Following a short Christmas break, the Vector Control Unit will continue its fogging programme next week in Christ Church and St Michael, from Monday, January 8 to Thursday, January 11.

On Monday, they will visit Highway R, Golden Palm Boulevard, Ridge Meadow, Frere Pilgrim South, Edey Village, and the environs. The next day, Tuesday, the team will fog Staple Grove, Cox Road, St. David’s, and surrounding districts.

They will continue mosquito eradication efforts in Frere Pilgrim, Lower Greys, Valley Vista, and neighbouring communities on Wednesday. On Thursday, they will go into Ridge View Estate, Pangola Court, and The Ridge.

Fogging for the week will conclude on Friday, January 12, in St Michael, in the following districts: Brighton North and South, Pile Bay, Hinkson Gap, and Danesbury.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.
(BGIS)

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The Ministry of Health and Wellness has reported that there have been no deaths related to acute dengue in Barbados since the start of an outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness in November last year.

Furthemore, it said, there may be some early evidence that the outbreak is showing signs of slowing down while there have been increases in COVID-19 and influenza cases in recent weeks.

While there have been a number of hospitalisations, including some with severe dengue, health authorities said there were no deaths attributed to dengue for the period November to December 2023.

Up to the week ending December 26, 2023, increased reports of clinically suspected (2 105) and laboratory confirmed (277) cases of dengue fever have been recorded in Barbados compared to the same period in 2022, when there were 321 suspected cases.

The Type 2 dengue virus was the predominant virus during the last three months, followed by the Type 3 strain. The outbreak of dengue fever began in October 2023, intensified in November, and continued into December 2023.

The ministry also reported that respiratory illnesses have increased in the past four weeks, up to the week ending December 22, 2023. However, health officials have pointed out that cases have not reached the epidemic threshold.

Additionally, the ministry stated that levels of diagnosed COVID-19 showed a doubling of cases in the past week after eight weeks of very low levels, from four cases in the last four weeks to eight cases in the week ending December 22, 2023.

Influenza levels also continued to increase with the majority of the 312 influenza cases for 2023 occurring in the past eight to 12 weeks with increases in Influenza A H1N1(2009), Influenza A H3N2, and Influenza B.

No cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) have been recorded in Barbados despite its presence in tourism source markets.

The public is encouraged to practise stringent respiratory hygiene with hand washing, hand sanitising, and mask wearing by those with symptoms or those vulnerable to severe disease.
(BGIS)

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The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) declared Friday that 2024 will be a pivotal year of legislative action rather than “talk” to safeguard the rights and protection of the elderly.

Elder abuse tops the list of issues that BARP president Marilyn Rice-Bowen said she was confident would be addressed by crucial legislation aimed at shielding the elderly from a variety of forms of maltreatment.

“We have been meeting with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs and they are at an advanced stage of getting elder abuse legislation drafted and prepared for debate in the House of Assembly,” she told Barbados TODAY. “We need the elder abuse legislation to protect our elders. It will protect them from financial abuse, from physical abuse, from abandonment. The legislation will give the authorities the teeth they need to make sure that our seniors can live their lives in indigence and dignity.”

Highlighting a significant challenge, Rice-Bowen pointed to the lack of clear data on elder abuse, partly attributed to the absence of specific legislation criminalising such acts. She emphasised that despite widespread discussions, elder abuse remains undefined in name and is not yet a criminal offence in Barbadian law.

“We are determined to see this legislation passed in 2024, providing our seniors with the assurance that they will be protected by the law. Talk alone cannot protect them; legislation will. It will empower authorities to take legal action in cases of abuse, abandonment, or financial misconduct,” the BARP head said.

“Talk can’t. The legislation will because it will give the authorities the requisite teeth to make sure that in cases of abuse, cases of abandonment, cases of physical or financial abuse, they can face the law court.”
(RG)

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Tourism and sporting officials are upbeat about the economic spinoffs for Barbados from hosting the upcoming Finals and eight other matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June.

The ICC on Friday confirmed that cricket’s Caribbean Mecca – Kensington Oval – will host the coveted title decider on June 29. It is the third time Barbados would be home to a cricket World Cup final which officials hailed as a seal of approval for the island as a world-class destination.

Hoteliers are particularly optimistic about hosting Group B which includes England, Barbados’ main tourism market. The English are to play Scotland on June 4 and face Australia on June 8 at Kensington.

Tourism and hotel industry figures have told Barbados TODAY they are excited that the tournament coincides with the island’s slower summer season.

“We are excited about the fact that this is an opportunity for us to extend our traditional summer season,” said Renee Coppin, the chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA). “June is traditionally one of our slower months. And having the English group here in particular, and the players; we all know the relationship between Barbados and England, there is tremendous opportunity for Barbados. And we anticipate it should give us a well-needed bump during that period.”

Coppin attributed Barbados’ ability to attract a third World Cup final to its being a quality destination.

She said: “It’s the quality of service and the delivery of the experience that we give here. Along with the service, I think if you are looking holistically at all the factors, including the menu itself, I think that Barbados would be definitely one of the top contenders.”

Secretary of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Gregory Nicholls gave an emotional reaction to this country winning a third bid to host a final.

He was lost for words as he sought to categorise the achievement that he, too, expects will benefit Barbados across the board.

“This is fantastic news for the country of Barbados, the economy of Barbados and the game of cricket in Barbados,” he told Barbados TODAY on Friday.

He explained that the bids submitted by the government were supported by the BCA and Kensington Oval Inc (KOMI), the state-owned operator of the famed cricket stadium.

“All the packages that we bid for were successful,” said Nicholls. “But you would note that we have the first round of all of the England matches. We also have a number of Super Six games and also the final. All the bids were successful. This is fantastic news. This is eight World Cup matches with the English in Barbados for that period of time. That is fantastic news for all the tourism operators and people who depend on the tourist sector.

“We know that June is normally a very slow period and this is a welcomed fillip to the tourism sector and will do a lot for the Barbados economy.”

The BCA secretary underscored that Barbados received the “exact” package for which it bid as he sought to portray the development as a ringing endorsement of Barbados.

Nicholls said: “This goes to show that we should have more confidence in ourselves to host international events of this nature, we should not doubt our capacity and ability to compete. You would see from these bids that there were four US cities that also bid for these events, and the ICC, in its selection of Barbados, gave us the exact package that we aimed for. [It] shows that we can execute this process well.”

He also pointed out that Barbados now has less than six months in which to get everything right to host the games and to maintain the “fantastic” reputation that the country enjoys.

“The competitive advantages that we have in terms of our hotel infrastructure and plant, the restaurants, the venues and attractions across Barbados, the warmth of Barbadian hospitality, the iconic places like Oistins, Harrisons Cave, the beaches…all are significant competitive advantages that we have among the rest of the Caribbean,” the BCA official declared.

Regarding preparations for the tournament, Nicholls highlighted the collaborative effort involving the government, BCA, and the tournament’s local organising committee, emphasising the need for support in areas like security and immigration.

He said: “A lot of it is the responsibility of the managers of the facility at Kensington Oval. This is an all-country effort. You can’t put on a World Cup by the BCA alone. So the local organising committee would be spearheaded by the government entities that took over the operations of the bidding and partnership with the BCA and KOMI.

“So, this is not a BCA endeavour. The specifications of the ICC in relation to international tournaments require local organising committees…. You can’t put this thing together without the government giving certain guarantees. Certain things as they relate to security, immigration and moving between the countries in a seamless way, all of these require support and effort outside of the BCA.”

‘Sportainment’ – the term to describe the combination of sport and entertainment – will continue to be a major plank of the World Cup experience in Barbados, said Nicholls.

But he contended that the real icing on the cake would be if the West Indies were to take the T20 World Cup title on home soil.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said Barbados’ selection to host the T20 World Cup Final is “nothing short of a privilege and an honour”.

“It is a historic moment for our country as well, as this will be the third global cricketing final Kensington Oval has hosted, confirming its place among the world’s premiere sporting venues. As a Government, we believe this is a testament to the high level of organisation Barbados has displayed throughout the years, having hosted the 2007 Men’s Cricket World Cup Final and the 2010 Men’s T20 World Cup Final. It is equally a reflection of the fact that cricket is intrinsically linked to the identity of Barbados. Quite simply, it is in our DNA,” she said in a statement after the announcement.

“Over the coming months, we will continue to work with all stakeholders, in and outside of the sporting arena, to ensure the thousands of fans who gather here from across the world experience a safe, enjoyable and successful tournament and final.”

A total of six Caribbean venues and three in the United States will be used for the 29-day tournament as the groups and fixtures for the ninth edition of the 20-over showcase were confirmed by the ICC on Friday. Forty-one matches will be played in the Caribbean with the semi-finals in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Also see Page 19.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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By Ryan Gilkes

Saddled with delays in patient care amid rising demand and Barbadians leaving their elderly relatives at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), the director of medical services said it is hoped that in a couple of months, a “fully expanded” emergency care system will be more efficient and responsive.

Anthony Harris also gave an assurance that the island’s premier acute care hospital is committed to providing quality care to the people. He said the challenges faced by the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) are expected to ease after its full expansion, scheduled for March.

There have been mounting criticisms and complaints about service levels at the hospital, particularly in the AED which has been saddled with patient delays.

“There is certainly a greater demand for the use of Accident and Emergency here, and emergency rooms in general worldwide, so we are not an exception in that case,” Harris told Barbados TODAY. “Added to that, we are still right now a construction zone… so we are at half the capacity we will be in two months. That is the reality, and we always have to keep [in mind] that that is what is happening as well. It is a gross inconvenience to the Barbadian public and it is also a gross inconvenience for the people trying to work there.

“We are hoping that with the fully expanded A&E, we will be able to provide some ease for patients and some ease for us, because the flow should get better and if we believe the maxim that function will follow form, we are expecting that we will see some improvement. We are not going to be naive to think that this will solve all of the problems, because all are not in the AED itself but also on the wards.”

The hospital opened in 1964 with over 460 beds and has expanded to accommodate over 600 beds. But Harris highlighted the strain on resources, with each ward currently housing between 20 and 24 beds and a significant number of elderly-for-care patients, which presents complex challenges. Currently, there are close to 50 elderly for-care patients at the hospital.

“We got some out over the last few days, but we were running 48 elderly-for-care in the hospital which is two full wards,” Harris explained.

The term “elderly-for-care” refers to patients cleared for discharge but who require 24-hour care and whose families may lack the resources or time to provide adequate care at home. Harris said while the term does not serve as a medical diagnosis, it points to the difficulties families face in caring for elderly relatives, particularly those with chronic illnesses like heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, or end-stage cancer.

 “This term, elderly-for-care, is unfortunate because what it says is you get old and the country and family are no longer able to take care of you outside of this institution. [But] let us be absolutely fair – old people require 24-hour care, and it’s very hard for a family to do if they need to be working.  That’s a reality, so we need good social services,” he said.

“It is not a simple fix, it is not a simple finger-point that you can say you are abandoning your granny here and stuff, There are some things like that but at the root of the problem, it is also a lack of resources by some families . . . and they don’t have to be poor to have lack of resources; it can be because [of] a lack of time.”

To alleviate pressure on the A&E, Harris encouraged the public to use the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk), which operates for 15 hours, providing immediate medical advice, categorising cases, and connecting callers with appropriate healthcare providers

He emphasised that this service does not deny access to healthcare but rather guides individuals on how to use the system effectively, suggesting appropriate care and advising on whether immediate AED attendance is necessary.

“They can call and discuss and we will guide,” the QEH medical services director said. “We are not out there saying do not come to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, you’re on your own. We are certainly providing that support to the public. Some people have used it and I think it is a service that is underutilised but certainly a very valuable service to the public that they can call and get advice.  

“And the advice perhaps is ‘maybe you don’t need to come to the AED tonight at 8 o’clock, perhaps you can seek care in the morning. If there are any further problems in the night, please call back’. I don’t think [with this service] we are denying persons physical access to doctors or immediate health care. I think what we are doing, and I would hope that they see it that way, is offering advice on how to use the system better.”

Harris highlighted plans to evolve this service to make it more personalised and efficient, drawing inspiration from similar systems like Britain’s NHS Direct.

“It is not a Queen Elizabeth Hospital original. The National Health Service of Great Britain has a similar service which is called NHS Direct which is just that – a Help Desk situation, but right across their network. They have boasted that it has boosted efficiency. We are beginning to explore how this would be introduced, utilised and developed in Barbados,” he said. 

(RG) 

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By Ryan Gilkes

The fate of two public schools hangs in the balance on the eve of the new school term with both teachers and students uncertain of whether classes will be held at their old locations or in temporary accommodations.

All appears to hinge on what a series of inspections and results of environmental studies will reveal this weekend at the Ann Hill School on Pine Plantation Road, and Luther Thorne Memorial Primary School in Wildey.

Following a meeting held on Friday morning with the Ministry of Education, General Secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Herbert Gittens told Barbados TODAY no concrete decisions have been reached regarding the future of classes at these schools, just four days before students are scheduled to return to learning.

During the last school term, both schools faced multiple disruptions as environmental issues threatened the health and safety of students and staff.

At Ann Hill, reports emerged of respiratory problems among teachers and complaints of mould in some classrooms. Luther Thorne experienced interruptions throughout the last academic year due to issues such as dust, pests, and various environmental concerns.

Gittens indicated more would be known after a weekend tour of the affected schools: “What was determined after the discussions with the ministry is that there will be
a walk-through of both schools because some remedial work would have been ongoing at both schools during the
period.”

He said the BUT had not yet received any of the reports on environmental studies at both schools it had requested from the education ministry, though he was quick to point out that officials were working to expedite their completion. After the union reviews the reports, and following the walkthrough, it should be better positioned to determine the next step, he said.

Herbert has also assured that by Sunday, parents, teachers, and students would receive information about the status of both schools, to allow for adequate preparation and clarity.

“[The ministry had] indicated so far there is a contingency plan for Ann Hill, but based on the outcome [on Saturday], they may have to put [a plan] in place for Luther Thorne just to ensure that the teaching and learning continues there,” the BUT general secretary said.  

“They didn’t say what the contingency would be but it would be speaking to alternate accommodation, I believe . . . but that wasn’t shared.” 

(RG)

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Exactly one week after the body of a male was pulled from a 30-foot well in Exchange Hill, the family of missing man Mitchell Nicholls has confirmed his death on social media. 

In a brief message posted on Facebook, the management and staff of the family-owned Nicholls Bakery said it was deeply hurt and saddened by the loss of their 28-year-old loved one who was described as a son, brother, co-worker, family member, and friend.

“At this moment, there is an active investigation and we have placed this in the hands of our local authorities and pray that justice will be served,” the brief notice said.

The family said it will announce the date and time of funeral arrangements as it expressed its gratitude to well-wishers and relevant authorities for the outpouring of love, support and sympathy during this period. 

Last Friday, a body was recovered from a well near Bibby’s Lane, St Michael. Police are yet to officially confirm the identity.

Mitchell, who lived at Apartment A, West Coast Apartments Hotel, Pond Bottom, Westmoreland, St James, was reported missing on December 23.

The son of the late McDonald Nicholls had received the Silver Trident of Excellence in the National Independence Honours for his role in the design of academic and national insignia, including the Order of the Freedom of Barbados. (SD)

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Employers on Friday defended the practice of seeking to import labour that firms consider unavailable here.

The Barbados Employers Confederation (BEC) responded to the General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) Toni Moore who on Thursday condemned the “troubling” practice of companies hiring foreign workers to fill positions that the union said could be filled by citizens.

Moore also called on employers to be transparent about their employment criteria and explain publicly what exactly is meant by local applicants being “unsuitable”.

But the organisation which represents employers hit back, contending that it is always a priority for businesses to secure Barbadian talent who understand the culture and nuances of the Barbadian business landscape.

BEC President Gail-Ann King also rejected Moore’s call for companies to publicly explain their employment criteria related to “unsuitable” Barbadian applicants.

“It is not valuable, as it adds minutia and additional layers of bureaucracy for a process that is already well administered by the Government of Barbados,” King told Barbados TODAY.

She also argued that many companies have comprehensive policies and practices around talent acquisition.

“Companies tend to look externally when there are supply issues in an area, sector or even in an entity that threatens its delivery on key areas of performance or growth. It is difficult to generalise and make a sweeping statement on what is apt as different conditions require different actions.

“Critical to an entity’s decision to seek external candidates is also the labour market’s response to local recruitment efforts, which may not be as robust as public perception may believe,” King said.

The BEC leader said Barbados has strong governance around the immigration process where firms are required to prove that there are no suitable domestic candidates and an appeal process for people who feel aggrieved.

She noted that as part of the CARICOM free labour movement, workers move freely across the borders all the time, inclusive of many Barbadians migrating to take advantage of opportunities that fit with their personal and professional goals.

King said: “As we continue to monitor the population challenges locally, immigration continues to be only one option to ensure our businesses and economy on a whole continue to survive, grow and thrive. There has been a lot of investment in aspects such as training and growing our people. The local talent supply challenge is compounded by brain drain where younger educated persons are choosing to not only study but work overseas, before returning home with the experience, in countries such as Canada which themselves are experiencing labour shortages.”

She stressed that as employers continue to build the nation and businesses, they continue to focus on honing local talent.

But she said employers and the country have to continuously look at the alternatives.

Moore’s condemnation followed a published notice in which a supermarket retailer stated that having received no suitable responses to its advertisement for the position of Assistant Store Manager, Perishables, it intended to apply for a non-national to fill the position.

The union boss contended that this is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern which the BWU has observed in Barbados.

“Such practices where local talent is overlooked are not just disappointing but also a serious disadvantage to our skilled and educated workforce,” Moore declared, contending that the issue “strikes at the very heart of our national pride and employment ethics”.

The umbrella body for trade unions, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations (CTUSAB), also weighed in on the issue, demanding an investigation into the criteria which employers use to determine the suitability of Barbadian labour.

General Secretary Dennis De Pieza called for a system to verify the validity of claims by employers who apply for work permits for non-nationals.

Speaking generally about the process of requesting work permits for non-nationals to fill posts, he highlighted the abundance of highly qualified individuals in Barbados, including graduates from the University of the West Indies and other accredited institutions in the region, saying it was “passing strange” when no suitable candidates could be found locally.

“If it is that that is what is being reported, then we have to ascertain whether their applications were actually received and interviews conducted [to] have some measurement to support if this claim has any validity.

“We also have in the Caribbean [and the diaspora] highly trained [persons] and we cannot and will no longer accept this claim [of] no suitable individuals. It is a nonsense that has to stop. We must find a way to make employers justify and validate the claims that they are making. If this is not done, it makes a mockery of what is being put out there about the avenues of employment available for people in Barbados and the Caribbean,” the CTUSAB official contended.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Dr Sonia Browne has resigned.

In her letter of resignation, which was shared with Barbados TODAY on Saturday morning, Dr Browne cited “personal and professional matters over the past several weeks,” as her reason for stepping away from the post.

Dr Browne, whose letter is dated January 4, had been appointed two years ago to take special responsibility for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

The letter reads: “Please accept this letter as my formal notice of resignation from the post of Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness with immediate effect.

“The last two years in the post have contributed to my professional development and I owe you a debt of gratitude for this.

“However, after careful consideration of  personal  and  professional  matters  over  the  past  several  weeks,  I  have concluded that it is in my best interest and that of the constituents of St Philip North, to continue public service in my role of Member of Parliament outside of Ministry.

“Again, thank you for the opportunity and I remain ready to perform in another capacity if required.”

(EJ)

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Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Saturday announced changes to the Cabinet, effective Monday, January 8.

The changes are as follows:

• Marsha Caddle will assume responsibility for the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology.

• Chad Blackman, who is currently serving as Special Advisor to the Director General of the International Labour Organisation, has been invited to return to Barbados to take up the post of Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment.  Ryan Straughn remains Minister in the Ministry of Finance.

• Davidson Ishmael, the current Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, will now serve as Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, replacing Dr Sonia Browne who resigned this week.

• Minister of State in Foreign Trade and Business Development, Sandra Husbands will move to the Ministry of Education where she will assume responsibility for higher education and technical vocational training.

Mottley also announced minor adjustments to ministerial portfolios “for better realignment.”

The Prime Minister, who has been covering climate resilience and sustainably in her office with Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, will now add the Barbados Water Authority to her portfolio.

The Urban and Rural Development Commission, which used to be in the Office of the Prime Minister, will now move to the Senior Minister in charge of Planning, Dr William Duguid.

The Building Standards Authority will go back to the Ministry of Public Works, the Prime Minister announced.

Changes in the Senate

Mottley also announced changes in the Senate.

Chad Blackman, having accepted the offer to serve in the Cabinet, will be appointed as a Senator, replacing Senator Lorenzo Harewood.

Rev Charles Morris will also be appointed a Senator to replace Senator Shanika Roberts-Odle. 

(DLB)

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Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Saturday announced a number of changes to Barbados’ diplomatic representation in foreign jurisdictions.

Barbados’ Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States, Noel Lynch, has been asked to demit office effective January 15.

The Prime Minister said Lynch will now assume “the very serious responsibility” of chairing the country’s effort to host the world in Barbados for the Cricket World Cup finals in June.

“This is a mammoth responsibility, and for which we only have six months, and I’m satisfied that Ambassador Lynch’s expertise will guide us safely.”

The Prime Minister announced Vic Fernandes as the country’s new Ambassador to the United States.

Dr Sharon Marshall will also be appointed as Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba.

Meanwhile, former Central Bank governor, Cleviston Haynes has been appointed as Ambassador to Ireland. 

Former Senator Lorenzo Harewood will be the new Counsel General in New York following  E Mackie Holder’s appointment as Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister said further changes to the diplomatic appointments will be announced over the next two months.

(DLB)

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Prime Minister Mia Mottley has brushed aside calls for her to fire Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw over a personal cheque made payable to Bradshaw for $7 500. 

During an address to the nation on Saturday, Mottley said she has spoken to the Deputy Prime Minister who has been very clear in her response.

According to Mottley, there are two critical points of which the public should take note — the cheque was not solicited by Bradshaw, nor did she have prior notice of its delivery; and the cheque was not cashed.

“If I was in another place, I would say to you on both counts — case closed,” the Prime Minister said.

The cheque was written by the civil engineering firm Errol Clarke Associates. It was subsequently stolen by Tyrone St Elmo Holford who attempted to cash it.

According to Mottley, “that the Leader of the Democratic Labour Party immediately called for the Deputy Prime Minister’s dismissal is truly understandable, as he himself knows well the threats that he is currently facing in his own party.

“And while it may be said that misery loves company, I want to remind him that he is on his own this time yet again, because there is no company for him on this matter of dismissal.”

Mottley said Dr Ronnie Yearwood  is “looking for a political equalizer,” but she said in the words of the great Robert Nesta Marley, “you draw bad card. Not this one. On both counts, as I said, this matter is closed.”

The Prime Minister is adamant that “there has been no criminal behaviour, there has been no breach on the part of the Deputy Prime Minister of any law, and there is nothing that merits her dismissal.”

At a news conference last Saturday, Yearwood called for Bradshaw’s resignation or dismissal.

He expressed concern, citing the Integrity In Public Life Act and highlighting the need for public officials to disclose gifts exceeding $2 500 to the commission. He pointed out that the $7 500 cheque should have been reported under this law, suggesting a violation by Bradshaw.

Bradshaw has also clarified that the cheque was part of a charitable contribution to her annual Christmas hamper and food voucher programme, which she has been organising for years to support families in her constituency. She said the contribution wasn’t related to any products or services provided to her ministry.

“This programme predates my becoming a Minister of Government. I strongly object to the insinuation of there being anything untoward about a cheque being submitted to my office and being deposited into an account from which funds are used to underwrite a charitable programme that assists thousands of families and households in St Michael South East.

“The benefactor in this instance is not currently providing any product or service to the Ministry over which I preside.  This particular contribution could have been written to my charity or in my name, as it was done. Either way, it was processed by my office and the proceeds went to the people of my constituency,” Bradshaw, the Leader of Government Business in the Lower House of Parliament said in her statement.

(DLB)

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Following a short Christmas break, the Vector Control Unit will continue its fogging programme next week in Christ Church and St Michael, from Monday, January 8 to Thursday, January 11.

On Monday, they will visit Highway R, Golden Palm Boulevard, Ridge Meadow, Frere Pilgrim South, Edey Village, and the environs. The next day, Tuesday, the team will fog Staple Grove, Cox Road, St. David’s, and surrounding districts.

They will continue mosquito eradication efforts in Frere Pilgrim, Lower Greys, Valley Vista, and neighbouring communities on Wednesday. On Thursday, they will go into Ridge View Estate, Pangola Court, and The Ridge.

Fogging for the week will conclude on Friday, January 12, in St Michael, in the following districts: Brighton North and South, Pile Bay, Hinkson Gap, and Danesbury.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.
(BGIS)

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The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) wishes to reassure residents of the Christ Church districts still experiencing a water outage that normal pressure has been restored to some of the affected areas in the parish.

The BWA said there is heavy demand in the network at this time, however, and the catchment area being supplied is large. This has slowed the return of a normal water supply to the remaining areas.

Crews will continue to assist customers in the affected areas via water tanker in the interim while persons wait for the water supply in their districts to return to normal.

Based on a number of queries raised by the public, the BWA reiterates that the team found no leaks in the distribution network that could result in supply challenges to our valued customers.

Wherever possible, customers are being implored to store enough water for use in their homes as part of their own household water management plan. The suggested amount is five gallons per person per day. Customers  are emcouraged to work with family members, friends or persons resident outside of the community to help secure additional water if need be.

In order to allow the system to recharge and residents to conduct their business and store water over the weekend, the Authority paused repairs at the Hampton Station.

The work to replace vital infrastructure at that facility will resume on Tuesday, January 9 and is expected last until Friday, January 12. It will be conducted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily and pumping from the facility will restart each evening as planned.

The Barbados Water Authority thanks customers for their understanding and patience and apologises for the inconvenience.

(PR)

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The Ann Hill School on Pine Plantation Road, St Paul’s Primary in Brittons Hill, and the Lawrence T Gay Primary in Wildey are all set to resume classes as usual on Monday following a series of inspections and rehabilitation work over the Christmas Holiday.

These schools had been dealing with environmental issues that raised concerns about the health and safety of students and staff.

Officials from the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, led by Minister Kay McConney, conducted a tour of the schools on Saturday. The visit included members of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), the various Parent Teachers Associations, cleaning technicians, and other staff members.

McConney noted the ministry’s mission was to ensure that the learning institutions were ready for the start of the new term. She also emphasized the need for improved communication and collaboration between the ministry, unions, and schools to address concerns effectively.

“Some of these complaints have been longstanding and we are seeking to make sure that we are going after them one by one.  If your complaint has not been addressed as yet, rest assured we are getting to it … there needs to be a protocol as to how the schools and the Unions and the Ministry work together to ensure that the very real concern like what I have seen today get the necessary attention.

“What has been happening is that we have been following certain steps and when we don’t get a response at certain steps we simply dismiss it and decide that we want to do our own thing.  I am simply saying that we have to do better with each other, all of us.  The ministry must do better, the unions must do better, all  of our schools must do better and together if we are all doing better together we will find ourselves in a much better position to address some of these concerns,” she said.

At the Ann Hill School, reports of respiratory problems among teachers and complaints of mould in some classrooms prompted concerns.

Meanwhile, Lawrence T Gay Primary School experienced interruptions throughout the last academic year due to issues such as dust, pests, and various environmental concerns. St Paul’s Primary also underwent remediation work to address termite infestation and structural issues.

BUT First Vice President Julian Pierre expressed satisfaction with the work done following the school inspections. He also assured that it would be “school as usual” at the Ann Hill School, emphasizing the union’s aim to act on behalf of its members and address their concerns.

“Based on the concerns expressed at the Ann Hill School, which surfaced moreso in November last year, the remedial work that has been ongoing we are satisfied [with it]as a union.  The environment is safe – environmentally, and we are sure that school will open at Ann Hill next week.

“Our aim is not to cause strife.  We aim to act on behalf of our members.  If [they say they have concerns and we come and we investigate and we realise that these concerns need to be addressed, we will make contact with the Ministry of Education,” he said.

The rehabilitation work and subsequent inspections aimed to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for students and a more collaborative approach to addressing school-related issues.

As classes resume on Monday, Minister McConney noted that the focus will be on ensuring a smooth and productive start to the new term.

(RG)

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Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Leader Dr Ronnie Yearwood has responded to the Cabinet reshuffle announced Saturday by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

The following statement was issued by Yearwood Saturday evening:

Today brings us to the end of the Christmas season and the Prime Minister of Barbados has once again reshuffled her Cabinet. Sadly, the Prime Minister failed to address the real problem of an incompetent, bloated and expensive Cabinet that continues to burden taxpayers. This is at a time when Bajans are struggling to make ends meet and the cost of living continues to rise.

Many Bajans are in disbelief that the Prime Minister has increased the Cabinet again with this reshuffle while they worry about how to feed their children today and get them ready for school on Monday.This is another pointless exercise of musical chairs that shows her utter disregard and disrespect for taxpayers’ money.

Barbadians are being asked to continue to pay Davidson Ishmael. He did not last two years as the minister with full responsibility for Technology and Innovation. Now, he has been moved to the Ministry of Health as a junior minister in a serious ministry that has tremendous issues. People have to wait days in the corridors of the QEH before they are admitted to the hospital. As we are all aware Dr Sonia Browne, a medical professional, has resigned from her post as a Minister of State in the Ministry of Health. Dr Browne tried to meet the challenges but clearly, it was beyond her.

Additionally, where is the silent and absent Minister of Health, Jerome Walcott, who still seems to be very active in Foreign Affairs, despite not being the Minister? His absence comes at a time when the QEH is in complete disarray and Barbados is now on a travel advisory for a dengue outbreak, during the height of our tourist season.

Truthfully, Kay McConney who is also missing in action, should have been part of the reshuffle. Every month the Ministry of Education and the Minister is involved in controversy. We will not forget the IADB survey and the assault on the girls of Springer Memorial. Kay McConney continues to destroy the education system of Barbados. Now, the Prime Minister has moved Sandra Husbands in a questionable attempt to provide help to an inept Minister.

Barbadians are tired of paying for incompetence and we must call the judgment of the Prime Minister into question. The bad cards that the Prime Minister has drawn with these incapable Ministers, account for the impulsive decisions of this Cabinet reshuffle.

The Cabinet reshuffle is a white elephant. It is apparent, however, that this press conference was to simply shield a weak Deputy Prime Minister who is battling allegations of corruption. The issue that remains unanswered is the cheque paid to this minister by a company that has contracts within her ministry. This is despite the current government’s assertions while in opposition that they would bring integrity to public life. This government passed an Integrity in Public Life law that is still not useable. Is there a reason why the law has not been proclaimed? Hopefully, while we wait, no more ministers will receive cheques from people who have contracts with their ministries. Bajans deserve better.

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Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN) is calling for further public discourse and disclosure to ensure even greater consumer protection for consumers using online banking services.

BCEN said this call is being made because there is reason to believe and evidence to support that as of Saturday, January 6, a commercial bank in Barbados, already involved in the practice of charging fees for online banking services continues to do so; despite the recent edict from the Central Bank of Barbados to desist from such practices.

As a result,  BCEN said it is concerned about commercial banks failing to comply with the recent edict or directive issued by the Central Bank of Barbados.

Although BCEN remains hopeful that commercial banks will comply with the Central Bank’s directive, failing to comply should serve as an indication that the Central Bank needs to intensify its supervision and surveillance to ensure that all Banks in Barbados comply. Otherwise, failing to comply with the Central Bank’s directive should mean a temporary suspension of online banking services until the matter is rectified. BCEN believes that such action could serve as a strong incentive for prompt compliance from commercial banks.

In a statement on Sunday BCEN said that by now discussions should have been ensuing between the Central Bank and any commercial Bank that fails to comply and has been in the practice of charging fees for online Banking transactionsfor a while. It is expected that during such discussions that the Central Bank of Barbados would mandate the bank to submit a detailed remediation plan outlining how it intends to address and rectify violations within a specific time period, BCEN said in the statement.

However, in  anticipation of further delays or resistance, BCEN said it is asking that the Central Bank of Barbados publicly disclose the name of the Bank, the non-compliance issue, specific violations, and the measures that would be taken — if any — against- non-compliant Bank(s).  It said this type of public disclosure could impact on the commercial bank’s reputation, which could lead to increased pressure to comply.

The Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network says it understands that the specific actions taken by the Central Bank of Barbados will depend on the legal framework, the severity of the violation, and the Central Bank’s assessment of the potential impact on the stability and integrity of the financial system.

Nonetheless, BCEN supports the objective of the Central Bank to enforce compliance with regards to its edict and acknowledges the Central Bank’s commitment to take action to protect the interests of consumers and the overall financial system that it regulates in Barbados.

(PR)

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The Chief Executive Officer of Supreme Counselling for Personal Development, Shawn Clarke, has called on the government for financial assistance to support their programmes for Barbadian youth.

Clarke made this appeal during the organisation’s Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Barbados on Saturday.

He said the body provided essential services to improve the well-being of individuals, and it plays a significant role in supporting local communities and contributing to the economic growth of Barbadian society.

Clarke highlighted the need for government funding to help the organisation continue its valuable work.

“Supreme Counselling has paid its dues and it is time for the organisation to be recognised with the level of funding to help even more Barbadian youth.  [We are] a value-driven charitable organisation that delivers essential services, helps to improve people’s well-being and contributes to economic growth. We play a vital role in supporting local communities and making a significant and rapidly increasing contribution to the health and well-being of the Barbadian Society,” Clarke said.

“We have invaluable insight into the needs of our young people as they are often located within the organisation. We have built up strong links with our clientele over time. This profound insight into service users and the community’s needs allows us to deliver more personalised and responsive services.  This can provide an invaluable link between the government and the community.”

While Supreme Counselling is trusted by the community and understands its needs, Clarke pointed out that access to government structures and networks was essential for better service delivery.

The organisation has been providing essential services to Barbadian youth since its establishment in 2009, initially serving 20 students.

“Before COVID-19, we moved that number to 1,570 young people in the country benefiting from this programme.  With the advent of COVID, we had a dig in our numbers as expected. Today as we rebuild our numbers, we can boast of having some 1,120 young people directly involved in our programme.”

During the awards ceremony, Supreme Counselling recognised and rewarded more than 160 students from four secondary schools on the island who participated in the organisation’s various programmes over the past year. These students represented the St George Secondary, Grantley Adams Memorial, Princess Margaret Secondary, and Frederick Smith Secondary schools.

Hezekiah Springer of the Grantley Adams Memorial School received the top individual honors — the Supreme Being Award, and the Dianne Holder Memorial Award. The St George Secondary School was awarded the Supreme School of the Year.

(RG)

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Two teenage swimmers who saved a British couple from drowning on Wednesday have come in for recognition from the Democratic Labour Party youth arm  — the Young Democrats.

The story of Canadians Zoe Ireland-Meklensek, 13, and Emma Bassermann , 14, was highlighted by Barbados TODAY last week.

They were swimming at the Barbados Beach Club in Maxwell, Christ Church, where they are currently staying, when a United Kingdom couple, Belinda and Robert Stone, got into difficulty while swimming.

Zoe and Emma were boogie boarding when they heard a faint cry for help. Zoe immediately went to investigate and found a woman waving her arms and shouting for help.

“So, I immediately went out to see what was the matter, and she said that her husband who was further down, ‘can’t swim and he can’t get back [to shore]’. So, then I brought her to shore by putting her on the boogie board … I pulled her with the strap until she could touch the sand, and then I went back out with Emma, I got the husband on the boogie board, I went along the beach until the current was not so bad, and then I went closer to the shore until he could touch the sand,” Zoe said.

On Sunday, the Young Democrats presented Zoe and Emma with a token of appreciation for their heroic actions.

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A Virgin Atlantic plane made an emergency landing at Manchester Airport on Sunday after pilots reported “dense acrid smoke” in the cockpit.

Flight VS77 had taken off from Manchester Airport bound for Barbados this afternoon, but was forced to return after declaring an emergency over the Irish Sea around 20 minutes into the journey.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “The VS77 from Manchester to Barbados has returned to Manchester due to a technical issue. The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. We’ll ensure our customers can complete their travel plans and keep them updated directly on next steps.”

Firefighters were called after the plane landed at Manchester Airport at around 1.30 p.m. Three crews ensured the safety of the plane and its passengers, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said. (Source: British Media)

Photo: File

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