Government

Minister Sutherland: Infrastructural Designs Must Be Sustainable

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland, believes that by sharing knowledge and best practices, stakeholders within the construction industry can drive innovation and ensure that sustainability remains a core value in the country’s building projects.

Mr. Sutherland expressed this view as he delivered the opening remarks at the Third Barbados Annual Construction and Design Conference 2024, under the theme: “Designing and Building for a Sustainable Digital Transformation”, held at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, on Tuesday.

“Our digital transformation efforts should focus on creating structures that are not only efficient but also adaptable to changing conditions, given the increasing challenges posed by climate change. We must moreover encourage open communication and collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, and clients,” he said.

He described the conference as a significant event which emphasises the integration of sustainability with digital advancements in the construction and design industries.

“This three-day conference …comes at a critical juncture, for the construction sector. Digital transformation is more than just a buzzword; it is a fundamental shift in how we approach our work. It encompasses the integration of advanced technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), as well as the use of drones and artificial intelligence.”

He added that while tools like BIM may empower builders to visualise projects in 3D, conduct real-time site inspections, and analyse data for better decision-making, sustainability in designs and processes must also be prioritised.

Mr. Sutherland stated that Government recognises that access to stable, affordable housing is not only a basic human right, but it will also yield social benefits. He said Government is committed to having 2,000 housing solutions per year, provided between the public and private sectors.

The Housing Minister also disclosed that Cabinet had agreed to some proposed policy measures for public-funded housing, with the identification of new building designs and innovative building technologies being key among these measures.

He explained that his Ministry had embarked on a process of identifying innovative building solutions that utilise environmentally responsible and resource-efficient technologies. This will assist Government in achieving its target of providing affordable homes to lower and medium-income householders at a faster pace.

Mr. Sutherland indicated that his Ministry was also exploring other innovative and sustainable technologies that are suitable for Barbados’ climatic environment and mentioned a recent visit to the USA, where he led a delegation of public officers and private sector professionals, who observed production techniques at factories in Texas and Florida.

He said they toured a utilised building system that combines cold-rolled light-gauge steel, clad with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panels to construct cost-effective, resilient structures.

He explained that the cold-rolled light-gauge steel that makes up the frame of the structure is modelled in a 3-D software package that simulates the required environmental conditions, such as earthquake simulation and hurricane-force winds.

The software identifies any failures of the structure to ensure that it meets the required standard and then allows for all the required services to be incorporated into the walls of the structure during the modelling. On completion of successful modelling the software then sends the information to the cold roll machine where the various parts of the structural frame are produced and ready for assembly. These machines can produce all the components of an 800-square-foot house in a few hours.

Mr. Sutherland said the AAC panels have one-fifth the weight of regular concrete, have been employed as green pre-cast building material globally for over 70 years in residential, commercial, and industrial construction, provide excellent sound and thermal properties due to closed air cells in the concrete, and are fire, termite, water, and mould resistant.

“The integration of Autoclave Aerated Concrete products into our building design and construction practices can contribute significantly to a reduction in the number of indoor air quality issues we are currently experiencing, due to mould infestation.

“Its water and mould-resistant properties would provide our buildings with a much-needed layer of protection. The thermal insulating properties of autoclave aerated concrete will lead to cooler, more energy-efficient structures, and its durability will result in lower maintenance costs over the life of the structure…,” the Minister explained.

Mr. Sutherland revealed that a model house designed by an international company will shortly be showcased on the island and said his Ministry is committed to ensuring that the homes being constructed on behalf of the Government are of a high standard and capable of withstanding natural disasters.

“It is accordingly Government’s policy that any international companies desirous of providing housing for the local market should endeavour to ensure that the structures being erected can resist up to Category Five hurricane force winds, with speeds of up to 170 miles per hour,” he said. (PR/GIS)

Government

China-Barbados Relations Deepened Under Ambassador Xiusheng

The relations between Barbados and the People’s Republic of China have deepened and borne many fruitful ventures under China’s Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng’s tenure.

This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, as he expressed thanks, on behalf of the Government, to Ambassador Xiusheng, during a farewell courtesy call on Tuesday, at the Ministry’s Culloden Road office.

The Minister told the Ambassador that his tour of duty is one which he “will remember very fondly”, and since his arrival some seven years ago, the relationship between Barbados and China had deepened.

Mr. Symmonds continued: “We are grateful to you. You have a friend in Barbados. I say this very sincerely, there have been many areas where you have offered tremendous assistance to Barbados. I think that as we look back at it, the relationship between China and Barbados has grown considerably during your tenure.

“We’ve done a lot of good business together in many sectors, education, health, transportation and virtually every aspect of our sports. In fact, every aspect of our economy and society has benefitted, in particular, the introduction of the ambassador scholarship, and we want to say thank you.”

Ambassador Xiusheng said he made many friends from all walks of life during his time in Barbados and thanked the Minister and Government for the support and assistance given in helping him fulfil his role as a diplomat here.

“The cooperation between our two countries has been further enhanced and solidified. In the future, China will remain firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and be dedicated to building a community with a shared future. China will continue to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation,” the Ambassador stated.

Mr. Xiusheng, who took up the post in 2018, was the 14th and longest-serving Ambassador from China to Barbados. He was also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

Also present at the farewell courtesy call were acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Paula Byer; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer, Asha Pitt; and four officials from the Chinese embassy, including Political Counsellor, Xinhua Huang; and Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Liang Jie.

Barbados and China established diplomatic relations on May 30, 1977. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, chatting with China’s outgoing Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng, during a meeting on Tuesday

Government

BRA Investigating Data Breach

The Barbados Revenue Authority is aware that there is some vehicle registration application information circulating on the internet and social media and is actively investigating the incident.

The security and privacy of our stakeholders is of utmost importance to us. The confidence and trust that individuals and businesses have in the Authority are the cornerstones of our systems.

We are currently working with our partners and law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the nature and scope of the reported incident.

As the investigation continues we have to be mindful not to share information about the specific nature of the incident or of the security measures taken to address them, so as not to jeopardize the work of the investigators. The Data Commissioner has been informed of this incident and will continue to be updated.

The Authority understands that restricting access to the vehicle registration portal is disruptive to Barbadians, and we regret the inconvenience that these necessary precautions have caused for the public.

The Authority advises the public to remain vigilant and monitor their personal account activity and be on the alert for any unusual activity or requests seeming to come from the Barbados Revenue Authority. If persons recognize any such activity, they should report such instances to our Data Privacy Officer at privacy@bra.gov.bb. (PR/GIS)

Government

CRC Hands Over Report To President Of Barbados

The Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) presented its report today to the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

After 27 months of intensive deliberations, the CRC has completed the mandate given to it in June 2022. Chairman of the CRC, Mr. Justice (rtd) Christopher Blackman, made the presentation at State House.

Dame Sandra thanked the members of the Commission for working assiduously to complete the report.

After handing over the document, Mr. Blackman told the Barbados Government Information Service that the Commission produced a report with several recommendations for a Constitution for Barbados.

“The draft Bill, which accompanies the report, expands the provisions of the current Constitution by more than 50 per cent, with a notable aspect being the greatly expanded Chapter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. This has led to the recommendation for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission for Barbados.

“While the Commission has recommended the maintenance of the status quo in respect of matters such as the first-past-the-post outcome at elections and elections being called at the discretion of the Prime Minister, other proposals, limiting the powers of the Prime Minister on appointments and the like, have been proposed,” he shared.

Mr. Blackman added that there “are dissenting opinions on the Office of the President, in terms of whether the holder should be directly elected, and the qualifying criteria for the post, as well as in relation to the judiciary”.

He said the CRC was deeply indebted to the drafting team of retired Justice of Appeal and former Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Sherman Moore, and acting Parliamentary Counsel, Gabrielle Whitehall, for their hard work and delivering within the specified timelines.

In an effort to give members of the public an opportunity to share ideas, comments and suggestions, the Commission held several town hall meetings locally, and met with various institutions, stakeholders, and persons in the diaspora.

Senator Gregory Nicholls was the Deputy Chairman of the Commission, while the other members were: Senator Reverend Dr. John Rogers; former Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite; President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union, Mary-Anne Redman; Vice President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, Kerryann Ifill; Muslim Chaplain at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Suleiman Bulbulia; businessman, Christopher deCaires; Attorney-at-law, Sade Jemmott, and student advocate, Khaleel Kothdiwala.

University of the West Indies lecturer, Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles, served as Secretary to the Commission. (PR/GIS)