Nineteen-year-old Sherrita Blackman-Oliver can barely recall getting into her workmate’s car last Friday night, much less the tragic accident that occurred mere minutes later, leaving her hospitalized in serious condition and claiming the life of one of her closest friends, 16-year-old Karim Busby.

Sherrita laying in bed reading cards sent for her by family members including her two-year-old daughter Dannisha.

The two gas attendants, both of whom are former students of the Coleridge and Parry School [CP] in Ashton Hall, St Peter, had just left work at the Esso gas station in Black Rock, St Michael, just after midnight, and were headed home when the unthinkable happened.

Karim, who resided at Maynards, St Peter and recently graduated from secondary school, was the driver of a grey Nissan March, which struck a guard wall at Prospect, St James, immediately claiming his life.

The late Karim Busby

His passenger, who lives at Holder’s Hill, St James, would live to tell the tale. Only problem is, Sherrita, who was first admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and was later transferred to Ward A3, hardly recalls anything about that ill-fated morning.

As she spoke to Barbados TODAY from her hospital bed yesterday, it was obvious that Sherrita wished she could say more about her close brush with death.

However, gazing through her bedside window with her mind seemingly racing in search of answers, it all remained a complete blur.

“I can’t remember how the accident occurred. I can’t even remember actually getting into the car. All of that is blank,” the soft-spoken Sherrita said.

“Only thing I can remember is asking him [Karim] for a ride home,” she added.

However, it is hard to escape the pain of the July 11 accident. Though grateful to God for sparing her life, Sherrita, who is the mother of a two-year-old girl, Dashanni, is still reeling from the pain of losing one of her nearest and dearest friends, as well as the physical aches and scars, including a right eye that is still black and blue following the accident.

The 19-year-old mother, whose legs were covered in a white sheet as she sat up in bed for the interview, showed no other visible signs of injury following the early morning accident. However, she revealed that she was still experiencing pain in her left foot and was finding it hard to walk.

“I have to get someone to hold me to do so. [I’m also] having problems breathing, problems seeing out of my right eye, I have to get drops every hour for my eye. [I have] problems swallowing and eating certain foods, but I am much better than I was few days ago,” she said.

The death of Karim has also left a personal void in her life.

Though they attended the same secondary school, it was only when Karim came to work at Esso that their friendship really blossomed.

“One of our best memories was [of] me, him and another girl named Shelita, who also went CP. We used to hang out a lot, and talk about our time at school.

In fact,“that same day [of the tragedy was] the last time we all hung out at work. We were joking about all the fun we had at school,” the 19-year-old recalled.

Sherrita, who was due to be discharged from the QEH today, is currently in the process of writing a special poem, which she plans to read at Karim’s funeral.

As she recovers from her injuries, she also said she was grateful for the support she has received from his parents since the tragedy.

“I spoke to his parents today. They are not doing well, but they are trying. They are still looking out for me. They came to visit me, so I tried to be strong for them,” she told Barbados TODAY.

Her mother Liana also expressed her personal gratitude to Karim’s parents, who, she said, had been constantly calling to check up on her daughter, even as they try to come to terms with the loss of a son.

Sherrita’s mom Liana Blackman.

“. . . they are very strong people because I don’t think I would have held up if I was in their position,” Sherrita’s mother said.

“I thank them for the support they have given me knowing that Sherrita has been in the hospital. They came to see [us] today. They have been calling me everyday since the accident has happened to find out how Sherrita is [doing].

“I know it can’t be easy for them. I think it is them that need the most support at this time,” she added.

However, she took issue with an article published in another section of the Press, which had suggested that she was unhappy about the length of time the police took to contact her following her daughter’s accident.

While stating that her comments were “taken way out of context and exaggerated by that newspaper”, Liana made it clear that her primary focus right now was “Sherrita and her well being”.

“I would like to say I am grateful to the hospital and all the staff for the care they have given to Sherrita. I’m glad to see how fast she has come out of ICU. . . . She is moving along swiftly. I’m thankful that God spared her life.

“A lot of people in Barbados and my family in Barbados have been praying for her. She’s a very loved child,” the mother said.

davandrababb@barbadostoday.bb

Barbados is on the verge of becoming oil-rich, and the six earth tremors which rattled the island yesterday, signalled that the transformation was underway, prophesied local apostle Lynroy Scantlebury.

Scantlebury, the head of World Harvest Ministries International, told Barbados Today that he received word from God since 2005, and on November 27, 2012, he was instructed that the island would see increased seismic activity for the purpose of making this country a serious oil-producing nation.

Head of the World Harvest Ministries Lynroy Scantlebury.

“What the Lord shared with me is that he is shifting an oil vein from Trinidad and Venezuela, and he’s bringing that oil to Barbados. So these tremors are really to adjust the country, so that the oil can really begin to come inland here in Barbados,” the local prophet said.

He insisted the earth’s rumblings were not about the moral or political failings of the country, saying “it was simply God’s intention to bring Barbados to the place where He wants it to be”.

“Barbados is at that point in history where God is ready to do what he determines he will do with Barbados, so this is part of Barbados taking on its destiny as a nation. This is not about the economic fallout, this is not about gays and lesbians, this is not about moral decay, the corruption in government; this is simply about what God plans to do with the island of Barbados,” the church leader said.

Scantlebury predicted the island would become oil-rich within a year or two, with about eight parishes as the major beneficiaries.

“The parishes where you will see this happening are St Andrew, St Joseph, St John, parts of St Philip, parts of Christ Church, St Lucy, St Peter and very small portions of St Thomas. St James and St. Michael won’t really get much of it, but you are going to see these tremors at strategic points around the country as these veins begin to shift to Barbados.”

He said God didn’t want the Government to hide the oil, and as a result many Barbadians would discover oil on their properties.

“Many individuals are going to wake up as the earth tremors become more and more intense, they are going to find oil deposits in their backyards, and that’s going to be a game changer for many across Barbados,” he forecasted.

The apostle suggested that there was already evidence of an increase in oil and natural gas in the country, but he claimed that the Barbados National Oil Company had not made the nation aware.

“They are beginning to find lots of oil in Barbados. They haven’t said, but if they were honest with the people of Barbados right now, they are beginning to find a lot of oil right now, and natural gas.”

Looking into the future, Scantlebury provided the location of major oil reserves waiting to be discovered.

“If they were to search between 70 to 80 miles southwest of Barbados right now, they would find a very large, large deposit of oil right now, and it is going to change our country.”

Scantlebury acknowledged that some Barbadians would challenge, or even scoff at the message, which he said was given directly to him by God. However, he said that would neither affect him, nor stop the prophecy from being fulfilled.

“Many people are not interested in hearing things from God as it regards the future of Barbados. Our country is not very prophetically or apostolically inclined. There are times when God sets his people apart to speak to them concerning nations, and families and individuals. He has given me this assignment since 2005 to share this, and I have done so over the years to make sure this word is out there.”

The church leader confessed that this was not the first time that God had reached him directly, adding that his revelations had been rejected in the past.

“As an apostle I stay with what I am hearing from the Lord. If the Lord says oil is coming to Barbados, well I say that oil is coming to Barbados. We’ll see the oil come and then that will be the proof of what the Lord shared with me is accurate. I am not here to fight with anybody about it, or quarrel with anybody if they don’t believe. But I believe what God says,” he stated.

In the meantime, Scantlebury said Barbadians should brace for more earth tremors. However, he said there was no need to fear since there would only be some structural damage, but no deaths.

“We don’t need to panic. Of course we should take emergency precautions when they are happening, but on a wider scale there is no need for mass panic across Barbados.

“This country is going to become a world leader in terms of where oil exports are concerned. It is going to be a tremendous day for Barbados, and I think what the Lord plans to do is to create an island that is poverty-free. That’s part of the plan. So we can have a fantastic time if we are willing to listen to the Lord and follow his leadings in this season,” the prophesier predicted.

More bitter medicine could be in store for Barbadians.

Following its recent the Article IV Consultation with Barbados, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday released its latest report card on the island’s economic performance.

In it, the Washington-based financial institution warns that the economy still faces “daunting” challenges, including external risks, a high fiscal deficit, as well as high debt levels, along with issues of competitiveness.

Against this backdrop, the IMF strongly urged the Freundel Stuart-led administration to implement “a comprehensive reform programme that includes strong fiscal adjustment and structural reforms to foster growth and external and debt sustainability”.

This advice comes of the heels of the Government’s implementation of a 19-month fiscal adjustment programme that has already lead to over 3,000 layoffs in the public sector.

While commending the authorities for their efforts at fiscal consolidation over the past year, and welcoming the direction of policies outlined in the recent Budget statement by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler, the IMF stressed the need for “continued ambitious adjustment efforts”.

It underscored the importance of reducing current spending and addressing the stock of Government arrears.

The IMF also called on the authorities to consider divesting some state assets in order to lower debt.

While welcoming recent tax measures announced in the June 15 budget, the IMF encourages Government to broaden the tax base further and remove tax waivers.

Directors also highlighted the need for the Central Bank “to phase out direct financing of the Government and reorient monetary policy toward supporting the fixed exchange rate regime”. They agreed that, if financing sources were not sufficient, the Central Bank should allow domestic interest rates to rise to a level that reflects a credible country risk premium.

In the wake of this week’s Central Bank report of 0.5 per cent growth for the first half of 2015, directors underscored that the growth strategy should be focused on strengthening the business environment and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public services.

The IMF also called for a review of labour regulations to boost job creation.

And based on the recent “inconsistency in GDP data”, it has encouraged the authorities to quickly resolve these issues, with help from IMF technical experts.

Following is the full text of the IMF’s press statement:

“ On ,June 19, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation1 with Barbados.

Real GDP growth remained weak in 2014, weighed down by fiscal drag and stagnant tourism inflows, and unemployment averaged 12.3 percent at end-2014. However, tourism arrivals jumped over the winter season and real GDP is projected to expand by 1.0 percent in 2015 as stronger growth in key markets underpins arrivals. Lower oil prices and new tourism investment will provide a boost to demand, though ongoing fiscal adjustment will dampen the growth upside. Inflation is forecast to fall to 0.9 percent by year end, reflecting lower energy and commodity prices.

Nicole Laframboise headed the recent IMF mission.

The balance of payments improved in 2014. The current account deficit fell slightly to 8.5 percent of GDP as export growth was flat and imports declined slightly, while stronger private capital inflows helped support a small increase in international reserves to US$563 million (3.4 months of imports) at end-March 2015. With oil prices low, the current account deficit is projected to fall to 5 percent of GDP in 2015. Private capital flows are expected to stabilize, leaving foreign reserves at about US$545 million at end 2015 (3.3 months of imports). The central government deficit fell from 11.2 percent of GDP in 2013/14 (year ending March) to 6.6 percent of GDP in 2014/15, though domestic arrears continued to accumulate. This fiscal outcome represents an adjustment of 5 percent of GDP in the primary balance, as revenue gains mostly from income taxes were met with cuts in the wage bill and transfers. Current revenue growth benefited from improved tax administration and a new municipal waste tax. While data on government arrears is not complete, the stock is estimated at about 4 percent of GDP, not including arrears of public enterprises or net overdues at the Revenue Authority (BRA). Central government debt excluding securities held by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) rose to 101 percent f GDP at end-March 2015, up from 76 percent of GDP in March 2011. Financing of the government in 2014/15 came largely from the Central Bank (CBB), the nonbank financial sector, and a draw-down in government deposits in the banking system, while commercial banks reduced exposure to the sovereign by 1.5 percent of GDP. Domestic short term interest rates declined to about 2.8 percent on average in the first four months of 2015. The impact on liquidity of Central Bank lending to the government was offset largely by a rise in excess reserves at the CBB, reflecting the absence of new private sector lending and capital account restrictions.

Executive Board Assessment

Executive Directors welcomed the improvement in macroeconomic conditions and the authorities’ commitment to tackle urgently needed reforms. Directors cautioned, however, that the country faces daunting challenges, including external risks, high fiscal deficit and debt levels, and competitiveness challenges. Against this backdrop, they urged the authorities to implement a comprehensive reform program that includes strong fiscal adjustment and structural reforms to foster growth and external and debt sustainability.

Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart who have been leading the Governments economic recovery efforts.

Directors commended the authorities’ progress with fiscal consolidation over the past year, and welcomed the direction of policies outlined in the recent budget statement. They stressed the need for continued ambitious adjustment efforts, which could be supported by a simple fiscal anchor as an interim step toward the development of a more comprehensive fiscal rule. Directors underlined the importance of reducing current spending and addressing the stock of government arrears, while securing room to increase public investment. They welcomed efforts to improve the monitoring and fiscal discipline of public enterprises, and urged the authorities to strengthen their accountability and accelerate their restructuring. Directors stressed the need to improve some universal social programs to ensure they are reaching the most vulnerable. They also encouraged the authorities to consider divesting some state assets in order to lower debt. On the revenue side, Directors welcomed the recent tax measures, and encouraged the authorities to broaden the tax base further and remove tax waivers.

Most Directors encouraged the central bank to phase out direct financing of the government and reorient monetary policy toward supporting the fixed exchange rate regime. They agreed that, if financing sources are not sufficient, the central bank should allow domestic interest rates to rise to a level that reflects a credible country risk premium.

Directors underscored that the growth strategy should be focused on strengthening the business environment and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. They commended recent efforts to improve the business climate, and encouraged strengthening competitiveness in the tourism sector and preparing a cohesive strategy for the agriculture sector. Directors also advised a review of labor regulations to boost job creation, while preserving workers’ rights.

Directors commended the progress made in implementing FSAP update recommendations, and encouraged the authorities to continue strengthening regulatory and supervisory frameworks. While domestic banks have sound balance sheets, Directors called for continued vigilance and close monitoring of asset quality and potential vulnerabilities in non-bank financial institutions.

Directors noted the inconsistency in GDP data, and encouraged the authorities to quickly resolve these issues, with help from IMF technical experts.” (Ends)

Authorities here are being told that if there is a growing issue with child abuse they should not ‘sugar coat’ it, but tackle it head-on.

This advice has come from former Miss Universe and lawyer Wendy Fitzwilliams, who told Barbados TODAY that while she was not aware of specific cases here, if such cases did exist they should be condemned.

Yesterday, Child Care Board chairman Kenneth Knight said the agency took a staggering 13 children away from abusive homes last week alone.

And he indicated that while the estimated 700 cases of child abuse reported every year were frightening, this number did not reflect the true picture.

Former Miss Universe and lawyer Wendy Fitzwilliams

“You would know if the Child Care Board received 700 a year, you would know that’s up about four times the actual cases that exist. We do not get all of the actual cases being called in. We get a percentage of the amount. So I think the society itself is concerned and they should be,” Knight stated.

In an interview today Fitzwilliams, who is the mother of a nine-year-old boy, urged authorities to tackle the issue like they have responded to other issues, including HIV and AIDS.

“Anything that is ugly and regressive as opposed to progressive – and child abuse is definitely one of those issues – you can’t sugar coat it. And you have to address it head-on,” said Fitzwilliams.

“I don’t think I am in a position to say what the right fix is for Barbados in that regard, but as someone who studied law here, Barbados has always been ahead of the rest of the region and very proactive in terms of adapting to changes in society generally, and acting relatively swiftly and positively in the best interest of the people.”

Pointing out that Barbados was a leader in the region when it came to the provision of some social services, Fitzwilliams added that the country remained “a little bit ahead of the competition in that regard and progressive, not only in terms of dealing with law, but implementing [and] using it effectively”.

“You are quick to recognize problems and address them. So I hope that the situation with regard to child abuse here will be no different. I expect you to step up and lead the way and lead by example for the rest of us” said the Trinidadian.

“You did it with HIV. You made some really tough, difficult decisions when it was very unsexy to do so at the time, which encouraged and forced the rest of the region to step up. So I hope as it relates to child abuse you will do the same thing.”

Earlier this month church leaders, UNICEF representatives and other stakeholders called for an end to child abuse on the island.

Another organization is lending its assistance to Barbadians who need help financing their tertiary level education, following the change in Government’s education policy, which now requires nationals to pay tuition fees.

Today, Executive Vice President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Sue Springer announced a scholarship programme aimed at assisting Barbadians seeking to pursue further education in tourism and hospitality studies at a tertiary level education institution in Barbados.

Springer made the announcement during a media conference at the BHTA’s 4th Avenue, Belleville, St Michael office.

BHTA executive vice president Sue Springer

She said the scholarship programme was “the vision” of BHTA’s Chairman Sunil Chatrani, and that each year, three successful applicants would receive scholarships valued at $5,000 each.

Pointing out that Barbadians were now required to pay tuition fees for their university studies, Springer said the new scholarships, which will cover tuition costs, were “an attempt to ensure that those people who really want to pursue education in the industry do not have a situation where they cannot do it because they cannot afford it”.

“We will do three scholarships this year [and] we are going to continue this on an annual basis. We have already managed to provide the funding for this. We had a golf tournament last November and we raised the funds for the three scholarships of $5,000 each,” announced Springer.

“Moving forward we will find other methodologies of finding the funds, but we always have the tourism fund that hotels collect on a daily basis. So there is no possibility of us not being able to support what we are doing as far as funding is concerned,” she said.

Springer said a special assessment committee would select individuals based on their academic performance, financial need, levels of extra-curricular and volunteer activities, leadership qualities and interest in contributing to the hotel and tourism industry as a whole.

Defending Party Monarch Gorg is out of this year’s competition.

Gorg is out of the Party Monarch finals due to medical reasons

A statement from the National Cultural Foundation this morning confirmed that Gorg, whose real name is Omar Sobers, will be unable to compete in the finals due to medical reasons.

This means that reserve Kirk Brown will take the stage on July 26 for the MQI/98.1 The One Soca Royale competition.

The head of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) says a series of earthquakes in Barbados and other Caribbean islands this week underscores at the regional level, the importance of building national first responder capacity for dealing with seismic events.

On Thursday Barbados experienced as many as six tremors, and the US Geological Survey reported that they were also felt in the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We find that far too much interest is placed in climate change, not that we shouldn’t have it, but we have to recognise that the earthquake threat is ever present,” CDEMA’s Executive Director, Ronald Jackson told a news conference.

“I think we have been heeding the warning from the seismic research centre from as far back as, I would say February 2014 where a number of events from the Christmas period coming into 2014 and again earlier this year has really raised, I wouldn’t call them alarm bells, but certainly underscore the importance that we have to move at pace. That now it is a situation of urgency that we address the capacity of our first responders, given the catastrophic nature that seismic events can leave us with.”

The last major earthquake in the Caribbean was in Haiti in January 2010, which measured 7.0 magnitude.

Over 230,000 people were killed and an estimated 300,000 injured in the disaster.  The quake also caused severe damage to infrastructure across the capital Port au Prince, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

Jackson said CDEMA continues to work with its member states, as well as the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, which is providing guidance on the expectation of what could occur across the member states in the event of a major disaster.

Health Minister John Boyce has announced that the Ministry of Health is transitioning from the main role of healthcare provider to that of regulator of health services.

Addressing the E.R Walrond Scientific Symposium at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital yesterday, Boyce added that the Ministry has been assigning the provision of health care services through partnership agreements with the private sector and non-governmental agencies.

Minister of Health John Boyce

According to him services being provided under this arrangement included long-term geriatric care, substance dependency treatment, diabetic specialist care and cardiac rehabilitative care.

Boyce also commended the work of the researchers, saying “Research is a critical determinant for growth in any institution and especially the health care setting where the emergence of new diseases makes it mandatory for new treatment regimes to be developed.”

He added that there is need for new approaches to treating patients in keeping with “our fast-paced, technologically driven society”, given the changing trends and lifestyles.

According to Boyce, the Ministry of Health will continue to partner with organisers and researchers to allow research to help effectively shape policies and improve efficiencies in the public and private health care system.

He also had high praise for Sir Errol Walrond, in whose honour the symposium was held, for his service to the Barbados Medical Council.

The Minister noted that the Council had transitioned to an almost full-time professional office which “ensures that only the highest internationally accepted practices are applied to the practice of medicine in Barbados”, under the stewardship of Sir Errol, who recently resigned as chairman of the Council.

Boyce also acknowledged the contribution to the Council of the late Vallan Franklin, who passed away last month.

A new king and queen were crowned early this morning at the end of the Junior Monarch calypso finals.

The show started around 7:30 p.m. and ended just after 11 p.m. Saturday.

However, it took another two hours before the results were finally announced.

In the end, it was revealed that Dynamo was the winner in the 8-12 category and Ah-Dee-Lah in the 13-18 category.
In the 8-12 group, defending monarch Ranaan was second;  Sarai third; and Star Diamond, fourth.

In the 13-18 category, RJ was second, Lady Tii, third, and Quinn P fourth, outperforming defending monarch Sammy G.

Ah-Dee-Lah was the winner in the 13-18 category, dethroning Sammy G.

Dynamo celebrates with his father Billboard, who is also a calypsonian.

The new junior King, Dynamo, accepts his trophy from Acting Minister of Culture Patrick Todd.

RJ, who placed second, was disappointed that he did not clench the top spot.

Third place in the 13-18 category went to Lady Tii. Here, she receives her prize from Acting CEO of the National Cultural Foundation Wayne Webster.

Police Superintendent Sylvester Louis spoke highly of former superintendent Jasper Merlie Watson

Hundreds packed the Western Light Church Of The Nazarene at Oxnards, St James yesterday morning to pay their final respects to late retired police superintendent Jasper Merlie Watson.

Accorded full military honours, Watson, 80, was described by Superintendent Sylvester Louis, as a colossus of policing. Louis delivered an appreciation for the Royal Barbados Police Force before mourners that included Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith, former commissioner Grantley Watson, former deputy commissioners Bertie Hinds and Keith Whittaker, numerous past and present gazetted officers and other officers past and present whom the man affectionately called “The Colonel” had mentored.

Louis recalled the impact which Watson had on generations of police officers, including his own sons who had served the Royal Barbados Police Force as well as in the United States. Louis described Watson as having many “sons” in the force who idolized him because of his brilliant intellect and readiness to pass on his knowledge of the law and investigative attributes.

Ronald Watson (right) described his father as a proud, stern and empathetic man during the eulogy

He recalled his contributions to Barbados as well as Grenada. Watson was the principal investigator into the murder of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and members of his cabinet in 1983. Louis provided the captive audience with a number of anecdotes illustrating Watson’s attention to detail, his sense of humour and his ability to motivate others beyond their own expectations.

Delivery the eulogy, son and former detective Ronald Watson said his father was exceedingly proficient in the craft of criminal investigation because he treated it as an amalgamation of art and science. He noted Watson raised the bar several tiers to establish standards which catapulted the Royal Barbados Police Force, an organization he joined in 1955, into the modern era.

Watson, who excelled academically at The Alleyne School and was a school teacher before joining the force, was eulogized by his son as being “proud, yet not condescending; stern and strict at times, yet tolerant and empathetic”. Noting that teaching had always been his father’s first love, Watson recalled that many a detective was the victim of his infamous red ink pen. He said it was well known that if a report reached his desk and he came upon bad grammar, he would decorate it in red and return it for corrections.

He noted his father was fluent in French and Latin, was a competent mathematician, wrote volumes of poetry, short stories, educational and philosophical discourses, musical lyrics and was an avid painter. The late Watson wrote the theme hymn for the church at which his funeral service was held.

Police officers carrying the body of Jasper Watson out of the church

Watson ended the eulogy by noting his father’s spirituality and reading an expanded version of The Lord’s Prayer which his father had written in 1985.

“Our Father who art so kind to all, In Heaven is our eternal call, Hallowed be the hour when the saints are marching in, Thy Name alone shall free them from their sin. Thy Kingdom come with the call of the trumpet sound, Thy will be done and those who come be found, In earth as it is, they laboured for thy sake, In Heaven they found rest before it was too late. Give us this day the things we ask of thee, Our daily bread, one of our kindly plea, Forgive our thoughts if evil they glorify, Cleanse our souls so Your Holy Spirit may occupy. As we forgive them who trespass against us, Lead us not anywhere for us to lust, Temptation is the road we fear, but trod, Deliver us from evil O Eternal God. Thine is the Kingdom of unending life, Power and glory through our Lord Jesus Christ, Forever more with God the Father at the helm, In peace and bliss we’ll live in the Heavenly realm. (WG)

Government today dismissed as a “horrible untruth”,  an allegation by Opposition leader Mia Mottley that the country had defaulted on a multi-million dollar loan from the Swiss bank Credit Suisse.

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Chris Sinckler, in a Ministerial Statement to Parliament, also said Mottley’s claim  was “dangerous and irresponsible” and had the potential to undermine investor confidence in the island.

Sinckler told legislators that the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) leader made the “very unwarrented accusation” at a party meeting on Sunday June 28, 2015 at Spooner’s Hill, St Michael, that the $88 million loan had remained unpaid one day after it was due.

He said the claim effectively gave the world the impression that Barbados had defaulted on the payment for the servicing of the loan, which was due to be made on June 18, 2015.

Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler

“[The accusation] has the potential to undermine the confidence of current and prospective investors in our country, damage the impeccable reputation of Barbados in the international financial markets and derail the hard fought gains which, as a country, we have made over the years,” the Minister said.

Sinckler claimed that in the days immediately following the allegation, and as recently as this week, officials at both the Central Bank of Barbados and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, including himself, have had to take calls querying the veracity of Mottley’s statement.

In contradicting the Opposition Leader, Sinckler indicated that on June 18 2015, under the terms  and conditions of the loan contract with Credit Suisse, “Government, in fulfillment of its obligations, made the payment as scheduled in the amount of BDS $41.23 million, representing interest $20.6 million and amortization $20.63 million, to the various holders of the facility”.

He added that Government had also met its full commitment to Barclays De Zoete Wedde ahead of the July 1, 2015 due date.

“It is therefore a horrible untruth that Barbados has defaulted on any of its obligations for this or any other loan.,” said Sinckler, who produced a letter signed by the principals of Credit Suisse LLC, as proof that Government had met its debt obligations to its creditors.

“[Given] the very volatile conditions in the international financial markets occasioned, as they are, by the much publicized credit defaults in Greece and Puerto Rico, these very reckless and unnecessary statements by Mottley could not be more untimely, dangerous and irresponsible,”  he added.

The Minister explained that the Credit Suisse loan, approved on November 26 last year, was intended for Barbados to finance the 2014-15 deficit, shore up the international reserves at the Central Bank and revive the economy through a 19 month fiscal consolidation programme.  

A case involving more than half million dollars and 40 charges was thrown out today after the prosecution was unable to hand over pre-trial disclosure to the accused men’s attorney.

Dwight Robert Neste Jordan, 32, a clerical officer of #252 Husbands, St James and Gay Harcourt Gibson, 65, a contractor of Deacons Road, St Michael, appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court for the continuation of their case.

Jordan was charged with 13 counts of dishonestly falsifying the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s computerized Smart Stream records required for the hospital’s accounting purposes, with a view to either himself or someone else gaining, sometime between May 2011 and November 2012.

Gibson faced one count of engaging in money laundering, in that he disposed of $560, 321. 72, which was the proceeds of crime, between December 20, 2011 and February 7, 2013.

Additionally, he was accused of 12 counts of producing invoices in the name of his company, Gibson Construction and Maintenance, to the QEH for accounting purposes that, to his knowledge, were deceptive.

The two men were also jointly charged with 16 counts of stealing over $560 000 in total, which were the proceeds of Barbados National Bank Incorporated and payable to Gibson’s company, belonging to the QEH.

Earlier this year when the matter came up, the prosecution was in possession of eight of the 16 statements needed to complete the file.

Attorney-at-law Andrew Pilgrim, QC, who was appearing for Jordan at the time, also made an application on behalf of Gibson as a friend of the court.

He had asked the court to dismiss the matter based on the fact that the file was still outstanding which, in essence, prevented the case from proceeding. He also asked the court to take into consideration that Gibson’s physical condition had deteriorated to a large extent and he had lost more than 50 pounds while on remand at HMP Dodds.

Magistrate Douglas Frederick said he would not dismiss the case then, but offered the prosecution a final adjournment to get the other documents in order so that the matter could proceed.

Today, the prosecution still had the same number of statements as on the last occasion. Therefore, when Station Sergeant Neville Watson requested another week in which to complete the file, the request was denied.

Magistrate Frederick felt that the prosecution had been given enough time and that it was also a question of maintaining his integrity since he had granted a final adjournment previously. He therefore dismissed the case.

The dubiously settled dispute between the state-owned Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) has ended up in the law courts after all, with the corporation being sued for damages and costs.

One week after the BIDC and the NUPW agreed during a sub-committee meeting of the Social Partnership that the impasse would not be referred to the court, the corporation and seven of the ten workers who were “forcibly” retired have filed separate actions in the High Court in the past 24 hours.

Yesterday, attorney for the seven, Gregory Nicholls, lodged an action for judicial review of the BIDC’s decision to retire officers over age 60.

“I have also applied for an injunction to restrain the BIDC from acting on the said decision to retire the officers, and this application for the injunction comes on for hearing before the duty judge next week Tuesday at 9.30 a.m.,” Nicholls told Barbados TODAY this afternoon.

The notice of application for the interim injunction – a copy of which has been obtained by this paper – is requesting that the court issue an order restraining the BIDC from enforcing the retirement of the employees with effect from 30 September, 2015, or otherwise, until the conclusion of the substantive proceedings for judicial review or further order of the court.

The court document, which names Attorney-General Adriel Brathwaite as second defendant, also wants the presiding judge to rule that the “retirees” be allowed to continue in their jobs until the court makes a determination.

The seven claimants have outlined six grounds on which their case is based.

One ground alleges that the process which resulted in the decision to compulsorily retire them from the BIDC was unlawful, in that the statutory board exercised its discretion unreasonably in breach of the policy of an Act of Parliament, “and in a manner which has dashed the legitimate expectations of the claimants.”

The claimants are also contending that, having regard to their retirement becoming effective 30 September, they were likely to suffer adversely in the interim, unless the interim injunction relief is granted by the court.

They are also submitting that BIDC was unlikely to suffer any loss or prejudice in the event that the injunction remedy is ordered.

“The purported retirement of the claimants from the Public Service is not a necessary requirement for the proper and efficient conduct of the business of the First Defendant (BIDC),” declared the final ground.

With respect to the application for judicial review, which is the substantive matter, the seven workers have also named the Attorney General as the second defendant.   They want a review of the corporation’s decision and/or administrative action, and/or its omission to compulsorily retire them.

The claimants argue that the statutory board had not given them any, or any satisfactory reason, why its directors opted to “forcibly” retire them before they had reached the age of compulsory retirement as prescribed under the provisions of the amended Statutory Boards (Pensions) Act, Cap.384 of the Laws of Barbados.

The application lists five grounds of judicial review.  That the decision to compulsorily retire the staffers was contrary to law; unreasonable; irregular; an improper exercise of discretion and in conflict with the policy of Acts of Parliament.

In this regard, the affected workers will be seeking relief from the High Court in the form of financial damages and costs occasioned by this action.

Alternatively, they want the court to quash the decision of the board of directors and to declare their decision to compulsorily retire them and to calculate or purport to process and calculate the gratuity and pensions due as unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect.

Today, the BIDC lodged a related application seeking the court’s opinion of the legality of the board’s decision to retire the 10 workers.

Chief Executive Officer Sonja Trotman confirmed that the application was filed. “We will await the decision of the court,” she said. “We couldn’t really say what will happen at the end of it, but we would hope that it would provide clear direction,” Trotman added.

She acknowledged that once the filing was done it might not necessarily be the end of the impasse, but quickly pointed out that “the court would determine the next action, actually”.

The BIDC’s decision to retire the officers resulted in protest action by the NUPW, with support from the Barbados Workers Union (BWU). The protest was on the verge of escalation into a national shutdown when a meeting of the sub-committee of the Social Partnership, held under the chairmanship of Minister of Labour Dr Esther Byer last Tuesday, produced a settlement that led to a suspension of the protest.

The unions said they came away from that meeting with an understanding that the corporation had withdrawn the letters of retirement, had reinstated the workers and had abandoned an earlier decision to have the court interpret the contentious aspect of the law under which the BIDC had retired them.

However, both BIDC chairman Benson Straker and Minister Byer challenged the unions’ interpretation of their offer to end the dispute, noting that it was not correct to say the letters had been withdrawn, only that the board had decided “not to act” on them, but to meet soon again to try to resolve the impasse.

Since that time, the Private Sector Association of Barbados has written the Minister asking for a re-convening of the Social Partnership to clarify the misunderstanding regarding the perceived settlement.

Tyrone Franklin is thanking God for a second chance at life after staring death in the face on April 8 when the truck he was driving collided with a cane trailer.

He said nothing else, but living for his 11-year-old daughter L-Shante, and his five-year-old son Tyniko, was on his mind, as fire officers used the Jaws Of Life to remove him from the smashed front section of the vehicle, before he was rushed for medical attention.

“I actually saw myself in a position where I could do nothing but wait for the impact,” said Franklin, who told Barbados TODAY he was grateful to be alive.

Standing in the shade under a tree in his Church Village, St Philip community, supported by crutches, 35-year-old Franklin recalled details of the accident, which occurred around 1 p.m. at Salters, St George, almost claiming his life.

The scene of the April 8 accident, which occurred at Salters, St George.

That day, the road was wet and the Crane and Equipment Limited truck he was driving started to slide out of control, as it headed straight for the cane trailer driven by Phillip Greaves of Thorpes Corner, St James, who suffered pains to his left shoulder and legs.

Franklin is thankful to be alive after he was involved in an accident that almost claimed his life.

“Because of my knowledge of driving, I shift from the driver’s side to the passenger side and that is what saved me,” Franklin said.

“If I [had] stayed in that seat, I wouldn’t be here today because the steering wheel went straight into the seat when it hit,” he told Barbados TODAY.

The six-foot tall Franklin, who still bears both the physical and emotional scars of the accident, was alert through it all. He recalled the wait for the emergency officials to arrive, and the comforting words of some of the people who had gathered at the scene.

“All the people were telling me is, ‘all you can do is to hold on and wait’. So through all the hollering, and the crying, as people would expect you to do, all you can do is wait,” he said.

“While waiting all I was thinking about is my children, my family [and] how much I love them. I was hoping I don’t die and leave my children without a father,” Franklin added.

Since the accident, he has had to undergo surgery to both feet and had been wheelchair bound until three weeks ago when he transitioned to crutches.

He is currently going through rehabilitation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, but his doctors are unable to say when he will be in control of the wheels of a vehicle again.

However, Franklin, who is a truck driver of almost ten years experience, said he was not afraid to do so.

In the meantime, he is contented spending more quality time with his children and the rest of his family, as well as enjoying nature.

The accident survivor is also taking life one day at a time.

“I have to go back to the doctor next month to see if I can put weight on my right foot. Then I also have to learn to walk again,” he said.

Showing the scars on his right foot in which steel was placed, Franklyn said that overall, he was pleased with his progress to date.

“I have to thank the doctors and nurses and everybody at QEH. I used to hear rumours about QEH and how people get treat there, but I ain’t see it when I was there. Everybody was very nice, generous and willing to help at any given time,” he said.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb

An Opposition Member of Parliament has warned of the possibility of a repeat of the 1937 uprising, claiming that many of the conditions that led to the disturbance nearly 80 years ago, still existed.

And MP for St Michael South East Santia Bradshaw warned that should there be a similar revolt, it could prove a lot more catastrophic than the first because of a massive influx of guns.

Santia Bradshaw

“I feel the pulse of the people if members on the other side do not. . . and the signals are there,” Bradshaw cautioned, while speaking on a resolution aimed at raising the profile of the anniversary date of the start of the 1937 disturbances in the House of Assembly this afternoon.

“I want you to understand in 1937 the labourers did not have guns; and our Attorney General is very quick to tell us in this country that the people have guns and he is very concerned with the crime rising in this country.

“So I want for us to be very sensitive and listen to what is happening across this country. We have to listen to the people because it is not business as usual,” Bradshaw advised.

The Opposition MP stressed that while a majority of the population believed that the country had made progress since the social uprising, poor social and working conditions of the labour class, inequality in society and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, meant that conditions were favourable for fresh upheavals.

“A number of those things still exist in society. A number of those things are still happening and a number of those things still concern our people.

“Not that they don’t believe we have made progress, but there is concern, particularly today, as we are in the midst of industrial action across the country, that a number of the issues which would have led to the same uprising in 1937, now still presents [themselves] in 2015,” Bradshaw contended.

Barbadians have been told they should never forget “the numerous strides” and the “outstanding contribution” that their forefathers made to the development of the country.

Member of Parliament for St Thomas Cynthia Forde, in her contribution to the debate on a resolution on July 26 as a Day of National Significance, called on nationals to follow in the footsteps of thier predecessors who fought adversities by combining their efforts.

MP Cynthia Forde

“We would have known of the segregation and the numerous challenges in the past, and our parents would have experienced a lot of those challenges. But we have been able together as a people, to fight off many of them,” Forde assured.

“And, therefore, I believe that we should never lose sight of the important and the numerous strides that our forefathers have made over the decades, and the outstanding contributions which the pioneers have made in making this society one that would have been admired, and stands out like a beacon in this world.”

The Opposition MP echoed sentiments expressed earlier by Member of Parliament for St James South Donville Inniss regarding the racial composition of Parliament, adding that prior to the 1937 upheavals, it was difficult to envisage Barbados turning out to be the country it had become.

“If you look back a 100 years and envision what this Parliament would have look liked, there would have been no black people as far as I could recollect, who would have served this country.

“Today we are all black men and women from all walks of life who are here together to represent the interest of over 280,000 Barbadians, and I think it is a critical step we have been able to make through the hard work, and of course, the vision of our forefathers,” she said.

A St Barnabas, St Michael woman has been ordered not to “interfere with or harass”, in any way, the complainant in a matter against her.

Acting Magistrate Elwood Watts ordered Shernell Olivia Blackman, 47, not to call, text, message, or in any way, not even through an intermediary, have contact with Marlon Maynard.

Blackman was not required to plead to the indictable offence of wounding Maynard with intent to maim, disfigure or disable him, or to cause him some serious bodily harm on June 30 this year while at Temple Yard, Cheapside, The City.

Maynard was allegedly wounded with a cutlass on the date and subsequently underwent surgery on one hand.

The accused, who went before the District ‘A’ Court, was also ordered to report to Central Police Station every Friday with identification.

She is return to court on September 3.

A Kensington New Road, St Michael resident learnt two things when she attended the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court yesterday; firstly, that she has to dress appropriately for court and, secondly, that the court is not obliged to wait on her.

Jhakira Patrice Akilah Matthews, 29, was involved in two matters down for hearing. In one case, she was accused of wounding Stacy Andell Lashley and, in the other cross-charge, Lashley was accused of wounding her. Lashley lives at Chepstow Street, The City.

When Matthews showed up for court, she was asked by a court official to go and change and return in appropriate attire. Matthews told the police constable that she would come back “when I feel like”.

By 11.30 a.m. when Sergeant Janice Ifill called the matter a second time, Matthews was still not back.
The court was then informed of what the woman had said.

When she entered the courtroom about ten minutes later, Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant asked her to enter the dock. Matthews admitted that she had in fact spoken those words. While the Magistrate was scolding the woman about her behaviour, Matthews laughed.

She was told that it was “no laughing matter” and was ordered to pay $50 costs forthwith or face seven days in jail. The money was paid.

The matter against Matthews was adjourned.

Devon Prescod

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing man.

He is Devon Seon Prescod, 18 years, of Fairy Valley No. 1, Christ Church.

Devon is about 5 feet 5” in height, dark complexion and of slim build. He has an oval face, small eyes, nose and ears, thick lips, pointed chin.

He left the home around 9 a.m. on Tuesday to go fishing on the Sea Rocks off Paragon, Christ Church.

At the time he was wearing a brown short pants and purple shirt. He was also carrying a haversack on his back.

Anyone with information relative to the whereabouts of Devon Seon Prescod is asked to the Emergency number 211, or the nearest police station.