Ambassador Baushuan Ger of the Republic of China (Taiwan), handed over to Prime Minister, Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, a cheque of US$200,000 (equivalent of EC$537,640) on 28th December 2016, to assist with the second phase of the rehabilitation project concerning the Majorca feeder road in Marriaqua, and Java road and river defense in South Rivers; scheduled to start in 2017.
The government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), taking note of the severe damages of the said roads and river defense during April 2011 and December 2013 floods, had previously contributed US$608,642.59 (EC$1,636,153) in July 2014, for the first phase of the rehabilitation project.
Upon receipt of the new fund, Prime Minister Gonsalves expressed his appreciation to the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), for their continued support extended to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in various fields including the field of infrastructure.
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) recognizes the importance of the rehabilitation projects that affect the daily life and safety of the people in the area of Marriaqua and South Rivers, and is therefore keen to witness a swift completion of the work.
SOURCE: Agency For Public Information
Taiwan Ambassador Donates To Second Phase Of Rehabilitation Project
IRD: Business & Occupation Licence Renewal 2017
In keeping with our mandate of improving the quality of services we provide to the general public, the Inland Revenue Department wishes to inform you that the period for the renewal of your Business and Occupation Licence has arrived. The Licences on Businesses and Occupations (Amendment) Act 2009, requires that all persons carrying on business in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, irrespective of their size and location, are required to obtain a business licence before commencing business activity. This includes owners and operators of Taxis and Omni Buses.
It is important to note that Section (4) of the Businesses and Occupations Act states that “the prescribed licence fee shall become due and payable by all commercial entities on or before the 31st day of January each year”.
Businesses failing to comply with the relevant provisions of this act will be subject to a penalty of fifty dollars for each day that the licence fee remains unpaid. In addition, individuals with outstanding taxes, licences and fees will incur an additional penalty of one percent interest per month, for every month the amount remains unpaid.
For additional information on taxes and licences, contact the Inland Revenue Department, at 465-8485 or visit our website or email us at inlandrevenue@sknird.com.
OAS Electoral Observation Missions in Ecuador and Honduras
Leonel Fernández and Jorge Quiroga to Lead the OAS Electoral Observation Missions in Ecuador and Honduras
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, today appointed Leonel Fernández as Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) in Ecuador and Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga as Chief of the EOM in Honduras.
The former president of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, will lead a preliminary visit to Ecuador on January 16-18 prior to the general elections scheduled for February 19.
Similarly, the former president of Bolivia, Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, will travel to Honduras in February to observe the preparations for the March 12 primary elections and the November 26 general elections.
During these preliminary visits, the Chiefs of Mission will hold meetings with electoral and governmental authorities, political parties, candidates and civil society representatives.
Temporary closure of Tourism and International Transport
The Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, located in the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) will be closed this week from today, Tuesday, January 3, until Friday, January 6.
The closure is to facilitate the temporary relocation of staff.
Normal business will resume on Monday, January 9, with the Ministry
operating from the Ground Floor, East Wing, of the LESC until further notice.
The Ministry apologises for any inconvenience the closure may cause.
Rosewood in flitch and lumber confiscated
On Wednesday December 7th, 2016, the Forest Department confiscated a total of 31,000 board feet of rosewood in flitch and lumber form in the Benque Viejo area.
The Department proceeded to charge Miguel Angel Estala on January 4th, 2017 at the San Ignacio Magistrate Court with “unlawful possession of forest produce” in accordance with Section 19 of the Forest Act CAP 213. Estala pleaded guilty and was charged the maximum fine of $1000.00, the rosewood material was forfeited to the Government of Belize.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development recognizes that perpetrators face a relatively minor penalty for forest crimes. Therefore, it has embarked on an exercise to revise penalties and fines for forest crimes, and will seek to introduce the necessary amendments to the Forest Act at the next sitting of the House of Representatives.
The Forest Department also conducted an operation in the area known as the Gomez Estate, an extensive area of privately owned forest in the Toledo District, and found approximately 1000 board feet of rosewood along with 2500 board feet of Santa Maria lumber. All the confiscated material is housed at the Forest Department under 24-hour surveillance.
The Department wishes to remind the public once again that a permit is required for the felling of timber in national and private lands. Anyone found cutting a tree without permission or in possession of illegal lumber commits an offence and is liable to prosecution under the law.
The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the Forest Department at 822-1524 to the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Program Manager or to sfm.manager@forest.gov.bz.
Recognition Awards Ceremony
Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr. invites you to cover the following event:
What: Recognition Awards Ceremony – Belize District Rural Division Police Officers
When: Wednesday, January 4th, 2017 – 10:00 a.m.
Where: Ramada Princess Hotel, Belize City
Bright Lights premieres January 7th on HBO
Bright Lights, new original documentary on the relationship between Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, premieres on January 7th exclusively on HBO.
HBO announced the premiere of the new original documentary, Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, airing this Saturday, January 7th at 21hrs*. The story of a family’s complicated love, this documentary is an intimate portrait of the American actress and writer Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds – Hollywood royalty in all its eccentricity.
Fisher and Reynolds lived in the same Beverly Hills compound, and while the 83-year-old grand dame still had a Las Vegas act, performing was taking its toll. Carrie’s response was both hilarious and heart-rending. Directed by Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens, Bright Lights features vintage family films that bring iconic old-world Hollywood to life, as well as extensive vérité footage
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds has already received audience and critical acclaim at many prestigious film festivals worldwide, including the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival and the New York Film Festival.
Following their television broadcast premiere in the region, all HBO original documentaries are available to subscribers on HBO GO, the digital platform for Premium entertainment, via participating operators. HBO GO can be accessed by visitingwww.hbogoca.com, downloading the app for a mobile device (with iOS or Android) or on Xbox 360 (for Xbox Live users).
School term starts next week
Public schools will re-start next week with teachers returning to the classroom next Monday, January 9, and students on Tuesday, January 10.
Term II, also known as the Hilary term, will run for 13 weeks.
Among the highlights of the term will be activities to mark African Awareness Month, in February, as well as the annual sports events including the National Primary Schools’ Athletics Championships and the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships.
The second term ends on Thursday, April 6, for children and Friday, April 7, for teachers.
Insignias of The National Honours and Awards 2016
On Wednesday, January 11, governor-general, Sir Elliott Belgrave, will present insignias of The National honours and Awards 2016 and the Barbados Jubilee Honour to recipients at government house, at 10:00 A.M. All media personnel attending are kindly requested to be seated by 9:30 A.M.
Outgoing Speaker of the House Sworn-in
Outgoing Speaker of the House Sworn-in as New Attorney General.
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte was this morning sworn-in as Attorney General before the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan.
Hon. Peyrefitte takes on his new role after serving in the capacity of Speaker of the House of Representatives since his election in 2012. He now succeeds Senator Hon. Vanessa Retreage who demitted office in December 2016 after serving as Attorney General for one year.
Mrs. Laura Longsworth has been nominated to replace Hon. Peyrefitte as Speaker of the House.
The new Attorney General was accompanied by family, friends, Ministers of Government, the Cabinet Secretary and His Worship the Mayor of Belize City.
