Established October 1895 Caribbean mourns Mandela’s passing Page 11 Saturday December 7, 2013 $1 VAT Inclusive BRING THE BENEFITS ANY partnership between the generation/distribution company, that in designing models for these know-how and financing, we the design of the PPP models, we public and private sector one major hospital and one major PPPS in such territories, they must structure them in such a must structure the necessary must be structured in such a port and as such were limited in must be crafted in such a way that way that local businesses at all access to finance for local way that local businesses can terms of their opportunities for they are inclusive,developmental levels have the opportunity businesses and micro and small benefit. public/private partnerships and participatory in nature. through the PPP design to enterprises to be able to Pointing out that unlike larger (PPPs) of economic scale, Inter- “In this regard we must ensure participate as service providers participate in the opportunities,” countries, small island states American Development Bank that while some PPPs will require and value chain suppliers. Not he said. (SIS) only had one airport, one (IDB) Executive Director for the the participation of large foreign only must we provide the major road, one power Caribbean, Kurt Kisto, stressed companies for the necessary opportunity and create spaces in BENEFITS on Page 4 Youth urged to be good road users IT is important that the youth understand the importance of road safety and have respect for the use of the nation’s roads and other road users. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Harcourt Husbands, made these comments while addressing those attending the prize-giving ceremony of the Barbados Road Safety Association’s Primary Schools’ Competition. He made the comments as he spoke of the irresponsible behaviour being exhibited on the road by several roads users including some motorcyclists, who he noted were not wearing helmets and who were in the habit of doing ‘wheelies’, which he highlighted as a dangerous practice. “We also have to address some of the failings of some of the young adults in this country and despite the best efforts of the police force, mainly the mobile division, this kind of activity continues. Winners of the Barbados Road Safety Association’s Primary Schools’ Competition, Tekyle Callender (left) and Kadrie Walcott of ROADS on Page 2 Milton Lynch Primary School with their first-place entry, which utilised mixed media. Plans for new hospital still in the pipeline By Kerri Gooding along the way. considering our next step.” important factor we have got to improvements and the Yesterday at a press He added, “Cabinet has given emphasise is that we have taken treatment, equipment and CABINET has given the ‘okay’ conference at the Sir Winston its approval to start that process the position as a Government infrastructure, staffing and to commence the process of Scott Polyclinic, Minister of in terms of examination and that the Queen Elizabeth ancillary support must be developing a new hospital. Health, John Boyce, said, “The looking at feasibility and of Hospital will be, [and] is the maintained at the Queen However, the new hospital is business of constructing a new course, the cost – how we will secondary health care Elizabeth Hospital, so that our still far in the future, and it hospital in Barbados is still fund that future institution.“ institution of the country.So all Barbadian population can be must be understood that the engaging the Cabinet in a very Speaking with regard to the the time that we are looking at properly cared for.” Queen Elizabeth Hospital real way. As recently as QEH, Boyce said it was urgent a new hospital, we understand (QEH) will not be neglected yesterday, we’ve been for him to stress that “one fully that the funding, and the HOSPITAL on Page 3 2 • Saturday December 7, 2013 The Barbados Advocate – Barbadians urged to Fewer road fatalities stay safe on the roads TO date there have been 18 road we’ve been talking to persons, we’ve portant. If you are not well rested dur- in that you lose time at the scene, you fatalities in this country for the been enforcing the law rigorously and ing a journey, you tend to get drowsy may be injured which results in time year, five fewer than for the corre- this, along with the education, may have and what follows is sleep. I always ad- away from work and a loss of produc- sponding period last year, and led to the decrease this year and cer- vise people that if they know they are tivity, so we are encouraging people to Barbadians are being urged to do tainly our efforts will continue, and sleepy, not to start to journey, it is best slow down and drive within the speed their utmost to stay safe on the we hope it continues to bear fruit,” he to get some rest before you proceed. If limit,” he added. (JRT) roads for the remainder of 2013. said during an interview with The you are on the road, especially at night, Head of the Traffic Division of the Barbados Advocate. and you become drowsy, look for a safe Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF), Noting that the world is still observ- place to stop. We have 24-hour gas sta- Inspector Ronald Stanford, said that the ing the Decade of Action for Road Safety, tions all over the place now, or you can Don’t drink Force is hoping not to see an increase in Inspector Stanford said the Force re- even go to a police station,” he said. that figure, such that it reaches the mains hopeful that Barbados can con- He is also encouraging persons not to number of fatalities for 2012, which tinue to see a decline in the number of get so involved in the hustle and bustle stood at 28. fatalities and accidents in general that of the season, that they are speeding on and drive “We hope to stay below that number occur on the nation’s road. Additionally, the highways and byways of the country. DRIVERS are being reminded not to get and well below that number, and that it he is urging drivers to be extremely “Please slow down and you will get behind the wheel if they have consumed would be a trend from here on in. The careful as they traverse the nation’s there safely. Remember, when you get alcohol. A high-ranking police officer is Police have been putting in a robust roads this holiday season. involved in a collision that will cost you also warning the motoring public that effort from the beginning of the year – “Rest between activities is very im- more time.Accidents have a ripple effect there will be consequences if they are found to be impaired. Inspector Ronald Stanford, of the Traffic Division of the Royal Barbados Police Force, issued the warning dur- ing an interview with The Barbados Advocate yesterday morning, as he urged Barbadians to embrace the slogan of the last promotion, ‘Designate One’, and identify designated drivers if they know that they will be consuming alco- holic beverages. “I would like motorists to recognise that alcohol and driving is not a good mix at all. I want them to refrain from drink- ing and driving. If you are going to attend your parties and celebrations and you are going to be drinking, have someone drive you. We are advising persons to have a designated driver and we want to see that concept really being embraced,” he said. The Inspector said that given the heightened activity that comes with the Yuletide Season, the public can expect to see stepped up patrols from the Traffic Division, who will be out in full force to control and take action against persons who are driving under the influence. “When we observe you, be sure that we will be pulling you over; if we find evi- dence that you are impaired, you will be arrested and charged; no two ways about it. It is really a problem on our roads and The team from Hindsbury Primary accept their prize from Parliamentary Secretary, Senator Harcourt Husbands. Looking on internationally it is recognised as a is President of the Barbados Road Safety Association, Sharmane Roland-Bowen. scourge that needs direct, immediate attention. I would like motorists not to drink and drive, and also not to use their Senator expresses concerns about road users cell phones while driving,” he added. The police official is urging persons if ROADS from Page 1 sorry; but the idea of liming outside of Barbados Road Safety Association for they have to use their cell phones to pull a gas station, with the fumes from the staging the competition, noting that over to the side of the road and do so, so “I am also concerned about that exhaust of cars – the attractiveness of activities like that would help educate as not to divert their attention and put group of people, young and not so that escapes me. I don’t understand it, children about what are the good and themselves and others at risk. young, who congregate outside gas sta- maybe someone can explain it to me.” bad practices as it relates to road safety “The callers have a role to play too; if tions at night, particularly on week- The Senator also expressed concern and what not to do when they become you know that someone is on the road, ends and use the streets outside the about how pedestrians traverse the older.