Arbor Day celebrations have been marked at the Princess Margaret Secondary School in a special way.

Yesterday, select students accompanied by members of the Eastern Orators Toastmasters Club planted a tree in observance of the occasion at the St. Philip school.

Public Relations Officer of the Club, Alicia Chandler, explained that the tree which was planted, was one of nine trees donated to the educational institution by the Club.

“We would have reached out to NCC [National Conservation Commission] to donate the trees to the school all for the Day, which is celebrated today, [Friday] September 22nd.”

She continued, “We decided that it was a token of appreciation to the school for allowing us to use the facility and allowing us to build our future leaders here at Princess Margaret.”

Expressing appreciation on behalf of the school, Principal Jonathan Corbin said it was a “wonderful way” to observe the day. He also spoke about why he asked for particular types of trees.

“We requested both shade and fruit trees because we want students to understand the importance of trees and also the benefits of trees, and both types of trees have their individual benefits. So we will be planting those today. We have already started the process and the students will be encouraged to take good care of them, to benefit from them as much as they can now, and I am sure that in the future some of them will be returning probably with their children to say … ‘That tree that you are seeing there was one that I planted’, to have that good feeling.”

Corbin added that mainly agriculture science students of the school will be responsible for planting the remaining eight trees around the school. (MG)

Barbados is using a tariff code that is over 10 years old.

Acknowledging that the situation is not ideal, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, has announced that a new code will be going to Parliament soon and is expected to be in place before the end of the year. However, the Minister admitted that the code which they intend to submit will still not be up to date – it is a 2012 tariff code.

He told those attending a meeting of the Barbados Customs Brokers and Clerks Association at the Barbados Small Business Centre yesterday morning, that he knows the published tariff code currently being used, a hybrid of the 2004 and 2007 codes, is “severely challenged” and he said the fact that this is still being used is “absolutely unacceptable”.

“I don’t have to go through all of the challenges because you deal with it on a daily basis. The rest of the world I understand has gone to the tariff code 2017, and we are still some way down,” he said.

Sinckler, who is trained in trade policy, noted that it poses a challenge to doing business, as customs brokers and clerks could be inputting codes into the system which are not recognised. By law right now, he explained, the customs officers can only recognise the information as it relates to the 2007 code, which was published in 2009.

“The law is inconsistent with the practice and therefore it creates a conflict, because your client may end up having to pay a higher rate for whatever goods they are importing,” he indicated.

Sinckler’s comments came as he went on to reveal that only last Friday, he met with the staff of the Customs Department working on the 2012 code, and was informed that comments have been received and are at present with the Comptroller of Customs. He disclosed that those comments are to go this week to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, which is already working on the document and is just waiting on the comments from Customs.

“Those will be plugged in and we will sign off on 2012, which at least gets us to EPA compliant status and then as we are doing that, we will work on getting the 2017 done as well… All the other elements are in place,” he indicated. (JRT)

Dwindling staffing levels at the Customs Department continue to be a headache for Government.

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, spoke to this as he addressed members of the Barbados Customs Brokers and Clerks Association during a meeting at the Barbados Small Business Centre yesterday, contending that while they have sought to address the problem, they cannot keep pace. To that end, he said it is an area that the Government and the relevant stakeholders need to pay urgent attention to. Sinckler’s comments came as he revealed that while last year the department received permission to fill 15 posts, between 2015 and the present, close to 30 Customs officers retired from the service.

“It is admittedly a major source of concern for the Government that we still have these challenges in maintaining levels of staffing in this very, very critical department. This is particularly the case since, as we know, the volumes and values of trade as we have seen through Barbados have increased times fold, consistent with the growth and development of our economy and society over the years. Unfortunately, while we have seen a reasonable expansion in the civil establishment of the Customs, the persons working there, this has not been at a rate sufficient to match the sheer volume of work which has been coming through our ports of entry,” he said.

Moreover, the Minister told those gathered this has been compounded by the fact that over the last decade or so, Customs has seen a fairly sizeable increase in the levels of retirements from the service, as more persons reach the end of their service or opt for early retirement. He added that some persons have also been promoted out of the department. These realties, Minister Sinckler said, pose serious challenges to the department, in that they find it difficult to fill the posts as required, given the specialised nature of the Customs function.

“If we say five trained and experienced Customs officers were to leave the department tomorrow, it is highly improbable, near impossible for the PAD [Personnel Administration Division] to find five persons, in or outside the service, with equal talent and experience to immediately fill those positions and eliminate any vacuum which may be created. This is because we simply do not have that type of talent sitting around waiting to be called into the service,” he indicated.

He used that point to raise another issue, the fact that there is no permanent systematic approved training course for Customs officers in this country. Sinckler lamented that this means persons cannot be properly trained in Customs procedures prior to entering that department. Tackling this deficit, he maintained, would assist the department in addressing the staffing challenges.

“It means therefore that all of the key stakeholders who rely on the system, on the skill sets and on the system, including your organisation, need to urgently focus our attention on resolving this situation as a matter of urgency,” he insisted.

With that in mind, he said that the Customs Brokers and Clerks Association has a role to play in that regard, and he called on them to reach out to the Comptroller of Customs, the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Finance, Trade and Education, as well as the PAD, the Barbados Revenue Authority and private sector interests, to meet urgently to begin work to establish a basic Customs officers training course. Sinckler’s comments came as he said that he is certain that agencies like the Inter-American Development Bank or the Caribbean Development Bank would provide the financing for such a venture.

“…We need a cadre of persons in Barbados trained in the basics of Customs work, from which we can draw, if needed, at a moment’s notice, and that can be smoothly integrated into the service, if and when required. And, I suspect this would go a long way to addressing some of these challenges,” he said. (JRT)

There should be some word soon on the planned transition of the Customs Department into the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA).

So says Finance and Economic Affairs Minister, Christopher Sinckler. Sinckler said his Ministry will make an announcement as soon as Cabinet, possibly as early as this Thursday, is apprised of the new way forward that is being contemplated. He made the disclosure as he also gave the assurance that they will continue to engage the various partners, including the trade unions, on the matter.

The revelation came yesterday morning as he addressed the Barbados Customs Brokers and Clerks Association at the Barbados Small Business Centre. Though not delving into details, the Minister indicated that Government is committed to having the issue resolved as soon as possible, noting that some matters, including a few appointments, are still to be settled.

“Some of the other issues, I thought, were issues that whilst there was a divide that we could get past them, because they were not issues that were essentially fundamental to the new system that would be put in place. Issues pertaining to the name change from Customs officer to Border Control officer… Those are issues of nomenclature… Issues such as that I thought we could have moved past and I hope we are able to move past from those issues,” he said.

The Finance Minister made the point as he said that the delay in the transition has in fact pushed back the agenda for improving the levels of efficiencies within the Customs Department. Adamant that this needs to be addressed, Sinckler said it “has to happen now” as the delay is costing the country considerable amounts of money.

“And it is costing our public increased fees and charges and prices in their day-to-day exposure to commercial trade in Barbados and it can no longer continue… So I encourage you to agitate for this process to be completed. I think it is important that we get that done, because for example as I said it caused the ASYCUDA World thing to get pushed back almost more than a year, and we can’t have that stalemated situation exist. It is not fair to anybody. It is not fair to you; it is not fair to the people who you work for, your clients; it is not fair to the public of Barbados, who eventually bear the brunt; it is not fair to the Customs officers themselves or to Government, because the Customs officers and the department will continue in a state of suspended animation waiting to know what is going to happen… That is not the form of existence that any department should be in,” he stated.

Minister Sinckler’s remarks came as he explained that this policy decision by Government to create a central revenue authority was around since 2002 with the reform of Barbados’ trade and financial systems. Moreover, he contended it is not something new, as it has been done in several countries including Guyana, Canada and Malaysia.

“People try to make it out as something that Barbados was doing that has never been done. It has been done before and it has been thought to be done because it is an efficient way of bringing all of the major tax collection agencies under one roof, so that you can administer your tax system in an effective and efficient way,” Sinckler stated.

While admitting that change is never easy, the Minister said he was “personally a little surprised” at the level of resistance from the unions and some personnel to the move. Nevertheless, he said Government remains committed to putting Customs under the BRA. His comments came as he said Government has “bent over backwards” to support and try to pave the way for the transition. (JRT)

PRIME Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, has made an impassioned plea to the United Nations for help for his homeland and the rest of the islands in the Caribbean that were severely affected by destructive weather systems in the past two weeks.

Speaking about the devastation in his country, which was battered by Category 5 Hurricane Maria between last Monday night and Tuesday morning, to the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday, Skerrit declared an international, humanitarian emergency that is centred in Dominica, but also encompasses other nations in the region, including its sister isle Antigua and Barbuda, which had to evacuate its citizens from Barbuda.

He said it is important for greater action to be taken by developing, and developed nations, to curtail the consequences of climate change.

Skerrit also called for more funds to be made available to vulnerable countries for loss and damages caused by severe weather systems.

On this note, Prime Minister Skerrit said the Green Climate Fund, which was created to assist in putting mitigation measures in place and to assist the victims of climate change, is commendable.

However, he insisted that much more must be done to assist countries that are forced to handle the brunt of climate change.

“The World Bank established the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance to assist countries that have been impacted by natural disasters. Though helpful, the amounts are usually grossly inadequate to rebuild infrastructure and to maintain the gains and progress made in economic and social development, after the likes of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Or even in the case of a tropical storm like Erika that occurred two years ago,” he said.

Skerrit appealed for more funds to be made available to vulnerable countries for loss and damage caused by natural disasters, so that they may mitigate the risk associated with future incidents.

He said the World Bank facility must be recapitalised for greater coverage by using already committed funds from the Green Climate Fund.

“This would allow our countries to focus on improving the lives of people, and support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“It would allow us to rebuild our nations not as it was, but in a manner that is far more capable to meet the realities of rising sea levels and warmer oceans.

“Not to do so, Mr President, would be to abandon those who have paid a steep price for what others elsewhere have created,” he said.

“Dominicans, Mr. President, have been responsible members of the global economy. We have co-joined all the major international battles, from the abolition of forced labour to the protection of patents.

“Yet today, 72 000 Dominicans lie on the frontline, in a war they did not choose, with extensive casualties, from a war that they did not start,” Skerrit added.

The Prime Minister said the time has come for the international community to make a stand and decide whether it will be shoulder to shoulder with those suffering the ravages of climate change world-wide, whether the consequences can be mitigated, and whether unprecedented increases in sea temperatures and levels can be controlled.

“Whether to help us rebuild sustainable livelihoods, or whether the international community will merely show some pity now… Today, Mr. President, we the small nations of the world need to know who our real friends are, and who have our backs,” he added. (AH)

There are several opportunities available for Barbadian business people to help their neighbouring islands rebuild after Hurricanes Maria and Irma, respectively, ravished countries like Barbuda and Dominica, for instance.

This is according to Minister of International Business, Small Business Development, Industry and Commerce, Donville Inniss, who spoke with the media after a church service to mark the start of a week of activities to commemorate Small Business Week, yesterday at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

Stating that oftentimes when islands face natural disasters, it is their Caribbean neighbours that step forward to assist them in providing the basic necessities for their citizens, the minister however pointed out that when it comes to actually rebuilding the infrastructure of the said nation, then the same Caribbean islands do not usually get to provide these services, since affected nations tend to look broader afield to countries like the United States of America (USA).

“My perspective is that we therefore have to make available in the re-building exercise, the services of Barbadian professionals and some of the goods and services of Barbadian companies. Too often these things happen and then the political leaders and decision-makers look to the US, Europe and other far flung places for advisors, technical folk and even suppliers of cheap materials and their own brothers and sisters, who have done so much to help them through…their most difficult time, do not get a peep in.”

The Minister of Small Business Development said that he for one would be reaching out soon to his ministerial colleagues in the affected islands to see how Barbadian professionals and companies can lend of their expertise, goods and services to assist them with their rebuilding efforts.

“So I believe that we must be bold in not just making these statements, but in making things happen and I certainly intend to reach out to my ministerial colleagues in the affected territories to see how we can at this point in time start the conversation. When the military folks have done their work, when the CDEMA and all of them have done their assessment and things are beginning to settle a bit, we need as Barbadian businesses professionals to be in there offering our services. Even if we offer them as a discount rate, but I don’t want to see a sluff of extra-regional individuals and companies taking all of the work in the re-building exercise.”

“I hope that we can learn some serious lessons from what is happening and accept the fact that it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.”

Sobering words from Prime Minister (Ag) Richard Sealy, whose comments came against the backdrop of the destruction wrought in sister islands during the recent passage of three major hurricanes.

Addressing the congregation of St. Cyprian’s Anglican during a service to mark the start of Tourism & Maritime Week 2017, the Minister of Tourism, while highlighting the “nonsense” perpetuated by some Barbadians that “God is a Bajan” said: “Our turn will come. We need to only prepare ourselves and learn from what has happened elsewhere.”

Addressing several tourism and maritime partners in attendance, Sealy commended the response from Barbadians to the relief effort, noting that the Barbados Fire Service, Royal Barbados Police Force and officers from the Barbados Defence Force have been deployed to Tortola, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Martin and Dominica, mostly on a voluntary basis. He also noted that linesmen from Barbados Light & Power were volunteering to put themselves in harm’s way to help bring relief.

He also saluted the private sector effort for the provision of resources, vessels, as well as many other individuals who have chipped in to help their brothers and sisters in neighbouring hurricane ravaged countries and community organisations that have launched canned food drives.

“People are literally buying groceries and taking them to the Pelican (HMBS Pelican) so they can make their way over to the ravaged regions. That says a lot about the Barbadian spirit. Yes we are grateful for big corporate partners who are doing their part, but those many individuals with modest resources, still making sure they could send, if two bags of groceries or one case of water.”

The Acting Prime Minister said while there have been some increases in the tourism industry, officials can ill-afford to rest on their laurels; they must continue to work and pray. “We have to count our blessings.”

He noted that this week of activities, being held under the theme “Tourism for Present and Future Generations”, will focus on the sustainability of the tourism industry, adding that a concerted effort has been made to incorporate the youth. He also highlighted the activities in the Barbados Port, which he noted is the premier home porting facility in the region as well as the importance of the fishing industry in which 6 000 persons are directly or indirectly involved.

The week of activities will include a Tourism Road Runner today; an Open Day at the Grantley Adams International Airport on Tuesday. World Tourism Day will be celebrated on Wednesday September 27, which will be marked by the ‘I Am Tourism” premiere which will be held at Olympus Theatres. On Thursday Maritime Day will be celebrated at the Barbados Port Inc, as well as a Tourism Career Showcase to be held at the LESC. On Friday stakeholders will be celebrated during an all-day Restaurant Dine Around. Activities will culminate on Saturday with a Tourism Parade, followed by Speightstown Sizzle in Speightstown in the afternoon. (JH)

Pepper spray is a useful tool that law enforcement officers in the region can employ to defuse violent situations.

That is according to David Watson, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Caribbean Law Enforcement Foundation (CLEF), an organisation formed two years ago to provide funding and equipment for training and technological infrastructure among law enforcement agencies within the Caribbean region. Watson made the point as he spoke to media personnel yesterday morning about a pepper spray project, which is currently under way in Barbados with the assistance of CLEF.

Watson explained that the Atlanta-based CLEF started a pilot project here in Barbados, where they provided the Royal Barbados Police Force with 50 cans of pepper spray earlier this year, to see how it works in this jurisdiction. The CLEF President said that a report on the pilot project should be in the hands of his organisation by the end of the year, from which they will make a decision about the way forward.

“That project can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, so we are working with baby steps on that. So we want to see further viability of pepper spray here, and then once we get the viability of it here, that kind of gives us a template for the other islands. So this is just the starting point with the pepper spray,” he indicated.

Watson added, “Equipment like pepper spray and tasers boil down to budgets, most people don’t have that. A can of pepper spray, the holder may run about US$20, that’s a lot of money per person; a taser can run US$500 and up, per taser… Right now other than a baton, or a side firearm, there is no other in between there. The pepper spray can solve a lot of issues in terms of settling a situation. Usually in most situations the hands will hurt you, if a person gets pepper sprayed they put their hands on their face.”

The CEO and President noted that while pepper spray does solve a lot of issues, it does not have an economic, viable price tag that most governments can afford. To that end, he maintained that it is not that most governments do not want it, but, he said, they cannot afford it. Nonetheless, he remains adamant that it has a role to play in the Caribbean as it can solve issues with respect to violent or combative people. (JRT)

The Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) can truly boast of being the leader in the preparation of a highly trained workforce, forty-eight years after first opening its doors.

SJPP Principal Hector Belle made the assertion, as he spoke during the educational institution’s 48th Anniversary Service held yesterday in the SJPP’s auditorium, under the theme “Reconceptualising SJPP – God’s Plan”.

“This week, we are celebrating the 48th anniversary of the SJPP, which coincides with the birthday of the Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod,” Belle commented.

“SJPP is a post-independence institution, established in September 1969…now forty-eight years later, we can truly boast of being the leader in the preparation of a highly trained workforce. But these occasions are a reminder of where we came from, where we are and where we have to be, to be truly described as an institute of excellence,” he added.

“I hope this week will be not only one of celebration, but one and of reflection, on how we can leverage our collaboration (between) staff and students, to continue to contribute to the building of the nation,” he further stated.

SJPP Registrar Hyacinth Collymore meanwhile gave an outline of the Week of Activities to be held, to celebrate the 48th anniversary.

“Today, we have decided to bring our annual celebration service here to the campus. We usually go off campus, but we thought it fitting to come to the campus, so that we can all join together as students and staff and give honour and glory to God,” she said of yesterday’s service, which focused on offering up prayers and blessings for the members of the board, senior management, staff and students alike.

Pointing to other activities to be held in the auditorium of the Polytechnic, Collymore noted that today, Tuesday, the Human Ecology Division will outline to the public what occurs in that Division. Great focus will be placed on the areas of cosmetology, esthetics and nursing and how students are trained for the world of work.

On Wednesday, the Automotive Division will shine the light on its marine diesel and maritime programmes, which have IMO certification and which are highly sought after.

On Thursday at 7:00 p.m., the annual SJPP memorial Lecture will be held, coupled with an Alumni Launch. A Wall of Fame will also be launched that night, featuring some of SJPP’s more successful students, to serve as motivation and encouragement for present students.

On Friday, a panel discussion entitled, “Big Men: Real Talk” will be held from 10: 00 a.m., strictly for SJPP males.

“We are hoping to get them to rise up and to know that they are significant and to make a significant difference in Barbados”, the Registrar said of this final event.

During the past few weeks the devastation of Hurricane Irma and Maria has reminded us of the fragility of our built infrastructure. This was the assessment made by Dr. Stephen L. Boyce, Programme Manager (Education & Employment) Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, The Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/ CARIFORUM.

While speaking at the launch of the Community Online Platform, Systems –Tenth European Development Fund Projects at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Complex , he said, “As our brothers and sisters across the region rebuild their lives and livelihood, attention must also be paid to building a more robust and resilient digital infrastructure.

At the regional and national levels, it will be vital to create technology recovery strategies as part of the business continuity planning process. Such strategies will allow for expedited recovery of networks, servers, hardware, data and connectivity. Data backup and recovery, server redundancy, and cybersecurity must also be factored into the equation. As such, if the systems in one impacted country go down, the business of the country can continue from a remote system on another member state.”

He believes, “We have been on this digital highway for far too long watching others pass us by. We have now come to a critical junction and must determine whether we come off at the next exit, make a few more loops at the roundabout, or shift into the future lane. In that lane, government, industry and academia collaborate in a single innovative space on a single cloud. In that lane our engines are powered by technology and fueled by knowledge …”

It is also critical that the systems have a certain degrees of intelligence, which allows them to learn from continual use. “Indeed, the success of any digital tool is the cultivation of a symbiotic relationship between the systems and its users. Smart systems become smarter when actively engaged by smart users who themselves become smarter. Platforms such as those being presented in the launch have little utility if not continually populated by current, relevant and reliable data and users capable of extracting the maximum usable intelligence from them ...These tools must therefore also be platforms for applied research both within regional universities and within research departments in the public and private sectors.”

Boyce stated, “In addition, we are of the view that a reliable integrated regional knowledge management framework remains part of the unfinished business of the first two decades of this century. Such a system helps to segment the harmonization and knowledge flow across digital platforms and the development of knowledge products and services for the advancement of the CSME…” Dr. Boyce noted. (NB)

THE military might sent to Dominica from across the region following the passage of Hurricane Maria, were immediately tasked to stamp out the looting and other forms of lawlessness. On Sunday night they were faced with another challenge, a prison break.

This was revealed during a press conference hosted yesterday by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in conjunction with officials from the Dominica Police Force and Regional Security System (RSS), where it was revealed that four persons escaped the island’s jail.

Chief of Police, Daniel Carbon, revealed that three of the four prisoners were on remand and one was serving a term. Two prisoners were subsequently shot and apprehended and are now undergoing treatment at the Princess Margaret Hospital, including one of the prisoners whom he said was of concern to law enforcement officials since he was on remand on a murder charge. Carbon expressed confidence that the other two will be captured in short order.

The chief also told the media that since the passage of Hurricane Maria, 40 arrests were made in relation to criminal matters and 86 arrests in violation of the curfew.

He revealed that there are to date 27 confirmed deaths, 27 confirmed missing and 18 unconfirmed persons missing. No police officers were lost during the hurricane.

The Chief of Police said immediately following the passage of Hurricane Maria, which affected several places in the city of Roseau and to a lesser extent Portsmouth, the looting began.

Deputy Chief Davidson Valerie noted that “many young men and ladies”, who can be called “mobs”, were seen around the city at that time, searching premises and looting.

He noted that many of these young people have been arrested for looting and being in violation of the Curfew Order. “The Curfew Order recommends people are inside at 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. If found on streets without permit, they will be arrested,” noted Valerie, who added that these permits have to be requested from the Commissioner of Police.

Stressing that the command and control structure of the Dominica Police Force is in place, he commended the deployment of regional forces including St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, the Royal Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force and officers from the Regional Security System. A large contingent from Jamaica is expected on the island shortly.

The officers, along with Prime Minister Skerrit, noted that they have to out these fires, which have been a distraction for the officers, who could be spending more time assisting with the widespread relief and distribution efforts.

The officers also assured that contrary to rumours being circulated, the ports of entry are safe and are being protected by security forces. (JH)

A COMPREHENSIVE update on the current conditions in Dominica, the concerted relief efforts on the ground and the way forward were outlined by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit during an hour-long press briefing yesterday morning.

Far from the crestfallen Prime Minister seen last week following the deadly impact of Category 5 Hurricane Maria, PM Skerrit was filled with determination and resolve yesterday as he rallied Dominicans to recognise their role in the recovery effort.

He also pointed to the assistance which is coming from the OECS countries and CARICOM partners and further afield including the United States, the United Kingdom and as far as China and United Arab Emirates, to name a few.

Skerrit revealed that fourteen 40ft. containers of food and relief supplies are being shipped to Dominica from Antigua over the next few days, and two schooners are set to leave Barbados today. Included are supplies from the Government and people of Barbados, as well as other supplies purchased by the Dominican government on behalf of the people of Dominica. He explained that a line of credit with “certain suppliers” in Barbados was opened. “They will keep the regular supply of food going until conditions are regularised,” he said.

He also revealed that special relief flights from LIAT will continue until the food situation is under control. PM Skerrit also gave a progress report on the water, electricity and telecommunications to the island, which were also hard hit during the hurricane.

The Prime Minister revealed that US$3 million has been made available through the UNDP to allow persons in the community to be paid to help in the clean-up process. He stressed that the roads must be cleared in order to get supplies to affected communities.

“This country will have lots of food and supplies and the intention is to get all of it to the people in the quickest possible way. But we have to be orderly,” he said, noting that anytime officers have to be
diverted to attend criminal matters, it is less time spent on distributing resources.

He assured that every household will be reached and that there will be equitable, non-discriminatory distribution of supplies, adding that strict instructions have been given not to store food, but to get them out to residents as quickly as possible.

Skerrit revealed that lawlessness of any kind will not be tolerated, adding that the 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew will be reviewed under the advice of the Chief of Police and Commander of the Regional Security System on the island.

Noting that it is too early to put a dollar value on the devastation of the island, he stated that every community in Dominica was affected during the passage of Hurricane Maria. This includes agriculture, which was totally wiped out.

“I can tell you that as of next week, I want Roseau to start planting. We are going to start harvesting some of the plants that survived; we will provide the support...,” he said. “Let’s plant peas, cucumbers, lettuce, short-term crops so we can start feeding ourselves with important crops. We are going to start planting almost immediately, once we can get the supply out and people can start to address the shelters temporarily.”

He thanked the cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise lines, noting that a commitment of 1 000 igloos has been made. The first 150 should be on the island by October 3 while the other 850 should arrive in coming weeks.

Acknowledging the needs on the ground, and the level of displacement, he guaranteed that every household will be reached and encouraged residents not to complain and murmur, because help is on the way and everyone must work together in the interim. “Recognise this is not an 8 to 4 job anymore, this is a 24/7 job... Stop the negative talk. If you have nothing constructive to say, keep your mouth shut or keep your fingers off the keypads. What we need is hope, what we need is inspiration, what we need are prayers ... so we can rebuild the country and restore the lives of those impacted,” he said. (JH)

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has launched four online platforms. These online platforms have been developed to help make the benefits of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) more accessible to CARICOM nationals.

The electronic platforms launched yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre are: The Labour Market Information Systems; the regional platform for Online Companies’ Registries; the Community Public Procurement Notice Board and National Advertising Portals for 13 Member States; and the CARICOM Rapid Alert System for the Exchange of Information on Dangerous (non-food) Consumer Goods (CARREX) Upgraded Platform and Public Portal.

They are intended to provide an online database and repository of regional labour market statistics; public procurement opportunities; information on the registration of companies, business names and other entities; and alerts and notifications on dangerous and harmful products in the Community.

During the official launch of the systems, Dr. Stephen L. Boyce, Programme Manager (Education & Employment), Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, highlighted: “The European Union is extremely pleased to have invested in the development of these four critical pieces of technology through the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) financed CSME and Economic Integration Programme.

“We believe the systems represent an important step forward in the realisation of the Single CARICOM ICT Space as part of the CARICOM Digital Agenda 2015; and serve as a key enabler to building technological resilience in the region through the CARICOM Regional Strategic Plan 2014-2019. Individually, effective use of each of these platforms can realise significant benefits to the region.”

Ambassador Manorma P. Soeknandan, PhD., Deputy Secretary General of CARICOM, stated on behalf of the Community, “I thank the EU for its sterling contribution to regional integration and contribution to the Caribbean Community through its direct financial and other forms of assistance over the past many decades.

“The overall objective of the 10th EDF Programme is to support the beneficial integration of the CARICOM Member States into the global economy through the advancement of the CSME and to advance regional and sectoral policies.”

CARICOM officials added, “The implementation of these online platforms is expected to facilitate greater access to services provided by the agencies in the Member States and the Community. This should assist in improving efficiency at the institutional levels and help these government agencies provide a better service to nationals of the Community as part of the thrust of making the benefits of the CSME more accessible to CARICOM nationals.

“These systems should also enhance the ease of doing business and provide the public with access to services at a reasonable cost. For example, the online companies’ registry with all its functionalities will undoubtedly give CARICOM nationals a platform to access information as part of the Rights of Establishment regime, to do some searches for business names and other relevant information, and where the functionality exists in member states, allow for making payments online on the national companies’ registry for these services.”

Meanwhile Ambassador to CARICOM, Robert “Bobby” Morris, said: “The EU has allowed CARICOM to make significant strides under the 10th EDF and we are celebrating some measure of success through collaboration between two of the world’s leading integration services – the EU and CARICOM.” (NB)

THE island’s upcoming general elections is shaping up to be one of the “nastiest” ever, believes one government minister.

Finance Minister, Christopher Sinckler, made this clear as he addressed the Democratic Labour Party’s City branch meeting last Saturday night.

Saying there were rumours circulating about him and Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley, being involved in criminal activities, he labelled this as part of a ‘Get Chris’ Campaign by supporters of the Barbados Labour Party as a bid to remove them from office.

He nevertheless insisted that there were “operatives who are working to destroy people’s characters in Barbados”.

Citing several instances of “fake news”, the MP for St. Michael North West said, “This is going to be easily the nastiest campaign that would ever be fought in Barbados.”

“It can unnerve people when you see the extent to which some of these Labour Party people will go to secure political office,” he said, while telling the DLP faithful, gathered at the Wesley Hall Junior School, that the situation would get worse in the next months.

“It’s going to get worse. This is not the only thing. They’re going to put out other stuff too,” he insisted, saying that these individuals were seeking “to undermine public confidence and trust in people”.

Stating that he was unbothered by the accusations, he nevertheless warned that a previous allegation levelled against him had proven financially beneficial to him and as such, he was prepared to go such a route again if the need arose.

“A couple years ago they put out a video supposedly of me involved in some sexual act with some woman. I didn’t pay it much mind as I am not paying this other thing much mind either, but fortunately for me, the right person said [it in] the wrong place at the right time. So a local media house made my lawyers a little bit richer than they ought to have been. They also gave me some money that I didn’t have to work for,” Sinckler outlined. (JMB)

“DO not be like the people of Israel, and spend your time forgetting and then complaining as the current habit of some.”

This was the overall message of Reverend Dr. Von E. Watson during his sermon at the Ellerslie Secondary School’s 51st Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at the St. Stephen’s Church on Sunday. Making reference to the Book of Exodus where the Israelites complained to Moses, Reverend Watson said the school can do better, and encouraged the institution to lead the way. He noted the history of the school and its site which was once a plantation, highlighting the transition from a work area for slaves and workers to students.

“I want to suggest that when Ellerslie school took up that plantation site, on our Independence, it was not a transformation that took place but a transfiguration which took place... The great glory of God, the liberator became evident in the shining light of education for every descendant of the slaves and the slave workers,” said Rev. Watson.

Principal of the Ellerslie Secondary School, Lt. Col. Errol Brathwaite, during his brief remarks, said that the school should embrace what they have achieved, must promote their students, continue to promote student learning and not rest on their laurels.

“We at Ellerslie have for 51 years been focusing on developing not just the education of our students, but in building strength of character,” said Lt. Col. Brathwaite.

Finance Minister, Chris Sinckler, is questioning the stance of some of this island’s trade unions in recent months.

Delivering remarks during last Saturday night’s Democratic Labour Party, City branch meeting, he accused the unions of seeking to fight with the government rather than against the private sector in terms of protecting of jobs.

“The government of Barbados is trying to save jobs and trying to ensure that as many people remain employed as possible. We are trying to maintain and ensure that services that are critical: sanitation, water and so forth are provided for the public of Barbados of who constitutes their members.

“This is what we are fighting for and rather than fighting with us, you have some unions in Barbados that have decided to join the private sector, the conservative private sector to fight against the government of Barbados. Now that is a historic day in the history of Barbados because the people of Barbados are now squared off against their unions and some of the anti-union private sector entities,” he said.

Commenting on the march where 20 000 persons took to the streets in protest against government’s eight per cent hike in the National Social Responsibility Levy, he claimed that several people who were involved in the action from various private sector entities had received walking papers a few weeks afterwards, without protest from the labour movement.

“You will see in the last few months company after company coming out and saying ‘we are laying off this amount’ or ‘we are restructuring this amount’ and there is a stony silence out of the unions,” Sinckler accused. (JMB)

The Alexandra School marked its 123rd anniversary on Sunday with members of the Alexandra School Alumni Association joining the nearby congregation of the Speightstown Church of the Nazarene for its Sunday service.

It was the second activity in the ASAA’s week of activities to mark the school’s founding on September 24, 1984.

Minister Patricia Gulstone preached on the topic of judging people based on their past mistakes and her sermon centred on behaving as the Biblical Pharisees did in the time of Jesus. She based her address on St Luke 7: 37-50, the account of a woman of ill repute who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair and anointed them with perfumed oil.

Gulstone said some people were constantly defined by their past as society was not a forgiving one.

Earlier President of ASAA Felicia Sue outlined the history of the school as one of the oldest providers of secondary education in Barbados, listing the achievements of past students in a number of areas including law, tourism, sports, education and health.

She also presented a cheque to church leader Reverend Michael Gulstone, while inviting ASAA members to the other activities including a Career Day on Wednesday at the school from 9 am, and on Friday during morning assembly, Marcia Graham will give an address before the association makes a presentation.

“It’s not about academics, it’s about enterprise.”

That’s the message Keith Miller, Founding Member of the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation (BEF) and Champion of the BEF’s Education & Talent Development Pillar, is sending to a number of schools which may be hesitant about participating in this year’s BEF $20 Challenge.

During the launch yesterday of the seventh cycle of the competition, at Flow’s corporate offices in Warrens, St. Michael, Miller revealed that there seems to be a view that the challenge is solely for students in “top schools”, and the Foundation has met some “resistance” in getting some schools to embrace the entrepreneurial competition, aimed at creating new generations of more enterprising Barbadians.

“One of the excellent things about the $20 Challenge is that it is not dependent necessarily upon academic ability. So here we are in Barbados, with a system where we still have the Common Entrance Exam and our young people at age 11 plus are judged by what marks they have. Straight away a label is put on them. They don’t walk around with their grades stuck on their heads, but they know what schools they go to and society grades the schools,” he pointed out.ꏮ

“With the $20 Challenge, which is about entrepreneurship and enterprise, sure it helps. The more intelligent you are the better, but it has nothing to do with academic ability because there are different types of intelligence,” Miller maintained.

“One of the challenges we’ve got, we have to get the message across to the schools which are not considered the top schools, that the $20 Challenge is actually right up their street. It is exactly what they need and it would be good for their students, because ironically, we found resistance … from that kind of school. Those sometimes have been the hardest ones to get into and I personally think it’s because of a lack of self-confidence in the schools and a lack of self-esteem, but the more you dodge the bullet, you are not going to improve self-confidence,” he added.

Miller stressed that the $20 Challenge, which sees Fourth and Fifth form students being loaned $20 to start a business with added mentorship and support to aid them in becoming successful entrepreneurs – just like sports, is a great way for students themselves and the school as a whole, to upgrade its profile. As such, Miller is hopeful that all schools will get involved.

WILLIAMS Industries Group is making a substantial donation of over BDS $300 000 to the relief effort in Dominica.

Yesterday, the company revealed that BDS $112 000 in building and construction supplies from H&B Hardware will be shipped to Dominica.

In addition, the company has also bought BDS $80 000 in food supplies from local wholesalers, to be taken to Dominica’s government for distribution.

More food items will be bought.

Calvin Alkins Customs Services (CACS) will be handling the responsibility of shipping the items from Williams Industries, to Dominica, free of cost.

Yesterday, Chairman and Founder of Williams Industries Inc., Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams, told the media that while it is not known when Barbados might get the same treatment from a hurricane, countries in the Caribbean “really need to stick together and do things for ourselves rather than relying on outsiders to come and help us”.

Williams revealed that the company is also collecting items from the public to be shipped to Dominica, at Warehouse #19 Gas Alley, Cane Garden, St Thomas.

“People from across Barbados have already been bringing stuff to the warehouse and we thank them sincerely for doing that. I don’t know what the values of those goods are, but they are continuing to come and we will ship them when they come. There are people that can’t afford a lot because work is not plentiful in Barbados now, but they are always willing to help,” Williams said.

“Shipments have already gone to the Port. We have spent about BDS$80 000 [on food supplies] yesterday, and we are going to spend a lot more going forward. I hope it gets to Dominica and that it is properly distributed. We are making arrangements to ensure that that [effective distribution] will happen,” the Chairman added.

Senior Manager of the Lumber Division of H&B Hardware, Ingrid Carter, who was also involved in the company’s hurricane relief effort for Montserrat, said she was feeling passionate and thankful to be involved with an organisation that sees it necessary to assist storm-ravaged countries.

“In relation to the building supplies, we are sending down a significant amount of ply wood, lumber, nails, generators, wheelbarrows and sheeting . . .,” Carter said.

Director of Williams Industries and H&B Hardware, Mark Roach, indicated that when he contacted Williams about assisting Dominica, the Chairman immediately agreed that it should be a substantial donation, since that nation and other islands have been good markets in the past.

Williams also revealed that his private aeroplane left the island yesterday, to survey damages in St Maarten to see how his company can render assistance to that island which like many others, was battered by category 5 hurricane Irma.

“I am happy to make the effort to do it. But I have to emphasize that I cannot do anything without the help of the 800 odd people that work at Williams Industries,” Williams said. (AH)

AN Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) believes strongly that Government needs a more sustainable plan to address overgrown lots across the country.

St. George South MP, Dwight Sutherland, made the suggestion in the House of Assembly yesterday morning as Government sought approval for a $4.6 million supplementary for the Ministry of Health, to finance the 2017/2018 debushing programme. Sutherland told the Lower House that proper planning is needed to execute this programme, which he said is right now carried out in an ad hoc, knee-jerk manner.

“We have to relook, not we, the Democratic Labour Party. They have been carrying out their mandate ad hoc in this country without any planning, with little attention being paid to sustainable development,” he contended.

His comments came as he referred to the numerous overgrown lots across the island and he noted that it is important to reinforce the point that an unhealthy environment will lead to the spread of infectious diseases and cause public health concerns, which he said can end up being quite costly. As such, the MP noted the Barbados Labour Party supports the programme, but he questioned if the Government had not thwarted the debushing efforts and expended more money than what has been allocated to the programme, by sending home persons who were engaged in similar debushing work through the National Conservation Commission, the Drainage Division and Beautify Barbados.

“We sent home workers at NCC, the National Conservation Commission; we sent home workers at Beautify Barbados, Mr. Chairman; we sent home workers in the Drainage Unit… and I am asking myself and for the people of this country, if we do a cost benefit analysis, what was the cost of these workers who were sent home? What was the cost to the taxpayers? Let’s look at the cost to the taxpayers and I will bet you, Mr. Chairman, that it is more than, it costs the taxpayers more than the $12.794 million over the two-year period,” he stated. (JRT)