurs sections rurales par les unités spécialisees avec l’appui des groupes d’autodéfense. Le principal défi consiste en la consolidation du contrôle de ces quartiers par les forces de l’ordre.

Une stratégie pour récupérer les territoires perdues 

Les autorités communales ont bouclé la semaine écoulée les travaux de réparation du commissariat de Police. Des séances de travail ont eu lieu avec les autorités policières en vue du retour des forces de l’ordre sur place.

Le nouveau conseil d’administration communal a pu rétablir une présence dans la commune. Depuis l’invasion, les agents exécutifs intérimaires avaient fui vers Léogane. Même si les autorités locales et policières sont recroquevillées dans la section rurale de Ti boucan et Santo, limitrophe de Léogane, des efforts sont déployés par les groupes d’autodéfense en vue de récupérer les quartiers. 

L’implication de la communauté 

M. Claudy confirme l’implication des commandants des unités spécialisées de la Police dans l’élaboration des stratégies sécuritaires. Il révèle que des rencontres avec les organisations de base ont permis de définir une stratégie pour reprendre le contrôle de la commune. À son avis le recours à l’affrontement reste une option mais ne constitue pas la démarche prioritaire.

Outre une étroite collaboration avec les leaders communautaires, M. Claudy exprime le désir de renforcer les liens avec les autorités communales de Carrefour et de Léogane. À ses yeux une coordination des stratégies sécuritaires est indispensable pour mieux lutter contre les gangs. Il atteste que c’est la collaboration entre les autorités locales et les organisations de la société civile qui a permis la démolition des murs. L’administration communale ne disposait pas de ressource financières suffisantes pour louer des engins lourds recommandés.

La démolition des murs s’inscrit dans le cadre des efforts pour rendre les axes routiers accessibles aux forces de l’ordre. De nombreux autres murs sont toujours en place dans les artères secondaires. Les bandits contrôlent plus de 80% de Gressier y compris le centre ville. Au nord de Gressier, dans le quartier de Mariani, un autre gang dénommé 103 zombis impose sa loi. Les efforts visent à déverrouiller Gressier, étape importante dans la réouverture de la route nationale.

LLM / radio Métropole Haïti 

The post Le combat pour rouvrir la route nationale 2 appeared first on METROPOLE.

When Olympic legend and Jamaica’s Ambassador-at-Large, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, addressed delegates on day three of the Jamaica Diaspora Conference this week, she gave voice to an issue that has long existed beneath Jamaica’s sporting success: the lack of consistent support for the athletes who proudly represent the nation on the world stage.

During a panel discussion on “Leveraging the Creative Economy to Build Stronger Cultural Industries,” Fraser-Pryce pulled back the curtain on the realities many athletes face behind the scenes. She spoke candidly about the financial sacrifices involved in representing Jamaica, the uncertainty of funding and sponsorship, and the lack of structured support available to many athletes once their competitive careers end.

Most importantly, she challenged Jamaica to rethink how it values and supports the athletes who have helped build the country’s reputation as a global sporting powerhouse.

“We do have a lot of talented athletes in Jamaica,” Fraser-Pryce said. “They represent the black, green and gold because they are loyal to the flag. They are very loyal.”

But loyalty, she argued, cannot be enough.

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Fraser-Pryce spoke candidly about the costs athletes often shoulder themselves, from training expenses to medical care. She noted that some athletes spend thousands of dollars seeking specialised treatment and support while pursuing excellence at the highest level.

“There are a lot of things that happen with an athlete,” she said, pointing to the costs of travelling overseas to access medical specialists and treatment.

Her comments come at a time when concerns about athlete welfare have become increasingly public. Ahead of and during the Paris Olympics, several athletes and officials raised questions about preparation, funding and administrative support. Similar concerns have surfaced repeatedly over the years, particularly among athletes competing outside Jamaica’s traditional sprint events.

Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell has spoken openly about the financial challenges of pursuing his sport. Despite becoming one of Jamaica’s most successful field-event athletes, he has had to largely fund his own journey while balancing work commitments. Other field athletes have shared similar experiences, highlighting the uneven levels of support available across different disciplines.

Recent discussions surrounding athletes changing allegiance should serve as a warning. Olympic medallists and rising stars have explored opportunities elsewhere, citing frustrations with support systems and the opportunities being offered by other nations.

It is a sentiment that resonates with many athletes, both past and present, who have spoken publicly about the challenges of funding their careers and securing support beyond competition.

For Fraser-Pryce, the issue extends well beyond medals and championships.

“What are we doing to transition athletes outside of the sport? How can we help them to invest and make that transition?”

It is a question Jamaica has struggled to answer for decades.

Over the years, Jamaicans.com has interviewed several former athletes who once brought glory to Jamaica but now live in obscurity. Some face financial hardship. Others struggle with healthcare costs, housing challenges and limited opportunities after retirement. Many Jamaicans would not even recognise the names of athletes who once represented the country with distinction.

As a nation, Jamaica celebrates its athletes when they win medals, break records and stand atop podiums. Their victories become our victories. Their achievements become symbols of national pride.

“And yes, I know we are a small country and we consistently punch above our weight, but Jamaica has to do better by our athletes,” Fraser-Pryce said.

If Jamaica wants to maintain its position as a global leader in athletics, government, sporting bodies and Corporate Jamaica must work together to create a stronger support system for athletes during and after their careers.

Because when athletes win, Jamaica wins.

And when one of the greatest athletes in Jamaican history says Jamaica must do better by its athletes, we should listen.

Jamaica has added another achievement to its tourism industry, with Club Kingston at the Norman Manley International Airport earning the title of Best Airport Lounge in Latin America and the Caribbean from Priority Pass.

The award places Club Kingston ahead of more than 350 airport lounges across the region and is based on ratings and reviews submitted by travellers who used the facilities. The recognition comes from the 2026 Priority Pass Excellence Awards, one of the largest traveller driven airport lounge award programmes in the world.

For Jamaica, the honour highlights the country’s continued focus on improving the visitor experience, not only at hotels and attractions but also at key points of arrival and departure.

A Major Win for Jamaica’s Tourism Industry

The Jamaica Tourist Board welcomed the recognition, describing it as another positive sign for the country’s tourism sector.

Priority Pass operates one of the world’s largest airport lounge membership programmes, offering travellers access to more than 1,800 lounges and airport experiences across hundreds of airports worldwide. Each year, the company collects more than 700,000 traveller reviews and surveys, making the awards a reflection of passenger experiences rather than a panel of judges.

The fact that Club Kingston secured the number one position in the Latin America and Caribbean region demonstrates strong satisfaction among international travellers who pass through Jamaica.

In a statement provided to Jamaicans.com, Nicholas Watson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Media & Stakeholder Engagement at Club Kingston, said the award reflects the work of the entire team and the wider value of Jamaica’s tourism product.

“Receiving the award for Best Lounge in the Caribbean and Latin America is a proud moment for our entire team. This recognition reflects the passion, dedication, and service excellence demonstrated by our employees every day. It also reinforces Jamaica’s position as a world-class destination, beginning with the airport experience. We are grateful to our guests and partners for their continued support and remain committed to exceeding expectations with every visit.”

The recognition further strengthens Jamaica’s reputation for hospitality and highlights the role airport services play in shaping a visitor’s overall experience of the island.

This placement gives the quote prominence, establishes it as exclusive content from Jamaicans.com, and connects it directly to the broader tourism significance of the award.

What Makes Club Kingston Different

Located at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, Club Kingston serves a wide range of passengers including business travellers, members of the Jamaican diaspora, government officials, conference delegates and vacationers.

The lounge is operated by VIP Attractions Limited, the company behind both Club Kingston and Club Mobay.

Its offering focuses on comfort, customer service and a Jamaican atmosphere that introduces visitors to the island’s hospitality before they board their flights.

For many travellers, airport lounges have become an important part of the overall travel experience, especially during long layovers or before international departures. The award suggests that Club Kingston has succeeded in creating an environment that stands out among regional competitors.

Recognition Driven by Travellers

One of the most significant aspects of the award is that it is based on direct passenger feedback.

Unlike industry awards decided by committees or industry experts, the Priority Pass rankings rely heavily on reviews from the programme’s global membership base. Millions of travellers worldwide have access to the Priority Pass network, providing a broad pool of opinions and experiences.

This makes the recognition particularly valuable because it reflects the views of the people who actually use airport lounges on a regular basis.

The result indicates that travellers consistently rated Club Kingston highly for service, comfort and the overall guest experience.

Supporting Jamaica’s Tourism Growth

The award arrives at a time when Jamaica continues efforts to strengthen its tourism product and maintain its position as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations.

Tourism officials have increasingly emphasized the importance of delivering quality experiences at every stage of a visitor’s journey. That approach extends beyond beaches and resorts to include airports, transportation services and customer care.

Industry stakeholders view the recognition as a positive signal for Jamaica’s brand in an increasingly competitive regional tourism market.

As destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America compete for visitors, awards based on customer satisfaction can help reinforce confidence among travellers considering where to visit next.

A Strong Statement for Jamaican Hospitality

The success of Club Kingston highlights how customer service remains one of Jamaica’s strongest assets.

While airport lounges may serve a limited number of travellers compared to hotels and attractions, they often leave a lasting impression because they represent a visitor’s final experience before leaving the island.

By securing the top ranking in the region, Club Kingston has given Jamaica another achievement to showcase on the international stage and reinforced the country’s reputation for hospitality.

For travellers passing through Kingston, the award serves as recognition of the quality service and hospitality that have helped make Club Kingston a preferred stop for many passengers.