GRENADA: Government will be providing employment opportunities for 108 nurses in coming weeks.
Health and Social Security Minister Hon. Nickolas Steele says negotiations are ongoing with a local Service Provider that will allow the 57 Registered Nurses and 51 Nursing Assistants to work at least three days per week.
He says a meeting held Monday with the Nurses ended in unanimous support on the way forward.
Employment opportunities for 108 nurses
Twelve storms named for 2016 hurricane season
DOMINICA: Twelve storms have been named for the 2016 hurricane season, five of which are potential hurricanes and two could be major hurricanes. Disaster Risk Management Specialist and Consultant within the Office of Disaster Management, Cecil Shillingford expounded on those predictions in an interview with GIS news on Monday.
He noted that the first hurricane for the season ‘Hurricane Alex’ occurred in January.
He advised the general public to begin preparations for the season.
The 2016 hurricane season has been predicted to be a normal one but Shillingford cautioned citizens to be on the alert.
Some of the 2016 hurricane names include Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona and Gaston.
WATERWORKS
ST. LUCIA: WATERWORKS
The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) wishes to inform customers of Waterworks that there will be a temporary interruption in their water supply due to repairs on damaged mains, tomorrow, Thursday, 21st April 2016, from 9:00 a.m.
As a result the lower Entrepot, Chabot, and Waterworks will be without a supply. The section of road from Ralph Supermarket to the Entrepot Secondary School will be closed. The water supply will be restored as soon as works are completed.
The Water and Sewerage Company Inc (WASCO) apologizes for any inconvenience this may caused.
WASCO…water is life! Committed to meeting customers’ needs.
Government invests heavily to enhance police telecoms
ST. KITTS: Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 20, 2016 (SKNIS): Communication between elements of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force operating in the field is expected to be much clearer with the installation of a Digital Radio System.
At his monthly press conference on Wednesday (April 20), Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said weather permitting, the new system which features top line equipment designed by Motorola Ltd, will be commissioned on the weekend.
With the completion of point to point links, officers will be able to use digital handheld radios enabling wide area communication.
“All the radios are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and Automated Vehicular Locator (AVL),” PM Harris said. “That of course will enable supervisors and/or dispatchers to see where the police officer is or where his vehicle is at any time, so the logistical management of the police resources is now enhanced tremendously through the use of the Digital Radio System.”
The handheld radios also are equipped with sensors that would send out an emergency alarm should an officer suffer some tragedy. The prime minister reported that the upgrade project has cost the government more than $3.2 million.
“We are using the technology,” the Prime Minster said. “The government has pledged that we will leave no stone unturned to restore our beloved country to a new place of calm and safety,”
Telecommunication partners Flow, Chippie, VON Radio (Nevis) and TBN (Nevis) were thanked for assisting with the project.
St. Kitts and Nevis saw solid job growth, increased wages last year
ST. KITTS: BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 20th, 2016 (PRESS SEC) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris told the nation at today’s press conference that St. Kitts and Nevis recorded solid job growth in 2015 coupled with an upward trend in wages.
Prime Minister Harris said that data from Social Security show that, for 2015, the average number of jobs stood at 24,333. This is the largest number of jobs recorded in Social Security’s history. Importantly, too, the country’s wages in 2015 ($72.27 million per month) represent one of the highest payroll figures on record and reflect a 7% increase over the wages paid in 2014 ($67.57 million per month).
“The comparative analysis with respect to earnings revealed that the earnings landscape has changed,” the Prime Minister said, adding that, “We saw that the distribution of persons earning in the lower wage categories declined while those earning in the higher wage categories increased. Thus we may posit that the wage distribution has improved and persons are enjoying higher wages in this term than in the previous term. We saw a move from 30 percent of jobs paying in the minimum wage category in 2014 to 26 percent of the jobs paying at the minimum wage in 2015. There were corresponding increases in the medium-earning categories for 2015.”
The Prime Minister said that, while members of the opposition like to pretend that nothing is happening in the economy, “The data speak for themselves and are unequivocal. Dr. Harris also said that, “Learned, respected and experienced economic academics and practitioners are commending my Government.”
Prime Minister Harris stated that when ECCB Governor, Mr. Timothy Antoine addressed the Cabinet on Monday, he expressed high praise for the Team Unity Government’s outstanding management of the economy. “He also commented on the fact that so much economic activity was happening in St. Kitts and Nevis, in contrast to the bulk of the other member states in the sub-region,” Prime Minister Harris added.
The Prime Minister also made reference to an April 12th Latin Trade article titled “The Stars of the Caribbean.” The first sentence in the article reads: “New projections from Cepal show sustained growth in Panama, the Dominican Republic and St. Kitts and Nevis.” CEPAL is the Spanish translation for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (also known as UNECLAC or ECLAC).
The April 2016 ECLAC report revised its GDP forecast for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis upwards from 4.7% to 5.1%. This stands in sharp contrast to ECLAC’s forecast for Latin America and the Caribbean. In the April report, ECLAC said the region would see its total GDP dip by 0.6% this year.
(Press release courtesy of the Office of the Press Secretary)
Naparima College launches RSC IT Club to assist those in need
TRINIDAD: April 20, 2016: Dr. the Honourable Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education delivered the feature address at the launch of the Restore a Sense of I Can (RSC) IT Club at Naparima College, San Fernando on Monday 18th April, 2016 where 20 computers were gifted to several recipients.
The RSC partnered with Naparima College to launch their Information Technology Club. The Club seeks to expand the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), which includes repairing used computers and donating them to those in need. Minister Francis commended the school on having such a progressive initiative using what others may deem as a waste. He described this as social and environmental ‘consciousness’.
Addressing the audience, Minister Francis said, “If we are to successfully traverse these difficult times, we do not only need to go out and get more sources of oil and gas, but focus on areas such as innovation and our sense of creativity.”
He also said, “If we have young people like this who can take waste and come up with innovative ways of using it, this helps us socially and I think that we will be able to survive the recession.”
Among the recipients gifted computers were Sponsoring Wings of Hope, Toco Foundation Gate Keepers, Caring Intervention for Troubled Youths, Rio Claro Learning & Development Centre For Special Children, The Princes Town Rotary Club, St. James Police Youth Club, First Church of the Open Bible, Haven of Hope and Ms.Alicia Edwards the Social Worker for Sea Lots Community.
Also visiting the Ste. Madeleine Secondary School where he attended the school’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, Minister Francis met School Principal Mrs. Joy Arjoon-Singh and students where he encouraged them to uphold the name of the school and to take advantage of all the educational opportunities available to them. He said, “I really hope that you take this opportunity to become educated, something in this country we have started taking for granted but which is still very important. There are countries in the Caribbean where students have to pay for secondary schooling. We are privileged in this country to be able to allow our students to access this level of schooling by our collective effort. Students do not waste your time. Do not waste the efforts of your teachers. More significantly do not waste the efforts of your Principal. Come here, learn something and leave here smarter and more prepared than you came in.”
This was Minister Francis’ first visit to Ste. Madeleine Secondary School which had recently concluded the preliminaries for the Secondary School’s Dance Festival.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. the Honourable Lovell Francis (c) at the launch of the RSC IT Club at Naparima College on April 18, 2016. He is joined by representatives of Naparima College, San Fernando (Photo courtesy the Facebook.com/theministryofeducation)
UWI Fine Arts and Design students exhibit at National Museum
TRINIDAD: April 20, 2016: The University of the West Indies’ Fine Art and Design Degree Exhibition 2016 is currently on display at the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG), corner Frederick Street and Keate Street Port of Spain and will continue through Saturday 14thMay, 2016.
The grand opening took place at the Main Art Gallery of the National Museum and Art Gallery on Wednesday April 13, 2016 with final year students, friends, family and art enthusiasts in attendance.
In the brief opening ceremony, Ms Lorraine Johnson – Curator, described the role of the entities involved. “It is the role of the artist to ignite change and the role of the National Museum and Art Gallery to facilitate change. When the museum and artist come together, we have the opportunity to redesign the walls of society. When the artist connects with the audience the opportunity for change becomes a reality.” She encouraged all patrons, “Open your minds and consume fresh art.”
Mr Jessel Murray, the Head of the Department of Creative Arts (DCFA), expressed his gratitude to the NMAG as it offered the final year students “national exposure, critique and appreciation.”
The exhibition comprises over thirty-five pieces from twenty-two Fine Art students and seventeen Design students. The display was organised by Keomi Serrette, Curatorial Assistant at the National Museum and Art Gallery in collaboration with representatives from the university’s Department of Creative and Festival Arts – Visual Arts Unit in the form of Steve Ouditt, Exhibition Curator and Lauren Jennings-Stoute, Student Representative.
The artists on display utilised a wide range of art forms including amerindian basket weaving in Deseree Noel’sThe Crucifixion of the Amerindian Art; acrylic painting in the work of Jeniffer Chichester; and ceramic art as utilised in Addae Seon’s VACE – Face on a Vase. There were a few recurring themes as environmental consciousness, sustainability, identity and historical and cultural preservation.
As an addition to this Exhibition, the National Museum and Art Gallery will be the venue for an Artists’ Talk on Friday April 29, 2016 at 6:30pm. Interested persons will are asked to RSVP at 645-0873/1955 ordcfa@sta.uwi.edu
The National Museum and Art Gallery is an agency of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.
Final Year student, Lauren Jennings-Stoute gives the Vote of Thanks at the 2016 Exhibition. Behind her is her own mixed media piece ‘The Great Mother’.
‘Herban’ by Melissa Miller is a herb garden system designed to provide fresh herbs for seasoning, add greenery to home and inspire persons to make healthier decisions.
Ease For Small & Medium-Sized Businesses
Barbados: The Ministry responsible for Small Business Development is looking to establish a new policy framework shortly to help ease some of the financial burdens being faced by small and medium- sized businesses throughout the island.
Word of this came today from Commerce Minister, Donville Inniss, as he addressed the launch of Scotiabank Barbados’ 60th Anniversary Celebrations, at its flagship branch on Broad Street, The City.
Mr. Inniss told attendees that he was aware of the challenges faced by the bank’s customers, as well as the small business sector in particular.
Noting that his Ministry’s role was to create the right eco-system that would allow persons to access financing, he said this could be achieved through legislative reforms; an enabling environment of business support services; and, wherever possible, helping bankers provide the right type of financing for the sector.
Stressing that the roll-out of the new policy framework to aid small and medium-sized enterprises in Barbados would be achieved in part through philanthropy to help access financing, Mr. Inniss lauded Scotiabank for its contribution of $60,000 to the Future Centre Trust.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, praised Scotiabank for staying the course, and underscored the importance of strong partners in the financial sector.
He continued: “In the 1950s, when you first came to Barbados to set up your operation, you would have taken on a tremendous risk… in terms of it being an unknown territory, a relatively small market comparatively, going through the upheavals and discomfitures of moving from a colonial experience to an independent country, along with all of the uncertainties and challenges which that would have presented. And, so it must have been a leap of faith for the early managers of this institution to have taken that particular step.”
Senior Marketing Manager at Scotiabank, Lisa Cole, also disclosed that the bank’s activities to laud its 60th anniversary would spread over a six-month period, and each branch would have a customer appreciation day. She added that a main part of the bank’s focus would be on the various communities across the island, with a particular emphasis on literacy.
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb
NCPC PROCOM challenge aims to boost productivity
ST. LUCIA: The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) officially launched its latest initiative on Monday, April 18, 2016. The ProCom Challenge, as it is known, was launched at the Government Information Service studio at Hewanorra House in Vigie.
The ProCom Challenge invites businesses to apply for co-financing up to EC$100,000.00 in selected thematic areas, including energy efficiency; compliance with local, regional, and international standards; reduction of operational costs; and improving business productivity.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony was the keynote speaker at the ceremony, which was attended by Hon. Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Commerce, Business Development, Investment, and Consumer Affairs; Mr. Rayneau Gajadhar, NCPC Chairman; Mrs. Fiona Hinkson, NCPC Executive Director; Mrs. Jacqueline Emmanuel-Flood, CEO of the Trade Export Promotion Agency; as well as Government and private sector officials. The Prime Minister – using as his theme “Driving Productivity and Competitiveness Through Innovation” – lauded the initiative, which is meant to help create an enabling environment for higher, sustained levels of economic growth, by targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Said Dr. Anthony,
“Frankly, I am exceedingly pleased that we are reaching out to the small business sector, a sector that has huge potential to create growth and employment.
“The ProCom Challenge was conceptualized by the NCPC with funding assistance from Compete Caribbean. It is a policy response to the domestic challenges highlighted during consultations with the private sector as part of the NCPC Productivity Assessment Study.
“Research from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) suggests that a unit increase in “innovation expenditure” increases labour productivity by 63%. While the importance of innovation is understood by the business community, micro and small businesses in Saint Lucia have reported that a major challenge has been accessing finance for those ventures.
“As a Government, we have noted these challenges. We understand that innovation projects are often expensive undertakings due to the associated risk. Therefore, as part of our commitment in supporting firms to be more productive and competitive, the Government of Saint Lucia, through the NCPC, will be financing the ProCom Challenge.”
The Prime Minister went on to point out that innovation challenges such as the ProCom Challenge are commonplace where jurisdictions are aiming to boost their level of output and effectiveness. On average, over 20% of firms in advanced economies receive public support for innovation, compared to less than 5% in the Caribbean.
The deadline for submission of applications for the NCPC ProCom Challenge is May 27, 2016. For more information, business owners can visit stluciancpc.com, email: stluciancpc@gmail.com, or call 4685571/5576.
New Session of Parliament
ST. LUCIA: The Parliament of Saint Lucia has been prorogued, to pave the way for a new session of Parliament. The Tenth Session of Parliament was prorogued yesterday, Tuesday April 19, 2016, after the final sitting of the House of Assembly in that session.
The new session of Parliament, the Eleventh, opens on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.
Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of Saint Lucia, will deliver the traditional Throne Speech at 10:00 a.m.
Following the Throne Speech, the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Assembly will meet on the same day at 2:00 p.m. to review the Estimates of Expenditure for submission to the House for debate.
The debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure will take place on Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29, 2016.
A date has not been determined for the Budget Address.
