JAMAICA: Energy, Science and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, is underscoring the need for greater female involvement in the field of information and communication technology (ICT).
Speaking at the Girls in ICT Day seminar and exhibition, held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, on April 28, Dr. Wheatley acknowledged the role of local women in the industry, but noted that there is room for more.
Head of ConnectiMass, Ingrid Riley and General Manager of Management Control (MC) Systems, Dianne Smith-Sears, were among the women lauded by the Minister for their contribution to the sector.
The Minister advised the students from more than 22 high schools in nine parishes, that careers in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are the “fields of the future.”
He informed that these areas are to be “seriously considered” when children are selecting career paths.
“By 2020, in the United States alone, there will be 1.2 million jobs requiring computer related skills,” the Minister noted.
“We need to prepare our young women for the world of STEM, in general and ICT in particular, in order for more of them to carve out a piece of Jamaica and the world for themselves,” he added.
The Minister emphasized that ICT can “amplify women’s voices, women’s experiences and perspectives,” adding that skilled young women in ICT, coupled with private sector initiatives, can transform Jamaica into the “Silicon Valley of the Caribbean.”
Meanwhile, Public Education Specialist in the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Elizabeth Bennett-Marsh, said her organisation decided to host the event this year, with a view to having young women learning more about ICT and the careers available in the field.
For his part, Director General of the OUR, Albert Gordon, informed that there are tremendous benefits to be had from ICT and that they are far-reaching.
Several presentations on careers in ICT, its development in Jamaica and men working with women in ICT were discussed by a number of persons in the sector.
Observed on the last Thursday of the month of April each year, Girls in ICT Day is a global effort by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to empower and encourage girls and young women to consider studies and careers in ICT.
Additionally, Girls in ICT Day aims to raise awareness among parents, teachers and other influences in girls’ lives.
Technology Minister Wants More Females in ICT
Cabinet approves Proposal for Youth Representation
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, April 28, 2016- GIS: Grenada is crafting an unprecedented model for youth participation and representation that can be adopted at the international level.
Youth Minister Hon. Emmalin Pierre says the model, which has been in development over the last 18 months, is now complete and the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Youth will work to have it enacted in Parliament.
“I believe it would be the first in the Caribbean,” said Minister Pierre.
“We would also see a Youth Parliament set up by law that would facilitate young people’s involvement, in a very serious way, in the National Development process”.
The proposal will also set the standard for the appointment of Youth Ambassadors.
Minister Pierre says Grenada will also move to have an Act of Parliament that deals with the establishment of a National Youth Council.
Soufriere MP resigns from parliament
DOMINICA: Residents of the Soufriere Constituency will go to the polls within the next 90 days to elect a new parliamentary representative.
Former Soufriere MP, Ian Pinard, informed constituents at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 26, that he had resigned as parliamentary representative.
“I met earlier with Hon. Prime Minister and informed him of my decision to resign my seat in parliament as parliamentary representative for the Soufriere Constituency. I have written to the Hon Speaker of the House of Assembly earlier this evening tendering my resignation as Member of Parliament of Dominica… I want the best for Soufriere, Scotts head, Pointe Michel and Gallion; I want the best for my people and I want the best for Dominica. That is why today I have stepped down as Member of Parliament for I believe strongly that the institution of parliament should not be dragged to the happenings and atmosphere that will accompany the events pertaining to my case over the coming weeks and months,” an emotional Pinard said.
He assured residents that he remains committed to assist with the development of the constituency.
The Hon Prime Minister, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, addressed constituents following the announcement by the former Soufriere MP.
“I am saddened by his resignation, but I am touched by his honor,” the Prime Minister said.
“As leader of this party, I shall stand four-square next to my comrade Ian Pinard. We shall not turn our backs on him, we shall not through him to the wolves, or under any bus. His happiness is our happiness, and his grief is our grief, his pain is our pain, his struggle is our struggle. We are one family in the Dominica Labour Party.”
The DLP leader also commented on plans for the bi-election in the constituency. He indicated that he does not the process to be long and drawn out but would want “normality returned to the constituency in short order.”
“I will meeting with Ian and the constituency group later this week to commence the process of selecting a successor candidate and getting this constituency ready for battle,” he infomrmed.
Pinard who was surrounded by very supportive members of Cabinet and residents of the constituency following Tuesday’s announcement said he was proud of many developments which have taken place within the constituency.
“We have made a major dent in unemployment with the sourcing of many permanent jobs, startup with a significant number of entrepreneurial activities that has led to the creation of sustainable employment opportunities; over one hundred attachment to the National Employment Programme.
Additionally my presence in the Cabinet of ministers enabled me to access tremendous benefits for constituents, such as farming equipment for livestock industry, personalized home care for the elderly, financial assistance for small businesses, upgrade and soon lighting of the Soufriere playing field, technical assistance and direct monetary support for fishermen as well as free transportation for our school children… and in many instances free school books and uniform for our children.”
PM promises completion Roseau Enhancement Project
DOMINICA: The Hon Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit has promised Dominicans that his administration will complete the Roseau Enhancement Project.
The project was designed to transform the city of Roseau into a modern and more attractive city. It will include the restoration of roads and bridges, the building of sidewalks and the enhancement of lighting in the city.
A ground breaking ceremony for the first phase of the project, the reconstruction of the West Bridge, was held on Friday, April 22nd.
The Prime Minister indicated that although the project has been somewhat delayed, his Government will ensure its completion.
“I cannot say to you decisively now where the financing will come from but I am saying to you this evening that the Roseau Enhancement Program must and will be pursued and implemented. We cannot have a 21st century bridge at the entrance of a 19th century city. Since we are proceeding with this new age bridge we have of necessity to also move forward with our plans to modernize the city. From the outset this afternoon, I am making known the intention of this Dominica Labour Party administration to forge ahead all be it at a reduced paste with the upgrade and modernization of your capital city Roseau.”
The Hon Prime Minister has plans for even further upgrades which will involve the cooperation of private citizens and businesses in the city.
“Additionally, we shall in the lead up to the next budgetary process commence in depth discussions with commercial and residential property owners in Roseau, with a view to arriving at a regime of concessions for the systematic upgrade of privately owned properties in Roseau. There is nothing I dislike more than looking out my office window and seeing some of the tired and weather worn roofs and structures of some buildings in Roseau.”
Hon Skerrit promised to say more on this in his Independence Day message later this year.
The Prime Minister also encouraged Dominicans to take ownership of the new bridge when it is complete and to keep the city clean.
“This new bridge and its environs will only be magnificent and majestic if we adopt a deliberate consciousness and practice to keep it that way. If Dominicans do not litter this bridge and its environs, visitors to Dominica will not litter this bridge or its environs either. It is as simple as this. In the process we shall have its picture perfect beauty still manifested in the months and years of its installation and commissioning. That is what great cities are made of, not just steel and concrete but pride and maintenance.”
Country to take full advantage of CARICOM benefits
JAMAICA: The Government will be appointing a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Review Commission, aimed at positioning the country to take full advantage of benefits under the organisation.
This was announced by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, today (April 27), at the unveiling ceremony for new equipment installed at International Biscuits Limited (IBL), in St. Andrew.
“I think the time has come for Jamaica to fully assess the benefits, opportunities and challenges of CARICOM and to assert ourselves in such a way that Jamaica gets the benefit of CARICOM,” he said.
The Prime Minister implored the country’s entrepreneurs and members of the business community in general, to think of CARICOM “as our market, and we are going to stake our claim in our market.”
He pledged that the Government will become even more “assertive in how we ensure that our entrepreneurs are able to access the common markets of CARICOM.”
Mr. Holness advised business persons, and entrepreneurs in particular “to take action” in seizing those marketing opportunities within CARICOM, and not be hampered by the excuse that Jamaican companies are unable to compete, due to lack of efficiency.
“We may not be able to compete because of the cost of energy, but we must be able to compete because we have a better tasting product, because our products are packaged better, and we have tailored a product that meets the needs of the consumer. So, we may not always have comparative advantages, but we must also develop and emphasise our competitive advantage as well,” he said.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister commended the SEPROD Group of Companies, of which IBL is a member, for its move to drive greater efficiencies within its production.
He praised the company on its enterprise and for “thinking globally,” noting that “Jamaica needs more entrepreneurs like yourself.”
Also commending the company on its innovativeness, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, said this latest investment will result in savings of some $1.6 billion of imported biscuits into the country.
“It is (companies) like SEPROD that (are) going to drive the process of increased efficiency and productivity. You are an inspiration to us, the politicians; you are an inspiration to me, the Minister. You give me encouragement, you give me a sense of pride in what it means to be a Jamaican entrepreneur,” he said.
The SEPROD Group of Companies made an investment of $285 million in upgrading the IBL facility with state-of-the-art food manufacturing equipment, including the latest oven technology. This will enable high volume, high quality production and allows for third party production of crackers and sweet biscuits.
For his part, Chairman of SEPROD, Paul B. Scott, said implementation of the new oven will allow the company to produce 50 per cent more products for Jamaica, and will “drive volumes onto the supermarket shelves in the rest of the Caribbean.”
He said the increased productivity will lead to significant market penetration in the country’s domestic market – CARICOM.
IBL was acquired through SEPROD’s purchase of the manufacturing assets of Kraft Foods Jamaica Limited in 2007. It manufactures the Butterkist Cookies, Ovaltine, Snackables, Pick Nix, Butterkist Cream Crackers and Paco brands. The company’s products are distributed to over 3,000 customers throughout the United States and Canada.
SEPROD, which is the largest manufacturing entity in Jamaica, offers a range of products for the retail, wholesale and food service industry. The company manufactures and distributes edible oils and fats; dairy and fruit beverages; corn products; baked snacks; as well as other household consumer products.
The latest investment is part of SEPROD’s plans, over the next two years, to invest over $5 billion in new technologies, staff training and strategic partnerships to drive growth, increase exports and engage in import substitution. The Group employs 2,000 Jamaicans.
TTSEC represented at Bahamas IFIE Working Group Meeting
TRINIDAD: April 27, 2016: Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission’s (TTSEC) representative, Ms. Arlene Stephen, Director Corporate Communications, Education and Information Division, attended the first meeting of the International Forum for Investor Education (IFIE), Americas Chapter’s Working Group, held in the Bahamas over the period April 22 – 23, 2016.
Securities regulators representing fifteen jurisdictions including the host country, the Bahamas, assembled at the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau to discuss matters pertinent to the promotion of Investor Education throughout the region. Other participatory countries included: Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, the Eastern Caribbean (8 territories), Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Securities regulators focused on sharing information related to:
- Starting/Setting Financial Capability (FC) and Investor Education (IE) Initiatives
- Techniques for Developing and Delivering Content for FC/IE Initiatives for Different Target Audiences
- Using Different Communications Technologies and Strategies to Impact FC/IE Content Delivery including the use of traditional and social media
According to Mr. C Wainwright Iton, TTSEC’s Chief Executive Officer, “this sharing of information at the international level aids in the TTSEC’s mandate of educating and informing citizens about the securities industry, and the Commission’s role within the industry. This is a thrust the Commission has been promoting for years and aims to boost its communicative initiatives across Trinidad and Tobago through strategic collaboration with partners involved in finance and education.”
Residents of San Pedro, Cristo Rey, Yo Chen, Patchakan, Chan Chen and Surrounding Communities in Corozal will soon have a New Health Centre
BELIZE: Ground-breaking Ceremonies to officially commence the construction of San Pedro/Cristo Rey Health Center in Corozal will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday 27 April, 2016.
The health center project is financed by the Government of Belize at an estimated cost of $700,000.00 through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank so that residents of San Pedro/Cristo Rey and its surrounding communities are provided with, but not limited, to quality health care, preventive and curative services; emergency deliveries, and epidemiological surveillance.
The new San Pedro/Cristo Rey Health Center will also be equipped with rooms for consultation, examination, treatment, pharmacy/dispensary, laundry, an asthma bay area, sterilizing room, waiting area for patients, and male and female bathrooms.
The construction of the two-storey concrete building will also conform to the Ministry of Health’s Primary Care Outpatient Standards which defines a health center as a facility with part time doctor, resident rural health nurse, and caretaker. The upper floor of the health center will serve as quarters for doctors and nurses, and it is within this context, medical services will be provided on a daily basis to all Belizeans in the Northern District of Corozal and its surrounding communities.
The San Pedro/Cristo Rey Health Center will measure approximately 32 feet wide and 58 feet long with a total floor area of 3,420 square feet (including stairs and walkways) on the ground level and 2,160 square feet on the first floor level.
Officials at the event will include Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development, and Area Representative, Hon Hugo Patt, Minister of State, Ministry of Health, Hon Dr Angel Campos, Executive Director, Belize Social Investment Fund, Mr William Lamb Jr, Deputy Mayor Corozal Town Mr Nicolas Gomez, Chairman of San Pedro Village, Mr Higeno Cob and Chairman of Cristo Rey, Mr Marino Uh among others.
Completion of the new San Pedro/Cristo Rey Health Center is scheduled for December 2016.
“Belize Social Investment Fund…Breaking the Cycle of poverty”
National Archives to Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Merikins
TRINIDAD: April 27, 2016: The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago (NATT), a Division of the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications, will launch its commemoration of the International Decade for Persons of African Descent, by celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Merikins, and the re-publication of the seminal work by Dr. Maureen Warner Lewis’ “Guinea’s Other Suns,” at an event at NATT’s Office, Cor. New and St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain on Thursday 28th April, 2016 at 6:00pm.
The Honourable Maxie Cuffie, M.P., Minister of Public Administration and Communications, will deliver the Feature Address, with the Keynote Address on the African Legacy and the Merikins to be delivered by Dr. Heather Cateau, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.
The event, which is a collaboration with the Merikins Heritage Foundation and the Emancipation Support Committee, forms part of the ongoing efforts to build an inclusive history and archives for Trinidad and Tobago, and is in keeping with NATT’s commemoration of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2124).
The re-publication of Dr. Warner-Lewis’ book and her presentation at the event, will bring focus to the contributions of the Merikins as free Africans, as well as other Africans who came to Trinidad and Tobago and their legacy.
The Merikins settled in the Company Villages in South Trinidad and are descendants of former African-American slaves from the Southern USA who fought on the side of the British in the Corps of Colonial Marines, during the British-American War of 1812-1814 in exchange for their freedom. Not much is known of this group by the general public, including their contribution to the cultural and socio-economic development of our nation.
As such the Merikins Heritage Foundation has planned a series of events for the year including the launch of an exhibition at the event at the National Archives under the theme, “Celebrating the Merikins: our heritage, our faith, our future.” The event will also launch the National Archives’ initiative to acquire archival records of the Merikins from the U.S., British and other archives in an effort to build a Merikins Collection.
A reception and book signing will follow the close of the event.
About the book
“Guinea’s Other Suns” is a classic collection of essays on the forced and voluntary migration to Trinidad of West and West-Central Africans during the 1800s, extending through both the slavery and post-emancipation eras. Maureen Warner Lewis examines African cultural practices and artefacts as recalled by the biological descendants of these migrants during interviews with the author in the 1960s and 1970s.
Girls in ICT Day
ST. LUCIA: The one-day event hosted by CARCIP aims to increase gender parity within the ICT sector.
The Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP), in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Coalition of Services Industries Inc (SLCSI), will be hosting a one-day celebration of “International Girls in ICT Day.”
This event is in keeping with the International Telecommunications Union’s initiative which seeks to raise awareness on empowering and encouraging girls and young women to consider careers in ICT. The objective of the campaign is to increase gender parity within the ICT sector.
The campaign commenced in March 2016 in commemoration of Women’s Month. At that time, twenty-nine female entrepreneurs received training in social media marketing.
At the one-day event, twenty female trainees who have been awarded ICT training grants to further their studies in ICT at local institutions island-wide, along with six ICT graduates of SALCC with internships supported by the SLCSI will be in attendance.
The final activity under this campaign will be awarding business grants to female micro-entrepreneurs in May.
Celebrations will commence with a short opening ceremony, followed by a series of guest speakers who will coach and mentor the girls on pursuing careers and entrepreneurship opportunities within the sector.
International Girls in ICT Day will be held on April 28 at the National ICT Office located on Bourbon Street, from 9 a.m.
Governor General delivers Throne Speech
ST. LUCIA: The Throne Speech signals the commencement of a new session of Parliament.
The traditional Throne Speech was delivered by Governor General, Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy on Tuesday.
The Throne Speech signaled the commencement of a new session of Parliament and the Presentation of the Budget for the financial year 2016/2017.
Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy called for a spirit of celebrating the successes and achievements of Saint Lucians.
“We must all believe that our country is great and we are called to celebrate its achievements while still being ambitious and visionary in the possibilities of the future. We must believe that we have been blessed by the Almighty to be a people of peace, progress, passion and prosperity. We must remain a country of courage, of compassion, of grace and unfailing courage and generosity, united in our ambitions to pursue the collective good.”
Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy also spoke on the commitment of her government in the area of sports.
“My government commits to continued support, aspirations, hopes and dreams of our young people through sports. It continues to raise the bar in the quality of sport facilities, but this must be complimented with greater organization by sport organizations and participation by the citizenry. My government will continue its efforts to expand access to sporting and recreational facilities through investment at the community level throughout Saint Lucia.”
It is hoped that this session will mark another chapter of the nation’s journey and Saint Lucians’ lives.
For the full text of H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy’s speech, download the attached PDF.
Watch the event via the Government of Saint Lucia’s Youtube channel:
