Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke tabling the first Supplementary Estimates for the 2018/19 financial year.
2018/19 Budget Increased by $17.4 Billion
The Government is proposing to spend an additional $17.42 billion for this fiscal year.
This is outlined in the first Supplementary Estimates for the 2018/19 financial year, which was tabled by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 25).
The Estimates shows that the budget has been increased from $773.68 billion to $791.11 billion.
Recurrent (housekeeping) expenses have moved from $560.04 billion to $572.46 billion, for an additional expenditure of $12.4 billion.
In terms of capital (development) spending, this is proposed to be increased by $5 billion, moving from $213.64 billion to $218.64 billion.
Of the increase, $7.3 billion will go towards the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP). The additional funds are required due to faster-than-programmed project execution.
Another $7 billion has been set aside for a grant to local authorities to deal with the payment of arrears and current charges for street lighting.
Further, $445 million will go towards enhanced security measures to support the States of Public Emergency and Zones of Special Operations; to support the establishment of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB); and to improve 60 priority police locations islandwide.
In addition, $527.66 million will be spent on the reverification of voters. This exercise will involve the phased removal of deceased persons from the voters’ list.
Members of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) and the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament are to deliberate on the Supplementary Estimates next week, following which it will be debated in the House of Representatives for its approval.
Tropical Storm Kirk continues to move over the Lesser Antilles at wind speeds of near 50 mph (85km/h).
At 2:00 p.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was located near latitude 14.0 north, longitude 59.9 west or 74 miles or 119 km east of Saint Lucia.
Kirk is moving in a North West North direction at 14 mph or 22 km/h.
On the forecast track the centre of Tropical Storm Kirk is expected to pass near the islands of Martinique and Saint Lucia sometime this afternoon.
Heavy showers, tropical storm force winds and thunderstorms are expected from this evening into tomorrow, Friday.
In light of this, essential services in respect of private sector operations (supermarkets,
pharmacies and gas stations) are encouraged to cease operations by 6:00 pm giving staff sufficient time to reach home.
Everyone is encouraged to remain vigilant and to monitor the progress of the storm.
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Honourable Allen M. Chastanet
Prime Minister Honourable Allen M. Chastanet continues to champion the cause of middle income countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
During the annual United Nations General Assembly, which began on September 25th, the Prime Minister, along with the Saint Lucian delegation which includes Minister with responsibility for External Affairs, Honourable Sarah Flood Beaubrun, has held several high level and bilateral meetings to discuss global, regional and local issues, particularly as it relates to financing and debt sustainability.
The Prime Minister will continue to stress the urgent need for reforms to better enable the full participation of small islands in the global economy as he addresses the General Debate of the 73rd Session of the UNGA on Friday September 28th 2018. The theme of the General Debate, “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”, is also the theme of the 73rd session.
Prime Minister Chastanet will also speak of the vulnerability of the region, especially as it relates to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and the efforts by small islands to build resilient infrastructure.
Friday’s session begins at 9:00am, with the Prime Minister expected to be the 10th Speaker of the morning.
Saint Lucians can tune in live to watch the presentation by following the link: http://webtv.un.org/live/.
St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) notes the Civil Service Association’s (CSA) press release of September 21, 2018.
The CSA’s name-calling and attack on LUCELEC is unfortunate but is typical of how the CSA has confused the issues surrounding this dispute.
The dispute arose over the parties’ interpretation of the grade structure that should have been included in a schedule to a collective agreement between the CSA and LUCELEC for the period 2011 – 2013. That was after the parties had signed off on all the clauses (excluding the grade structure) and exchanged letters confirming they had reached agreement. On the strength of those letters, the Company in good faith, paid to its Grade 1 employees all increases, benefits and retroactive payments negotiated for that period while the agreement was being prepared for signing. Then, the CSA refused to sign the agreement, even after the Company had included their re-drafting of the section pertaining to the grade structure.
Despite several meetings and exchanges between both parties, including interventions by the Labour Department and the Minister for Labour, the matter could not be resolved, the collective agreement for the period remained unsigned, and the matter was eventually referred to the Tribunal.
The main thrust of the CSA’s submission to the Tribunal was that LUCELEC provide it with the “Shorey Report” and that LUCELEC had failed to implement the wage structure recommendations in the report. David Shorey was a consultant LUCELEC hired in 2008 to undertake a job evaluation and compensation study and to make recommendations to the Company. Although it was under no obligation to, the Company has provided the CSA with the Shorey Report. The CSA insists it is not the ‘correct’ report, yet have produced no proof that there is another version which is correct.
The grade structure the CSA wants implemented does not exist anywhere else in the organisation, and is not contained in the recommendations of the same Shorey Report being referenced. To date, the CSA has failed to produce any conclusive evidence confirming LUCELEC’s agreement on the specific grade structure that the Union wants. However, based on an exchange of letters between the Company and the CSA dated August 26 and 28, 2013, it is clear the CSA accepted the Grade Structure as proposed by the Company.
In fact, what the Company has been seeking to do is to implement the grade structure for its Grade 1 employees as it has done for the rest of the organisation since 2009.
Despite the CSA’s attempt to confuse the issues, the main point of disagreement remains whether the parties had agreed to the grade structure the CSA wants.
LUCELEC is on record as willingly and actively participating in all attempts at finding a solution to this impasse. Notwithstanding the specific issues in dispute, the Company has made various proposals to the CSA to find a negotiated settlement. The offers made to the CSA were in the spirit of compromise to resolve the issue. At no time has the CSA seemed amenable to a discussion on these offers. At every turn the response from the CSA has been to insist on inserting the grade structure that it wants into the collective agreement or for the Company to send information for populating the specific grade structure that it wants. In effect, it’s the grade structure CSA wants or nothing.
To suggest that LUCELEC, in pursuing its legal right to clarify the issues before the Tribunal, is seeking to “derail the process and circumvent the outcome which they anticipate will not be favourable to them” is the CSA objecting to their attempts to muddy the waters being brought to light. In effect, seeking to be judge, jury and executioner in this dispute.
Suggestions that the Company has made “a recent payoff of millions to 30 high employees” are blatantly false.
In the absence of the evidence to support its case on the substantive issue, it appears the CSA has resorted to name-calling in “the court of public opinion”. This is nothing more than an attempt to gain emotional support and sympathy for its efforts to dictate to the Company what the staff structure should be.
The decision on this outstanding issue is not in the Company’s hand. LUCELEC, like the CSA, is awaiting the ruling of the Tribunal.
LUCELEC continues to be a responsible employer in ensuring that all employees are adequately compensated for the positions they hold.
BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Kirk Advisory Number 15
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122018
1100 AM AST Thu Sep 27 2018
…KIRK NEARING THE LESSER ANTILLES…
SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST…1500 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…13.8N 59.3W
ABOUT 45 MI…70 KM NNE OF BARBADOS
ABOUT 130 MI…210 KM ESE OF MARTINIQUE
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50 MPH…85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 15 MPH…24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…999 MB…29.50 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Barbados
* St. Lucia
* Dominica
* Martinique
* Guadeloupe
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles
should monitor the progress of Kirk.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was
located near latitude 13.8 North, longitude 59.3 West. Kirk is
moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h), and this
general motion with a slight decrease in forward speed is expected
over the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Kirk
will move across the Lesser Antilles within the Tropical Storm
Warning area by this evening.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.
Gradual weakening is anticipated during the next couple of days, but
Kirk is forecast to move across the Lesser Antilles and into the
eastern Caribbean Sea as a tropical storm.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km)
from the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from Air Force Hurricane
Hunter observations is 999 mb (29.50 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
warning area this afternoon, making outside preparations difficult
or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the
watch area by this afternoon.
RAINFALL: Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall of 4 to 6
inches across the northern Windward and southern Leeward Islands
with isolated maximum totals up to 10 inches across Martinique and
Dominica. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and
mudslides. Across eastern Puerto Rico, Kirk is expected to bring 2
to 4 inches with isolated maximum totals of 6 inches by Friday and
Saturday.
NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next intermediate advisory at 200 PM AST.
Next complete advisory at 500 PM AST.
Prime Minister attends one Planet Summit & meets with Grenadians in NY.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell was among world leaders who gathered in New York on Wednesday, September 26 for the One Planet Summit.
The meeting was hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron; Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres; President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim and UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, Michael R. Bloomberg.
Wednesday’s summit was the second of its kind and it included reports aligned with the 12 commitments established to guide the approach and accountability of this initiative.
The commitments include responding to extreme events in islands states; protecting land and water against climate change; international mobilisation of development banks and public procurement and access to green financing for local governments.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell said the meeting was timely as climate change action requires a sustained, collaborative effort.
The summit included an update on the recently launched Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator which has attracted significant international funding and will seek to fast track climate change action across the region.
Having witnessed the unprecedented devastation caused during the 2017 hurricane season, Dr. Mitchell, in his capacity as Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last year, called for immediate action to make the Caribbean the World’s First Climate Smart Zone.
Speaking after the One Planet Summit, Dr. Mitchell said, “The urgency remains, we must act and act now and we must work collaboratively.
I am buoyed by the growing interest in the Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator with 26 Caribbean countries signing on to this particular initiative, along with invaluable support of 40 private sector partners. With this underlying commitment, we must move expeditiously to create the climate change adaptation strategies which will improve the resilience of our countries and ensure our sustainable development.”
Meanwhile, as he wraps up his visit to New York, Prime Minister Mitchell will meet with Grenadians in the diaspora to update them on developments at home and to discuss ongoing partnerships to further propel the development of Grenada.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honurable Peter David and Minister of Health, Social Security and International Business, Honourable Nickolas Steele will also address the gathering.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton arriving at the 3rd UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s)
CARICOM Must Remain Committed to Fighting NCDs – PM Holness.
Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of CARICOM, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has called on Heads of Government in the Caribbean region to remain steadfast and committed to the fight against Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The Prime Minister says the region must renew its commitment, which was made more than ten years ago, to tackle NCDs.
“Recognizing that NCDs remain a major challenge to the health of our populations, we have again elevated this to the UN development agenda for prioritization of efforts to reduce risk factors”, stated Prime Minister Holness.
Prime Minister Holness was speaking in New York at the 3rd UN High-level Meeting on NCDs today (September 27), where CARICOM launched the “Step it up” initiative.
Jamaica is set to lead the CARICOM region in the fight against NCD’s. This initiative is an adaptation from the ‘Jamaica Moves’ initiative.
Prime Minister Holness reported at the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in July of this year, six (6) priorities which were endorsed by the Heads of Government.
The priorities are:
• Establishing and maintaining a smoke-free status for the Region;
• Implementing policies geared to preventing Childhood Obesity, including for health-promoting school environments and Front of Package (FOP) labelling;
• Promoting the elimination of cancer of the cervix;
• Support for mitigation of post disaster vulnerabilities related to NCDs in particular nutrition, treatment and care;
• Increasing international financing and technical support and
• Strengthening accountability in particular through national coordinating mechanisms.
Prime Minister Holness said these priorities are to guide Member States in the negotiation of the outcome document for the Third High Level Meeting on NCDs.
The meeting was held during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly underway in New York, United States of America.
International Monetary Fund Reports Positive Economic Growth in Belize.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its annual Article IV consultative visit to Belize. A report published by IMF on September 24, 2018, has stated that Belize’s economic recovery has grown by an estimated 5.4 percent during the second quarter of this year and the real Gross Domestic Product grew by 1.4 percent since last year.
The IMF delegation, led by Daniel Leigh, was in Belize from September 11th to 20th. While in Belize, the delegation met with Acting Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber, H.E. Joy Grant, Governor of the Central Bank of Belize; Joseph Waight, Financial Secretary; senior government officials, representatives of the opposition, private sector and public sector unions.
The delegation stated that, “Belize’s economic recovery is strengthening, the government is making significant progress toward debt reduction, and the Central Bank of Belize (CBB) has taken resolute actions to improve financial soundness.”
The report stated that the economic recovery is supported by a favorable global environment. Growth in the tourism sector and a decline in unemployment, inflation and deficit rates have been listed as contributing factors. The IMF team also stated that the fiscal adjustments made in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 budgets contributed to an increase in revenues. Additionally, the report stated that actions taken by the financial sector to enhance performance of financial institutions and de-risking of correspondent banking relationships have led to bank profitability.
The Government of Belize is pleased that the findings of the IMF report have reflected the efforts of this administration to improve the economic conditions of this country and by extension the lives of all Belizeans.
BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Kirk Advisory Number 13
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122018
1100 PM AST Wed Sep 26 2018
…HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT FINDS KIRK A LITTLE WEAKER…
…TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE
WINDWARD AND LEEWARD ISLANDS ON THURSDAY…
SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST…0300 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…13.0N 57.0W
ABOUT 170 MI…270 KM E OF BARBADOS
ABOUT 295 MI…470 KM ESE OF MARTINIQUE
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50 MPH…85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 16 MPH…26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1002 MB…29.59 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Barbados
* St. Lucia
* Dominica
* Martinique
* Guadeloupe
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 24
hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, in this case within 24 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles
should monitor the progress of Kirk as additional warnings or
watches could be issued tonight.
For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was
located by Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft near latitude
13.0 North, longitude 57.0 West. Kirk is moving toward the
west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this general motion is
expected to continue over the next few days. On the forecast
track, the center of Kirk will move across the Lesser Antilles
within the tropical storm warning area Thursday or Thursday
evening.
Data from the Hurricane Hunter plane indicate that maximum sustained
winds have decreased to near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.
Gradual weakening is anticipated during the next couple of days,
but Kirk is forecast to move across the Lesser Antilles and into
the eastern Caribbean Sea as a tropical storm.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km)
mainly to the north and east of the center.
The minimum central pressure based on the latest aircraft data is
1002 mb (29.59 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
warning area by Thursday afternoon, making outside preparations
difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible
within the watch area by Thursday afternoon.
RAINFALL: Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall of 4 to 6
inches across the northern Windward and southern Leeward Islands
with isolated maximum totals up to 10 inches across Martinique and
Dominica. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and
mudslides. Across eastern Puerto Rico, Kirk is expected to bring 2
to 4 inches with isolated maximum totals of 6 inches by Friday and
Saturday.
NEXT ADVISORY
————-
Next intermediate advisory at 200 AM AST.
Next complete advisory at 500 AM AST.
A group of children perform a skit at the Child Protection Week rally.
Increased partnership needed to tackle child abuse.
Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally
Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally, today, called on citizens to partner with government to eliminate all forms of violence against children. The Minister made the call during a Child Protection Week rally held at the Stabroek Square, Georgetown.
“Today we call on all Guyanese to partner with Government, Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs), religious organizations and society as a whole, to work together to protect and create a safe, stable, secure and nurturing environment that is safe from abuse and neglect,” said Minister Ally.
She said it is time to “build on each other’s strengths to create greater efficiency” while assuring government’s commitment to fostering supportive conditions where parents can properly care for their children.
“My administration is dedicated to fostering healthy and supportive conditions that enable our children to develop and thrive and ensure that parents and caretakers have the resources they need to properly care for their children… we must put the family at the center of national discourse,” Minister Ally declared.
Similarly, UNICEF’s country representative Ms. Sylvie Fouet encouraged community involvement to prevent child abuse.
“Beyond the systems, the key to success is you, the communities, so we call for the involvement of everyone… you have the power to prevent sexual abuse,” Ms. Fouet stated.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Mr. Leslie James said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is committed to ensuring that perpetrators of child abuse are placed before the courts.
“I wish to indicate very clearly that the Guyana Police Force has always been committed to dealing with child sexual abusers. Testimony to this fact are members of the Gender Based Unit across the divisions of the Guyana Police Force, who interacted with a multi-stakeholder agency to examine the current state of affairs in relation to investigations and other matters pertinent to sexual abuse and specifically to the child,” Commissioner James stated.
Child Protection Week is being celebrated under the theme, “Supporting Families to Prevent Child Abuse through Education and Community Involvement”.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell was among world leaders who gathered in New York on Wednesday, September 26 for the 
