Earlier this year in July, the Department of the Environment (DOE) was made aware of a situation at the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) Ltd.’s Tower Hill Factory with respect to molasses undergoing the Maillard reaction in their storage tanks.
Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between the sugars and proteins in the molasses that occurs upon heating and produces a browning or burnt effect with a thick, dark black appearance and lower pH. The molasses solidifies and expands upon cooling, and hence, is rendered useless; however it has the potential to contaminate the environment. BSI reported that burnt molasses from both a storage tank and a barge needed to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. As such, after an assessment of all possible options available to dispose of the burnt molasses, the DOE agreed to the most feasible option achievable under the conditions existing at the time, which included the following steps:
1. The disposal of the burnt molasses in BSI’s old quarry pit, which has the capacity to accommodate the volume produced by the Maillard reaction, in order for it to biodegrade over time;
2. Clean up of areas containing spilled molasses to prevent any runoff into any nearby water body; and
3. Develop a programme to rehabilitate any affected ponds in the wastewater treatment system.
In order to avoid any contamination to the surrounding environment and water bodies, the pit will be monitored by BSI daily during the rainy season. To reduce the risk of a reoccurrence of the Maillard reaction, BSI will install a “cooling system” for production of final molasses, as well as a “temperature monitoring system” of the final molasses.
For further information, please contact:
Chief Environmental Officer Department of the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment & Sustainable Development
Market Square,
Belmopan
Tel: 822-2548/2819
Fax: 822-2860
Email: envirodept@btl.net or envirodept@environment.gov.bz
Website: www.doe.gov.bz
Facebook: Department of the Environment – DOE
It was a scene of excitement in the streets of Castries, Saint Lucia on Saturday afternoon when national and club athletes headed by three-time Olympian, Levern Spencer led the charge in a youth relay, passing the reparations baton that culminated in a youth rally at the Derek Walcott Square.
The relay began at The Sab Playing Facility, and continued to La Clery, Chaussee Road, Leslie Land, Riverside Road, Brazil Street, Bridge Street, and then into the Square.
The relay included national athletes such as long distance runner Michael ‘Mega Boost’ Biscette, javelin thrower Albert Reynolds, combined events athlete Makeba Alcide, 400m runner Allana Paul, as well as members of Morne Stars Athletics Club. The anchor leg of the race was of course run by Levern, a Central American and Caribbean and 2015 PanAm Games women’s High Jump champion.
Following the 40-minute relay, those in attendace were treated to cultural performances and speeches by representatives from the Saint Lucia Reparations Committee, CARICOM Reparations Committee, and Saint Lucia’s CARICOM Youth Ambassadors. Everyone who attended was in high spirits and the commitment to reparations displayed by the youth was indeed heartwarming.
View photos here: https://www.facebook.com/MorneStarsAthletics/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1211431355569370
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) will be providing a report next week, detailing the cause of the system breakdown that resulted in an all-island blackout in August.
Addressing the Organisation of Caribbean Utility Regulators (OOCUR) conference at the Secrets Resort in Freeport, Montego Bay, on October 26, Mr. Holness informed that the report will be given to the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) on Monday, October 31, after which the agency will make a determination as to whether there will be sanctions.
The Prime Minister said that as “Captain of the Jamaican ship”, he too has been monitoring the situation with a view to arriving at a resolution to ensure that such an occurrence will never again be repeated.
Mr. Holness said that even ahead of the much anticipated report, he is particularly pleased with the quick-fire response of the JPS in dealing with the problem.
“What I am certainly pleased about without trying to single out the JPS is their move to self-regulate. That is absolutely important and the Government encourages more of these kinds of things from the utility companies – the need to self-regulate. It makes our job easier and it builds confidence in the consumer. I just want to publicly state that we have seen moves by the JPS to correct their internal problems, even before Government makes a note of this,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Holness said like some instances in telecommunications, the JPS has moved to implement changes, which include looking at engaging specialists to deal with the overall transformation of their system.
At his press conference on Wednesday, October 26th, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, who is the Minister of Finance, pointed to further signs that the Team Unity Government is managing the country’s finances expertly.
“Recurrent revenue for the first nine months of 2016 totals $480.7 million: 9 percent above our budget. The tax revenue of $296.6 million was up over budget, and over the 2015 comparator,” Prime Minister Harris stated at Wednesday’s press conference, adding: “The fact that all of the revenue heads are performing above budget is a clear indication that something positive is happening in the economy, and that can’t be denied.”
Dr. Harris also said that, “Our fiscal accounts up to September 2016 record a recurrent surplus of $120.3 million, an overall surplus of $124.2 million, and a primary surplus of $141.6 million. Coming out of the Monetary Council meeting held last Friday, October 21st, we know that St. Kitts and Nevis is projected by our Central Bank to have the highest primary balance in the sub-region for the period 2016 to 2018. This is a major achievement for the new administration.”
Another major fiscal achievement for the Team Unity administration came last year when St. Kitts and Nevis collected the most tax revenues to date. Total gross taxes and fees collected at the Inland Revenue Department amounted to $219.3 million, as at November 30th, 2015.
Two months later, Dr. Harris reported on January 26th during the sitting of the National Assembly that the greatest Discounted VAT-Rate Day sales were also recorded in 2015 since the initiative was launched in 2011. He said then that preliminary data for Discounted VAT-Rate Day 2015 put the sales amount at $41 million: $1 million more than the Discounted VAT-Rate Day sales recorded in 2014.
Last year’s record Discounted VAT-Rate Day sales point to a vastly improved local economy, as well as a more prosperous consumer class. This also implies that the Team Unity Government’s removal of the 17 percent value-added tax (VAT) from food, medicines, educational supplies and funeral expenses, effective April 7th, 2015, has boosted consumer spending and an appetite for consumer durables, such as automobiles, jewelry, and household goods (appliances, electronics, furniture, etc.), due to the release of pent-up consumer demand.
Last year’s record tax collection indicates that the reduction in VAT revenues was offset positively by solid performances in other tax categories, a fact acknowledged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its May 13th, 2016 press release about St. Kitts and Nevis. “The impact of the VAT and import duty exemptions were largely offset by stronger income tax collection and higher-than-expected outturn of other taxes on international trade,” the IMF said.
Improvements in the administration of the government’s tax regime (such as taking a measured approach towards the granting of concessions and making its collections systems more efficient and effective) account for the stronger income tax collection, and this disciplined approach forms part and parcel of the Team Unity Government’s focus on fiscal responsibility.
In a November 2015 interview with the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS), the Financial Secretary, Mrs. Hilary Hazel, assured the public that, “As promised by Prime Minister Harris, the 2016 Budget will be based on two premises: One, that there would be no new taxes and, secondly, we would not entertain a deficit budget. Fiscal responsibility and fiscal discipline would be two of the main guiding factors in terms of the discussions on the budget.”
Regarding the 2017 Budget, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis said on Wednesday that, “We expect that the 2017 Budget will be delivered well in advance of the constitutional deadline, and the constitutional deadline provides for expenditure to continue up to a period of 120 days from the commencement of the financial year, which starts in January. So we are looking in practical terms up to April 2017. Nonetheless, we intend by mid-December to deliver the Federal Budget.”
Hon Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, has revealed that Government will proceed in constructing a small geothermal plant in Dominica.
Speaking at the debate on the Geothermal Resources Development Bill in Parliament on Monday, October 24th, the Hon Prime Minister stated that Government will take all risks associated with the construction of the facility following negotiations with various organizations.
“The Government will ‘go it alone’ with regards to the small plant. We have been negotiating with different groups of people. That did not come through and I think in retrospect because they had other considerations. They had other considerations like any partnership you were discussing. There were some issues among themselves and they figure it might be in their interest not to proceed with the project.
But what this did is that it gave us a better opportunity for the Government and the people of Dominica to not only own the resource but to entirely own the geothermal plant of Dominica. What we are saying as a Government is that the Government of Dominica will take all the risks associated with the construction of the plant.
Once the plant is constructed and we are selling to the grid, it is our intention to make available to the Dominican public about 50% or if not 100% of the company to make a minimum of 50% available by way of shares in that company to the Dominican public.
We will be in the business of generating and it is our intention to sell to DOMLEC and DOMLEC will pass it on to the consumers.”
He noted that this change will have a considerable impact on Dominica’s economy.
“This is in an effort to reduce on our import bill. To reduce on the trade deficit because importation of diesel and petroleum products is a significant contributor to the import bill. We would reduce on our foreign exchange leaving the currency union. We would bring back our jobs to Dominica. We would grow the economy,” Hon Skerrit stated.
The Dominica leader revealed that in addition to the international partners looking to come on board in the future, resources have been made available through the Citizenship by Investment Programme.
“Because of the exceptional relationship this Government has with the World Bank the President of the World Bank sent his officers to Dominica. This is to indicate to this Government that the World Bank is prepared to provide the financing both in grants and highly concessional loans to finance the geothermal plant.
That official made a presentation to the cabinet. The Caribbean Development Bank has some sources of financing for renewable energy and for climate related projects. They have been literally begging us to accept a source of financing. The Dominican people through this cabinet has committed US $15m, funds from the Citizenship by Investment Programme to go towards the financing of the geothermal plant in Dominica.”
The Honorable Prime Minister noted that the project will significantly reduce the current cost of electricity benefiting the country on a whole.
He continued, “If we can reduce the cost of energy to the private sector we will create more jobs in our country.”
Cox and Company Limited was established in 1926 and is today one of the few remaining successful family owned and managed businesses on the island of St. Lucia.
The company celebrated 90 years in business, starting with a thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, on Sunday 23rd October, 2016. In attendance at this service was Ms. Sheila Beaubrun, the eldest daughter of Hettie and Clive Beaubrun, founders of Cox and Company. The service was also attended by the members of the board of directors, past and present employees and suppliers who have worked with the company over the years. The day continued with a grand luncheon and awards ceremony, where the contributions of employees were recognized.
The services offered by Cox and Company Limited, has evolved over the years to accommodate the changing trends, whilst managing to maintain the integrity and values on which the company was built 90 years ago.
Its portfolio now includes, but is not limited to: Cox Shipping – Port Agency, Freight and Brokerage; Cox Travel – ferry services between St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe; Cox Tours and Destination Management – the leading provider of St Lucia tours and Sea Adventures- SNUBA and Sea Trek Tours.
Proud of its rich history, the management and staff have vowed to continue using the wealth of knowledge and experience gained over the years, to offer clients uncompromised levels of professionalism and personalized services.
St. Mary’s College students benefit from a mentorship program initiated by the class of 1990.
St. Mary’s College is pleased to announce the establishment of the Student Mentorship Program (“The Program”) spearheaded by the centennial class of 1990 as part of an initiative of the St. Mary’s College Old Boys Association, which is in its formative stage. The intent of The Program is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from, and interact with, graduates of St. Mary’s College (“Old Boys”) who have experience in various fields including academia, practical and vocational professions as the Old Boys impart knowledge about their respective areas of specialization, share their journeys and life experiences.
A steering committee was established comprising five members from the Class of 1990, Mr. Gillray M. Cadet, Mr. Terry Finisterre, Mr. Terry Goodman, Mr. Anselm Mathurin and Mr. Cuthbert Nathoniel.
The vision of The Program is to inspire achievement, provide guidance and support the aspirations of St. Mary’s College students to become positive community, country and world influencers and leaders. This will be achieved by tapping into the local and global network of Old Boys to enlist enthusiastic and experienced personalities from a wide spectrum of professions to address students on a regular basis, in person or by video conference.
Specific objectives for The Program, include:
Motivate, encourage and inspire
Gain insight into various professions
Provide access to male role models
Establish a forum to listen, learn and probe how to manage life’s challenges
Create an avenue for Old Boys to “give back” to St. Mary’s College
Encourage Old Boys to make a difference for potential at-risk male youth
Three mentoring sessions are planned for the first term of the 2016/17 school year. The first session took place on Monday, 26 September 2016 and the first presenter was The Honourable Sir Dwight Venner, the former Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (1989 to 2015) and a 1965 graduate of St. Mary’s College. Sir Dwight Venner is an Economist by training and received his tertiary education at the University of the West Indies (“UWI”), Mona Campus, Jamaica, where he also served as a Research Fellow and Lecturer. Sir Dwight Venner is well published and serves on the board of a number of institutions.
Mr. Rowan Seon, Principal of St. Mary’s College commented after the first mentoring session, “Sir Dwight’s presentation was heard by the entire group of 4th and 5th Formers. He was captivating and inspiring as he highlighted salient aspects of his life’s journey. From all reports and appearances many students, especially those studying economics, were renewed in their determination to excel and to be outstanding. We eagerly await the next presentation.”
Two other mentoring sessions will be conducted this term, in October and November. The confirmed speakers are Dr. Stephen King and Mr. Adrian Augier.
Dr. Stephen King, MB.BS, FRCPC, OBE, is a pathologist, former Chief Medical Officer and a 1974 graduate of St. Mary’s College. He practices pathology and is the forensic pathologist for the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. He has been instrumental in drafting healthcare legislation, and has founded and assumed the chairmanship of numerous organizations. He is also a former Independent Senator. Dr. King pursued Medicine at UWI and postgraduate studies in Pathology at the University of Toronto.
Mr. Adrian Augier is a Development Economist, an Artist and a graduate of St. Mary’s College. He is the Managing Director of Landmark Events Ltd, St. Lucia’s premier special events company, and an award-winning Producer, Poet and Designer. He has worked with international organizations including USAID, the World Bank, among others; and serves on various boards. He holds a BA in Economics & Political Science, a Master’s in Development Finance & Planning and an Honorary Doctorate from UWI.
In keeping with the objectives of the Program to create an avenue for Old Boys to give back, Media Zone, Inc., whose Founder and Managing Director is Wayne Whitfield (1985 graduate of St. Mary’s College), has confirmed that the Media Zone, Inc. will record the mentoring sessions.
The Steering Committee will review the impact of the first three mentoring sessions, against the Program objectives, at the end of the term to determine how to improve the interaction, knowledge transfer and experience of the students. The plan for the future is to seek commitments from Old Boys, both in and out of St. Lucia, who are eager to contribute and mentor current students, in line with the objectives of the Program.
The Steering Committee would like to remind all current students and all Old Boys, ‘Summum Attingitur Nitendo’.
In response to the recent reports of jaguar sightings and attacks on livestock in the Laguna and Yemeri Grove areas, Toledo District, a Forest Department response team has been dispatched to assist farmers and ranchers in livestock husbandry techniques to prevent loss of livestock.
The team, consisting of wildlife conservation experts, are also monitoring hotspots and conducting public awareness in these communities in order to better mitigate and reduce human-jaguar conflicts.
Forest Department/Panthera representative, Ms. Shanelly Carrillo, explained that even-though jaguars are recognized as an important flagship species both for conservation and tourism, farmers often see them as a nuisance. She noted that with the continuous expansion of farming communities into once pristine forested areas, there is an increasing likelihood of jaguar encounters. Apart from their shrinking habitats, the jaguars’ dwindling natural food sources due to overhunting have also forced them to seek other alternatives outside of the protected areas. Consequently, they pose a direct threat to livestock and other domesticated animals. In some instances, these human-jaguar conflicts lead to the retaliatory killing by residents.
In speaking on this issue, the Chief Forest Officer, Wilber Sabido, emphasized that the livelihood and safety of people are paramount but echoed concerns for wildlife conservation. He stated that resolving the issue hinges on creating opportunities for co-existence by: (1) affording farmers the knowledge and techniques to protect their livelihood and (2) enhancing the communities’ readiness to protect jaguar habitat and prevent overhunting of wild game.
Sabido elaborated that the team continues to advise farmers on several low-cost preventative measures that they can use to protect their livestock. Some basic measures involve having proper fences or night enclosures so that jaguars cannot access the livestock and using donkeys and domestic dogs to protect livestock from this apex predator. On a larger scale, he called to action community residents to do their part in helping to regulate seasonal hunting and prevent the destruction of wildlife habitats, thereby reducing human-jaguar encounters. He concluded by saying: “When farmers heed the advice of the department and members of the community see themselves as key players in wildlife conservation, there will be no need for wildlife and humans to compete for space and resources.”
The Department continues to multiply efforts of surveillance and monitoring and welcomes the support and assistance of communities. All Belizeans have an important role to play in ensuring that our country continues to be a stronghold for this iconic species.
Please report any forest and wildlife related concerns to the Forest Department at 822-2079 or email at wildlife.manager@forest.gov.bz.
The transformation of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College into a University College continues.
After thirty years of existence, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) is assessing ways in which it can more effectively meet the needs of clientele.
Sonia Severin, SALCC Institutional Effectiveness Manager, said the transformation of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) into a university college will bring about positive gains.
“We will still focus on meeting the needs of the Saint Lucian populace, and maybe we will be more capable of doing so through the range of programs that we are offering—and it is not just the fact that we are broadening the range of programs, but we are focusing as well on new areas of programming that could contribute to national development.”
The SALCC is also exploring building more cohesive relationships between the institution and the private and public sectors.
“In this regard, we would be better able to respond to the various demands of the groups and sectors in the society. So for example, in the tourism sector, or the agriculture sector, there is a need for persons trained in particular areas. Because of the types of relationships that we will develop with our public and private partners, we will be able to respond more quickly to those needs, whether it is through certificate courses or full programs in the particular areas.”
It is anticipated that legislation establishing the university college will be laid before the House during the 2016-2017 academic year to enable the first entrants to register in August 2017 for Bachelor degree programs.
Dominica’s main airport, Douglas-Charles has proven to be a top priority for the Government of Dominica.
The Honourable Minister for Public Works and Ports, Senator Mirium Blanchard, assured citizens that the airport, while safe, is being further rehabilitated for passenger and motorists safety.
A major project was developed at the airport in Melville Hall aimed at restoring its safe operations, implementing storm repairs while improving flood protection.
Phase one of the project estimated at $31.2m is being funded by the Citizenship by Investment Programme.
“Outstanding work related to phase one of this project include grassing of the shoulders, reconstruction of the second half of the apron and two taxi ways as well as the extension of a sea wall and reconstruction of the road and drainage east of the airport on the road leading to Londonderry.”
Phase two provided for in the 2016/2017 fiscal year will further increase resilience of the airport to weather events like Erika.
“Through the construction of additional river defence structures, dredging and river training. Work continues to advance on the major works at Douglas-Charles Airport. In fact, a milestone of the project was just reached last week with the reconstruction of roughly half of the apron and taxi ways. Inspectors from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority were on island towards the end of last week. I am proud to announce that we have received approval from ECCAA for its use.”
Meanwhile a gift from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, solar lights, has been installed.
The new taxiway and apron were also commissioned last week.
