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CARIFESTA XIII to be ‘GREEN’

CARIFESTA XIII

CARIFESTA XIII in Barbados will be the most environmentally conscious CARIFESTA to date.

This assertion was made recently by Programme Coordinator with the CARIFESTA Secretariat, Kim Butcher, who noted that a series of “carbon neutral activities” have been planned to reduce the festival’s environmental impact.
In an interview with the Barbados Government Information Service, Ms. Butcher disclosed that the greening initiative, dubbed CARIFESTA Conscious, was being undertaken in partnership with the Caribbean Environmental Network. She said it aimed to track the festival’s carbon footprint and, through various methods, seek to neutralise its impact.
The Programme Coordinator stated that among the various initiatives being implemented would be the planting of trees, and added that the CARIFESTA Secretariat had teamed up with the National Conservation Commission and the Solid Waste Management Unit to plant 25 trees.
“We felt it was important to begin to raise the awareness of sustainable practices…we have to begin to look at our carbon emissions.  We’re using energy; we’re using resources; it is important that we begin to look at the real environmental impact of what it is we’re doing,” she emphasised.
Noting that the resources which the country currently enjoyed needed to be preserved for future generations, Ms. Butcher expressed the hope that the effort made to track, reduce and even neutralise the festival’s carbon footprint would be a “catalyst” for more promoters and producers of events to do the same.
The Programme Coordinator also revealed that the CARIFESTA Secretariat had designated the Barbados Community College and the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC), two major CARIFESTA XIII locations, as litter free zones.
In addition, she said, the Secretariat had created a special, environmentally focused group called the “Green Team”, comprising persons interested in environmental science and environmental tourism.  The Programme Coordinator explained that the team would be mobilised at the LESC, the location of the Grand Market and Buyers’ Shopping Mall, where they will interact with patrons and delegation members in an effort to reinforce messaging regarding environmentally friendly practices, as well as responsible waste disposal.
Website: http://www.carifesta.net/carifesta-xiii/

Vini Kozé begins in OECS Member States

Vini Kozé Television Broadcast begins in OECS Member States and the UK & USA Diaspora.

Vini Kozé, the OECS Commission’s Public Education Forum Series on Regional Integration, will begin airing on television stations across OECS Member States, the wider Caribbean and in the Diaspora from tomorrow, July 25th 2017. 

Vini Kozé – Kweyol for ‘Come Chat’ – provides an opportunity for key decision makers, grassroots observers and experts within respective fields to discuss and debate issues raised by a live audience on the achievements, development opportunities and challenges facing the region.The series, funded by the 10th European Development Fund, acts as a conduit for a collective citizens’ voice to help shape local, regional and national policy as it relates to the various facets of Regional Integration.Forum topics include:

  • Education; 
  • Economic Development;
  • Youth Empowerment;
  • Regional Integration; 
  • Agriculture; and
  • Climate Change.

OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, believes that the issues of deep concern to the average citizen should be at the forefront of discussions that seek to shape the future of the region.

“This initiative provides a platform for intelligent and open discussion and debate on areas of interest to our citizens, such as Education, Youth Empowerment and Climate Change.”
“The views, opinions and aspirations shared by citizens will be canvassed in shaping the future of the OECS in relation to these key areas of development,” said Dr. Jules.

Dr. Jules hopes that discussions held at the live fora will continue in homes via the television broadcast and that citizens will engage the Commission once again through online participation in the subsequent OECS social media campaign.
The OECS Public Education Forum Series ran from January to March 2017 and was staged across six (6) OECS Member States including The BVI, Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Martinique. The series was funded by the European Union through its 10th EDF programme on Economic Integration and Trade of the OECS region and was produced by ELShaFord Productions on behalf of the OECS Commission.

To view the broadcast times in your country please click here.

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GOG and Financier sign Aide memoire

MAREP
On Friday, July 14th, 2017, the Government of Grenada (GOG) signed an Aide Memoire for the Implementation Support Mission of the  ongoing Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme   (MAREP)   and   Final   Design   for   the    new   Climate-Smart   Agriculture   and   Rural Enterprise Programme (SAEP) with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) at the Ministry of Finance, St. George.
The Mission held from July 5th  to 14th, 2017 reviewed MAREP’s implementation progress and areas of focus during the last eight (8) months of implementation.
For SAEP it reviewed the draft Programme Design Report (PDR) with counterparts, private sector representatives and beneficiaries; (ii) collected and analyzed  data  to  conclude  the  PDR  and  (iii)  discussed  implementation  arrangements  with  the  key partners; mainly, Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs (MoCPM) and Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC).
SAEP is a six (6) year project expected to commence operation in April 2018. Total costs are estimated at around USD 12 million (around ECD 32 million).
IFAD will finance 53% of total costs: USD $3.4 million (28%) in the 1st  cycle and USD 3 million (25%) in the 2nd  cycle.
CDB will contribute 25% of total costs: USD $3 million for rural roads and drainage. Government of Grenada’s will contribute 17% of total costs: about USD $2 million mainly in taxes, salaries and operating costs.
GIDC will contribute 2.5% of total costs USD $0.3 million. Beneficiaries’ contribution is estimated at USD $0.3 million (2.5%) in labor, kind and cash.
The Mission endorses that MAREP “remains of a high standard. In the last 8 months of implementation before closure on March 31st, 2018 utilization of Loan funds and fully justifying initial deposit” is vital.
In addition, going forward the Mission emphasized MAREP’s two (2) main focus areas of implementation: (i) Vocational and Skills Training: finalization of VST courses and securing jobs for trained candidates.
(ii) Rural Investment Fund (RIF) projects:  completion of thirty seven (37) out of thirty eight (38) approved and follow-up/approval of twenty six (26) projects under the Small-Scale Revenue Generating Window (SSRG).
Completion and hand-holding of twenty two (22) on-going RIF projects under the Community and Enterprise Windows to show assets-ownership by community members. Additionally, supporting the upgrading of MNIB’s export facilities is expected to aid beneficiary-farmers to secure export and local markets for their fresh fruit and vegetables.
Present at the signing was Mr. Lars Anwandter, IFAD Country Programme Manager, Dr Wayne Sandiford, PS Ministry of Finance & Energy (MOF) and Mr. Byron Campbell, Programme Manager MAREP.
Conclusively, the signing of the Aide Memoire indicates Government of Grenada’s commitment in addressing the reduction of rural poverty, youth unemployment, agricultural production, climate change and variability and sustainable livelihoods for farmers and vulnerable groups (youth, women) in rural communities across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Fuel Price Adjustments – St. Lucia

Gasoline

The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and
Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing
mechanism, the retail prices of gasoline (unleaded) and kerosene remain unchanged. The
retail prices for LPG 20, 22, and 100 lb cylinders and diesel have been changed. The price
changes take effect from Monday, July 24, 2017:
Diesel from $2.50 to $2.57 per litre or $11.36 to $11.69 per gallon
20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) from $30.49 to $29.12 per cylinder
22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) from $33.82 to $32.31 per cylinder
100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) from $188.52 to $174.74 per cylinder
GASOLINE remains unchanged at $2.80 per litre or $12.75 per gallon
Kerosene remains unchanged at $1.41 per litre or $6.39 per gallon
The Public is informed that the retail prices of fuel products will be next adjusted on
Monday, August 14, 2017.

Government congratulates Julien Alfred

Julien Alfred

The Saint Lucia 2017 Junior Sportswoman of the year triumphs at The Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Government of Saint Lucia has congratulated 15-year-old Julien Alfred who has won the island’s first gold medal and first track medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in The Bahamas.
Julien was victorious in the girl’s under-18 100 metre dash and crossed the finish line in 11.56 seconds, where she triumphed over Australian Louise Riley, who took the silver medal, and Canada’s Deondra Green, who took the bronze.
Speaking about the accomplishment, acting Prime Minister and Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, Hon Lenard Montoute, said that this is a time of immense pride for all Saint Lucians and called on citizens to rally around the entire team.
“Julien, at 15, has made history and we celebrate with her in this achievement,” stated the acting prime minister. “On behalf of the government, I wish to congratulate Ms Alfred on this great success and triumph and to say collectively that we are so proud of her. She is a superb athlete and is testimony of what we can achieve in sports.”
In 2015, Julien Alfred received the Saint Lucia Junior Sportswoman of the Year Award.
“I take the opportunity to call on Saint Lucians to rally around our entire team at the Commonwealth Youth Games and all our athletes around the world, including our coaches, who make sacrifices and work so hard to represent us at this level,” said Minister Montoute.
Saint Lucia currently has a team of 23 competing in different disciplines at the Commonwealth Games in Nassau, Bahamas from July 18 – 23.
Julien won the 100 metre dash on Thursday, July 20.

Book bursary distribution format changed

book bursary

The distribution format has been changed to better serve recipients.

Parents and Guardians of students attending infant and primary schools are informed that the book bursary distribution format has been changed to better serve recipients. The distribution of book bursaries will now take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the following dates and at the following locations, for the respective districts.
Schools in District 4 – Monday, July 24 and Tuesday, July 25 at the district office in Goodlands. Schools in District 3 – Wednesday, July 26 to Friday, July 28, at the RC Boys Primary School in Castries. Schools in District 2 – Wednesday, Aug. 2 and Thursday, Aug. 3 at the district office in Sans Souci. Schools in District 1 – Thursday, Aug. 3 and Friday, Aug. 4 at the Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School in Union.
Parents and guardians are asked to provide the following: last year’s contract, if the child is continuing, with returned books; for a new bursary, a letter of recommendation from the District Rep.; the ID card of parent or guardian; the child’s report book or a copy of the child’s academic record for each term of the past school year; the child’s booklist; and a letter of authorization, if acting on behalf of someone else.

Lobster fishery opens Aug. 2 – St. Lucia

Lobster

It is prohibited to possess lobsters that are undersized, moulting, or carrying eggs.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives informs the general public that the lobster fishery opens on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, and closes on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 both days inclusive.

When the lobster fishery is open, lobsters may be obtained, fished for, sold and purchased; however, the following regulations are in effect in accordance with the Fisheries Regulations Chapter 7.15 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia 2001:

No person shall harm, give, receive from anyone, or at any time have in his possession, expose for sale, sell or purchase: (a) any lobster that is undersized; (b) any lobster carrying eggs; and (c) any lobster that is moulting.

No person shall: remove the eggs from a lobster, or have in his possession, or sell, or purchase   a lobster from which the eggs have been removed; spear, hook or attempt to spear a lobster;

sell any lobster that has been speared, hooked, or otherwise impaled, and fish for, remove from the fishery waters, give, or at any time have in his or her possession, expose for sale, sell or purchase any lobster between March 1 to August 1 in every year, or as otherwise stated by the minister, by notice published in the Gazette and in a newspaper which is printed or circulated in the state.

In this Regulation “lobster” includes the whole or any part of any lobster; “undersized” means in relation to lobsters less than 9.5 centimetres (3.75 ins.) in carapace length measured from the ridge at the base of the horns to the end of the carapace (back shell); or if the tail has been removed, a tail weight of less than 340 grammes (12 ounces).

Contravention of each of these regulations is subject to a maximum fine of EC$5000.00 for each offence.

The Department seeks the cooperation of all persons and encourages members of the public to report to the marine police, district police stations or the Department of Fisheries, any person or establishment that is found contravening the lobster fishery regulations.

Our EC Dollar is Strong – ECCB Governor

ECCB Governor
Timothy Antoine - Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine has lauded the Eastern Caribbean dollar as strong.

Speaking at the official ceremony to mark the change in chairmanship of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council on Friday, July 21, Antoine informed that two weeks ago the ECCU celebrated 41 years of exchange rates stability. “That is our currency peg to the US [dollar] $1 to $2.7. Forty-one years is a remarkable fit and a durable testimony to the resilience of our monetary and it is something that we should celebrate,” he asserted.  “Today I confirm that our EC dollar is strong.  As of last Friday July 17th, the backing of our currency was 97.6%.”
He says the financial system has also strengthened with improvements in capital adequacy and profitability. The ECCB recorded a $6.3 million profit for the financial year ending March 2017 after three consecutive years of losses.
At a press conference on Friday, Antoine explained that the losses recorded were because of low interest on its reserves on the US foreign securities market.  A recent rise in rates has boosted the bank’s interest income.
The Governor says the ECCB has also worked internally to lower expenditure.

Special registration dates for the URP Women’s Programme

URP Women’s Programme
Minister of Works and Transport, Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan. (File Photo)
July 21, 2017: The Ministry of Works and Transport wishes to advise the general public of the registration dates for the URP Women’s Programme for the month of July and August 2017.
URP Women's Programme

Police Commissioner: Barbados Still Safe

Barbados Police Commissioner
Acting Commissioner of Police, Tyrone Griffith reassured the public that Barbados remains a safe place. To his right is Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs, Adriel Brathwaite. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

Barbados remains a safe and secure place for residents and visitors despite a recent spike in crime.

And, with the Crop Over season expected to move into high gear over the coming weeks, Acting Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith, has sounded the warning bell to expect more stop and searches as lawmen seek to weed out the criminal element and ensure the safety of others.
He made these assertions during a press conference with Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, and the top brass of the Royal Barbados Police Force at Police Headquarters yesterday.
We are going to be demanding from our officers maximum output. We will be putting more people on the streets… More officers will be conducting operations… so we are seeking the public’s cooperation with law enforcement,” he urged.
The Acting Commissioner appealed to persons who may be detained for a stop and search to cooperate with and support the police as it was for their own protection.
He explained that over the past several months, the island had witnessed a spike in violent crimes. “[But], I want to assure Barbadians that we are well aware of the situation and that we are doing all in our power to ensure that Barbados remains a safe and secure place for all Barbadians and visitors,” Mr. Griffith said.
He noted that the island had recorded 19 murders for the year, of which 15 were committed through the use of firearms. “That in itself is significant. In 2006 we had 35 murders and in 2015 we had 31 murders, which is [also] significant when on average Barbados has an average of 25 murders a year. [But], these spikes occur occasionally,” the Acting Commissioner explained.
However, Mr. Griffith pointed out that while only 20 per cent of murders committed in 2006 were committed with the use of a firearm, that figure rose to 72 per cent being committed with a firearm in 2016. “So there is a changing trend and we are setting about to do all in our power to address the issue,” he assured the public.

Barbados Police Commissioner
Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite; Acting Commissioner of Police, Tyrone Griffith and Assistant Commissioner of Police Administrative Services, Erwin Boyce, at yesterday’s press conference at Police Headquarters. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

The Acting Commissioner observed that new trends were also being witnessed in the murders occurring this year, with many being committed among persons who knew each other and persons retaliating because of drugs and fighting for turf. “Many of the deceased persons are themselves perpetrators of heinous crimes,” the island’s top cop suggested.
He added that while in the past persons would report these matters and cooperate with the police, they were now trying to exact their own revenge, thereby making the police’s jobs more difficult in solving matters pertaining to gang violence.
Meanwhile, Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite, appealed to business owners and members of households to install more security cameras so the footage could be used during investigations, if necessary.
He also dismissed suggestions that the spike in crime could be linked to the island’s fiscal challenges. “In the 1930s, there was high unemployment we were not as sophisticated in the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, but yet we did not have the level of violent crime we are having today.
“It is difficult for me to accept what those commentators are saying, that we have high unemployment and therefore the type of crime and the high crime rate that we are seeing. I don’t accept that based on our own history,” he maintained.
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