BARBADOS: Supervisors and managers across the island will soon get a chance to enhance their skills and receive critical tips on productivity best practices.
The Productivity Council will host a two-day workshop on May 18 and 19 at The Council, Third Floor, Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, starting at 8:30 a.m. each day.
Some of the topics to be examined are: The Changing Business Environment and Productivity; Leadership, Building Trust and Employee Engagement; The Role of the Supervisor; Communication; Time Management and Delegation; and Managing Conflict, Problem Solving and Decision Making.
Persons interested in attending the sessions should call Tara Parris at The Council at 626-9416, or email tparris@productivitycouncil.org.bb for the registration fee.
Training Officer at The Productivity Council, Karen Collins, said the workshop would place great emphasis on the critical areas needed to build the relationship between the supervisor and the employee.
“Positive supervisor-employee workplace relationships help to drive organisational improvement, profitability and competitiveness. This workshop will emphasise the crucial role of the supervisor in boosting organisational stability and success,” Ms. Collins stated.
Stressing that supervising people was a tough job, she pointed out that it took focus, effort and energy to get it right. “Yet, supervisors often take on this important role without the training and education needed to succeed,” she said.
Ms. Collins noted that many factors were influencing productivity and organisational success and it was easy to focus on those tied to money and capital, while overlooking others linked to labour, such as communication and relationship building. However, she proffered the view that a business with a focus on productivity would seek to improve all areas of the organisation. sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, MAY 4, 2016, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE (GIS): – The Ministry of Health wishes to advise that Grenada has reported its first laboratory confirmed case of Zika infection.
A 27year-old female non-Grenadian was diagnosed as the island’s first, with the mosquito related illness. The case was confirmed today, Wednesday May 4 2016 at midday by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), based in Trinidad.
The patient who reported fever and rash on April 26 was seen by a private practitioner on April 27 where her blood sample was taken. THE MINISTRY’S PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE:
The Ministry was officially notified on April 28 and enacted the protocol to dispatched the sample to CARPHA laboratory where it was confirmed to be positive for Zika virus by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
The patient has a history of recent travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which has reported cases of Zika virus infection. She later returned to Grenada to take up employment duties.
Upon receiving notification of the suspected case the Ministry had dispatched vector control teams to the area where entomological surveillance, treatment, and fogging were undertaken.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Health Minister Nickolas Steele said his staff aggressively took those measures to contain the possible spread of the the virus and to ensure that the Ministry of Health continues its eradication efforts of the Aedes aegypti Mosquito.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Mitchell who also spoke to reporters indicated that the Ministry was in touch with the patient.
While the Government of Grenada has been at the forefront of the national response with the support of private and public stakeholders in preventing and managing this threat, the Ministry is obligated to remind the public of their duty to take personal responsibility in dealing with mosquito borne diseases. MOH ADVICE:
As a consequence the MOH reiterates that individuals should adhere to the undermentioned practices as a means of protecting themselves;
The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing the breeding of mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.
This can be achieved by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats that support mosquito larvae, reducing the adult mosquito populations around at-risk communities and by using barriers such as insect screens, closed doors and windows, long clothing and repellents.
Since the Aedes mosquitoes (the primary vector for transmission) are day-biting mosquitoes, it is recommended that those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, the sick or elderly, should rest under mosquito nets (bed nets), treated with or without insecticide to provide protection. Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce the likelihood of being bitten.
During outbreaks, space spraying of insecticides may be carried out following the technical orientation provided by WHO to kill flying mosquitoes. Suitable insecticides (recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme) may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers, when this is technically indicated.
DOMINICA: On Friday, May 3rd, the Government of Dominica provided the Dominica Police Force with two double cab vans and a bus valued at $330,000.
Hon. Acting Prime Minister and Hon Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security, Rayburn Blackmore, declared that these vehicles are being made available at a very critical time for Dominica.
He believes that the vehicles demonstrate the level of significance which the Dominica Labour Party Administration places on the services of the force.
Hon. Blackmoore stated, “Ever since I became the Minister responsible for National Security, I have been meeting with the Police Commissioner and the heads of the various departments and divisions and I have been asking for a greater police presence in the city of Roseau and further afield. I must say that I have seen some improvement in the city of Roseau.”
He continued however, “There is still room for much more improvement.”
Superintendent of Police, Cuffy Williams, cautioned police officers about the use of the vehicles.
“The vehicles are to serve the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica. I am calling on you the supervisors and middle management to ensure that this is done. I am also calling on you the supervisors and managers to ensure that the vehicles are properly cared for and maintained at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, the Hon. Minister Rayburn Blackmore called on the heads of divisions within the force to take charge of the officers in their command.
He reminded them of their commitment to the people of Dominica.
“I am challenging you today, especially the officers and Superintendents of Police… to show your worth. I am challenging you to do that because I am not satisfied that you are putting your all into the job which you are paid to do because the people of Dominica deserve better.”
The bus will be allocated to the Special Services Unit, SSU, while the two vans will be made available to the Roseau and Portsmouth Police Stations.
DOMINICA: Ministers of Government of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States responsible for environmental sustainability met in Dominica on Wednesday and will continue into Thursday this week.
High on the agenda is a discussion on lessons from Tropical Storm Erika.
GIS News spoke with Hon. Minister for the Environment, Dr. Kenneth Darroux on Tuesday, May 3rd.
He said, ahead of the ministerial meeting, discussions will take place with technical teams which will make recommendations on agenda matters.
The regional officials will also discuss post-COP21 activities.
“We will see a number of presentations from experts in the sub-region…on climate change. We are going to look at the post COP 21 strategic actions and sustainable development goals.
“The issue of sargassum, the seaweed that is affecting our waters will also be addressed as well as water resource and drought management.
“Later down we will look at disaster risk reduction which is important coming from Tropical Storm Erika to see how we, at the sub-regional level, can be better equipped to deal with disasters. The issues of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), mapping these systems and ICT for use in disaster preparedness,” he listed.
Another key area of discussion is resource mobilisation and economic opportunities available for OECS states.
“We cannot help but continue talking about the tab which Tropical Storm Erika left us and the issue of our resources to be mobilized and [organized for climate change mitigation].”
BELIZE: 500 residents of Indian Church/San Carlos, Orange Walk district will now have easier access to quality potable water
Inauguration of Indian Church/San Carlos Hybrid Solar Water System will be held at 10 a.m. on May 5 in Indian Church/San Carlos, Orange Walk District.
Approximately 500 residents of Indian Church/San Carlos villages will now have easier access to the continuous supply of reliable quality potable water to meet their daily water needs such as drinking, washing, bathing and cooking.
The hybrid solar water project was funded by the Government of Belize at a cost of $867,333.29 through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank. It represents the unwavering commitment of the Government addressing the basic needs of Belizeans, in the areas of water, sanitation and health.
Furthermore, the water project will significantly contribute in the reduction of water-borne, food borne and vector borne diseases in addition to communicable and non-communicable diseases for residents of Indian Church/San Carlos, and by extension, the people of Belize. Thus the completion of the water project also demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Government of Belize to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals, as it relates to water; which is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
Equally important, the new water system will also contribute significantly to the country’s booming tourism industry given the close proximity to one of the major tourist attraction and rich cultural heritage in Orange Walk District and in Belize; Lamani. Hence, it is within this context, rural communities for socio-economic opportunities and development are being transformed.
The tank was constructed at the highest point at the entrance of Indian Church village and in this regard, water will be gravity-fed to the residents of the twin villages. The joint water system sub-project entailed the construction of an elevated Ferro concrete 20,000 gallon water reservoir, , a 10ft x 10ft pump controls room, a 10ft x 10ft chlorinator room, and a 6.8 kW Hybrid Solar System to provide electricity to all buildings and electrical components of the well site.
Officials at the event will include the Minister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce Hon Erwin Contreras, Minister of Labour, Local Government, and Rural Development, Hon Hugo Patt, Jr; Chairpersons of Indian Church San Carlos, Messrs. Mauricio Aguilar and Thomas Reyes respectively and Executive Director of Belize Social Investment Fund, among others.
Belize Social Investment Fund Continues to Empower Present Generation for Belize’s Future Development
Over 30 teachers of Kuxlin Ha Government Primary School in Belmopan who successfully completed training in Early Childhood Education, Special Education and Quality Child Friendly School will receive their Certificates of Completion at a ceremony to be held at 3:00 p.m. at the school on Wednesday May 4, 2016.
This means that these teachers are now competent with the skills and knowledge to significantly contribute in making a positive educational impact in nurturing the development of children; the future leaders of Belize.
The training project aimed to ensure that students and pre-schoolers have the opportunity to develop a healthy holistic child socially, culturally, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically and intellectually as well as improve the Learning Environment to provide Quality Primary and Early Childhood Education Services for Children of Kuxlin Ha Government Primary School. Topics covered during the 10-week training included Sensitization on what early childhood education is and its importance, Child Development, Learning through play, discipline, Pre-school curriculum, Assessment booklets, Pre-school learning centres and Developing and setting up a pre-school centre etc.
The Early Childhood Education training project was an initiative undertaken by the Belize Social Investment Fund to empower and contribute to strengthening the education system in Belize. BSIF is government’s poverty-reduction flagship addressing the basic needs of Belizeans through socio-economic initiatives and community empowerment.
Funding for the project was made possible by the Government of Belize as a Sub-Project under the Basic Needs Trust Fund Program 7 (BNTF 7) Education sub-project, Caribbean Development Bank. To this end, a total of 57 participants (46 females & 11 males) received training, the largest for BNTF 7. They included teachers, administration staff, school wardens, cleaner, watchmen, parents and PTA members.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports conducted the training through its ministry’s District Education Center, Belmopan.
“Belize Social Investment Fund…Breaking the Cycle of poverty”
Head table (l-r) CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas; Rt. Hon. Phillip Hammond, Foreign Secretary of the UK.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its continued commitment to the sustainable development of the Caribbean region, pledging to increase development support over the next four years to the tune of £360m in grant-finance.
The United Kingdom’s commitment to the Region was renewed during the Ninth UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum, recently concluded in Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas. The Joint Communique emanating from the Forum, which was held under the theme, “Building a Stronger Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Development,” defines the broad-ranging areas collaboration, and includes, cooperation on global tax transparency, correspondent banking issues, renewable energy and health. The UK is keen on forging closer cooperation in the areas of economic growth and job creation, tackling crime and corruption, climate change and natural disasters management.
Acknowledging the significant progress made in UK-Caribbean relations since the last Forum in June 2014, the parties agreed on the promotion of trade and investment in goods and services, exploiting the favourable terms for market access to Europe provided by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). In this context, they agreed that advancing trade and investment brings to bear a concomitant need for actions to eliminate barriers to trade, as well as the exchange of best practices, expertise and experience to build human resource capacity, given its critical importance to investment.
Within this context, there was a commitment for the two parties to work together in sourcing additional technical assistance from international institutions such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Development Bank, the World Bank, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Inter-American Development Bank, the University of the West Indies, and other relevant institutions to build human resource capacity for trade and investment.
The Region re-emphasised to the UK, the need for increased awareness of the inherent vulnerabilities of small-island developing states to exogenous economic and financial shocks. It underscored that efforts to secure special consideration in mobilising concessional financing are rendered difficult by the challenges of “graduation” and “differentiation” resulting from their classification as Middle Income Countries (MICS). Foreign Ministers from the Region also noted the high level of indebtedness of some Caribbean countries, including the efforts they are making on debt-restructuring, and the challenges faced in finding resources to develop resilient infrastructure, to engage in reconstruction after natural disasters.
Against this backdrop, the UK has pledged to continue its £300m infrastructure support programme announced in 2015 for specific countries and underscored its willingness to continue to provide grant support to the Special Development Fund of the Caribbean Development Bank.
Discussions on economies also centred on continued collaboration on international financial rules and global standards on tax transparency.
Noteworthy for the Region, was the UK’s commitment to work with the EU, G20 and the OECD to facilitate effective dialogue between established and emerging financial centres, in recognition of the need for increased Caribbean participation in rule-making processes that affect their economies.
The Region also maximised the opportunity to express to the UK, its deep concern over the threat posed to the financial stability of CARICOM Member States by de-risking by the global banks which have resulted in the withdrawal, restricted access to, or higher costs of correspondent banking services to the Caribbean banking sector.
“The indiscriminate termination of correspondent banking relations is a worrying development that now threatens the region’s economic stability and capacity to remain properly integrated into the global financial, trade and economic systems. Given the important role that the financial sector plays in the growth and development of a country’s economy, these actions have negative implications for economies in the region, including in the areas of remittances, payment of pensions, and financing of trade facilitation. The Caribbean therefore called on the UK to continue to work with international partners to address this global phenomenon, and to encourage banks which provide correspondent banking services, and regulatory authorities, to take into account the efforts being made by Caribbean countries and financial institutions to implement international regulations and to mitigate risks,” the Communique stated.
In the area of renewable energy, the parties acknowledged the abundance of natural resources in the Region, along with the need to build energy independence in the long term and significantly reduce its dependence on fossil fuel. In this regard, the UK and Caribbean agreed to deepen their collaboration to accelerate the development of renewable and sustainable energy solutions in the Region.
“The UK reaffirmed its commitment to working with its partners in the Caribbean to develop a long term strategy to secure energy supplies from a mix of sources and to pursue technical exchanges between both sides as a matter of urgency, and to encourage public, private and academic partnerships between the UK and the Caribbean to develop alternative energy sources and solutions,” the Communique stated.
Castries, Saint Lucia, May 4th 20th, 2016 – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission are partnering with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to jointly host a Regional Geothermal Forum under the theme: ‘Opportunities and Synergies for Collaboration’.
The three-day forum will be held in Basseterre from May 10-12 2016.
Geothermal energy through scientific evidence, has emerged as a priority within the Eastern Caribbean States namely Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Hence the forum comes at a period of increased interest and activity with respect to geothermal energy development within the CARICOM Region.
The meeting, which organisers welcome as timely, is aimed at high level officials from relevant Ministries and Government Agencies, engaged in the development of geothermal projects within the resource-rich countries of the OECS. Representatives of multilateral institutions, international development partners and international financing institutions, as well as private sector developers and investors, will also be present.
The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), through the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance (REETA) Project, the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, as well as, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), through the Technical Cooperation on Sustainable Energy Deployment in the Caribbean are supporting this initiative. Geothermal on Montserrat
JAMAICA: The resort town of Port Antonio, in Portland, is on a priority list for development, says Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.
In an interview with JIS News following the recent Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) tourism trade show at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, the Minister said he was aware of the town’s potential and was looking forward to working with stakeholders to return Port Antonio to its glory days.
He added that he has been in discussion with Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, as it relates to community tourism in the Buff Bay valley.
Mr. Vaz is also the Member of Parliament for Western Portland, which comprises the Buff Bay valley and parts of Berrydale, where rafting takes place on the Rio Grande river, and Somerset Falls.
“There is a lot of potential in that area and we intend to capitalize on it. And, with the Blue and John Crow Mountains now being a World Heritage Site, I can foresee a lot of interest by tour operators in the parish of Portland,” he told JIS News.
Mr. Bartlett said he visited Berrydale to meet with rafters who were affected by recent heavy rains, to discuss ways to get them back on their feet.
“Rio Grande rafting is a great Portland tradition and a major tourism draw. We have to make these stakeholders know that when the chips are down, we in the industry will always be there for them,” the Minister said.
The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), with funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), has spent millions of dollars on several rehabilitation projects in Port Antonio, including the Port Antonio Craft Market and the Neville Antonio Park. Work was also done on the Berrydale Road and the world famous Boston Beach, home of Boston Jerk.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Port Antonio Resort Board, Larry Robertson, told JIS News that the town, one of the earliest resort areas, used to attract the rich and famous from across the globe, including some notable Hollywood celebrities.
“We have some of the best beaches in the island and also some of the finest attractions. The roads are a lot better, and it is now a most relaxing and enjoyable ride into Port Antonio,” he said.
JAMAICA: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has endorsed the establishment of the Government’s Economic Growth Council.
The Council, chaired by businessman, Michael Lee-Chin, will advise the Government on a framework of proposed initiatives that are expected to yield economic growth.
Caribbean Country General Manager for the IDB, Therese Turner-Jones, describes it as a step in the right direction, and that “creating a vibrant Jamaican economy is crucial to the kind of development that improves people’s lives.”
She was speaking at the Bank’s public lecture, held on Monday, May 2, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, under the theme: ‘The 4th Revolution – The Global Race to Reinvent the State’.
Mrs. Turner-Jones emphasised that a vibrant economy is built on productivity, is defined by clear rules, and aims to protect society’s most vulnerable, while providing employment. Most importantly, she added, a vibrant economy “must be growing.”
She argued that not only will it embody economic factors, but also social and environmental issues.
Additionally, she said it will provide opportunities for persons seeking employment to realise their potential; facilitate education that supports high skilled jobs to drive productivity; and reduce informality, underemployment, crime and violence.
Mrs. Turner-Jones said it will also enable more social and financial inclusion; facilitate an innovative private sector that works in partnership with Government to build a dynamic economy; and an economy that safeguards the citizens’ wellbeing.
She said these attributes are synonymous with the newly rebranded IDB, which has ‘Improving Lives’ as its tagline.
“It (tagline) is the oar that guides our thrust for development in the region. Everything we do as an organisation must be sensitive to the changing needs in the environment and result in improving lives. We strive to improve lives in the Caribbean by creating vibrant economies where people are safe, productive and happy,” she added.
