JAMAICA: The Government is to procure contraband detection machinery and equipment this fiscal year, as it moves to strengthen the island’s customs control and security.
A sum of $2.58 billion has been allocated under the Fiscal Administration Modernisation Programme for the project, as outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House.
The overall objective of the programme is to support the Government to achieve a sustainable fiscal position by strengthening the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service’s institutional capacity to effectively improve Customs, Inland Tax Collections, manage debt and government payment operations.
It is also expected that for the 2016/17 period under the programme, a fire suppression system will be installed at New Port East; a new back-up generator unit is to be installed; and additional video surveillance equipment will be installed.
Further, it is anticipated that the asset, facilities and inventory management system is to be implemented; the East Street building renovation works of the Tax Administration office to commence; implementation of Single Window for International Trade Regulation to commence; and analytical tool for reporting to be procured.
Physical achievements of the programme up to January 2016 included: Video Access and Surveillance System installed at Constant Spring and King Street Tax Offices; new printer procured for identification (ID) cards; and Internal Audit retooled with computers.
In addition, some TAJ staff members were trained in software security and as business analysts; major renovation works were completed on the Bay West Training Centre; a generator was acquired and installed at East Street building; and e-filing facilities installed at St. Andrew Revenue Service Centre (RSC).
A business process review report was prepared and is awaiting management approval; stakeholder consultations and legal preparations were started for a Port Community System; a new Budget Preparation and Management System was procured; and Accounting System and Loan Management software was acquired with licences.
The programme, which began in December 2011, is being implemented by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is slated to end in December 2016.
Contraband Detection Machinery to be Purchased
Jamaica Tests Mass Rescue Communication System
JAMAICA: Jamaica’s ability to effectively communicate during a maritime or aviation emergency was tested in an islandwide simulation exercise held earlier this month.
The five-day exercise, conducted simultaneously in Port Antonio and Ocho Rios, was led by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in collaboration with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).
It involved several local and overseas stakeholder partners including the United States (US) Coast Guard.
The focus of the activity was to assess the communication aspect of the Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) contingency plan, which was developed to respond to a major passenger ship and aviation incident in Jamaica’s marine space and Flight Information Region (FIR).
Director General of the MAJ, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Peter Brady, told JIS News that the plan was developed over the last two years through support from its overseas partners.
“So, we decided to have a communications exercise to test it. Basically, the exercise tests the island’s ability to notify people, validate resources and to reverse communicate with the National Emergency Operations Centre command post at ODPEM,” he told JIS News.
The mass rescue plan addresses response at three tiers. Tier one entails the local or parish level, where the parish committees react; tier two is response at the national level; and tier three is international-level response.
During the simulation, each participating seaport or airport was required to report on facilities and resources available to support MRO.
A team of US Coast Guard MRO specialists carried out aviation and cruise ship simulated scenarios in the marine environment.
In addition to testing and updating the MRO contingency plan, the country also benefited from assistance in developing and formalising the protocols for requesting international resources.
Rear Admiral Brady told JIS News that the simulation exercise was “quite useful” as it revealed areas of weakness.
“It turned up quite a few gaps. One of the reasons you do an exercise is not only to familiarise people with what they have to do but you also get to determine where gaps are in your plan. You also expose people to high-level stress operations,” he pointed out.
At the conclusion of the exercise, a general debriefing was carried out to examine all the operational areas.
“We will obviously tweak the plan using all of the revelations that have come out, all of the gaps that we have seen. Structural deficiencies, which are coming out in the exercise, will also be addressed,” Rear Admiral Brady said.
MRO specialist with the 7th Coast Guard District of the US Coast Guard, Paul Culver, told JIS Newsthat he assisted with the development of the mass rescue plan.
He noted that several activities have taken place including a workshop and a functional “tabletop” exercise with the cruise industry and ports.
The MRO Specialist said the simulation looked at the actual process of notification.
“If it didn’t happen (according to plan), we ask the question where the breakdown in communications was, then we document that so we can improve the plan,” he told JIS News.
Other stakeholder agencies involved in the simulation were Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Ministry of Health, Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Parish Disaster Committees and other agencies.
Grand Fond playing field officially opened
DOMINICA: Sunday April 24th was an exciting day for residents of Grand Fond as their much anticipated playing field was officially opened.
Last year, Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the constituency, Ivor Stephenson, handed over a $146,120 cheque to the village council for the completion and continuation of 15 projects in the communities of Grand Fond, Riviere Cyrique and Morne Jaune.
One of the major projects was the Grand Fond playing field.
Now, ten months later Hon. Stephenson is proud to have the playing field officially opened to the public.
The day began with a church service at the Grand Fond Roman Catholic Church where the Hon Prime Minister and other Cabinet members were present to lend support. Sporting activities were also held during the day and the Prime Minister and other ministers shared remarks.
In addressing the opening ceremony, the Hon MP noted that the playing field is an essential part of the community’s development.
“I want to say it was an important day for the people of Grand Fond in that we recognize that the new playing field will help to continue to improve the sporting skills of the people of Grand Fond. Grand Fond over the past years has had a number of persons who have been involved in various sporting activities namely in football and cricket.”
He thanked the people of Grand Fond and the village council for their continued support.
The Hon. Minister for Sports, Justina Charles, revealed that the much awaited field was a promise kept by the Government of Dominica.
“There was a request made for the development of the playing field because where they played earlier was by the school and the condition there was really poor. Government purchased some land to develop the playing field and we spent in excess of $6k for the development of the playing field only, which does not include purchase of land. So we developed it in phases and what we saw today is the commissioning of the playing field.”
The Hon Minister reiterated the need for playing facilities in developing well rounded youth.
“I think it is something that is good for the community of Grand Fond because we know in Grand Fond we have quite a few talented footballers and crickets and it gives them an opportunity to develop their talent further. We also think it is something good for our young people so that we can engage them in positive activities.”
“We also know the development of playing fields is also to encourage our seniors and those who are not able to run to do some brisk walking; that will help in managing some of the chronic non communicable diseases. The field is not only for the young people but is for the entire population.”
The day ended with the Hon. Prime Minister joining his colleagues for a friendly game of football.
Inniss: Get Serious About Intellectual Property
BARBADOS: Barbadians have a right and a duty to safeguard and protect their intellectual property.
Intellectual PropertyIntellectual PropertyThis advice came from International Business Minister, Donville Inniss, as he spoke with approximately 30 primary and secondary school children from The Lester Vaughan School and Eden Lodge Primary, at a cultural presentation marking World Intellectual Property Day, at his Baobab Tower, Warren’s office today.
Before an audience that included Registrar of the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office, Heather Clarke, Mr. Inniss noted that since World Intellectual Property Day was being celebrated it was time to “get serious”.
“Many of you may want to be a musician, a calypso king or just write songs or sing songs. You need to appreciate the power and the wealth that lies within what you produce,” he contended.
Adding that it was only when notable musicians passed away that persons tended to reflect on intellectual property, the Minister used the death of international music star Prince as an example.
“I read an article last night that said that his estate was worth about US$300 million. Now that is what his estate is worth, and as a matter of fact, now that he has passed away the songs that he produced and sang for us, and the ones that he has written and not yet released are worth millions of dollars.
“And, that is perhaps the simplest example of what we talk about when we think of intellectual property: his writings, performances, the songs produced. That is why we say we must protect people’s intellectual property. I know often times we want to go online and download free music, download videos…but remember that it is somebody’s hard work that went into producing that, and they must be paid, they must earn a living,” he emphasised.
Mr. Inniss added that in Barbados, the Cultural Industries Development Act and the Ministry of Culture contributed to pushing the Cultural Industries to another level. However, he maintained that in doing this, we must ensure that those who are artistes, performers and song writers earn a decent living from their work.
The cultural show featured local actress Jennifer Walker, who spoke to students about incorporating the five P’s – pleasant personality, punctuality, positive attitude, protection of property and perfect attendance – as a lifestyle. Skits by Rickardo Reid and Zahira Gibbons, as well as a performance by Dancin’ Africa, were also featured.
This year’s theme for World Intellectual Property Day is: Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined.
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb
All Not Lost In Agriculture Sector
BARBADOS: A Government official believes that the agricultural sector in Barbados is not dead, and can return to its glory days.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Esworth Reid, expressed this view while speaking at the awards ceremony for the Ministry’s Grow Well School Gardening Competition, this morning at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Mr. Reid was of the view that the number of schools that participated in the competition was proof that more young people were becoming interested in the agricultural sector.
He stated that through the competition, his Ministry was able to show primary and secondary school children the benefits of the sector in an enjoyable way.
“The Ministry was able, in a clever way, to demonstrate to a number of very young Barbadian school children that agriculture is not at all the dirty task in the world of work, that is reserved only for the uneducated, the barefooted and the rejects of society.
“I believe that these children were able to see the science and art of agriculture, and I have no doubt that this has captured their interest, which may very well someday, serve to have some of them considering pursuing a career in the field of agriculture,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary revealed that his Ministry was often approached by innovative young people with interesting ideas to take the sector forward. “A lot of them are looking for and identifying niches around which to build entrepreneurship and this is at both the level of primary production and along the value-added chain. ….
“I have met young people who have already completed university education in various fields, even at the Master’s Degree level, in areas such as Finance, Economics, and other Natural Sciences, who have either already crossed over or are ready to cross over in careers in agriculture because of the viable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that are presenting themselves in this field”.
The Grow Well School Gardening Competition, which was the first component of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Grow Well, Eat Well, Live Well, Right Here in BIM campaign, saw 20 primary and secondary schools vying for the top spot in the competition.
The Lodge School was the overall winner of the competition, while All Saints Primary won the most creative garden and first place in the Container Gardening competition.
Hillaby/Turner’s Hall copped first place in the Primary Open Field Competition, while St. George Secondary emerged victorious in the Secondary Open Field Competition. Ellerton Primary took first place in the Cultivation under Protected Gardening category.
aisha.reid@barbados.gov.bb
There Is Hope For Vulnerable Males
BARBADOS: Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steve Blackett, says “there is hope” for the vulnerable men who have fallen prey to the ills of society.
While speaking at the One Man a Month for the Kingdom’s 4th Anniversary celebrations this weekend at the Bush Hall Community Centre, the Minister encouraged the organisation to be “the conduit through which the perception of our men is ameliorated in this country”.
The One Man a Month (OMAM) for the Kingdom initiative was introduced in 2012 “to rehabilitate, restore and save our men, thereby returning them to their rightful place in our homes, the church, the workplace and in our societies”.
Congratulating the organisation on reaching its milestone, Mr. Blackett remarked that its founder and key stakeholder, Mount Zion’s Missions, remained dedicated and committed to helping vulnerable men in society, although many persons believed there was “no hope for their resurgence”.
“You are certainly on the right path to reaching your objectives… I encourage you to reinforce your efforts, which must be steeped in the doctrine of salvation, propelled by compassion and founded in the agape love of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he stated.
While Mr. Blackett acknowledged the sterling work of OMAM and the other initiatives and organisations across Barbados dedicated to enhancing the lives of the unfortunate among us, he admitted that more work must still be done to improve the future development of Barbadian men.
“I am imploring these organisations to form a social partnership where they can utilise their resources and espouse their ideas to provide opportunities for the enrichment of the lives of our men,” he advised.
deirdre.gittens@barbados.gov.bb
‘All Hands On Deck’ To Stop Illegal Dumping
BARBADOS: Every Barbadian has a role to play in eliminating the scourge of illegal dumping and the threat it poses to the economy.
Environmental Health Officer, Ryle Rock, maintains it will take a cumulative effort to bring “the dire situation” under control.
The Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health is making an all-out effort to identify illegal dumping sites around the island and to ensure that offenders clean up the garbage.
“What we have been seeing sends a very bad message about how we as Barbadians relate to our motto of Pride and Industry. Where is the pride in our country when we can so easily discard garbage in our cart roads, our gullies and any other secluded area we can find?” he queried.
Mr. Rock said that the primary offenders appeared to be people hired to dispose of the garbage. “All around the island, we are finding tyres, construction rubble and household appliances. My take on it is that the company or householder hires someone to take away the refuse because they no longer want it on their properties. And the truckers and haulers, in order to make a quick dollar, will take a short cut and dispose of it in a vacant cane field or cart road.”
The Environmental Health Officer said it was important for the population to be educated about the impact of this illegal practice on the environment, the health of citizens and the economy, particularly the tourism industry.
“At these sites, you are going to find serious problems with rodents, flies and mosquitoes, and these can all impact the health of citizens. There is also the problem with run-off into our underground water supply and then there is the impact on the tourism industry,” he stated.
Mr. Rock revealed that many of the illegal dump sites were discovered in the country parishes which tourists traversed on a daily basis on sight-seeing tours. “These visitors are spending money to see our scenery and the natural beauty of the island and then they butt up on piles of refuse alongside the roadways, in gullies, in cart roads. It’s not the message we want to go abroad about our country.”
He warned offenders that his department did not intend to let up in its efforts to eliminate the practice and they would feel the full weight of the law when caught. He explained that in the most recent publicised cases, the culprits were first-time offenders and so instead of prosecuting them, a decision was taken to order them to clean up the dump site at their own expense.
But he made it clear that this was not the only option available to the department, since the law provided for offenders to be brought before the courts, with penalties of a fine of up to $5,000 or 12 months in prison, or both.
Mr. Rock also wanted more emphasis on teaching children about cleanliness, both in schools and at home. “When I was at school, especially primary school, the teachers always made sure we had clean desks and that our surroundings were clean. Nowadays, you can go into schools and find litter in desks and even mice in desks. There’s a need for special attention to be paid to refuse disposal, not only at the primary level but also secondary and tertiary levels.”
He also wants to see more buy-in by communities in eradicating the problems of littering and illegal dumping. “The public can help us a lot in identifying illegal dump sites by letting us know what is going on in their particular area. We want Barbados to be seen as a disciplined nation which takes pride in maintaining its environment. We want residents to remain vigilant and if they see anyone illegally dumping, call us at 417-2150.”
joycspring@gmail.com
Foreign Affairs Minister signs Paris Climate Change Agreement at high level ceremony in New York
TRINIDAD: April 25, 2016: Trinidad and Tobago joined 174 other countries to sign the Paris Climate Change Agreement at a special High-Level signing event which took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday April 22, 2016.
The large number of signatories representing individual countries, 175 in total, is being hailed as a record for the number of adherents to an international agreement on the first day it was open for signature. In presiding over the High-Level event, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon noted the unprecedented participation of Heads of State and Government as well as Ministers from diverse regions of the world. He indicated that the success of the event is attributed to the continued momentum or urgent global action on climate change sparked at the Paris Conference in December 2015 where the Agreement was finalized and welcomed by all members of the international community.
Senator the Honourable Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs signed the Paris Climate Agreement on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago and addressed other high ranking officials to reaffirm the commitment of Trinidad and Tobago to achieving the object and purpose of the Paris Agreement, and to take measures to address climate change for the well- being of present and future generations.
In his Statement to the Meeting, Minister Moses informed that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is currently finalizing its long term development policy VISION 2030, which proposes to align its domestic development plans, including addressing climate change, with the targets and goals of the Sustainable Development Goals and Trinidad and Tobago’s nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement.
In addition to signing the Paris Agreement, fifteen (15) countries also deposited their instruments of ratification indicating their countries’ readiness to implement the Agreement immediately. This number included Barbados, Belize, Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Paris Agreement will not come into force until 55 countries representing 55% of total greenhouse gas emissions deposit their instruments of ratification.
Parents Urged To Immunise Children
BARBADOS: Health Minister John Boyce has stressed the importance of immunisation to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in Barbados.
Speaking at a church service on Sunday at the Christ Church Parish Church to mark the start of Vaccine Week of the Americas, the Minister stated that immunisation was one of the most important advances in public health, second only to clean water, when estimating the number of lives saved over the past 50 years.
The Ministry of Health, he said, was committed to ensuring that every child had access to immunisation. Records for 2015 showed that 97 per cent of infants had been immunised against polio; 96 per cent against measles, mumps and rubella; and over 98 per cent against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, pneumonia and hepatitis.
Mr. Boyce urged parents to be guided only by reputable vaccine authorities such as the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Millions of dollars are invested every year in vaccine research and development to ensure that only safe, reliable and effective vaccines are administered to children, adolescents and adults worldwide.
“Every child has the right to good health. Let us all commit to the elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases by making sure our children are fully immunised,” the Health Minister said.
Mr. Boyce disclosed that there were 14 antigens against vaccine-preventable diseases in Barbados’ routine immunisation schedule, with the HPV vaccine being the last to be introduced two years ago for protection against cervical cancer in women and other genital cancers in both women and men.
He further noted that in 2015, the Americas region, which includes Barbados, became the first in the world to be declared free of endemic transmission of rubella, a contagious viral disease that can cause multiple birth defects.
This made rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), the third and fourth vaccine-preventable diseases to be eliminated from the Americas, following the regional eradication of small pox in 1971 and polio in 1994.
joycspring@gmail.com
Minister of state encourages maintenance of high vaccination coverage as week is commemorated
ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 25, 2016 (SKNIS): As the Federation joins the rest of the international community in commemorating Vaccination Week 2016, the residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, in particular the health professionals in Community Health Services, were encouraged to do their part in maintaining the high vaccination coverage of 97 percent.
These words of advice were given by Minister of State responsible for Health, Honourable Senator Wendy Phipps who opened the week this morning (April 25.)
“It stands to reason that we must preserve the gains that we have achieved while closing the gap of unvaccinated individuals who often live on the margins of society, are classified as indigent and are more likely than others to suffer from inequalities of various forms,” Minister Phipps said, noting that since the inception of Vaccination Week in the Americas in 2003, more than 580 million persons have been vaccinated. “This is a remarkable achievement and must be sustained in the long-term.
The International theme for the week is “Go for the Gold” and the Minister specified what can be done here in the Federation to achieve the best results.
“Here in St. Kitts and Nevis we must continue to do our part to (a) encourage parents and guardians to vaccinate their infants and school-aged children (b) ensure that there is adequate government support to finance our national immunization programme (c) protect our citizens before they travel abroad to areas where certain diseases are prevalent (d) protect our borders by ensuring that minimum vaccination standards are maintained by travelers seeking to access our ports of entry,” Minister Phipps said.
It was emphasized that in order for this to happen, the environment and neighbourhoods would have to be hostile to disease carrying organisms, the water supply would have to be safe and food security would have to be top priority. Achievements thus far were credited to several partners.
“This consistent success rate is no small feat and is due in large measure to the following realities: (1) sustained public confidence and support placed in our national immunization programme (2) the solid foundation laid by committed, well-trained and professional public health nurses (3) strong and clear government support and (4) reliable and strategic partnerships,” the Minister responsible for Health said, adding that the partnerships is between public health administrators, civil society and international donor agencies such as PAHO [the Pan American Health Organisation] and the WHO [World Health Organisation.]”
The continuation of public education and awareness to ensure that residents know of the benefits of getting vaccinated was also highlighted.
The Vaccination Week activities include the launch of the third edition of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in St. Kitts and Nevis, a one minute advertisement featuring local athletes who are assisting in promoting the theme “Go for the Gold,” and simultaneous Health Fairs in Basseterre and Charlestown on Friday.
