THE Barbados economy has maintained its growth trajectory, expanding by two per cent in the first quarter of this year.

In addition, there was a halt to the slide in the country’s foreign reserves, which inched back to just over $700 million after their fall towards the end of last year.

At his first news conference since being named as the Bank’s Acting Governor, Cleviston Haynes told a news conference yesterday, also the first in recent times, that the two per cent growth is above the average first-quarter performance of the last five years.

He said that Tourism, Construction and other traded sectors made modest contribution to that growth. It was similar to the two per cent realised a year ago.

Real Tourism value added was up three per cent on the back of a strong performance during the corresponding quarter the previous year. Haynes said that the international reserves stood at $705.4 million, following an increase of $24.3 million during the first quarter.

“Long stay arrivals were up 4.4 per cent on the strength of increased demand and the ongoing expansion of airlift from the USA and the Canadian markets,” said Haynes who was accompanied at the news conference by Ms. Michelle Doyle-Lowe, Director of Research and Economic Analysis; and Ms. Novaline Brewster, Public Affairs Officer. Arrivals from the UK were down 1.6 per cent, in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. “On average, visitors’ length of staty is estimated to have decreased relative to the same period last year,” he told the media while also stating that cruise passenger arrivals rose by approximately nine per cent during the quarter.

Construction activity was higher by two per cent on account of the various commercial projects including Sandals Royal. Wholesale and Retail, other Business and General services, also contributed to the growth performance.

The average unemployment rate up to September last year was 9.9 per cent while inflation which is trending upwards, stood at 1.3 per cent, at the end of December.

The reserves, which were $705.4 million, represent 10.7 weeks of imports which the Acting Governor said they remained below the 12-week benchmark, in part a reflection of the larger than usual net public sector capital outflows in 2016/2017. (JB)

The Nurses Committee of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital wants to see a daycare established for the children of nurses who often work long hours at the hospital. The Committee is also making a call for nurses to receive better pay.

Deborah Holder, Public Relations Officer for the Nurses Committee, noted the above as she spoke to The Barbados Advocate this week about the work of the Committee, during Nurses Week. The Week was celebrated with a number of activities at the QEH.

Acknowledging that the Committee has been trying to have a number of challenges addressed on the part of nurses, Holder however lamented the fact that a number of key goals have not yet been met.

“So far, we have not been able to accomplish what we have set out and a few of us are moving out of the Nurses Committee, because we have been promoted to nursing officers, at least three of us,” she told this newspaper.

“[Therefore] we have to form a new committee and we are hoping that they will take up the mantle and try to do something for the nurses, because our aim was to actually try and fix at least some of the problems, before we move on from the committee. But now we have to pass it on and mentor the (new executive members) and hopefully, something will be done,” Holder revealed.

The PRO however, sought to give a synopsis of the main challenges facing nurses at the QEH.

“One of the major issues that we are having, is a shortage of staff. Also, the nurses really would like a daycare for their kids, especially during the summer time when they are working and the kids are out of school. A day care, that is something that we feverishly wanted to work on,” Holder pointed out.

“Our uniform issue is being dealt with currently, so that is off the list. Other than that, the nurses are generally demotivated. Basically, you are working hard, going beyond the call of duty as a nurse and we are not being remunerated as we should,” Holder indicated.

“Some people do not (view) nurses as they do other professionals, (for example) lawyers, but we do get degrees. We do not get paid for specialties in relation to our degrees, but we continue to study, so we should be (paid better) for it and that is really our issue,” Holder maintained. (RSM)

THE Canadian Women’s Club of Barbados has issued disbursements to the tune of Bds$101 300 to seventeen charitable organisations, assisting children, the elderly and women in Barbados.

Representatives of the charities accepted their share of the funds at the Canadian Women’s Club (CWC) Annual Disbursement Meeting, held yesterday at the Canadian High Commission in Bishop’s Court Hill, St. Michael.

Making a brief address, Community Services Chair, Ann Smith, remarked to guests present, “The Canadian Women’s Club’s objective is to assist the youth, the elderly and women in need and many distressed families in our communities. I am sure you are all aware we have a lot of them.

“It gives me great pleasure to continue the tradition of giving, which has been set out by the founder of the Canadian Women’s Club. Today, we have with us 17 organisations which will be receiving funds, which were raised from our Golf Tournament held in June 2016,” she further commented.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hardworking Tournament Committee... the Royal Westmoreland Golf Club, which has supported us for many years, and our corporate sponsors. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to have the funds to disburse today, and they make our tournament quite a success,” she added.

High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Marie Legault, handed out the first set of funds to the Burnscar Garment and Orthotic Fund for Children, represented by Hilary Bethel. Bethel was accompanied by Sonia Brathwaite and her two-year-old daughter, Sunjai Brathwaite, who was already wearing a burnscar garment. Bethel explained that the charity provides Burnscar garments and Orthopedic appliances to children whose families cannot afford them, and she registered her gratitude for the timely donation.

Another recipient noting his gratitude for such funding was Dr. Clyde Cave, who accepted funds on behalf of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s (QEH) Department of Paediatrics. He noted that the funds will prove vital in supplying equipment for sick children on the ward.

Kathy-Ann Kelly Springer, accompanied by Rev. Paul Leacock, accepted a disbursement on the behalf of Cancer Support Services, mainly to provide essential counselling services to better help patients cope with the disease.

Grateful for the show of assistance also was Corey Lane of the Nature Fun Ranch, which aids at-risk youth, helping them to maintain active sustainable lifestyles and to cultivate productive social attitudes. Many youth have turned from a negative path towards a more positive one in the 19 years of the Ranch’s existence, and many more will receive further assistance, via the current disbursement, Lane said.

The Barbados Light and Power Company Limited’s efforts to update the metering infrastructure of its customers should see all its meters switched out by 2019, and with that change will come technology to allow customers to better track their usage.

That’s according to Roger Blackman, Managing Director at the Barbados Light and Power Company Limited (BL&P). He made mention of these updates as he addressed the Barbados Employers’ Confederation’s Annual General Meeting Luncheon at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday.

Blackman revealed that the new meters will also allow BL&P to know straight away when and where the power supply is off, so that they can respond and rectify the situation.

“By the end of this year I think we will be around 50,000 meters, and by 2019 all 130,000 meters on the network would have changed. The significance of that is that when that infrastructure is in place, we will have line of sight from a central control centre to every home on the island. So when electricity goes off you know immediately and you can position it and show it on a map. Each customer can see themselves potentially on a map, which is part of the GIS [geographic information system] systems that we are building; and you know exactly which customers are off, in which areas,” he said.

The BL&P official made the comments as he stated that they are hopeful that the meters can all be in place by the first quarter of 2019. But, he made it clear that they are not waiting until every single customer is connected to start rolling out the services that the infrastructure allows. His comments came as he revealed that the communication infrastructure for the system, which will collect the data from the meters and send it to the central point, is already in place.

With that in mind, the managing director added that the days of interim bills are numbered. He disclosed that once the system is in place, they will be able to bill customers every month for what they have utilised. Moreover, he said that customers, through an app on their mobile device or computer, will also be able to log on and see what their consumption is on a day-by-day basis. Blackman further added that the BL&P will be able to post information on any outages, which customers will be able to access via the app as well.

“That’s the future that we see, that’s what we are building out now, that is what the infrastructure that we are putting in place at the moment will facilitate going forward,” he indicated. (JRT)

THE Barbados Association of Tampa Bay, based in Florida in the USA, has made a donation of three new HP laptop computers and accompanying mobile laptop stands, valued in excess of US$1 500, to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

President of the Barbados Association of Tampa Bay (BAOTB), Henderson Griffith and BAOTB Ambassador and Honorary Member, Stedson “Red Plastic Bag” Wiltshire met with QEH CEO, Dr. Dexter James on Tuesday, for the official handing-over ceremony, which was held in the QEH boardroom.

Griffith noted that the focus of the BAOTB is giving back to the local Barbadian community and this is done in part through supporting local partner agencies such as Cancer Support Services and the QEH. Griffith indicated that the Association has been contributing to the QEH for a few years now and last year presented 100 000 US dollars’ worth of equipment to the hospital. Having looked at the QEH’s Prospectus, a decision was made to donate the computers as part of another philanthropic effort.

Pointing out that the BAOTB will be hosting its Eighth Annual Spring Gala as well as the Barbados Comes To Tampa Bay event on June 10 at the Innisbrook Golf and Tennis Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida and a Bridgetown Market event on June 11 at the same venue, Griffith took the opportunity as well to say “a big thank you to the entertainers who come up each year and make donations like this possible”. He meanwhile noted that Red Plastic Bag, also referred to as RPB, is one of the Association’s biggest supporters, especially for its fund-raising events.

Dr. James meanwhile noted that the “computers on wheels” have been earmarked for use within the hospital’s wards and are expected to improve patient care, as they allow for greater mobility and flexibility by doctors. Their use is also expected to increase data sharing and patient engagement, as patient information can now be entered and accessed in real time at the patient’s bedside. (RSM)

Managing Director of the Barbados Light and Power Company Limited (BL&P), Roger Blackman, says the utility company is pleased with the growth of the Renewable Energy Rider (RER) Programme.

His comments came yesterday afternoon as he spoke to the media, after delivering the feature address at the Barbados Employers’ Confederation’s Annual General Meeting Luncheon at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

“As you might recall, the Renewable Energy Rider Programme, which facilitates customers interconnected with the grid, is something that the utility proposed as far back as maybe 2010, and at the time when we proposed it the technology was not as advanced, it was not maybe as cost-effective, so it took a while for that to grow,” he explained.

Blackman said that in 2012, at the end of the pilot phase of the programme, the impact was negligible, but he indicated that over the last few years customers have embraced it, the technology has improved and the costs associated with putting RE systems in place have come down, and the programme has “started to take off”.

“In fact we’re at, as was mentioned earlier, 13 megawatts on the grid and growing at a rate of about one megawatt per year,” he said.

However, the managing director argued that the only way Barbados is going to see significant renewable energy penetration on the grid is for various parties to be involved. He made the point as he contended that it is not just the utility’s job alone to push RE. He is adamant that customers are going to have to participate in the process, so that the country can achieve that long-term goal of 100 per cent clean energy.

Blackman’s comments came as he explained that there are two arrangements in place for the solar system on the network – sale of excess arrangement and a buy all, sell all. He noted, however, that as the larger systems which make up most of the capacity generated are on a buy all, sell all arrangement, it is a win-win situation for the parties involved.

“It is revenue neutral for the utility because it is sold to the utility and then passed on to customers and is covered through the fuel charge on the bill. So customers benefit from the charge that has been set by the regulator,” he said.

He indicated that customers earn 41.6 cents for every kilowatt hour that is generated and sold back into the grid, and he suggested that the rate is one that should be attractive to interested customers.

Blackman added, “The way these systems are designed and set up, they are interconnected with the grid because solar systems you can’t dispatch them, you basically have to take the energy as it is produced. So, essentially as the energy is produced it goes into the grid, which is a common grid for the entire island… Basically, a significant portion of it is sold back into the grid. In some instances, some of it is used in the home first and only the excess is sold into the grid, but that isn’t the majority.” (JRT)

Across the world, there has been an increase in the number of people living with diabetes.

This is coming from Acting Senior Medical Officer with responsibility for Non-Communicable Diseases in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ingrid Cumberbatch, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister of Health at the official launch of the Ian Woosnam Type 1 Diabetes Registry yesterday at the Diabetes Foundation.

Furthermore, the health complications that can result from it are many. “Globally, according to the World Health Organisation, the number of people (living) with diabetes has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 442 million in 2014. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.”

Dr. Cumberbatch stated that Type 1 diabetes – which is insulin dependent and to which the registry being launched is dedicated – is one that tends to affect the younger population.

“Type 1 diabetes – previously known as insulin dependent, juvenile or childhood onset diabetes – is characterised by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration insulin. The cause of Type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not preventable with current knowledge.”

She said that Type 1 diabetes, which is less common than Type 2 diabetes, affects around one per cent of our population and globally, it is around five per cent, but this figure is increasing and if not aggressively addressed by health-care practitioners of the particular person being affected, then it can lead to life-threatening complications in some instances.

“Around the world, the prevalence of Type 1 diabetes is approximately five per cent. In Barbados, Type 1 diabetes affects one per cent of the population, but as has been shown internationally, the incidence or number of new cases of Type 1 diabetes has been increasing. This increase has been by at least 2.8 per cent and as much as five per cent in some jurisdictions.

“It is also known that Type 1 diabetes presents such challenges as causing severe life-threatening symptoms and being associated with very high mortality rates, if not aggressively and consistently treated and managed by the person with Type 1 diabetes as well as their health-care providers,” she added.

Farmers at Pegwell and Gibbons Boggs and other immediate Christ Church areas are calling on multi-national giant Shell to compensate them for contamination of their water wells, which have severely affected their crop production.

Yesterday, during a meeting with prominent attorney-at-law Andrew Pilgrim Q.C., at Allan Villa, Gibbons Boggs, angered and frustrated farmer, suffering losses as a result of an aviation fuel leak on their lands, said while some have been compensated by the oil company, they are yet to receive their due.

Emotions ran high at the almost two-hour long meeting, as farmers spoke openly about how they were forced to abandon their bread and butter because the yields have dropped significantly since the problem was detected many years ago.

Many of them did not hold back how they feel about the issue which they said has been going on for many years.

They expressed gratitude to Pilgrim, letting him know that they were happy he has taken up the challenge of helping them to fight the legal battle; they eventually hope they will win.

Several years ago, some farmers were compensated after Shell faced two lawsuits over the impact the 1995 and 2003 aviation jet A-1 fuel leaks from its Grantley Adams International Airport/Oistins Terminal pipeline had on acres of farmland and on communities.

Pilgrim vowed to work along with other attorneys to represent more than 30 farmers whom have not yet been compensated for the on-going losses and challenges they are facing.
He said the plan is to now see exactly who is on board, noting that there are already cases before the court, but have been stalled for reasons “that aren’t entirely clear to me”.
“They are unable now to grow and work this land in the way they were able to do in the past. And they have seen that other people have been compensated and they obviously would like to be compensated.

“More importantly, I think they are very clear that they want something to be done so that any negative effects and impacts on the land can now be addressed.

“We want all people that have been affected negatively to approach their lawyers... to just get this ball rolling so that we can have it resolved because it is too long outstanding,” Pilgrim said.

Edwin Warner, who has put down his farming tools since 15 years ago, due to the losses as it relates to crop production, indicated that he did not attend yesterday’s meeting to “beg Shell”.

“I come to tell Shell that they owe me,” he said.

“That is the bottom line. Shell owes me, and I would like them to pay me my money. They were wrong, all the evidence is there to prove it, what are they waiting for. I come to tell shell they owe me,” Warner added.

Resident Andrew Parris said while he too wanted to be compensated as soon as possible, he was concerned about the health effects the contaminated wells would have on residents living in the area. Parris said he was willing to move out of the area, but do not have the finance to do so.

Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Senator Wilfred Abrahams, also a former president of the Bar Association, encouraged the gathering to seek legal advice, reaffirming that the situation has been going on for too long.

“I believe things like this need to be resolved one way or the other... I am glad that Mr. Pilgrim and his team did what they did because people need to be aware of the rights and know that they have a choice to exercise them or not to exercise them.

“You hear the heart-wrenching stories of what has happened. You hear people who depend on agriculture being unable to make a living.

“If you can’t farm on the land that is only zoned for agriculture then the land is worth nothing to you. At some point in time there needs to be a full scale settlement of the matter that is of benefit to all concerned,” Senator Abrahams said. (AH)

STOP undervaluing the importance of manufacturing in Barbados.

That was the challenge thrown out by Jason Sambrano, President of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA), as he participated in a ceremony to officially launch BMEX 2017.

The launch took place on Wednesday evening at Maxor Lodge, Bank Hall, St. Michael.

The exhibition is held annually to showcase the goods and services produced in Barbados. It will be staged from June 2 to 5 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre, with the theme for this year being “Getting Back to Basics.”

Sambrano said that while manufacturing in Barbados has a role to play in economic resuscitation, there is still an area of concern. He lamented the fact that “we as a nation are still too quick to pick up foreign labels instead of local ones”.

According to him, “We have to focus on purchasing local first.”

The President told the function, which was also attended by other BMA officials including Executive Director Bobbi McKay, that: “We need to stop undervaluing the importance of the manufacturing sector and the effect it has on the sustainability of the economy and the country.”

Quoting a passage from a Harvard Business Review publication which underscores a strong manufacturing sector to the economy of the USA, Sambrano said this indicates that larger countries recognised the importance of manufacturing to their economies. And this is why we need to pay more attention to how the sector contributes to the nation as a whole,” the BMA President said.

The BMA Official also pointed out that businesses here cannot overlook the importance of partnerships as they look to help rebuild the economy. “When we talked about partnerships we are talking about those that would stay the course of time and jointly develop solutions to the sector’s challengers,” said Sambrano.

He remarked for example that the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), BMEX’s primary development partner, has given tremendous support to the annual exhibition.

Furthermore, the BMA and the BIDC are two developmental agencies which have been working with the sector to ensure its sustainability, to lend assistance to businesses, who need tools for the next level of their evolution. He said that manufacturers continue to get assistance from the Government where necessary to advance initiative within the sector. In addition, he stated that the increased collaboration with the private sector is starting to bear fruit, and remarked that while there are many struggles ahead there are things to celebrate.

Among them are West India Biscuit Company (WIBISCO) winning Exporter of the Year award in the Caribbean Export sponsored programme, and R.L. Seale and Company, Foursquare, which copped top Rum prizes in the International Spirit Challenge 2016, the most authoritative and influential Spirit competition in the world. “They walked away as the Rum Producer of the Year, having earned two gold and five silver medals,” Sambrano recalled. (JB)

There has been an increase in the number of tour operators, from across the world, coming to Barbados to experience first-hand what the island has to offer, making them better able to sell the tourism product.

According to Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, “Connect Barbados 2017”, has seen an increase in the numbers registered for the conference – from 50 to 87, “which means to my mind that word on Barbados is spreading – as we say in Barbados – like wild fire!”

Speaking during a welcoming reception for travel partners who came to the island to attend the conference, at the St. George-based, Gun Hill Signal Station on Wednesday evening, Sandiford-Garner said there were large contingents from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Caribbean and Latin America all doing a good job, given the evident success being seen in the markets.

“As you all know, Connect Barbados allows you – our travel partners – the opportunity to live and learn the experience, products and services on our beautiful island.

“Of course, it also gives our local partners the opportunity to thank you – our valued tour operators – for the tremendous contribution you continue to make to the best run small island state in the world.

“Don’t just take it from us, even former UN General Secretary Kofi Annan said Barbados punches above its weight, and the much respected World Economic Forum rates Barbados as the safest destination in the Caribbean and Latin America markets,” Sandiford-Garner said.

She indicated that it was therefore not surprising that from January to March 2017, Barbados attracted some 192 298 international tourists. She congratulated the travel partners for assisting Barbados in already achieving what works out to be a 4.4 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.

“This represents 8.121 more visitors. I also wish to give you credit for your share of Barbados’ two per cent economic growth in the first quarter,” she added. The Parliamentary Secretary, however, told the partners that “we cannot rest on our laurels” as there is more work to be done, highlighting that new and exciting products to promote the island have been developed.

She alluded to the fact that new hotel products in the pipeline included the Sandals extension and Sam Lord’s Castle project, with potential to generate 10 000 jobs.

She said equally impressive is the creativity stimulated in the private sector by the upward trend in visitor arrivals and the average visitor spend.

“More and more we are seeing new and unique experiences being developed in Barbados. One such example is the Jetblade hydro-sports activity available on Bay Street, and the Barbados Tourism Product Authority is in the process of
uncovering and providing technical assistance to a range of small businesses we call ‘island treasures,’” she said. (AH)

There is a call for a better system to be put in place to deal with the allocation of housing solutions by Government.

It has come from Opposition Member of Parliament and attorney-at-law, Kerrie Symmonds. Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday morning during the debate on the Crown Lands (Vesting and Disposal) Act Cap 225 to approve the vesting in National Housing Corporation of land at Arch Hall, St. Thomas for residential purposes, he contended that the allocation process has to become less political.

“It is a bad thing for people to feel that their only hope for getting a house is to do so by holding on to the apron strings of a politician. Persons have been abused by believing that they are on a list and a politician gives them a promise and then 15 years, 20 years [they’re still waiting]. I told the House the last time I spoke on this matter…of an individual I came across who was on a list for 34 years,” he said.
Symmonds contended that it is not a failure of the Barbados Labour Party or the Democratic Labour Party, but instead argued it reflects a failure of the system that is being used.

As such, he said the system has to be improved and made more transparent.

“We did what we thought was a very transparent allocation process, but I know that that allocation process is not replicated all around Barbados. I also know that one of the issues facing homeowners or potential homeowners in Barbados. The Minister spoke about Lancaster, which is just down the road from my constituency, and again I know… a handful of houses, perhaps 30 or so, were made available. Part of the challenge was allocation because you had people from all around Barbados expressing an interest in one of the 30 houses in Lancaster. At one point when I checked there were 30-odd houses and 900 applicants,” the St. James Central Member of Parliament stated.

The attorney made the point while admitting that the demand will always outstrip the supply in respect of housing, but he noted that Barbados should do like other countries and remove the politicians from the process.

“Where once you have a greater demand than you have availability it opens a Pandora’s Box for potential corruption or charges of corruption; it opens a Pandora’s box for charges of cronyism. I gine make sure you get a house because you are X, Y, Z to me; or you performed X, Y, Z role in my campaign, or play X,Y, Z role in my constituency, it is something we have to get past and I think ma’am that a word to the wise on this matter is sufficient,” he contended. (JRT)

Despite yesterday morning’s dreary weather, there were enough bright smiles to make up for the lack of sunshine as a new mural was unveiled at Lawrence T. Gay Primary School.

Community Officer, Sergeant Christopher Griffith revealed that the mural – which was designed by Patrick Craigwell – was unveiled as a part of the institution’s 35th anniversary celebrations. He said it is fitting that the school is celebrating 35 years in the month that is also dedicated to children.

He noted that the aim of the Royal Barbados Police Force, through his Station Sergeant, was to depict ways in which they would look to save the community children through four different disciplines or avenues, such as sports, opportunities, culture and care.

To show the discipline of sports, Griffith revealed that the mural displayed football, road tennis, cricket, netball and a few others sporting activities that the school’s students take part in.

To depict the avenue of opportunities, he explained that the mural portrayed various businesses and hoped that it would inspire business persons to assist the school in giving the young people the chance to come into their organisations and see what their potential future could look like, so that they have a goal to work towards from a young age.

In terms of culture, Griffith noted that the mural contained the flag of Barbados, cane cutters, hopscotch and a few other cultural icons.

Finally, he explained that they believed that care began at home and the church which is why the mural had images of parents and a church building.

“You would also notice the policeman in the corner and that is because the neighbourhood watch or community officer is very vital in any community,” he said.

The Sergeant revealed that the mural was painted by Patrick Craigwell, Sade Arthur, some teachers and children during their lunch period.

“So we want to say thank you to all those children and persons who helped as well as the Ministry of Education who gave us the permission to paint on the wall,” he said.

Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) has proudly announced its involvement in the restoration of the historic East Point Lighthouse in St. Philip. The restoration project, to be performed by Hinds Transport Services Ltd. and overseen by the BPI, commenced last month marked by an official ceremony and the initial removal of tree branches which have penetrated the building over time.

BPI representatives Captain Karl Branch, Divisional Manager Corporate Development and Strategy; Anderson Leacock, Manager Property Management and Maintenance; and Maurice Gaskin, Assistant Manager Property Management and Maintenance, as well as Dave Hinds, Finance Director at Hinds Transport Services Ltd., and other Hinds Transport Services Ltd. staff were in attendance to document the condition of the structure at the start of this much-needed national conservation project.

Maurice Gaskin, BPI Assistant Manager Property Management and Maintenance, said the BPI’s involvement in the project is to maintain the lighthouse after the completion of the restoration. “The Barbados Port Inc. welcomes this project and although our Property Management and Maintenance Department is not directly involved in the restoration works, we will be responsible for maintaining the lighthouse itself as well as the navigation light and any other electrical components once the project is finished,” he said.

Gaskin said once restored, the lighthouse will serve a dual purpose. “Despite advances in shipping technology, we firmly believe traditional lighthouses maintain a level of functionality, of which the Port is responsible for. These structures continue to assist the navigational charting of incoming and passing ships, as well as serve as markers for the numerous boat races that occur throughout the year around the island.” Not only that, Gaskin emphasised that given the
historical significance of the East Point Lighthouse, preservation of the site is a high priority of the BPI. “We are seeking to maintain this as one of Barbados’ premier tourist attractions and add to the cultural landscape of the island. Even now, this particular lighthouse continues to draw sightseeing tourists as well as travelling historians so you can imagine the response once it is fully restored to its former glory,” he said.

East Point Lighthouse, also known as “Ragged Point” Lighthouse, is one of Barbados’ four lighthouses. It is the third-oldest, having been constructed in 1875. A notable landmark for both locals and visitors to the island, the coral stone lighthouse sits at 97 feet high (29.5 metres) on top of a cliff at the most easterly point in Barbados overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Representatives of the seventeen local charities receiving a disbursement of funds from the Canadian Women’s Club of Barbados this year, have all placed on record their gratitude for the assistance rendered, to help them further their work.

On Wednesday, representatives of the charities accepted their share of the funds, totalling $101 300, during the Canadian Women’s Club (CWC) Annual Disbursement Meeting, held at the Canadian High Commission in Bishop’s Court Hill, St. Michael.

Community Services Chair, Ann Smith, assisted by Immediate Past President Mary Cozier announced the full list of charities during the Disbursement Meeting. The 2017 beneficiaries are: the Barbados Council for the Disabled, the Barbados Diabetes Foundation, the Burnscar Garment and Orthotic Fund for Children, the Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Club Shelter for Abused Women, Camp Aquarius, Cancer Support Services, Caribbean Dyslexia Association, the Diabetes Association of Barbados, the Family Welfare Society, Friends of the Geriatric Hospital, the HIV/AIDS Food Bank, the Nature Fun Ranch, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Paediatric Department, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Paediatric Playroom, the Learning Centre, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the St. Vincent de Paul-Central Council.

Roseanna Tudor of the Barbados Council of the Disabled, in registering her thanks, noted that the funds will go towards providing transportation, which is key to assisting disabled children and adults who need to attend therapy sessions or school.

Noel Gibbs of the Diabetes Association of Barbados meanwhile revealed that the charity’s portion of the funds will be used to host a summer camp later this year for children with diabetes, who need to better learn how to manage the
disease.

Yvonne Franklyn of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul indicated that the funding will go towards the Ozanam Home, a residential facility for elderly women, whilst Marina Laurie of the St. Vincent de Paul-Central Council noted that the disbursement will go towards a feeding programme for twenty-eight families.

Stacia Whittaker of the HIV/AIDS Food Bank also expressed gratitude to the CWC, noting that the funds will be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for families affected by HIV.

Nicole Alleyne-Phillips-Ayikpa and Marva Browne accepted funds on the behalf of the Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Club, Shelter for Abused Women.

The funds will be used to provide kitchen appliances in the shelter and to also refurbish a room there and the two ladies were very appreciative of the donation of funds. (RSM)

IT is not quiet change that is going to take Barbados forward, but a bold step into a new development model, involving a solidarity approach, is required.

In fact, Development Economist, Marsha Caddle, would tell you that Barbados has educated and nurtured a generation of young people who are ready to take their country forward on the path to development.

“...Who are ready to take what we learn and what we love about Barbados and what we are able to create to the world. But we are being stifled.

“The potential for development and well-being and wealth and happiness and fulfilment of an entire generation of Barbadians is being oppressed, much like it was in the time of Sir Grantley,” Caddle said.

The economist, who is the Barbados Labour Party Candidate for St. Michael South Central, made the remarks as she delivered the feature address at the Grantley Adams Memorial Lecture, Grand Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, on Thursday.

The topic for the lecture was: “Survive or transform?”, why it’s now or never for a new development model in Barbados.

Caddle said it is the spirit of Sir Grantley, as he embarked on the process of transformation, that asked the packed Grand Salle to leave with. She made reference to the BLP’s 1944 manifesto, which she said represents the understanding that what Barbados will need for development is freedom.

“Freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of religion . . . and that people have basic needs that the state must meet. Those needs will vary; the basic needs that people had in 1944 are quite different than the basic needs that people will have today.

“But the freedom people require to realise their productive capacities, to live their lives that they value, that remains,” she said. (AH)

CREATING a paint store that would be the best in class and adhere to international standards, is what ANSA McAl is aiming for.

This is coming from Export Manager of ANSA Coatings Limited, Claire Johnson, who delivered remarks at the official opening of this store recently.

She said that they are also looking at maintaining the effervescence of which the Caribbean is known for.

“Our intention is to create a retail outlet that is best in class, of international standards in terms of look, feel and service level, while, however, maintaining the vibrancy and flair of the Caribbean. We do this by remaining restless, always challenging the status quo, being passionate about delivering excellence and creating constant value for all our stakeholders. Imagination, initiative, resilience and boundless energy are always welcomed in our operations.”

The Export Manager said that this is the main reason why they decided to partner with H. Jason Jones, and they would be offering them all of the support that they require in order to make this paint store the success that they envision it can be.

“This is why we partnered with H. Jason Jones and have welcomed you with open arms to our ANSA Coatings, an extended ANSA McAl family. Be assured of the Group’s unwavering support, and we fully endorse your trust to find new locations to expand our colour shop operations in this beautiful country.”

Johnson stated that they have a wide cross section of paint products, and more than 1 200 colours to choose from.

“Sissons has been manufacturing and distributing premium paint and coatings in the Caribbean since 1956. The brand covers a wide spectrum of decorative, wood finish, primers and speciality coatings, including our weather guard exterior emulsion, super matt emulsion, non-drip ceiling white, super gloss oil paint, varnishes, wood stains and sanding sealers, as well as our concrete and gypsum primers, aqua based products and road marking paint. Our fan deck has over 1 200 colours to choose from, and we can match any colour, from any surface and all competitors.”

THE Lawrence T. Gay Primary School began their 35th anniversary celebration with a church service yesterday morning.

Speaking during the anniversary service that was held at the Moravian Church yesterday morning, Principal of the institution, Beverley Parris, expressed that she was proud of the fact that the school was able to reach this milestone.

“This morning’s service is just a small way of saying thanks, to God first for bringing us through the past 35 years, and giving thanks to all those whose contributions have significantly impacted the school,” she said.

Parris reported that the school was built due to an overcrowding issue at the former Grace Gill Primary school, and was officially opened May 12th, 1982, by then Minister of Education, Dame Billie Miller, with a total of 488 children and 19 teachers. Through the years, that number has grown, as Parris revealed that the school currently housed 522 students and 34 teachers, and added that she hoped the number would continue to grow as the school was built to accommodate over 800 students.

“Over the last 35 years, the school produced students who were well disciplined, who showed respect for authority, who are self confident and have developed a quest for knowledge and a desire for further learning,” she beamed.

She expressed that the school will continue on its mission to develop well-disciplined students who have a positive attitude, high self-esteem, as well as develop their academic and creative sides through creating an appropriate learning environment, which seeks to cater to the individual needs of the children. She affirmed that they will continue to mould their students in such a way that they develop their talents and skills so that they are able to make meaningful contributions to the development of the society.

Strategies for the control of the mosquito, which causes Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika, are failing.

This is according to Dr. James Hospedales, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), as he stressed that what is needed is an “all hands onboard approach”.

“Community participation is critical to the success of any programme designed to eliminate breeding sites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Efforts are doomed to failure if even one household is negligent,” he said, observing Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week May 8-12, under the theme, “Small bite, big threat: Fight the bite, destroy mosquito breeding sites.”

In its second year, Caribbean Mosquito Awareness is bringing greater awareness to the mosquito vector through education and social engagement in CARPHA member states. It is hoped that greater awareness and engagement would bring about behavioural change, leading to the elimination of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and greater personal protection, especially as the rainy season approaches.

Supporting this “all hands onboard approach,” CARPHA Assistant Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention Control, Dr. Karen Polson Edwards pointed out, “Mosquitoes are social creatures, and we are their preferred host. Their breeding sites are mostly man-made water containers.

“This being the case, we all have the power to eliminate them by destroying their breeding sites. The message of taking ten minutes a week to check surroundings for and destroying any breeding sites is always relevant, and should become part of our routine.”

The public health agency acknowledges that for Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2017, strengthening household and community participation are key.

“Everyone feels the effects of mosquito-borne illnesses. It affects our economy and has the potential to negatively affect the tourism sector, the major revenue earner for many Caribbean islands. It also contributes to loss of productivity, ill health and death. The possibility of babies being born with microcephaly and men, in particular, contracting Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), as a result of being bitten by an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, are also of concern.”

Finance Minister, Christopher Sinckler, posing for a photograph with the Class 4 students during Friday’s Fun Day at Casa Grande Airport Hotel and Resort.Finance Minister, Christopher Sinckler has made it clear that the “budget can’t, is not designed, it is not intended to and cannot be designed to solve every problem that you have in a country”.

“If that were the case, you would only needed one budget. It would be delivered and it everything would be solved. Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way.”

He stated this as he spoke to the media on the side-lines of Friday’s Fun Day for students of Eagle Hall Primary, St. Stephen’s Primary and Deacons Primary. This annual outing for Class 4 pupils, which is organised by the St. Michael North West Development Foundation, and the Member of Parliament for St. Michael North West, was held at the Casa Grande Airport Hotel and Resort.

His comments came on the same day that it was announced by Leader of Government Business, John Boyce, during the sitting of the House of Assembly, that Tuesday, May 30th will be the date for the delivery of the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals.

Explaining what the purpose of the annual budget is, the Finance Minister stated, “I said it before and I will say it again, a budget is not a be all and end all of everything.”

He continued, “First of all, the financial statement is a report on what would have happened in the previous financial year, or certainly since the last time a budget was presented, and then it is to… if there is a deficit, then the budget is supposed to introduce measures to close that gap, or at least indicate to the country how that gap will be closed.

“If there are surpluses, then the budget will indicate to the country how those surpluses will be utilised to ensure that we get even greater growth and greater prosperity. That is all a budget is.”

The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation is pleased by the number of success stories coming out of the A Ganar Programme.

Word of this came from Acting Director of the Information Technology and Quality Insurance Unit of the Ministry, Junior Burgess yesterday morning during an evaluation of the programme that was held at the St. Michael’s Secondary School.

“We’ve seen the effects and results of this programme and, yes, we can improve on it and that’s what the ministry is trying to do. But from the ministry’s perspective, we are satisfied … and happy to see the students coming through this programme and seeing the positive transitions that they are making,” he said.

Burgess revealed that since the programme’s genesis three years ago, they have seen just over 700 students graduate. He noted that at its completion students are either re-enrolled in secondary schools for an extra year to improve their academia performances, or are assisted in developing skills that would prepare them for the world of work. He added that in some cases they have had a few students start their own businesses.

“What heartens our heart is that in some situations, because this programme involves an internship where students have a job attachment, at the end of their attachment we’ve had a number of instances where the firm decided to keep on the students because they were satisfied with the work that they are doing,” he said, adding that “to our mind, this programme is worthwhile and valuable”.

Chief Enumerator of the A Ganar Programme, Dr. Veronica Evelyn mentioned that in a general sense, students would enter the programme because they exhibited certain behaviours that were unacceptable, however they would go on to learn things such as team work, self-confidence and ways to assert themselves without getting angry and, in so doing, their behaviour and standard of school work improved.

“There are teachers who would attest to this. The teachers themselves are quite surprised,” she said.