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Life-Skills Training

Skills Training

Call for Expressions of Interest: Life-Skills Training

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has received financing from the World Bank to implement the Public and Social Sector Transformation Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include the delivery of life-skills training to complement the implementation of a Temporary Employment Programme (TEP) under the Antigua and Barbuda Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (ABSTEP) component of the project. ABSTEP is being implemented by the Labour Department.
The Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance now invites eligible consultants /consulting firms (“Consultants) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

  • Experience in life-skills and literacy training for adult learners;
  • Experience in curriculum review;
  • Design and implementation for adult learning;
  • Teaching credentials, with sound knowledge of the needs of adult learners;
  • Interactive educational programmes and behavioural interventions; and
  • Experience in programmes involving skills transfer and trainer training.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers (January 2011) (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on Consultants’ Qualifications (CQS) method as set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 0900 to 1700 hours.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by email) by June 17, 2016:
Procurement Specialist
Project Management Unit
Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance
1st Floor, Bryson’s Building
Friar’s Hill Road
St. John’s, Antigua
Tel: (268) 736-0130
Email: psstpmu@gmail.com

Potential threat of an ISIS attack

Anthony Garcia on ISIS threat
Minister of Education, the Honourable Anthony Garcia (File Photo)

Minister Garcia tells parents and students to “have no fear”

May 31, 2016: The Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education, is assuring parents and students that measures have been taken to ensure safety in schools in light of a voice note circulating on mobile messaging app “Whats App” on claims of a potential threat of an ISIS attack. He said, “I want to assure that everything is in place for the exams. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I have spoken to the Minister of National Security and he has assured me that everything is in place to make sure that our children are able to write the exams without any disruption or fear in their minds.”
Minister Garcia added that the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities for further investigation and there will be school as usual.  He reported that on Monday 30th May 2016, the Ministry of Education’s Security Manager met with Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Boyd and Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Edwards at the Police Administration Building on Sackville Street, Port of Spain. Also in attendance was MTS Security Manager St. Clair O’Neal. Arising out of the meeting, plans have been put in place to ensure there is no disruption during this week’s CSEC and CAPE examinations.
Minister Garcia said all Principals have been instructed to be on the lookout for any incident/s that may cause disruption, and explained that one of the major responsibilities of school principals, according to the Education Act is to ensure the safety of all those who operate within the school system.
He reiterated he is confident that there will be no breach in security. He said, “All security measures are in place so that in the event there is any truth to these rumours, we will be prepared. You have absolutely nothing to fear or to believe that would cause any undue stress to the exams.”
 

CDB funds Street Lighting Project in St. Lucia

Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB
Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved USD10.6 million in financing to replace approximately 21,500 street lights across Saint Lucia with more energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

Through the Project, the Government of Saint Lucia will reduce the costly energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the existing high-pressure sodium and mercury vapour street lights.
“CDB is committed to an agenda of climate resilience and sustainable energy, and is pleased to be investing in Saint Lucia’s transition to a lower-carbon economy,” said Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB. “This Project is a Regional example, with Saint Lucia being the first of our Borrowing Member Countries to replace its entire network of street lamps to a more energy-efficient alternative in a relatively short space of time,” he said.
Under the Project plan, the new LED street lamps are scheduled for installation by 2018.
Operating the existing street lights currently accounts for about a third of Saint Lucia’s total yearly spending on electricity. In addition, the country depends heavily on imported petroleum products to power its economy. It is against this backdrop that the Government of Saint Lucia has identified energy efficiency as a major tool for reducing energy consumption. In addition, in its National Energy Policy, Saint Lucia has prioritised using clean and sustainable energy technologies.
Through the Street Light Retrofitting Project, the Government of Saint Lucia will

  • reduce its street lighting electricity bill by approximately 58 percent, freeing up funds for national development initiatives;
  • reduce its oil imports; and
  • avoid additional spending on electricity generation to meet growing consumer demands.

The Project will provide a grant for the completion of a Climate Risk Screening Study. The Study will help the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) examine its vulnerability to projected climate change impacts.
The Project aligns to the Bank’s Strategic Plan 2015-2019 and Energy Sector Policy and Strategy, in which it highlights energy efficiency and renewable energy as priority investment areas for CDB.
The Government of Saint Lucia and LUCELEC will also contribute USD1.15 million to the Project.

ODPM Gets Ready For 2016 Rainy / Hurricane Season

ODMP
Representatives from the ODPM, POSCC DMU, DMRC DMU and Rotary Club gather for the ODPM's PrepareAthon in the City of Port of Spain (Photo Courtesy: OPMTT)

May 31, 2016: The Brian Lara Promenade and the streets of Port of Spain came alive on Friday 27th May, 2016 as the ODPM – Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management conducted a PrepareAthon Booth & Walkabout in the capital city.

With the declaration of the Rainy Season earlier this month and the start of the 2016 Hurricane Season on June 1st 2016, the ODPM continued its preparedness activities by bringing invaluable information to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago with particular focus on vulnerable communities. Joining the ODPM and its corps of volunteers on this preparedness initiative were the POS City Corporation Disaster Management Unit, the Diego Martin Regional Corporation Disaster Management Unit and the Rotary Club of Trinidad and Tobago.
The PrepareAthon forms an integral part of the ODPM’s Communities Organised and Ready for Emergencies (C.O.R.E.) Programme the theme of which for this year is “Community Resilience”. A critical component of building resilience is education and awareness. In the wake of the warning from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services of a severe rainy season, the ODPM took to the streets to raise the awareness and preparedness levels of citizens.
Persons were given important hurricane safety information and encouraged to prepare themselves and their families by making a Family Emergency Plan and packing an Emergency Preparedness Kit. Persons were also advised to take advantage of the wide array of information available on the ODPM’s website www.odpm.gov.tt and on the ODPM’s mobile application “Disaster Ready” available on both Android and iOS platforms. Patrons of the joint ODPM and POSCC DMU booth were also treated to musical performances by winners of the POSCC’s Disaster Management Calypso competition encouraging them to become aware and be prepared for the upcoming Hurricane Season.
Recipients of the information were very appreciative and indicated their commitment to becoming more prepared, not just for the Hurricane Season but for other hazards as well. In fact, some persons said that they already had their emergency kits packed in preparation for the strong winds and heavy rainfall associated with the Rainy/Hurricane Season. The ODPM will continue to partner with key stakeholders in preparedness activities to bring the information to citizens throughout the nation.

Funding approved for water project

Water pipeline planned shutdown

The additional funding will allow for the completion of both phases of the Dennery Water Supply Improvement Project.

The Government of Saint Lucia has received approval for funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the Dennery North Water Supply Improvement Project.
The water improvement project aims to resolve the issues of poor water quality and an unreliable supply plaguing the east coast village.
The Ministry of External Affairs initially secured grant funding of US$5 million from the Government of Mexico, but the funding fell short of the total amount required for a new water supply and distribution system that would meet the needs of Dennery residents for the next 17 years.
As a result, the Ministry of Sustainable Development requested the CDB’s assistance; and on May 16, the Board of Directors approved a project request from the Government of Saint Lucia for the Dennery Water Supply Improvement Project. The funds will provide the additional amount needed for the completion of both phases of the project.
Minister with responsibility for water, Hon. Dr. James Fletcher, said that of all the projects his ministry has been involved in, this one is among those that give him the greatest satisfaction, because for too long the residents of Dennery North have had to suffer with poor water quality and one of the most unreliable water supplies on the island.
“To have played a part in finally solving one of the most vexing water problems on the island is certainly something that is worth celebrating,” the minister said.
The Dennery North Water Supply Improvement Project involves the construction of a new water intake on the Tournesse River, a raw water transmission line, a new water treatment plant, the installation of a water storage tank next to the treatment plant, a pump station and a force main to the existing Thomazo water storage tank, a new transmission pipeline, pipe connections to the existing Morne Panache pumping station, and pipe connections to the Derniere Riviere distribution network.
Like the Vieux Fort Water Supply Improvement Project, the Dennery Water Supply Project is expected to meet the demands of the residents of the Dennery Valley until 2033, with the capacity to produce 1.4 million gallons of water per day.
In 2011 government promised to resolve the water problems of Vieux Fort and Dennery. The Vieux Fort Water Supply Development Project has already been initiated.

CGPC meeting to be held in Belize

CGPC

21st Meeting of the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean to be held in Belize

Belmopan. May 31, 2016.   The Pesticides Control Board of Belize is pleased to announce that the 21st Meeting of the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean (CGPC) will be held in Belize from 6 – 10 June, 2016.  The meeting will be held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel in San Ignacio, Cayo under the theme: “A changing climate! A changing world! Responsible pest and pesticide management – our responsibility”.
Funding for this meeting is provided by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) project being implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
The meeting proceedings  will include a  3-day planning workshop for the implementation of activities under a project funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) titled “Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides including POPs, Promotion of Alternatives and Strengthening Pesticides Management in the Caribbean” and Phase II of an EU-funded project titled “Capacity Building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries – Clean-up of obsolete pesticides, pesticides management and sustainable pest management.”
A joint session is also being planned to exchange work experiences with the Project Execution Group of two other GEF-funded projects: The Belize Chemicals and Waste Management Project and the Development and Implementation of a Sustainable Management Mechanism for POPs in the Caribbean (implemented by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Basel Convention Regional Centre (BCRC-Caribbean, based in Trinidad and Tobago). The theme and activities for the Pesticide Awareness Week (an annual event held during the last week of September) will also be discussed and finalized at the meeting.
The CGPC is comprised of representatives from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Boards or Authorities of the countries of the Caribbean, and associate members representing other stakeholders. The group meets annually in one of the member countries.

More options for National Scholarships

Scholarships

There are almost triple the number of options under this year’s National Development Scholarships as compared to last year, and Barbadians are being encouraged to apply now.

Interested persons, between the ages of 18 and 40, who have already been accepted at an internationally-accredited university at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, may apply for the scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
They are available in a wide range of disciplines such as: Aviation Law, Career Counselling, Child Psychiatry, Children and Family Mental Health, Clinical/Behavioural Psychology, Coastal Engineering, Conservation Management, Cyber Crime, Exploration Geophysics, Geology and Maritime Studies/Law.
Other areas in which the scholarships will be awarded are: Media Production/Studies, Nephrology, Neurology, New Media and National Development, Oncology, Penology, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Psychiatric Social Work, Renewable Energy, Speech Pathology/Speech Therapy, Veterinary Pathology, and Vocational and Technical Education.
Programmes which are offered at the University of the West Indies will not be considered.  The scholarship will cover the cost of one direct economy class ticket to the country of study at the commencement of the course, and one return ticket to Barbados on completion of that programme.
It will also cover full tuition fees, payable directly to the University; a book allowance of $1,000 (once); and a clothing allowance of $736 (once) applicable for students pursuing studies in cold countries. It will also include a living allowance of $6,300 per annum for students pursuing studies in the United States; $5,880 per annum for studies in Canada and $7,560 per annum for studies in the United Kingdom.
Successful applicants will be required to enter a bond with sureties to return and work in Barbados on completion of the course, on the basis of one year for each year of the award.
Application forms and further information may be obtained from the Tertiary Section of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St. Michael, where completed forms must be submitted no later than Monday, June 27. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

CADRES St Lucia Political Poll – May 2016

Political Poll

Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has announced that St. Lucian’s will go to the polls on the 6th of June and naturally there has been considerable interest generated in the likely outcome.

Against this background, CADRES conducted a public opinion poll which is representative of the views and opinions of St. Lucians across all 17 consistencies. The survey was conducted between the 20th and 23rd May 2016 approximately 1,000 persons were interviewed face to face by a team of interviewers. The margin of error for this poll is +/-5% which is consistent with other surveys conducted by CADRES in St. Lucia and across the region.
poll-01
Respondents were asked to indicate the issue of greatest concern to them at this time and the majority were concerned about employment (40%), while the economy was the second most popular concern (20%) and health care was the third (12%). It is important to note the disaggregated data for this question which isolates the respondents who refused to state their voting intention and have been categorised as “Uncertain Voters”. These persons are likely to determine the outcome of the election and it can be seen that their concerns are in-line with those of all St. Lucians. Among the “Uncertain Voters,” the single largest concern was employment (43%).
poll-02
One of the most critical findings of this survey is the fact that there is at this time a statistical dead-heat between the governing SLP and the opposition UWP with the SLP recording 34% and the UWP securing 33% of the committed vote share. Some 3% of respondents promised to support independent candidates; however, it should be noted that this survey was conducted one-week ago when there was an anticipation of greater independent participation than that which materialised on nomination day. The remaining 30% of respondents were categorized as “Uncertain Voters”.
poll-03
The size of the uncertain vote is clearly large enough to impact on the outcome of the election therefore attention needs to be paid to several details of the poll which provide a clue to the possible outcome. Significant among these details is the swing analysis which estimates the likely outcome in terms of party support based on the historic support levels of both parties. CADRES has employed this prediction tool with considerable accuracy in the past and on this occasion the projected support levels at this time would give the SLP 51% and the UWP 49% which would be a swing of +1.7% for the UWP and -0.4% away from the SLP.
poll-04
Another key indicator of the likely outcome is leadership preference and in this regard respondents were asked to identify the person they would prefer to lead them at this time and here also there is a statistical dead-heat between the leaders of the SLP and UWP. 31% of respondents would prefer to be led by Dr Kenny Anthony and 28% of respondents preferred Mr. Allan Chastanet. CADRES conducted a similar survey in October of 2015 and at that time Anthony was also preferred by 31% while Chastanet was preferred by 19% of respondents. The comparative analysis of these two data sets demonstrate that Chastanet’s popularity increased by about 50% in the 8-month period between these surveys, while Anthony’s has remained constant. These data were further disaggregated to reveal the preferences of “Uncertain Voters” and this analysis reveals the fact that Anthony has lost more than half of his support among these voters while Chastanet has doubled his support among uncommitted voters.
poll-05
The other key indicators explored were the desires to change the government and leader at this time and in this regard the single largest quantity of persons interviewed in May of 2016 expressed the desire to change the government. 55% of St. Lucians and 56% of “Uncertain Voters” wanted a change of government, while 56% of both categories of voters wanted a change of leader at this time. While maintaining that the election is at this time “too close to call” CADRES does acknowledge that the incumbent appears to have a momentary advantage, while the opposition seems to have momentum, both of which could be a factor in the remaining days of campaigning. As such, CADRES is in the process of conducting constituency based polls in the areas that are likely to determine the outcome of the election.

Assou Canal Bridge to be officially opened

Assou Canal Bridge

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport Hon. Philip J. Pierre and Parliamentary Representative for Gros Islet Hon. Emma Hippolyte will on Monday 30th May 2016 officially open the newly constructed Assou Canal Bridge.

The Assou Canal Bridge is a single span reinforced concrete bridge, with a span measuring 10.6 metres long by 4.2 metres wide. Also included in this project is a 1.2 metre sidewalk and river training works. The bridge cost approximately $718,000.00 while the river training works cost approximately $168,000.00 and was funded jointly by the Government of Saint Lucia and the Government of Turkey.
This project commenced in February 2015. This new bridge provides a second option for motorists and pedestrians who live in the Assou Canal Community. The other bridge serving this community has a long history of being flooded during heavy rainfall, and as a consequence, the Ministry of Infrastructure improved the hydrologic capacity of the new bridge to be more resilient to natural hazards in an effort to improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic during such events.
The new Assou Canal Bridge will be officially opened on Monday 30th May 2016 at a special ceremony by the Parliamentary Representative Hon. Emma Hippolyte and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport Hon. Philip J. Pierre.
Assou Canal Bridge

SLHTA, RISE collaborate

SLHTA

SLHTA demonstrates a growing commitment to agricultural sector by supporting RISE’s Good Food Revoluton project.

The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) through the Tourism Enhancement Fund has collaborated with RISE Saint Lucia’s Good Food Revolution Project as a gold sponsor.
On May 19, Tourism Enhancement Fund chair, Karolin Troubetzkoy, handed over the first installment of the fund’s financial commitment to RISE Director Dr. Stephen King.
Launched in January 2016, the project seeks to reduce the consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and increase the use of healthy, organically grown foods in Saint Lucia.
The project was initiated in response to an unprecedented and alarming rise in chronic non-communicable diseases in Saint Lucia. The creators of the Good Food Revolution believe that this dangerous rise is in great part due to the replacement of wholesome traditional fruits, root crops and vegetables from the local agricultural biodiversity, to highly processed imported options.
On the occasion of this partnership, SLHTA Chief Executive Officer, Noorani Azeez, spoke to the SLHTA’s growing commitment to the agricultural sector.
“In the beginning of this year we made a commitment to strengthen sustainable linkages with the agricultural industry and to continue to work toward Saint Lucia’s sustainable development. We are excited to partner with RISE on this project as they seek to educate farmers and the community at large in processes that would create a healthier nation for generations to come.”
The Good Food Revolution is also in partnership with the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Agriculture, funded in part by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program.
The first round of training for 40 farmers in organic farming began in early May.

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