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Hurricane Irma: Statement by the Hon Gaston Browne

Gaston Browne

Hurricane Irma: Statement by the Hon Gaston Browne. Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

Preliminary remarks on the passage of Hurricane Irma

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 — My first words must be of thanks. Thanks to Almighty God in all his forms for standing at our side at a time of great adversity. There is no doubt that the Good Lord is on our side. We in Antigua have weathered the most powerful hurricane ever to storm its way through the Caribbean. And we have done so with stunning results.

The forecast was that Antigua would be devastated, our infrastructure demolished, people killed and our economy destroyed.In the light of day, the picture is very different.
In Antigua, no life has been lost – all the people survived.
The guests in our hotels are all well.
Even our animals were protected from this massive storm.
Our airport will be open for flights into and out of Antigua by 2pm today.
The people of Antigua should all be very proud of the part that each of them played in our impressive story of readiness and resilience.
I dare to say that no other country in the Caribbean would have been as well prepared as we were.
People heeded the warnings of my government to treat Hurricane Irma with absolute seriousness, and everyone did.
Properties were properly shuttered and protected, and neighbours and friends opened their homes to less fortunate persons to shelter through the long night.
There was a chain of brotherhood and sisterhood that strengthened our collective resolve.
The work that the government initiated in advance of the storm paid remarkable dividends.
The drains, gutters and reservoirs that were cleared in advance, ensured that the island experienced no flooding, hence eliminating the possibility of water-borne disease.
While there has been property damage, it is not anywhere near the horrendous injury that was feared.
The essential point is that our main infrastructure has stood-up and our country can resume normal life within hours.
From early this morning, the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force has been on the streets clearing fallen trees and debris.
They were followed by contingents from the Solid Waste Unit.
Ours has been an exceptional story of resilience, honed by past experience and by the high level of our preparedness to confront the challenges of the world’s mightiest and most dangerous hurricane.
With regard to Barbuda, preliminary reports indicate damage to rooves and to some buildings, but I have had no report of any fatalities.
Barbuda too benefitted from a high level of readiness, responsive to the urgings of the government and from the preparations that were made in advance, including the shelter constructed for that purpose.
I was able to drive through many areas of Antigua since 5.30 this morning and I was heartened by what I saw.
I intend to visit Barbuda at the earliest opportunity to see conditions on the island for myself.
Meantime, it is clear that Antigua and Barbuda has stood up to a mighty test.
Our preparedness led to impressive resilience.
Our people are safe, our country is secure and our piece of paradise remains open to be shared by people from all over the world.
God bless you, and God continue to bless our beloved land – Antigua and Barbuda.

Hurricane Irma: Citizens to Obey Disaster Management Authorities

Hurricane Irma: Citizens across OECS Urged to Obey Local Disaster Management Authorities.

Chairman of the OECS, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia The Hon. Allen Chastanet, has reached out to citizens in the Northern Leeward Islands as they brace for the impact of Hurricane Irma.

In a statement released earlier today, Prime Minister Chastanet said: “The whole of the OECS stands with you and our prayers and thoughts are with you, our brothers and sisters of the Caribbean, at this time.”
“Region-wide emergency plans are being activated to provide the necessary assistance and resources to assist those that will be affected by this perilous system.”

“The OECS is working on coordinating efforts with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) for an enhanced response to what is shaping to be an unprecedented disaster.
“Given the magnitude of this hurricane the OECS is responding in new ways by coordinating an enhanced response plan that brings to bear all avenues of assistance above and beyond standard post disaster approaches.
“The most important message at this time is to monitor the situation in your local community and to obey all instructions by local disaster management authorities before, during and after the passage of this particularly dangerous system.
“This is one of the strongest hurricanes we have seen in some time and we urge everyone to remain extra vigilant, as with the passing of this system, other hazards are likely to arise including storm surge, flooding and downed power lines.”
“We are especially mindful of the most vulnerable in our communities and encourage everyone to do what they can to assist those who may need help now.”
“While emergency first responders will be on the ground when safe to do so, please look out for those who need a hand, as what we do as a community will make a big difference in identifying unmet needs.”
OECS Director General said as one community growing together, we are much stronger in spirit than this system is in strength and we will prevail as we have done in the past.
“Remain vigilant, listen to your local authorities and we pray that God keeps everyone safe from harm’s way and that life rapidly returns to normal,” said Dr. Jules.
 

School nutrition programme ready for the new school term

The Ministry of Education wishes to advise the national community of the readiness of the School Nutrition Programme (SNP) for the new academic year. Minister of Education, Anthony Garcia, has been working with the Chairman and the Board of Directors to ensure that the National School Dietary Services Limited (NSDSL) is in a state of readiness for the 2017/2018 school year.  Parents are therefore notified that breakfast meals and lunches will be provided for all recipients for the start of the new school term on Monday 4th September, 2017.
The SNP provides government-sponsored meals to deserving children in over eight hundred (800) schools located throughout Trinidad.  Approximately fifty-eight thousand (58,000) breakfast meals and eighty-eight thousand (88,000) lunches are supplied daily by seventy-five (75) contracted Caterers.
To ensure readiness, Quality Assurance Officers visited all 75 Caterers located throughout Trinidad on September 1st to assess that kitchens were ready to be fully operational for the 1st day of school.  All reports and meetings with caterers indicated that the Programme will commence without any challenges on the first day of the new school term.
The Ministry also continues to place emphasis on healthy eating and continues to work with local farmers to maximise the amount of local produce used on the menus. In addition to the locally grown fruits and vegetables, the School Nutrition Programme will also introduce 100% fruit juices and water with the meals provided. This measure is in keeping with the reduction of sugar sweetened beverages being provided at the nation’s schools.
Training is an ongoing process at the NSDSL and over the July/August vacation period caterers received retraining in the area of safe food handling practices from Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) thus maintaining a high standard of quality for the students who will be recipients of these meals on Monday.
The Minister commended the hard work and commitment of the National School Dietary Services Limited and the caterers attached in meeting the timeframe of readiness for the re-opening of schools. “This”, he said “speaks volumes for the type of persons we have working with and within the Ministry. Persons who are committed to quality service and who put the needs of our children first.”

Government continuing to phase out ozone depleting substances

Ozone Day
Camille Robinson-Regis
Minister of Planning and Development, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis

The Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Planning and Development, announced the Government’s ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. This is a landmark commitment on the part of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago reaffirming our nation’s commitment to the protection of the ozone layer as well as taking into consideration the effects of ozone depleting substances on the earth’s climate.
This further strengthens efforts to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Trinidad and Tobago, which are climate warming pollutants. The Ministry of Planning and Development, through its National Ozone Unit has begun this process with the adaptation of climate and ozone friendly technology in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector. Air conditioning and refrigeration technicians are also being certified as part of a joint programme with the National Ozone Unit and the National Training Agency. The aim is to have consumers adopt more environmentally friendly technology, as well as have a well-trained cadre of technicians to service and repair equipment and appliances.
Some other national achievements so far include a 10% reduction of the HFC baseline in 2015, local manufacturing facilities have also received assistance to transform their production methods to more climate friendly chemicals in the aerosol, foam manufacturing and agricultural sectors. National compulsory labelling standards for refrigerant cylinders have also been implemented.
The Ministry of Planning and Development takes its environmental development mandate seriously and through international commitments such as the Kigali Amendment, is working to making the environment better for all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and to instill in all that environmental pride is national pride.

Fuel pump verification programme is a go

Fuel Pump

The Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards announced the official launch of its fuel pump verification programme yesterday (10th August 2017).

In April of this year (2017) the Metrology Act came into effect and the Bureau of Standards proposed its first steps for implementation of the establishment of a Fuel Pump Verification Service in Antigua (with the establishment of the service for Barbuda to be done at a date to be announced).
The journey to this stage involved Bureau of Standards personnel working with the fuel suppliers and retailers to perform checks/tests on the fuel dispensers for accuracy to ensure that the pumps are delivering correctly the stated metered quantities. This will ensure that consumers are receiving the quantities purchased and that the retailers are not losing product due to faulty dispensing.
Having done the necessary preliminary checks all fuel dispensers that have “passed the test” have been affixed with a blue validation sticker providing the logo and name of the Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards and the expiration date, of the verification of the specific fuel dispenser nozzle. Consumers should therefore look for the validation sticker to confirm the verification of the fuel dispenser when purchasing fuel.
Verifications will be carried out hereafter, in accordance with the provisions of the Metrology Act and Regulations. If complaints arise regarding possible discrepancies, these should be reported to the Bureau of Standards by consumers and/or service station operators as soon as possible.
The Standards Council, and the Director and Staff of the Bureau of Standards look forward to the continued cooperation of consumers and retailers as further public education, on this and other metrology initiatives, is made available by the Bureau.

Grenada to host Agri-Business Expo 2017

Agri-business Expo 2017

Grenada is preparing to host an Agri-business Expo which will serve as a vehicle for regional and international exposure of the country’s products.

The Grenada Agri-business Expo 2017 will be from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, October 1, 2017, at the Grenada Trade Centre, in Morne Rouge, St. George.
During the launch on Tuesday, July 18, Agriculture Minister, Hon. Yolande Bain-Horsford, said while there is creativity in the agri-business sector, there is need for a professional brand.
She said, “What we’ll be doing over the next few weeks is to get the training to these small businesses; get them in line in preparation for exhibiting their products, because some of them – you know – are still tying little bags and doing little things – they don’t have proper labels.
The lab has not tested their stuff to see if it’s – the shelf life – to know if it can stay on the shelf for a while. We don’t want that, but we have to make sure that if that happens, they would not lose all their monies that they have put into the project.”
The expo is the brainchild of the Agriculture Minister, who saw the latent potential of the sector and declared 2017 the year of agri-business, in Grenada.
Alva Browne, from the Ministry of Agriculture, spoke of the expo’s objectives.
“The main objective of the expo is to foster networking and linkages among producers, agro-processors, investors and suppliers, while displaying Grenada’s current agro-products and providing an avenue where established products can be showcased and improved and new products developed.
The expo will also serve as a vehicle for regional and international exposure of Grenada’s products,” Browne said.
Additionally, the Grenada Agri-business Expo 2017 will include a Career Day for students, a Farmers Market and Health Fair.

Garden Centre Closed on Saturday

Kiddies Kadooment

Members of the public are asked to note that the Garden Centre at the National Conservation Commission will be closed on Saturday, July 29, to facilitate the staging of Kiddies Kadooment. Normal operations will resume on Monday, July 31. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.

The Annual Crop Over Reception

Crop Over Reception

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart will host The Annual Crop Over Reception at Ilaro Court on Thursday, August 10, beginning at 7:30 P.M.
You are requested to submit the names of those persons who will be covering the event to Senior Information Officer, Kathyann Husbands, at the Barbados Government Information Service by Monday, July 31. Names should be emailed to
kathyann.husbands@barbados.gov.bb.

ANEW – Application Forms Submission Dates

ANEW

Another Nexus in Education for Work for Development (ANEW) – Application Forms Submission Dates.

ANEW) - Application Forms Submission Dates

4th Council of Ministers of Agriculture Meeting

Council Of Ministers Of Agriculture Meeting

Saint Vincent And The Grenadines To Host Fourth Council Of Ministers Of Agriculture Meeting.

The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will host the Fourth Council of Ministers of Agriculture meeting on Tuesday 25th July at the NIS conference room. The meeting will be attended by Ministers of Agriculture in the OECS, representatives from regional agencies, and staff of the OECS Commission.
The meeting commences at 9:00 a.m.
All are invited to provide coverage.
 

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