As the people of Grenada and Antigua prepare to hold national referenda before year end to decide whether they will sign onto the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as their final appellate court, Prime Minister Mia Mottley is assuring them they have nothing to fear in terms of political interference.

Speaking at the launch of promotional activities for the court in Grenada, Mottley, who served as chair of the CCJ preparatory committee between 2001 and 2005, told the audience at the Grenada Trade Centre “we understood from the start there would be fears among our legal fraternity that the court would be subjected to political interference, but we put measures in place to avoid that.

“First of all, we consulted bar associations, different groups and the Caribbean Development Bank and came up with a trust fund so that the court would have its own money and not have to depend on regional ministers of finance to fund its day-to-day operations. And once that fund was established, we set it at an amount which would enable it to live off the interest.”

Mottley also lauded the fact that the court has always had a highly competent panel of judges, who were chosen for their judicial talents rather than any political affiliations.

“No prime minister or president in the Caribbean has any say in the appointment of judges to the CCJ, so you Grenadians can rest assured that judges would not be politically motivated in their decision-making processes, but will have the necessary qualifications, experience and character to dispense justice without fear or favour,” she said.

The Prime Minister said although the CCJ was formally established in 2005, the idea was first mooted as far back as 1901 when “an editorial in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper first suggested a break with the judicial committee of the Privy Council, stating that we needed an institution that understood what life in the Caribbean was all about”.

Mottley also stated that the court represented the second phase of independence for Caribbean nations. “In the first phase, we were so busy dealing with the basic necessities of food, housing, education and health, that we forgot to deal with the higher order issues that constituted a society, such as justice and forging our own identity. Yes, we have some difficult decisions to make, but once you reach 52 years like Barbados and 44 years like Grenada and you cannot make hard decisions, something is wrong in life.”

She commended the court for its “stellar” work in the region over the years, and encouraged the Grenada government to reassure the people that “it is about their life, it is about boundary disputes, about people who go to prison, people who were wrongfully arrested, about everything that happens in our day to day lives, and when you speak, the judges will understand everything you say, and if you want a court that is out of the reach of politics you can have that with the CCJ.”

Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda, are expected to hold national referenda on November 5 this year to decide whether they should sign onto the CCJ. (BT)

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Seven weeks after private sector transport owners met Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister of Transport, Works and Maintenance Dr William Duguid to discuss a number of gripes, one of the groupings of owners is insisting it still wants a fare rise.

Amidst reports of a likely increase in fares from $2.00 to $3, the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) today said it would continue to demand an increase for ZRs and minibuses until an agreement was reached with Government.

“That [bus fare hike request] is still very much on the table,” Mark Haynes, the AOPT public relations officer told Barbados TODAY.

“As you know, the cost of the fuel tax [which took effect on July 1] has really placed a burden on the sector. We have that still on the table and we are in talks with the Government on an increase. We have been asked to submit proposals and we acceded to Government’s request,” Haynes stressed.

Since the two sides met on July 10 to discuss the impact of the new fuel tax on the public transportation system, as well as other matters, there has been no word on any progress from the talks.

The PSV owners have complained that the tax of 40 cents per litre on diesel and gasoline, and five cents per litre on kerosene, was having a devastating impact on their businesses with expenditure for route taxis increasing to $6,741 from $2,250, while minibus operators are forced to fork out $10,861, up from $3,625.

Following the July 10 talks President of the Association of Public Transport Operators Morris Lee had said the owners were optimistic that their cries would be heard.

“We had a very productive meeting. Essentially the Government recognizes the significance of transport to Barbados and the contribution it has made over the years. We have agreed to come together on this because we understand that it would take more than one meeting. We have been given a blank sheet on which to draw on in terms of what we want to bring to reality,” Lee said.

The operators have been demanding an increase in bus fares from $2, as well as duty-free concessions on new vehicles, and Lee expressed confidence that a solution could be arrived at that did not increase the burden to commuters or put additional drain on the public purse. He did not elaborate.

Today, the AOPT said it was looking forward to hearing from Government in short order with respect to the contentious issues.

In June of this year, Barbados TODAY reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had recommended an overhaul of the operations of the state-owned Transport Board (TB), including an increase in bus fares from $2 to $5 per passenger.

While complaining that the Board’s business model was too “restricted”, the IMF warned that the existing bus fare must change in order to ensure the future viability of the loss-making entity, which is currently faced with a shortage of buses. (EJ)

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Shawn Fernando Walcott, of Warner’s Road, Brittons Hill, St Michael, is resting easy tonight after he was found not guilty of inflicting serious bodily harm on Kirk Austin on November 20, 2014.

However, his co-accused Mitchell David Curtis Roach, of Brittons New Road, St Michael, was not so lucky.

Today, Roach was not only found guilty of committing the crime, but also of damaging Austin’s spectacles on the same day.

Walcott and Austin were reportedly involved in an accident at St Paul’s Avenue, The City. However, Roach was apparently the one who hit the complainant with a piece of wood in the melee that ensued following the accident.

Testifying before Magistrate Douglas Frederick today, Walcott maintained his innocence of the charges.

“Your honour I have been charged for something I didn’t do and it is really, really unfair. I never hit anyone or anything so,” Walcott said, explaining that he was only trying to break up the fight between the parties on the scene.

However, Roach admitted to confronting Austin after the accident and to telling him that he had put his life in jeopardy.

He also gave a demonstration of his behaviour on the day, with expletives and all.

In response, Frederick told Roach: “You were the fire starter. You poured gasoline on an already tense situation . . . .You are in a controlled area and you are coming across as aggressive . . . so one can only imagine how you behaved on the day.

“I find you guilty, but Walcott, based on the evidence, is found not guilty because he was only trying to diffuse the situation,” the magistrate said in his ruling before adjourning the sentencing phase of the case until October 8.

The post Different strokes appeared first on Barbados Today.

A Jamaican man has been remanded to HMP Dodds until September 6 after admitting to injuring a Barbadian man who was intimate with his wife.

Alex Emanuel Golding, who resides at Watkins Alley, Suttle Street, St Michael, admitted before Magistrate Douglas Frederick today to causing serious bodily harm to Kevin Thompson on August 28.

According to Station Sergeant Samuel Hinds the two men rent apartments at the aforementioned address. However, a dispute erupted on Monday after Golding, who is in Barbados for athletic training, discovered that Thompson and his wife were involved in an intimate relationship.

In fact, Golding immediately went into a “fit of rage” and took up a shovel which he used to hit Thompson in the ear and head. He then walked into the police station with the weapon and handed it over to police.

“I went to he [Thompson] and say, ‘let’s talk man to man’. I asked he and he say, ‘no’ . .  . but he then said, ‘yes’. I asked he how many times and he say, ‘four times’. I asked: ‘You used a condom?’ Him say ‘yes’,” Golding explained, adding that, “I call my wife and confront her and we in an argument and this fella [Thompson] come and grab me up by the throat.

“I turn round and pick up a shovel and hit he. He come up to me again and I hit him again and I walk to the station,” he said before Thompson, who was in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrate’s Court, exclaimed: “Total lies sir!”

He was then given a chance to give his side of the story.

The complainant disclosed that he came home from work and was brushing his teeth when Golding approached him.

“She didn’t have no money to pay the rent and we became friends and became intimate . . . . He [Golding] turned and hit me with a shovel. I never touch the man. I went to the doctor and I get 13 stitches,” Thompson said.

In response, the magistrate pointedly told Thompson that he had crossed a line and was wrong.

The issue of compensation then came up and Thompson said he wanted $5,000 but Golding said he could not foot the bill in one payment as he was not working and was an athlete training here. He further disclosed that his apartment was burglarized on the night of the incident and that “all my money and stuff was stolen”.

He suggested that he could pay $200 every two weeks until the amount was settled, but Thompson refused the offer telling the magistrate that Golding could leave the country.

The complainant said he would accept $3,000, but Golding had no one to pay the amount on his behalf.

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A 55-year-old Guyanese man is on the hunt for a new place to stay after a rent-a-room arrangement at a St Michael home went violently wrong last Thursday.

Darrel Griffith, of Waterloo Gardens, Barbarees Hill, St Michael, pleaded guilty to unlawfully assaulting Suleman Bakharia on August 23.

The two men have rented rooms at the aforementioned address for years, but Station Sergeant Samuel Hinds said the situation has been riddled with disputes over the amenities.

On the day in question, Griffith’s wife was reportedly washing dishes in the shared kitchen when Bakharia came and dumped his dishes in the sink as well. The situation reportedly turned physical after Griffith stepped in and confronted Bakharia, throttling him in the process and pushing him onto a metal gate.

However, Griffith, who is a carpenter by trade, told Magistrate Douglas Frederick today he was only defending himself and his wife since the complainant had “an attitude”.

“This man terrorize me for the last four years . . . . When I go to use the hot water he says that Guyanese don’t know nothing about hot water. I pay $150 a week for the room. My wife was washing wares in the sink and he come and throw his wares in the sink too and she move it and he start cussing my wife.

“He advance to me with a knife . . . . He could have killed me. I did not hit him, I did not push him, nothing so,” Griffith explained.

However, Bakharia, who was in court today, gave a very different account of what occurred. He claimed he had lodged nine complaints against the accused at the Black Rock Police Station in recent times.

Bakharia also explained that he was at the sink first on the day in question washing his dishes when his liquid soap ran out.

“I went in my room to get more soap and the wife come and move my wares out . . . . Then he [Griffith] come and start throwing his hand in my face saying he don’t like Muslim people and push me. Over three years this man threaten me day in, day out and I have witnesses,” Bakharia said.

In response, the magistrate said it was clear the two men could not live in the same place, adding that the only solution was for someone to move out.

He then gave the accused two weeks to vacate the premises so “this foolishness can stop”.

The magistrate also placed Griffith on a bond to keep the peace for a month, which, if breached, he must pay $750 or alternately spend one month in jail.

Frederick also ordered Bakharia not to provoke or interfere with Griffith, who returns to court on September 13.

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Minibus and ZR drivers have long been condemned for stopping any and everywhere, mostly to pick up passengers, but sometimes for their commuters to alight from the vehicle.

Many of these drivers have been charged by police on numerous occasions, but this has not stopped the practice, deemed by many a road user as annoying at the very least.

Now, one of the organizations representing the privately-run public service vehicle (PSV) operators has come up with what it believes to be a novel idea to curb the practice: prosecute commuters too.

The Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) is contending that PSV drivers who breach the road traffic laws by stopping anywhere other than at bus stops should not have to take all the blame.

“We are somewhat disappointed that to date Government has not enacted the requisite legislation to penalize commuters, along with drivers, for stopping vehicles other than at bus stops,” Public Relations Officer Mark Haynes told Barbados TODAY this afternoon.

“This is something that we feel strongly about. We think this will help curb the indiscipline . . . . This is one of the measures . . . that Government [must move] assiduously to have this legislated, where commuters, as well as drivers, are penalized,” Haynes said.

The AOPT spokesman did not say why he felt passengers should also be culpable, neither did he suggest that drivers should simply ignore those asking them to stop anywhere but at designated stops.

However, he contended that prosecuting offending commuters would force the drivers to stop only at bus stops to pick up and set down passengers.

The PSV owners’ spokesman also said he looked forward to a ticketing system - one of the welcomed measures which Minister of Transport, Works and Maintenance Dr William Duguid said was coming as part of a series of measures to “bring back order to the roads of this country”.

During his introduction of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2018 - passed in the House of Assembly on Tuesday – Duguid said Government would do “whatever we have to do to bring order back to the roads of this country”.   

Haynes told Barbados TODAY the ticketing system was a good idea as it would ease the load on an over-burdened court system.

“We look forward to a ticketing system for minor offences - where the guy is not wearing the badges, not stopping at bus stops, not wearing seat belts; those minor offences. We think that a ticketing system would be prudent to have at this time because it saves time and it eases the already clogged court system,” he said.

“We hope going forward that Government would see this aspect of it because this would go a long way, because we know we have a court system that is clogged and we don’t want to further have minor offences that can be dealt with. If workers commit infringes . . . you just ticket them, let them pay the fine and they move on,” Haynes argued.

The spokesman also praised Duguid for some of the measures in the amended legislation, including the increased passenger capacity of the vans, stiffer penalties for lawbreakers, special licence plates for commercial vehicles and the introduction of stickers identifying those covered by insurance, as well as announced plans for random drug testing.

“The sector welcomes Government’s decision to increase the seating capacity for the PSVs. I think that is an excellent step in the right direction for which Government should be commended. We also agree with the creation of the ‘C’ symbol for the commercial vehicles. That is another thing the Government should be commended for,” he said.

At the same time, Haynes declined to engage in detailed discussion on the pending drugs and alcohol testing or loud music on the ZRs and minibuses, stating these and other matters were still being discussed.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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Assistant coach Vasbert Drakes has bemoaned the Barbados Tridents’ lack of execution and said today the hosts faced a difficult road ahead, as they attempted to rescue their failing campaign.

Tridents have lost three on the trot at their home base Kensington Oval and with just two wins in six outings overall, lie one from bottom in the six-team standings and with their chances of reaching the playoffs quickly diminishing.

“We’re definitely staring down the barrel,” Drakes told a media conference at Hilton Barbados ahead of a crucial clash against Guyana Amazon Warriors tomorrow night.

 “As I’ve said, we haven’t been able to play the cricket that we as a group are capable of doing. Having said that, we have four games [to play] and obviously we’ve got to just focus on one game at a time and tomorrow is an opportunity to play the cricket that certainly we as a group want to play and the public wants to see.”

Tridents started their Caribbean Premier League campaign positively with a convincing 30-run win over Amazon Warriors just over two weeks ago but have since lost four of five matches and have only four points.

 The Jason Holder-led side have struggled in every department, unable to strike any momentum in a powerful batting line-up led by Australian Steve Smith and also failing to hit their straps with the ball.

 Tridents have also dropped a plethora of catches during the tournament.

 Drakes assured, however, that the players were still upbeat and hopeful of a turnaround, especially following on from “frank discussions” within the group.

 “The mood in the camp is still good. It’s just unfortunate that we haven’t been able to put some wins under our belt and certainly tomorrow would be a great opportunity for us to start doing that,” the former West Indies all-rounder said.

 “Twenty20 cricket is a funny game. At the end of the day, you can have all the plans and stuff like that but on the given day you need to execute and we haven’t been doing that to our true potential.

 “We’ve had some frank discussions and very healthy debates around what is necessary for us to play the cricket necessary for us to win a cricket game so ... we can do all the talking, it’s about executing on the given day.”

 Tridents face must-win scenarios in their remaining games. They close out their five-game home leg against St Lucia Stars on Sunday before heading to Warner Park in Basseterre to take on St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

 Their final preliminary match will be a difficult trip to Port of Spain to face reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders.

Drakes said at this stage, it was important that Tridents focused on what lay ahead in terms of winning the remaining fixtures.

 “I think where we’re at in the competition we’ve just to focus on our own game,” he stressed.

 “It’s nice to know that we played some really nice cricket in Guyana [in our opening game] under tough conditions. [On Friday] for us, it’s about collectively everyone bringing our ‘A’ game and making a positive contribution to the team cause.

 “The challenge obviously for us is to create that energy, create that spirit and hope and as it relates to execution, that we are hitting our targets.” (CMC)

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One of Prime Minister Mia Mottley key economic advisers today offered a firm assurance to Barbadians that Government’s planned public sector layoffs will not be in the order of 4,000 workers.

At the same time, strong indication was given that if Government were to follow the advice of some 5,000 ordinary Barbadians as it embarks on the restructuring of state owned enterprises (SOEs), at least 1,000 workers will be laid off in the first instance.

The results of an online survey were released today by Mottley’s advisory team led by Ambassador Dr Clyde Mascoll and including other leading economists, such as Dr Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank Cleviston Haynes, Director of Finance and Economic Affairs Ian Carrington and Professor Avinash Persaud, who are also leading the Barbados Economic Recovery Transformation (BERT) plan.

[caption id="attachment_277551" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes (left) in deep discussion with fellow economist Dr Clyde Mascoll.[/caption]

Addressing reporters at Government Headquarters this afternoon, Persaud was the one who pointed out that “some have said that we should sack 4,000 workers. It is the teams view that that may solve one problem but only by creating many others”.

This is in light of recent suggestions made by former Governor of the Central Bank Dr DeLisle Worrell that a total of 4,500 workers should be cut from the public service over a three-year period.

Without referring to Worrell by name, Persaud said such a move would “break our society”.

“We cannot get to the road of success by breaking the society. That is a road to strife, it is not the road to success and so the Barbadian part of this Barbados Economic Recovery Transformation is to share this burden evenly,” he said.

Also addressing today’s briefing was Greenidge, who is on secondment from the International Monetary Fund for the next two years.

Greenidge could not say precisely how many workers would likely be displaced, but of the 40-plus state owned entities (SOEs) identified in the survey, he pointed out that “at most about 1,000” of the 2,823 employees would be affected.

[caption id="attachment_277552" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Economist Dr Kevin Greenidge (right) has the attention of Professor Avinash Persaud as he reviews a message on his phone.[/caption]

However, he said assistance would be offered to them under the Retooling and Empowering, and Retraining and Enfranchising, or RE RE, programme.

“A household mitigation unit would be set up to ensure the burden of any displaced worker is handled in a very caring and compassionate manner [and] no two persons from the same household of bread winners, for example,” he said.

Among the major recommendations coming out of the unscientific survey carried out during the first two weeks of August were the merging of several SOEs, including the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, the Barbados Government Information Service and the Printing Department for an estimated saving of $3.7 million.

As part of Government’s rationalization programme, respondents also suggested that the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex should be absorbed into the National Sports Council, while the National Housing Corporation, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the Rural Development Commission (RDC) should become one entity.

There were also a suggestion of a hike in bus fares by the Transport Board and the introduction of user fees at the Registration Department.

It was recommended that Government should renegotiate transfers “unrelated to fees” with the University of the West Indies, and turn the Hospitality Institute into a public private sector partnership. The School Meals Department would be run as a special purpose vehicle while the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation would be enfranchised and/or outsourced.

It was further recommended that the Barbados Conference Services Ltd and the Barbados Defence Force sports programme be removed from the Consolidated Fund,  while the Cultural Industries Development Authority is absorbed into the National Cultural Foundation, and the National Initiative for Service Excellence and the National Productivity Council absorbed into a competitiveness unit in the Social Partnership.

Another key recommendation was that the Student Revolving Loan Fund be outsourced, while the Barbados Agricultural Management Company and the Barbados Agriculture Development and Marketing Corporation are rationalized, and the Caves of Barbados  sold.

“The internal target is to reduce transfers and subsidies over the [18-month] period by about $115 million. But I must stress it is not about the number, it is about making the SOEs and the public sector fiscally fit for purpose,” Greenidge said, explaining that “when you go to efficiency you may lose some here, gain some there”.

He also said Government would save about $41 million in fiscal year 2018/2019 and another $70 to $75 million the following fiscal year. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb 

The post Way out appeared first on Barbados Today.

The largest source of development financing for the Caribbean and the region’s development bank have pledged to pour up to $300 million into the Barbados economy on condition that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) endorses the Barbados Economic and Recovery Transformation (BERT) plan.

Economist Dr Kevin Greenidge, a member of Barbados’ joint economic team, today announced that the Washington-based Inter American Development Bank (IDB) has agreed to provide Government with $200 million in funding, while the Barbados headquartered Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has pledged $100 million.

Greenidge did not reveal if there were any other conditions, except for the IMF’s approval next month of Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mia Mottley’s economic recovery plan.

“By endorsing the BERT programme the IMF then provides what you call a catalytic role because it has an international reputation by having 186 countries signed on. When investors see the fund sign on they then say, ‘well, this Barbados BERT programme is a doable programme and we believe the country is committed to it’, then immediately developmental partners like IDB and CDB would bring access to funds,” he said.

“I can tell you right now we have commitment from IDB of two per cent of GDP [gross domestic product], which is $200 million on [condition] that the IMF endorses the Barbados BERT programme and $100 million from CDB,” Greenidge stressed.

He said once the IMF endorses the programme international investors would be encouraged to “bring in capital to do different projects”.

“The other way the IMF provides assistance is that once they endorse the programme - and you see we have the problem on the reserves - they provide what we refer to as balance of payment support. So some funds come to help restore the reserves and that immediately goes to the Central Bank to shore it up. Again that offers a measure of confidence,” he added.

Once the country is on track to meet its targets under the plan, there would be disbursement of the agreed sum from the IMF to the Barbados Government, he said.

The IMF economist, who will be assisting the island with its economic recovery plan for the next two years, said the international lending agency would also provide technical support during the programme, which could last up to four years.

“During a programme the IMF will make available its technical expertise in reviewing whatever the country wants – its tax system . . . [and] expenditure system  - and offer ideas of how you could be efficient in different areas,” he explained.

Greenidge insisted that the economic recovery programme was 100 per cent homegrown, adding that the IMF would only “come in and ensure that it hangs together”.

Still, he explained, the IMF would hold Government to the targets to be set under the recovery plan.

“So the broad underlying parameters of your recovery programme, the BERT programme, becomes the target to which you agree within the International Monetary
Fund you are going to hit. So this gives seriousness to what the team is doing,”
he said.

Besides meeting a primary balance of six per cent of GDP, if the IMF endorses the recovery plan Government must also ensure the reserves are restored over a period of time, it does not incur further arrears, and it meets outstanding arrears – all of which would have to be done over the life of the IMF programme.

The monitoring of the economic recovery plan will have the oversight of the Social Partners, while the IMF will monitor its programme on a semi-annual basis.

Confident that the IMF will give its stamp of approval next month, Government is currently engaging a team from the Washington-based institution as it continues its negotiations.

The IMF team, led by Bert van Selm, concluded its last visit to Barbados on June 8. (MM)

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At approximately 10 pm Wednesday, August 29th, Carnival Fascination responded to a distress signal from a small fishing boat that was 25 nautical miles from Barbados. The boat had run out of fuel and was adrift.

The two fisherman, from Barbados, ages 43 and 51, were rescued and taken aboard Carnival Fascination. They received medical assistance, a hot meal and accommodations. They also had the opportunity to call their families.

“We are extremely proud of the team on Carnival Fascination for rescuing these fishermen in distress,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “Performing such a procedure at night is extremely challenging and I applaud the team for their efforts in saving lives at sea.”

The ship was in St. Lucia on Thursday where the two men disembarked and will return to Barbados. Carnival Fascination is on a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departed San Juan on Sunday, August 26.

Recently, Carnival Glory rescued a crew member from another cruise line who had been drifting in the water north of Cuba. On September 13, the Captain of Carnival Elation will be honored by the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) in Washington, DC for his team’s role in the rescue of a fisherman whose vessel had sunk in rough seas during Hurricane Irma off the coast of Freeport, Bahamas.

(Carnival Cruise Line)

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A Barbadian is among the winners of this year’s Chevening Scholarship.

He is Attorney-at-Law Mr Lorimer Denny, who currently works as a legal officer at the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited.

Last evening, British High Commissioner Janet Douglas presented the ten scholars hailing from Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, with their Chevening certificates at a special send-off ceremony at her official residence.

Mr Denny will be pursuing an LLM in International Banking and Finance Law at City, University of London.

A delighted Denny said he would use this opportunity to build on the foundation of knowledge he has acquired in the financial services industry.

He added, “A strong and well-regulated financial services industry benefits all citizens of Barbados and is a key requirement for Barbados to achieve the social and economic prosperity that it is capable of.”

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Barbados’ new Heads of Overseas Missions were announced today by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Dr Jerome Walcott during a briefing session for the envoys at his ministry’s headquarters on Culloden Road, St Michael.
They are High Commissioner-designate to Canada, Reginald Farley; Permanent Representative-designate to the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations office at Geneva, Chad Blackman; Ambassador-designate to CARICOM David Comissiong; Consul General-designate at New York, Oral Holder; Consul General-designate at Miami, Neval Greenidge; Consul General-designate at Toronto, Sonia Marville-Carter; and Deputy High Commissioner-designate at London, Reverend Charles Morris. Dame Billie Miller is Ambassador at Large.

[caption id="attachment_277569" align="aligncenter" width="463"] Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Sen. Dr. Jerome Walcott (centre, front), and Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sandra Husbands (front, right), with Barbados’ new Heads of Overseas Missions and Dame Billie Miller, who is Ambassador at Large (front,left).[/caption]

During the briefing, Senator Walcott explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been tasked with supporting the island’s restoration and transformation programme. Consequently, he said, the overseas offices would play an integral role in engaging the world in the pursuit of Barbados’ growth and development objectives.

“We will do this using our tools of diplomacy, advocacy and representation. We will work to rebuild confidence in Barbados and to restore the country’s image and reputation internationally.
“We will strengthen Barbados’ partnerships in the bilateral, regional and international arena and seek to optimize the benefits that Barbados gains from these engagements . . . Finally, we will ensure that Barbados’ global diaspora becomes and is treated as a valuable asset,” he affirmed.
The Foreign Affairs Minister reminded the new envoys that they will be representing Barbados on the international arena and as such, they needed to act in their country’s best interest.
“You are required to function as the eyes, ears and indeed the voice of Barbados abroad. You must always be aware of the national interest and values of Barbados, especially those which underpin our foreign policy, that is, respect, human rights, democratic governance and social justice,” he stressed.
Minister Walcott also advised the envoys to be circumspect in their behaviour; trustworthy, patient, open-minded and tactful while being team players within their respective missions.
The new Heads of Overseas Missions will take up their posts in early October. However, Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Elizabeth Thompson, has already assumed duties.
In addition, Noel Lynch and Milton Inniss are nominees for diplomatic postings. (BGIS)

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A number of taxi drivers here say they have one thing on their minds right now: a fare increase.

While largely ignoring the increased fines announced by Minister of Transport, Works and Maintenance Dr William Duguid when he introduced the Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2018 this week, the taxi drivers said their primary concern was the fuel tax which took effect on July 1.

They said the levy of 40 cents per litre on gasoline and diesel, which replaced the road tax, was proving to be a drain on them at a time when business was already slow.   

“We need an increase in taxi fares. That is what we want to see,” one operator who wanted to be referred to as Big Juice told Barbados TODAY.

“Give us an increase and that will take care of the increase in the fuel tax,” added Big Juice, who has operated from Accra for the past 15 years.

Most of the drivers who spoke to Barbados TODAY preferred anonymity.

However, they complained that the new road tax was already a burden, driving up the amount they spend on fuel per week by up
to $350.

The taxi drivers said prior to the introduction of the tax they spent between $250 and $400 on petrol each week. Now, they said, they were forced to fork as much as $600 per week at the pump.

“Mine is doubled. Now I put in about $600 a week,” one man shouted.

“They [Government] need to talk about increasing [taxi] fares. Business drying up,” he added.

Another driver, who wanted to be identified only as Anthony, pointed to the situation at Grantley Adams International Airport where he said taxi operators were having a tough time getting a fare.

“Business terrible,” Anthony said.

“Go to the airport between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and you will see where the people going . . . . All they going in is big [tour] buses. Taxi men park at the airport a whole day and do only one job. If they want another one they have to wait for the late one [flight] that come in. All them coaches there carrying away the people. The taxi men can’t get nuh work. That is how terrible it is.

“I believe we should get an increase in taxi fare. The situation is terrible. An increase would help us to cushion it,” he said.

Ernest Nicholls, who has been a cab driver for over two decades, would not say how much more he was paying for petrol since the introduction of the fuel levy.

However, he stressed that business was “poor right now” and the fuel tax was not making things any easier.

“Let people pay the road tax and let the gasoline stay the same way,” Nicholls said.

There was mixed reaction among the cab drivers to Government’s decision to increase fivefold, the fines for anyone found driving without basic insurance.

Under the Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2018, which was approved in the Lower House on Tuesday, the penalties for driving without third-party insurance  - or for failing to produce the soon-to-be introduced insurance sticker - increased dramatically from $1,000 to $5,000 or 12 months imprisonment, or both.

Some, such as the driver known as Big Juice, believed the changes would have the desired effect.

“I don’t mind it. You have people driving ‘bout without insurance and killing other people and getting off scot-free,” he said.

“It will force people to comply. . . I don’t see nothing wrong with it.”

However, another driver who did not want to be identified, told Barbados TODAY the increase in fines would do little to prevent the lawbreakers from going on the road.

“I don’t think it really will deter people unless they come up with a foolproof way to ensure you really paid your insurance,” he said.

“I feel it should be $10,000. It is too low . . . it should be $10,000,” another chimed in.

It was only yesterday that the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) said it would continue to demand an increase in fare for ZRs and minibuses.

“That [bus fare hike request] is still very much on the table,” Mark Haynes, the AOPT public relations officer told Barbados TODAY.

“As you know, the cost of the fuel tax [which took effect on July 1] has really placed a burden on the sector. We have that still on the table and we are in talks with the Government on an increase. We have been asked to submit proposals and we acceded to Government’s request,” Haynes stressed.

The PSV owners have complained that the fuel tax was having a devastating impact on their businesses with expenditure for route taxis increasing to $6,741 from $2,250, while minibus operators are forced to fork out $10,861, up from $3,625. There have been reports lately of a likely increase in fares from $2.00 to $3, and the AOPT spokesman said he was looking forward to hearing from Government in short order with respect to the contentious issues.

marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

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Not every public service vehicle (PSV) driver is in line with the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), which is calling for commuters to be prosecuted for boarding and disembarking from PSVs at areas other than at a bus stop.

While AOPT Public Relations Officer Mark Haynes did not completely absolve drivers for stopping any and everywhere for passengers, he told Barbados TODAY if commuters are charged it would curb the illegal practice by forcing drivers to stop only at bus stops.

However, one driver today ridiculed the idea, arguing it was up to the operators to decide whether or not they wished to deliberately flout the law.

“They do not have to stop otherwise than at a bus stop if they do not want to,” the driver, who wanted to be identified as Goose, told Barbados TODAY.

“Of course, they are to blame because they are driving it. I honestly do not think so [that commuters should be prosecuted]. If the van supposed to stop at the bus stop and they decide to stop otherwise than at a bus stop and they are caught it is all on themselves,” he said.

In addition, Goose said, it did not take a rocket scientist to figure out that the rewards were not worth the risks.

“No, seriously, it is on themselves. I know everybody looking for the extra dollar [but] you are going to stop and pick up a person and then get fine $600 or $700. It doesn’t make sense.”

The PSV operator’s views largely reflected those of commuters who spoke to Barbados TODAY about the issue, most of whom preferred anonymity.

Like Goose, one person who gave his name as Mr Gamble, said the entire situation was a matter of choice for both commuters and the PSV operators.

“That is ignorance,” he said.

“Choice is what matters. If you make the right choice there should be no consequences. Of course, we too as passengers have a responsibility as well. Again it comes down to choice. Doing the right thing. They should never be in that situation, to begin with. We have to develop a culture of behaviour, but unfortunately, we cannot normalize our beliefs and legalize morality, it comes from within,” he stressed.

The practice of stopping any and everywhere has been deemed by many a road user as annoying at the very least. One commuter today said it was one of her gripes with the PSV operators.

“They have no right to stop if it is not a bus stop. They stop here, there and everywhere and it is so frustrating. Why can’t you stop at the bus stop?” she asked.

Long criticized for their behaviour on the roads, as well as their comport, many of the owners and operators have been promising to clean up their act and improve their looks.

However, one elderly woman today raised the issue of hygiene, telling Barbados TODAY while the indiscriminate stopping was a concern, her bigger peeve was the way the drivers and conductors looked and the foul language some used.

In fact, she also took issue with the ordour emanating from many of the PSVs.

“They need to go and get uniforms. Second, they have got to make themselves smell tidy. Third, they must have the vans properly cleansed because when you get in the van it smells like they sleep in the van as it has that dope scent,” the woman said.

“I telling you people crying out about it - the expressions in their mouths -and you have children [in the minivan]. They have no respect not all,” she added.

In an interview yesterday with Barbados TODAY, Haynes had contended that PSV drivers who breach the road traffic laws by stopping anywhere other than at bus stops should not have to take all the blame.

“We are somewhat disappointed that to date Government has not enacted the requisite legislation to penalize commuters, along with drivers, for stopping vehicles other than at bus stops.

“This is something that we feel strongly about. We think this will help curb the indiscipline . . . . This is one of the measures . . . that Government [must move] assiduously to have this legislated, where commuters, as well as drivers, are penalized,” Haynes said. (LG)

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Barbadians do not appear to be flocking to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus in droves despite Government’s decision to pay for their tuition.

A UWI spokesman said an anticipated rush of students had yet to materialize, with only 200 more students having enrolled so far this year compared to the same period last year.

“We have 4,400 students registered so far. Of those, 317 are graduate studies, which surpassed that particular group’s numbers for the same time last year,” Communication’s Director Chelston Lovell revealed.

The campus had a roll of 4,837 students last year.

Since Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mia Mottley announced in her June 11 mini Budget that she would reverse the then Democratic Labour Party Government’s 2013 decision to introduce undergraduate tuition fees for Barbadians attending UWI, the campus had been bracing for a major increase in registration.

Lovell said the numbers were likely to improve in the coming days, explaining that it was too soon make a determination as registration would remain open until the middle of September.

“From what I have been told the lines at admissions are very long so it is a continuing process. Also the lines were long this week because persons got their salaries this week and were only now able to pay the $500 amenities fee,” Lovell said.

“A lot of persons applied and were accepted but we don’t actually count them until they physically come and register because so many things arise that change people’s plans. For example, they may not have anyone to look after their kids while they are at classes or they simple need some time to put other things in place. So numbers at this stage is not an indicator of interest,” he explained.

Two weeks after Mottley announced the change in Government policy, UWI Principal Professor Eudine Barriteau had said there had been an exponential rise in interest from Barbadian student.

In fact, so high is the interest, she said, that the university had to extend the application deadline for this academic year by two months.

“We are in the application season and that announcement was only made last Monday in the mini Budget. What we have seen since then is a spike in interest by Barbadian students calling to find out if it is indeed true that the fees have been removed,” Barriteau had said in response to questions during a conference themed, The UWI at 70: The Next Phase, held at the university’s regional headquarters in Mona, Jamaica.

“What we have done since the announcement is to extend the application period until late August,” she explained

The Cave Hill campus had reported a dramatic decline in the number of Barbadian students enrolling at the tertiary institution in the 2014/15 academic year as Government’s austerity measures began to take effect.

Campus Registrar Ken Walters had said at the time that overall, there had been a total of 1,468 students registering that year, down from 2,240 at the start of the previous academic year in 2013.

There was also a 45 per cent fall in graduate students registering – 477 registering in 2014, compared to 875 in 2013 – while overall student registration had dropped by 28 per cent, from 8,713 to 6,229. The number of new students also dropped, from 2, 240 to 1,468 that year.  (CM)

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The jury is still out on the future of the recently closed fire station at Weston, St James.

Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson, who is also the parliamentary representative for the area, told reporters on the sidelines of a recent tour of Parliament by students of the Gordon Greenidge Primary School that the matter would be the subject of a town hall meeting in October that will examine the development of the entire western community.

“We plan to have a town hall meeting, not only on the issue of that property [the fire station], but the whole development of Weston because Weston is an area which has tremendous potential. It is one of the most beautiful spots in Barbados and I would not like to represent any other constituency other than St James North and we will involve the people in a town hall meeting in October. That is our intention,” Hinkson said, while stressing that “the whole of Weston has to be developed in terms of concept and strategic planning to benefit the community and for the empowerment of people and jobs for the people of St James North”.

However, he could not commit to having the fire station reopened, even though he has been publicly warning as far back as April 2017 when a fire at Prescod Road, Mount Standfast, St James razed a building that housed three homes belonging to Elizabeth Richards Miller and her children, that the closure of the Weston Fire Station would leave virtually the entire north of the island vulnerable to such disasters.

Hinkson, whose Barbados Labour Party (BLP) administration was swept to power in the May 24 general elections, has therefore not sought to hide his disapproval over the manner in which its closure was handled by the former Democratic Labour Party Government.

“It has been closed 14 months ago as you know. Again I would have laid parliamentary questions asking what was the then Government’s intention with the property. We got no answers,” the St James North representative said, adding that no one in the constituency was notified about the fire station’s closure.

“Members of the Weston community were not told it was being closed. I was not told it was being closed. I regarded it as total disrespect to my constituents.

“The ironic thing is that I am now the minister in charge of the Fire Service and we are going to involve the people, as it was what should have been done in the first place with this decision,” he said, while acknowledging that the decision on the fire station’s future was not his alone to make.

“I cannot commit to the re-opening of Weston Fire Station because clearly that would be a Cabinet decision. It may very well be that we will decide to use it for some other purpose for the greater benefit of the community, but, as I said, we will involve the people in the decision and clearly after that, we will take it to the Cabinet of Barbados for the decision to be made,” the Minister of Home Affairs said.

Hinkson also emphasized that the new BLP Government intended to keep its manifesto promise of holding regular public consultations.

“We are not going to do like the previous Government and make decisions in private and impose them on the people as if it is an omnipotent will. People must be involved in the process and we have Member of Parliament [for Christ Church South] Ralph Thorne heading up the committee which is conceptualizing the development of people’s assemblies and committees in part of the decision-making process which will affect their lives,” he said. (LG)

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The sale of the abandoned Carrington Sugar Factory in St Philip is not being ruled out by the Mia Mottley-led administration, as it seriously weighs its economic options.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Indar Weir told Barbados TODAY this afternoon that while the facility was currently being used as a transit station for trucks transporting canes to Portvale, a determination would soon be made as to whether it was really serving a useful purpose for the sugar industry and for the state-owned Barbados Agricultural Management Company (BAMC), which manages Government's sugar lands.

He also said a determination would be made about the mechanical equipment at Carrington.

“We now have to look at that equipment to see how much of it we can repair rather than going to buy new equipment,” Weir said, adding that “if you were to take an audit of the amount of equipment up at Carrington that can value up to a substantial amount of money”.

He however acknowledged the need to modernize some of the mechanical equipment in order to reduce the frequency of breakdowns.

“I also have to make sure that Carrington Factory yard now is considered . . . whether or not it is serving a useful purpose for the sugar industry and the BAMC,” Weir added.

Asked what were some of the options open to Government for the future use of the property he pointed out that “nowadays you have equipment that can actually go into the fields . .  . The carriers can go into the fields, and while the canes are being harvested, they can go straight to the carriers and from there, straight to Portvale.

“You don't necessarily have to use a transit point anymore. So that's an option that we have to consider,” he said, adding that the whole thrust by Government was to achieve efficiency in its various enterprises even as it negotiates balance of payment support from the International Monetary Fund for the Barbados Economic Reform and Transformation programme. (EJ)

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A police prosecutor in the District ‘A’ Magistrate’s Court went beyond the call of duty today when an accused woman suddenly collapsed in the courtroom.

Station Sergeant Samuel Hinds immediately sprang into action after 51-year-old Hannah Elydia Reid, a diabetic, fell to the floor.

At the time, the Guyanese woman, who is jointly accused with her nephew of fraud, was about to be transferred from the court to prison where she was to be held on remand until Monday.

Hinds and others quickly stepped in and ensured that the accused was comfortable until the paramedics arrived and stretchered her off to hospital for treatment.

Reid, is jointly charged with Kelvin Richard Nixon, also a Guyanese, with obtaining goods from PMST (Barbados) Limited on August 7 by using a FirstCaribbean International Bank visa debit card belonging to Anthony D. Phillips.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge while her 35-year-old nephew owned up to the offence.

Nixon is also accused of conducting a series of transactions using Phillips’ card between August 2 and 22, including dishonestly obtaining a $12,939.30 engine from Star Products Limited; $3,632 in goods from Pro Sales; $779.98 in goods from Galaxy Fashions; $2,435.95 in goods from West Riley Electronics Company Limited; $460 in goods from Fusionz Boutique; $1,130.84 in goods from Shopsmart Inc; two airline tickets valued at $1,646.42 from LIAT (1974) Limited; $702. 36 in goods from F&B Automotive Arts; $7,150.85 in goods from Carters and Company; and $4,357.58 in goods from Cost-U-Less.

He is further accused of stealing $39,000 from Phillips’ account at the bank’s Broad Street branch, as well as laundering $82,134. 40 in proceeds of crime.

Sergeant Rudy Pilgrim objected to bail for both accused who were arrested at the departure lounge of the Grantley Adams International Airport and are deemed to be flight risks.

He also highlighted the fact that police had recovered seven barrels destined for Guyana. The prosecutor further pointed to the seriousness of the offences and the “potency” of the evidence.

“The virtual complainant held Nixon in a position of trust and he betrayed that trust. If granted bail the Crown fears that they will attempt to flee or commit similar offences,” Pilgrim told Magistrate Douglas Frederick.

However, attorney-at-law Sian Lange argued that Reid was a fit candidate for bail, as she was facing one charge for which she maintains her innocence. Lange pointed out that her client had no prior convictions, was a regular visitor to the island, had legitimate status in the country and had strong ties with Barbados as her boyfriend lives here.

The lawyer also said that the situation had taken a toll on her client who was diabetic and hypertensive, adding that she was willing to comply with any conditions the court imposed.

Nixon meanwhile did not put in an application for bail after an immigration officer revealed that he had been in the country since December 2015. He subsequently obtained a work permit, which expired in 2016, but had not regularized his status since then.

Nixon was therefore remanded to Dodds prison until September 28.

However, before that he will attend the District ‘D’ Magistrate’s Court on September 5 as two of the current charges are alleged to have occurred in that jurisdiction.

The post Double trouble appeared first on Barbados Today.

A 27-year-old man, charged with five offences, has been granted $3,000 bail.

Damian Keimar Mayers, of Sugar Hill, St Joseph, is accused of causing serious bodily harm to Ashley Edwards on August 11 with intent to maim, disfigure or disable her.

He is also accused of operating a motorcar on Tudor Street, The City, without the owner’s consent and without a driver’s licence and insurance on the same day.

Mayers was not required to plead to the indictable charge after Magistrate Douglas Frederick read it out to him, but he denied stealing a $2,500 cellular phone belonging to Edwards.

With no objections to his bail, the accused was ordered to appear in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court on September 20 to answer the three traffic offences.

He returns to the District ‘A’ Magistrate’s Court on December 20.

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The grieving family of a deceased Guyanese man say they are totally distressed, with no clear indication as to when they will receive the body of their loved one who died unexpectedly in Barbados three weeks ago.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY from her Canada home, family spokeswoman Lila Mohamed, the niece of Curtis Lindie, said she has personally had to delay her plans to travel to Guyana for his funeral with no firm word yet on when his body will be released by Barbadian authorities for burial.

[caption id="attachment_277604" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Relatives of the late Curtis Lindie, including his niece Lila Mohamed (inset), are anxious for closure following his untimely death on August 10.[/caption]

Lindie, who was in his 40s, died at his St Michael home after complaining of chest pains. An autopsy was ordered, but his family still has not been told the cause of his death.

Mohamed described her uncle, who was married to a Barbadian and has two children, as a fun loving individual who lived for his family. She also said his death came as a shock and has taken a toll on the entire unit.

“My uncle was a very loving, humorous and kind man. Family was extremely important to him and the foundation of his life. He always put people first and would share whatever little he had. All of his love goes to his family, most importantly his children. He knew how to lighten any mood with his humour,” she said, adding that “he has always brought joy to those around him and has always been hardworking”.

With the entire family anxious for closure following Lindie’s untimely death on August 10, Mohamed complained bitterly about what she perceived to be the slow response by ambulance officials to his emergency call on August 10.

She also told Barbados TODAY that the pain of her uncle’s passing had been made all the more difficult by the length of time it has been taking the Coroner’s Office to sign and release his death certificate.

“When the family enquired about the autopsy report, we were made aware that autopsies are only performed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Therefore, the following Tuesday and Thursday from the date of death would have been the 14th and the 16th of August. It is now the 30th of August and we the family are still yet to receive the autopsy results,” Mohamed said yesterday in detailing the current predicament.

She also said when they enquired about the situation, they received an email from Guyana’s Consul General in Barbados Cita Pilgrim on August 28 stating that Lindie’s body was at Waithe’s Funeral Home and that his death certificate was awaiting signature by the Coroner Office “either this afternoon or tomorrow”.

However, an upset Mohamed pointed out that “after that, the certificate goes to the registry”, adding to the delay for her family which she said has been “extremely frustrated since we are waiting to have the body transported to Guyana.

“Family members are in debt and costs keep arising from the continuous payments to the funeral home for the preservation of the body,” Mohamed told Barbados TODAY, without detailing the expenditure. However, she questioned why the autopsy, which, based on her research, usually takes less than 24 hours to perform, was taking so long to be concluded.

“The family needs answers and needs to be compensated for the inconvenience. What is the process of the Barbadian autopsy report? Why does it take so long for a coroner to sign off on a death certificate? What is causing the delay? Isn’t the autopsy supposed to be already done, due to decaying flesh? Why is it so hard for the family to get in contact with the ‘right people’? Does the Coroner know the amount of money being spent to hold the body? These are questions that should be answered,” she said.

Coroner Manila Renee is currently away on holiday and Acting Coroner Christopher Birch could not be reached for comment.

However, an official in the Pathology Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital explained that though autopsies are usually done within two days of a person’s death, all death certificates must be processed by the Coroner’s Office.

“If a person dies today [Friday] then by Monday the latest the autopsy would be done. We then send over the findings to the Coroner’s court and the family would have to pick up the death certificate through the Registry. After the information leaves here, I am not sure how long it takes. If the Coroner is conducting the post mortem it could be a little more complicated because they first must read up all of the information on the deceased then issue an order,” the official said.

Late this afternoon Barbados TODAY received word from Waithe’s that Lindie’s death certificate was received and that his widow had been informed of the development.

Owner of the funeral home Marvon Waithe also responded to the family’s concerns about the waiting period, saying it was not out of the ordinary nor was the associated costs.

“When a body is going through an autopsy there is a different process that has to be followed. As a matter of fact, we can’t even begin to embalm the body until the Coroner gives the go ahead. This means that the family has to bear the cost of keeping the body refrigerated. I think it is a case of them not understanding the process,” Waithe said.

colvillemounsey@barbadostoday.bb

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