BARBADOS: Nursery education in Barbados will receive a boost in coming months, when the construction of six new state-of-the-art public nursery schools is completed.
The sites of two of the schools in the project, at Gall Hill, Christ Church and Oldbury, St. Philip, were visited today by Minister Ronald Jones, as well as by representatives from his Ministry and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, which is funding the project.
Following a tour of the soon-to-be-completed Maria Holder Nursery School at Gall Hill, the Education Minister expressed his approval of the project.
“We are extremely pleased as to the progress of this project; it is an excellent architectural concept. We are pleased that (construction) is coming to a close and that we will be able to commence its occupancy,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the nursery, which is to be opened in September of this year, already has 102 applications for registration. Mr. Jones also pointed out that the six schools were to all be stationed in “densely populated areas where there is a need”.
Chief Project Manager of the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, Jane Armstrong, said that the nursery school at Gall Hill, which will have capacity for 150 children, was designed to high specifications in order to provide a state-of-the-art environment for nursery education.
She added that the Maria Holder Nursery School at Oldbury, St. Philip, was currently in the early phase of construction, and should be completed in December 2016. She said that once it was opened for occupancy in January 2017, it would have capacity for 90 children.
jamal.weekes@barbados.gov.bb
Six New Nurseries On The Cards
Community Impact Programme Graduation
BARBADOS: The Community Development Department will host an Open Day and Graduation for participants of its Community Impact Programme, on Thursday, May 5, at the Parkinson Resource Centre, The Pine, St. Michael.
Students will have the opportunity to showcase their newly-acquired skills at the open day from 1:00 p.m., after which the graduation ceremony will follow at 6:00 p.m.
Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, will deliver brief remarks at the ceremony and will also present certificates to the participants.
Persons interested in learning more about both events may call Senior Community Development Officer, Yolande Skeete, at 310-1713; Community Development Officer, Jacqueline Pinder at 310-1709; or Petra Chase at the Parkinson Resource Centre at 426-4331.
deidre.gittens@barbados.gov.bb
CARIFORUM fisheries and SPS professionals participate in unique, interactive training opportunity in Iceland
Belize City, Belize, 21 April 2016 (CRFM)—Eighteen professionals who have been working in Fisheries Management, Animal Health and Food Safety from across the CARIFORUM region, are currently overseas receiving specialized training in food safety and animal and plant health.
The trainees are attending the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Management Course, slated for 17-30 April 2016 in Reykjavik, Iceland, under the United Nations University – Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP).
The two-week course, developed by the UNU-FTP in partnership with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), is exposing the selected trainees to the full range of issues faced in fisheries value chain management, with special focus on the best SPS standards and the institutional arrangements required for the optimized performance of the fishing industry.
Trainees will be involved not only in lecture sessions, but also in field visits to major Icelandic fishing companies, affording them a good opportunity to directly observe their operations. They will also have an opportunity to speak with key professionals about industry practices which keep Iceland at the cutting edge of ‘fishing for profits’.
By the end of the course, trainees will have learned the ‘A to Z’ of the most up-to-date science and practical applications in fish product quality management along the value chain, including cleaning and sanitation in the field and processing plants, traceability, value chain analysis, risk assessment, and optimizing the use of available fishery resources.
Mr. Ferique Shortte, Senior Fisheries Assistant at the Fisheries Division in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who is participating in the training, said: “The first day of the session was quite fascinating. The presentation on ‘Handling and Storage of Fish and Fish Products’ gave me fresh ideas for scientific work which I can undertake during my fish processing activities using the fish species found back home. Moreover, learning about the different microbes that affect fish and their impacts on health and safety of fish products gave me a new outlook on the fishing industry. Today’s session also highlighted the impact of SPS measures on issues relative to international fish trade.”
At the close of the second day’s sessions, the Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer for Barbados, Ms. Joyce Leslie, expressed her satisfaction, saying: “The SPS Management Course was already delivering its promise of exposing trainees to the most up-to-date available information on science and technology developments in fish product quality management and value chain analysis.”
The training course has been made possible through the EU-funded SPS project, designed to help CARIFORUM countries fulfill international sanitary and phytosanitary standards, to boost foreign trade.
The UNU-FTP, which has worked previously with the CRFM to develop and deliver other types of short-term training courses suitable for Caribbean fisheries management situations, was awarded the contract to design and deliver this EU-sponsored SPS Management Course. Over the years, UNU-FTP has also trained fisheries professionals in CRFM Member States through its six-month training programme in Iceland.
The SPS Project is a major intervention approved under the 10th European Development Fund Caribbean Regional Indicative Programmes (10th EDF CRIP), being implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), in partnership with the CARICOM Secretariat and the CRFM. The CRFM is responsible for delivering the fisheries component.
Statement For Signing Of Paris Agreement
BARBADOS: Secretary-General of the United Nations, President of the 70th General Assembly, Fellow Heads of State and Government, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen…
Secretary-General, as Prime Minister of Barbados, I had the honour of chairing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in the latter half of 2015, and of being actively involved in the adoption of the Paris Agreement, at a time that witnessed this historic milestone in global environmental governance.
I can assure you that, as a region, CARICOM lauds this achievement largely because it accorded truthful consideration to the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), as enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This has been, and remains, the principled negotiating position of Barbados, and I believe of the entire SIDS community.
Secretary-General, this year Barbados is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of Independence and today, alongside several other CARICOM Member States, will sign and ratify the Paris Agreement. This action also sanctions the consideration and acceptance of Barbados’ first Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC, submitted last year in advance of COP-21.
We consider the scope of the communicated actions to be both ambitious – in terms of our contribution to the global effort, as well as necessary for the pursuit of our low-carbon, sustainable development aspirations. We know the challenges that will confront us and therefore look to the Paris Agreement and the other instruments of the UNFCCC as facilitative mechanisms that will enable us to meet, or even exceed, our communicated obligations.
Secretary- General, the famous American industrialist, Henry Ford, said and I quote: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”. Accordingly, with this Agreement, the question before us now is how do we as a global community work together to successfully achieve our stated goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
In light of recent reports that 2015 was the hottest year on record and of the study that concluded that climate forecasts underestimated the sea-rise impact of Antarctic thaw, there is no time for complacency. These reports oblige us to actively and with determination build on the positive spirit cultivated in Paris, through real actions to deliver on our established obligations.
The contribution of vulnerable and fragile Small Island Developing States like Barbados will be constrained by the development of the operational modalities to support the implementation of the Agreement; by the outcomes of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 ºC above pre-industrial levels; and by the facilitative dialogue among parties. These modalities and the special report are both scheduled for delivery in 2018 as interim measures of our collective actions.
Finally Mr. Secretary-General, we commend all those who responded to the call of history, and highlight the fact that those who will both sign and ratify the Paris Agreement today are mainly SIDS. The continued dynamic leadership of your office and the UNFCCC secretariat in this global undertaking to address climate change are vital.
The very existence of Small Island Developing States like Barbados demands nothing less. Together we will survive, but left alone we will surely perish. I thank you.
Local market share model that will help to bring predictability and reliability to the local poultry industry
GRENADA: Suggestions are being made that Grenada develop what’s called a local market share model that will help to bring predictability and reliability to the local poultry industry.
This, among other suggestions were made during a National Consultation on the Poultry.
According to 2015 figures, Grenada imports 48 million EC dollars worth of meat products annually or 15 million pounds…of that amount, 11 million pounds or 33 million EC dollars worth of poultry is imported.
Health Minister Hon. Nickolas Steele, who spoke on behalf of his colleague Hon. Roland Bhola, gave his full support to the further development of the local industry.
Consultation on Camerhogne Park postponed
GRENADA: ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, 21st April, 2016 –GIS: The Government of Grenada wishes to advise of the postponement of its facilitated planned presentation and consultation between the Developers of the Camerhogne Park/Rivera Hotel project, the Civil Society Organisation and the Government.
The Developers have conveyed their sincere apologies and regret for being unable to be present at the consultation, which was planned for today, Thursday, April 21st, at 5:00 p.m. at the Hospitality Suite, National Stadium.
On behalf of the Developers, and all concerned, the Government of Grenada thanks everyone for their interest in Nation-building, and wishes to also apologize for any inconvenience caused due to this postponement.
Police high command exploring new strategic and leadership processes
ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 21, 2016 (SKNIS): The High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and other gazetted officers are engaged in a three-week Leadership and Management Course designed to increase the overall effectiveness of the agency.
The training is being facilitated by officials from the United Kingdom-based Bramshill Policing Advisers, who have been working with local law enforcement since 2015. Commissioner of Police, Ian Queeley, said this week, the High Command – which comprises of the commissioner, deputy commissioner and assistant commissioners – is reviewing strategy and leadership training, team building, and other areas. Included in this are exercises designed to improve the working environment.
“You are never too old to learn,” Commissioner Queeley said, while referring to the course. “There are different experiences that can be brought to the fore to complement your previous training and enhance your views.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said the training will take the force’s leadership “to a gold standard” enabling them to deliver new policing strategies and strengthen the execution of the “Six Point Plan” to reduce crime in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. Harris stated that it was important to embed “core values of integrity, fairness, and accountability in the new police leadership.” Equally important is the ability to enhance relationships with key stakeholders in various communities, he noted.
“We are building a new culture in law enforcement,” PM Harris said.
Commissioner Queeley credited the government for its ongoing and robust commitment in enhancing the local citizen security infrastructure.
“On every occasion that we have presented proposals or recommendations, they have been fulfilled,” Queeley said, adding that the support has benefitted law enforcement in the fight against crime.
St. Kitts-Nevis police increases K-9 ranks
ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 21, 2016 (SKNIS): Six new canine officers have been added to the ranks of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force bolstering the capacity to detect devices that can be used to commit criminal acts.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said two of the dogs are general purpose dogs, while the remaining four are specially trained to detect guns, explosives and drugs. He added that they are trained to carry out searches in various environments including buildings, vehicles, cargo and freight. Additionally, they are able to track persons over long distances and a variety of terrains, ignoring other scents and distractions encountered.
While speaking at his monthly press conference on Wednesday (April 20), Dr. Harris said the reinforced K-9 Unit will help to keep the streets safer.
“If [persons] bring them (drugs, guns or explosives) in at the airport we must detect them. If they bring them at the seaport we must detect them,” the prime minister stated. “If they take them in any area of Basseterre or rural St. Kitts and Nevis we must detect them for the safety and security of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Dr. Harris said government invested significantly in the acquisition of the dogs and will spend more resources in training and maintenance in the coming years. A number of police officers, including two members of the senior rank, are currently undergoing training to become handlers of the dogs. The training is being facilitated by an instructor from Dog Detectives Ltd in the United Kingdom.
Participants on Cohort 2 of the SET Program Recognised at an awards ceremony
ST. VINCENT: Participants in Cohort 2 of the Supportive Education Training (SET) program were recognised for their outstanding work at an Awards Ceremony at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown on Friday 15th April. A total number of 152 participants completed the second leg of the program, which was first started in 2014.
Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Kattian Barnwell, who also has direct oversight of the program gave an overview of the Program explaining that it is credited with exposing young persons to the world of work, giving participants experience, and improving their marketability, through the enhancement of their skills.
Ms. Barnwell also pointed out that the success of the program to date is mainly due in part to the active contributions of the persons who participated in cohorts one and two.
Delivering the featured address, Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, pointed out that a significant amount of monies are spent annually to create opportunities for young people. He outlined that his government will spend in excess of E.C.$120 million dollars on recurrent expenditure for education, and nearly 12 million on the capital budget. Dr. Gonslaves also noted that a significant portion is spent on health care for young persons.
The Prime Minister urged outgoing and incoming participants of the program to have their dreams planted in reality and encouraged them to pursue their goals with determination. Dr. Gonsalves further encouraged the SET participants to take advantage of the opportunities that are being afforded to them; but to always find ways to grow and develop within their profession. Cohort two ended on 31st March and on 3rd May 160 participants will commence cohort 3 of the program.
Source: API
Health News – Ministry of Health receives a donation of over 2000 towels
ST. LUCIA: The Ministry of Health, Wellness Human Services and Gender Relations on Wednesday April 19th received over 2000 towels via of a donation from the St. Lucia Mothers Association in New York.
The association’s mission is to serve the less fortunate in St. Lucia and the New York City Tristate area via fund raising efforts and donations from their supporters. The St. Lucia Mothers Association of New York will soon celebrate its 21st Anniversary having been in existence since 1995. The group makes annual contributions of food and cleaning supplies at Christmas time to the St. Lucy’s home in Bishops Gap. Donations have also been made to Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home in Vieux Fort and Cornerstone Humanitarian Home in Vigie.
Sylvie Edward who manager of the Women’s Support Centre said the group has in the past provided bed sheets, towels and bed changing pads to the Victoria Hospital.
“Today’s donation is due to one of their biggest supporters, Mr. Barry Alexander who has assisted them in getting the towels which they believe would be of great benefit to the hospitals and clinics here in St. Lucia.” Edwards stated.
Charge Nurse at the St. Lucia National Mental Wellness Centre, Janna Felix-James expressed gratitude for the donation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and assured that the items will be put into good use.
“We wish to thank the St. Lucia Mothers Association of New York for their generous donation of Towels and Linen to the various health departments including, the Women’s Support Centre, St. Lucia National Mental Wellness Centre, Gros Islet Polyclinic, Victoria Hospital, Soufriere Hospital, Dennery Hospital and the St. Jude Hospital. These organisations provide health and social care services throughout the island. This donation will go a long way in assisting with the quality of care given and increase the general comfort of the public who receive care at these facilities.”
Shirlena Bernard formally of Bishop’s Gap but now resides in the US is the current president of the St. Lucia Mothers Association of New York. Every year the association acknowledges one outstanding mother among its ranks as the mother of the year as well as provides a college level student in the USA of St. Lucian heritage with a scholarship award.
