Road Shows on Logistics Hub Initiative

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce will shortly announce details of an islandwide series of road shows on the Logistics Hub Initiative that will involve several of its agencies.

This was announced  today (March 12),  by portfolio Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, at a function to announce and present awards  to winners in the Ministry’s inaugural logistics hub essay competition,  held at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro), in New Kingston.

The Minister added that details of a creative video competition, where persons will be required to produce and submit a two-minute video about the logistics hub, will also be unveiled.

Mr. Hylton explained that the competition will comprise several categories, including animation, drama, music, and spoken word. He noted that the Ministry has already secured the commitment of one sponsor, the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI).

“All of these initiatives are designed to engage the population at various levels, as we deepen the discourse and outreach in relation to the logistics hub, as part of the process of getting Jamaicans ‘hub-ready’,” the Minister explained.

The six awardees in the essay competition topped a wide cross section of over 100 entrants in the senior and junior categories, on the theme: ‘Jamaica’s Global Logistics Hub – the Big Opportunity for Jamaica and the World’.

A CMI graduate and businessman, Poye Robinson, emerged winner of the 22 to 35 age group senior category, while 20 year-old University of Technology (UTech) student, Charolette Gentles, topped the 15 to 21 year-old junior section.

Each has won an all expense paid trip to Panama, courtesy of Copa Airlines,  for a first-hand view of activities in a logistics centred environment; a scholarship to the CMI to pursue studies in a course of choice; a mobile phone, courtesy of Digicel Business, and gift baskets from GraceKennedy, among other prizes,

Orthopaediac surgeon at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), Dr. Richard Reynolds, and 18 year-old Wolmer’s Boys’ School Sixth Former, Romario Lobban, are first runners-up in the senior and junior categories, respectively. The second runners-up are Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining Ministry employee, Nardia Grant, and 18 year-old St. Catherine High School student, Mario Golding.

All four runners-up received cash awards and gift baskets, among other prizes.

The Minister said he is pleased with the wide-cross section of persons who participated in the competition. This, he said, reflects and represents the “approach of inclusiveness” which the Government and Ministry have embraced in relation to the logistics hub.

Noting that there is “no shortage of creativity in Jamaica,” the Minister said this was evident in the quality of the essays submitted, “because though there was heavy reliance on research…the creativity was manifested in the use of language and imagery to paint and elucidate the topic.”

Mr. Hylton said the competition’s staging “is just the beginning” of efforts to further heighten awareness about the hub. Responding on behalf of the prize winners, Mr. Robinson thanked the Ministry for the opportunity afforded the entrants to “express our thoughts and abilities” through the essay competition.

“We will definitely use this opportunity to enhance and educate other members of the public, peers, educational institutions and employees within our work (environment) to understand what this (logistics hub) will do for Jamaica and the path that we are going on,” he said.

Mr. Robinson, who is visually impaired, graduated from the CMI in November 2013 with a degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and a Diploma in International Shipping. He was Class Valedictorian.

The winning entries were selected by a panel of judges, headed by CMI Director of Academic Studies, Dr. Ibrahim Ajagunna;  representatives from the Industry Ministry, Ministry of Education, HEART/NTA, University of the West Indies (UWI), Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), and Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ).