CHAIR of CARICOM, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, expressed that she was pleased with the outcome of the 31st Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.

During a press conference that was held to conclude the two-day meeting, she revealed that the Heads of Government would have made key decisions that would enhance the quality of lives of the people of the Caribbean.

For years the issue of the high import bill has plagued the region, and with the help of the Regional Private Sector Organisation and the Caribbean Congress of Labour, Mottley noted that they are now able to take a comprehensive approach to the issue.

“We met with them and gave them a task which would look at production integration across four areas – food security, renewable energy, air and maritime transport, and information and communications technology (ICT). The report that came sets out a pathway towards our being able to substitute 25 per cent of our food import bill, which at the current moment stands at about US$5 billion dollars; that we would look to cut out 25 per cent of that within the next five years,” she said.

“What was heartening is that they had a clear plan across livestock and crops, seven key areas that would save the region US$420-odd million dollars, but also would have the potential to be able to earn foreign exchange outside of the region.”

She explained that to be able to achieve this, participation from private investors was key, but further action on the part of governments and the Community for the seamless integration of production between the Caribbean islands is needed.

“And to that extent, we believe that if we stay the course on these issues that the people of the region, in the same way we hope they will see credible benefits to their telecommunications spend shortly, then they would also see in the next few years a Caribbean committed to feeding itself more than it has in the last few years,” she said.

Additionally, the Prime Minister noted that the Heads of Government acknowledged that having two meetings per year was not enough to deal with the issues of the region, and stated that it was against this backdrop that they were going to aim to have a meeting once a month, even if it meant using technology to help them achieve this.

Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Wilfred Abrahams, says Government plans on reintroducing the water prohibition notice and to take a firm stance with persons violating it.

The reintroduction of this notice will mean that again there will be restrictions on water use. A prohibition notice was previously introduced in June last year and this expired on November 30.

“We were in a drought situation at the beginning of the year. The rainfall has still been less than expected, so that has not changed. The projections are that at best we will have a normal dry season. So if we are already in a water deficit coming out of the rainy season and we are going to have a normal dry season, then it is going to be difficult for the rest of the year.”

He added the details of this notice will be made public shortly. His comments came following a tour yesterday of the Barbados Bottling Company Limited.

“It is necessary now for us to reintroduce the prohibition and once the [Barbados] Water Authority has settled the exact form of it, then we are going to come to the press and explain and answer questions on that. But I will tell you that Cabinet has already agreed to the Water Authority’s request and the Ministry’s request to reintroduce the prohibition because it is necessary. We are still in a drought situation. We are still water scarce and the demand for water is great. So you can look out for the actual announcement on the prohibition and the terms of it.”

Abrahams further stated that though the previous prohibition was “quite effective”, at present “the situation is more serious now”. Therefore, Government will be looking to enforce this “prohibition fully”.

“I think for the most part Barbadians understand what we are going through and the challenges that the Water Authority is faced with, with respect to the delivery and distribution of water.

“It was not necessary to charge anybody the last time, but chances are this time around, prohibitions are going to be a little bit more stringent and we now don’t have the latitude with the water situation being what it is to depend on the goodwill of people. So we are hoping that everybody toes the line and there is no need to take it any further, but the Government and the Water Authority will do what they have to secure the water supply for the benefit of Barbadians.” (MG)

IMG_3418.jpg: Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Wilfred Abrahams, speaking to the media following his tour of the Barbados Bottling Company Limited (BBC). Also pictured are BBC’s General Manager, Andre Thomas and Engineer with the Barbados Water Authority, Elvin Jordan.

One historian believes that the establishment of archaeological legislation would be of great benefit to Barbados.

This is the view of Kevin Farmer, Deputy Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, who, during his lecture at the Holetown Methodist Church, revealed that archaeology was not yet legislated in Barbados, but could be of great benefit to the island.

He explained that because of this lack of legislation, the excavation of historical sites depended on the ‘moral suasion’ of institutions like the Museum and UWI in speaking with developers and land owners, in hopes that permission would be granted that allowed for the excavation of the property.

He stated that sometimes this excavation was usually carried out before development of after a landowner found something interesting in their backyard.

Farmer believes that the legislation should follow that of some North American jurisdictions and in Europe, where before development occurs, archaeology is allowed to be a part of the mitigation for a site.

“And what it then does, because all of this in those countries is paid for by the developer, it allows us a better understanding of our past and allows for the growth or the outlet for researchers and contributors to not only practice their craft but practice their craft in understanding how to reconstruct our past and understanding how we can learn from it,” he said.

“It also then allows us to in fact honour some of the international agreements that we have signed in the country and by doing so once we know what we have and are able to identify it, can retard and slow down that trade of illicit trafficking of cultural goods that happens around the world as we are tied into that system.”

Farmer told media that he believes this legislation would help them, as historians, piece together Barbados’ history.

He explained that as it stood now, there were some gaps in the historical record and the only way to fill those gaps was through archaeology.

“This is both land and marine-based archaeology so we get a better understanding of who we are, how we would have utilised particular spaces, how we would have lived, worked and died and thereby knowing who we are,” he said.

The Government of Barbados and business owners in the private sector are being strongly urged to support more initiatives that aid in the rehabilitation of homeless and displaced persons of society.

This is the call from Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason, and Kemar Saffrey, President of the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEM), formerly Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society, as they toured the recently opened shelter at Spry Street in Bridgetown yesterday.

In revealing some of the several services being offered to clients of the BAEM – such as counselling, meals, job placements and shelter – Dame Sandra Mason inquired as to how the organisation kept up with costs. The frank question to Saffrey was met with smiles as he admitted it was a challenge as Government currently does not support the project in a monetary way.

“We have not seen any Government intervention since we have been functioning in over ten years. We have pressed [government] year after year, and we have sent proposals. We are in talks with Government at this time as we’ve had several meetings [now] with the Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde, and we’ve had several meetings up to this year. The Ministry of Finance has called for us to produce the finance documents that they need; we have successfully done that and so we are just waiting for estimates to be relayed,” he revealed.

Saffrey acknowledged that while Barbadians have been donating much needed food and clothing supplies, the costs associated with running the building are high because of the services that have been made available.

“We find that a lot of persons give us more food and clothing, rather than funding. We have increased our staff complement here to about 12 and the fact that we have people now living here, that was never the plan. We could be paying out more than $25 000 a month just to operate here. Thank God the Maria Holder Memorial Trust is covering the rent which is at $10 000, but we are then forced to look for the other funding to pay staff and maintain the building,” he stated.

With costs being sky high for the upkeep of the project, Saffrey also revealed that solar panel installation has already been looked into, with the initial audit for such a project already being completed and awaiting the necessary funding.

Clients of the shelter are not required to pay any money towards their accommodation, however, during their six months at the location, they are placed on job attachments during their final month. With many of them receiving welfare during the time there, Saffrey has called on the Welfare Department and Government to make changes in how monies are paid out, so that the shelter can receive a small portion of the monthly payments, while clients use their services.

“I see it in the States when we travel for training, that 30% of welfare cheques is given to the establishments that help them [clients]. We would ask that 30% of that comes to us,” Saffrey hoped.
Another issue stifling the progress of clients is the refusal or inability of potential landlords to accept welfare payments.

“The landlord has to be willing to take welfare’s money, and that is a big problem, because of all the stipulations you have to go through. Persons also have to look for the first deposit and those have been hindrances and the reason why we have people here still up to this day. We have been in talks with the Ministry to have that policy reversed so that persons can get out of our care, into their own care, and we can move onto helping the next batch of people,” he said.

Founder of The Aron & Christina Foundation, Aron Truss reinforced the importance of giving back recently.

In fact, he explained to the students of Workman’s Primary School that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

His comments came during the presentation of 16 Kindle Fire Tablets to the Class 3 students.

“My wife Christina and I started our charity over a decade ago to help provide technology and access to technology to students in Barbados whose parents might not otherwise be able to provide them with a tablet like this. We have young children and realise that technology is very important in the development of a young mind.

“However, one of the things that we want you to take away from this presentation is that when you are older, remember what it felt like when somebody came to your school and helped out and gave you something. There is always a way to come back and do something, it doesn’t have to be providing tablets. You can help with sports day, even a sports programme, mentoring or tutoring students – there is always an opportunity to give back to your school and community,” he said.

Truss explained that the Class 3s were selected because they are old enough to handle the responsibility of taking care of a tablet and that it will assist them with the two years of preparations for the Common Entrance Exam.

“We really hope that you would use them in school for educational purposes, but we know you play games and that’s okay once you don’t overdo it,” he urged.

Furthermore, Truss pointed out that once a school is added to the Tablet Project, the Foundation tries to return each academic year to present tablets to the new Class 3 students. He therefore took the opportunity to thank all sponsors who help with this long-term commitment to schools, as well as Kailash Pardasani of Promotech for sourcing the devices.
(TL)

Barbadians with an interest in edible horticulture (agriculture) will have a unique opportunity to work in the United Kingdom (UK) through a newly launched farm labour initiative.

Yesterday, Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan, in the presence of Managing Consultant of CJNM Consulting, Cristopher Griffith and Chief Executive Officer of Concordia (UK), Stephanie Maurel, announced that 50 Barbadians will be leaving the island in April on a six-month farm labour pilot programme in the United Kingdom. The Labour Ministry is working closely with Maurel and Griffith to co-ordinate the initiative.

At the press conference, Minister Jordan explained that he and government officials met with Maurel and Griffith to discuss the work opportunities for Barbadians in the UK. He noted that there was a lot of interaction with Griffith to ensure the details of the programme, including confirming the high standard of wages that will allow workers to be sustainable.

Benefits of Barbadian workers

The Labour Minister also mentioned that the Barbadian worker has a good work ethic, the benefit of a good educational system and the exposure to the Canadian seasonal agricultural workers’ programme.

“There are many Barbadian workers who have experienced working outside of Barbados, particularly working in climates that are a little colder, sometimes a lot colder than what we experience in Barbados and that provides an advantage,” said Minister Jordan.

In her remarks, Maurel told the media that Concordia is a charity which has been operating for 77 years. She explained that it has been involved in agriculture and it is the largest recruiter of inter-seasonal labour in the United Kingdom. She indicated that annually, the organisation moves about 10,000 workers from outside of the UK onto the farms in the UK. She noted that the charity works with about 200 ethical farms, which are checked by Concordia regularly.

Need for agricultural workers in the UK

The Concordia CEO noted that there is a need for 90,000 roles in agriculture to be filled every year in the United Kingdom. She added that less than one per cent are filled by British workers and stressed the need for good quality workers who come from outside the United Kingdom.

Griffith, during his comments, said that Barbados is the only English-speaking country that is in the pilot programme. He added that he was impressed with the persons who were interviewed for the initiative.

Earlier, Jordan outlined the Ministry of Labour’s mandate, which is to seek out opportunities for employment both domestically, regionally and internationally. He highlighted the seasonal agricultural programme and the temporary farm worker programme in Canada while acknowledging that efforts are still being made to establish job opportunities in the United States.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir says it the responsibility of property owners, not the State, to keep their land clean and free of overgrown bush.

The St. Philip South Member of Parliament said he has received requests from persons during his constituency clinics to clear private lots, some in middle to upper income communities, and maintained that such requests are unacceptable.

“That the owner of these lots would want to have the asset but don’t want to take responsibility for the ownership of the asset is absurd and unreasonable. Mr. Chairman, I strongly believe we have to deal with this matter as a matter of urgency,” Weir said as he contributed to the debate in the House of Assembly. The debate was focused on a supplementary of just over $748,000 to finance the wages for the persons employed in government’s new national clean-up programme.

The Minister went on to say that property owners should take responsibility for their assets or give them up. He made the suggestion while contending that it is not fair to ask the State to clear the lots with the funds of taxpayers. With that in mind, he further suggested that communities can come together and assist the various residents in keeping their surroundings in pristine condition. He offered that idea while noting that in the villages across the country, the private sector can play a part in keeping them clean. He said just as there are the adopt-a-stop and adopt-a-kilometre programmes, there can be an adopt-a-community initiative through which companies can inject funds to clean and beautify those areas.

Weir is also adamant that Barbadians need to stop the bad habit of littering.

“We can clean all we want, we can spend all we want, but if the people of Barbados do not see it as their responsibility to stop littering our country the way they are, we have to start a different conversation,” he stated.

Weir said he completely abhors littering, which he described as “deplorable conduct”, and noted that such a bad practice can harm our tourism sector.

“I am vex as a Barbadian that when I was driving in traffic going to Salters in St. George, somebody pitched a soft drink stopper through the car window as if it was so big that they could not wait until they got home and pitch it in the garbage. I was appalled when driving through Oldbury, I watched from a minibus somebody pitch a pair of plastic gloves through the window of the minibus, and if that wasn’t bad enough, to go home from church a Sunday morning and see fast food restaurant boxes along the way,” he said.

With that in mind, Weir took the opportunity to appeal to Barbadians to take responsibility for the country and do their part to keep it clean.

“I am asking myself what has become of the Barbados that I grew up in as a boy, where I know I would have been flogged for littering; I know that for a fact... That we can have people throwing it on the streets is not acceptable,” he maintained.
(JRT)

ONE government minister is calling for the re-establishment of HIV/AIDS community groups in Barbados.

Minister of Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde, mentioned this during her remarks at the National Assistance Board’s (NAB) “Communities Make The Difference” event at the Savannah Hotel recently.

Forde said that about eight years ago, these groups did several outreach activities including drama and educational forums. However, she noted that many of these groups have died out for various reasons. The Minister with a portfolio of elder affairs is urging that the HIV/AIDS community group is revived or new groups are established.

She added that there is no point of having 11 parishes and 30 constituencies and there is no outreach being done there.

In her earlier remarks, she highlighted that community interventions were also geared towards preventing and addressing the issue of stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS. She noted that there is a need for the continued evaluation and re-engineering of programmes which are community-based and can reduce the challenges that are faced by people living with HIV.

She also outlined the work done by the HIV/AIDS Commission and the men’s health groups in various polyclinics. Forde also encouraged the groups present at Wednesday’s session to remain vibrant and to collaborate with other organisations within and around their communities.

Men should mentor boys

The Minister who was addressing an audience of males also expressed the view that too many boys are exposed to women in almost every institution and they do not get the nurturing and mentoring from the men.

She made reference to her early childhood and how boys were taught various technical skills such as carpentry, masonry from their male relatives.
“Somehow we are losing too many of them because the (male) mentorships are not there... I am asking that boys be included in whatever you do in your community,” said Forde.

She encouraged men to join the club scout movement and 4H groups. She added that in the classroom, she estimated that there is 85 percent of women in primary schools.

Forde also highlighted the high percentage of women in churches and PTA groups. The government minister stressed the need for men to guide boys along their path.

THE Hastings/Worthing Police Station is set to be operational from Monday, February 24.

The modern facility, located in Hastings, Christ Church, is an amalgamation of the Hastings and Worthing stations.

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall, officially opened the new station, which was under construction from 2016.

During a press conference to announce the relocation, Commissioner of Police (Ag.) Erwin Boyce also explained, “Now you will have from one location a policing approach that will combine both areas, in relation to the actual policing of the area.

“So there is no need for anyone to think that the area will not be policed, but there are sufficiency of numbers that will allow us to meet all the policing demands as it relates to policing of those two jurisdictions as one.”

The Acting COP also revealed that the Force has developed a suite of policing strategies that will involve both areas as a Unit. He said that this will include community policing, dedicated patrols to the Richard Haynes Boardwalk, dedicated patrols in the St. Lawrence Gap, and their beach patrol strategy.

“Equally, we are strengthening the community policing outreach in places like Sargeant’s Village, Brittons Hill, Dayrells Road, Bay Land – all those areas now are ripe for the strengthening of the community policing outreach programme,” he pointed out.

“The manpower needs of those areas we have assessed, and we are comfortable that the amount of persons that we put from that location will be adequate to meet all the needs that we are envisioning in the short and medium term.

“If you were to reflect on crime stats, you will realise that the Worthing Station carries about 600 crimes annually and the Hastings Station, about 500 crimes annually. Our suite of strategies obviously are aimed at reducing the level of criminality. We are looking at reducing the level of disorder; the level of lawlessness that from time to time pop up in those areas,” Boyce told reporters. (TL)

Recently, Chief Executive Officer of Haigh Communica-tions Inc, Joy-Ann Haigh gave some updates on Phase One of the Bridgetown Transformation Project.

Renovation of the market
She noted that this phase includes the demolition of the NIS Building, the fire station and temporary market on Probyn Street. Haigh added that this also includes the construction of kiosks of the “old market”.

The construction of 115 kiosks will also incorporate a butcher’s block, car park, washroom facilities for the public, vendors and separate washrooms for the butcher. Haigh said that the Urban Development Commission (UDC) will be managing this part of the project which is scheduled to start next week.

Construction of Golden Square Freedom Park
After the demolition element is completed, Haigh said that the construction of the Golden Square Freedom Park will start. She said that the whole area will be extended and it will have unique features including the names of important Barbadian families.

In an interview yesterday, Haigh explained that in this first phase, a lot of tasks had to be completed. This included the cleaning out of the building, removal of elevators, glass etcetera. She noted the need to move vendors in the temporary market and tenants of Transport Board and repairs and improvements of their kiosks and relocation of the fire station from Probyn Street to Prince Road, The Pine, St. Michael.

She gave a concise timeline of the activities so far: the first week of January 2020, there was the move of the buses in Probyn Street and informing the commuters about this change (January 5). She noted that all these elements (contractors’ preparation, vendors’ relocation) occurred in six weeks time.

She noted that the demolition of the NIS building began this week. Haigh said Monday (February 17) was the demolition of the NIS annex and on Tuesday (February 18), the Fire Station was taken down.

Use of robotic arms to demolish the building
Yesterday, Haigh said that there was the testing of the robotic arm which will be a part of the deconstruction process. She explained that the robotic arm will remove the top of the building and move downward.

“(The robotic arms) are now being tested, they are on-site and these machines then go into the building, they are remotely operated....no human beings will be (in the NIS building). It will be operated from the outside, ” said Haigh.

She explained that this method will ensure that all the construction staff are in the designated safe areas while the deconstruction is going on.

The success of the Give Back initiative is in the hands of the tertiary students, who must promote the programme which encourages volunteerism within the Barbadian community.

Education Minister Santia Bradshaw mentioned this as she addressed a standing-room only crowd of tertiary students at the Roy Marshall Complex during the Launch of the Give Back Initiative on Wednesday.

She added that these students will be tasked with encouraging the next generation of students who come into the tertiary institutions to be a part of the initiative.

Noting that other territories have tried some form of Give Back programme, the Education Minister said that she wanted Barbados to be the most successful. Bradshaw who pointed out that there is an element of volunteerism in the secondary school environment and now in the tertiary institutions, she expressed her hope that a similar initiative could be launched in the primary schools as well.

Students must volunteer
As the Government continues to pay for the tuition fees of Barbadian students, the Give Back programme requires that part-time students give 100 hours while full-time students give 150 hours to volunteering to a local social, governmental or charitable organisation. Students who have received funding from government for their education but opt out of the Give Back programme will be required to repay the government their tuition fees as long as fees have been already paid on their behalf.

Students from The University of the West Indies (UWI), Barbados Community College (BCC) and Erdiston Teacher’s Training College accessing government sponsorship for their tertiary level studies will participate in the programme.

Students can register and sign up to the online application at www.gov.bb/giveback. Presently, volunteers are needed in Business and Entrepreneurship, Youth, Education and Humanitarian Service, Science, Vocation and Technology, Health and Wellness, The Environment and Tourism and the Creative Economy.

The Give Back programme has been envisaged as a national campaign that is wider than education. The aim is to create a national movement for Barbadians to find ways to give back service to their country.

Ministries must work together, Barbadian made App
During her remarks, Minister of Innovation Science and Smart Technology, Senator Kay McConney noted the importance of Ministries working together and said that she is delighted to be a partner is the Give Back venture.

Senator McConney highlighted that the Give Back app was created by Barbadians who attended tertiary institutions in Barbados. During the launch, Minister Bradshaw and Minister McConney signed a certificate of partnership and symbolically handed over The Give Back application.

At Wednesday’s launch, representatives of some of more than 65 approved organisations held exhibits and gave students an opportunity to learn more about their activities. Some of the organisations present in the Roy Marshall Complex courtyard included Business and Professional Women’s Club of Barbados (BPW), The Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Read for Life, At Risk Youth Foundation, The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and Union Collaborative.

BARBADIANS came out in their numbers on Wednesday night to learn more about the Barbados Port Inc’s ideas for a cruise terminal in Speightstown and for many, the size and location of any proposed project was the major talking point.

Held at the Alexandra School, persons in attendance were assured by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy Kirk Humphrey and Chairman of the BPI Senator Lisa Cummins that the proposals outlined by the technical team were not set in stone but an attempt to get the feedback from the public on how they would like to see Speightstown developed.

The audience was told, that for many years there have been queries from visitors to the island, as well as the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and other organisations about the possibility of berthing vessels in Speightstown.

During his presentation, Kenneth Atherley of the BPI explained: “One of the main objectives is to create what we see as a diversified product. To differentiate Speightstown from Bridgetown.”
He said not only would this showcase the uniqueness of Speightstown, but there is also an opportunity to create a multi-use facility that will cater to not only the small cruise ships but super-yachts and “boutique vessels”, which he noted are a very high-spend group.

Atherley was joined by David Lashley of DLN Consultants who highlighted the three options for potential development, which has essentially been reduced to two, because of the large reef at the Fort Denmark site. The other two sites include the existing site of the jetty or a site at Sand Street. The latter was the preferred option, since it has the least cost, it is close enough to a central area, pedestrian and vehicle conflict can be minimised, to name a few.

One of the concerns raised during the discussion, was the need to potential impact of mega ships berthing in Speightstown, which the suggestion that it would prove to be too much for such a small, unique town. It was also suggested that smaller boutique ships would be adequate for the space. Another person from the audience stated that the site at Fort Denmark is the best option even if it means sacrificing the reef. However this thinking was shot down by Minister Humphrey. It was also suggested from the audience that reclaming land in some areas along the coastline could cause the beach to disappear in others. They also heard more about the north swells and the potential impact they would have on a pier which is not adequately built. The idea of a breakwater arm was not well-received with suggestions that it would block the view of the horizon of those on shore.

Atherley during his presentation, highlighted the importance of planning gains to the people and businessowners in Speightstown, “The port sees this as its contribution of the Speightstown area. But there are opportunities for other investments in Speightstown. Hopefully this project once it is realised will create that stimulus...will create that incentive for other private sector partners to join in a fuller development of the Speightstown area.”

“We believe that any group that comes into Speightstown to do a project like this must come in a meaningful way. Contribute directly into the needs of the community and attached to this project would be a requirement for the investors to participate and contribute into unique community needs within Speightstown and one such area relates to the improvement of the facilities for fishing.”

“There have been several attempts over the years to improve the berthing facilities for fishing boats. This project will not push that small segment out of the space. This project will integrate and embrace the requirements for the fishing community. So we see it as an opportunity, certainly for fishing communities and it is also consistent with my Minister’s mandate with the Blue Economy,” he said. (JH)

It is not the aim of regional chain Kooyman to export foreign currency from this island.

In speaking to the media yesterday at its new store at Kendal Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Kooyman Holding International, Herbert van de Woude, sought to address the fears expressed by some members of the public of the mega store using up foreign exchange at a time when the country could ill afford it.

“If you put in US$40 million into an economy, it will take some time before you earn enough to export that. That is not our aim nor goal to export foreign currency. If you do business in any market you are in with an investment like this one, you are there to stay for the long-term. It may very well be that we use any cash generated to do extra additional investments in the economy, so yes I hear the criticism, but I do not agree with it,” he said.
Van de Woude stated it was natural for a company to pay out dividends to its shareholders, but “aside from that we are not aiming for that as a goal in our philosophy”.

“We are here for the long-term and want to become as good a corporate citizen as possible and become a part of your community and these means investing and reinvesting in the Barbadian community,” he added.

Saying the US$40 million project was completed on time and within budget, the CEO stated that it would bring a difference to the way persons shopped for building and hardware supplies and highlighted its competitors would have to step up their game.

“Our Drive Thru will speed up the way contractors work and the competition will have to do something to get to a different level than what we are offering. I think the whole sector – hardware, home improvement and building materials, will lift itself up again a bit more,” he stressed.
In addition, van de Woude noted that the first signs of recovery were already showing within the Barbados economy, especially within the construction sector.

“I spoke to a lot of people in the construction business and they see a lot of new projects coming their way. When we first started visiting in 2016, 2017 I feel much more optimistic... in the public so I am confident that we are here just in time to be a part of the recovery of the Barbadian economy,” he said. (JMB)

A GROUP of 20 plus Sandals Foundation volunteers descended on the Half Moon Fort Primary School in St. Lucy recently to plant over 100 seedlings in the school’s vegetable garden.

The initiative came about after the school was added to the Sandals Foundation’s Christmas Toy Drive in December 2019, and the volunteers expressed concern about the state of the kitchen garden there.

Chairman of the Sandals Foundation Barbados chapter, Sharon Yearwood, explained that it was one of Sandals’ team members who suggested the idea.

“One of our ladies of the housekeeping division, Rachel Parris, on her way back to the hotel suggested a tree planting exercise as part of the community events we could sponsor and action and we all thought it was a really good idea.

“Now, after weeks of planning and donations, we are happy to be here today to plant romaine lettuce and watermelons in the tyre garden of the school,” said Yearwood.

The Sandals Foundation volunteers, Operation Manager Nicholas Jordan, Rooms Division Manager Annette Forbes and other members of the management team joined Principal of the school Barbara-Ann Brome Bailey, Senior Teacher Sonia Shepherd, parents and students in the exercise.

The garden, which contained 40 tyre gardens and a few palm trees, was irrigated and refilled with fresh soil and fertiliser to aid with the successful growing of the new crops, all of which will be used by the school and the community.

“Sandals has always been very supportive of us and our efforts here at the school, whether it be our graduation events or last year’s toy drive and we are very appreciative,” said senior teacher Shepherd.

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), the Caribbean’s leading family-owned resort company. The 501(c) (3) non-profit organisation was created to continue and expand upon the charitable work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken since its founding in 1981 to play a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where SRI operates throughout the Caribbean.

The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment. One hundred per cent of the monies contributed by the general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programmes benefiting the Caribbean community.

Yearwood added, “It was also a very personable experience to meet with the children and show them how to plant and care for these crops as the intention is for the school to be self-sufficient in some regards and to also teach them life skills which they can continue to use into adult life.”

Emergency management is not only the business of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM).

Director of DEM, Kerry Hinds, made this clear to senior public officers gathered for the informational session “Plan Development and Enhancement of Emergency Procedures Workshop for Public Sector Agencies” at Baobab Tower in Warrens yesterday.

The half-day seminar was developed by the Learning and Development Directorate in collaboration with the DEM, to provide information for, and develop the knowledge of public officers with regards to emergency preparedness, specifically in the areas of plan development and business continuity.

“We have to ensure that you have the necessary resources and tools at your disposal to play your part in emergency management system.”

By the end of the seminar, participants are expected to be able to review and clarify the emergency plans of their respective agencies/businesses; develop framework emergency/disaster management plans and evacuation processes for multiple hazards; and identify how to improve Business Continuity Planning in their respective agencies/businesses.

“It is important that every ministry and department articulates developed written procedures and guidelines, that you action in an emergency. You are legally mandated to do so, and the Permanent Secretaries as head of the ministries and departments must ensure that we have our various plans and procedures in place, in the eventuality of an emergency,” she pointed out.

“This means that there needs to be buy-in at the highest level. And there needs to be participation across the board so that this process can be successful. So it is not you alone or the liaison officer alone within the department or ministry to develop the plan, exercise the plan, but it is really all the stakeholders within your respective agencies...

“It is not just about developing a plan, it is about exercising the plans and procedures to ensure that they work. It is about harnessing and obtaining the relevant and requisite resources, whether they may be human, financial, and otherwise to ensure that the plan can come to life when it needs to,” Hinds said.
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The last original member of The Landship and one of Barbados’ oldest persons will be laid to rest this week.

Felix Husbands, better known as Uncle Felix, passed away earlier in the month of February at age 101, was actually born in Panama, after his father Duncan Husbands, a carpenter, and his mother went to work on the construction of the Panama Canal at the time. After his birth, his mother sent him and his three siblings, two brothers and one sister, back to Barbados to live with her brother in St. Thomas, with her returning to Barbados after her husband went on to Cuba.

Though not much was known about where he attended school, for most of his life he worked as a Public Servant attached to the Ministry of Communications and Works in the position as a ‘roadmender’.

Having been in the Barbados Landship from its official inception, his highest rank was MP, or Master of Arms as it was also called, with him being stationed with the Cornwall detachment (Carrington Village Dock) and the Queen Mary detachment (Goodlands Dock).

Husbands was also well known for being an active radio listener, a lover of dogs and his fondness for his bicycle which he was seen riding everywhere around the island.

Though he lived to a very old age, he remained active, as he was determined to live his life the way he wanted it and not to be reminded of his long lifespan. He refused to walk with any aid and according to those closest to him, was fond of dressing himself without any help, and keeping his lovely home in the best of states with his constant tidying.

Felix Husbands leaves no children behind, however, him as his wife, Gwendolyn Husbands who died in 2014 at age 92, were known to look after kids of family and friends, who called them Uncle Felix and Aunt Gwen respectively.

It is expected that the full Landship will be in attendance at the funeral on Friday 21 February at St. Leonard’s Church, with members of the organisation paying tribute their stalwart.

THE Barbados government is projecting more than one billion dollars from the Value Added Tax, the country’s principal tax source next fiscal year. At the same time the controversial fuel tax is set to rake in to Government coffers a hefty $90 million.

These are some of the takings from revenue earners anticipated during the next financial year starting April 1, 2020. The collections are outlined in the Draft Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the coming year, and coincide with some declines in revenues principally the corporate and income taxes.

The Estimates which are to be debated in the House of Assembly from next Monday, show that for 2020/2021, VAT first introduced to Barbadians in January 1997, is set to increase by $110.0 million. The Approved Estimates for the current financial year which ends March 31, had put VAT at $948.3 million.

However, the anticipated takings next financial year are for $1.05 billion, according to the Government document. VAT is currently levied at the rate of 17.5 per cent and it was expected that the rate on tourism services was to increase from 7.5 per cent to ten per cent effective January 2020 as the Mia Amor Mottley-led administration tightened the fiscal consolidation programme to meet certain revenue targets.

According to the Central Bank of Barbados, as the most significant source of revenue, the VAT has also been the subject of reform, centred on strengthening tax administration and reducing the payment of VAT refunds.

The Draft Estimates also showed that Government will be collecting lower levels of corporate and income taxes following reforms to the tax system. The Bank said that reduction in corporate taxes necessitated the reform of personal income tax in order to partially align the rate levied on businesses and individuals the incentive for tax evasion.

In the meantime, the fuel tax will be injecting about $90 million into Government coffers for the coming fiscal year, the Draft Estimates have shown. The fuel tax came about in the mini budget of June 2018 and replaced the road tax which owners of vehicles paid annually.

Next year land taxes are expected to rake in $233.5 million, up from the $186.7 million as outlined in the Approved Estimates for the current year, and $227.1 million in taxes from international trade compared to $216.5 million that were projected for this year.

In the last decade, the use of mass booking sites like Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway, which provide alternatives to the mainstream or traditional accommodation options, has literally gone viral, and now represents a credible threat to hotels, apartments and guest houses/B&Bs across the world. In fact, so popular have these sites become, that they are now creating residential housing shortages, particularly in or near big cities around the world.

VRBO, or Vacation Rental By Owner, first started in 1995, as an online showcase and booking platform that allowed owners seeking to let their properties to broaden their exposure and, perhaps, to avoid higher real estate commissions. HomeAway, a similar site, started in 2004 and shortly afterwards acquired VRBO, enhancing its software. Then came Airbnb in 2008, with its game-changing software, allowing travellers to see the properties and traveller reviews like their earlier competitors, but adding the ability for rooms within a home to be rented online, and, more recently, the ability to book attractions, restaurants etc. in the destination at the same time. Collectively, they introduced disruptive technology which would impact the tourism industry world-wide, and would come to be known colloquially as the Airbnb phenomenon (despite the other players involved).

Some argue that these high-tech booking sites enable rooms in homes and whole apartment units and houses to be seen world-wide and leased for short-term periods, which is bringing down the cost of travelling generally, and permitting wider participation in the global tourism industry. According to their website, Airbnb alone boasts seven million registered properties in 220 countries, and over 250 million users.

At the same time, from the owner perspective, these sites offer world-wide publicity, instant booking management and guaranteed payment, and a considerably higher level of gross income than longer term rentals. Although the maintenance costs are commensurately higher, the sites do take a commission on the rentals as well, and there is arguably a higher risk of property damage.

However, there are disturbing elements of the Airbnb phenomenon as well. Residential communities world-wide are now struggling to deal with the disruption that comes from the clash between a short-stay, holiday mentality and a homemaker, residential mentality, and many communities are having to go to court to resolve matters. Further, long-term is more difficult to locate, as more apartments and houses are committed to Airbnb, and the economics of supply and demand push rents up. Governments are also trying to ensure that all of these hitherto unregistered tourism landlords are brought into the tax net, so that the leakage of tax from mainstream accommodation businesses can be replaced.

A recent quote from Councillor Kate Campbell, housing convenor at the City of Edinburgh Council illustrates some of these concerns: “Short term lets are having a terrible impact. They are hollowing out communities... Residents are putting up with high levels of anti-social behaviour and...we believe there is a huge impact on housing supply.” These types of comments echo across the cities wherever the phenomenon is seen – that’s over 100,000 cities!

The biggest impact, internationally, appears to be felt in close communities, like apartment blocks and, especially, condominiums, which have the added legal perspective of a shared ownership of common areas and cost responsibility for common services, for example security and maintenance, that are impacted by higher and less discerning traffic. Prior to the Airbnb phenomenon, condominiums were built primarily as residences where people made their homes. It is in these circumstances that the conflict of mindsets and ideologies reaches its peak. Here, the fundamental question has become whether it is reasonable and fair for some owners in a condominium complex to have the right to maximise their income in a way that is detrimental to all the other owners, many of whom are retired and only seeking a peaceful and stress-free existence in their golden years.

The Barbados experienceAs with the coronavirus, Barbados is not immune to the Airbnb phenomenon, and local hotels have already expressed concerns about the unlevel playing field it creates from a tax perspective, but also in terms of Barbados’ reputational risk as a destination, from an ancillary services standard perspective, and in terms of insurance cover for public liability. Several smaller mainstream hotels and apartments in Barbados also use Airbnb though, so it’s not that their presence is being wholly rejected within the sector, but that they need to be subject to the same requirements as any other mainstream tourism player.

There is evidence of this call being recognised, given the imposition of accommodation levies for all visitor accommodation in the 2018 budget, which caught these short- term rentals– although compliance appears to be largely on a voluntary basis at present, in the absence of any co-operation agreement with Airbnb and the other sites. Similarly, draft regulations to ensure that quality, health and safety standards and insurance cover requirements apply to Airbnb/VRBO/HomeAway registered properties are said to be currently under consideration, but nothing has yet been put in place.

Our local residential condominiums, too, are reported to be feeling the impact on their communities, and while it is true to say that there are some condominiums – e.g., sited on a beach location or within a tourist belt on the island – that were probably designed with hotel-type traffic in mind, there are many that were designed as residential complexes.

The way this particular problem has been handled successfully on an international scale – mostly after court battles – is that residential condominium complexes obtain a majority vote from their individual owners to change their Condominium Declaration – the rules and conditions by which every owner in the complex is bound, and agrees to, on purchasing – to limit short-term letting. Typically these changes have involved prohibiting short-term rentals under 30 days, and the various court decisions seem to indicate that the collective will and rights of the majority trumps any individual right – in other words, the right to do what one wants to do with one’s property is not a right that exists in a vacuum, and especially in a ‘common interests’ environment like a condominium, other owners’ rights to the quiet enjoyment of their home must also be protected.

One cannot predict whether our courts will follow the precedents established internationally and protect residential communities from the profit-oriented activities of Airbnb-linked owners, but Barbados does have precedents in limiting the rights of property owners to deal with their property as they see fit, without regard to their neighbours – e.g., beach access.

Like most things in life, therefore, the Airbnb phenomenon has its positives and its negatives. However, we must be careful to ensure that a “wild west” situation is not permitted to develop, where pro-Airbnb owners trample the rights of all others in the community with impunity, taxes are not collected, or that these new entrants into our important tourism industry are not monitored for quality and standards the way mainstream players are currently monitored and regulated.

Airbnb and similar booking sites are here to stay, and there are positive aspects of their existence. It is up to us – through our Cabinet, legislators and judicial system – to ensure there is ample opportunity for more Barbadians to earn what they can legally from our tourism industry, but on the basis of a level playing field; that is, paying taxes, and held to a reasonable standard of which Barbados can be proud; such activity cannot be allowed to be at the expense of home owners’ rights to the quiet enjoyment of their property. Nor should the Airbnb phenomenon be allowed, as Councillor Campbell put it, to “hollow out” our communities, at a time when building community spirit is so critical to our country’s social well-being. Above all, in addressing and resolving this matter, we need to see a spirit of compromise, and a reasonable approach by all concerned.

THE Central Bank of Barbados is taking steps to deal with the vexing issues of bank fees, which Barbadians continue to complain about.

Yesterday, the Bank assured them that their interests will be safeguarded when it comes to that, as it will be looking to deal with it.

The island’s Central Bank Governor, Cleviston Haynes, promised that action will be taken, including looking at precedents set in other Commonwealth countries.

In an address to the Barbados Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (BARAIFA), yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Haynes said that new guidelines will be sent to the banks.

“In addition, it is our intention to publish on our website key fees and charges of the respective institutions as is done in several of our regional counterparts, as customers need to be aware of their options when conducting transactions,” the Governor promised.

He pointed out that while the banking industry is largely compliant with guidelines the Central Bank had issued in 2008, in the interim new charges have arisen, an inherent weakness in trying to maintain price controls.

He told the BARAIFA meeting that while Barbadians have preferred to place their money on savings accounts and allowing the funds earn interest, they are confronted with charges associated with maintaining their account.

The charges include ATM fees, teller fees, minimum balance fees, payment fees, large value withdrawal fees and among others, service charges.

“These fees in the current low interest rate environment create the impression that persons will be charged more for maintaining a bank account than what they are earning from it,” he reasoned.

“You could then be faced with a situation where persons withdraw from the financial system either because they cannot afford to have a bank account or because they are not willing to pay the banks to keep their money,” according to him.

Governor Haynes explained that historically, banks generate most of their income from the differential between interest income earned and interest expenses. In recent years, this business model has shifted across the Caribbean and further afield, resulting now in greater emphasis on fee income.

The Governor said that the rationale offered for the increasing level of fees includes the high regulatory cost of compliance and the need to recover costs associated with the banks’ investment in technology.

“In addition, some charges are predicated on moving customers away from the non-electronic modes of banking and therefore, I think some banks are trying to discourage customers from using the facilities in the bank and wishing them to use the ATMs where much of the investments have been placed,” he added.

Retired principal Jeff Broomes is of the view that school children should be banned from mini-vans and ZRs.

Delivering the Coleridge and Parry School Lecture Series entitled “It Takes an Entire Nation: The Team Approach to Combating Youth Violence in Barbados”, he recommended that this occur between 8.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and then again after 5 p.m.

“This is even more obvious when it is noted that there is free public transportation for school children.”

Having spent 40 years in Barbados’ teaching service, Broomes pointed out that one of the major contributing factors to the ‘van stand culture’ which encourages deviancy and youth violence is the transfer of students from primary to secondary school.

“Whenever this is raised the discussion dives into one about the Common Entrance Examination, which it is not,” he stressed, explaining that testing is an integral part of education in every country in the world.

“It is how the results of the examination are used that is at the core of the conversation and nothing else.”

Furthermore, the educator is of the view, “It is nonsensical to me that in the 21st century when we have more than enough secondary school space and when there is at least one secondary school in every parish, we are still languishing in this situation.

“We have mass daily student movement and the obvious gathering in the van terminal. In addition to negatively impacting the available time for students to be involved in the after school, character building extra-curricular activities, it not only exposes our children, but it also presents an expensive challenge to our transportation system,” Broomes told the gathering at Alexandra School Hall.
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