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Ministry Seeks To Improve Energy Policy

Barbados is looking at the evolution of its energy mix.

And, Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, said it’s on that basis that engagement has commenced with the United Nations Special Envoy for Energy to look at an updated and an investment plan meant to overlay the Barbados National Energy Policy, as well as a further revision of the Integration Resource and Resiliency Plan (IRRP).

Senator Cummins made the comments at the opening of the three-day Energy Local Content Capacity Building Workshop, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, on Tuesday.

The Minister continued: “Even though our IRRP was [developed] in 2021, which is comparatively quite recent, I think we all accept that this is a fast moving industry. The developments are being overtaken by time, and the competitive initiatives of yesterday are being overtaken by the competitive initiatives of today.

“And, so even as at 2021, there is a further need for us to have updated and constantly evolving policy directions, and we are committed to ensuring that that is done over the next six months, and we expect to be able to have that ready in time for us to present at the next COP [28], later this year.”

She noted that discussions were presently ongoing with related partners on the modernisation of the electricity grid and investments in storage.

After the official opening ceremony, Senator Cummins told the media that a number of meetings had been held with local stakeholders, and the UN Special Envoy and her team. She added that internal developmental meetings were held last week with the national team, with inputs from stakeholders.

She pointed out that the necessary information had been shared with the UN Special Advisor on Energy and her team. “We are expecting that between a three to six-month timeframe, they will be in a position to say ‘2030, this is your target, this is what you need to do every year incrementally between now and then and this is what it will cost you to do it,” she explained.

Senator Cummins told the workshop that during the recently completed mission to Abu Dhabi, officials met with partners from across the world, under the framework of the United Nations.

She said Barbados will be forging new relationships going forward to ensure the island can navigate many of the supply chain challenges, as well as access skills to build capacity in institutions and among local suppliers, in an effort to forge partnerships that attract investment to Barbados.

The Minister continued: “We are simultaneously also … looking at the skills that we need, equally, to develop…. We are going to be working with one of the institutions out of Scotland to map what our education and capacity-building needs are…, to be able to position Barbados as a global leader in renewable energy.

“The jobs of the future in the energy industry are not necessarily the job of the past. The skills of the future in the energy industry are going to need to be upskilled, retooled, retrained, transformed, [and] internationalised. We are committed to ensuring that this knowledge economy that Barbados has built historically, through our education system, in a range of disciplines also, is positioned to ensure that Barbados is a world leader in the provision of top and world-class energy, and renewable energy in particular, technical competencies.” (PR/GIS)

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EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

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Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George