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Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project

CARICOM, USAID Partner on Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project

CARICOM, USAID Partner on Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project

Collaborating to build a resilient cyber future across the Caribbean

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the United States Agency for International Development launched a Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project to enhance cybersecurity capacity across CARICOM States.

Against a backdrop of rising cyber threats globally, the CARICOM’s Council for Trade and Economic Development, in 2019, unanimously approved the development of the Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project. The Project seeks to galvanise Caribbean-wide collaboration on cybersecurity efforts and empower stakeholders to protect themselves digitally. The strategy aims to empower CARICOM states by strengthening resilience at the individual and collective levels, a dual approach that will enable each state to reinforce cyber defenses befitting their unique landscape, while benefiting from pooled regional knowledge and resources to drive back exterior attacks. This multi-level approach will ultimately enhance agility, information sharing, and strategic partnerships in the face of digital threats. It is a critical initiative that marks a significant milestone in implementing cybersecurity safeguards, a key pillar of the CARICOM Single ICT Space.

Expert advisors from Cambridge Global Advisors (CGA) will develop a strategy, engaged through USAID’s Promoting American Approaches to ICT Policy and Regulation (ProICT) activity, funded by the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP).

The Cyber Resilience Strategy 2030 Project Steering Committee, chaired by the CARICOM Secretariat, will direct project implementation, and build on existing regional efforts to improve cybersecurity. The Committee comprises technical and governmental personnel from CARICOM Member States and Associate Members, officials from the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), as well as an independent expert. In the upcoming months, CGA will interview cybersecurity practitioners across the region’s public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These consultations will inform a series of reports analyzing CARICOM Member States’ legal and regulatory frameworks, the cybersecurity market, and regional cybersecurity workforce capacity and development needs.

Using a phased approach, CGA will also conduct extensive research and assessments to identify regional cyber vulnerabilities. The findings will shape a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy for CARICOM, providing an essential framework for increasing information sharing, reporting, collaboration, and safeguarding assets to create a united front against cyberattacks. The resulting landmark strategy will lay the foundation for collaboration on cybersecurity through concrete recommendations and implementation guidance. It will address legislative gaps, assess infrastructure, and take a proactive approach to bolstering regional cyber resilience. These actions will empower CARICOM to adapt to evolving threats and promote the development of a robust cyber workforce to prevent and respond to digital attacks.

“This cyber-resilience strategy is crucial for the security and stability of CARICOM Small Island Developing States (SIDS) due to their vulnerability to cyber threats and natural disasters. SIDS often have limited resources and capabilities to combat cyberattacks, making them more susceptible to disruptions in critical infrastructure, such as water and electricity, financial systems, and essential services. This strategy will serve, therefore, to bolster the legal, regulatory and trust frameworks of the Region and enhance international Relations,” said Joseph Cox, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General in charge of Economic Integration, Innovation and Development.

“By investing in cyber resilience, CARICOM can mitigate the adverse effects of cyber threats, bolster its capacity to respond to cyber incidents effectively, and foster greater trust in its digital ecosystem,” said Nicole D. Theriot, United States Ambassador to Guyana and CARICOM. “Together, our organizations aim to prioritize investment, innovation, and cooperation to build resilient cyber defenses and safeguard the digital future of the Caribbean region.

Wasco completes works to raw water pipeline

Wasco

Wasco successfully completes major maintenance works to raw water pipeline.

The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) announces the successful completion of repairs to the raw water pipeline between the John Compton Dam and the Theobalds Treatment Plant in Ciceron. This is an exercise that must continue until the replacement of the entire pipeline has been completed.

Despite the inherent challenges of working in wet conditions due to overnight rainfall, WASCO technicians achieved a repair turnaround time of approximately 36 hours, with a scope of work that involved the replacement of 18 defected sections of the pipeline by welding.

As of 8:00 PM on Saturday 2nd March 2024 WASCO commenced the systematic reopening of the water distribution network. To optimize system performance throughout the restoration process, service to northern customers is being reinstated in a phased approach. The public is reminded that consumers residing at higher elevations and at the extreme ends of the network may experience delays and low flows as pressure rebuilds on the network.

WASCO remains committed to addressing water supply challenges and to ensuring that the operation of our infrastructure meets the needs of our consumers. We are extremely grateful for the cooperation and understanding of the public during this period of maintenance, as we work to enhance the reliability of the island’s water distribution network.

WASCO has activated a dry season mitigation plan as we are experiencing low flows from our various raw water sources throughout the island. We take this opportunity to remind the public to be mindful that WASCO does not generate water. The company is responsible for abstracting water from these sources, treating the water and to then distribute it to the public of Saint Lucia. We encourage our consumers to continue to conserve water where possible, as we work to efficiently and sustainably manage our natural resources.

Lucian Carnival Winners of Parade of the Bands 2023

Lucian Carnival

Lucian Carnival Winners of Parade of the Bands 2023

Lucian Carnival – Saint Lucia Carnival 2023 climaxed with the national parade of the bands on Monday, July 16, and Tuesday, July 18. A total of 10 bands participated in this year’s national Parade of the Bands and 12 in the J’Ouvert Parade. The results from J’Ouvert and the national Parade of the Bands for Saint Lucia Carnival 2023 are as follows:

J’Ouvert

J’Ouvert Band of the Year

Position Band Portrayal Points
1 Back In Time Celebrating Mother Africa 420
2 J’Ouvert Jammers Back Out Dirty Horns For Soo 351
3 Mudsters Labou Love 317
4 Come To Me Tyre Shop We Jumping Not Shooting 300

Lucian Carnival Road March

Position Artist Song Points
1 Imran Nerdy Clock Out 36
2 Ezra Da FunMachine Hello Carnival 35
3 Shemmy J Miss Grippy 27
4 Ricky T Kay Ou 10
4 Mighty Kedek Kedek 10

Lucian Carnival Parade of the Bands

Individual of the Year

Position Name Band Portrayal Points
1 Jordan Augier Tribe of Twel For God So Loved The World 447
2 Kim Desir Tribe of Twel Anba Go 440
3 Sharon Tanner Tribe of Twel Palm Sunday Redemption 433
4 Craig Hyacinth Tribe of Twel Papa Djab Seducing the Nation 430

Ole Mas

Position Competitor Portrayal Points
1 Julian Calderon Mr. PM You Killing the Corn Tree 295
2 Cuthbert Modeste Julien Alfred Breaking Records 290
3 Robert Calderon Three Golds For Three Little Nose 259
4 Carlton Ishmael Criminals Have More Arms Than The Police 251

Best Portrayal of Theme

Position Band Portrayal Points
1 Tribe of Twel For God So Loved The World 129
2 Xuvo Carnival Down The Rabbit Hole 121
3 Just 4 Fun Into The Beyond 119
4 Fuzion Mas Fuzion FM 114

Best Designed Band

Position Band Portrayal Points
1 Tribe of Twel For God So Loved The World 132
2 Just 4 Fun Into The Beyond 121
3 Xuvo Carnival Down The Rabbit Hole 115
4 Fuzion Mas Fuzion FM 107

Mass on the Move

Position Band Portrayal Points
1 Tribe of Twel For God So Loved The World 89
2 Xuvo Down The Rabbit Hole 81
3 Just 4 Fun Into The Beyond 72
4 Island Tribe Sin City 68

Spirit of Carnival

Position Band Portrayal Points
1 Xuvo Carnival Down The Rabbit Hole 436
2 Fuzion Mas Fuzion FM 388
3 Tribe of Twel For God So Loved The World 386
4 Just 4 Fun Into The Beyond 376

Lucian Carnival Parade Band of the Year

Position Band Portrayal Points
1 Tribe of Twel For God So Loved The World 433
2 Just 4 Fun Into The Beyond 397
3 Xuvo Carnival Down The Rabbit Hole 387
4 Fuzion Mas Fuzion FM 362

Herb Black in 2023 Calypso Finals

Herb Black
Herb Black

Herb Black is now in the Calypso Finals

The CPMC announces updates to its list of qualifiers for the Calypso Monarch Competition after qualifier and former monarch, Walleigh, announced his withdrawal from competition.  As a result of the withdrawal, Herb Black, who was the calypsonian with the next highest point total from the semi-finals, will now qualify for this year’s finals. The updated list of calypsonians selected to advance to the finals of the National Calypso Monarch competition are as follows. Note that the qualifying artistes are listed in alphabetical order, and not indicative of scores or judging preferences.

Calypso Qualifiers

# Sobriquet  Calypso Tent  
1 Herb Black TOT/Soca Village
2 Mighty Sizzler Fire One
3 Mystic Kaiso Pro’s Tent
4 Oshun South Calypso Tent
5 Queen Yadzz South Calypso Tent
6 Ready Fire One
7 TC Brown Kaiso Pro’s Tent
8 Ti Carro TOT/Soca Village
9 Ti Blacks South Calypso Tent
The CPMC wishes all qualifiers the best as we move into the final round of competition. The Finals of the Calypso Monarch Competition, will be held on Saturday, July 8 at the SAAB, Vigie. Tickets cost $60 regular, and $150 VIP, and are available for purchase at The Cell outlets island wide, and Steve’s Barbershop in Castries. For updates relating to the Calypso Monarch Competition, and all other aspects of Saint Lucia Carnival, visit www.carnivalsaintlucia.com or @carnivalsaintlucia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

National Carnival Queen Pageant Auditions Set

Saint Lucia Carnival 2022

After an exciting 2022 season, activities for St. Lucia Carnival officially gets underway this Sunday, March 26, with the auditions for the 2023 National Carnival Queen Pageant.

The audition will require the registered applicants to compete in four key areas: swimwear, talent, interview, and formal gown. Applicants will also have an opportunity to engage in a one-on-one conversation with the competition judges. Eight finalists will be selected to participate in the 2023 National Carnival Queen Pageant set to take place on Saturday July 1st, 2023.

Chairperson of the Carnival Planning & Management Committee (CPMC), Tamara Gibson, says, “we were overwhelmed by the level of interest and applications being received for this year’s competition. Our aim is to continue to improve carnival, so our judges will take our potential contestants through a very thorough screening process to ensure that we select the best candidates.”

The reigning carnival queen is Miss BOSL, Xenia Douglas. The National Carnival Queen Pageant remains one of the most sought after events on Saint Lucia Carnival’s calendar of events.

The competition is open to Saint Lucian women between the ages of 18 – 26 years. For more information on eligibility requirements, and registration forms for this year’s pageant, go to www.carnivalsaintlucia.com or visit the office of the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) or follow @carnivalsaintlucia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

interCaribbean to Increase Flights to Saint Lucia from March 12, 2023

interCaribbean Flights to Saint Lucia

interCaribbean Flights to Saint Lucia

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) is pleased to announce that interCaribbean Airways will increase its service to Saint Lucia in March 2023.

interCaribbean began flying into Saint Lucia in March 2018 and had almost doubled its service per month by the end of the year. Throughout 2019, the airline maintained consistent service with up to 780 seats in a month. In 2022, the airline increased its market share by offering daily flights from Barbados and Dominica, with some days having double or triple the amount of flights.

The number of flights and seats into Saint Lucia will increase come March 12, 2023, when the airline will introduce a 3 times a week non-stop service from Saint Vincent on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, making connectivity between the two countries much faster.

Flights from Dominica will also increase from 5 days a week to 6 days a week. In addition, the service will expand to provide more daily scheduled flights from Barbados.

interCaribbean service to Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is a paradise island in the Caribbean and a top destination for travelers worldwide. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority focuses on making travel to the island as easy and affordable as possible. “We are delighted to partner with InterCaribbean Airways to provide our guests with more convenient and affordable travel options. This partnership will help us increase inter-regional travel and welcome more visitors to Saint Lucia throughout the year.” Remarked Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.

“interCaribbean has served Saint Lucia, since 2018 with only the pandemic causing a hiatus in service. But with the reopening of the region in August 2020, and the opportunity to enter into Barbados began the new connectivity to add that city from Saint Lucia, along with connections to many other points. With high demand for travel to or through Saint Lucia, we recognized the need to separate some of the flying to increase available seats to Saint Lucia. Starting March 12 with our new schedule Saint Lucia will enjoy more capacity, both in flights and seeing the upsize of aircraft as we also introduce the ATR42 into the network. We look forward to continuing to work with Saint Lucia Tourism Authority as we strive to meet the demands of regional travel”, said Trevor Sadler, CEO, interCaribbean Airways.

For more information about Saint Lucia and scheduled flights to the destination, please visit Caribcation.org.

Vieux Sucrieux – Careffe 15 Day Road Closure

Vieux Sucrieux - Careffe Road Closure

Careffe – Vieux Sucrieux Culvert Rehabilitation

The Department of Infrastructure, Ports, and Transport wishes to inform the General Public that the failed culvert along the Careffe – Vieux Sucrieux Road will be replaced over the next 15 days.

As a result, that section of the road will be closed to vehicular traffic from Wednesday, March 1st, 2023. Residents and individuals residing beyond this location are asked to take note. Provisions will be made for pedestrians to cross the waterway.

The Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport requests your cooperation and patience during the construction works and apologises for any inconvenience likely to be caused due to the upcoming works.

Fuel Price Adjustment – February 2023

Fuel Price

Fuel price change takes effect from Monday, February 20, 2023

The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of LPG 100 lb cylinder has changed. The retail price of Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene, LPG 20 and 22 lb cylinder remains unchanged. The price change takes effect from Monday, February 20, 2023.

  • GASOLINE remains unchanged at $3.74 per litre or $17.00 per gallon
  • Kerosene remains unchanged at $2.97 per litre or $13.51 per gallon
  • Diesel remains unchanged at $3.74 per litre or $17.00 per gallon
  • 20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) remains unchanged at $43.27 per cylinder
  • 22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) remains unchanged at $47.60 per cylinder
  • 100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) increased from $264.84 to $336.13 per cylinder

The 20 lb Cylinder (9.07kg) is being subsidized at $23.96 per cylinder and the 22 lb Cylinder (9.98kg) is being subsidized at $26.35 per cylinder.

The Public is informed that the next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday, March 13, 2023.

ECSE Investment Competition

ECSE Investment Competition

ECSE Inaugural Regional Schools Investment Competition

Thirty-four (34) schools across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union compete to become the first winner of the inaugural Regional Schools Investment Competition. The competition is a dynamic learning experience for high school and first-year college students and introduces them to investing and more specifically to investing via the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE). The initiative which takes place over a period of 4 weeks including two weeks of competition, provides the opportunity for students to experience securities market activity firsthand. Participants will have the opportunity to test their knowledge while gaining useful investing insights and skills.

ECSE Inaugural Regional Schools Investment Competition

 

The competition kicks off with an Education Webinar and Competition briefing on 16th February, with the Intra-Country portion of the competition slated for 20th through 24th February.  The winning school in each of the eight ECCU member countries in the Intra-Country segment of the competition goes on to compete in the regional competition which takes place during the week of 6th through 10th March, to vie to become the overall Regional Schools Investment Champion.

The competition is a collaborative effort of the ECSE, the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission and licensed broker-dealers, which aims to excite and inspire young people to learn more about investing and to create a pathway for young investors to become active market participants in the future.

Further updates on the competition can be found on the ECSE’s website www.ecseonline.com, and social media pages.

Kerosene and LPG 100 lb cylinder Price Change

Kerosene and LPG 100 lb cylinder Price Change

Kerosene and LPG 100 lb cylinder Price Change

The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of Kerosene and LPG 100 lb cylinder has changed. The retail price of Gasoline, Diesel, LPG 20 and 22 lb cylinder remains unchanged. The price change takes effect from Monday, January 30, 2023.

  • Gasoline remains unchanged at $3.74 per litre or $17.00 per gallon
  • Kerosene decreased from $3.14 to $2.97 per litre or $14.26 to $13.51 per gallon
  • Diesel remains unchanged at $3.74 per litre or $17.00 per gallon
  • 20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) remains unchanged at $43.27 per cylinder
  • 22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) remains unchanged at $47.60 per cylinder
  • 100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) decreased from $277.30 to $$264.84 per cylinder

The 20 lb Cylinder (9.07kg) is being subsidized at $9.70 per cylinder and the 22 lb Cylinder (9.98kg) is being subsidized at $10.67 per cylinder.

The Public is informed that the next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday, February 20, 2023.

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