Quantcast
Channel: Barbados Advocate - News
Viewing all 8538 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Passenger safety paramount

January 2, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

It is being hoped that serious consideration has been given to passenger safety, if Government does move ahead with recently announced plans to allow minibuses and tour coaches to enter bus terminals at peak times to ply select routes and ease delays.
 
Speaking to The Barbados Advocate recently, President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA), Sharmane Roland-Bowen said the Association supports the move as it can help the commuting public, but warns that it should not start unless measures are put in place to ensure the optimum safety of passengers and the thousands of other road users in this country.
 
She is suggesting that in addition to the initiative only being extended to drivers over the age of 25, who have been driving for no less than five years, it is imperative that the relevant authorities ensure that the vehicles to be used are 100 per cent road worthy. Moreover, she said there has to be proper scheduling so that there is still not a situation of persons being stranded.
 
“We hope that those PSV [public service vehicles] who will be afforded the opportunity to ply those routes that the owners are really on board and when I say that, I mean that they are willing to make sure that their drivers are fully compliant with the various road traffic rules and regulations,” she said.
 
Roland-Bowen made the call as she also said it is important that in general enhanced standards are put in place for those working in the PSV sector, contending that there should be “more stringent” rules enforced for PSV drivers to carry passengers.
 
“They should be provided with adequate and ongoing training because they are carrying human lives. That is a big responsibility and they should not be behaving on the road in the reckless way some of them currently do. That needs to come to an end; they need to see that because of responsibility placed on them, they are held to higher standards. This training is even more crucial if we are looking to incorporate PSV within the Government’s operations through the Transport Board and it is a way of lifting or raising the standards for these people,” she stated.
 
The BRSA head said that the training should be focused on driving defensively and how to prevent and avoid accidents. Her comments came as she further suggested that the PSV owners should, in trying to improve the overall the standards of their employees, requiring them to take random breathalyser tests, to ensure that none are under the influence of alcohol when transporting passengers.
 
“There are companies here that do subject employees who drive for them to random breathalyser testing, they have not waited for legislation, recognising that as employers they have to set standards for how they want and expect their businesses to operate. I have heard and seen for myself, these minibus persons stopping at the shops to buy their beers, Guinness and whatnot and I would not like to see that taking place under an amalgamated system. So if Government is going to allow the private operators to assist them, then they have a duty to ensure that does not occur,” she maintained.
 
The road safety advocate added, “We also have to cognisant of the fact that there are some people that only use the Transport Board, and if the PSV are going to be plying certain routes and may be the only mode of transportation at certain times they have to be top notch.”
 
Additionally, she said drivers who become part of the proposed system should be given an amnesty with respect to any current road traffic violations, so that they can start with a slate clean. If at any time then that they are found to be doing wrong on the roads, she is adamant that the punishment should be a stiff one. (JRT)
Section: 
News
↧
Search

Montreal Protocol a key environmental instrument

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

Due to its overwhelming accomplishments, the Montreal Protocol is universally recognised as the most successful global multilateral environment instrument.
 
According to Edison Alleyne, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Drainage, the acceptance of this Protocol has allowed for agreement on the Dubai Pathway for the management of Hydro-fluorocarbons (HFCs) and resulted in the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, decided at the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, just two months ago.
 
This Amendment, he explained, will add 18 hydro-fluorocarbons to the list of 96 chemicals already controlled by the Montreal Protocol.
 
“As you are aware, through non-ozone depleting, HFCs are potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) with high global warming potentials. Because of this, in a world trying to resolve an approach to the management of global climate change, the Kigali Amendment is just as significant as the Paris Agreement decided at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) last year (2015),” Alleyne stated recently, as he addressed participants at the official opening ceremony for the Caribbean Ozone Officers’ Network Meeting at the Radisson Aquatica Hotel.
 
“I understand that treatment of HFC management under the Montreal Protocol was not without its challenges. As a consequence, I am heartened by the fact that the countries of the world were able to unite and agree to work together for the benefit of our environment and the protection of vulnerable states,” he said.
 
He meanwhile noted that in relation to the Protocol, Barbados will be commencing the process of dialogue early in the New Year, to facilitate its ratification and also to adjust our existing regulatory tools to reflect coverage of the new HFC obligations. This would assist in our ability to account for the HFC contribution to our greenhouse gas emission levels, the pursuit of the targets documented in our “Nationally Determined Contribution Report” communicated to the UNFCCC as well as our Green Economy and Sustainable Development aspirations, he said. (RSM)
Section: 
News
↧
↧

Designate drivers if drinking

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

AT the beginning of 2016, the Barbados Road Safety Association launched the ‘Who Will Be Driving You Home Tonight?’ campaign to lobby for drink driving and breathalyser testing legislation in order to help reduce accidents on this nation’s roads. 
 
This year, it will also be hard at work promoting the use of designated drivers.
 
Speaking on the dangers presented to road users by individuals who drink alcohol at the various parties, fetes and bars around the island and then make the unwise decision to get behind the wheel, President of the Association Sharmane Roland-Bowen insisted that now was the time to put an end to this type of behaviour by encouraging persons to assign designated drivers that will get them home safely. 
 
To ensure that the driver in a group of partying friends remained completely sober, she said that her organisation would be approaching various bars and promoters of events to urge them to provide incentives for these individuals, including through offering free soft drinks. 
 
“We want to be looking at this seriously in 2017 where we get bars especially to come together under a programme to encourage this and this will be a major focus for us,” she said.
 
Reminding persons that one alcoholic drink can impair judgement, and affect vision and response time, she said persons must abstain from drinking if they are getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
 
Roland-Bowen also outlined the association’s intent to continue to lobby for breathalyser testing to be placed on the statute books, insisting that persons must face penalties for putting not only themselves but other road users at risk.
 
Last year, there was a recorded reduction in the number of road fatalities with 10 persons losing their lives, compared to 22 in 2015, 14 in 2014 and 18 in 2013.
Section: 
News
↧

Harper: Give disabled community a chance to voice their opinion

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

THE Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) will continue to legislate for accessible public buildings.
 
Public Relations Officer, David ‘Joey’ Harper, said persons from the BCD would love to contribute to the creation of a revised Building Code for the island to ensure that disabled persons were able to give their opinion to this important area.
 
“If given a chance, the disabled community would be happy to do that. We have a lot of accountants, lawyers, the President of the Senate and others. Give them a chance to voice their opinion,” he said, adding that it was critical not to automatically assume what the needs of these individuals were.
 
“Make sure that you can call these people into a forum and be willing to listen and you would be surprised as to how many issues would come out,” Harper stressed, while on a morning television programme recently.
 
Commenting that the transport system in Barbados is accessible for disabled persons only to a level, he stressed that while the council is able to move such persons from point to point, it was not easy for such persons to get around during the holidays.
 
Harper stated that while the public’s opinion on those with disabilities has made a positive change over the past two decades as society was more willing to embrace persons with disabilities into the wider community, he said there was still room for improvement.
 
“It was bad at one stage where people did not like to be associated with a person with a disability. You know that there were houses 50 years ago that locked up their children with disabilities and these children were never seen on the road or could not come out of the house because the parents did not want the embarrassment of knowing that their child had a disability, but we have moved past that stage,” he said.
Section: 
News
↧

QEH food services currently being assessed

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

THE food services of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is currently being assessed by the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) in order to ensure that it is meeting the appropriate standards. 
 
This is coming from CEO of the QEH, Dr. Dexter James, who said that all of this forms a part of their Achieving Improved Measurement (AIM) initiative, which was launched earlier this year. He was speaking during the Annual Queen Elizabeth Hospital Christmas Service on Tuesday in the Auditorium.
 
He said that this AIM initiative ensures that there is continuous enhancement in the services that they provide at the health-care institution.
 
“One of the most significant developmental initiatives embarked on during the year on the service side has been the launch of the ‘AIM High for Excellence and Quality’. The acronym A.I.M. stands for Achieving Improved Measurement, which epitomises the requirement of continuous improvement.”
 
The CEO said that there are five pillars which this initiative encompasses and each one of them targets a specific area of the services provided by the hospital, such as the need to have a baby friendly hospital, the necessity of having accredited laboratory services and the importance of having proper food services.
 
“Under this initiative, the intention is the pursuit of hospital accredi-tation and credentialing of selected services in furtherance of the overall vision. This programme is built around five pillars – Hospital-wide Accreditation (ISO 15189), Baby Friendly Hospital re-certification, Laboratory Accreditation, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification to Improve Food Safety and the Code of Practice for Information Security Management (ISO 27001).”
 
He said that it was just a month ago that they succeeded in attaining their laboratory accreditation and now they are working on ensuring that their food services are up to par.
 
“You would recall that it was only in November, our laboratory attained the prestigious award of accreditation from a reputable body – the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC). Today as we speak, surveyors are currently on the ground assessing our food services operations for HACCP certification. I am confident that within the next nine months, this package of credentialing of services would be complete.” (PJT)
Section: 
News
↧
↧

Senator: More day-care centres needed for elderly

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

A concerned resident of St Barnabas, Mary Gibson,  showing the deplorable living conditions of Hutson Yarde.

 

A Government Senator is calling for more day-care centres for the elderly.
 
“I am very concerned with leaving the elderly alone at home,” expressed Senator Rev. Dr. David Durant.
 
“What happens if there is a fire or some natural disaster and they can’t help themselves, especially when their families locked them inside the house”.
 
Observing that Barbados has an ageing population, Senator Durant pointed out that currently the population 65 years and over is above the 15 percent mark, and in another nine years or so, will be over 20 percent.
 
He said such facilities help to ease the burden of adult children while the elderly could socialise, which was important for their well-being. In fact, he believes that the elderly’s involvement in such an environment could see them age better.
 
 “Those in the day care setting interact with the other elderly people, they get involved in games, exercise and enjoy their meals together – the more family oriented situation we can put the elderly in the better for them – they even age better”.
 
“Right now, the Jorris Dunner Elderly Day Care Center is doing great. Families bring them on mornings at 7. 30 am and pick them back up by 5 pm – they are very happy with this. That facility is almost full,” he said, noting the need for three or four more of these centres across the island.
“It is safer than leaving them alone at home,” he stressed.
 
Senator Durant, who is the Chairman of the National Assistance Board (NAB), made the call upon the discovery of another elderly man living in deployable conditions.
 
He said about two months he was informed about the situation, and NAB responded immediately, sending the Board’s welfare officials to make frequent checks.
 
NAB was also in the process of making new living arrangements for the retired Bridgetown Port worker, Hutson Yarde, when the 73-year-old St Barnabas, St Michael resident had to be rescued from a hole in the floor of his dilapidated wooden house. He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and treated for injuries to his feet.
 
The Senator was saddened that they were unable to relocate Yarde before the unfortunate incident.
 
“The floor collapsed…There are a lot of rats and roaches. It’s nowhere for a man to live. We were working on getting him removed from here, but before that could happen we realised that he fell in, which I was afraid of happening”.
 
“I am going to make sure that he is placed in a home or the Geriatric Hospital…I dealt with a man in a similar situation recently and I had to remove him and he was relocated to Vauxhall Senior Citizens Village and apparently, no family was around, But, while at the home and he was settled, then his family started to appear. Where were they all the time when he was living in that condition? That’s what I can’t understand. So, I don’t know when Mr Yarde is taken to a safe environment, if we would see family appearing… This is not right,” he stressed.
 
“If you have elderly family and they are now weak and frail – they need our help. That is why we are trying to strengthen legislation to deal with situations like these, especially those who are coming to take their monthly cheques”. (TL)
Section: 
News
↧

CAIPO complaints being addressed: Minister Inniss

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

Complaints about doing business at the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO) have not fallen on deaf ears.
 
 The Minister responsible for that Department has given his assurance that it will not be busy as usual this new year.
 
 “I can tell you that in 2017 we are going to do much better in that department,” Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss told The Barbados Advocate.
 
 According to him, the department primarily responsible for keeping and maintaining a wide variety of business and commercial records which are vital to the orderly conduct of business in and from Barbados, is “always under the gun”.
 
 He admitted that he received complaints from lawyers, accountants and service providers about the department.
 
 “I said let us all get together. The Registrar and senior staff of that department, my Permanent Secretary and Deputy, the President of the Bar Association, representatives of BIBA – we sat down together for about two hours and had a very frank conversation about the challenges we are facing from my end, suggestions that they put forward and I can tell you that conversation has resulted in us doing things better in that department,” Inniss pointed out.
 
 “For example, when you have an urgent matter, don’t just complain and throw your hands up in the air. Send one of us an email and we will look into the matter and get back to you within the hour… In the last couple of weeks persons have seen a marked difference”.
 
 “I can’t sit and just have the public service beaten up on,” he stressed, adding “From my end, we need to remind people and show them some of the challenges we face. Not as a way of making an excuse, but as a way of getting people to come to an understanding of what our realities are – staff constraints, money constraints, etc. And then at the same time hearing from those who use our services as to how they think things can be done better”.
 
 The Minister also disclosed that changes are coming to the International Business Unit within his Ministry. He said changes that will focus on matters such as being more customer friendly, better use of technology to process applications and respond, and to have timelines with accountability.
 
 “When I look at these things and if we do it department by department, this country is really going to be firing on all cylinders in another year or two.” (TL)
Section: 
News
↧

NUPW remains committed

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) while fully committed to the consultative process, is adamant that it will “not waver” in its efforts to ensure that not only is the membership vigorously represented, but that their rights are respected.
 
 That’s according to President of the NUPW, Akanni Mc Dowall, who in his New Year’s Message, said the though the challenges the Union faced in the last year “stubbornly tested” its resolve, they were not insurmountable and as a result the Union strived to balance the overall national interest, with its primary obligation to efficiently and effectively represent the interest of its membership. With that in mind, he took the opportunity to remind those who have been critical of the withholding of labour as a means of settling disputes, that the “right to strike” is one of the oldest and critical components of effective trade union bargaining.
 
“It will never be our first choice, but applying that right responsibly, can assist in resolving the more protracted industrial relations disputes. Collective bargaining risks becoming collective begging and eventual capitulation, without this right. Consider, that many who now seek to denigrate and vilify the trade union’s call for action have benefitted from the improvements to social and working conditions as a result of the same trade union agitation,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, Mc Dowall noted that while year 2016 had its share of unresolved disputes; there was much to be thankful for, particularly coming on to the end of the year. Among those things, he said, was the securing of satisfactory wages settlements for the workers of the Grantley Adams Airport (GAIA) Inc. and the National Petroleum Corporation, and the appointments at the National Housing Corporation.
 
“I wish to publicly compliment the workers at the GAIA Inc. for their perseverance and commitment to their just cause, and seeing the long, difficult and at times contentious negotiations through to an amicable conclusion.  In addition, it would be remiss of the Union, if it did not thank management of these organisations for their compromise and goodwill, which facilitated the successful conclusion of the negotiations. The Union looks forward to even greater cooperation between the Union and government agencies in 2017 and beyond, as we seek to foster a harmonious industrial relations environment,” the Union President added.
 
His comments came as he indicated that there are some matters that remain unresolved that still have to be addressed.  The NUPW official made the point while referring to the ruling of the Employment Rights Tribunal in respect of the retrenched workers of the National Conservation Commission. He while the position of workers was vindicated by the ruling, the Union was not totally pleased with the outcome. This came as he also raised the issue of the displaced workers of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation, adding that they were awaiting the ruling of the courts on that matter.
 
Additionally, he said the Union firmly believes that workers transitioning from the General Public Service to the Barbados Revenue Authority should do so with all their rights and privileges, inclusive of pension rights intact.
 
“We also think that a strong case has been made on why the Customs Department should remain in the Public Service because of its border control component. So our work is still not yet done,” he maintained. (JRT)
Section: 
News
↧
Search

Marshall-Harris: Child support collection agency needed

January 3, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0
prison not the answer

 

RETIRED Magistrate of the Juvenile Court Faith Marshall-Harris is recommending that a child support collection agency be established on the island.
 
She believes that such an agency would be used to supervise collection and payment of arrears and pursue defaulters who would then be brought back to Court for sanction, as is practised in many countries.
 
According to Marshall-Harris, “There should also be provision for payment by attachment orders where parents are employed. Attachment orders are orders where the money is deducted at source by the employer and forwarded to the Court before it is received by the employee.”
 
She further explained that at the moment the Crown Proceedings Act provides that the wages and salaries paid by the Crown to public servants cannot be attached.  “Since public servants are roughly ten percent of the Barbados workforce, I recommend that this section is repealed so that all wages or salaries can be attached, if necessary,” she advised.
 
The consultant while noting that there are many defaulters in the system, believes that prison is not the solution to this problem.
 
“Imprisonment for non-payment of child support is counterproductive and should be discontinued as a means of sanction. The children still do not get supported if the father has gone to prison, or if he loses his job and the prison term does not extinguish the debt. Other ways must be found,” she advised.
 
“For example, if persons refuse to pay child support and are severely in arrears, then their driver’s or road traffic licence could be suspended, provided they are not taxi or ZR drivers or other persons whose livelihood depend on their ability to drive a vehicle. Deductions from NIS benefits, and income tax refunds could be made; surrender or suspension of passports or use of community service orders. Distress could be another means of recovery whereby the big screen or plasma television is seized and the money recovered that way,” she suggested.
 
She explained that a Child Support Fund which can be ordered by a judicial officer where there is need. “This would operate like a revolving Fund to cover all children whose parents are temporarily unable to comply with maintenance orders through unemployment or illness. This should be a facility that can be utilized by judicial officers in deserving cases. This is in step with Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which says that the State should assist where there is a need for the child to be maintained,”she said. (JH)
Section: 
News
↧
↧

Still in the dark on Combermere

January 3, 2017, 9:49 pm
$
0
0
By: 
Jenique Belgrave

 

While public primary and secondary schools are set to re-open for Term II (Hilary) next week, an air of mystery still surrounds whether the gates of the Combermere School will also swing open.
 
With school scheduled to resume on Monday, January 9 for teachers and Tuesday, January 10 for the student population, parents and staff remain in the dark as to what will happen at the Waterford institution.
 
However, Alex Macdonald, head of the the six-member committee which was selected to liaise with the Ministry of Education over the closure of the school, expressed that group’s belief that it should be business as usual at the educational institution.
 
He told The Barbados Advocate yesterday that while the committee had sent correspondence to the school’s Parent/Teacher Association, the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union and the Education Ministry indicating its strong support for the school to reopen next week, the latter had yet to respond with its decision.
 
“We strongly support its reopening because based on the scientific information received from the tests conducted, and also from our own independent experts, there did not appear to be anything chronically wrong with the school,” he said. 
 
Combermere School was closed in mid-November due to environmental issues, especially the return of a pungent odor, which has been affecting teachers and students since 2015 leading to several of them falling ill.
 
Noting that investigations had shown issues such as backed up toilets, uncovered drains and other areas that were responsible for creating foul odors, Macdonald said that these could be handled properly with general cleaning and proper maintenance.
 
While efforts to reach Education Minister Ronald Jones or Chief Education Officer Karen Best for comment failed yesterday, the Barbados Advocate understands that a meeting is to be held later this week to outline the ministry’s decision.
Section: 
News
↧

Concrete solutions

January 3, 2017, 9:50 pm
$
0
0

Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley making a point to the Barbados Advocate.

By: 
Janelle Riley-Thornhill

 

Two of the three roads that are part of the Ministry of Transport and Works’ concrete road pilot project are now complete, and Minister Michael Lashley says they are already looking at other roads which can be constructed utilising concrete.  
 
He made the disclosure to The Barbados Advocate yesterday afternoon, while at Scott’s Gap, Brittons Hill, St. Michael where he, accompanied by Member of Parliament for St. Michael South Central, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, toured the new road, built by Creative Paving Solutions which won the bid.
 
“This road was done very quickly. From my information this was done in about three weeks. Clearly these roads can be built in short order and that is something that we think is important. In the coming weeks we will look to see the longevity of roads done from concrete compared to those done from asphalt, also taking into consideration the competition out there in terms of cement. With the price reduction, we believe we will be able to build these roads in a more economically way than before,” he said.
 
 
Lashley added, “Once we get the buy in, then we will expand and go out further to other roads, perhaps even major roads.”
 
He made the comments while revealing that his Ministry is considering utilising the concrete option in some parts of Christ Church and St. Philip going forward, “where they can move in quickly and build the roads”. However, the Transport and Works Minister said it will be a couple of months before such work can be started. He made the point just before indicating that the third road which is part of the pilot, located at Bishops, St. Lucy, has had it’s the first phase of construction completed and it should be finished in about a month’s time.
 
Meanwhile, lauding Lashley and his Ministry on the work done, Minister Sealy said he is fully in support of the project and believes that not only concrete roads, but concrete walkways are the way to go throughout both urban and rural communities.
 
“In many of these highly urbanised communities where we don’t have a lot of land and the right-of-ways are limited, it is the best way we can afford some degree of comfort for the residents being able to go about their day-to-day activities without having to walk with an extra pair of shoes as soon as there’s mud. Walking with an extra pair of shoes in a plastic bag is a reality for many people, and I think this approach to solving that problem is to be commended,” he said.
 
His comments came as he indicated that he was pleased that the solution provided at Scott’s Gap also took into consideration the drainage issues prevalent in the area, putting the “appropriate drainage amenities” in place.
 
“As you can see there is a well and the road is designed to drain to the well so it should help improve the drainage situation,” he stated.
 
Sealy made the point while suggesting that there are communities off Layne’s Road, Forde’s Road and Cummins Road where similar road solutions would be useful. Likewise, he said there are some areas of his constituency that could benefit from the construction of concrete walkways to join communities and provide much needed pedestrian access. He referred to Weir’s Gap, McClean’s Gap and Hall Road as prime examples. (JRT)
Section: 
News
↧

reaping the sweets

January 4, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0
Paul: Most farmers had a good Christmas period

 

Most local farmers seem not to have been adversely affected by the periods of heavy rainfall that descended on the island late last year, as the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) is reporting that they had a good Christmas period.
 
BAS CEO James Paul suggested that while some farmers were affected due to their location, those who had produce to sell over the 2016 Christmas period did a good trade.
 
“[The Christmas period] was pretty good for most of the farmers. [Some] crops were in abundance, so those who had produce, it was pretty good for them,” Paul remarked.
 
“[The rain] would have affected some of them. Those who had cucumbers, it might have been a little problematic for them, but there was still a local supply. Depending on the areas persons were in, they might have been impacted. Beans might have been a bit short and the peas might not have been as plentiful as you may have wanted them to be…but in some areas they had,” Paul explained.
 
Whilst the year 2016 started out relatively dry due an extended period of drought, Deputy Director of the Barbados Meteorological Services, Sonia Nurse recently indicated that as the wet season got under way, there were periods where excessive rainfall was recorded - from around late September, for parts of November and then into December as well. Near the close of December, it was revealed that in terms of rainfall around 1 418 millimetres was the recorded figure - above the long term average,- as around 1,270 millimetres is usually record in an average year.
 
Whilst the heavy rains caused severe flooding in some low lying areas, overall, it appears that the farming community on a whole did not fare too badly as the year 2016 came to a close. (RSM)
Section: 
News
↧

BL&P linemen part of regional hurricane restoration effort

January 4, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0
Proudly carrying the Barbados flag in Freeport, Grand Bahama, were Light & Power linemen (from left) Shawn Alleyne, Christopher Alleyne, Jerome Jordan and Ronald Stanford, with Supervisor Edward Cummings (centre).

Proudly carrying the Barbados flag in Freeport, Grand Bahama, were Light & Power linemen (from left) Shawn Alleyne, Christopher Alleyne, Jerome Jordan and Ronald Stanford, with Supervisor Edward Cummings (centre).

THE Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) has thanked the 35 linesmen from its seven member utilities, including five persons from The Barbados Light & Power Company, who were a part of the restoration process in The Bahamas following the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

According to CARILEC Project Manager Andrew Thorington, the crews worked assiduously to restore power in New Providence before returning home. In some cases, such as with Light & Power’s team of linemen, Shawn Alleyne, Christopher Hoyte, Jerome Jordan and Ronald Stanford, with supervisor Edward Cummings, crews went on to Grand Bahama to assist Emera affiliate company, Grand Bahama Power Company, with the efforts there.

Indeed, the spirit of volunteerism was so evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, that Deputy Director of CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, said that the spirit of humanitarianism is very strong still in the region, during her recent assessment of the work of the regional co-ordinating centre this year.

Light & Power’s team leader, Edward Cummings, noted that the team was struck by how grateful Bahamians were for their presence and work.  One older lady, who had lived through hurricanes before, blessed them after they restored her power. She was surprised at how quickly they worked in what was a depressed area even before the passage of Matthew.

Now that the Barbados team is back home, they are even more appreciative of the skills of their colleagues at Light & Power, and they are happy to have played a role in assisting our neighbours in the region.

Section: 
News
↧
↧

Entrepreneurs encouraged to plan ahead

January 4, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

The Minister responsible for Small Business Development is advising persons desirous of starting any micro, small or medium-sized businesses to ensure that they have viable business plans that adhere to the basic principles of good governance of a small enterprise.
 
“Because you are a micro or small business does not mean that you must operate like an antiquated mom and pop shop. Nobody is asking you to go and hire a chartered accountant or have a lawyer on staff, but to recognise that if you don’t plan your business and structure it appropriately and get help from others, then you are destined to fail,” he stated while speaking to The Barbados Advocate recently.
 
His comments came as he suggested that too often people develop ideas for business but do not put in the groundwork to determine if the idea is a good one, and whether it can survive. As such, he is contending that gone must be those days.
 
Turning his attention then to access to financing, which he acknowledged is a challenge for the sector, Inniss said while Government is willing to provide some funding, its actions must not “crowd out” traditional sources of financing. He made the point while contending that commercial banks have a significant role to play in helping to advance the small business sector. The Minister, who also holds the portfolios for Industry and Commerce, said the commercial banking system has “great liquidity” available, and small businesses should not be wary of approaching these financial institutions for funds to start or grow their ventures.
 
“In fact, I think there are some enterprises that can benefit from the more stringent analysis as provided by the traditional commercial banks. But there are people who may want to give the impression that Government should just give grant financing or financing to these entities even if they are very high risk. Some of the same people then complain about potholes, lights not working, and of schools needing to be fixed; but how can we do those things on the social services side if we are busy just giving away money to another sector?” he queried.
 
With that in mind, Inniss expressed his strong belief that there needs to be a paradigm shift in thinking in Barbados as it relates to what the State is supposed to do. The idea that the State can and must provide everything to everybody, he maintained, is not practical. As such, he pushed the importance of businesses repaying loans from Government, contending that in instances where they do not, it is the wider society that suffers.
 
“When we lend money and businesses cannot pay back that is taxpayers’ money that is wasted and my constituents pay a hell of a lot of money in taxes and I am not going to be any part of wasting that tax. So for me there has to be balance and I speak from experience,” said the former businessman said. (JRT)
Section: 
News
↧

Thank You, Barack Obama

January 4, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

Eight years ago, he said “Yes, we can!” looking to his fellow Americans to work together to fix what was then a depressed and deflated country. Eight years later, through his many trials and triumphs, a man of peace, a man of family, a man of diversity, a man of colour and country will say farewell on January 10 in his beloved city of Chicago.  
 
As the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama was symbolic of a political, technological and social change. African American literature such as Ralph Ellison’s “The Invisible Man” and Malcolm X’s autobiographical book, all told the struggles of identity of the Black man in the Western, capitalist world. There is no doubt that the civil rights movement, cultural arts and literature, and increased opportunities for education and athletics paved the way for young ambitious men like Obama to become a political force. He was one presidential candidate, in his race to the White House, who was able to gain significant support of Black minority voters.
 
Internationally, President Obama has a fair approval rating as an outgoing president in comparison to others such as George W. Bush, whose legacy was a dismal outcome of the Iraqi War and the American real estate crash. Domestically, as president, Obama’s political efforts have been misunderstood as it relates to health care i.e. Obamacare, and education. He made significant changes to Wall Street, the automobile and financial industry, increased the budget for war veterans’ aid, cut spending on expensive military planes and space exploration, and eliminated a dictator and terrorist while in office. When he leaves office officially, he would have made 260 executive orders and has reduced the unemployment rate, which stood at 9.9 per cent (November 2009) to 4.6 per cent (November 2016).
 
From the Caribbean, Obama is a representative of the Black diaspora as we living on an island can mirror some of his personal struggles for identity, a voice and acceptance in our society. It is unlikely we will see another like Obama – poised, charming, compassionate and loving, a man of deep thought, vision and a strong understanding of the world around him.
 
In Swahili, Kwaheri, Asante! (Goodbye, Thank you!) Obama.  (KPB)
Section: 
News
↧
Search

Mill and Pave programme continues

January 4, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

THE Ministry of Transport and Works’ Mill and Pave Programme aimed at rehabilitating some of the worst roads in the country’s road network, is moving ahead.
 
According to Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley, that initiative, which will involve the removal of the top layer of the road and repairing of the foundation where needed, before a new asphalt surface is put in, is expected to be employed in two areas over the next few weeks. Lashley indicated to The Barbados Advocate that he spoke only this week with officials from C.O. Williams Construction, and was informed that the company will be starting back on the programme later this week with Searles, from the Newton Roundabout to St. Patrick’s, and Lower Greys, both in the parish of Christ Church, earmarked for work to be carried out.
 
“Based on the information I received, Lower Greys is to start on Friday and Searles will start in another week or two. They will be repaving those roads as part of the Mill and Pave Programme. We recognise that those are roads that are in need of repairs and there are more that will be done in the coming weeks and months,” he said.
 
The Transport Minister’s comments came as he gave the assurance that the Ministry’s assault on the potholes has not stopped. He said workers from the Ministry will be back on the job in earnest next week patching those holes.
 
“As we seek to fix these potholes we will not only be utilising asphalt but concrete where we can, to ensure that we can get these holes addressed. We know where all the potholes are, we know all the areas that are damaged and we will be moving forward to get those fixed as soon as possible,” he said. (JRT)
Section: 
News
↧

Pothole alert

January 4, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA), Sharmane Roland-Bowen (right), and executive member of the BRSA, Carson Lee, laying a road marker to identify potholes for motorists yesterday.

One of the potholes identified yesterday.

THE Barbados Road Safety Association is on a mission to place markers at the most dangerous potholes in the country, in an effort to alert motorists and help them to identify those dangers.

The initiative got under way yesterday morning when President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA), Sharmane Roland-Bowen, accompanied by executive member of the BRSA, Carson Lee, placed the first markers at several areas across the island, including Westbury Road, Goodland, Jackman’s and Lears, St. Michael. She explained that the markers are intended to be advance warning for motorists, so they do not damage their vehicles or become involved in a collision trying to shun the potholes.

“This is not a Ministry concern, this is a road safety concern and this is why we take such an interest in it. It can cause accidents, it can cause an injury to persons, it can cause damage to vehicles, it has a lot of implications that motorists should not be subjected to by any Government, by any authority. They have a responsibility, they have a duty of care to us as road users to make sure that the roads are in reasonable conditions for us to drive our vehicles on,” she said.
 
She went on to query, “Where is our tax money going? I have to pay $1 600 for an SUV, where is all of this money going? Where’s the money from the fines from the courts going?”
 
The road safety advocate is adamant that such money should be plugged into the system to make the roads safe for Barbadians and visitors alike. She made the point while contending that motorists are paying double, paying their taxes and also having to expend funds to fix their vehicles as a result of damage caused by the roads. She said she is not advocating that persons withhold their road taxes because of the state of the roads, but insists that Government must take the requisite steps to ensure the roads are in a much better state than is currently the case. Her comments came as she made it clear that the BRSA’s actions were in no way politically motivated, contending that the Association is not aligned with any political party.
 
“Our interest in this is a safety of people, the safety of road users. Road safety is our main interest and anything that affects our roads or the safety of people using our roads we will be there in full force. In the future, if at any time authorities change we are going to be there, we are going to be active the same way. We take no sides,” she maintained.
 
She made the point while contending that “more than a reasonable time has run out” for the authorities to take action and she is adamant that the road issues must be addressed as a matter of urgency. She said if the potholes can be addressed that will help to reduce collisions on the road. (JRT)

 

Section: 
News
↧
↧

Do it right!

January 4, 2017, 9:48 pm
$
0
0

 

Ministry of Transport and Works workers repairing one of the potholes located in the Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church area yesterday.
By: 
Janelle Riley-Thornhill

 

No quick fixes. Fix the potholes properly.
 
That’s the advice the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) is sending out to the Ministry of Transport and Works. The Ministry yesterday moved to patch some potholes in the Christ Church and St. Michael area, including at Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church where the BRSA intended to launch their pothole markers initiative to help motorists better identify where potholes exist, but the BRSA is adamant that the patch job was temporary and a more long term solution is needed.
 
“As you can see the hole was patched. There were two, one on each side and both of them were patched. Yes we do commend them, as they are doing something, but this is not good enough. This is not what we want. This inferior type of patching is not want we want, because in another week or two this is going to be out, especially if we have rain and it is going to scatter these pebbles. They are going to go in the drain and they are going to block up the drains,” President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA), Sharmane Roland-Bowen said.
 
Roland-Bowen contended, “So this is not what we want, we want something better. Do not give us inferior patching across the island, we don’t want that. We want something that is semi-permanent, if not permanent and we will not be standing for this only to make people look like they are doing something.”
 
Her comments came as she also expressed concern that gravel from what seemed to be an asphalt and gravel mixture that was used to fill the holes could also be easily dislodged and become missiles that could cause damage to vehicles or even pedestrians traversing the area.
 
Meanwhile, executive member of the BRSA, Carson Lee also expressed concern about the mixture used to fill the hole, describing it as “unacceptable”.
 
“Look at it. Nowhere in the world you can fix a road way with that type of material. I would put that in a secondary road where there is a lot of foot traffic, but certainly not in a road like this one that is heavily trafficked on mornings. I’m telling you that by weekend that material will be gone,” he stated.
 
Their sentiments were shared by resident in the area Doreal Brathwaite, whose home is close to where the pothole was in Sargeant’s Village. Brathwaite said the hole did not develop with the recent heavy rain, but was made worse by it. In fact, she said the hole often developed and all the Ministry would do is put “barber greene” in it, but she was at a lost regarding what the workers had put in the hole yesterday.
 
“I really don’t know what this is here this morning, I really don’t know what that is, cause it start to come up already… They were trying to do something in a hurry, that’s all I could say, before the media get to it. But time will tell,” she said. (JRT)
Section: 
News
↧

Customer service training for immigration officers

January 5, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

Immigration officers will be among front-line personnel attending a training workshop in customer service from Monday, January 9, to Friday, January 13.
 
The workshop, which is being coordinated by Compete Caribbean, will be conducted by immigration consultant, William Yates.
 
It targets front-line personnel who interact daily with visitors at Barbados’ ports of entry. Other participants will be drawn from the Customs and Excise Department, the Barbados Tourism Product Authority and the Grantley Adams International Airport.  
Section: 
News
↧

Love for Barbados keeps the Thorleys coming back

January 5, 2017, 9:00 pm
$
0
0

 

Richard and Lorraine Thorley shared a photo opportunity with living legend Sir Wes Hall and his daughter Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority Dr. Kerry Hall during a reception hosted at the Prime Minister's official residence at Ilaro Court on Wednesday night. The couple has visited the island a whopping 73 times.
 

 

OVER THE past 35 years, the Thorleys have visited Barbados a whopping 73 times.
 
Hailing from Staffordshire in central England, Richard and Lorraine Thorley first came to Barbados in 1982 on their honeymoon after hearing about the island from some of their friends, who had bought a villa on the east coast.
 
They stayed at the then magnificent Sam Lord's Castle and the rest, as they say, is history. The couple reveals they fell in love with the climate and most of all the people, which drew them back to Barbados annually, at times twice or more during the year.
 
When their parents died, the now retired couple said they were then able to spend longer periods in this island paradise, and that they did.
 
In 2012, they bought their second home in Sunset Crest and admit that they go to the beach every day for a swim, or hop into their car and go to various spots across the island.
 
Richard, while listing the many selling points said: “The weather is important to us because in England it rains all the time. We love the people. The people are very welcoming. We have so many Bajan friends. We like the food, the fish.”
 
His wife chimed in that she is also loves with local fruits, particularly bananas, sugar apples and avocados.
 
The couple doesn't anticipate their visits will increase that much more since they now spend longer periods on the island.
 
As it relates to changes that can be made to the country, the Thorleys reluctantly pointed to the roads which can be improved; the pedestrian crossings that can be made more visible; and the driving of the public service vehicles on the road, which they say can also be improved.
 
As it relates to their outlook on the contentious Brexit vote, Richard believes the separation will bode well for Barbados in the not too distant future.
 
“We are very much for Brexit. We think in the next two or three years the economy at the moment, the fourth richest economy in the world,the UK, and I think we are going to go up and up. Because Europe is past tense, there is no future in Europe. The economy, the trade will pick up, which will mean the tourism for Barbados will pick up even more,” he predicted. 
(JH)
 
 
Section: 
News
↧
Viewing all 8538 articles
Browse latest View live
Search
<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>