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Call For More To Be Done To Assist Vulnerable Persons

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, is calling for more to be done this year with respect to issues related to persons with disabilities, the elderly, gender, and children, although he is pleased with the progress made over the last two years.

Mr. Humphrey made this clear last week, as he addressed the start of the public lecture entitled This Is My Story, delivered by Senator Andwele Boyce, at the Grande Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, Church Village, St. Michael.

Urging those gathered to become partners with the Ministry as it tries to push for change, he outlined how this was going to be very important in 2024.

“The truth is that we still have a fight because a number of our employees do not want to hire persons with disabilities. Our policy recommends a quota that persons should have to hire, but we know that persons should be able to do that of their own free choice.

“And, we would rather have like voluntary compliance than be forcing persons to be able to do that. But hopefully, these are the kinds of things we need … and I look forward to what this year has in store for all of us and I look forward to having a better Barbados for persons with disabilities,” he said.

While also listing some achievements over the period, Minister Humphrey stated: “I believe that we have done, now, a policy on perhaps all the important things in the Ministry – disabilities, the elderly, gender, and children. We are working on the legislation…. We’ve done all of that important work, and…now there’s more conversation…. You know, we’ve just finished the Budget, and the Estimates Debate, and for the first time, I think you’re getting more conversation around social issues than you actually are around the economics of the Budget.

“And even though we may have differing views, the fact is that people are talking about it [social issues]. And that, in itself, I think is a victory because people were not talking about these issues in a central way for a very long time.”

Mr. Humphrey also expressed satisfaction with the work done earlier by the team, led by Chair of the Advisory Committee on Disabilities, Edmund Hinkson, that began “the conversation to look into the rights and improving the lives of persons with disabilities”. He noted that the draft legislation was now with the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and should soon be debated in Parliament, this year.

He further pointed out that persons with disabilities stood to benefit from the increase in the Budget, in terms of access to the National Insurance Scheme.

“We’ve given it to more people. Fifty per cent for children now; autism is going to be able to access it and persons with Down Syndrome. In fact, any person who’s severely disabled is going to be able to access that financing…. I just feel like we’re doing a lot of good things,” he shared.

However, the Minister noted that beyond all the statistics, policies, programmes, and numbers, it was necessary to hear the story of a person with a disability.

Referring to Senator Boyce’s presentation, Mr. Humphrey stressed: “I think what is going to drive policy and what’s going to drive change and what’s going to move the hearts of people, is actually the story – the authentic, genuine story of a person who has lived a life with a disability and who can share that perspective, in an honest, open way.

“And that is what this session is really about. And I believe when this story is properly told it will move the audience, but it will allow us to move policy. And those of us who have very good stories inside of us, which I really believe is all of us, we are duty bound to share those stories with the next generation, so that they can understand the struggle. But more importantly, so that they become part of the process of change. And, I believe that in listening to Andwele tonight, we will be in a position to better do that.” (PR/GIS)

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Tips For The Hurricane Season

Here are some tips to get you prepared for the hurricane season. Also find out how to keep safe before, during and after bad weather.

Before the Storm

Protect your windows from the threat of flying debris, by installing shutters.
Ensure that your roof and foundation are secure.
Check for termite damage.
Trim tree branches.
Have an up-to-date insurance policy.
Secure emergency supplies and important documents in water tight containers.
Have a portable first-aid kit.
Know the location of the nearest emergency shelter.
Monitor the amount of rainfall outside.
Secure emergency supplies and important documents in water tight containers.
Keep on hand lumber, a hammer, torchlight, masking tape, medicine, boots, rubber gloves, raincoat, nails, rope, wires, plastic sheeting, and sandbags.
Have enough water stored in sealed plastic containers to allow for cooking, bathing, washing and other domestic chores for two weeks.
Have canned foods and dried goods and a portable transistor radio.
Keep listening to your local radio station for updates and advisories.
Always have a plan for your home as well as your office.
Persons living in low-lying areas should move household items to higher levels and prepare to evacuate when the water begins to rise.
Turn off all electrical appliances.
Remove TV antennas from the roof.
Have emergency cash available.

Before the Storm – Farmers

Store livestock feed and supplies above expected water levels.
Keep on hand material such as lumber, plywood, nails, rope, wire, hammer, sandbags, boots, raincoats, lanterns and a battery-operated radio.
Store important documents in watertight containers.

Terms to Know

Flood Watch – Period during which flood monitoring, forecasting and flood warnings are carried out. During this time the probability of flooding is assessed and information disseminated.

Flood Alert – Period of intense data collection, monitoring and assessment. The possibility of flooding is present.

Flood Warning – Issued when indications show that water levels will exceed the alert level within 24 hours.

Small Craft Advisory – Issued when weather conditions make small craft operations marginally safe. Issued for moderate sea conditions, winds of 20 mph or low visibility due to haze.

Small Craft Warning – Issued when conditions are unsafe for small craft operations. Issued for tropical depressions, storms, hurricanes and rough seas.

Storm Warning – Issued for an area when tropical storm conditions are expected to occur within 24 hours or less.

Tropical Wave – Is a low-pressure trough or a weak low-pressure circulation.

Tropical Cyclone – The general term used for anti-clockwise circulations originating over tropical waters.

Tropical Disturbance – An area of organised convection in the lower atmosphere which may or may not be associated with a surface low-pressure system and which has maintained its identity for at least 24 hours.

Tropical Depression – Is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum average surface wind is 38 mph or less.

Tropical Storm – A well organised tropical cyclone has maximum average surface winds of 39-73 mph.

The District Emergency Organisations (DEOs)

The District Emergency Organisation (DEO) operates as the volunteer arm of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM. The role of the DEO is to organise and coordinate the resources of the community so as to allow for an effective response in time of crisis.

The DEO works with the community to develop and operationalise disaster prevention and disaster preparedness programs to lessen the impact of identified hazards such as hurricane, flood and earthquake, fire, aircraft and vehicular accidents and is also becoming more and more involved in the fight against environmental hazards.

Joining a District Emergency Organisation in your community is another step towards getting ready for the season. And, you receive training in first aid and chainsaw operation. Here’s how you can help.

Find the nearest DEO and become a volunteer.
If you are a carpenter or artisan you can offer your assistance.
In case of a storm or hurricane, members can assist with makeshift housing after the system has passed.

At the Shelter

The senior warden is the supreme authority in the shelter.
The senior warden can call on any occupant of the shelter to assist with its operation.
Every occupant of the shelter should be cooperative.
If a state of emergency is proclaimed at any time under the Emergency Powers Act, all persons within the shelter will be subject to the orders made under the Act and will be liable for such penalties as may be imposed for failure to comply.
The senior warden and all assistants cannot accept responsibility for anyone’s personal property. (PR/GIS)

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BLA Simplifies Annual Registration For Private Vehicles

The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) has simplified the annual registration process for private vehicles. From Monday, July 15, 2024, when private vehicle owners renew their insurance policies, they will receive an electronic notification from the BLA.

This initiative is a preparatory step for the upcoming Electronic Vehicle Tagging Registration (EVTR) system, commonly known as the EVR system, which will eliminate road tax discs and the registration stickers that were placed on the back of private vehicles.

When private vehicle insurance policies are renewed, insurance companies will send this information electronically to the BLA, and this will be automatically updated in the BLA’s database. Private vehicle owners will then receive the notification via email from the BLA confirming their registration status.

Persons will be required to provide a valid email address to their insurance company. In the absence of an email address, the registration notification will be posted. The notification should be kept in their vehicle to be presented upon request by a Police Officer or a Transport Inspector.

This new electronic process will eliminate the need for persons to make manual submissions and visits to the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA), making it more convenient for private vehicle owners. It will further ensure that BLA’s database is updated in real-time to reflect registration and insurance compliance of private vehicles as a legislative requirement.

According to Section 5(4) of the Road Traffic Act: “Every owner of a motor vehicle shall annually register the motor vehicle with the Licensing Authority on the anniversary date on which the vehicle was first registered.”

Traditionally, the registration process required vehicle owners to visit the BRA with their insurance documents to update their records, and receive a registration disc. However, since road tax was abolished for private vehicles in 2018, private vehicle registration is now onlytied to insurance compliance.

This collaborative effort amongst the BLA, the BRA and the insurance companies promises to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, and ensure timely updates to vehicle registration records, making it easier for vehicle owners to stay compliant with the law.

The upcoming Electronic Vehicle Tagging Registration system will require private vehicles to be tagged with a single radio frequency identification sticker as proof that vehicles are insurance compliant and registered with the Barbados Licensing Authority. (PR)

Local

Prime Minister Mottley Pays Tribute To Former Sports Journalist Sam Wilkinson

Today, while preparing for the funeral of my dear friend and party colleague, Herbie Yearwood, I received the very sad news of the passing of a true Barbadian sporting icon, Samuel Algernon “Sam” Wilkinson — who most interestingly, would have been known to countless Barbadians as Sporting Sam.

While Sam, the consummate sports journalist, had been out of the limelight for some time as a result of retirement, for many of us, his voice was one that will never be forgotten. When 7-Up Sam did his morning radio sports reports, he commanded as much attention as any breaking news broadcast. He stood apart when it came to sports reporting.

His was a lifetime dedicated to sports news, and he was as comfortable before the microphone producing a radio report, or facing the camera with his Cover Point television sports programme, as he was in front of the typewriter “knocking out” a cricket, football, boxing or basketball report for the newspaper.

There is no doubt in my mind that many of today’s young sports journalists owe him much, even if they have never heard his commentary or rubbed shoulders with him on the sidelines as he did his reporting.

I can say that because I know that as the first Sports Editor of the then fledgling Nation Newspaper, he set a bold new standard for sports reporting for a population that was only just coming into its own as an independent nation. Sam did for sports and sporting enthusiasts what contemporaries like Harold Hoyte and Ridley Greene — both, sadly, departed — and Al Gilkes did for news.

And as we prepare for the Finals of the ICC T20 World Cup competition at Kensington Oval on Saturday, it is fitting we recognise that when it came to commentary and informed opinion of local, regional or international cricket, Sam Wilkinson stood tall among a very select group of respected Caribbean voices. Sam’s life as a sports journalist is in many ways as seminal as the event that will take place at The Oval this weekend.

To his wife of 54 years, Judy, and their two children, Samantha and Barry, I extend sincere condolence on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados. (PR/GIS)