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Ministers from the Eastern Caribbean underscore vital SIDS concerns in West Africa

SIDS

DAKAR, SENEGAL, 27 April 2016. Ministers from the Eastern Caribbean countries of St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines attending the 103rd ACP Council of Ministers and 41st ACP-EU Joint Ministerial Council in Dakar, Senegal, from 25-29 April 2016 seized the opportunity to promote the concerns and interests of Eastern Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the high-level forum offered by the bi-annual intergovernmental encounter.

ACP Ministers met from 25-27 April in the land of Teranga (Senegal) to shape decisions on issues of relevance to the intergovernmental block of 79 developing countries such as trade and commodities, development finance cooperation, private sector development, climate change and the deployment of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) at the intra-ACP level. Equally high on the agenda was the discussion on the future of the ACP Group. This was followed by a two-day ACP-EU Council session where major issues were debated, such as migration, negotiations on the revision of the Cotonou Agreement, trade cooperation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Preliminary joint reflections were engaged on the future of ACP-EU relations at a high-level event organized to that effect.
Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister for Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce and Consumer Affairs from St. Kitts and Nevis apprised ACP and European Ministers of concerns related to the blacklisting by the EU of many SIDS, including St. Kitts and Nevis, as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, and strenuously defended the integrity of the country with respect to OECD transparency requirements, as it was ranked “among the best performers…in the area of observance of international standards on Transparency and the Exchange of Information on tax matters”. He called for the EU to bring closure to this situation through a proper review of the blacklist that, it is hoped, would lead to a removal of St. Kitts and Nevis from that list.
Minister Grant raised concern at the potential impact of the negotiations of the EU-USA Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and called for a study to be conducted on the implications for small economies of this effort towards “liberalization among the great”.
Minister Grant also seized the opportunity to appeal to the European Union to reconsider its use of GDP per capita as a criterion for providing financial support for exogenous shocks and proposed the creation of vulnerability and resilience indicators to adequately gauge the impact of natural disasters and exogenous economic shocks on SIDS. The Commission agreed to undertake research on that matter. Minister Grant further appealed that “the accumulation of variables” in order to benefit from funding for exogenous shocks, “must not … serve as an impediment to being able to access these funds when necessary.”
Using his presence in Senegal, Minister Grant sought to build on and engage in bilateral encounters with a number of African Foreign and Trade Ministers in order to develop linkages within resource-rich Africa and to draw out the unique value of potential partnerships in the ever increasing areas of joint interest. It was also in that context that Minister Grant was confirmed by the current Chair of ACP Council of Ministers from the Congo, in the name of the entire ACP Group, as the incoming Chair of the ACP Council of Ministers, on behalf of the CARIFORUM region. St. Kitts and Nevis’ chairmanship of ACP Council and ACP-EU Joint Council is expected to cover the period 1 August 2016 to 31 January 2017.
The Honourable Sir Louis Straker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Commerce and Regional Integration of St. Vincent and the Grenadines underscored to Ministers in Dakar the need for development cooperation to take into account the vulnerabilities of St. Vincent and the Grenadines including the impact of climate change and natural disasters on major industries of the Island including agriculture and tourism, and called for a review of the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAMs) and for special consideration within the 11th EDF intra-ACP programmes for the development of cashew nuts as a high value product.
Sir Louis Straker also called for the EU to pursue dialogue with countries that were served with a yellow-card under the EU’s Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Fishing Regulation, and to provide relevant capacity building measures both bilaterally and to the relevant regional institutions where fisheries are dealt with. The Honourable Minister also praised St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ active promotion of youth entrepreneurship fostered by the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) and Supporting Education and Training (SET) programmes, and called on the ACP to take seriously the need to share experiences among the ACP Group as it seeks to reposition itself as a relevant organization for its Member States.
On the issue of the Belize-Guatemala and Guyana-Venezuela border disputes which was brought to attention of ACP Ministers, Minister Straker made an eloquent call to prefer the peaceful resolution of the matters and provided support to resolutions submitted for endorsement.
The major issue of the future of the ACP and future of ACP-EU relations was debated by Ministers as they received a report from the Eminent Persons’ Group set up to reflect on options for the Group’s future perspectives. Minister Straker underscored that though a “revamped ACP may not meet the needs of everyone, we need to take task of refining the organization seriously as it is one which we have long desired…and seek to maintain the unity and solidarity that are reflected in the Georgetown Agreement”.
The Eastern Caribbean States Ministers made substantive input in the Decisions, Resolutions and Declarations coming out of the ACP Council of Ministers including on Commodities and Fisheries, financing for efforts to stem the impact of the Zika virus in the Caribbean, as well as Border Disputes affecting Caribbean countries.
The Honourable Ministers formed part of a wider CARIFORUM group of Ministers present in Senegal from Barbados, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica. ECS Ministers were supported by Mrs. Paula Hippolyte-Bauwens, Advisor, from the Embassies of the Eastern Caribbean States in Brussels.
(Press release courtesy of the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

NCST Partnering With Columbus School For Girls

Girl on tablet

A delegation from Columbus School for Girls in Ohio, USA, will be on the island next week to introduce students at one primary school to the use of XO Touch laptop tablet computers in the classroom.

The group will on Friday, May 20, visit two classrooms at St. Alban’s Primary School in St. James and provide instructions on the features and capabilities of the system; as well as explain how to use the systems in the creation, design and execution of a class project. The training gets under way at 9:00 a.m.
The project is an initiative of the National Council on Science & Technology (NCST) and the Columbus School for Girls, and its main objective is to demonstrate how Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) can be integrated into the classroom to improve student efficiency and productivity.
Director of the NCST, Charles Cyrus; and Principal of St. Alban’s Primary, Wendine Prince, will welcome the visiting delegation. Later in the afternoon, a local group of trainers will work with the Columbus School for Girls to acquire proficiency in the use of the system so that they, in turn, can provide further training to others at the primary school level.
The XO Touch laptop is specially designed for children; it is a small, robust and attractive piece of technology which is Wi-Fi enabled and allows for collaboration among and between students in the classroom.
Thirty-five of these systems have been provided to the project by the Columbus School for Girls. On the group’s departure, the XO Touch laptops will remain in Barbados at the disposal of the NCST to be used as a resource for continual training of local primary school students.

Forestry and Wildlife director calls for respect of hunting laws

Minchinton Burton

Acting Director of the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks, Minchinton Burton is calling on hunters and nationals alike to respect the open and closed policy of the hunting season.

He was speaking at a workshop for local hunters on Wednesday, May 11th.
“The Division of Forestry, Wildlife and Parks has, over the years, been involved in ensuring the sustainable use of our natural resources and hunting is a very important part of that. That’s why in the Forestry and Wildlife Act, we have instituted open and closed seasons for hunting. One of the key reasons for that is to ensure that we can sustain the population for future generations. The abundance of wildlife that we enjoy in Dominica, many other countries, do not have.”
He stated that without proper management, Dominica’s wildlife will suffer.
“The work that we’ve done to manage our wildlife resources has assured us wildlife species those of which you enjoy during the hunting season. We have an open season which is normally about a three month period between October and December to coincide with our Independence celebrations. For most of the years we close that season to give the [wildlife] population an opportunity to recover. Were it not for that management system, I’m sure that many of the species would have been extinct or near extinction here.”
The Director encourages hunters to submit relevant data and help the Division update its database.
“You as hunters are obligated to maintain healthy and biological diverse hunting population to protect their habitat. It is very important that we get assistance from you to collate data. We get a lot of important information from a lot of you because you are the ones out there. Some of you tell us about areas where you find less animals and their health.”
He urged hunters to “Assist us with information of your catches from different parts of the island.”

 
 

Urban Renewal Minister taking action for cleaner capital

Robert Tonge

The Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal, working closely with the Roseau City council has embarked on a cleanup campaign of the city of Roseau.

GIS News spoke with the Hon Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal, Senator Robert Tonge in an exclusive interview on Thursday, May 12th.
“We got involved because we are cognizant that it impacts on tourism; one of the low scores we got on the Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA) report was to do with cleanliness. So we looked at the entire report and developed a suite of objectives to deal with the issues properly.
“We did a full sweep of Roseau and now from 5am-10am, there is a team of 12 guys going throughout the city cleaning the gutters and making the city more presentable. So right now you will see that the gutters are cleaner than they used to be.”
He notes that the issue of litter must be concerning to all.
“The fundamental issue that we have is that as soon as we clean, people are still littering drains indiscriminately. They are throwing bottles in the drains even when there are bins nearby; if you look into the bins, 90% of them are mostly empty. W really implore the people of Dominica to have a bit more pride and maintain the same practices as when your are out of the country.”
He is calling on nationals to play their part and listed an upcoming campaign titled, ‘I am Dominican and I Do Not Litter’.
“We depend on you. Garbage has no feet or hands; it’s not able to move on its own and we have to stop that practice of indiscriminately dumping garbage all over the place. Dominica would be a much better and cleaner place,” he appealed.
 

Public Advisory Notice on Praedial Larceny

Praedial Larceny

The Ministry of Agriculture wishes to inform the General Public especially vendors, purchasers and retailers that the theft of agricultural produce continues to be a problem for farmers.

The Ministry is therefore seeking the public’s cooperation in supporting local farmers and their livelihoods by not purchasing agricultural produce from non-farmers.
The Ministry has a farmer’s registration system where all farmers are required to register with the Ministry of Agriculture, registered farmers then are issued an identification card.
To aid in ensuring that the vendor from which you are making a purchase is authorized to do so, please ensure that the seller issues a receipt for after purchases as well as a telephone number or shows their identification card as evidence.
Thanking you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.

PM Harris praises 25 police officers for long, dedicated service

St. Kitts Police Officers
Governor General Seaton (seated, 3rd from left) and PM Harris (4th from left) along with members of the Police High Command and the awardees.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 13, 2016 (SKNIS): Twenty-five members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) were honoured on Thursday (May 12) for their commitment to duty and service to country.

The men and women were chosen from a group of 50 eligible officers who took the oath of office 18 years ago. The ceremony was held at Government House and was attended by the Governor General His Excellency, Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, Permanent Secretaries, the RSCNPF High Command and other senior members.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, addressed the officers and said he was privileged to celebrate the loyalty and dedication of the awardees with the rank and file of the force.
“When they took their oath some 18 years ago, they swore to “do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” he said. “These long-service and good conduct medals only go a small way towards recognising the dignity and dedication of their office in keeping our communities safe places for all.”
The prime minster, who is also the minister responsible for national security, highlighted that the 2016-2019 Police Strategic and the Improved Service Delivery Plan 2015-2016 places emphasis on several key areas including personnel matters. It includes to retain and motivate staff; to provide rewards and recognition; and to develop a recognition programme for member longevity and an enhanced use of ‘quality time.’
Prime Minister Harris added that he is confident that the multidimensional approach taken by the policing plans will produce a highly motivated, professional and productive police force.
“I am therefore pleased that the Police Force, under the new High Command, is moving in the right direction. It will not be easy and will not happen overnight because some of the undesirable practices and negative elements are still present. These are the challenges that the new leadership is committed to address,” he said, adding that the force is moving in the right direction. “I am therefore delighted that (this) event rewards those people who have demonstrated some of those fine qualities and who are to be distinguished by receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. I congratulate all of you and wish you well in your future engagement, whether on or off duty and I hope that you will continue to be true exemplars of the country’s motto “Country Above Self”.
According to an official releases from the RSCNPF the officers recognized at the ceremony were: Gazetted officers, Assistant Commissioner of Police Andre Mitchell, Superintendents Cromwell Henry, Lionel Moore, Adolph Adams, and Inspectors Travis Rogers and Phillip Eddy. Vaughan Henderson was also honoured. Among the Sergeants recognized were Mitchell Hobson, Reynold Myers, James Stephen, Sean John, Lyndita Powell, Calvin Amory, Ricardo Sampson, Edwards Drew, Denzil Pemberton, Shorna Francis-Edwards and Daniel Jacobs (Sgt Ret). Corporals awarded were Simeon Liburd, Matthew McGuire, Elvin Browne, Dexter Jacobs, Alecia Maloney and Winston Thompson. A posthumous award was presented to the family of Sgt. Junior Francis.
– See more at: http://sknis.info/pm-harris-praises-25-police-officers-for-long-dedicated-service/#sthash.L189w9PR.dpuf

CWU salutes educators on Teachers’ Day 2016

Christian Workers Union

“The Christian Workers Union (CWU) gladly takes the opportunity to salute our Educators on the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2016.

CWU is so proud of our Teachers choosing to observe their special day with the Stand Up For Belize Parade and Rally. Without any doubt, CWU got Teachers’ back on this national issue,” says CWU President Audrey Matura-Shepherd.
Matura-Shepherd was commenting on the Stand Up For Belize Parade which started from Constitution Park and after winding through principal streets of the Belize City culminated with a Rally at BTL Park. BNTU spearheaded today’s events as a means to express displeasure and to demand that the Government of Belize immediately rescinds the recently enacted SI on public safety which prohibits Belizeans from entering the Sarstoon River. “CWU supports BNTU’s Stand Up For Belize Campaign aims to educate Belizeans on the unfounded Guatemalan claim, including the debate surrounding taking the claim to the International Court of Justice. We see a dire need for such a campaign and thus will lend as much support as we can. We encouraged CWU Members to become involved and I am pleased to notice that indeed some of our Members responded to the BNTU invitation and our call, even if it meant using one of their vacation do to do so,” said Matura Shepherd.
Today’s BNTU Stand Up For Belize Events had the support of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and its Member-Unions, including CWU.

Meeting to discuss wind farm project with Dennery residents

Wind Tower Tester

Castries, May 12, 2016 – Dennery residents are being encouraged to attend a town hall meeting to discuss a proposed wind farm to be located near the Bordelais Correctional Facility.  The meeting is planned for Wednesday, May 18, from 6:30pm at the Clendon Mason Secondary School.

 Residents will hear from representatives of the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC), Wind Tex Energy, and the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology who are collaborating on the project. The team, which will include representatives from the Development Control Authority, will also answer questions residents have about the project.
 The proposed 12 megawatt (MW) wind farm is an important component of the national thrust to use more renewable energy, to improve energy security.
 In April 2015 a wind measurement tower (part of Phase 1 of the project) was erected at the proposed site to collect wind speeds and other data. LUCELEC invested in the equipment to facilitate this initial exploration. Wind Tex Energy secured the lease on the land and is contributing the technology and expertise in wind farm development.
 This meeting with the residents of Dennery is to provide information on the project, and very importantly to ensure that residents’ inputs are factored into the decisions to be made in moving forward with this project.

OECS Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) Convenes

OECS

Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, May 09, 2016-The Second Meeting of the OECS Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) was convened in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 8th May 2016 under the Chairmanship of that country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Sir Louis Straker.

The Foreign Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines accepted the mantle of Chairmanship of the Council from outgoing Chairman the Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia. The outgoing Chairman pointed to the achievements of the OECS during his tenure, including the accession of Martinique to membership of the Organisation, and the leadership role played by the region in championing the cause of Small Island Developing States at the meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) which took place in Paris in November and December of last year.
The incoming Chair expressed the hope that the Council would continue to address the business of the OECS in an efficacious manner. He urged his colleagues to: “… be committed to ensuring that the process of integration continues to be effective and economically and socially viable for our people”. He stressed the importance of adopting common positions on international issues, and exhorted his colleagues to:“continue to ensure that we do not present disparate voices when we participate in international fora”.
The Second Meeting of the Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) was convened against the backdrop of profound and dramatic changes taking place on the geopolitical front and offered the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of OECS Member States the opportunity to contribute to the process of designing and fashioning responses to the challenges confronting the region as a result of those changes. According to the OECS Commission’s Head of International Relations, Anthony Severin: “The Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs) has a critical role to play in the design and fashioning of responses at the national and regional levels that will allow our countries and institutions to maintain relevance, to survive, and to thrive in the ever-changing international milieu”.
The Council considered a wide range of issues including the external representation of Member States, relations with Third States, progress towards the realization of the OECS Single Domestic Space, United Nations matters, relations with the EU post Cotonou and matters relating to hemispheric institutions such as the ACS, CELAC and the OAS.
The Council committed itself to remain engaged on these and other matters under its purview.  For its part, the OECS Commission assured the Council of its full support in the furtherance of its work.

World Red Cross Day rally

World Red Cross Day

The Saint Lucia Red Cross will mark the annual observance with a grand rally in Anse La Raye.

The Saint Lucia Branch of the Red Cross will celebrate World Red Cross Red Crescent Day on May 22.
World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is observed annually on May 8, the birthday of founder Henry Dunant, however in Saint Lucia the post celebratory observance is due to the need for the Red Cross’ much needed presence at Saint Lucia’s annual Jazz festivities.
Director General of the Saint Lucia Red Cross, Terrencia Gaillard, said her organization is usually unable to participate as it is called to fulfil its mandate. Despite this, she extends her gratitude to the members of her organization for their commitment to the Red Cross’ vision.
“World Red Cross Day for a number of years has been coinciding with the last day of Jazz and Mother’s Day. As a result, the celebration for us is kind of low key, but I would like to thank all the volunteers, members, and executive of the Saint Lucia Red Cross. Without our volunteers, the Red Cross would not be what it is today.”
This year’s theme for the observance is “Red Cross Everywhere, for Everyone.” Gaillard said the theme reinforces that the Red Cross does not discriminate.
“The Red Cross is everywhere–196 countries in the world. And when we talk about everyone, we mean everyone: the man on the street, the sick and shut-in at home, and most of all our volunteers. We do not discriminate.”
The Saint Lucia Red Cross will mark the annual observance with a grand rally in Anse La Raye for members and volunteers.

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