The Diabetes Association of Barbados’ Camp Pride (Positive Reinforced Innovative Diabetes Education) has seen success over the 17 years it has been held.

Director, Sandie Belle told The Barbados Advocate the two-week Camp has played a role in equipping campers yearly with skills needed to effectively manage their condition as well as lead successful lives.
“The ten-year span that I have been with them; we have campers who are now independently living overseas while they are at college. They would have been developing skills along the way but it can’t be only due to the Camp because it is just two weeks.”

She added, “We have also been able to have former campers come back as counsellors, assistant counsellors, volunteer counsellors and serve in different capacities developing their leadership skills as well.”

This year the Camp runs from July 15 to 27 at the Springer Memorial Secondary School. In attendance are 21 campers; of those 18 are living with diabetes while the other three are siblings. The theme on this occasion is “Keys to Success” and some of the topics being covered include conflict resolution and how to be financially savvy. There is also a focus on the environment and ways to preserve it.

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate, camper, Nia Hinds said so far she has been enjoying Camp Pride and she likes the fact it is comprised of young people “who are the same as you so you don’t have to feel embarrassed or shame. So I feel very comfortable.” She additionally said the talk which dealt with how to manage your carbohydrates intake was most informative. (MG)

The hard work of servicemen and women was recognised as they were honoured during the Barbados Defence Force Medals Ceremony that took place at the St. Ann’s Fort on Tuesday evening.

During his remarks, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, Colonel Glynne Grannum noted that they gathered Tuesday evening to recognise the contribution of these servicepeople.

“Today’s ceremony is simple but no less significant to the larger parades we hold, I hope that you will enjoy the proceedings and take the opportunity to interact with the servicepersons at its conclusion,” he said.

“This ceremony today signifies the recognition for the past work done to Barbados and to our values and interest, it draws a proverbial line in the sand for tomorrow. We step out, recommitted ready to do it all again, to serve and sacrifice for this great nation we call Barbados.

A commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or soldier of the BDF is eligible for the award of the Meritorious Service Medal if the individual has performed, whether in operational or non-operational circumstances, meritorious service considered worthy of recognition.

Major Patrick Skeete, retired, received the Meritorious Service Medal for the significant contribution he made to the development of the youth in Barbados and within the region for over forty years.

The General Service Medal, Operation Sisserou and CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit Operational service is awarded to an officer if, as a service Commissioned officer, Warrant officer, Non-commissioned officer or soldier of the BDF that participates in a specific operation, event or series of events on or within dates specified by the Defence Board.

The General Service Medal was awarded posthumously to the late Private Daniel Sylvester Louis for services rendered as a member of the BDF’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief contingent deployed to the Commonwealth of Dominica after the passage of tropical storm Erica in September 2015.

The late Private Louis was enlisted in the regular element of the BDF as a rifleman and during his tenure he served as an infantry soldier in the special operations platoon.
His mother, Doreen Louis Prescott was present to receive the medal on his behalf.

The final medal awarded was the Regional Security System Medal (RSSM), Operation SUPPETIOR and Housing Rehabilitation in Barbuda.

A person is eligible to be awarded the RSSM if at the time of qualification, they are serving as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or soldier in the BDF and have participated in a specific operation, event or series of events within the security forces of the RSS as determined by the Council of Ministers of the Systems.

Many residents were not in agreement with the proposed redevelopment; however a few persons noted that should some vital concerns be addressed, they would have no problem with the redevelopment.

This was made clear during Thursday night’s Town Hall Information Session for the proposed redevelopment of the Blue Horizon Hotel property that took place at Accra Beach Hotel and Spa.

Barney Gibbs noted that he had some strong legal and moral objections to certain aspects of the project, especially regarding the land that the public currently used as parking opposite the south coast hotel, among others.

He was of the view that should the developers genuinely considered the concerns, they would have the opportunity to build a hotel that would attract more tourists and have the support of the residents.

“Right now you have a golden opportunity to do something different, you have the opportunity to embrace a more sustainable approach and an approach that will resonate with the very visitors you want to attract,” he said.

“The most popular spots on the south coast are Oistins Fish Festival and the boardwalk.”

Additionally, he highlighted that if he were to stay on the proposed property, he would much rather, like he supposes the tourists would as well, look out onto a green space and not a beach bar.

“Don’t do it because we say so, or Town and Planning say so, do it because it is the moral thing to do,” he said.

Political and social activist David Comissiong, agreed with Gibbs, and added that he believed persons came to Barbados for the beauty of the beaches and the beauty of our people.

“I am certain that the visitors who would wish to come to Blue Horizon would love to look out the hotel room and see a natural beautiful beach full of greenery and vegetation, rather than some concrete built up structure,” he said.

“Make the beach a beautiful natural beach that Bajans and tourists alike can enjoy. We say that tourism is our industry, but we are in danger of killing the goose that lays the golden egg. We are in danger of destroying what is truly precious, beautiful special and unique about the Barbadian tourist product.”

One legal practitioner has called the integrity of the Town and Planning Unit into question.

Speaking during the Town Hall Information Session for the redevelopment of the Blue Horizon Hotel property that took place at Accra Beach Hotel and Spa Thursday night, political and social activist, David Comissiong believed that his position on the matter should mean something, if not for the developers, Blue Tourism Inc., but for the Town and Country Developers.

“I have serious concerns about the integrity of a Town and Country Planning Department that could come here tonight saying that a Town Hall Meeting such as this is a necessary component of the process of processing this application for planning the commission for hotel on the land side of the beach, ten stories; when three years ago, they gave permission to build a hotel on the beach of Barbados, 15 stories high without having a single Town Hall Meeting,” he said.

“So I have serious concerns.” He noted that he was also concerned by the fact that the Unit was prepared to go to court to say that they have done nothing wrong.

“They really need to tell this audience here if is this exercise is part and parcel to an Environmental Assessment that they have instructed or ordered the developers to do, and if that is the case they need to be very clear about the studies they have instructed the developers to carry out, how and when the results of this study will be shared with the public of Barbados. So we need to be serious, don’t take us through some mock sport exercise bringing public relations people to tell us a lot of foolishness,” he said.

“Come with facts, is there an environmental impact assessment, what are the studies, where are the results of those studies and how do you prepare to share them with the public of Barbados.”

A cash donation made to the Nature Fun Ranch is going to benefit three initiatives being undertaken by the charity, including an initiative aimed at reducing the country’s murder rate.

Corey Lane, founder and ranch chief of the Nature Fun Ranch (NFR) made the disclosure on Friday after accepting the donation of approximately $17 500, from the United Kingdom-based Barbados Cultural Organisation. He indicated that the Direct Intervention Programme (DIP), is geared at achieving a dip in the murder rate and will be reaching out directly to feuding gangs, to encourage them not to resort to violence or seek revenge which will likely results in a loss of life.

“We are not going to put ourselves in harm’s way, but any murder that we can prevent directly, we are now recognising that we do have the skills set to reach out to these persons. A number of persons in the programme that are not reformed, that are now leaders, were once on these very blocks and know these very guys. They went to school with them, they were expelled with them and they are helping us now to reach these guys directly,” he explained.

The ranch chief added, “One of the things these guys don’t do – I recognised this from prison – is think about the consequences and the after. I work with a lot of them in prison who say ‘I should’ve, I could’ve, but they can’t because they are incarcerated or their life has gone down the drain. So what we want to do, is start to show them these consequences, bring them up to the ranch, which is therapeutic in itself.”

He added that with some persons estimating that the number of murders will reach 60 by the end of the year, he said NFR is going to do its utmost to ensure it does not get past 45.

“We may not have total control of that, but we are going to get directly involved. We are going to use some of this funding to provide specific training to some of these ex-gang members on how to get out there and reach the guys, with conflict resolution, and creating peace between the feuding gangs. It is a programme that I am very excited about, anything that speaks to action and direct intervention, outside of talk and discussion and consultations and so on, I am all down for,” he stated.

Lane spoke also of the work the Ranch has been doing with the APEX Intervention Programme, which targets young people suspended or expelled from school. Referring to a study which showed that 89 per cent of the persons involved in serious criminal activity, including murder had been expelled or dropped out of school, he said that programme is quite important to address the problem such persons experience.

The proposed redevelopment of Blue Horizon Hotel is just that – a proposal.

During the Town Hall Information Session for the redevelopment of the Blue Horizon Hotel property that took place at Accra Beach Hotel and Spa recently Paula Smith, Senior Town Planner in the Prime Minister’s Planning Office Unit made this abundantly clear.

Smith stressed that the redevelopment of the south coast hotel had not been approved, to which, the room filled with nearly 200 persons erupted with cheers of approval.

“Basically, it seems like a lot of people think that the business is a done deal and that the Ministry has confirmed it; that’s not the case,” she said.

“We are going through an application process, which means that we will be reviewing the application, all the objections and concerns that come in from the public and the consulting agency, and then review it, access it and then a recommendation is made to the Minister for her to make the decision,” she continued.

Smith said they were currently at the public meeting stage, which meant that much of the technical information had already been submitted.

She noted that they were aware of the concerns expressed as many have been submitting their concerns. She added that they had already logged the information.

She revealed that after the public meeting, of which there will be a second, a report will be submitted and reviewed within the context of accessing the application along with any of the additional concerns that come out of the meeting, then a recommendation will be made.

“Please be assured that we are still in the processing of the application stage and that a decision has not been made one way or the other,” she said.

Meanwhile, entertainer, Anthony “The Mighty Gabby” Carter, passionately expressed that if permission was given by the Government to build the Beach Club and redevelop the hotel, then he would go to the construction site every day to stop the work.

Minister of Education, Tech-nological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw says environmental prob-lems are plaguing a number of schools in this country.
Piloting the debate in the House of Assembly yesterday morning on a supplementary of $175,000 to complete work at the Ann Hill School, the Minister chided the last administration for not engaging in preventative maintenance of the school plants.
“I often make the joke that I started to feel as though I had become a minister who was responsible for school closures, that if it wasn’t bat droppings or pigeons, or rat infestation, the cowitch was also an annual problem as well – that these were things that could have been addressed over the course of the past decade, but the priorities of the last administration clearly was not focussed on the maintenance and putting [in place] in particular, a proper domestic preventative maintenance programme for the respective institutions under their portfolio,” she stated.

Bradshaw lamented that there has been a “serious decay” of plant and the school environment across the island, which is impacting the education ministry’s budget. Her comments came as she suggested that the ministry is not getting the best spend on its money, noting that the number of productive days being lost is really counterproductive.

“We have teachers that are unable to carry out their duties because often times the environmental factors impact their health and that is not to say we don’t have the problems with the students as well, where they are equally impacted by the state of the school plant. It has become such a serious issue, Madam Chair that the additional funds that have been allocated to the Ministry of Education, have allowed us now to capture what is about 41 schools this year in the Domestic Summer Programme, which in previous years, certainly even last year on coming to office, they only had about 18 that has been allocated,” she stated.

She said while some may argue it is an ambitious feat to be able to do such work over the summer vacation, the work has to be done. She said the ministry cannot afford not to undertake the repair work which is necessary. Her remarks came as she indicated that there was a setback in the start of the summer programme, but she gave the assurance they have now started.

“The reality is not all of the projects take eight weeks, there are some that take seven, there are some that take six, there are some that take three weeks or four weeks. We also have to budget in, in the course of the summer vacation for things that are unforeseen,” she stated.

Minister Bradshaw continued, “We don’t know what awaits us in terms of a hurricane season, so with all the best intentions and wanting to accomplish the Domestic Summer Programme, the realities are that we find ourselves in a situation where we may be able to complete it on time, but the reality is there are some external factors that may also impact on our ability to do so”.

With that in mind, she said there will be some schools that will have to open one to two weeks after the start of the upcoming school term to ensure that that work is completed.

“The reality is that either I allow the work to take place in this particular timeframe so that there is limited disruption during the actual school term – it is one of the other. The other reality we have come to face, is that schools have become year round institutions, schools are no longer closed for the vacation,” she added.

She further told the Lower House that it has been proposed that with the school already divided into zones with building maintenance officers attached to the zones, that an exercise is undertaken where preventative maintenance programmes are deployed zone by zone, allowing the ministry to be in a better position to deal comprehensively with the maintenance of the school plants. This approach too she said, would ensure that someone is accountable for the state of the schools. (JRT)

LABOUR Minister Colin Jordan is calling for greater accountability for the persons that are tasked to keep the island’s schools clean and well-maintained.
His comments came in the Lower Chamber yesterday as he highlighted the importance of occupational health and safety which he stressed is not only related to factories and office buildings.

He said Safety and Health Officers in his ministry have shared with him findings in schools which are posing challenges to students, teachers and non-teaching staff.

“They are reporting that those who are paid by the taxpayers’ dollars are not carrying out their duties in the best manner.”

“Now if it sounds as though I am beating up on anybody, then I think the beat up is going to have to happen. The beat up is going to have to happen because the children of this country are spending six hours in these places and
so if I have to knock the knuckles of a few people to preserve the health of the children of the country then I’m going to have to do it.”

He stressed however that he would not be harsh if they were challenged with sourcing equipment or materials.

“...Once those materials are provided I am calling Mr. Chairman for those who are charged with the responsibility of maintaining school buildings, keeping school buildings clean for children and teaching and non-teaching
staff, to make sure they carry out their duties in an effective and efficient manner. The future of the country relies and depends on them.”

He reminded that the closure of the school has a significant impact on the students as it relates to exams and the syllabus which has to be completed within a specific timeframe.

“Occupational Health and Safety and maintaining facilities in good repair also applies to institutions of learning and in my mind are even more important because that is where the most important investment is taking place.”

He stressed while maintenance plans and materials are critical, monitoring must also be included. “If a cleaner is not cleaning properly, somebody has allowed that to happen. I don’t know if it is the principal. I don’t
know if there is an officer in the Ministry who is responsible, that is not important. What is important is that there ought to be somebody reviewing the work of those charged with cleaning. So if the cleaning is not being done, if the maintenance is not happening. Somebody else is also responsible. I also want to ask that Ministries including the Ministry of Education, hold people accountable for what is really the task that they are being paid to do,” he said. (JH)

The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) Commissioner, Tyrone Griffith says the police will be “going all out” to ensure the Crop Over Festival continues and ends on a safe note.

With 13 days left, this was the mandate that the police said they had as their mode of operation. Griffith further stated the police will continue to manage well the resources it has at its disposal.

“You can only do so much. The importance is to maximize the use of the resources, that is what we are doing and I think we are doing well. At the same time, our men and women have been extremely committed to the task at hand and that is what is critical. Sometimes some of the conditions we work under are not the best but our men, our women still give it 100 percent.”

Griffith spoke on the sidelines of Tuesday’s proceedings at the gazebo on the Richard Haynes Boardwalk in Hastings, Christ Church. There, a ceremony occurred to launch the new beach patrol uniforms which will be worn by the 22 special constables of the Tourism Patrol Unit.

The Police Commissioner also said the force continues to maintain a handle on the crime situation locally.

“The murders that we have been getting there is no magical solution. It is a matter of continuing to do those things that we do well in terms of investigations, in terms of making sure that we conduct our patrols in those areas, making
sure that we rely heavily on intelligence and do our work. At some stage we will still get murders and it is easy to take the praise for when there is a reduction but then it would also mean you would have to take the flak when there is an increase.

He added, “But I am sure the policies that we have in place are working and working well and would have contributed to the reduction. I hope that our young men especially are seeing the need to change, I hope so, I believe there are some long terms measures that need to take effect but I am satisfied that we are in control of things.”(MG)

CALPSONIAN George Straker has described the annual Crop Over festival as a multi- million dollar event that Barbados must continue to harness and promote given its success and the large following it continues to command.

In an interview with The Barbados Advocate, Straker who on Thursday will be putting together a special vintage show featuring some of the popular calypsonians, believes that the festival has come a long way and that it has further to go.

Estimates suggest that Crop Over accounts for close to a $90 million injection in the economy, although some people say it is more.

Arguing for the authorities to continue building the festival, Straker said that enormous resources are pumped into Crop Over. “So much money goes into the different Crop Over events, the arrangements in calypsos, the spending on costumes, items for the bands which parade on Kadooment Day, there is sponsorship of events, and we must not forget the large influx of visitors from overseas, for the festival,” he pointed out, noting that visitor arrivals in July is very high.

“So those people come here and they bring thousands of dollars which are spent in Barbados,” he declared, while noting this could not have been possible without the growth and development of Crop Over.

Straker said that the acceptance of Crop Over music has mushroomed significantly over the years from the lacklustre reception to calypso given previously by Barbadians.

“It has evolved from the 1970s when Calypsonians like Mighty Liar, Romeo, Destroyer, Dragon, Black Pawn and others brought a newness and freshness to the artform.

The special vintage calypso concert entitled KAISO KICK BACK scheduled for Thursday, July 25th, 2019 at Solidarity House Harmony Hall beginning at 8 p.m.

On stage will be calypsonians Poonka, Serenader, Stalker, Observer, Colin Spencer, Speedy, Georgie, Pompey, Bongo, Musical, Termite, Classic, Adonijah, Jah Stone, And Jadu. The show will also feature the Cat Attack Girls who were the back up singers at one time in the Conquerors Calypso Tent.

Straker recalled going to a Pic-o-de-Crop finals when The Mighty Liar rocked the National Stadium with two songs, “She want pan,” and Liar Sweet for days,” that won him the crown that year.

Not long after that, Straker further explained, an “invasion” came from the East of Barbados led by Red Plastic Bag (RPB), John King (formerly Johnny Ma Boy), Ras Iley, The Devil, from the Conquerors Calypso Tent followed by the Untouchables that put their stamp on calypso and crop over.

According to Straker, “They were two powerful tents back in the day and when one heard their names, they brought another freshness to the festival.”

He recalled also that when RPB won the title for the first time in 1982, with ‘Mr. Harding Can’t Burn’ and ‘Sugar Made Us Free’; it opened up the floodgates for the further take off of both Crop Over and calypso, given the large St. Philip following that accompanied the two tents.

Pig farmers are not the only ones concerned about the importation of pork, with manufacturer HIPAC Limited, also voicing concern.

During a press conference at the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), where industry stakeholders voiced their concerns about the rising imports, and the negative impact they have been having on the local pork industry, General Manager of HIPAC, Derrick Isaac said he believes the local farmers have the potential to satisfy the market demands.

“There has been quite a bit of pork that has been imported recently. Mr. James Paul’s concern is valid and we share that concern and that is one of the reasons why I’m here at this meeting today,” he stated.

Isaac added that the increased commercial water rates have also had an impact on the processing company. He said that manufacturers are feeling the same impact as the farmers, noting that HIPAC’s water bill has increased by as much as 300 percent in recent times. But, even in the face of the challenges, he said HIPAC has tried to absorb as much of the added costs as possible and not pass it on to the wholesalers or distributors but have put their case to the relevant authorities.

“We have made representation through the BMA [Barbados Manufacturers’ Association and the Chamber [Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry], but as the Prime Minister has indicated, it is a problem that is facing the entire country and we all have to share and bear the cost of it, when it is possible. When the country recovers, then we would also benefit from those gains as well,” he stated.

He made the point while noting that HIPAC at present purchases in excess of 8000 carcasses per annum for local producers and while they do import some carcasses, the figure is not more than what is bought locally. He said their imports will not likely be more than that which is bought from the local farmers, as the market is not big enough for such volumes, especially when one considers that others are importing as well.

“Our quantum over the last three or four years, based on the figures I’ve seen has been fairly consistent. We haven’t dropped or we haven’t increased,” he stated. (JRT)

CREWS were hard at work yesterday at the National Botanical Gardens, the new location of the MQI/98.1 The One Soca Monarch competition which will take place on Sunday July 28.

Workmen were busy putting preparations in place for the event which includes temporary perimeter fence is also being installed on the site.

Many motorists couldn’t help but slow down their vehicles to take a quick look at the set up of the new venue which will see the stage facing the National Stadium. Others were stuck in traffic and met several delays with traffic changes to facilitate the preparations which led to gridlock in the busy Waterford area yesterday afternoon.

A whopping 34 semi-finalists were dwindled down to 14 finalists who will advance to compete against reigning 2018 Sweet Soca Monarch Monarch Lil Rick and reigning Party Monarch Mikey.

The finalists are TC (Music), Natahlee (Why We Live), Skung Yung (So Happy). Sanctuary (I Pledge), Biggie Irie (Magic), Faith (All Night), JSlo (Alive), Damian Marvay (Summer), Leadpipe (Sometimes), Betty B (Nah Holding Back), Marzville (Owe Me), Shaquille (Darlin’), Jus D (So What), AC (Ah Like It), The reserve will be Bobo (From De Heart). The event which starts at 11 am will also feature several of the season’s best acts.

The new-look competition is a merger between the Party Monarch and Sweet soca competitions. While announcing changes to the event, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts-Reifer noted that for years there had been concerns raised about the beats per minute and the quality of songs in the competitions. A decision was taken to “take a leap of faith” and go back to one completion.

The winner of the 2019 Soca Monarch competition will receive a Mazda BT-50 pickup from MQI.

CREWS were hard at work yesterday at the National Botanical Gardens, the new location of the MQI/98.1 The One Soca Monarch competition which will take place on Sunday July 28.

Workmen were busy putting preparations in place for the event which includes temporary perimeter fence is also being installed on the site.

Many motorists couldn’t help but slow down their vehicles to take a quick look at the set up of the new venue which will see the stage facing the National Stadium. Others were stuck in traffic and met several delays with traffic changes to facilitate the preparations which led to gridlock in the busy Waterford area yesterday afternoon.

A whopping 34 semi-finalists were dwindled down to 14 finalists who will advance to compete against reigning 2018 Sweet Soca Monarch Monarch Lil Rick and reigning Party Monarch Mikey.

The finalists are TC (Music), Natahlee (Why We Live), Skung Yung (So Happy). Sanctuary (I Pledge), Biggie Irie (Magic), Faith (All Night), JSlo (Alive), Damian Marvay (Summer), Leadpipe (Sometimes), Betty B (Nah Holding Back), Marzville (Owe Me), Shaquille (Darlin’), Jus D (So What), AC (Ah Like It), The reserve will be Bobo (From De Heart). The event which starts at 11 am will also feature several of the season’s best acts.

The new-look competition is a merger between the Party Monarch and Sweet soca competitions. While announcing changes to the event, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts-Reifer noted that for years there had been concerns raised about the beats per minute and the quality of songs in the competitions. A decision was taken to “take a leap of faith” and go back to one completion.

The winner of the 2019 Soca Monarch competition will receive a Mazda BT-50 pickup from MQI.

After nine years pf participation, KerryAnn “Hot N Spicy” Deane is the new calypso queen of the Barbados Port Authority Inc. (BPI). She dethroned last year’s champion Jackson Unplugged, impressing the large audience gathered at Shed 3 for the showdown.

Patrons of the event, which was billed as Soca by the Water, saw nine of the port’s employees battling for the title. The competition, now in its tenth year was conceptualised to foster camaraderie among the staff.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BPI, David Jean Marie in his welcome remarks noted, “We try to build the morale here at the port to have the best organisation we are intended to be.” He indicated that their vision is to be recognised as the most innovative, green maritime hub in the world by 2030.

Prior to the contest, attendees were wowed by the recent winners of all three divisions of the Junior Monarch competition. Quon, Shontae and the Mighty Bit Bit’s performances were a clear indicator that the artform is in safe hands. They were a welcome prelude to the musical showcase.

The announcement of Hot N Spicy as the champion was met with deafening screams. In her song “Be Better” she implored, “We are the ones that must lead the way, be better role models, better examples starting today.” Her opening dialogue with her daughter was relatable and set the tone for her performance. It was quite touching to see her immediately rush to the stage to give her mother a congratulatory hug when the announcement was made. The winner’s prizes included a trip for two on the Carnival Fascination with $500 in cash. She also received an additional $500 for having the most appearances in the competition.

First-timer to the competition Liana was refreshing with her patriotic “Sweet Barbados”. Her voice has a smooth placating tone which enhanced her delivery. There was no hint of nervousness as she glided across the stage in her yellow ensemble. Her performance was accentuated by a stilt man and the waving of Barbados flags by her cheering section. She also received a cash reward for the best self-penned song.

In third place was Half a Wuk Up who was highly entertaining. He delivered a high energy performance of “We Vibing”. Its upbeat rhythm and his dynamism were infectious. He poked some fun at the former monarch as he donned a dress and crown. The massive eruption by the audience saw him secure a prize for best crowd response. Taking fourth place and a prize of $1 000 was Jackson Unplugged with “Time to Celebrate”.

Other competitors included Nos HD who performed “Nostradamus”, De Disciple with “Complain to Who”, Sugarlan did the RPB penned “The Renaming” and Tammy T sang “Dat is Comedy”. It was not all about being the best singer. Some of the competitors simply took a step out of their comfort zone Straw Hat added some comic relief with “Wharf Rats”.

Kirk Humphrey, Honourable Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, John King, the Honourable Minister of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports and Chairman of Barbados Port Inc. Senator Lisa Cummins were on hand to distribute the prizes. (ST)

The Youth and Community Empowerment Ministry is on a quest to find a suitable jingle to promote its upcoming talent contest, “Baje To The World”.

Chief Community Development Officer, Sandra Greenidge told the media during yesterday’s press conference at that Ministry, a jingle contest has been launched to acquire this tune. The competition is opened to the public and it will run from July 29 to August 6.

She stated the winner of the jingle contest will be announced on August 7th. This will be done during the public launch of Baje To The World at Bay Gardens in Oistins at seven in the evening. Greenidge further said the winning jingle will be used over the “next six to eight months” during the promotion of the talent shows.

“The jingle should be no longer than two minutes and of course, it is supposed to be family friendly, wholesome and in keeping with the Ministry’s standards and it certainly should be original and have never been published or should contain no material that has been published before. The jingle is to promote to the Baje To The World project. That is our project and it is a project that comprises 15 showcases,” she stated while indicating that additionally rules can be found on the Ministry’s sites.

Meanwhile speaking in greater detail about Baje To The World, she said the first set of preliminaries for the competition will start on the August 17 and entrants from St. Michael will be the first to face the judges.

Adding to this the competition’s Coordinator, Kamal Clarke said there will be a total of 12 preliminaries across Barbados. He added, “so 11 parishes, with St. Michael being split in two preliminaries and at each stage we will have a first, second and third place winner - of which, only the first and second place winner will go to the semi-finals. At the semi-finals, we will then pick 12 of those finalists for the grand finale and at that stage we will have a first, second and third place.”

Both Clarke and Greenidge described Baje To The World as an excellent opportunity for entrants to gain exposure, market their talent and hone their craft through the training and feedback they will receive at the different stages of the contest. (MG)

The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) can play a pivotal role in strengthening economic and functional cooperation ties within CARICOM, so that member states can better cope with external threats.

CDF’s Interim Chairman Dr. Richard Brown noted the above, as he delivered remarks during the Opening Session of the CARICOM Development Fund's (CDF) Eighth Meeting of Contributors and Development Partners, which was held at the Accra Beach Hotel yesterday.

“We meet here in the calm atmosphere of sunny Barbados, at a time when the global trade and economic environment is in flux as the growth in the major markets has slowed and as there is increasing uncertainty in global political affairs, including in nearby countries, such as Venezuela. We also live in a Region that is faced with a number of perennial challenges and constraints, some of them structural, some natural and others which are external to the Region. These include issues such as the withdrawal of correspondent banking services and de-risking by international banks, which have a significant impact on our trade and development prospects, and to which we have been forced to adapt, in order to survive,” he said.

“One aspect of this adaptation, which is an integral element of our long-term strategic response to such external threats, is for us to strengthen our internal economic and functional cooperation ties within CARICOM. The CDF is well positioned, as a treaty-based institution of the Community, to play a pivotal role in this regard, through the support that the Fund provides to disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors within CARICOM. With the full engagement of our Member State Contributors and with the support of Development Partners, that role can be significantly enhanced and expanded,” Brown stated.

Established under Article 158 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the mandate of the CDF is to assist in mitigating the economic disparities among CARICOM Member States, as well as dislocations arising from their participation in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). To date, the Interim Chairman has noted that the CDF’s operational and financial performances have demonstrated strong and positive results.

Nevertheless he said, “We, the Members of the Board of Directors of the CDF, recognise the need to continue to be vigilant in identifying and effectively responding to developments within the regional and global arenas, so as to ensure the continued resilience and relevance of the Fund, in order that it may continue to provide the necessary support to all of our beneficiary countries.”

“We also recognise that all CARICOM Member States are faced with resource challenges, which, in our contemplation, suggests a need to diversify and expand our base of financial support. This can be done through the use of innovative funding mechanisms and instruments, as well as through the pursuit of greater coordination on programmes of interest, with other partner agencies and institutions, in line with the CDF’s own mandate and raison d’etre. As a consequence, we will increasingly have to explore ways of engaging our International Development Partners, in order to jointly offer financial and technical assistance, as well as collaborative solutions in response to the challenges facing our Member Countries, and as part of the CDF’s overall package of support,” Brown remarked. (RSM)

The new Data Protection Act will result in some changes being made to the law surrounding statistics.

Speaking on earlier this week in the Lower House, Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Marsha Caddle stated revised statistical legislation would be brought to Parliament to address matters raised by the Data Protection Bill.

One major area Caddle identified was that regarding anonymization of data to allow its use in policy development as in surveys conducted by the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) and other agencies, while ensuring a person’s privacy was protected, especially in small countries such as Barbados.

“There are some countries so small that if you were to say that a person was from this particular community and the level of education that they were able to acquire was doctoral, that person would immediately know who that person is and so what we need to do is to anonymise the data such that looking to a record does not allow me to know that this particular data record relates to a particular person,” she explained, further adding, “this means that data could not be passed around whereby a person can look at the record and know who it is.”

“That is important for this bill that is before the house, but is also critically important for the new statistical arrangement to cover a range of changes that are required,” she argued.

Caddle stressed that no credible policy could be developed without evidence and therefore it was important that the BSS and other agencies continued to collect data as mandated by government, while protecting individual’s personal information. (JMB)

The entire Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is to blame for its horrendous failure at last year’s polls.

Making this frank assertion, long-standing DLP member Derek Alleyne however told the party faithful gathered for the weekly Astor B Watts lunchtime lecture on Friday that the time for pointing fingers was over, as the country was in need of that political institution now more than ever.

“I want this party, rather than engage in name calling and name giving, to internalize what we have done to cause people to treat us the way that they would have treated us. We are collectively responsible for what has happened to this party. Not one, two or 12 persons could have contributed to the lashes that this party got. So stop blaming Bobby (Morris) and Derek and start looking at your role as a member of this party and how you would have contributed either by your silence, lack of criticism or ignorance because Barbados needs the Democratic Labour Party and it needs it right now,” he stressed.

Using an example of parental discipline, the former General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers argued that the party must look at why it was defeated 30-0 during the election.

“When my mother had reason to cut my backside, I never drew up in a corner and feel sorry for myself. I used to internalize why I got the flogging. ‘What did I do that forced my mother to put her hands on me?’ I have always lived my life that way rather than cry or suck salt, I ask reflect on what the reason why that person would have punished me or scolded me,” said Alleyne.

He underlined now was the time for collective ideas to come forward to aid the country and said commitment and trust would be paramount in this endeavour.

“There are several things happening in Barbados that cannot continue to happen and people have to wake up and voice their concerns,” Alleyne added. (JMB)

Barbadians are being warned of the risks of exposing their personal information online.

Speaking in Parliament earlier this week, Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy Kirk Humphrey highlighted, “I am talking about the dangers of putting your information on the internet, the fact that we expose ourselves almost daily in our interactions, in ways that have come home to haunt people physically, financially, and other ways.”

He pointed out that while persons may believe that the island’s small size protected it from online hacking, the opposite was true.

“Some people may think that Barbados is too small to be impacted by these issues in the world, that these players who seek to steal your data and steal your information only was to (handle) the big players. And, actually the reverse is true. It is because Barbados is so small that people feel that they can easily ease in and take your information and that Barbados has no defence system and that you could come to this country and almost do as you will and get away with it. That is why I feel we need to protect it. You don’t only see it in data, you see that kind of thing with criminals sometimes thinking they can come and ease through Barbados and do things whether on land or in the ocean, all kinds of things and think they can get away with it and end up in other countries because Barbados is too small to defend itself,” he outlined.

Speaking on his own personal experience of having his bank accounts emptied by hackers while in college overseas, Humphrey marvelled at the difference in the speed at which his money was returned by American banks compared to those in Barbados, and stressed that systems must be put in place to ensure there is a speedy recourse for individuals when businesses holding their personal information are breached.

“While the American bank blocked (the transaction), and put back the money in one, the Barbadian banks gave me hell to get back what was mine and when I got back trying to deal with them was hell. My own information was compromised, the American bank moved with haste and said ‘you are an important customer’, while the Barbadian bank did not. I am saying when we put these things in place. there has to be a responsibility on the people that we are doing business with to respect the integrity and dignity of Barbadians,” he said, claiming he had to “jump through hoops” to get back his money.

“Paper institutions”, having “little teeth”, and more concerned with internal conflicts than in protecting the rights of employees.

This was how Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Derek Alleyne, described local trade unions and their umbrella bodies, while speaking at the Astor B Watts lunchtime lecture at the Democratic Labour Party headquarters on Friday.

He said that as an entity based on collectivism and therefore, trust, the loss of the latter placed trade unionism on rocky ground.

“The trade union movement is built on trust, so when you start to distrust your leadership and your other members, the trade union movement comes under pressure,” he said.

Alleyne accused trade union leaders of failing to give voice to the issues being confronted by workers.

“When I look out around Barbados, as a former Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers and also as a member of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), rather than espousing issues related to workers, we constantly are given issues related to the internal fighting of the unions,” he said.

Calling the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) “a broke institution”, whose strength lay in the membership of the BWU and the NUPW, he reminded those gathered in the Errol Barrow Gallery that both unions had left the institution at some point, with the NUPW being the only one to return to the fold.

Furthermore, he said it was the presence of the BWU and NUPW that also drove the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) and the Caribbean Public Service Association, which he claimed have now become “paper institutions”.

“If at the national level, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados is weak, then we cannot expect the CCL to be any stronger. The BWU and NUPW used to drive the CCL and as a matter of fact, the CCL’s office was located at the NUPW for over 25 years. The CCL no longer has an office identified anywhere, it has now a website… In 2019, the CCL is on its death bed, all it is waiting for is for someone to put the top on the coffin,” he stated, insisting ways must be found to save the regional institution. (JMB)