Chad Omar Windell Jordan, 34, of No Fixed Place of Abode is today scheduled to appear in court today on multiple charges that occurred between July 2021 and January 2022

The offences are:

1. Burglary which occurred between the 25th and 26th day of July 2021.
2. Burglary which occurred on the 3rd day of September 2021.
3. Burglary which occurred on the 14th day of September 2021.
4. Burglary which occurred between the 24th and 25th day of November 2021
5. Burglary which occurred between the 2nd and 3rd day of December 2021.
6. Burglary which occurred between the 11th and 12th day of December 2021.
7. Burglary which occurred between the 23rd and 25th day of December 2021.
8. Burglary which occurred between the 24th and 26th day of December 2021.
9. Burglary which occurred between the 26th and 27th day of December 2021.
10. Burglary which occurred between the 29th and 31st day of December 2021.
11. Burglary which occurred on the 2nd of January 2022.
12. Burglary which occurred on the 4th of January 2022.
13. Unlawful Sexual Intercourse which occurred on the 2nd day of January 2022.
14. Unlawful Sexual Intercourse which occurred on the 4th of January 2022

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The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has announced its six newest Professors, that include a legal scholar, political scientist, educational psychologist, natural products researcher, microbiologist and tourism specialist.

The six were promoted to the regional university’s highest academic rank with effect from October 2021, following rigorous evaluation of the quality and quantity of their research, publications and other professional activities by internal and external assessors.

The academics all received outstanding reviews in their respective areas of specialty; in addition to their academic distinctions, they emulate The UWI’s mission: “to advance learning, create knowledge and foster innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean and the wider world.”

They are:

• Professor Shazeeda Ali, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Mona Campus;

• Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Cave Hill Campus;

• Professor Loraine Cook, Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the Mona Campus;

• Professor Ruby L. Lindo, Head of the Biochemistry Section the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Mona Campus;

• Professor Adesh Ramsubhag, Professor in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the St Augustine Campus; and

• Professor Andrew Spencer, Deputy Executive Director at the Mona School of Business and Management.

Professor Shazeeda Ali is an eminent legal scholar and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Mona Campus. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from The UWI Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica; a Master of Laws degree from the University of Cambridge, as well as a PhD from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at the University of London in the UK.

Her distinguished contribution to the study of money laundering was well-known before the Financial Action Task Force, the international body that sets standards for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financial Terrorism (AML/CFT), came to prominence.

She is also recognised regionally and internationally for her extensive knowledge and robust research on financial regulation, offshore financial centres, and legal profession ethics.

Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles lectures in the Faculty of Social Sciences at The UWI Cave Hill Campus. Throughout her career at The UWI, she has served as Deputy Dean of the Faculty twice, and Head of the Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, a Master of Science (General), and a Master of Philosophy from the Consortium Graduate School at The UWI.

The proud alumna and academic has published widely on political parties, election campaigns, political party financing, and women’s political participation. Her publications include nine peer-reviewed journal articles; two authored books; one co-authored book; three co-edited books and fifteen book chapters. She has also written over seventy other academic publications.

In addition to her lecturing over the years, Professor Barrow-Giles developed four new undergraduate degree programmes in 2002 and four Master’s Degree programmes between 2004 and 2005. She has also supervised twelve MSc theses and four MPhil theses. Professor Loraine Cook is an Educational Psychologist who lectures in the Department of Educational Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Education at The UWI Mona Campus.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Concordia in Montreal, Canada; a Diploma in Education in Social Studies & Geography; a Masters (with distinction) and a PhD degree in Educational Psychology (with high commendation), all from The UWI Mona Campus.

She has acted as Director of the School of Education at the Campus on a few occasions and held the position of Assistant Coordinator for the Graduate Studies Unit.

Professor Ruby L. Lindo is a Natural Products Researcher, and Head of the Biochemistry Section in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, who lectures at The UWI Mona Campus. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure and Applied Chemistry, an MPhil degree in Organic Chemistry, and a PhD degree in Biochemistry from the Mona Campus.

Professor Lindo’s extensive research in Natural Products has gained regional and international recognition. She has made extensive and impressive contributions to research the use of Jamaican indigenous herbs as possible treatments for various illnesses including diabetes. Her research has earned her a United States patent for work accomplished at The UWI, while she is also named as an inventor on two other United States patents.

Professor Adesh Ramsubhag specialises and lectures in Microbiology at The UWI, St Augustine Campus. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and a PhD in Microbiology, both from The UWI, St Augustine.

He was Head of the Department of Life Sciences from 2015-2018; Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology from 2012-2015; and Microbiologist/Deputy Lab Manager, Caribbean Industrial Research Institute, St Augustine Campus from 1998-2001.

He also gives of his time, serving on various university-wide and campus committees.
Professor Andrew Spencer began his academic career at the Department of Management Studies, now the Mona School of Business and Management at The UWI Mona Campus in 2008, where he now serves as the School’s Deputy Executive Director.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Tourism Management and a Master of Science Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from The UWI Mona Campus and a PhD degree in Tourism Strategy from Bournemouth University, in the United Kingdom.

Professor Spencer has produced a volume of original work that fills a critical research gap in tourism and hospitality in the Caribbean and an underrepresented area in scholarly publications and international literature. He has published over fifty scholarly works, including three books for which he is the primary author.

Professor Spencer has reviewed a wide range of regional and international publications, including the Tourism Management Journal, and currently serves on the editorial board of Tourism Review (ranked B on the ABDC journal ranking) the Journal of Business Research, and the Journal of Tourism Resilience. (PR)

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Clients of the Geriatric Hospital and other district hospitals in Barbados have received some relief from the pain and inconvenience of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic from their families.
Although they cannot as yet enjoy face to face visits, they can now communicate with their families on-line.

This opportunity for interaction has been made possible thanks to a donation of 10 Samsung Tablets and cases to the institution.

The gift comes compliments of The Last Chance Ministry, an outreach arm of The People’s Cathedral Men’s Ministry.

Acting hospital manager, Heather Payne-Drakes, welcomed the donation and expressed sincere appreciation.

“These devices will allow our clients here at the Geriatric Hospital and those residing at other district hospitals to communicate with their loved ones during this period when visits to the facilities are being restricted,” she said.

Head of The Last Chance Ministry, Corey Roberts, said it was a joy for the members of his team to come to the aid of people who have become their friends. “At a time when COVID-19 restrictions are causing loneliness, frustration and a feeling of abandonment for some, we must certainly be our brothers’ keeper,” He said.

Roberts stated the work of the Last Chance Ministry in the Geriatric Hospital has allowed his team, not only to bless the clients, but also to be blessed by men who have contributed to the development of Barbados.
Payne-Drakes said the donation of 10 Samsung Tablets was not the first time that the Geriatric Hospital had benefitted from the generosity of the People’s Cathedral Men’s Ministry.

“The group has painted wards, enhancing the ambience of the facility. The clients have also had their spiritual and social needs met through a number of interactions with the Men’s Group before the COVID-19 pandemic,” She said.

The People’s Cathedral Men’s Ministry has partnered with DHL couriers and OSi Computer Store on this latest project. OSi Computer Store sourced the Samsung Tablets and also donated 10 tablet cases.

For DHL it is a continuation of the company’s association with the ministry in assisting the Geriatric Hospital.

Through the companies DHL Got Heart project, the two entities have successfully completed several projects, one of which was adjudged the best charity project in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Last Chance Ministry of the People’s Cathedral Men’s Ministry has been working in the St. Michael Geriatric Hospital for more than eight years. The team has pledged to continue co-operating with the facility and is looking forward to getting back to face-toface interaction with the clients. (PR)

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Police are at the scene of an accident approaching Diamond Corner from the Portland Junction.

(More details as they come to hand)

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The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory identified 537 new COVID-19 cases – 229 males and 308 females – from the 2,346 tests conducted on Thursday, January 13.

Of the new positives, 86 persons were under the age of 18, and 451 were 18 years and older.

There were 107 people in isolation facilities, while 4,593 were in home isolation.

As at January 13, there were 269 deaths from the virus.

The public health laboratory has carried out 497,828 tests since February 2020, and recorded 34,425 COVID-19 cases (16,093 males and 18,332 females).

Under the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19, the total number of persons with at least one dose is 157,251 (68.9 per cent of the eligible population). The total number of persons who are fully vaccinated is 145,532 (53.7 per cent of the total population or 63.7 per cent of the eligible population).

The eligible population represents those persons who are 12 years and older.

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Members of the public are advised that on Election Day, Wednesday, January 19, the use of loud speakers, bunting, bands of music, flags, party badges, or any such paraphernalia as political propaganda, is forbidden.

In addition, during polling hours, no person should assemble or congregate within a 100 yards of any polling station.

For more information on Election Day Regulations, persons should call the Electoral and Boundaries Commission at 535- 4800.

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The public is advised that on Election Day, Wednesday, January 19, it is an offence to sell, offer, expose for sale or give away any intoxicating liquor at any premises in the constituency to which a licence has been issued under the Liquor License Act Cap 182.

In addition, persons are reminded that it is an offence to supply intoxicating liquor to any person on the premises of a club at any time between the opening and closing of the poll.

For more information on Election Day Regulations, persons should call the Electoral and Boundaries Commission at 535-4800.

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Employers are reminded that on polling day on Wednesday, January 19, they must allow every elector in their employ a reasonable period of not less than one hour for voting.

Additionally, employers must not make any deductions from wages, salaries or any other remuneration, or impose upon the elector any penalty, due to their absence for the period of voting.

Any employer, who directly or indirectly refuses, or by intimidation, undue influence, or in any other way interferes with an elector’s right to vote, is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500 or to imprisonment for six months.

For more information on Election Offences, members of the public should call the Electoral and Boundaries Commission at 535-4800, or visit its website.

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Dozens of Barbadians may vote outside of the constituencies in which they reside because of a massive influx of last-minute change of address requests to the  Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC).

Chairman of the Commission, Leslie Haynes Q.C. revealed that more than 1 000 requests were submitted since Prime Minister Mia Mottley called the General Election on December 27.

He explained that the volume was so great that the officers were unlikely to update all the addresses in time to meet the Friday evening deadline.

“We have had plenty – it’s definitely over a 1 000 changes of address for people,” Haynes told Barbados TODAY.

According to the EBC chairman, the process requires one registering officer in the voters’ former constituency to verify that the person is no longer living there. Then, another officer assigned to the new constituency must verify their new address.

“We have to investigate the change of address and confirm it. That takes at least two registering officers. So when we get over a 1 000 changes of address, you could imagine how busy we are today,” said Haynes.

“We are extremely busy because we have 60 officers in the field and the deadline, I think, is sometime [Friday] night, so that we can start printing the electoral list for Wednesday,” he added.

Over the last few days, letters were sent out by the EBC informing people, who have not relocated, where they should vote. But those whose change of address forms were submitted after December 28th would only be registered in new constituencies after their cases have been thoroughly investigated.

According to Haynes, only then would a letter be issued to those at new addresses and updated voters’ lists printed for polling day.

Those who do not receive letters will have to vote at their former addresses, he advised.

“If they don’t complete the process by the deadline, people who have changed address will vote at their old address. It has happened before… At the end of the day, everybody’s votes will be counted,” Haynes concluded.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb

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Chairman of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC), Leslie Haynes Q.C. maintains that the exclusion of voters infected with COVID-19 from participating in the upcoming General Election is on good legal ground.

Still, the prominent attorney affirmed the right of each citizen in a democracy to mount a challenge if they believe their rights are being infringed.

“That is a matter for them. If they want to bring a case, they bring a case,” Haynes told Barbados TODAY on Friday.

He was responding to suggestions from lawyer, Michelle Russell that another attorney was ready and willing to sue the EBC on behalf of “disenfranchised” citizens in isolation.

On Friday, there were 4 700 people in isolation and based on statistics and on public health projections, the numbers unable to participate in the January 19 poll could be even higher.

But the EBC Chairman, who, last year was contracted to write a legal opinion on the divisive issue of mandatory vaccines declared that legal challenges are “one of the lovely things about democracy”.

He explained that election officials were bound by the COVID-19 directive and any attempt to make alternative arrangements would “be aiding and abetting a criminal offence”.

“The lovely thing about democracy is that we are encouraged to rebel or to challenge it at all times,” said Haynes.

“The lovely thing about democracy is that after the challenge, because of the doctrine of Separation of Powers, it reverts quickly, as distinct from an authoritarian regime, whereby you are not encouraged to challenge the regime and if per chance a challenge is made and it is not stamped out immediately, the ripple effects take years to quiet down.

“So in a democracy, you would expect a challenge. If people want to be sensational and bring an action, that’s what the law courts are for,” the EBC chairman added.

Haynes reiterated the position of Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George that “there was no way” persons infected with Covid-19 would be allowed to vote.

Since then, he revealed that even the electoral officers, at a later meeting could not be convinced to interact with COVID-infected patients.

Asked if he was confident that no election regulations or constitutional laws were breached Haynes, a highly-respected lawyer replied: “That I am. I could always be wrong, but I am [confident].

“We have never barred anybody from voting. It is the covid regulations. The covid regulations say that people in isolation must stay home. We don’t bar anybody from voting. We can’t encourage anybody to leave isolation and come home if not we would be aiding and abetting a criminal offence.”

The decision is not sitting well with local academic and political pundits.

Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Institute Studies at the University of the West Indies, Dr Don Marshall encouraged authorities to find a way for the thousands in isolation to vote.

He believes the outcome of the election could be greatly affected.

“It’s very concerning and I am still sure there’s enough time to try to make sure that these people, particularly those that are not in ICU or relying on a ventilator [can vote]. I am sure that efforts can be made, even at this late stage between Government and the EBC to ensure that these persons can indeed cast their ballot,” Professor Marshall declared.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb

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The Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has announced its intention to re-register the population and issue new identification cards following the January 19 general election.

In making the disclosure on Friday, Chief Electoral Officer Angela Taylor said the move will help maintain a more accurate electoral list.

“This exercise will allow us to have a more accurate Register [of Electors] as only the names of persons who present themselves for registration will be reflected therein, after every effort is made to locate the person who does not present for registration,” Taylor told Barbados TODAY.

Her disclosure came in response to reports from a Christ Church family that their late matriarch, Iva Gertude Cummins, was still on the voters’ list, 21 years after her death. Cummins, who would have been 96 years old in July, died from breast cancer on October 27, 2001.

The family told Barbados TODAY that a January 3, 2022 circular signed by Taylor and addressed to Cummins informed her that she was registered to vote in the constituency of Christ Church West Central and provided an electoral number.

It was also stated that on Election Day, Cummins was eligible to cast her ballot at polling station CA2 at the Deighton Griffith Secondary School.

“If you submitted a change of address after December 28, 2021, and the address is not confirmed by the Electoral Department, you will continue to be registered to vote at the polling station listed above,” read the correspondence.

The deceased’s daughter, Sytel Cummins, questioned why her mother continued to receive these notices and queried how widespread this type of situation could be.

“I can’t be pleased. My mother passed away ever since, so how the hell they can still be sending these? That shows someone has to be voting in her name,” she charged.

She added that although her mother’s official death certificate and identification card were submitted to the EBC when she died in 2001, the notices have been coming ahead of every election, and each time the family has reported it to the Electoral Department.

The matriarch’s passport was also returned to the Immigration Office, her daughter added.

“Still, circulars continued to come for the 2008, 2013, 2018, and now 2022 general election,” she noted.

“I can’t remember if I had kept all the circulars or throw them away, but again in 2018 more documentation was submitted asking them to take her off the voters’ list they sent out too. When the paper came on Monday, I was very shocked because we thought it was taken off. Why are we still getting these letters? They were notified to stop sending these but they never stopped, so I have to ask the question, who is voting for her? I want her taken off once and for all and just let her continue to rest in peace,” Cummins insisted.

On Friday, the Chief Electoral Officer apologised.

“I apologise on behalf of the Electoral Department to the family of the deceased registrant and to any or all other persons who have received a circular for a deceased family member,” Taylor stated.

She explained that the Registration Department which is responsible for death records provides the names of persons who are deceased to the Electoral Department, and after following the legislated process of publishing the names “we remove them from the Register of Electors”.

Taylor contended that when members of the public provide her department with information on the death of a registrant, the name is submitted to the Registration Department for confirmation and then removed in accordance with the law.

“I cannot speak to the veracity of the claim that the Department was previously informed of the death of the registrant [at this time],” Taylor said but promised to research the report later.

“We wish to assure you that the identity of each voter is checked at the polling station, which prevents deceased persons from voting.”

Another Christ Church West Central constituent had reported that during the past week, the EBC sent her two invitations to vote in the polls under two different names – her maiden name and her married name – with two different electoral numbers.

“If I was a dishonest person, I would try to see if I can vote twice. Thank the Lord I am not, because I can’t understand how this madness could have happened,” the woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, said.

Responding to the claim, the Chief Electoral Officer told Barbados TODAY: “On the matter of a dual registration in different names being in the Register of Electors, we found no evidence of this but we welcome submissions of information to our office.” (EJ/KC)

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The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is promising significant tax ease for householders and pensioners, regulation of bank fees and major help for householders in building out the renewable energy sector should it form the next Government following the January 19 general elections.

Introducing the DLP manifesto on Thursday night in Brereton, St Philip, party President Verla De Peiza said the next DLP administration would “re-jig our tax structure in order to make sure our people have a little bit more in their pockets that they can spend”.

She gave notice of the promises as she outlined some of the measures in the 40-page DLP policy document.

The DLP said should it form the next Government it would slash the burdensome Garbage and Sewage Contribution levy by 50 per cent, reduce import duties on “a wide range of select goods”, waive freight from the calculation of import duties and reduce the excise tax on fuel at the pump by up to 25 cents per litre.

The DLP is also promising to abolish the Foreign Exchange Fee, which was set at two per cent; compensate pensioners for the losses they suffered from the 2018 debt restructuring; phase out the asset tax on financial institutions while “robustly regulating bank fees to better protect customers”.

De Peiza said the DLP was also prepared to reduce income tax on pensions from 25 per cent to 12.5 per cent. She said the rationale for this measure was that the majority of pensioners were affected by Government’s debt restructuring.

“You took a significant hit. It is intended to put something back in your pocket, reduce that burden on you because these are harsh economic times. It will allow you some wiggle room,” she said.

The DLP also plans to introduce a universal basic income for people below the poverty line during its first term in office, which it said could replace “an assortment of welfare assistance such as welfare cheques, food vouchers, food hampers, bus fare vouchers”, among others.

The president also announced that the DLP would make the first $15,000 of the annual bonus free from income tax.

“My understanding of bonus is it is extra, so you deserve to enjoy your extra,” said De Peiza.

She is also promising major changes for the housing, education and energy sectors, as well as a retrofitting of government buildings.

The DLP manifesto outlined that under a new DLP administration government would collapse the Urban Development Commission and the Rural Development Commission into the National Housing Corporation, continue to convert suitable land to housing development, and enter into agreement with homeowners to lease their properties to the NHC.

In relation to the energy sector, the DLP said it planned to distribute and install solar photovoltaic panels and electricity generation systems to households earning less than $25,000 annually, as well as facilitate the distribution and installation of 2 and 3 kilowatt systems to low-income households.

The DLP document also lists wellness, transportation, waste to energy, sports, tourism, entrepreneurship and a new foreign policy, as areas that will be tackled to ensure economic growth and employment.

Stating that the party’s policies were intended to “move people a little further forward”, De Peiza said “We just have to have the will to make the changes necessary. Even if you were scared to do it before, COVID has opened up the opportunity to see things differently, and we don’t want to waste the opportunity.”

The DLP manifesto outlines ten core principles – the development of people, integrity and governance, education as a tool for social advancement, economic policy and activity to serve the needs of all, economic enfranchisement as a tool towards social betterment, sound labour relations climate, sustainable development while protecting the environment, social services as a means of securing equality, maintenance of a social safety net to assist the disadvantaged and the ultimate eradication of poverty.

De Peiza, who is confident of the DLP victory at the polls, said “We are in a trying time but because our people have been left out of the equation so far in the last three and a half years it is time to right that ship of state.

“This document contains provisions that are responsibly aimed at stimulating our economy and the reason they can do that is because they have an eye to future development,” she said.

De Peiza also promised to build out a smart city, maintain fiscal prudence and focus on fighting corruption.

“That is why within this manifesto one of the first targets is within 90 days, and I spoke of this before, we will bring a [suite] of integrity legislation into our law books,” said De Peiza. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

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Barbadians are being warned that the proposals outlined in the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) 2022 election manifesto will cost the country a minimum of $800 million and plunge the island into serious trouble if that party is given the reins of power.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley and her junior Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn joined forces on Friday, during a press conference at the Lawns in St George, to advise the country that the “goodies” being promised by the DLP are not feasible, particularly after efforts were made by the incumbent government during the past three-and-a-half years to stabilise the economy that lost some $600 million due to the COVID-19 fallout.

Mottley said the promises contained in the DLP manifesto were not only inappropriate, but elements of the proposals are “way beyond the capacity of the government of Barbados and the people of Barbados to be able to afford”.

She cautioned that if Barbadians gave the DLP the opportunity to implement their manifesto pledges in the present economic circumstances, it would place the country in a very precarious position.

Mottley then invited Straughn to provide a more in-depth examination of the proposals, following a costing conducted by her finance team on Thursday.

A proposal to reduce the Garbage and Sewage Contribution Levy was the first promise the Minister in the Ministry of Finance cautioned Barbadians about.

He questioned the DLP’s pledge to reduce the charge bearing in mind that a long-term solution is still needed to deal with sewage, even though the government had been able to remove it from off the streets.

Defending the government’s decision to retain the level of the tax, Straughn argued that it was necessary for everyone to share the financial burden in the measure that was specifically dedicated to ensuring that garbage collection could continue for the benefit of all and the trucks could be maintained.

“And what is being proposed, effectively would mean that is $41 million less to provide those services on an annual basis. So the question to the Democratic Labour Party is, where will this $41 million come from in order to provide these critical services to Barbadians?” Straughn asked.

“In respect of the reduction of the excise tax in terms of fuel at the pump, this is anticipated to cost $31 million. And, therefore, given where the economy is at the moment, again, where will this money from to help provide the range of services that government continues to provide even in the middle of a pandemic, to ordinary Barbadians?”

He added that it was “absolutely” critical for Barbadians to appreciate that when they go to the polls next Wednesday, they have to understand how these initiatives are being financed.

Straughn contended that while the government had to make critical reforms, “it is really in your interest for the short, medium and long-term that we can maintain these services and that they cannot be trifled with as a political tool in order to try to gain favour for votes”.

Stating that at the end of the day the numbers have to add up, he reminded the country that the government was still paying for the $60 million in arrears for fuel used by the Sanitation Service Authority and the Transport Board, left unsettled by the former DLP administration.

“With respect to the abolition of the foreign exchange fee [proposed by the DLP], clearly we have been in a programme in order to get ourselves out of what we inherited. As an economist, when it was introduced I was against it. But the reality of our condition is that the foreign exchange fee brings in $79 million a year,” the economist disclosed.

Straughn said it was his government’s intention to remove the fee but with the ongoing economic effects of COVID-19, that decision would have to be placed on hold.

“Removing it at this time when the tourism sector has not come back fully, I think is irresponsible. And while I said to Barbadians that as an economist I abhorred the fact that the last government had to introduce the foreign exchange fee, it is delivering for us at the moment a level revenue, that having lost $600 million in the previous fiscal year we must ask ourselves, where will these monies come from?

“But I can give the country the assurance that as soon as we are able to do that, we would be able to remove this particular tax in order to be able to alleviate that. Again, $79 million would have to be found to help make up for the gap that we already have,” he said.

The minister also argued that the DLP’s plans to remove the asset tax means the country would have to find an additional $48 million to replace that loss in revenue.

“All these are things that were introduced by the last government and, therefore, let us appreciate that you cannot simply say you are going to remove something unless you have the capacity to replace it. And we have been focused on getting growth. COVID has been a disruptor and we are absolutely confident that once we can do so, then these things can be phased out in a responsible way to allow the quality of services to continue,” he said.

Straughn then turned his attention to the DLP manifesto promise to “make pensioners whole”.

“To put it very clear, you are suggesting that we must now find $350 million from somewhere, having already said you are going to reduce by $41 million the Garbage and Sewage contribution, $31 million in excise, $71 million by the foreign exchange fee, $48 million by the asset tax…that you now are going to try to make whole the pensioners and the debt restructuring.

“It is quite emotive. I understand the attempt is to try to pull…to tug at the heartstrings of Barbadians. But I say to Barbadians that when we look at these numbers, it is simply not feasible. And, therefore, I say to all Barbadians, let us remain focused on what is achievable,” Straughn urged.

Another key DLP pledge that has come under scrutiny is the proposal to distribute solar panels to individuals.

“To suggest that you are going to distribute panels to persons from government would cost $219 million to do. But having spent the last three-and-a-half years working to bring a measure not only of respectability but fiscal prudence to the government of Barbados, I say to Barbadians that what you see in this Democratic Labour Party manifesto is not feasible; these numbers simply do not add up,” Straughn declared.

Picking up from where he left off, Prime Minister Mottley said some proposed measures are not available to cost out, such as the Universal Basic Income which the DLP proposes it would phase in.

That measure, according to the party’s manifesto, is a regular modest income or cash payment or direct deposit for individuals on welfare. (EJ)

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A mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines, concern about the long-term effects and insistence on the right to choose are among the reasons fuelling the continued high level of vaccine hesitancy in Barbados and other regional states.

Moreover, over 60 per cent of those who are unvaccinated against the COVID-19 virus have made up their mind that they would not be taking the jab, although some 54 per cent of Barbadians said if they received more scientific or medical information they could change their minds.

This was among the findings of a UNICEF survey – COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Survey Report 2021 – which was released on Friday.

The survey, which was carried out by the Caribbean Development Research Services Inc. (CADRES) in October and November last year, involved responses from more than 5,900 respondents in Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The vaccine hesitancy index used in the survey put Barbados as the least hesitant at 3.94 points on a scale of 1-10, with one being least hesitant and 10 being most hesitant. St Vincent and the Grenadines is considered to have the most hesitant population in the survey, scoring 5.43.

An analysis of the information showed that the respondents from Barbados included those ages 18-30 years (34 per cent), 31-50 years (35 per cent) and 51 years and older (31 per cent).

At the time of the survey, 69 per cent of respondents in Barbados were vaccinated and 31 per cent said they were not.

“In the case of Barbados, the unvaccinated person is more likely to be male, under 50, and with a secondary education. The person is most likely unemployed (voluntarily or otherwise) and does not trust vaccines because of a perception that they were developed too quickly or they do not know what is in them,” stated the report.

The survey showed that 29 per cent of Barbadians were hesitant to take the vaccine because they did not trust it and believed it was unsafe and developed too quickly, or they were unsure what was in it.

Other major reasons were uncertainty about the long-term side effects (18 per cent), while 17 per cent said they simply chose not to take it.

Other reasons included: lack of trust in Government and medical authorities (8 per cent); medical condition (8 per cent); religious reasons (7 per cent); no reason, just won’t take it (6 per cent), unable to find time/lines are too long (3 per cent); not mandatory for work, didn’t qualify and don’t like any of the vaccine options.

The majority of Barbadians (73 per cent) said they did not consult with a doctor before making their decision not to take the vaccine, while 10 per cent said they consulted with a doctor and 17 per cent indicated that medical advice was irrelevant.

Sixty-four per cent of unvaccinated respondents from Barbados said their views had not changed over time and they had no intention of taking the vaccine, while 20 per cent said they were more included towards taking it now and 16 per cent said they were less included towards taking the vaccine.

Nevertheless, unvaccinated respondents said there were several factors that could convince them otherwise, including more scientific or medical information (54 per cent of respondents), a requirement to travel overseas (33 per cent of respondents), if it is necessary to secure or maintain a job (32 per cent), if they saw people they care about getting sick or dying (26 per cent), or if it allowed free access to social activities (18 per cent).

Presenting an overview of the report, Director of CADRES Peter Wickham explained that the sources that helped individuals decide not to take the vaccine were mainly social media (25 per cent) and personal Internet research (25 per cent).

The research also revealed that 16 per cent of unvaccinated respondents believed private/personal medical sources helped them in deciding not to take the vaccine, while 14 per cent cited government/official sources, 12 per cent cited information from family and friends, and 9 per cent said local radio/television/newspaper was influential in them deciding not to take the vaccine.

Respondents said there was information that could help convince them to take the vaccine, including more information on side effects (39 per cent of respondents), the efficacy (37 per cent) the different types of vaccines available (28 per cent), the number of people who got sick/died and their vaccination status (23 per cent), impact of the vaccine on sexual health (20 per cent), impact on your ability to have children (20 per cent), location of vaccine sites (14 per cent).

“This data has to be contrasted with the other data where 64 per cent of persons say they were not willing to consider it under any circumstance,” said Wickham.

Unvaccinated individuals in Barbados indicated that their preferred mode of communication or receipt of information about the vaccine was via WhatsApp (28 per cent), followed by social network of family and friends (17 per cent), television (14 per cent), Instagram 12 per cent, Facebook (9 per cent) and newspapers (8 per cent).

Forty-six per cent of respondents believe the information being conveyed by popular personalities was not helpful, distracting and misleading, while only 13 per cent of Barbadians said it was helpful and 29 per cent said it was somewhat helpful.

The decision not to take the vaccine was based mainly on what individuals saw and heard on social media (33 per cent of respondents), followed by advice from family and friends (16 per cent) and advice from a religious leader (7 per cent).

UNICEF officials are hoping that the USAID-funded research will help to influence strategies and intervention of countries in addressing vaccine hesitancy. (MM)

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Health officials in Barbados are concerned about a worrying trend of declining general immunization of children, even as they continue to battle hesitancy among the general population as it relates to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic revealed that the immunization rate of children on the island had fallen some 20 per cent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and he expressed concern that the pandemic could continue to have a negative impact on the island’s immunization programme.

Stressing that there were other health programmes and initiatives besides the national COVID-19 vaccination programme, Bostic said: “Apart from COVID, our immunization schedule contains about 14 antigens against other diseases.”

Children are generally immunized from infancy up to age 15.

“Between 2011 and 2019 our stats would have been in the 90’s for the most part – 90 per cent uptake, except for the MMR2. What we have seen in the last two years really is that we are right now down into the 70s and although some of this is COVID-related we have to be very, very careful that there is not a domino effect in relation to our programmes going forward outside of COVID,” said Bostic.

He was addressing an online forum on Friday in which UNICEF officially launched its UNICEF/USAID COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Survey Report 2021.

The survey collected data from Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The findings relating to vaccine hesitancy are to help influence countries’ strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccine take-up.

The research, which was carried out by the Caribbean Development Research Services Inc. (CADRES) in October and November last year, revealed that a majority of Barbadians were against giving pre-primary and primary school students the COVID-19 vaccine.

It showed that for Barbados, only 33 per cent of respondents said yes they would agree to have children at the pre-primary school level vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus while 51 per cent said no.

Forty-five per cent of those surveyed said they would not give the vaccine to primary school children, and 42 per cent said they would.

As it relates to the secondary school level, 32 per cent of respondents said they were against giving this group of students the COVID-19 vaccine while 58 per cent said they would.

More people are in favour of children at the post-secondary and tertiary level taking the COVID-19 vaccine, with 64 per cent agreeing and only 25 per cent saying they were against it.

The main reasons given for vaccine hesitancy regarding children in Barbados were the young ages, the fact that it is a choice.

Among the reasons individuals gave for deciding to vaccinate children included advice from a spiritual/religious leader, being persuaded by public health authorities, they felt like they did not have a choice and they felt more comfortable because others gave their children and they wanted to take their children overseas.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

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With four full days to go before Barbadians go to the polls to elect a new Government on January 19, the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) has circulated its own “manifesto” to some political parties going after the vote in next week’s General Election.

President of the council Kerry-Ann Ifill highlighted areas of concern in health, education, transportation, access to employment and benefits and legislative review which, when addressed could lead to a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.

In a document prepared by the council and submitted to the parties in the fight for leadership, Ifill, a former President of the Senate, said at the centre of the members’ plight is the lack of critical data to inform decision-making. She said this would include basic information such as the number of people with disabilities on the island, their ages, the extent of the disability, who cares for them and the family demographics.

She said at present Special Education (SE) remains a neglected area as the needs of the disabled far outstrip the facilities available to accommodate them. She also cited a lack of medical consultants who are trained and equipped to deal with special needs students throughout the primary school level.

“The facilities that provide Special Education do not provide up-to-date and relevant educational programmes.  The physical structures of these SE Schools are also outdated in their design,” she said.

“Several children with disabilities are still not included in the education system owing to inadequate provision of Child Aide within the facilities.”

In addition to engaging more specialized teachers during the early years, the council also wants sign language teaching included in the curriculum and special attention paid to proving parents of these children with flexible working hours.

According to the council, there is also a need for an increase in the specialists working through the Albert Cecil Graham Centre.

“This centre needs to be expanded or another facility built specifically to address Assessments and Treatment.

“A programme needs to be put in place where children who are assessed and can be accommodated in ‘mainstream’ schools can be assigned to attend mainstream schools.”

Regarding healthcare, the council wants more adequate access to medical facilities and for medication to be more affordable.

“Now with the COVID-19 pandemic it is certainly a difficult task to maintain good health without the proper system in place to assist PWD [Persons with Disabilities].   

“Healthcare facilities must provide the physical infrastructure to enable persons with varying mobility challenges to access the buildings and their services. Ramps, graded pathways and curbs as well as colour-coded and tactile markings to assist the blind. A greater level of providing Independence to PWD must be factored into these plans if PWD are to be included in an equitable society.”

The document was shared last week with three parties: The arbados Labour Party (BLP), the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and the Alliance Party for Progress (APP).

Operations Manager with the Council Roseanna Tudor confirmed that there has been no response to date.

The council is however highlighting the absence of legislation around the hiring of persons with disabilities noting that with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing more people to work remotely, the council’s persistent position to employers that PWD can work effectively from home, is justified.

“The Equal Employment Rights Act needs to be monitored more effectively as many employers are not complying with the act. A Persons with Disability Commission that has been drafted needs to be progressed. This will provide more equal opportunities for PWD to make similar vibrant contributions in all areas of society,” the council suggested.

The manifesto document titled The Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Barbados, Growth and Development Plan 2022, also supported the introduction of a disability allowance for parents and caregivers who provide daily care for PWD and equity in the grants distribution in addition to a lowering of cost for those using public transportation. Currently only the blind travel free on state buses.

Housing needs for the disabled also received some attention in the document which calls for more to be done for the disabled in this regard.

“Housing is a major issue for persons with disabilities. Many of the Government housing units were built with the bedrooms upstairs. Though they have recently been allocating lower accessible units in the new housing developments; not enough are being allocated,” it stated. (SBP)

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Prime Minister Mia Mottley made clear Friday that she is not involved in the conduct of general elections amid repeated calls for authorities to make provisions for COVID-19 positive patients to cast their ballots on January 19.

She said the matter rests with the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

“A Prime Minister of Barbados has no locus standi in the conduct of General Elections, that is a matter solely for the Electoral & Boundaries Commission.”

Speaking at a press conference on Friday at the Lawns in St George, Mottley also acknowledged the possibly of legal action to the polls.

“When I became an attorney-at-law at 21, my father taught me one thing – you argue a case once in court. If they bring it to court, we will argue it,” she declared in response to a question from Barbados TODAY.

A week ago, former Leader of the Opposition and head of the coalition Alliance Party for Progress (APP) Bishop Joseph Atherley called on other opposition parties to join him in seeking a court injunction to halt the election or provide some means by which all COVID-19 positive patients could vote. However, he subsequently put that on hold to focus on supporting the APP’s candidates since none of the other parties had reached out to him up to that time.

Since then, senior counsel Garth Patterson argued that challenges to the timing of the election and the failure to make provisions for COVID-19 infected persons to exercise their franchise, stood a chance of being successful in court.

“The Government’s decision to dissolve Parliament and to hold elections during a pandemic may be amenable to judicial review, provided that the voter can establish that, by doing so, the Government breached its constitutional duty of rational and reasonable decision-making and/or contravened the substance or policy of any applicable law or constitutional provision,” he declared.

“No government can freely ignore the law, and the right to vote is enshrined in the Representation of the People Act, which the Constitution mandates must make provision for every qualified voter to have a reasonable opportunity of voting in a general election. This includes every otherwise qualified COVID-positive voter. To the extent that the existing electoral law fails to make adequate provision for voting other than by in-person voting at a polling station (e.g. voting by mail) during the pandemic, the law itself may also be vulnerable to constitutional challenge,” the senior counsel added.

Patterson argued that in these circumstances, the court has jurisdiction to stop the elections from proceeding.

Health authorities and the Electoral and Boundaries Commission have contended that the current COVID directives make it illegal for patients in isolation facilities or home isolation to leave those places unless by permission of the Chief Medical Officer. (EJ)

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Export Barbados (BIDC) has come to the assistance of breadfruit exporters Shawn Holder of Holder’s Food & Exports and Erasmus Alfred of E&C Marketing.

The two men recently revealed in the media that they were losing thousands of dollars because all the regular avenues to export breadfruits to their most lucrative market, England, had stopped. They explained that they had approached the air carriers and the Ministry of Agriculture but had not received any viable explanation or solution.

In a meeting Friday morning, Export Barbados’ CEO, Mark Hill, told the exporters that since hearing of their plight, he has been collaborating with Dr Pauline Yearwood, the Deputy Programme Manager Transport at the CARICOM Secretariat and the Ministry of Agriculture to find a solution.

“We have been in discussions with Caribbean Airlines and are finding pathways to move all types of bio-trade products and so I wanted to discuss with you the immediate solution of flying the breadfruit to Trinidad to be placed on the London flights,” Hill said.

According to Hill exports in agricultural products have been slipping, so he welcomed the opportunity to help.

In response, Holder said that there are tremendous opportunities for breadfruits. “We do not get enough breadfruits to cover the people that want breadfruits, and we are also competing with the rest of the islands as well. We were able to beat them because we had the availability of flights, and we could get the breadfruits there faster, so basically, we sent riper breadfruits, while the other islands tend to pick greener breadfruits. We sent the roaster breadfruits, which was a big boost to the people we supplied because it gave them better breadfruits. This is important because our breadfruits are the most expensive in the Caribbean because of the dollar value. Although ours is the most expensive, they prefer them because we have good quality breadfruit here as well.”

Holder also said he welcomed some research into expanding and analysing the different varieties and getting the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct a breadfruit planting programme.

Alfred said that he was pleased with what he was hearing, but he would also like the company to look into packaging. He said he would like to label his breadfruits and start building the Bajan breadfruit’s value proposition of being superior to the rest.

Hill said Export Barbados (BIDC) was also exploring packaging through a shared-use packaging facility that would steam, clean, and vacuum pack produce. In addition, he revealed that Export Barbados (BIDC) was setting up an international food science center at Newton that would be ready in April. At this plant, research and analysis would be conducted to support the various bioproducts, which would add value to the agriculture and biotech sectors.

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Attorney General Dale Marshall has warned that a day of reckoning is coming in the law courts of Barbados, as investigations have resumed into allegations of corruption under the last Democratic Labour Party (DLP) administration.

Marshall made the announcement on the campaign trail in St Philip on Thursday night, while highlighting the steps his government has taken to reduce crime on the island.

“In the last three and a half years we have brought in investigators to carry out detailed investigations into the alleged corruption that existed in the last administration. COVID stopped a lot of that work but that work has restarted and the Prime Minister has said what ain’t catch you ain’t pass you yet. A day of reckoning is coming in the law courts of this island,” he said.

He noted that the investigations are being carried out by the specialised Anti-Corruption Agency which was established by the current government.

He told supporters of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) at the Emerald City car park that the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act are helping to address corruption.

“One of the biggest problems we’ve had in rooting out corruption has been the fact that people have been afraid to come forward,” he said.

Turning to the matter of crime, Marshall pointed to the latest statistics from the Barbados Police Service which show a 24  per cent reduction in serious crime in 2021 compared to the previous year.

“Serious crime in Barbados is down by almost a quarter and gun-enabled crime is down by 34 per cent. Those are the facts. Those are the numbers. And we didn’t get to this place because we were wishing and praying. We got to this place because we asked the police force to give up an extra day of leave; we got to this place because we’ve invested in our communities; we got to this place because we’ve been moving guns off the streets one by one, bit by bit.

“We have invested more money in (the Barbados Police Service) since we came to government than the last administration did in the last ten years that they were in office. If you go back to our Covenant of Hope, it said the first claim on public resources would be citizens’ safety and security,” Marshall said.

The Attorney General also dismissed criticisms from political opponents that the Mottley administration has not done enough to address the island’s crime problem.

“When we came to government guns and other things, contraband, were coming through the ports like mad and we said it had to stop. And we invested millions of dollars in a new scanner to try to stem the inflow of guns and contraband and it has been working,” he stated. (BT)

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Independent candidate for St George North, Melissa Taitt on Thursday urged Barbadians not to be distracted by the politics of “optical illusions”.

The political hopeful told a spot meeting at the Newbury basketball court that it was time Barbadians open their eyes and see what was going on in the country, and that the island’s two main political parties, the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), had failed them.

“From yellow to red, they publish large manifestos of lower taxes…they promise integrity laws which they never pass, they promise new roads and infrastructure. If not for elections, roads remain the same….

“…. The people in Boscobelle and other areas … cannot receive water through the lack of physical infrastructure. Ask the people in White Hill and those along the Martin’s Bay [bus] route about the poor infrastructure and those in St Joseph who are billed for water without a drop,” Taitt contended.

She insisted that Barbados was at a critical stage and challenged constituents and wider Barbados to think outside the box and look to create a better future.

Taitt, who described herself as a tradesperson, fish vendor, and a concerned citizen, charged that the country is “sick”.

“The country is not well. Our hospital is in need of repairs, our schools are in need of repairs, our roads have in potholes and swimming pools. Our government has amassed more derelict buildings than the citizens of this country, paying millions in for rent for private offices.

“Our water pipes are old. Our sugar industry has practically collapsed, our judiciary is in horrible backlog, my people, yet we are in debt. We are the sixth-highest taxed country in the world with the infrastructure of a third-world country. We are in a country that is practising the politics of optical illusions and keeping up of appearances. Barbadians, wake up my people,” the first-time candidate insisted.

Taitt also chided Prime Minister Mia Mottley for calling an election 18 months before it was constitutionally due.

“What possesses a government to fight for a mandate of their people, gain 30-0 in an election and make history, and then want a new contract? We watched them quit their jobs before they were finished. So why should we trust them when they quit in the middle of a global medical crisis and a looming economic backlash?” she questioned.

The DLP was also not spared Taitt’s scrutiny. Citing the party’s poor performance when it held office, she blasted St Michael South Central candidate Richard Sealy for feigning concern about the National Insurance Scheme during this election campaign.

“For how can Richard Sealy ask the BLP to recapitalise the [National Insurance] Fund when it was the DLP that brought the NIS to its knees?” she asked.

Taitt called on constituents and Barbadians not to be distracted by the fanfare of political rallies, as she offered her manifesto as a practical solution to the prevailing challenges.

“I have plans to encourage development through sustainable entrepreneurship schemes, through collectivity and pooling of resources. I have established the organisation of single parents which is a fund which allows us to go and pool our resources to achieve our means.

“If we as a community do not come together in these terrible times, who will survive? We need to face the truth and prepare ourselves as a people. In 2022, it is time to try something new,” Taitt said. (SD)

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