Government

Change Of Command And Promotions At The BDF

Effective Wednesday, September 18, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell will assume the position of Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Lovell’s appointment and promotion to the rank of Brigadier were recently announced in The Official Gazette.

In addition, Commander Mark Peterson has been promoted to the rank of Captain (Naval) and appointed to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff, while Major Julia DaBreo has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed to the post of Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment.

Also, Lieutenant Commander Derrick Brathwaite has been appointed to the post of Commanding Officer of the Barbados Coast Guard and promoted to the rank of Commander.

Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell is a highly qualified senior officer who brings to the post of Chief of Staff, a wealth of military experience, passion, energy and a vision to take the Force into the future.

His recent postings were Military Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Principal Staff Officer, Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment and Aide-de-Camp to the former Governor-General of Barbados. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, vision and strategic acumen in his various appointments.

Lieutenant Colonel Lovell will succeed Commodore Errington Shurland, who will officially retire from the Barbados Defence Force on September 18. Commodore Shurland will be promoted to Rear Admiral and continue his duties as Executive Director of the Regional Security System.

Lieutenant Colonel Lovell stated: “I am truly honoured, and humbled, by the confidence reposed in me to lead this Barbados Defence Force which comprises the bravest, most disciplined, and committed officers and soldiers in the Caribbean.

“I eagerly look forward to this opportunity to build on the successes of Commodore Shurland and to positively impact the lives of the men and women under my command. I firmly believe that, once we work together, we can overcome any obstacle in pursuit of excellence.”

In the execution of his duties, Lieutenant Colonel Lovell will be ably assisted by Commander Mark Peterson as Deputy Chief of Staff. Commander Peterson also brings to the Force a wealth of experience and a distinguished record of service to this vital role. He has demonstrated notable leadership, strategic acumen and an unwavering dedication to the mission of the Barbados Defence Force.

Commander Peterson has served as Staff Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Commanding Officer of the Barbados Coast Guard and Staff Officer, Operations and Training.

With a deep understanding of the Force’s core values and mandate, Commander Peterson noted that: “I am truly humbled and appreciative of this appointment and opportunity to serve the Barbados Defence Force and wider Barbados. I am excited about the Force’s future and look forward to working with this outstanding body of committed men and women to achieve our objectives and uphold the high standards of the Barbados Defence Force.”

As the members of the Barbados Defence Force anticipate its Change of Command ceremonial aspects, Commodore Shurland has been instrumental in strategically positioning the Force to plan for its modern operational environment, while mitigating against all threats to safeguard Barbados’ interests.

Commodore Shurland reflected that “it has been a privilege to serve with such a unique and dedicated set of people, who sacrifice daily and contribute to the Force’s mission and Barbados’ development”. He further noted that he has all the confidence in Lieutenant Colonel Lovell’s and Commander Peterson’s abilities to lead this and the future Barbados Defence Force with purposeful dedication and vision.

There will be a formal Change of Command Parade and Sunset Ceremony on Wednesday, September 18, at St. Ann’s Fort, beginning at 4.30 p.m. The ceremony will be attended by members of the Government, the Defence Board, the Diplomatic Corps, senior officials, military personnel, specially invited guests and members of the media. (PR/GIS)

Government

Barbados Statistical Service Statement On Data Breach

The Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) confirms that we recently experienced a cyber incident. Ongoing investigations suggest that the systems of the BSS were breached on October 30, 2024, and that data was obtained by malicious actors. The Data Commissioner was advised.

Within 24 hours of the intrusion into the systems of the BSS, an incident response team was mobilised and deployed by the relevant Authority to contain the incident and investigate the scope of the breach along with BSS IT staff.

The incident has been contained, systems taken offline, and the investigations, so far, reveal that most of the information involved in this incident relates to survey data gathered primarily for statistical research purposes and then aggregated. The teams are still in the early stages of their investigations and are currently in the process of restoring data and services from secured backups.

The BSS is cognisant of its obligation to preserve public trust in the very important work of this Department. We will over the coming days and weeks ensure that our systems are appropriately hardened to reduce the probability of a recurrence and will be coming back to the public to advise on any relevant action that should be taken at the individual level to stay safe online following this event. As more information becomes available, we will provide updates to the public. (PR/GIS)

Government

Finance Ministry Approves $30 Million In Tax Payments

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Investment announced that it recently released funds enabling the Barbados Revenue Authority (the Authority) to issue $30.4 million in Personal Income Tax (PIT) refunds for income year 2023 to 39,196 taxpayers. Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn confirmed the announcement.

Minister Straughn praised the Authority’s efforts in maintaining a streamlined process that facilitates the prompt issuance of refunds.

“The majority of refund payments for income year 2023 have been issued electronically via direct deposit and eligible taxpayers will start seeing the amounts on the account of their selected financial institution from as early as this week. This process reaffirms the Government’s ongoing commitment to improve its operations and to deliver efficient service to citizens,” stated Minister Straughn.

“Just under 13 percent of the refund payments processed are being issued via cheque. The cheque payment process has more layers, is a manual process and takes a longer time to process in relation to the disbursement of the payments. So persons will start receiving refund cheques through the post from the latter part of the month.”

Minister Straughn emphasised that the prompt issuance of PIT refunds aligns with Government’s commitment to a robust, citizen-centric service framework.

“The timely execution of these payments reflects our dedication to supporting taxpayers and delivering on our promises to make government services more accessible and responsive. The Barbados Revenue Authority continues to make strides in improving operational efficiency and service delivery,” he added. (PR/GIS)

Government

Barbados Has New Resident High Commissioner To Ghana

Last Thursday, November 7, Barbados’ first resident High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, presented her Letters of Credentials to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana.

This occasion marked a significant milestone between the two nations, which started formal diplomatic relations in August, 1994.

High Commissioner Bynoe-Sutherland in addressing the dignitaries gathered, brought greetings on behalf of President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley.

She thanked President Akufo-Addo for his inspirational words to Barbados at National Heroes Square, during the ceremony marking Barbados becoming a Republic in November, 2021.

In her remarks, High Commissioner Bynoe-Sutherland also focused on the ways in which the Atlantic Bridge was being rekindled through areas of cooperation in culture, trade and commerce, agriculture, life sciences and sports.

Having led the national hospital through COVID 19, the High Commissioner highlighted the successful cooperation in health between the two countries since 2019, which she said now serves as a model.

She shared insights into the positive contributions of the first two cohorts of Ghanaian nurses and the programme underway to welcome and orient the recently arrived third cohort of 155 nurses on November 3, 2024.

President Akufo-Addo in response, spoke about the deep enduring relationship between the countries. He asked that special greetings be sent to Prime Minister Mottley for her support and leadership during Ghana’s efforts around its candidacy for Commonwealth Secretary General.

As Barbados assumes from Ghana the Chairmanship of the Climate Vulnerability Forum (V20), cooperation is expected to deepen between the countries on climate vulnerability and efforts to achieve reform of the international financial institutions captured by the Bridgetown Initiative 3.0.

Senior officials of the Government of Ghana and the Barbados High Commission, along with the High Commissioner’s son, celebrated the occasion.

Also in attendance for the presentation of credentials was Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayokor Bocheway, who was successfully elected as the incoming Seventh Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, and who also joined in well-wishes to the High Commissioner and Barbados.

The new High Commissioner extended appreciation for the warm welcome received by the Mission in Ghana which was established in 2021. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Barbados’ first resident High Commissioner to Ghana, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland greets Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana.