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Kellman: RDC has played a vital role

Denis Kellman at RDC Showcase
Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman looking at the work of some of the RDC’s clients during a recent showcase. (C.Henry/BGIS)

The last two decades has seen an evolution taking place in rural communities of Barbados, thanks to the existence of the Rural Development Commission (RDC).

Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, expressed this view recently, as he lauded staff of the RDC during their 20thAnniversary Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael.
The Minister said immeasurable service had been given through RDC’s programmes with respect to housing and repairs, roads, electrification, and through loans.
“We can proudly boast of our housing solutions, road construction, and especially the on lending of $11 million over to 1400 clients,” he said, praising the “committed staffers”, who were responsible for delivering the services to clients.
Acknowledging that RDC would continue to fulfil its mandate by bringing new projects to the fore, he disclosed that they had begun work on two community tourism-oriented projects in St. Lucy, at Stroude’s and Archer’s Bays, and discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Transport and Works to develop another at St. Mark’s Church, in St. John.
“We are seeking to develop access to a natural cave there, so that tourists and locals alike can enjoy its beauty. There will also be space for community vending. Open spaces must be developed and used as economic zones, and we will develop areas overlooking places like the East Coast of Barbados and Lambert’s Hill to take advantage of the beauty of rural Barbados.  This will enhance our tourism product and industry and it will benefit the masses of people of Barbados,” the Minister stated.
Another project, which Mr. Kellman said RDC would embark on, as a matter of public safety and access, was the creation of a link road between Clinketts and Sutherland Hill, St. Lucy.
Stating that the application had been approved by the Town and Country Planning Department, the Housing Minister said it would also be used as access to higher lands, in case of a tsunami.
Acting Director of the RDC, Randolph Outram, in echoing similar sentiments, said RDC had made a substantial impact on the rural landscape where it operates and had “improved the lives of rural residents whether it was in providing housing solutions, roads, electrification or entrepreneurship development.”
The Commission celebrated its milestone under the theme RDC: Building on 20 years of Service and Development in Rural Barbados 1996-2016.

Minister Rambharat attends Republic Bank's Rio Claro Branch Opening

Republic Bank's Rio Claro Branch Opening
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat (2nd from right) cuts the ribbon with executives from Republic Bank Limited (RBL) to formally open the Rio Claro/Mayaro Branch of the bank. (Photo courtesy the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries)

‘We build more than a branch; they are bridges as they connect us’ said Mr. Roopnarine Oumade Singh, Executive Director, Republic Bank Limited at the Formal Opening Ceremony of the Rio Claro Branch of Republic Bank Limited on Saturday 5th November, 2016.  These words were proceeded by the Address of Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries who expressed his admiration for the guest list of the Ceremony which included stalwarts and exemplars who have played a very significant role in the Rio Claro community, since he said this showed the Bank’s ‘recognition of the history of the important people we have here’ in Rio Claro.  Further stating that he is ‘very proud to be a product of this community’.
While praising Republic Bank Limited as a good corporate citizen in terms of funding educational programmes and culture and the arts, he called on all corporate entities, in these economically challenging times, ‘to make a commitment to our people’.
Ms. Jemma Persad, Branch Sales Manager of the Rio Claro/Mayaro Branch said that she was both ‘proud and humbled to see the realization of this dream’ of the opening of their very own building.  The Branch achieved the coveted title of Branch of the Year 2015 and looks forward, with the spanking new building, to retaining that title in 2016.  ‘We are making our roots more profound in the Rio Claro community’ she promised.
The Inter-Faith Blessing of the Branch was conducted by Khaleel Chadee, Imam Rio Claro Asj Majid; Lalchan Dookie, Secretary Swayam Sevak Sangh Temple; and James Gajadhar, Elder/Chairperson of the Rio Claro Presbyterian Church.  Following this was the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to officially declare the Branch open, led by Ms. Jemma Persad, Branch Sales Manager, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and Mr. Ronald Harford, Chairman, Republic Bank Limited participated.
 
Minister Rambharat attends Republic Bank's Rio Claro Branch Opening 1
Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries addresses the audience at the Republic Bank Rio Claro Branch opening.

Rural Growth Focus of Quito Conference

Denis Kellman and Mark Cummins
Minister of Housing, Denis Kellman and Co-chair of Habitat III, Chief Town Planner, Mark Cummins. (FP)

Barbados’ delegation to the October 17 to 20 Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development in Quito, Ecuador, successfully carried the fight for the development of rural areas.

This was disclosed recently by Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, Denis Kellman, who said the importance of rural areas as part of growth was accepted and highlighted at the event also known as the Habitat III Conference.
“Previously, when you spoke about rural areas across the world, one got the impression that the rural areas were some back place where no one wanted to live.
But, it has been now accepted, within the discussions of Habitat III, that there cannot be any real development or real economic growth or any development of a country if you only concentrate on your urban areas and ignore your rural areas so much so that as soon as rural areas are expanded and developed they are now branded expansions of urban areas.
“So, one can easily recognise how the world is now accepting that if you want to correct your environment and social problems, you first have to develop your rural areas. That fight was carried by Barbados and is now accepted worldwide.  Rural is not a back place any more.
“Rural is now seen as the place where a country will have to use, if they want to have real growth in their economies. And rural was seen as the place where you develop to enhance the urban areas because as soon as we enhance rural areas they are branded as urban areas,” the Housing Minister said of his team’s experience in Quito.
Pointing out that as a result of this new concept their workload would get greater, he said every officer would be expected to play his or her part, as RDC continues to show that rural “is more than a social cost, but also the incubator for the productive sectors such as small farming, community tourism, and cottage industries”.

Minister of Economic Planning praises the upgrades at Calliaqua Fisheries Centre

Calliaqua Fisheries Centre

Minister of Economic Planning and Area Representative for East George, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves, has called the handover of equipment and machinery at the Calliaqua Fisheries Centre, a wonderful day in the development of the fisheries sector.

The Minister of Economic Planning sounded his praises at the handover ceremony on Tuesday, November 1st, 2016.
Minister Gonsalves, in his capacity as Area Representative for East St. George, said the upgraded Calliaqua Fisheries Centre will not only benefit persons in Calliaqua but the wider community, as well.  He expressed thanks to the fisher folk for their patience despite several inconveniences to them while the facility was being upgraded.
Minister Gonsalves stated, in the past, fishers had difficulty in keeping their catch cool in the previous setting.  Thus, he described the upgrade as a great improvement, for which, “We are grateful for”.  He hoped that the fisher folk of Calliaqua and the environs understand the contribution made by the Japanese Government.  To this end, Minister Gonsalves thanked the Government and People of Japan for their wonderful cooperation on this project and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation, Hon. Saboto Caesar for his vision in the fisheries sector.
Five fisheries centres across St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have benefitted from upgraded equipment and machinery.  These upgrades were possible through assistance from grant aid from the Government and People of Japan.  According to Non-Resident Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Mitsuhiko Okada, the assistance is a symbol of the friendship and cooperation between Japan and SVG.

Planned Parenthood Association to host open house

Planned Parenthood

The Saint Lucia Planned Parenthood Association invites the public to an open house on Friday, Nov. 25.

There will be free pressure checks, weight checks, HIV rapid testing and counseling, along with special discounts on all other services. Service providers include gynecologists, general practitioners, family nurse practitioners and professional counselors.
There will also be entertainment, educational sessions, giveaways and a mobile clinic on site.
The open house will be held at 21 Jeremie Street, Castries from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address by the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors

CARICOM Youth Ambassadors

It is with great pride that we, the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors of St. Kitts and Nevis come forward once again to address the nation as we commence yet another ‘Youth Month’ celebration.

Championed by the Department of Youth Empowerment, This month’s activities will be shaped around the timely theme: “Preparing for the Future: Investing in our Youth”
In order to adequately and sustainably shape the future of St. Kitts and Nevis, youth empowerment must become a priority! Youth empowerment is the process whereby young people are encouraged to take charge of their lives. This is done by addressing their situation and taking action to improve their access to resources in order to transform their consciousness, beliefs and attitudes. It is at this time that we implore you to pause and consider what you, the elder leaders of our great nation, have done to invest in such empowerment.
Do you believe that what is being done is enough? Have you significantly invested personally? If your answers to these questions are not vehemently YES then there is still work to done.
Empowered youths have not only the desire to transform society but also the skill set necessary to do so. We are able to inspire through speech as well as action, as have been demonstrated by many youth leaders throughout the years in avenues such as MADE (Making A Difference Everywhere) launched by Mr. Trevis Belle.
When a country’s youth population is empowered, their future prosperity is set as we are the ones who will grow into successful, independent adults who transform society. Is it any question that a country’s greatest asset is its populace? Then why are we living in a society that is investing a mere fraction of our annual budget into one of the most vulnerable cross section of this populace? Do our leaders not recognize that not only are we the leaders of tomorrow but of today as well? Do our leaders not realize that without adequate investment our country may lose out on the promises of an effective, innovative workforce that is necessary for the growth and development of any country?
While we have your attention for youth month 2016, allow us to remind you of last years’ theme which vowed to “Give youth a voice and inspire greatness.” This is our voice, and your action needs to follow our words. We have listened for long enough and it is time that we see the promises manifested.
We demand that our education system be made a priority! There needs to be greater investment in not only the physical environment but also in the quality of education offered. We are poised for an era where we are taught to be a generation that explores rather than regurgitate. Where math and language are not the only order of the day and where we tailor our curriculum to mean what we say: that every child is different and should be treated that way.
We demand that you invest in our mental liberation rather than in our incarceration. While we appreciate the extensive measures that have been implemented to solve crime, we believe that it would be wiser to invest with the same vigour in prevention. This can be done by pumping our funds and our energies youth development programs and extra-curricular activities. These avenues are essential for holistic developing and honing interpersonal skills. If we input as much in this area as we do in others, it is sure to cure more deviant behaviour than a stop and search.
In closing, we ask you to hear our plea once more. We beseech you to not only invest your finances but also your time. You do not expect planes to land or boats to dock without that guiding light, and similarly, you should not expect youths to be adequately ready to take the reins if you do not invest the time to guide them.
Fellow youths, as we celebrate Youth Month 2016, I urge you to understand that the future is NOW! We cannot sit idly by for the older generation to invest in us; we must invest in ourselves and in each other. We have a lot to learn but we also have a lot to teach and we cannot be afraid or reluctant to let these lessons reign. After all, we must allow our investors to see a return on their investment.

OECS Celebrates Entry into Force of Paris Climate Change Agreement

Climate Change Agreement

The OECS Commission celebrates the entry into force of the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement today, November 4, 2016.

Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted the Paris Agreement by decision 1/CP.21, at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties held in Paris, France, in December 2015.
Stipulations state that the Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date on which at least 55 Parties to the Convention accounting in total for at least an estimated 55 % of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Depositary (Article 21, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement).
On October 5, 2016, the threshold for entry into force of the Paris Agreement was achieved with 86, of the 197 Parties to the UNFCCC Convention, having ratified.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) led the way in ratifying the Agreement as the effects of climate change such as intense hurricanes, droughts and sea level rise, will directly impact their survival and people. All six (6) Independent OECS Member States have made a bold statement and ratified. The 1.5 to Stay Alive Campaign across the Wider Caribbean Region, in addition to representation and participation at COP21 at the highest level was unprecedented and contributed significantly to the cause of Caribbean SIDS.
Under the Paris Agreement, all nations have agreed to combat climate change and to unleash actions and investment towards a low carbon, resilient and sustainable future that will keep a global average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius with the accepted international aim of working to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA1) takes places in Marrakech, Morocco in conjunction with COP 22 and CMP 12 from November 7 – 18, 2016.
In accordance with Article 20, the Agreement is open for signatures at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from April 22, 2016 until April 21, 2017

OAS Electoral Observation Mission in the US

Peace Process in Colombia

OAS Electoral Observation Mission in United States to Present Preliminary Report.

The Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) to the elections in the United States will present its preliminary report on Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT) at OAS headquarters in Washington DC.
The presentation will include the participation of:
• Laura Chinchilla, Chief of the EOM/OAS in the United States
• Francisco Guerrero, OAS Secretary for the Strengthening of Democracy
• Gerardo de Icaza, Director of the OAS Electoral Cooperation and Observation Department
• Brenda Santamaria, Deputy Chief of the EOM/OAS in the United States
The report will include the observations of the 41 observers of the Mission deployed in 12 states in the country, as well as preliminary recommendations about the electoral system.
Following the presentation, the authorities will be available to answer questions.
The presentation will be broadcast live via the OAS Website.
WHAT: Presentation of the Preliminary Report of the Electoral Observation Mission of the OAS in the United States
WHEN: Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT)
WHERE: Hall of the Americas
Organization of American States
17th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Agriculture Minister Commends JAST

Karl Samuda
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, addresses participants during the 79th Annual Conference of the Jamaica Association of Sugar Technologists, held at the RIU Hotel in Ocho Rios, St. Ann on November 3. The conference was held under the theme, ‘Engaging partnership – an option for survival’.

The Jamaica Association of Sugar Technologists ( JAST ) has been commended for the contributions they have made towards the sustainable development of the sugar cane industry over the last 79 years.

The commendation came from Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda while speaking at the 79th Annual Conference of the Jamaica Association of Sugar Technologists, held at RIU Hotel in Ocho Rios, St. Ann on November 3.
He said the organisation has played a crucial and fundamental role in endorsing the use of technology in the industry.
“Your role is therefore critical as we seek to reposition the sugar industry, as this is important as we move forward,” Minister Samuda state.
He added that the efforts of the association must be doubled in order to save the sugar industry.
“We are grappling with the challenges that confront Jamaica’s sugar industry every day and now we have to position, not only the existing players in the industry, but we have to introduce new ones. We must also seek to make the industry very attractive for new investments,” Mr Samuda asserted.
He emphasized that the sugar industry is the country’s second largest employer and hence could not be allowed to die.
“Because of this high level of integration and the fact that the industry is so integral to people’s lives and livelihood, we must remain committed to its success and so ensure its viability,” Mr Samuda told the audience.
He also made a call for more investors both local and abroad, to come on board to reform the sugar industry.

Presentation of 2017 Budget

Mitchell government did not plunder NIS

The Minister of Finance and Energy, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, will present the 2017 Budget on Friday, December 9th 2016, at the Grenada Trade Centre, St. George’s, commencing 10:00 am.

The theme for the 2017 Budget is: “Working Together to Build on Our Successes for a Better Country.”
The theme captures the strong macro-economic foundation built through the collective sacrifices and resilience of our citizens. It also speaks to working together to protect the gains made in the past few years.
During his presentation, Prime Minister Mitchell will highlight the major achievements of Government for 2016 and that of the three-year Homegrown Structural Adjustment Programme.  He will also detail Government’s plans and programmes for 2017 and beyond.
As part of the preparation process, the Ministry of Finance and Energy, held consultations with all ministries, government departments, and other stakeholders including Civil Society, the Labour Unions, the Business community and selected interest groups including farmers, agro-processors and fisher-folk.

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