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Monday March 8, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive RAISING AWARENESS By Marsha Gittens Foundation continuing to get message out about Cystic Fibrosis LinkedIn to gain additional exposure. He further said THE head of one local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of now know about the genetic has been featured in radio and the annual CFFB Walk/Run organisation says efforts Barbados (CFFB), Michael disease. He pointed out television programmes, in a has also assisted in getting are ongoing to increase Turton, told The Barbados presently, there are four health magazine and the more to know about the public awareness about Advocate that over the years children in Barbados who have organisation has also taken to condition. cystic fibrosis. CFFB has made strides in this been diagnosed with it. social media platforms such President and Founder of the regard and more individuals He said in the past CFFB as Instagram, Facebook and MESSAGE on Page 5

VENDING RETURNS!: Barbadians came out to shop for their vegetables and fruits in Cheapside last Saturday morning. Shoppers made sure that they were masked up as they made their purchases. Sanitise your thoughts and actions, urges Anglican Bishop ANGLICAN Bishop of expressed a hope that the slow place where we belong. That God in our lives.And to continue own being and thus for us Barbados, the Right Reverend period caused by the pandemic place and space with God and His mission and offer His love to open up hearts for any Michael Maxwell, is urging is bringing persons closer to where the ways of God are as we look to Him and look out necessary cleansing and Barbadians that as they take God. central to our lives is that level for each other and love as He unnecessary sanitization to precautions to guard against the “You know, out of this of repentance that I’m praying desires us to love.” take place as we reflect and COVID-19 virus, so too should devastating impact and havoc will materialise in our lives. Bishop Maxwell told the discern those areas or aspects they seek to sanitise their that COVID-19 is having on our “So that when we have either congregation, “This season is a of our lives that are not quite thoughts and actions. nation and on our world, I’m learned how to live with COVID- time to open up ourselves and right with God, that don’t His comments came yesterday earnestly praying that we are 19, or gain herd immunity by allow that level of zeal we demonstrate that God is in as he visited the St. Paul’s allowing this ‘slow down’ period way of the vaccine, that our new noticed in Jesus Christ, in his communion with us. Anglican Church on the third of our lives, to take us away from normal way of life will be filled love for the Father, and in his Sunday of Lent where he the marketplace and back to the with a greater zeal for glorifying love for others, to consume our SANITISE on Page 3 2 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Celebrating International Women’s Day (Message from International Women’s ons for gender equality, tremendous efforts by child care services is cru- revealed in the UN Ambassador Irwin Year. and to raise awareness of women and girls around cial to enabling women Secretary-General’s re- LaRocque, Secretary- The annual celebration the progress being made. the world to shape a more who dropped out of the cent report released in General, Caribbean affords everyone, espe- The Day also presents the just future, and highlights work force at the height of 2020.Women are Heads of Community, on the oc- cially women and girls, an opportunity to call atten- the special needs of the pandemic, to regain State or Government in 22 casion of International opportunity to reflect on tion to and address the women to recover from the employment. Research by countries, and only 24.9% Women’s Day) progress made, to call for obstacles faced by women COVID-19 pandemic. the International Labour of national parliamentar- change and to celebrate to realizing the full com- A year later,it is evident Organization shows that ians are women. There ON 8 March 2021, the acts of courage and deter- plement of their human that women are dispropor- failure to do so will further is much more work to be Caribbean Community mination by ordinary rights. tionately affected by a ris- push 47 million women done to ensure women’s (CARICOM) joins the rest women who continue to The global theme for ing incidence of domestic and girls in Latin America equal participation in de- of the world in celebrating play extraordinary roles this year’s International abuse, unemployment and the Caribbean below cision-making in govern- International Women’s in the development of Women’s Day is: ‘Women and the burden of care for the poverty line. ment and in the private Day, a special observance their communities and in Leadership: Achieving children affected by pro- Today we celebrate the sector. that was adopted by the countries. It also serves as an Equal Future in a tracted school closures. many women on the As we observe United Nations 46 years a platform to engage men COVID-19 World’. The Investments in the provi- frontline of the COVID-19 International Women’s ago in 1975, during and boys as male champi- theme celebrates the sion of quality, affordable response and recovery Day across the efforts, as healthcare Community, let us take workers, caregivers, essen- our inspiration from the tial workers, innovators, many women trailblazers community organizers, who have made a differ- and as some of the most ence in our lives in a di- exemplary and effective verse field of endeavours, national leaders in com- from politics, business and bating the pandemic. The community service, to ed- crisis has highlighted ucation, sports, culture, the tremendous value of science, technology and their contribution for engineering. Let us com- which we owe them a debt mit to redoubling our ef- of gratitude. forts to bring about a new The future is more post-COVID-19 world promising when women based on equality, mutual are equally represented respect, freedom from vio- alongside men in leader- lence and social justice. ship roles. However, It is my privilege and women are still under- pleasure to wish everyone represented in public life a happy International and decision-making, as Women’s Day.

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 3

Wickham: C’bean regionalism still has a long way to go WHILE it is important COVID response as an ex- gional airline LIAT,which the other analysts thought University of the West gional movement. to look at the ways in ample of an area that can he described as the huge that the CXC was a high Indies. “The Green Paper on which Caribbean re- be improved. “Has the re- elephant in the room.“And point; in my opinion, right Wickham also chal- Immigration Reform in gionalism has worked gional platform been more I think the demise of LIAT now, the CXC is a blot. lenged that there are Barbados is an important over the years, politi- effective in helping us to says a lot about the issues When I watch the way challenges relating to document for anyone who cal consultant Peter procure vaccines? Or have with regional transport, in which the Caribbean insularity and pointed to is interested in regional- Wickham says there we been more successful but more importantly, the Examinations Council has Barbados. “The Barbados ism to read, because it was are still a number of with what we saw was type of selfishness that now started the process Green Paper on running in the complete “serious problems” to the Trinidad, Barbados, still permeates the region of forcing Caribbean stu- Immigration Reform came opposite direction that we be addressed. Dominica ‘alliance’ that as far as these issues are dents into examination up, I believe it was 2009 assumed that we were Wickham was part of a was able to procure vac- concerned. And regional- for which they are clearly or 2010, and in my opin- going as a region. panel discussion on Brass cines from India on a ism has proven itself woe- ill-prepared, and it doesn’t ion, that was a slap in “So while I think that it Tacks Sunday where he bilateral basis ahead of fully inadequate to deal appear as though there’s a the face of regionalism. is important for us to look held a different view from time, because that seemed with that.” regional structure to har- Essentially,it was one gov- at all the great things that most of the panellists, to have been more effec- Wickham also looked ness or bridle CXC from ernment that was respon- have been happening... we noting that while the the- tive. And certainly, it was at the Caribbean running along this path, sible for the Single Market have to ask ourselves, how oretical benefits are all then from Barbados’ sort Examinations Council it tells me that regional- and Economy saying, can our regional institu- “peaches and cream”, they of goodwill and Dominica (CXC), of which he noted ism is in some problems,” ‘Look, I have some con- tions be engineered to don’t always mesh with to share some of those he is “very unhappy” at he said, adding that he cerns,’ and they were es- have to respond to some reality. vaccines around.” this time. could write a thesis on the sentially looking to turn of these major challenges The analyst used the He also referred to re- “And I noted that one of challenges facing The the clock back on the re- that are facing us? And this list of things that I issued is just really the start. What are we doing ‘Keep close to God’ at the regional level to be SANITISE from Page 1 enthusiasm that exists able to deal with the real- within their hearts for ities of life in 2021?” he “Be it the sanitisation God at this time. “Are we queried. (JH) of our minds, freeing on fire for God? Are we them of all of those neg- lukewarm towards Him ative or ungodly or cov- and more zealous for the etous or uncharitable marketplace and the Petroleum thoughts that we have things of this world that been holding on for some take our focus away from time, and leading us God? As our lives become price down the wrong path of congested and cluttered life, or into fractured re- and confused with the adjustment lationship with others, cares of money and those self-indulgent wealth and pleasure and for March thoughts that have been running out of selfish distracting us from living goals and keeping up CONSUMERS will be the life that God really with the Joneses – is that paying more for some wants us to live and to be where we are positioned? petroleum products, able to relate well with “Even now, my friends, from midnight, Sunday, others. for Jesus also informs us March 7. “The sanitisation of our in his great sermon on the Gasoline will retail at words and bridling of mount. And even as he $3.57 per litre, diesel the tongue, from bearing would have exemplified at $2.82 per litre, and false witness against our in his own life and min- kerosene at $1.18 per neighbour, or issuing a istry, that as we seek first Anglican Bishop of Barbados, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell, preaching at litre, increases of $0.18, deceptive, harsh, slander- the kingdom of God and the St. Paul’s Anglican Church yesterday. $0.10 and $0.09, respec- ous, and a piece of utter- His righteousness, that tively. ances that damage the all other things needed recent challenges faced and He will keep close to with Him, but rather to The price adjustment character, the lives and for our lives will be added in his own life. “...He us to never lose that zeal seek first His kingdom. is in keeping with the the livelihood of others.” onto us.” has supplied my needs, for His presence in every Always have that as landed price of petro- Bishop Maxwell also Bishop Maxwell says my friends, to make it situation of life, and not to our goal in life,” Bishop leum products on the in- called on Barbadians he wholly believes this, through the rain. So the allow those contaminants Maxwell encouraged. ternational market. to consider the level of particularly in light of the key is to keep close to God to infect our relationship (JH) 4• Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 5

Alleyne continues to spread awareness of painful condition ...in support of International Women’s Day 2021 TODAY as women around the globe cele- brate and are elevated on International Women’s Day, a local group will be continu- ing its mission to raise awareness to an often debilitating condition which affects 1 in 10 women and is some- times misdiagnosed. Executive Director of the Katrina Endometriosis Fund Association (KEFA) of Barbados, Katrina Alleyne and her group of committed “endo- lionesses” have started the month of March with a bang, painting social media yellow as their awareness campaign of endometriosis kicks into high gear. Endometriosis is an The image being used to spread awareness about KEFA Executive Director, Katrina Alleyne, will continue her endometriosis aware- often painful disorder in endometriosis. ness drive today, International Women’s Day. which tissue similar to the tissue that normally with each menstrual to stick to each other. cited about endometriosis current reality of the lifemaskup246.” lines the inside of your cycle. But because this Alleyne lamented that sensitisation. In March of COVID-19 pandemic This, Alleyne explained, uterus – the en- tissue has no way to exit there is still a level of this year, we will be again where mask usage is will bring further aware- dometrium – grows your body, it becomes taboo as it relates to talk- carrying out our annual mandatory. Therefore, if ness to this unpleasant outside your uterus. trapped. When en- ing about and treating events for Endometriosis we must wear a mask, and debilitating disease. Endometriosis most dometriosis involves the painful periods and the awareness under the why not help by wearing “‘Scarred not Shattered’, commonly involves your ovaries, cysts called en- team will seek to share theme ‘Suffering Before it for a cause by utilising which I am also a part ovaries, fallopian tubes dometriomas may form. a wealth of information Diagnosis’. it to bring awareness to of with Tamika Newton and the tissue lining your Surrounding tissue can from persons living with “For endometriosis endometriosis.” and Lisa Belle, will be pelvis. become irritated, eventu- endometriosis and other awareness this year, She explained that the collaborating with the With endometriosis, the ally developing scar tis- healthcare professionals KEFA would like to have objective is to wear a yel- foundation for the month endometrial-like tissue sue and adhesions – ab- through a series of virtual an awareness campaign low mask during March, of March and also looking acts as endometrial tis- normal bands of fibrous discussions. called the ‘Yellow Mask which is expected to high- forward to International sue would – it thickens, tissue that can cause According to Alleyne, Campaign’. The cam- light and sensitise per- Women’s Day.” breaks down and bleeds pelvic tissues and organs “KEFA Barbados is ex- paign is based on the sons to the condition. The Discussions will be held campaign will run from every Friday night at March 1–31. “Those wear- 8 p.m. on Zoom links, ing the yellow mask, which will be found on COVID-19 update: 21 new cases, 61 recoveries persons will post pictures social media pages Scars THE island recorded 21 and videos across social and KEFA, Katrina new positive cases of media platforms and use Endometriosis Fund COVID-19 on Saturday, the hashtag #yellow- Association or Scarred March 6, while 61 people maskcampaign and endo- not Shattered. have recovered and were released from isolation. The new cases were identified out of the 475 ‘There’s no cure tests completed by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. The for Cystic Fibrosis’ number of active cases is MESSAGE from Page 1 Wildey Gymnasium and 433. previous ones, we would The 21 positive persons Turton said raising have had 700 or 700- comprise 10 women and awareness “was one of plus”. 11 men. Nine of them our main objectives and He added, “We continue had already been at the we were able to achieve to push the message and Harrison Point Isolation that and continue to. to educate people on what Facility undergoing as- Having a Walk/Run, we cystic fibrosis is and how sessment to determine targeted the business there is no cure for it so whether they were newly community and I think it could just be managed positive, or had COVID- our first Walk/Run we and some of the things 19 in the past and were had about 300 persons, that can go [on]. We try to no longer infectious. The that was back in 2014 educate persons to let other 12 persons are To date, a total of 48,886 vaccinations have been administered – 20,549 men and every person that them know that it is not a Barbadians. and 28,337 women. wore a shirt that said cys- disease that anyone can Barbados has recorded tic fibrosis is another way catch from anyone. It is 3,285 confirmed cases – deaths from COVID-19. There were 393 persons To date, a total of for us to get the message a genetic disease, you 1,550 females and 1,735 The public health lab- vaccinated on Saturday, 48,886 vaccinations have out there. Year before, we have to be born with it males – and 2,815 per- oratory has completed as part of the National been administered – would have had near to and they continue to do sons have recovered. 130,064 tests, since Vaccination Programme 20,549 men and 28,337 700 persons at that event research in trying to ad- There have been 37 February 2020. for COVID-19. women. and that was held by the dress the defect genes.” 6 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Caribbean tourism leader The great value of women lauds women’s contributions (Message for International Women’s Adonijah also urged us to “show appre- Day 2021 by Hadford S. Howell MBE ciation, love, consideration, stop the JP, Chairman, National Council on exploitation… It’s time to take a stand to fighting COVID-19 Substance Abuse, Barbados) (because) woman helped to build this nation, she helped it to advance… MIAMI, United States – Caribbean I AM delighted for this opportunity to Without her, the human race is gone…” women are being celebrated for the ef- offer congratulations to women of all Adonijah was on point nearly forty forts being made in helping the region’s walks of life on March 8th, the day des- years ago. Others who have also recog- countries and territories combat and ignated as International Women’s Day nised the worth of women include our recover from COVID-19. (IWD) 2021. Since 1911, IWD has been own Rihanna: “There’s something so In a statement to mark International that day annually when we celebrate special about a woman who dominates Women’s Day that will be observed and recognise, on a worldwide basis, in a man’s world. It takes a certain today, the Acting CEO and Director women’s achievements – historical, so- grace, strength, intelligence, fearless- General of the Caribbean Hotel and cial, familial, cultural, economic and ness and the nerve to never take no for Tourism Association (CHTA), Vanessa political. Raising awareness of an answer.” Mother Theresa once said: Ledesma, called for a greater com- women’s issues – particularly related “I alone cannot change the world, but mitment to equality, asserting that to equality, and lobbying for increased I can cast a stone across the waters to Caribbean women have been at the gender parity, are also core objectives create many ripples.” Serena Williams frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis, of IWD. And rightly so. IWD colours has opined: “Every woman’s success working tirelessly to ensure hotel and are purple (for justice and dignity), should be an inspiration to another. tourism facilities and communities green (for hope), and white (for pu- We’re stronger when we cheer each remain safe and secure during the rity). other on.” pandemic. This year’s IWD theme is “Choose So, how can, or should we celebrate “Our colleagues in the tourism and to Challenge”, while the UN Women’s IWD 2021? By writing and perform- hospitality sectors are exemplary and theme is “Women in Leadership: ing more positive calypsos celebrating effective leaders in protecting our Achieving an equal future in a COVID- women’s successes and contributions destinations and strengthening our 19 world”. The ongoing pandemic has to our society? By appointing more communities during this extraordinary seen women serve on the forefront of senior female business leaders, profes- time,” Ledesma stated. the COVID-19 fight, for example, as sionals, entrepreneurs, church and “Many of them worked with signifi- health and wellness workers, care- public service leaders? And what about cantly reduced resources for much of givers to seniors, educators to our our invaluable home-makers? As a the pandemic… They should be recog- schoolchildren, as heads of women’s husband, father and godfather, I nised alongside their colleagues in organisations, across the public serv- remain convinced of the great value health care, caregiving, and community ice, business sector, and in politics of women within our society and organising for their effective mobilisa- as Heads of Government in a mix welcome scenarios to celebrate female tion to resist the pandemic.” Acting CEO and Director General of European, African, Asian and contributions and achievements in Observing this year’s theme, “Women of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Caribbean countries. Barbados, our Caribbean region and in Leadership: Achieving an equal fu- Association (CHTA), Vanessa Ledesma. Where would we be without women? around the world. ture in a COVID-19 world”, Ledesma Right here at home in Barbados, our I look no further than to our agency, noted that while the tourism sector in CHTA continues to invest in the next Governor General and Prime Minister the National Council on Substance the Caribbean has made strides in generation of female leaders through are women of great note. In prepara- Abuse (NCSA). The Permanent recognising the value of women, more its Young Leaders Forum initiative. tion for this year’s IWD message, I re- Secretary from our parent Ministry, is remains to be done to build an effective According to the CHTA leader, it is flected on the immense value women female. As is our Manager. Sixty and enabling environment for women to time to move “forward together” beyond have provided (and continue to pro- fifty per cent of NCSA staff and Board assume more leadership positions. COVID-19. vide) in our inclusive Barbadian soci- Directors are women. The role women “The responses of the region’s tourism “We have to tap into the wealth of ety.A 1985 Pic-O-De-Crop Finals song play in the NCSA’s ongoing work is sector to the crisis reinforce our con- experience and strength women have entitled “Woman”, was performed hugely valued and as such contributes tention that the different experiences, displayed during this global crisis, and by renowned calypsonian, Peter significantly to the output of this im- perspectives and skills women bring to we must ensure the perspectives of ‘Adonijah’ Alleyne. It contained these portant national agency. the table strengthened markedly the women are integrated into the formu- chorus lines: “To me, she is mother of Congratulations again to women Caribbean containment of the novel lation and implementation of policies my children, bearer of life, my queen, everywhere on International Women’s coronavirus,” she said. and programs at all stages of the ongo- my friend, my woman, my wife… Come Day 2021. I wish you all continued suc- According to the United Nations, the ing pandemic response as well as our walk with me, hand in hand, to guide cess, health and happiness for the rest majority of countries that have been recovery,” she said. the youth into the promise land.” of 2021 and beyond. Stay safe! more successful in stemming the tide of COVID-19 and responding to its health and broader socio-economic impacts are headed by women. For instance, heads of government in Jessica Cummins – A girl boss chef among men Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand and Slovakia have been widely recognised for the By Leah Howell The aspiring private chef and owner practised recipes and timed her down rapidity, decisiveness and effectiveness of ‘JC’s Perfect Treats’ says that put- to the last minute, to perfect her win- of their national response to COVID- FOR Jessica Cummins, indulging in a ting smiles on her customers’ faces is ning dishes, like her aubergine and 19, as well as the compassionate com- bowl of chow mein brings her back to at the heart of what keeps her cooking, tofu milfoy with a coconut curry sauce. munication of fact-based public health the dawn of her passion for food. From along with a need to show the world But as Chef Reece says, it’s her “raw information. her youth, the rising star chef culti- that women can do just as much in the talent and exceptional skills” shown Despite these impressive facts, vated her budding skills in the kitchen kitchen as men. throughout her school days that pre- women are heads of state and govern- alongside her grandmother, whipping “I would like to challenge the idea pared her for this challenge. ment in only 20 countries worldwide, up everything from sweet breads and of there being more male executive Though Jessica says that she with only a handful of females holding stews to her favourites – Asian-style chefs ... or chefs in general because the doubted herself at times, her dedi- such positions in the Caribbean. chow mein and cheesecake. females can do just as much as the cation to her craft and hard work led Ledesma noted that gender diversity Since then, the second-year Culinary males,” Jessica says. her to vanquishing the stiff competi- at all levels of management and leader- Arts student at the Barbados While men still make up the major- tion at the YCO 2021 and ultimately ship positions also provides competitive Community College’s Hospitality ity of those working in the culinary becoming a better-rounded chef in advantages. Institute (BCCHI), has been blazing a industry today, Jessica sees this as a the end. “This has been confirmed during the trail of her own in the industry, lead- chance to outshine her competition When asked what advice she would pandemic response, so we need to create ing her to a gold medal win in Cooking and motivation to leave her mark on give to those following in her footsteps, the right conditions to ensure the out- at the WorldSkills Barbados (WSB) the world. she says that lots of research, practice standing contribution of women to the Competition last year and grabbing To become an award-winning chef and developing your skills can help health and safety of the region will be the Best Young Chef Ambassador and didn’t come easy for Jessica. She says you to showcase who you are on the enlisted and installed in the highest ex- the Spirit of the Competition awards at that it took weeks of gruelling prepa- plate and show those around you that ecutive levels of hospitality and tourism the Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2021 ration with her mentor and teacher, you are capable of everything. organisations,” she stated, adding that in February. Chef Tremaine Reece. Each week they (PR/TVET Council Barbados) The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 7

Consequences could extend beyond health crisis WOMEN from Back Page

Another factor that has affected and, even more, may impede women’s job re- covery prospects, is the growing difficul- ties of reconciling paid work with family responsibilities. They face a context where educational and care services have been deeply affected and altered hand in hand with health measures for distanc- ing and reducing the mobility of people. “The pandemic, on the one hand, high- lighted the vital importance of these tasks. On the other hand, it further exac- erbated tensions regarding the reconcil- iation between labour market work and family responsibilities.To all this must be added the increase in teleworking and work at home in a context of closure or suspension of care spaces associated with confinement and physical distancing measures,” explained ILO Regional Employment Specialist, Roxana Maurizio. According to the ILO, the consequences can extend beyond the health crisis, if Vinicius Pinheiro, ILO Regional due support is not generated from the Director for Latin America and the public care systems (for the sick, the Caribbean. elderly and children) and the face-to-face school system, which facilitate the re- ficulties for their reintegration into work turn of women to the labour market. in the future.Thus, the regional economic In turn, the significant increase in the crisis may even have more permanent under-utilisation of the labour force dur- impacts if suitable socio-labour policy ing 2020 may also generate greater dif- responses are not implemented. 8 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate ‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’ Editorial Brexit: Lord Frost accuses EU Moving forward of ‘ill will’ over UK exit THE UK’s lead Brexit implement the so-called Ireland, increasing tensions Northern Ireland into minister has called on the Northern Ireland Protocol. with the EU. further instability". with EPA EU to “shake off any The Cabinet Office Earlier this week, the UK The party’s shadow remaining ill will” over the minister added that the extended a grace period on Northern Ireland secretary PERHAPS no other topic on Caribbean international UK’s decision to leave the measures were justified by new checks on food Louise Haigh said it could trade relations has evoked as much discussion as has organisation. the “fragile” situation in products from the end of mark out the region as “the the CARIFORUM - European Union Economic Lord Frost said the EU’s Northern Ireland. March to October, without arena for wider UK-EU Partnership Agreement (EPA). previous threat to block “They are about the prior agreement of the conflict for years to come”. Spawned just under 14 years ago, this arrangement vaccine exports had protecting the everyday EU. was designed to be the template for future relations “significantly under-mined” lives of people in Northern It then delayed the Vaccine exports row between Europe and its former colonies in the post-Brexit measures in Ireland, making sure they introduction of similar Lord Frost blamed the Caribbean. Northern Ireland. can receive parcels and buy checks on parcels, which EU for increasing tensions Yet to this day the Caribbean has not come to terms He insisted the UK’s the usual groceries from had been due to come in on over the issue with its now- with it and now appears to be languishing where unilateral move to extend the supermarket. 1 April, until the same abandoned threat to use that deal is concerned. grace periods on border “Without this threat of month. the Protocol to control It is often said that of the CARIFORUM states, only checks was legal under the disruption, we can continue The logistics industry Covid vaccine exports. the Dominican Republic has seen it fit to capitalise on Brexit trade deal. our discussions with the had said it was not ready to The EU announced the the EPA offerings and is benefiting, unlike the other The EU disputes this, EU to resolve difficulties deal with that volume of move in January, saying it countries. and is preparing to launch arising from the Protocol new administration. The would prevent Northern Signed into law in 2008 in Barbados, the EPA offers a legal challenge. constructively,” he added. grace periods mean Ireland becoming a our countries along with the Dominican Republic and The UK has said it will Northern Ireland has procedures will not yet be backdoor for jabs to be sent Haiti, opportunities for a new trading relationship delay new checks on goods remained a part of the EU’s fully applied. to the UK mainland. with Europe. arriving into Northern single market for goods,so Boris Johnson said But it later abandoned Compared to other free trade agreements, EPAs are Ireland from Great Britain, products arriving from implementing the Protocol the plans, following fundamentally instruments for development, agreed as part of the UK’s Great Britain have to was “one of those issues we condemnation from comprising assistance regional integration, improved withdrawal deal. undergo EU import were always bound to have London, Dublin and governance, social development, regulatory EU Commission Vice- procedures. in the early stages of our Belfast. upgrading, environmental sustainability and trade President Maros Sefcovic Both sides agreed the new relationship with our Lord Frost said the negotiation capacity building. has called it a “violation” of arrangement as part of the friends in the EU". threat had “significantly At the core of the CARIFORUM-EU agreement, the part of the deal relating Brexit withdrawal deal, to Speaking on Sunday, he undermined cross- are provisions for this region to get our goods and to Northern Ireland and avoid the need for border said there remained community confidence in services into the European market. Financial said legal action was checks between NI and the “various technical issues” the Protocol”. assistance is also a provision; there is a proposal to imminent. Republic of Ireland. the UK was hoping to “iron He added he wanted to further regional integration through building up the Writing in the Sunday But it has led to out,” but he was optimistic work with the EU towards Caribbean Single Market and Economy; there is a Telegraph, Lord Frost disruption to some food about the future “common goals” after the long phase-in period to open our markets to goods and insisted the delayed border supplies and online partnership. UK formally cut legal ties services from Europe; and for our services providers checks was a “temporary” deliveries from Great But Labour has said the at the end of the Brexit to seek out business in the vast EU market. measure justified to Britain to Northern move risks “plunging transition earlier this year. However, the main problem with the EPA is that Caribbean states, Barbados among them, have not fully utilised the arrangement which 13 years later is a sad position to be in. US pastor on leave after Melania Conferences, economic discussions, seminars, and many other means have been used to generate interest but at the end of the day the EPA remains there. Trump ‘trophy wife’ comments Apart from those efforts, deliberations at the region A BAPTIST preacher in of a distracted boyfriend like jogger bottoms and then commented on the level including Heads of Government Summits, Missouri has gone on to tell women not to “give pyjamas, before turning video, accusing Mr Clark commentaries, and pleas by the EU for the Caribbean leave after a backlash him a reason to be looking to “weight control” and of sexism and misogyny. to work on the agreement have seemingly failed to get over comments he made around”. referring to one woman as Outrage over the the process going. about women’s He tells churchgoers “a sumo wrestler”. sermon led General At the domestic level the matter has been dealt with appearances. that it is “really “Don’t ever forget this, Baptist Ministries, the in the Barbados Parliament. Pastor Stewart-Allen important” for men to God made them to look denomination to which One MP was reported as saying in Parliament,“this Clark drew scorn for a have a beautiful woman and you want them to his Malden First General EPA has been with us for many years, we have been sermon offering advice to on their arm, asking the look at you – not some Baptist Church belongs, provided technical and financial support from the wives he said would stop crowd: “Why is it so many hottie out there or to address the matter on EU and others to ready ourselves, much expenditure their husbands becoming times that women, after someone on a computer Facebook. has been incurred by Government to establish EPA “distracted” by other they get married, let screen,” he is seen telling “General Baptists Implementation Unit, providing free advice and women. themselves go?” parishioners. believe that every woman facilitation, we have had seminar after seminar, and It included comments “Now look, I’m not The pastor’s marital was created in the image yet my friends, we are still talking and not doing.” about Melania Trump saying every woman can advice then turns to of God, and they should He wondered therefore whether it is perhaps the whom he described as be the epic trophy wife of make-up, hairstyles, be valued for that reason,” nature of Barbadians to sit and wait for everything to “the epic trophy wife of all all time like Melania fashion tips and sexual they said in a statement. drop into our lap and for all opportunities to be shovel time”. Trump, I’m not saying intimacy. They said he had ready. The pastor’s General that at all,” he says, as an Most of his comments resigned as a moderator The result of all of this is that our exports to Europe Baptist denomination has image of the former First can be heard getting a for a meeting scheduled are not growing, CSME is going nowhere, the private admonished him for his Lady appears on screen muted response from in July 2022, but clarified sector here and across the Caribbean seemed not too comments. behind him.” those in the audience. that they had no enthusiastic when in fact they are the ones to engage A 22-minute video of “Most women can’t be The video was posted control over his in trade, and the preparation of economic sectors for his February sermon was trophy wives, but you online by a woman who employment. the EPA and subsequent competition is still not done. shared on Facebook, know... maybe you’re a said she was angry after The 55-year-old pastor’s Later this week Caribbean Export will be hosting where it has been viewed participation trophy.” hearing him allegedly church told KCTV, a local a three-hour discussion on the EPA. Topics will thousands of times. Pastor Clark then preach similar messages CBS affiliate, that he was include the EU-CARIFORUM trade, lessons for In it, he is seen using a criticises women for last week. now on leave and in trading in goods and services under the EPA, and well-known online meme wearing casual clothes Thousands of people professional counselling. among other things, defining ownership of the agreement. Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes Hopefully the outcome to the deliberations will be Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke E-mail Address: [email protected] the turning point for embracing the EPA. Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 9

Political, legal black sheep to be targeted CHINA has launched a nel to enable the building and drug rehabilitation he said. illegally dealing with com- duce them to nothing at nation-wide operation up of public trust. centres. All political and legal mutation, parole and pro- all, Guo said, adding that to rectify problems in Guo said that while The second phase, from departments have been bation, will be targeted. punishment must follow the country’s political most political and legal August to the end of asked to accurately iden- The operation will also relevant regulations and and legal system and personnel can be trusted October,will inspect polit- tify and review prominent address deep-seated trou- procedures and avoid remove black sheep. by the Party and the peo- ical and legal commissions issues and dig out the in- bles exposed by a crack- wrongful convictions. At the launch of the ple, there are still some and departments at the depth causes to eliminate down on organised crime, The national leading campaign in Beijing on problematic areas. central and provincial the soil breeding such and all divisions of the group for the rectification Saturday,Guo Shengkun, The campaign will be levels. problems. political and legal system campaign has set up a head of the Communist carried out in two phases. The campaign will focus Problems such as per- will be inspected to platform for reporting vi- Party of China Central The first, to the end of on chronic problems in the sonnel refusing to file thoroughly investigate olations by political and Committee’s Political and June, is targeting political political and legal system cases or investigate regis- “protective umbrellas” legal personnel, and all Legal Affairs Commission, and legal commissions that affect the fairness of tered cases and violators’ for organised crime and local authorities will set urged the rectification of and departments at the law enforcement and the guilt, as well as judicial corruption in law enforce- up similar platforms. deep-rooted problems in city and county levels, as judiciary and adopt tar- officers inappropriately ment and the judiciary, The commission the system and its person- well as provincial prisons geted countermeasures, contacting lawyers and Guo said. launched a five-month People who conduct self- pilot rectification cam- examinations and turn paign in July focused on themselves in will receive 35 units with 16,000 per- more lenient punishment, sonnel, with 2,247 of them but violators who refuse penalised for various vio- to confess and are subse- lations. quently uncovered by the Authorities in Harbin authorities will be strictly – capital of Heilongjiang penalised. province and one of the All departments have pilot cities – combined the been asked to explain the rectification campaign policy well to staff mem- with the crackdown on bers, with leading cadres organised crime and expected to take the lead smashed a Mafia-style in self-inspection. gang. They captured 58 Leniency for those con- gang members and their fessing to violations will “protective umbrellas”, have its limits, and it can- and seized assets worth not make their mistakes 240 million yuan ($37 mil- sound less serious or re- lion). CPPCC spokesperson calls ‘vaccine diplomacy’ claims ‘narrow-minded’ Guo Weimin, spokesman of the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, speaks during a news conference via video link in Beijing, on March 3, 2021. [PHOTO BY ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY] IT is “very narrow- “China has sworn to minded” to perceive provide vaccines as a China’s action of provid- global public good, and ‘Attempts to boycott Beijing Olympics will fail’ ing COVID-19 vaccines encourages Chinese com- and related assistance to panies to collaborate ATTEMPTS to boycott spokesman for the fourth the Beijing 2022 Games foreign leaders, includ- other countries as a tool with other countries the Beijing 2022 session of the 13th are against the spirit of ing officials from the for gaining geopolitical when developing and Olympic and Paralympic National Committee of the Olympic Charter. International Olympic influence, Guo Weimin, producing vaccines.” Winter Games are vain the Chinese People’s “We believe such ac- Committee, have voiced the spokesperson of the China has also joined efforts that are doomed Political Consultative tions will not win the their opposition to such fourth session of the 13th COVAX, a global initia- to fail, a spokesman with Conference, said during support of the interna- actions, and prepara- National Committee of tive aimed at promoting China’s top political a news conference that tional community,” he tions for the Games are the Chinese People’s equitable access to advisory body said on actions by certain for- said. “Such plots are not going smoothly in spite Political Consultative COVID-19 vaccines. Wednesday. eign politicians to politi- going to prevail.” of the COVID-19 pan- Conference, said during “China engaging in in- Guo Weimin, a cise sports and disrupt Guo added that some demic. a news briefing on ternational co-operation Wednesday. on COVID-19 vaccines is As of the end of for helping the global February, China had pro- community overcome the China tops in WIPO patent bids vided COVID-19 vaccine pandemic. It is a mani- related assistance to 69 festation of the princi- CHINESE patent filings China filed 68,720 ap- cent, and Germany with giant Huawei countries and two inter- ples of building a com- via the World Intellectual plications, up 16.1 per cent 18,643 applications, down Technologies was the top national organisations, munity with a shared Property Organisation year-on-year, and re- 3.7 per cent. filer of applications for a as well as exported vac- future for mankind,” he continued to grow last mained the largest user Patent Co-operation fourth consecutive year in cines to 28 countries, said. year despite the COVID- of the WIPO’s Patent Co- Treaty applications are 2020. Guo said. “These num- Guo said the COVID- 19 pandemic, showing operation Treaty,a system a widely used metric for Five of the ten academic bers are also growing.” 19 pandemic is still rav- strong perseverance in that assists applicants in measuring innovative ac- institutions around the “Vaccine is a crucial aging many countries. innovation, according to a seeking patent protection tivity.Total international world with the most ap- tool in our effort to pre- “China is willing to work WIPO report released on internationally. patent applications filed plications last year were vent, control and ulti- with other nations to Tuesday. The US followed with via the system grew by from China, including mately overcome the tackle and prevail over China and the US were 59,230 applications, up 4 per cent last year to Shenzhen University in pandemic, as well as an the pandemic as soon as the two leading users that 3 per cent year-on-year. 275,900, a record high de- Guangdong province, important subject for possible, and contribute saw marked growth in Other major users include spite an estimated drop in Tsinghua University in international anti-pan- more to protecting the patent filings in 2020, the Japan, with 50,520 appli- global GDP. Beijing and Zhejiang demic co-operation,” he lives and health of people report said. cations, down by 4.1 per China-based telecom University in Hangzhou. said. around the world.” 10 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

GOVERNMENT NOTICE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Licensing Authority Institution: Inter-American Development Bank reengineering and change management. Country: Barbados Project: Public Sector Modernisation Programme 5. The consulting firm must present for consideration a qualified technical team that covers the Sector: Modernisation of the State necessary capabilities. Please note that a professional can only occupy one position for the required Abstract.: Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; services and must be certified professionals or adequately trained in the position assigned. (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Licensing Authority 6. The EOI should be no more than twenty (20) pages, presented using the Arial or Tahoma fonts Loan Contract No: 4920/OC-BA with a font size of 12. The following shall be presented but not limited to: Contract/Bid No.: IDBBPSMP-EOI08 Deadline: March 24, 2021 (i) A description of the firm (Company Profile); (ii) Experience of the firm in provision of the required Consulting Services; 1. The Government of Barbados has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (iii) An Understanding of the assignment; (IDB) towards the implementation of the Public Sector Modernisation Programme (PSMP). The (iv) Assignments of similar scope, complexity and technical specialization completed; Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST) is the executing agency for the PSMP (v) Qualifications and experience of the Consulting Team. and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of the loan for the procurement of consulting services for which this expression of interest is issued. 7. Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the 2. The consulting firm is required to conduct a thorough analysis of the current state (as-is) business Inter-American Bank (GN-2350-15) and participation is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the processes at the Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA); do a thorough future state (to-be) analysis, policies. and design results-oriented business and work flow processes for intersectional harmonisation and improved effectiveness and greater efficiency; recommend an optimal integrated ICT solution; and 8. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to prepare an implementation plan for the BLA. The project is expected to be implemented over a enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing the shortlist, the nationality of a firm is period of five (5) months. that of the country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality of the firm appointed to represent it. 3. The services required for the project include: 9. A consulting firm (Consultant) will be selected in accordance with Selection based on the (i) Hold an initial briefing meeting with BLA, Ministry of Transport, Works and Maintenance Consultants’ Qualifications (CQS) method set out in the policies mentioned above. (MTWM), MIST, the Digital Transformation Support Consultant, the Change Management Consultant and other relevant stakeholders, relative to project objectives, scope and specific 10. All Corporate Tenders must include with their application a copy of the company’s Articles and activities; and thereafter hold other meetings as required; Certificate of Incorporation as evidence that the company is an existing registered company as at the date of application. Note that firms that do not submit the Certificate of Incorporation at the time (ii) Work with the Digital Transformation Support Consultant and the Change Management of submission of Expressions of Interest will be given a maximum of two (2) weeks to submit their Consultant to achieve high levels of awareness and adoption from the Management and Staff of Certificates of Incorporation. The Certificate must be in the name of the applicant. This Certificate BLA to ensure the achievement of project deliverables in accordance with the approved will not be counted as part of the twenty (20) pages required at paragraph 6. schedule and overall success of the project; 11. Tenders are advised that the Certificate of Incorporation referred to at paragraph 10 above (iii) Hold Discovery Meetings to determine the enabling framework, how the business means a Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados or where processes are done currently, what are the existing problems and how to solve critical business applicable a Certificate of Continuance and/or Certificate Amalgamation. Certificates must be dated problems and achieve business objectives; after December 31, 1984.

(iv) Review, map and analyse current BLA business processes and work flows including roles 12. Any firm incorporated outside of Barbados, which is awarded a contract, will be required to be and responsibilities of institutional structures and individual functionaries – vertically at all levels registered in Barbados as an External company under the ‘Companies Act of Barbados’. of administration and horizontally across the sections; 13. Interested Consultants can obtain further information at address 1 below during office hours of (v) Design to-be business processes, clearly showing functional interfaces and seamless 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. workflows vertically at all levels of administration and horizontally across the sections; and recommend opportunities and key areas for automation; Address 1:

(vi) Recommend an ICT Solution (ERP/ERM, Hardware (Servers, storages etc.), Network Attention: Mr Rodney Payne, Project Manager (LAN/WAN), IT Security, Databases, Backup (BCP), Disaster Recovery (DR), Website and Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology Intranet etc. for BLA that is compatible with future state Government’s E-services Platform and 3rd Floor, Baobab Towers in keeping with industry best practices being followed by similar international organizations; Warrens St. Michael (vii) Recommend a system(s) specifically for the provision of online services for integration into Barbados the Government’s Payment Ecosystem and E-Services Platform; Telephone number: 1-246-535-1282 E-mail: [email protected] (viii) Incorporate the Electronic Documents and Records Management System of the Government in the recommended ICT Solution; 14. One original, one (1) copy and an electronic copy of the Expression of Interest clearly marked “Request for Expressions of Interest – Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process (ix) Identify training and prepare a change management and capacity building plan to support Reengineering Services; (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an optimal performance through human development and ICT management for the future state of Implementation Plan for the Barbados Licencing Authority” must be prepared in English and BLA; delivered in a sealed envelope to Address 1 at paragraph 15, no later than 4:30 p.m., Wednesday March 24, 2021. (x) Advise BLA on any other value-added considerations towards improving agency-wide effectiveness and efficiency; and OR

(xi) Develop an Implementation Plan which shall include tactics, activities and operational goals, Submit an electronic copy of the Expression of Interest clearly marked “Request for Expressions detailed approach and schedule, risk mitigation measures and related financial and other of Interest – Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; resource estimates. (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Licencing Authority” in English to the following email address no later than 4:30 p.m., 4. The Government of Barbados, through the Programme Execution Unit, Ministry of Innovation, Wednesday March 24, 2021. Science and Smart Technology now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating Email Address: [email protected] that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience with respect to the following: 15. Late submissions will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the applicant. (i) Technical competence in ICT management and management consulting concepts such as business process reengineering and restructuring. In addition, the firm should have a minimum 16. The Government of Barbados reserves the right to accept or reject any application received. of five (5) years of experience in the implementation of ICT solutions, business process The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 11

US money to help Jamaican deportees THE United States The monthly town hall- of Health and Wellness current talks. “But the Government has agreed to style discussion is aimed had conducted most important thing was help fund the refurbishing at updating Jamaicans in sensitisation sessions with to first secure the funding, of the Fort Augusta Adult the diaspora on various staff at the facility, and now we’re going Correctional Centre in issues of interest to them detailing potential health through the details of Portmore, or a similar as well as getting feedback risks of the novel getting somewhere facility,which will be used in relation to matters of coronavirus and how to refurbished. for the rehabilitation and concern. detect and report signs of “Because of the work training of deportees, Amid the novel infection. that is being done by that Jamaica’s Ambassador to coronavirus pandemic 46 After the 14-day group, we will definitely the United States Audrey deportees arrived in quarantine period the also keep you in touch Marks has revealed. Jamaica on April 21, 2020 deportees were allowed to with the progress of where “That process is now after the Ministry of reunite with their it is that we’re going to be ongoing. We have sought National Security put families. getting a refurbished funding from the US measures in place to The Jamaican facility for the resettling Government because our facilitate their safe return. Constitution and the of involuntary returning position is that most A month later, Prime Nationality Act migrants,” Marks persons coming back to Minister Andrew Holness underscore the said. Jamaica as involuntary announced that an responsibility of the When the Jamaica returning migrants have additional 40 were among Government to accept Observer contacted spent most of their lives 220 Jamaicans scheduled Jamaicans who do not Minister of National here in the US. And so, we to arrive in the island from possess legal right to Security Dr Chang have been asking for a the United States by air. remain in other yesterday he declined to contribution to the At the time, the jurisdictions. comment. resettling of those persons returnees were On Thursday, An effort to get a in terms of capacity. So, quarantined for two Ambassador Marks said response from minister the refurbishing of Fort weeks in a secure both Washington and without portfolio in the Augusta or a similar place Government facility, Kingston are now “going ministry, Senator is what they have agreed where they were through logistical details” Matthew Samuda, was to do,” Marks said processed by health in relation to the facility. also futile. Samuda stated: Thursday during the first authorities. “Is that the most “I wouldn’t be able to airing of her new online A week before their suitable place, or should speak to that, because I Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States programme Let’s Connect arrival the security we look at some other didn’t see or hear her Audrey Marks with Ambassador Marks. ministry said the Ministry options,” she said of the statement.” ‘We’re not trying hard enough’, J’ca Health Minister says as COVID cases soar KINGSTON, Jamaica – of his tweet. going to find it very “It must sink in that 723 through at a hospital Minister of Health “I am sorry if some difficult to cope with those persons in one day and because they are there and Wellness, Dr persons are offended by who come in and need more importantly over because they went to the Christopher Tufton this straight and plain talk medical care.” three out of every 10 party that they should not today made an but I believe that it is very “Let it sink in that it persons tested are positive have gone to or to the impassioned plea for important that all of us means longer waits, it means that corona is right beach or the funeral that Jamaicans to observe appreciate and means persons having to across the length of our they should not have the COVID-19 protocols understand the suffer for longer periods population. congregated at and have established by the consequences of our before they can get a bed “It must sink in that if picked up the virus and Government as he action,” Tufton said in a and generally speaking a you continue to have the then they expect the defended the “let that video shared to social health system that is going parties, the drink ups, if government or the public sink in” lingo used media yesterday. to experience significant you continue to ignore the health system to solve the yesterday morning Noting that on Saturday, stress and fatigue. protocols around problem and if we don’t do when he revealed the country had a 35.9 per “Jamaicans, the truth is, gatherings and you it, we get cuss,” the Minister of Health and yesterday’s record cent positivity rate, the we’re not trying hard congregate and you don’t minister continued. Wellness, Dr daily COVID-19 cases. minister said: “Let that enough. I accept that the wear the mask then the “I really hope that will Christopher Tufton In a tweet yesterday sink in. Let it sink in that government has a chances of you getting the sink in and it will sink in, morning, the health that positivity rate means responsibility, but let us be coronavirus are real and in our consciousness to have to have the minister said:“723 positive that our hospitals are clear that a lot of the the probability is help us to understand the overcrowding if we respect COVID-19 cases reported going to come under spread that is taking place increasing and when you importance of personal the protocols and take in the last 24 hours…let pressure, significant in this country is because get to the hospital, the responsibilities.” personal responsibility,” that sink in.” pressure. too many of us are chances of you getting a He noted that while this Tufton said. Soon after, the health “Let it sink in that our ignoring the need for bed is going to become less spike would call for a total Noting that he believes minister started receiving public health workers, our personal responsibility.” and less.” lockdown in other there will be better days backlash for the latter part nurses, our doctors are Tufton said that while “Jamaican people will countries, the government ahead, the minister said driving through Half Way die. It’s as simple as that,” continues to maintain the vaccines are expected to Tree, St Andrew earlier the health minister said. decision that people need arrive today while others Jamaica hits another yesterday, he observed “This is not an attempt to work. are expected to come later that only 10 per cent of to rid government of its “We will continue to do on. people were wearing responsibilities… The what we must as a public “We will now embark on record for daily masks. truth is we do not have health system, as a one of the most significant “That’s not good enough policemen or government. We will work logistics exercise that this enough,” he said. “It must soldiers to police every hard to provide the beds,to country has seen but it is COVID cases sink in to all of us that the shop in Jamaica, to police ensure that the doctors are important that we KINGSTON, Jamaica – confirmed on Saturday. government alone, the every beach in Jamaica, to alert, to ensure that you recognise until then, we For a second straight day, The health minister public health system look over every single get triaged or looked after must observe the Jamaica has recorded a tweeted: “723 positive along, our nurses or individual in this country when you turn up but the protocols. We must record high number of COVID-19 cases reported doctors alone, the Cabinet and it is downright unfair reality is there is so much continue to wear the mask, COVID-19 cases. in the last 24 hours…let of Jamaica alone cannot for persons to blame our and no more of us, there is continue to physical Minister of Health and that sink in.” address this virus and it’s public health officials, our so many beds and no more distance, continue to Wellness, Dr Christopher On Friday, the island spread and the public health teams, our beyond a certain point, and sanitise, otherwise we will Tufton, says 723 new recorded 527 new COVID- consequences that it will doctors and our nurses truthfully, it doesn’t have see worse days ahead,” cases of the virus were 19 cases from 2,484 tests. have on our people. when they cannot get to be this way, we don’t Tufton added. 12 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Guyana’s President extends gratitude to China for COVID-19 vaccines GUYANA – His Excellency vaccines, which arrived in the countries of the world to combat testimony of China’s vulnerable members of the President Irfaan Ali has country earlier this week. the global pandemic and for unwavering support for society,in particular the elderly conveyed his sincere In a letter to His Excellency vaccines to be seen as a public Guyana’s Covid-19 relief efforts, and those with comorbidities. appreciation to the Government President Xi Jinping, President good. President Ali stated that the President Ali said that the and people of the People’s Ali noted that the gesture was Highlighting the donation as vaccines would be utilized for gesture further emphasized the Republic of China for the an expression of China’s one that would be acknowledged the immunization of frontline excellent relations between donation of 20, 000 Sinopharm commitment to assist the by the people of Guyana as a health workers and the most Guyana and China. Guyana receives vaccines from India GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana received 80,000 doses of the ‘Covishield’ Oxford- AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India yesterday. The vaccines arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), early Sunday morning, and were received by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and others. According to India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa who was also present, India does not expect anything from Guyana in return. “India sees these donations as ‘vaccine maitri’ meaning ‘vaccine friendship’…I want to stress here that India donates these vaccines with nothing in demand (from) the country.We do not ask for any quid pro quos. India is donating the vaccines in a spirit of collaboration, in a spirit of friendship, and in a spirit of helping our friends to acquire these vaccines across the world.” As part of its vaccine maitri initiative, India has been Prime Minister Mark Phillips (second from left) and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr. K.J. Srinivasa (second from donating thousands of right) greeting each other today at the airport. Also in this Indian High Commission photo are Minister of Health Dr Frank the Covishield vaccine Anthony (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd. doses to countries across the world. He also emphasised that the workers will be the first to “These 80,000 doses are donation is another testimony receive the vaccines, followed significant of the depth of our to the strong bilateral by elderly persons, other Antigua records another friendly relations with relations between both frontline workers, and Guyana; it also shows our countries. teachers. COVID-19 death commitment to the world as a The donation from India will Some 570,000 doses of the first responder,” the High be able to offer protection to vaccine are earmarked ANTIGUA – An 87 year old tracted case to die and the 22 Commissioner noted, 40,000 Guyanese and for distribution across man is the latest person to die overall. highlighting India’s research according to the health the Caribbean region of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Meanwhile, the country and pharmaceutical capacity. ministry, frontline health alone. Antigua and Barbuda. recorded 19 new COVID-19 The man passed way at 7pm cases. The Ministry of Health, on Saturday while being Wellness and the Environment treated at the Mount St John’s said these cases reflect sam- Bahamas: Vaccine arrival delayed until Wednesday Medical Centre (MSJMC). ples tested up to March 3. THE Government of The were previously scheduled to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Dr Albert Duncan, MSJMC Since March 2020, Antigua Bahamas has been advised by arrive yesterday. Minnis has thanked the Medical Director said: “Our and Barbuda recorded 832 pos- India that the delivery of the This first set consists of a government of India for the thoughts and condolences re- itive infections but only 401 COVID-19 vaccines has been vaccine donation from the donation on behalf of the main with the patient’s family are active. delayed until Wednesday 10 Indian government of 20,000 Bahamian government and and loved ones at this difficult This number could increase March due to logistical issues jabs, also known as people of The time.” as results from 195 samples with the airline overseas. They COVISHIELD. Bahamas. He was the 20 locally con- are pending. US Coast Guard transfers Cuban migrants to Bahamian authorities MIAMI, United States – The routine patrol, an Air Station year-old unaccompanied minor, the US Coast Guard said crew symptoms,” the US Coast United States Coast Guard on Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry did not have medical concerns members were equipped with Guard said. Friday transferred six Cuban aircrew spotted the six people before bringing them on the personal protective equipment Since October 1, 2020, the US migrants to Bahamian and dropped lifesaving ship.” “to minimise potential Coast Guard said its crews authorities after they were supplies to them. Once aboard a cutter, the US exposure to any possible case of have interdicted 87 Cubans found stranded on Anguilla “The coast guard cutter Coast Guard said all migrants COVID-19”. compared to fiscal year 2020, Cay. rescue crew arrived on scene, receive food, water, shelter and “There were no migrants in October 1, 2019 – September On Saturday, the Coast Thursday, and ensured the six basic medical attention. these cases reported to have 30, 2020, where crews Guard said that during a people: five adults and one 17- Throughout the interdiction, any COVID-19 related interdicted 49 Cubans. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 13

Coronavirus: Paraguay president Trafficking of children dismisses ministers after protests intensifies THE president of Paraguay has sacked three of his along Haiti, ministers in response to violent protests over the government’s handling of DomRep the coronavirus pandemic. Mario Abdo Benítez said the ministers for education, border women’s affairs and civil PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – The affairs, were being replaced. trafficking of children and The health minister resigned adolescents along the border on Friday. shared by Haiti and the Health workers say hospitals Dominican Republic has have run out of medicine to intensified. treat Covid-19 patients. This is according to Jorge Opposition parties want Mr Galvan, a human rights activist Abdo to resign and call new in the Dominican Republic, who elections. says the trafficking mainly They accuse his right-wing takes place along the border of government of widespread the Province of Dajabon. corruption. According to Galván, when Paraguay has registered these minors are illegally more than 165,000 cases of transferred from Haiti, they are coronavirus and about 3,200 exposed to all kinds of abuse deaths. A steady rise in cases in from the traffickers stressing recent weeks has brought the that the problem is dramatic country’s health system to the and that an urgent solution brink of collapse. In addition, Late on Friday, health workers and relatives of Covid-19 patients were among thousands of must be sought because more the rollout of vaccines has been people who took to the streets. and more of them are arriving slow with latest data showing every day. that less than 0.1% of the 19 patients were among responded with tear gas and Minister, Juan Manuel He said that most of the population has received a jab. thousands of people who took to rubber bullets. Shops were Brunetti, said President Abdo children and adolescents spend “I am sure that the men and the streets of the capital, ransacked and cars set on fire was holding talks with advisers nights in public places or sleep women named will do their Asunción, and other cities to amid the chaos and about 20 to “evaluate yesterday’s in abandoned buildings. utmost to confront this moment protest. They accuse the people were reported injured. situations”. “On the day they walk the of crisis that the country is government of stealing millions Earlier, Health Minister Julio “The concrete message is streets with shoe polish boxes, enduring,” said President Abdo, of dollars that could have been Mazzoleni resigned after fierce that: the president listened to others clean the windows of as he announced that four new used to deal with the health criticism from lawmakers and the citizens, summoned his vehicles, still others devote ministers would be appointed. emergency. from health service unions. Cabinet and asked that they themselves to begging, Late on Friday, health Some of the protesters Then on Saturday, the make their position available,” collecting bottles, plastics and workers and relatives of Covid- clashed with police, who government’s Communications Mr Brunetti said. other objects that people throw away and that they can resell, often on behalf of unscrupulous individuals.” He added that some victims of mafias operating in Haiti in collusion with Dominicans are being exploited and often abused or sold in prostitution networks. According to Haitian professor Jean Baptiste, who is also former leader of Civil Protection in Cap Haitien, child trafficking to the Dominican Republic is serious. Meanwhile, the Vice- President of the Coordinator of Popular Organizations of the South Zone of Santiago, José Alberto Peña, says that along with representatives of other entities, he recently saved seven Haitian children who were residing in the poor area known as “Cañada del Diablo”, where A protester in the capital, Asunción. they were being exploited.

Partly sunny with a few brief isolated light showers.

High Tide (First) 0:55 High tide (Second) 11:41 London 03 No Cloud Yesterday: 0.0 mm Boston 03 Fair Low Tide (First) 5:45 For the month: 12.8 mm Max: 28.8 °C Montreal -05 Clear Low tide (Second) 19:07 For the year: 187.9 mm Min: 24.5 °C Toronto -01 Fair New York 06 Clear Miami 24 Cloudy 6:10 am 6:08 pm 14 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

GOVERNMENT NOTICE Tender for the Provision of Cleaning Services At Police Stations of the Royal Barbados Police Force For the Financial Year ending March 31, 2022 1. Tenders are invited for the provision of cleaning services at Police Stations for the Royal St. Michael. Tenderers should submit their quotations to reflect their respective Barbados Police for the Financial Year ending March 31, 2022. Tenderers are invited to breakdowns in respect of each station in a particular Lot or Lots. submit bids for any or all of the five Lots listed below. Tenders may also submit for part of a lot:- 4. All Corporate Tenderers must include with their Tenders, a copy of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Certificate of Incorporation as evidence of the fact that the 2. The Lots are described as follows:- Company is an existing registered Company as at the date of Tender. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION WILL RENDER THE TENDER POLICE STATIONS VOID. The Certificate must be in the name of the Tenderer.

LOT 1 - Central Police Station Complex 5. Local Tenderers are advised that the Certificate of Incorporation referred to at paragraph 4 means a Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados (a) Central Police Station (i) Firearms Examiner’s Unit or where applicable a Certificate of Amendment. Certificates must be dated after 31st (b) Office of Bridgetown Division (j) Exhibit Room December, 1984. (c) Court Prosecutor’s Office (k) Male and Female Barracks (d) Forensic Scenes of Crime Office (l) Special Branch 6. The successful Tenderer will be required to enter into a Contract drawn up by or in a form (e) Operations Control (m) Computer Unit approved by the Solicitor General or another Legal Officer in the Public Service approved (f) Marine Police Unit Office (n) Provost by her. A surety for the due performance of the contract will be required by one of the (g) Police Stores (o) Telecom methods listed below:- (h) Crime Intelligence Unit (p) Secretariat (a) by way of a deposit with the Treasury of a sum of money or approved securities to LOT 2 - District ‘A’ Complex the value of not less than ten percent of the contract price; or

(a) District ‘A’ Police Station (b) by way of a Bank or accredited Insurance Company whose liability shall be not less (b) Tactical Response Unit (formally SSU) than ten percent of the contract price. The cost of obtaining such a surety shall be (c) Motor Transport the responsibility of the Contractor, who need not specifically make arrangements (d) Traffic Offices for sureties unless and until his tender has been accepted. (e) Band Headquarters (f) Band Barracks 7. TENDERERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE LABOUR CLAUSES (PUBLIC (g) Command Centre (Police Area) CONTRACTS) ACT, CAP. 349 SHALL IN SO FAR AS IS APPLICABLE TO THE TENDER, APPLY TO ANY CONTRACT MADE IN RESPECT OF THE TENDER. FULL LOT 3 DETAILS OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE ACT, CAP. 349 MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT, BAY (a) Boarded Hall Police Station STREET, ST. MICHAEL. TENDERERS SHOULD SUBMIT THE CERTIFICATE (b) Oistins Police Station REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE SCHEDULE TO THE ACT WITH THEIR (c) Drug Squad Unit (Oistins) TENDER. (d) Glebe Police Station (e) Airport Police Station 8. Tenderers may arrange an appointment to visit the sites and familiarise themselves with (f) District ‘C’ Police Station the nature of the Works and Conditions of the Sites by contacting the Project Manager at Telephone Number 836-1198 between the hours of 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to LOT 4 Friday, except on Public Holidays.

(a) Crab Hill Police Station 9. For suppliers with internet access, the appropriate Form of Tender obtained (b) District ‘E’ Police Station from the Office of the Attorney General should be completed and submitted to (c) Holetown Police Station [email protected] no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday (d) District ‘F’ Police Station March 31st. 2021. (e) Juvenile Liaison Office (Pinfold Street) (f) Office of Professional Responsibility (Pinfold Street) For suppliers without internet access, Tenders on the appropriate Form of Tender obtained (g) Crime Prevention Office (Pinfold Street) from the Office of the Attorney General, should be placed and sealed in an envelope marked “Tender for the Provision of Cleaning Services at Police Stations of the Royal LOT 5 Barbados Police Force for the Financial Year ending March 31, 2022” and should be addressed to the Chairman, Tenders Committee, c/o Government Procurement (a) Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters, Department, Fontabelle, St. Michael, to reach her no later than 4:30 p.m., on (CID) BTA Building, Harbour Road Wednesday March 31st. 2021. Tenders received after this time and date will be rejected (b) Hastings/Worthing Police Station and returned to the Tenderers. Tenders should be placed in the Tenders’ Box located at the (c) Black Rock Police Station Government Procurement Department. (d) Police Headquarters (Roebuck Street) (e) Police Boy’s and Girl’s Club. 10. No Tender will be considered unless it complies with the conditions set out in this Notice and the Tender Documents. 3. Details regarding the requirements for the cleaning of the Police Stations are set out in the Instructions to Tenderers, which together with the Form of Tender, are obtainable 11. The Government does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. from the Office of the Attorney General at Jones Building, Webster Business Park, Wildey, The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 15

Ruling RHDP party wins majority in Ivory Coast’s parliamentary election DAKAR – Ivory Coast’s led by two of his prede- months after Ouattara ruling party won 58% of cessors, Henri Konan won a third term in an seats in parliamentary Bedie and Laurent election marred by unrest elections, results showed Gbagbo, but they failed to that killed at least 85 on Sunday,strengthening mount a sufficient chal- people, the country’s President Alassane lenge. worst violence since a Ouattara’s hand to Ouattara’s Rally of 2010-2011 civil war. pursue his political Houphouëtists for Ouattara now aims to agenda. Democracy and Peace pursue an agenda based Ouattara’s allies faced (RHDP) party took 147 of on attracting investment Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara speaks next to his wife Dominique a combined challenge 255 seats. to the world’s top cocoa after casting their votes at a polling station during the presidential election from opposition parties The poll comes only producer. in Abidjan, Ivory Coast October 31, 2020. Unions call for total strike in Myanmar Suu Kyi party official dies in custody

MYANMAR’S major trade unions called on members to shut down the economy from Monday to back a cam- paign against last month’s coup, raising pressure on the junta as its forces fired weapons and occupied hospitals in the main city Yangon after a day of massive protests. Witnesses reported sounds of gunfire or stun grenades in many dis- tricts of the commercial capital after nightfall, as soldiers set up camp in hospitals and university compounds, local media reported. It was not clear U Khin Maung Latt's funeral took place on Sunday. whether anyone was hurt. The Assistance it is dealing with protests rested, declined to com- Myanmar Now showed chickens,” one protest been condemned by most Association for Political lawfully. ment. soldiers beating up men leader said to the crowd democracies in Asia. The Prisoners, a non-profit, An official from the in Yangon, where at least in Dawei, a town in United States and some said the army was “inten- party of deposed leader Stun grenades three protests were held Myanmar’s south. “What other Western countries tionally terrorizing resi- Aung San Suu Kyi died Sunday saw some of the despite overnight raids by will we do if we don’t re- have imposed limited dents” in Yangon. overnight in police cus- biggest protests in recent security forces on cam- volt against them? We sanctions on the junta. The show of force came tody. National League for weeks. Police fired stun paign leaders and opposi- must revolt.” China, Myanmar’s after some of the largest Democracy (NLD) official grenades and tear gas to tion activists. State-run Global New giant neighbour to the nationwide protests since Khin Maung Latt had break up a sit-in by tens of Sithu Maung, the NLD Light Of Myanmar news- northeast, said on Sunday the Feb. 1 coup, and an al- worked as a campaign thousands of people in MP who worked with paper quoted a police it is prepared to engage liance of nine unions said manager for one of two Mandalay, the Myanmar Khin Maung Latt, said statement as saying secu- with “all parties” to ease they planned a “full ex- Muslim MPs elected in Now media group said.At soldiers and police de- rity forces were dealing the crisis and is not taking tended shutdown” of the 2020. least 70 people were ar- tained his father on with the protests in accor- sides. economy. Ba Myo Thein, a mem- rested. Sunday night. dance with law. It said the Australia said it sus- “To continue economic ber of parliament’s upper Police also launched “They broke into the forces were using tear gas pended a bilateral defence and business activities as house which was dis- tear gas and stun house… and point with and stun grenades to cooperation program with usual...will only benefit solved after the coup, said grenades in the direction guns, I was told,” he said break up rioting and the military following the the military as they re- reports of bruising to of protesters in Yangon in a Facebook post, adding protests that were block- coup and its development press the energy of the Khin Maung Latt’s head and in the town of Lashio that his father was also ing public roads. program would engage Myanmar people,” they and body raised suspi- in the northern Shan re- beaten. only with non-govern- said in a joint statement. cions that he had been gion, videos posted on The United Nations Condemnation ment organizations. “The time to take action in abused. Facebook showed. says security forces have Well over 1,700 people Protesters demand the defence of our democracy “It seems that he was A witness said police killed more than 50 peo- had been detained under release of Suu Kyi and re- is now.” arrested at night and tor- opened fire to break up a ple to quell daily demon- the military junta by spect for November’s elec- A spokesman for the tured severely,” he told protest in the historic strations and strikes since Saturday,according to fig- tion – which her party military did not answer Reuters. “This is totally temple town of Bagan, the military overthrew ures from the Assistance won in a landslide but calls seeking comment unacceptable.” and several residents said and detained Suu Kyi on Association for Political which the army rejected. and Reuters was unable Police in Pabedan, the in social media posts that Feb. 1. Prisoners advocacy group. The army has said it will to reach police for com- Yangon district where live bullets were used. “They are killing people The killings have drawn hold democratic elections ment. The army has said Khin Maung Latt was ar- Video posted by just like killing birds and anger in the West and at an unspecified date. 16 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Explosions rock Equatorial Guinea’s main city AT least 17 people health ministry says. on Sunday. Images on social media very seriously injured” we don’t know what’s have died and hun- Some 420 people were The blasts were caused showed huge plumes of were being transferred. going on,” one local resi- dreds more have been injured following the by “negligence” relating smoke and widespread Some local hospitals dent, Teodoro Nguema, injured in a series of blasts, which happened to the storage of dyna- damage. have been overwhelmed told the AFP news explosions in near a military barracks mite at the barracks, the State television showed by the number of patients agency. Equatorial Guinea, the in the main city of Bata president said. people looking for sur- admitted, TVGE re- In a tweet, France’s am- vivors in the rubble and ported. It broadcast im- bassador Olivier lifting up debris from col- ages of wounded people Brochenin sent his con- GOVERNMENT NOTICE lapsed buildings. lying on the floor of a dolences to the victims, In a series of tweets, the crowded hospital. describing the event as a Tender for the Manufacture, Supply and Delivery of Uniforms health ministry asked for Video posted on social “catastrophe". for the Royal Barbados Police Force for the financial year ending March 31, 2022 volunteer health workers media of the aftermath of The Spanish embassy to go to Bata Regional the explosions showed a has said its country’s cit- Hospital. It has also chaotic scene of dis- izens should remain at 1. Tenders are invited for the manufacture, supply and delivery of uniforms for the Royal Barbados Police asked for blood donations tressed people fleeing as home and issued a series Force for financial year ending to March 31, 2022. due to the high number smoke drifted over the of emergency numbers. of casualties. area. Equatorial Guinea was 2. The items of uniforms required must be of similar type, quality and colour material to those now in use It listed three hospitals “We hear the explosion a Spanish colony until in- and be of the same style. Uniforms now in use can be inspected at the Stores Section of the Police Department, where the “seriously and and we see the smoke, but dependence in 1968. Coleridge Street, Bridgetown, where details of the uniforms required, Form of Tender on which tenders must be submitted and any further information may be obtained Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. GOVERNMENT NOTICE

3. Tenderers are required to submit with their priced tenders, swatches of the materials which they intend Tender for the removal, conveyance and for the keeping and preservation to use in the manufacture of the uniforms and samples of the other items. The swatches must be properly of dead bodies for the financial year ENDING March 31, 2022 marked and identified with each item of uniform and the tenderer’s name. Tenders are invited for the removal and conveyance in approved vehicles, and for the 4. Materials for some of the items of uniform required will be supplied by the Police Department. Prices keeping and preserving of certain dead bodies for the Financial Year Ending March 31, 2022. tendered for these uniforms should therefore be for manufacture and delivery only, as indicated in the Schedule of Requirements. 2. Details of tender requirements are embodied in a Form of Tender which may be obtained from the Office of the Attorney General, Jones Building, Webster’s Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael 5. Tenderers may quote for all or any of the items. between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., (Monday to Friday).

6. Tenderers must be prepared to offer proof of their ability to undertake the work for which they have 3. The successful tenderer will be required to enter into a contract with the Government drawn up tendered and to complete contracts to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Police. by or in a form approved by the Solicitor General or another Legal Officer in the Public Service approved by her and to provide a surety for the due performance of the Contract: 7. TENDERERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE LABOUR CLAUSES (PUBLIC CONTRACTS) ACT, (a) by way of a deposit with the Treasury of a sum of money or approved securities to the value CAP. 349 SHALL, IN SO FAR AS IS APPLICABLE TO THE TENDER, APPLY TO ANY CONTRACT MADE IN of not less than ten percent of the contract price; or RESPECT OF THE TENDER. FULL DETAILS OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE ACT, CAP. 349 CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT, BAY STREET, ST. MICHAEL. (b) by way of a Bank or accredited Insurance Company whose liability shall be not less than ten TENDERERS SHOULD SUBMIT THE CERTIFICATE REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE SCHEDULE percent of the contract price. TO THE ACT WITH THEIR TENDER. The cost of obtaining such a surety shall be the responsibility of the Contractor, who need not 8. ALL CORPORATE TENDERERS MUST INCLUDE WITH THEIR TENDERS, A COPY OF THE specifically make arrangements for sureties unless and until his tender has been accepted. COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AS EVIDENCE OF THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY IS AN EXISTING REGISTERED COMPANY AS AT THE DATE OF 4. TENDERERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE LABOUR CLAUSES (PUBLIC CONTRACTS) TENDER. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION WILL RENDER THE TENDER ACT, CAP. 349 SHALL IN SO FAR AS APPLICABLE TO THE TENDER, APPLY TO ANY VOID. THE CERTIFICATE MUST BE IN THE NAME OF THE TENDERER. CONTRACT MADE IN RESPECT OF THE TENDER. FULL DETAILS OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE ACT, CAP. 349 MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, GOVERNMENT 9. Tenderers are advised that the Certificate of Incorporation referred to at paragraph 8 above means a PRINTING DEPARTMENT, BAY STREET, ST. MICHAEL. TENDERERS SHOULD SUBMIT THE Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados or where applicable a Certificate CERTIFICATE REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE SCHEDULE TO THE ACT WITH THEIR TENDER. of Continuance and/or a Certificate of Amalgamation or a Certificate of Amendment. Certificates must be dated after 31st December, 1984. 5. All Corporate Tenderers must include with their Tenders a copy of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Certificate of Incorporation as evidence of the fact that the Company is an 10. The successful tenderer(s) will be required to enter into a written agreement drawn up by or in a form existing registered Company as at the date of Tender. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE CERTIFICATE approved by the Solicitor General or another Legal Officer in the Public Service approved by her and to OF INCORPORATION WILL RENDER THE TENDER VOID. provide a surety for the due performance of the contract by one of the methods listed below: 6. Tenderers are advised that the Certificate of Incorporation referred to at paragraph 5 above (a) by way of a deposit with the Treasury of a sum of money or approved securities to the value of not less means a Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados or where that 10 per centum of the contract price; or applicable a Certificate of Continuance and/or Certificate of Amalgamation or a Certificate of Amendment. Certificates must be dated after December 31, 1984. (b) by way of a Bank or accredited Insurance Company whose liability shall not be less that 10 per centum of the contract price. 7. “Kindly note that provision is being made for the electronic submission of bids”. For suppliers with internet access, the appropriate Form of Tender obtained from the Office of the Attorney General The cost of obtaining such a surety shall be the responsibility of the Contractor, who need not specifically should be completed and submitted to [email protected] no later make arrangements for sureties unless and until his tender has been accepted. than 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March31, 2021. 8. For suppliers without internet access, Tenders on the appropriate Form of Tender available at the 11. Tenders on the Form of Tender provided must be submitted in sealed envelopes marked on the Office of the Attorney General, should be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “TENDER FOR outside, “Tender for the Supply, Manufacture and Delivery of Uniforms for the Royal Barbados Police THE REMOVAL, CONVEYANCE AND FOR THE KEEPING AND PRESERVATION OF DEAD Force, for the financial year ending March 31, 2022” and must be addressed to the Chairman, Tenders BODIES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2022” and should be addressed to Committee, C/o Government Procurement Department, Fontabelle, Saint Michael, to reach her not later than the Chairman, Tenders Committee, c/o. Government Procurement Department, Fontabelle, St. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31st, 2021. Tenders received after this time and date will be rejected and Michael to reach her not later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31st , 2021. Tenders received returned to the tenderer. Tenders should be placed in the Tenders Box located at the Government Procurement after this time and date will not be considered. Tenders should be placed in the Tenders’ box Department. located at the Government Procurement Department.

12. No tender will be considered unless it complies with the conditions set out in this Notice. 9. No tender will be considered unless it complies with the conditions set out in this Notice.

13. The Government does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. 10. The Government does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender.

Barbados Advocate

March 8, 2021 IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS DO BUSINESS RED POWERS THROUGH! RED Advertising & Marketing and Red Advertising itself. Limited powered through adversity Top in Addy Awards for 18 years running Strong performances were registered to again register significant wins at for Banks’ Independence “Cheers to Our the 2021 judging of the American my team and how they rose to the chal- we were the Caribbean’s top agency,was Village Shops” and Cropover “Neva Ova” Advertising Federation ADDY lenge.We activated our disaster plan and always going to be a challenge but we campaigns as well as Sagicor’s Frontline Awards, winning a grand total of 29 had everyone successfully working from pulled it off again in 2020 with a second Heroes campaign further demonstrating ADDY awards. home from mid-March 2020. No-one lost place in the Caribbean despite the many the impact Covid-19 had on the year’s Jevan Jutagir, Managing Director of their job or had their salary cut and we challenges. In Barbados, Red again dom- marketing. Red, commented on the awards: “This were always there for our clients, most of inated the awards for the 18th straight Within this, the Red team were also was the toughest of years…tough for our whom were confronting their own chal- year and registered more award wins able to lighten it up with their own award clients, tough for their businesses…tough lenges. than the rest of Barbados combined! winning Christmas and Halloween cam- for our staff…tough on everyone’s fami- My team never missed a beat or failed That is strong testament to the consis- paigns. lies. Covid-19 has hit the world and our to deliver on a client brief! tency and depth of our creative product.” Finally, Jutagir injected a message of region hard! When the chips were down Red deliv- Red won a total of seven Gold and 22 optimism and hope. That is why it is so gratifying to win ered.” Silver ADDY Awards on brands including “Barbados and the Caribbean are just one ADDY, let alone 29 under these Speaking specifically on the awards, Banks Beer, Sagicor, Deputy Lager, tough little countries bound together by conditions. Within this, I am so proud of Jutagir said: “Following last year, where Gajah, The Covid Unit, Norman Centre RED on Page 2

Red Advertising’s creative team overcame the challenges of Covid-19, working “Red-motely” from their homes, to once again be the most awarded Barbados agency in this year’s American Advertising Federation (ADDY) Awards.

E-commerce, Leverage New WTO Director e-banking the way C’bean talent and General sees region for the future create wealth as priority PAGE 2 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 2 • Monday March 8, 2021 Business Monday

E-commerce, e-banking shift the way for the future

THE national shut- until things return to ‘nor- ums and purchase food however, will be managed downs and concerns mal’. This is the path for Legislation key in facilitating new and medicine needed to by a to-be-established about contracting doing business in the fu- way of doing business sustain their lives.” Financial Services COVID have led many ture… The increased use Haynes revealed that Tribunal. Barbadians, including of digital payment meth- duced new payments leg- and cross-border transac- the Central Bank will The new legislation will those who were previ- ods represents the trend islation. This new legisla- tions. This is critical be- have oversight for the sys- be accompanied by a pub- ously hesitant, to turn of the future financial ar- tion is necessary, he said, cause if the payments and tem, and that a Payments lic education programme to e-commerce and e- chitecture evolving in the to ensure that this shift settlement system is im- Council will be estab- to ensure that both cus- banking. And Central Caribbean and across the does not compromise fi- paired, economic activity lished to function as an tomers and financial in- Bank of Barbados globe.” nancial stability. may grind to a halt, with advisory body. He con- stitutions understand Governor Cleviston Against the backdrop of “It is therefore neces- individuals and busi- firmed that the Bank will both their rights and obli- Haynes is hoping this both his organisation and sary for us to ensure that nesses experiencing diffi- issue guidance and set gations. “We believe that approach to conduct- Government advocating there is a robust frame- culties, including the pay- regulations for financial this will be crucial to gain- ing transactions will for the reduced use of cash work for the effective and ment of salaries, pension institutions, and will be ing buy-in from all stake- continue. and the elimination of secure operation of the na- payments and other “prepared to take action holders as we promote in- According to Haynes, cheques, the Central Bank tional payments system transfers, which they need against licensees that creased competition in the “E-commerce is not a tem- Governor announced that capable of the smooth ex- to pay their bills, loan pay- breach the law”. payments system,” he porary measure, a stopgap Government has intro- ecution of both domestic ments, insurance premi- Consumer complaints, said.

Central Bank of Barbados Governor Cleviston Haynes. Red gearing up for continued great success RED from Page 1 of the American Advertising Federation a knack of conquering ad- (AAF) of which the versity in many forms.We Caribbean Advertising have been very hard hit, Federation (CAF) is a especially in the tourism member.The awards are 3 dependent islands. But tiered with local shows there is light at the end of and awards which feed the tunnel with vaccina- into regional shows (the tion starting in several of CAF is part of the 4th our islands and in our District region which in- major economic partners. cludes Florida, The We will bounce back Caribbean and Puerto stronger than ever and be Rico) which in turn feed able to put all we have into a National show. learned to great use. Red Advertising & Red is gearing up to Marketing, with offices in take advantage of the Barbados and Trinidad boom conditions that must but operating across the follow the lull created by Caribbean, is one of the the pandemic. We want to Caribbean’s most cre- lead for our clients with atively awarded agencies. more award winning Its contact is Jevan work!” Jutagir 1-246-228-4000 or The ADDY awards is Mark Ammon in Trinidad the creative award show 1-868-628-4000 Business Monday Monday March 8, 2021 • 3

Competitiveness and ease of GEL reports reduction of income, revenue FOR the three months to owns 51 per cent, and an doing business to improve December 31, last year, improvement in other op- Goddard Enterprises erations owned by the THE Barbados Port stated. Limited posted net income company. Community System The CDB’s Director of of $12.2 million attributa- According to them, “the (PCS) will go a long Projects added, “The es- ble to shareholders. fall in results from the way in improving tablishment of a PCS at This has been stated by Catering and Ground Barbados’ competitive- the Port of Bridgetown Chairman Charles Hebert Handling division was due ness and has the poten- aligns with the Bank's and Managing Director mainly to the curtailment tial to improve the focus on both private sec- Anthony Ali in their re- of world wide travel. This country’s performance tor development and in view of the GEL group re- reduction persists and on the ease of doing particular, improving the sults for that first quarter. while recovery is expected, business index. environment within which “This was a reduction of the timing is unpre- So says Daniel Best, it has to do business, espe- 4.9 per cent when com- dictable.” Director of the Projects at cially as it relates to trade pared with the same pe- They noted further,“Our the Caribbean infrastructure”. riod in the previous year,” Manufacturing division Development Bank He explained that the according to the two offi- continues to do well with (CDB). Speaking recently project, which is being fi- cials who said that the Ecuador Kakao during the launch of the nanced from the 11th start of the second quarter Processing Proecuakao PCS Project, which is European Development had seen an escalation of S.A. having a strong per- being facilitated through Fund, with specialist sup- the impact on COVID-19 formance during the first the CARIFORUM/EU port from the Inter- pandemic on the Group’s quarter.The company was Economic Partnership American Committee on operations. able to benefit from good Agreement and the CARI- Ports at the Organisation GEL, which is head- cocoa products and good COM Single Market and of American States, will quartered in Barbados, is sales levels.” Economy Standby Facility drive the process to de- a leading conglomerate Revenues for the three Project, Best went on to velop the digital interface. with operations spanning months to December 31, say that PCS, once insti- Best went on to explain a range of financial and 2020, were $198.2 million, tuted, will also contribute that it is no small task, as other services, and manu- down from $249.1 million to a more conducive busi- the process requires tech- facturing. at the end of December ness environment. nology,legislative, institu- It has operations across 2019. His comments came as tional and governance the Caribbean and deep As the two GEL officials he noted that develop- arrangements to achieve Daniel Best, Director of the Projects at the into Latin America. look ahead, they said they ment of the Caribbean success. But, he said a Caribbean Development Bank. The two officials were uncertain about the port industry has lagged fully implemented PCS pointed out that the $12.2 recovery time. However, behind that of their Latin which will get rid of a operational costs and the release and clearance of million drop in net income they remain hopeful and American counterparts, number of manual cost of doing business,” he goods will enable greater in the review period continue to watch devel- and is plagued by insuffi- processes and generate stated. productivity and in- stemmed from a 34.9 per opments carefully, will cient infrastructure and greater efficiency, will ben- Best’s comments came creased trade, as articu- cent mainly from a fall in manage their liquidity inefficient operations, efit all, including state as he noted that both the lated in the World Trade the results by the Group’s and try to balance opera- which result in delays and agencies like Customs and United Nations Economic Organisation (WTO) airline catering and tions with reduced de- added expenditure, which Excise, shippers, logisti- Commission for Latin Trade Facilitation ground handling opera- mand with those that are negatively impact the cost cians, private sector com- America and the Agreement (TFA). tions of which the GEL either stable or improving. of imports and exports as panies, general poor clien- Caribbean and the World “By fulfilling obligations well as competitiveness. tele and the wider public. Trade Organisation have under the WTO TFA, BANK RATES “This is an exciting op- “Barbados’ small open identified bureaucratic de- countries including portunity to bridge the economy will overcome lays as inhibiting the Barbados and others in Commercial bank rates to the public at the close of digital divide in current several hurdles with the movement of goods across the developing world business on Friday by the Central Bank of Barbados. uncertain circumstances. establishment of its PCS. borders. He went on to say stand to benefit signifi- The establishment of a The fusion of technology that there are studies cantly, while reducing Valid for March 8, 2021 Barbados Port into a major artery of local which show that maritime trade costs and boosting Notes: Community System proj- and regional trade at the transport in the region global trade by a projected Currency Buying Selling ect brings into sharper Port of Bridgetown will continues to be hampered $1 trillion per year. Belizean Dollar 1.00000 1.00000 focus the benefits of tech- undoubtedly impact im- by insufficient infrastruc- Greater trade translates Canadian Dollar 1.55862 1.60472 nology in improving serv- ported cargo intended for ture and inefficient opera- into greater economic op- East Caribbean $ 0.73704 0.74445 ice delivery and achieving local consumption and tions at ports. He added portunities,” he indicated. Euro 2.33396 2.43224 development goals,” he cargo in-transit, reducing that improvements in the (JRT) Pound Sterling 2.71102 2.82518 United States Dollar 1.98000 2.02857 Demand/Sight: Currency Buying Selling Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 Better, co-ordinated effort on Canadian Dollar 1.56749 1.60331 East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 Euro 2.36821 2.41714 protocols needed for tourism industry Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 Pound Sterling 2.75080 2.80764 THE lessons for stake- country knows from the lines, has unearthed only formal survey done by United States Dollar 1.99000 2.02768 holders in the Barbados bitter experience of the a few examples of proven Michael Skapinker of the Telegraphic Transfer tourism industry is that past 12 months that the in-flight transmission. Financial Times, found Currency Buying Selling they need to come up with virus will take advantage Evidence has suggested that in Europe and the Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 universally applied pro- of every loophole in the so far that an individual USA, the process for Canadian Dollar 1.57046 1.60331 East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 tocols for all aspects of arrangement for suppres- is unlikely to catch the boarding and leaving the Euro 2.37266 2.41714 travel. sion and control. virus on a plane if every- aircraft and passport con- Guyana Dollar 0.00942 0.00948 That’s the view of “Coordinated efforts to one is wearing a mask trol arrangements, ex- Pound Sterling 2.75598 2.80764 Economist and close the gaps in the and social distance being posed passengers to seri- United States Dollar 1.99375 2.02768 International Consultant chain are an urgent ne- observed. ous risks of infection. Dr. Delisle Worrell, while cessity,” said Dr. Worrell “However, we cannot be The FT writer con- INDICATIVE RATES FOR SOME REGIONAL commenting on the ef- who is also a former so confident about prox- cludes, Dr. Worrell said, CURRENCIES AS ADVISED BY THE forts here to contain the Governor of the Central imity to infected people at “that sitting on a plane RESPECTIVE CENTRAL BANKS raging COVID-19 pan- Bank of Barbados. the airport, in immigra- probably presents few N.B.: These rates are not meant to be used for trading. demic. He said that a search tion queues or getting on dangers of infection. It is BDS$ Guyana Dollar 0.00945 In his Economic Letter for reports on on-board or off of the place,” he re- what happens before and Jamaica Dollar 0.01337 for March 2021, Dr. transmission of COVID- marked. after that are the real T&T Dollar 0.29685 Worrell said that the 19 when travelling on air- According to him, an in- problems.” 4 • Monday March 8, 2021 Business Monday

EDITOR’S Leverage Caribbean talent NOTEBOOK and create wealth

“And he hath filled him My thrust then, as it is with the spirit of God, in now, was to propose a ve- Vaccine cost wisdom, in understand- hicle which couples a pri- ing, and in knowledge, vate sector carriage as and in all manner of the engine of growth with workmanship.” – Exodus a public sector wagon, in too big a 35:31 the form of a user- friendly enabling envi- AS we plan for the ronment, to create wealth Caribbean recovery for people everywhere. burden on process after the devas- Here is a five-point tation of “World War III”, ing, science, sport, and vi- was “Mystery of Capital” plan to leverage otherwise known as the sion. In the Caribbean in- by Peruvian economist Caribbean talent and cre- COVID-19 pandemic, let trinsic creative intellec- Hernando de Soto who,in ate wealth: citizens us be inspired by the po- tual genius abounds. strong opposition to the 1 – Learn. Enhance the tential that lies in the ar- How can we leverage popular view that success social partnership prac- NOT surprising, the suggestion that Barbadians chipelago of the islands the plethora of potential is determined by cultural tice and the “Mystery of could be asked to contribute to the purchase of ad- and coastal communities talent, in the region and differences, finds that it Capital” concept to lever- ditional COVID-19 vaccines did not go down well in and bordering on the Diaspora, and create has everything to do with age talent to create busi- with DLP Leader Verla De Peiza. De Peiza made Caribbean Sea. wealth? the legal structure of ness enterprises, make her position known a week ago, citing the pres- Even though the mix of Nearly 20 years ago, I property and property profits, generate savings, sures that Barbadians are experiencing from the resources varies from was invited to Michigan rights. He hypothesized acquire personal and real impact of the same COVID-19. country to country and in State University to give a the need to nurture the property for talented However, what was important about Ms. De the Diaspora, the one re- lecture and lead seminars system that allows peo- Caribbean people and Peiza’s comments was when she made reference to source to be found in on the topic: “Addressing ple everywhere, including wealth for their coun- the $2.6 billion in reserves, a small portion of abundance in each coun- Caribbean Economic the poor, to mobilize their tries. which can be used to purchase the additional vac- try is talent, in the areas Issues through collective savings, acquire 2 – Document. In the cines. of academia, art, busi- Innovative Holistic personal and real prop- same that we survey the Almost every occasion provided, Government ness, culture, innovation, Capital Partnership erty,and transform it into onshore and offshore officials have made it known that reserves in- literature, music, prob- Initiatives”. wealth for their coun- fields of oil and gas, as- creased from the $400 million under the last ad- lem-solving, public speak- The book for the course tries. sess the potential of the ministration to the $2.6 billion. blue economy, engage in There are many people – although not all – who land use plans, and as- will agree with De Peiza that tapping into the re- sess the potential of re- serves is an option, and perhaps the best in light newable energy sources, of the prevailing circumstances facing many we need to document an Barbadians. They have to endure with enormous inventory of Caribbean taxes, several of them are out of work for over a talent at home and year and the situation is getting no better. It would abroad. therefore be too much of a burden for many in our 3 – Transform. Even midst. though talented persons are very impressive in terms of the delivery of their talents for public as- sumption, they often have no idea how to pack- age their individual tal- ents as successful busi- ness endeavors which have the potential for ex- port to the global mar- ket. 4 – Convert. Transforming talent into a business • The CARIFORUM - European idea is only the begin- ning. The individual Union Economic Partnership needs to be shepherded Agreement will be the subject of a (life coaching and busi- ness mentoring) to avoid discussion on Thursday. obstacles on the way to business success and profitable commercial re- • The annual general meeting of alities. CIBC FirstCaribbean International 5 – Investment. The Bank will be held on March 12, wealth creation strate- gies include a mix of sav- 2021. ings, stocks and real es- tate to build equity for the talented individual. • The annual meeting of the The amalgam of wealth Inter-American Development Bank creation of talented indi- viduals redounds to the is scheduled for March 17, at which benefit of the nation. time the bank will be assessing the Let us all be inspired to make the post COVID-19 macro-economic position of its economic recovery and member countries. growth experience the best that it can be. Business Monday Monday March 8, 2021 • 5

New WTO Director General sees region as priority TRADE IN FOCUS BARBADOS and other Barbados, Clevision eral trading system. Africa, Caribbean and Haynes. DG Okonjo-Iweala also Pacific (ACP) states are Among the areas dis- addressed the first meet- in for priority treat- cussed was pushing for a ing of the Structured ment from the World more inclusive deal within Discussions on Trade and Trade Organization the WTO system for LDCs Environmental (WTO) under its new and small countries. She Sustainability,at the invi- Director General Ms. also called for major coun- tation of the 53-member NgoziOkonjo Iweala. tries to assist in easing the group that is exploring The WTO in a state- debt woes of developing ways trade and the WTO New Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, ment to this paper has countries, particularly can better contribute to center, poses between WTO Deputy Directors-General Alan Wolff, left, and given that assurance as those hit hard by the achieving environmental Karl Brauner upon her arrival at the WTO headquarters to take office in the new Director General COVID 19 pandemic. goals. Geneva, Switzerland, last Monday. hit the ground running She recently finished In her discussions with last week in meeting with her first week at the WTO the LDC Group, the Structured Discussions on sidies. ber of ambassadors in several groups and indi- by meeting with ambassa- Director-General noted Trade and Environmental At the same time, DG Geneva and has spoken to vidual ambassadors, in dors and groups of mem- that the COVID-19 pan- Sustainability, the Okonjo-Iweala empha- heads of government, min- Geneva where the WTO is bers for solutions-oriented demic had reversed one or Director-General ex- sized that “the green tran- isters and her counter- based. conversations aimed at even two decades of devel- pressed agreement with sition must be just and parts at other interna- “A top priority for her finding ways for the organ- opment progress for many the group on the “need to fair”, with support for tional organizations. She will be to continue her ization to deliver results LDCs, and that it contin- harness the power of trade countries that need it, and has also started meeting meetings with individual in 2021 and beyond. She ued to disrupt key LDC ex- for the environment”, care to ensure that envi- with regional and issue- ambassadors and groups, kicked off her tenure by ports, whether of tourism drawing particular atten- ronmental measures are based groups, including including the African attending the General services, commodities or tion to climate change and not misused to discrimi- the Group of Latin Group, the ACP and the Council session from 1 to 4 manufactures. Trade and the potential to create jobs nate against the exports of American and Caribbean Association of Southeast March. the WTO had a critical in sectors such as renew- developing and least-de- members earlier in the Asian Nations,” according On 5 March, the new role to play, she said, both able energy. veloped countries. week. to the statement. Director-General met with in making COVID-19 vac- She suggested the group She thanked the In all of these discus- Last November the the Group of Least cines more affordable and could look at issues includ- Friends of the System for sions, the Director- Director-General pre- Developed Countries as accessible, and in driving a ing trade in environmen- their efforts to help the General has urged mem- sented the Sir Winston well as the Friends of the global recovery in living tal goods and services,how wider membership find bers to engage with each Scott Memorial Lecture in System, an alliance of standards.“We are here to trade could help meet net- workable compromises on other, show flexibility and Barbados. On that occa- small and mid-sized mem- make life in LDCs better,” zero carbon targets, ways issues that have long been work towards concrete de- sion, the lecture took the bers from different regions she added.“If we don’t suc- WTO rules could foster cir- at an impasse. liverables at the Twelfth form of a virtual discus- and development levels ceed with LDCs, we will cular economies, and op- Since taking office, DG Ministerial Conference to sion with the Governor of that are committed to a not have succeeded.” tions for addressing envi- Okonjo-Iweala has met bi- be held in Geneva in the the Central Bank of well-functioning multilat- Speaking to the ronmentally harmful sub- laterally with a large num- week of 29 November. (JB) The Caribbean must build sound fiscal, monetary, financial institutions to boost growth

TO build resilience which are borrowing opment and prosperity,” Such actions can help re- tration, Strengthen public nancial systems, it is crit- against external shocks member countries of the said Moisés J. Schwartz, duce the risk of debt and financial management, ical to ensure that these and recover from the IDB. manager of Institutions financial crises. Improve fiscal rules and institutions are prepared COVID-19 pandemic, “As Caribbean govern- for Development “Countries that have en- Build sustainable pension to deal with severe and un- Caribbean countries must ments pivot towards Department of the IDB, gaged in institutional de- systems. foreseen shocks to their fi- advance key fiscal and fi- smart and resilient invest- and one of the editors of velopment have been nancing and trading activ- nancial reforms that range ments, strong economic in- the book. “The reforms shown to be better A Reform Agenda for ities. The region should from stronger tax and pen- stitutions are needed to needed in Caribbean coun- equipped to confront eco- Monetary Institutions implement financial regu- sions systems to improved ensure public spending tries should not be under- nomic shocks, such as the and Sound Financial latory reforms aimed at in- debt and financial man- benefits all citizens. In ad- estimated or postponed.” coronavirus pandemic, be Systems troducing macropruden- agement, a new study by dition to recommendations Economic growth in six more resilient in respond- The study highlights the tial standards that help the Inter-American for improving fiscal man- Caribbean countries has ing to them, and have bet- following reforms to pro- banks keep lending dur- Development Bank (IDB) agement, the book also lagged Latin America, the ter prospects to recover mote monetary stability ing economic downturns says. proposes important mone- study said. As highly in- more rapidly,”said Diether and stronger financial sys- and prevent their lending The book entitled tary and financial system debted small states de- W.Beuermann, Economics tems; Promote central from overheating the econ- Economic Institutions for reforms to ensure pendent on either tourism Lead Specialist for the bank independence omy during good times. a Resilient Caribbean rec- Caribbean institutions or on nonrenewable natu- Caribbean Department of thereby ensuring techni- The study recommends re- ommends that the region and people are prepared ral resources, these coun- the IDB and one of the ed- cal and political independ- forms to foster greater strengthens its institu- for the future,” said tries are vulnerable to itors of the book. ence of central banks, as competition and financial tions to promote economic Therese Turner-Jones, boom-and-bust commodity well as introducing inclusion, including the es- growth in line with a sus- General Manager of the cycles, interest rate swings A Fiscal Management greater transparency in tablishment of credit reg- tainable fiscal manage- Country Department and natural disasters. Reform Agenda for the their operations, should istries and bureaus to fa- ment, effective monetary Caribbean Group at the The book said that Caribbean rank high on the agendas cilitate more effective policy, and resilient finan- IDB. stronger institutions will The book highlights the of policymakers in the re- sharing of credit perform- cial systems. The analysis “Stronger and better- allow governments in the following reform opportu- gion. ance records, strength- lays out specific reform equipped institutions con- region to better plan and nities for the Caribbean to Also highlighted in the ened property rights and agendas for The Bahamas, stitute a formula for suc- respond to such eco- promote fiscal sustainabil- study was the strengthen- insolvency procedures, Barbados, Guyana, cess, and sound economic nomic challenges, by pro- ity; Simplify taxes and re- ing of financial regulation. and improved financial Jamaica, Suriname, and institutions are a prereq- moting improved fiscal duce incentives, Given the importance of technologies with ade- Trinidad and Tobago, uisite for economic devel- and monetary discipline. Modernize tax adminis- banks in the region’s fi- quate safeguards. 6 • Monday March 8, 2021 Business Monday

Late start means harder financial preparation THEY say hindsight is 20/20, how- ever Sagicor is encouraging Barbadians to avoid waiting until it is too late before realising they have not adequately prepared for their retirement years. The advice came from Stephen Robinson,Vice President of Pensions with Sagicor Life Inc., as he discussed some of the misconceptions individuals have sur- rounding pension planning, along with Don Benn, Operations Manager, the steps that should be taken during WIRD. their most productive years. “The most common misconception is that pension planning is something that WIRD continues you do later in life. If you are referring to writing a bucket list of the things you would like to do when you are retired, to support then this is acceptable. However,if you’re talking about preparing yourself finan- frontline cially,then that is an activity that should be started much earlier in life”, he said. BARBADOS’ leading rum producer con- Robinson made the point that most in- tinues to be a major partner in the na- dividuals start to work in their early tional fight against COVID-19. twenties up until their mid-sixties, which Stephen Robinson, Vice President of Pensions with Sagicor Life Inc. Since the beginning of the year, the means their average working life is West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) has around 40 years. This is followed by an it would therefore mean that in retire- you would need in such a short period of donated more than 7,000 litres of alcohol average retirement period of 15 to 20 ment, an income of $2,000 monthly is the time, especially if you still have major fi- to several organisations and government years, which is a long time to be able to minimum you would need to maintain nancial obligations to take care of. If you agencies to aid in sanitising and the gen- live without the requisite amount of your pre-retirement quality of life.” start from the time you start working, you eral cleaning of physical plants. funds. “Unfortunately, because of the wide- would be in a much better position when While the distillery incorporates alco- “Typically,you need 65 to 80 percent of spread view that pension planning is for that time of your life comes.” hol as a celebrated component of its your pre-retirement income to live com- “older people” many individuals wait Robinson therefore encouraged award-winning rums, over the last year fortably throughout the course of your until they’re in their 50s or even later to Barbadians to consider their current age, WIRD has also been serving the national retirement, assuming that by that time start thinking seriously about their re- the stage of life they are in, their current need in providing the key ingredient you would have cleared off major ex- tirement finances. They then try to save income, as well as the quality of life they used in the making of safe, simple and ef- penses such as your mortgage, car loans quickly in 10 or 15 years what they could want to live during retirement. “Once fective disinfectants including hand sani- and the expenses related to the care of have been saving gradually over 40”, said they have made this assessment, they tiser. your children”, he explained.“If you were the Vice President. “It will certainly be a can then proceed to set out their financial “This situation calls for a national ef- working for $3,000 a month for example, difficult task to save the amount of money planning goals,” he stated. fort and we are happy to be able to assist and support our public sector partners and other agencies. Having locally pro- duced alcohol readily available also EU wants employers to report means there’s no need for an overseas procurement process, and in some in- stances, we also deliver the same day,” said Don Benn, Operations Manager, pay levels to fix gender gap WIRD. In the last two months, the distillery BRUSSELS – The European Union ex- President Vera Jourova. “We have suffi- The European Trade Union has provided free alcohol to all polyclin- ecutive wants to force employers to be ciently strong evidence that we need to Confederation lauded the intent but said ics, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the much more open about how much their have binding rules and not only to rely the proposals lacked teeth to force com- Best Dos Santos Laboratory, the Royal staff earn to make it easier for women to on social responsibility of the companies panies into decisive action. It complained Barbados Police Force, the Barbados Fire challenge wage imbalances and close the because we see that it doesn’t lead any- that small- and medium-size companies, Service, the Barbados Prison Service and gender pay gap. where,” she said. where such discrimination often hap- the Sanitation Service Authority. Even though the gender pay gap across She said that over the past 7 years, the pens, were excluded from key elements “The goal here is to give our front-line the 27-nation bloc has been reduced to gap had closed only by little over 2 per- of the enforcement. workers one less thing to worry about, as 14% for people doing exactly the same centage points. “You can imagine if we The proposal now goes to the alcohol-based sanitiser remains one of work, the European Commission wants continue like that, we will achieve pay European Parliament and EU countries the most important tools in keeping to eliminate the disparity by imposing fairness some time in several decades. So for further discussion before it can be themselves and the public of Barbados specific rules to make pay levels public. we cannot continue like that.” approved. safe. WIRD will also support this effort “For equal pay,you need transparency. Under the commission’s proposals, em- The announcement came ahead of for as long as there is a need,” said Women must know whether their em- ployers would have to give information International Women’s Day next Andrew Hassell, Managing Director, ployers treat them fairly,” said EU about initial pay levels in the vacancy Monday. WIRD. Commission President Ursula von der announcement and ahead of the job in- The EU noted that women had been Over a ten-month period last year, Leyen. terview,during which employers will not disproportionally affected by the pan- WIRD also increased its production of Since its inception in 1957, the be allowed to ask about applicants’ pre- demic, many having to add more home alcohol that was used in the production European Union has sought to end such vious pay grades. tasks to their work schedule because of of hand sanitiser and rubbing alcohol by gender bias, but progress has been slow Employees will be allowed to ask em- the closure of schools and day care cen- local manufacturers and pharmacies. over the decades. When it comes to pen- ployers the average pay levels by gender ters. “Our capacity allowed us to produce sion rights, reflecting working conditions for people doing the same work. “The COVID-19 pandemic has not only one litre of alcohol for every Barbadian of the past 30 to 40 years, the gender And to put more pressure on big com- consolidated injustices and inequalities man, woman and child per week.This ef- gap still stands at 30%. panies, the proposal forces firms with that already existed in our societies, it is fort by the team speaks to their agility Wage conditions and scales in Europe more than 250 employees to publish in- also likely to wipe out decades of achieve- and responsiveness to ensure all the re- have long been shrouded in secrecy, formation about any gender pay gap. ments by women, on progresses in the quests and orders continue to be fulfilled. which has helped extend inequality and If women remain underpaid, the com- labor market,” said European WIRD is part of the Barbadian fabric proved to be a big hurdle for those de- mission wants them to be able to get Parliament President David Sassoli. and we are committed to keeping as manding pay justice. back pay and it wants the burden of proof Jourova said women were vulnerable many people as possible safe,” added And companies have fallen far short in to be on employers, not the women chal- because most were still at the bottom of Hassell. helping bridge the gap, said EU Vice lenging them. the pay scale. Business Monday Monday March 8, 2021 • 7

Regular Market BARBADOS STOCK REPORT Security Volume High Low Market Advance/ Price Decline March 5, 2021

There was no activity on the Regular Market. Deposit Security Previous Current Advance/ Week in Review Close Close Decline EMERA DEPOSIT RECEIPT $20.05 $20.02 -$0.03 This week, the Regular Market traded a total volume of 500 shares. West India Biscuit Company Limited was the sole company traded this week with 500 shares.

BARBADOSBARBADOS STSTOCKOCK EXCHANGEEXCHANGE SHARE SUMMARY INFORMATION Friday March 5, 2021 INDICES LAST TRADE VOLUME HIGH LOW LAST CURRENT PRICE BID ASK BID ASK TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES DATE CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE PRICE PRICE SIZE SIZE March 5, 2021 March 4, 2021 Local 2,437.84 2,437.87 (0.03) ABV Investments Incorporated 15-Oct-20 - - - $0.05 $0.05 - $0.02 $0.30 8,080 10,498 Cross-list 933.43 933.43 - BICO Limited 21-Sep-20 - - - $3.10 $3.10 - $3.10 - 70 - Composite 594.07 594.08 (0.01) MARKET CAPITALISATION (in millions) Banks Holdings Limited -+ 09-Dec-19 - - - $4.85 $4.85 - - - - - TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES Barbados Dairy Industries Limited -+ 04-Oct-19 - - - $3.00 $3.00 - - - - - March 5, 2021 March 4, 2021 Local 4,900.25 4,900.31 (0.07) Barbados Farms Limited 22-Jan-21 - - - $0.40 $0.40 - $0.35 $0.40 1,000 6,561 Cross-list 119.19 119.19 - Composite 5,019.44 5,019.50 (0.07) Cave Shepherd and Company Limited 28-Jan-21 - - - $4.10 $4.10 - $4.00 $4.10 72 1,100 MUTUAL FUND FirstCaribbean International Bank 24-Feb-21 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $1.80 - 14,251 March 5, 2021 ENDED NAME OF FUND NAV OFFER BID NAV Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 19-Feb-21 - - - $0.16 $0.16 - - $0.16 - 5,066 CHANGE - Dev Fund 26-Feb-21 REPUBLIC CAPITAL GROWTH FUND w 1.1991 -0.0118 26-Feb-21 REPUBLIC INCOME FUND w 1.2578 -0.0003 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 26-Feb-21 - - - $0.56 $0.56 - $0.55 $0.57 1,600 1,000 26-Feb-21 REPUBLIC PROPERTY FUND w 0.6720 -0.0003 -Value Fund 26-Feb-21 FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND w 6.5878 6.5878 6.5878 -0.0718 26-Feb-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - ACC. w 2.0934 -0.0041 Goddard Enterprises Limited 22-Feb-21 - - - $2.10 $2.10 - $2.10 $2.15 17,805 52,716 26-Feb-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - DIST. w 1.0191 -0.0019 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY SELECT BALANCED FUND m 5.5698 5.5698 5.4584 -0.0020 Insurance Corporation of B’dos Limited 23-Feb-21 - - - $2.00 $2.00 - $1.78 $2.00 78 22,200 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND m 1.0241 1.0241 1.0036 0.0000 31-Jan-21 ROYAL FIDELITY PREMIUM INCOME FUND m 1.6429 1.6429 1.6100 -0.0006 One Caribbean Media Limited 18-Feb-21 - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $2.20 - 1,000 05-Mar-21 SAGICOR GLOBAL BALANCED FUND w 2.73 -0.02 Sagicor Financial Corporation Pref 6.5% 23-Jun-16 - -- $2.26 $2.26 ---- - 05-Mar-21 SAGICOR SELECT GROWTH FUND w 1.65 -0.02 05-Mar-21 SAGICOR PREFERRED INCOME FUND w 0.98 0.00 Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited -+ 29-Nov-19 - -- $2.80 $2.80 - - - -- * Indicates the Fund is currently ex-div NOTES: QUOTATIONS AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ARE SUPPLIED BY THE West India Biscuit Company Limited 03-Mar-21 - - - $31.25 $31.25 - $31.25 - 2,700 - FUND MANAGEMENT. THE OFFERING PRICE INCLUDES NET ASSET VALUE PLUS ENTRY COSTS. Emera Deposit Receipt 14-Aug-20 - - - $20.05 $20.02 -$0.03 $30.00 - 50 - m = monthly valuation, q = quarterly valuation, w = weekly

TOTAL SHARES BOUGHT & SOLD - Fixed Income Last Trade Last Current Bid Ask Bid Ask Date Close Close Price Price Size Size * = Security is Trading X-Div GOB Series B 04-Mar-21 $60.00 $60.00 - $80.00 - 34,828 GOB Series D 12-Nov-19 $50.00 $50.00 - - - - *+* = Security is Suspended GOB Series F 03-Nov-20 $89.00 $89.00 - - - - ** = Rights Issued GOB Series I 24-Mar-20 $65.00 $65.00 - $70.00 - 19,617 NOTICES NEWS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS US and EU suspend tariffs FirstCaribbean International Bank - Directors have fixed February 1st, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on March 12th, 2021. The meeting can be accessed virtually here: https://web.lumiagm.com/286-507-132. Shareholders who wish to attend the annual meeting must contact in Boeing Airbus row FirstCaribbean International Bank by March 10, 2021 at [email protected] to obtain the Meeting ID and Password to join the meeting. THE US and the EU have at a time when the pan- agreed to a four-month demic is hurting our work- Emera Incorporated - Directors have fixed March 22nd, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to suspension of tariffs they ers and our economies,” he receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company which will be held on May 20th, 2021. imposed on each other as said. BICO Limited – Notice is hereby given that the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of BICO punishment for subsidies Limited is scheduled to take place on April 13th, 2021 at the Company’s registered address: Harbor Industrial Park, Bridgetown, provided to rival plane- WTO Boeing Airbus fight BB11145 at 5:00 p.m. makers Airbus and Boeing. The dispute between the BSE NOTICES The move affects billions US and EU over the air- COVID-19 PROCEDURAL UPDATE of dollars worth of goods craft subsidies goes back including tractors, wine nearly two decades. Kindly note that effective February 26th, 2021, the offices of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) and the Barbados Central and cheese. In 2019, the World Trade Securities Depository Inc. (BCSDI) remain closed in accordance with the recommendations contained in Directive No. 5 issued by the Government of Barbados for the period March 1st, 2021 to March 14th, 2021. It comes a day after the Organisation ruled that US agreed to suspend its the EU had illegally pro- Kindly note, however, that while our physical offices will be closed, all trading, clearing and settlement operations will remain fully tariffs on UK imports vided support to Airbus, operational as staff will all be working remotely during this period. While our offices are closed, we remain easily accessible via email. stemming from the dis- clearing the way for the US For Stock Exchange related queries, kindly email us at [email protected] and for Shareholder related queries contact us at [email protected]. pute. to respond with tariffs The US said the step worth up to $7.5bn We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding and trust that all and sundry remain safe during this time. marked a “fresh start” to (£5.4bn) in annual trade. US-EU trade relations. Roughly one year later, TRADING SUSPENSION European Commission in a parallel case, it ruled The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Banks Holdings Limited were Executive Vice-President that the US benefits to suspended effective December 10th, 2019. and Trade Commissioner Boeing also violated trade Valdis Dombrovskis also rules, authorising the EU The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section 4.01.3 and subject to Section called it a “reset” for the to hit the US with tariffs 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Common Shares of Barbados Dairy Industries Limited were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. relationship, which grew worth roughly $4bn. strained under former Since then, both sides The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that to facilitate the closing of the Scheme of Arrangement effected by way President Donald Trump. have taken steps to remove of Section 99 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda involving the transfer of all the issued and outstanding shares in Sagicor “Removing these tariffs the assistance found at Financial Corporation Limited to Alignvest Acquisition II, it has suspended trading in the security Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited. is a win-win for both sides, fault. Barbados Advocate Late start means harder financial preparation

IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS DO BUSINESS Page 6 ATTRACTING INVESTMENT POST-PANDEMIC HEAD of the International Ms. Coke-Hamilton main- In her opinion a successful Trade Centre (ITC) in tained that investment facilita- outcome can contribute towards Geneva, Ms. Pamela Coke- tion includes other features. creating an enabling environ- Hamilton has outlined a According to her, these are ment to facilitate FDI flows into road map for Barbados and “making investment informa- productive activities. Ms. Coke- Caribbean countries to re- tion more easily available, re- Hamilton said that as a result of build investment flows back ducing red tape, helping in- the COVID-19 pandemic and to the region. vestors navigate domestic regu- the related economic downturn, Speaking recently, she said lations, assisting investors to global flows of foreign direct in- that a transparent, consistent amicably resolve conflict”. vestment fell by 42 per cent in and predictable investment fa- She pointed out that all of 2020. cilitation regime provides a these measures can significantly For Latin America and the Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Head of the International Trade boost in confidence to domestic boost investment flows through Caribbean the decline was esti- Centre (ITC) in Geneva. and foreign investors. improving transparency and mated at almost 55 per cent. Her comments were made at clarity of the legislation and pro- Coupled with the shocks to that revitalising investment will ney itself is as important as the a roundtable discussion and cedures, reducing the cost of the tourism industries, the loss depend on many elements, sev- destination. It is a process of ex- came against the backdrop of an doing business, minimising the of jobs and the erosion of foreign eral of which are out of the con- changing information and ex- enormous fall-off in investment risk of corruption, and enhanc- reserves, such developments trol of small Caribbean islands. plaining expertise which is crit- flow in 2020. ing FDI contribution to local represent a recipe for disaster. “Therefore we must identify ical in helping developing coun- The ITC official said that at a communities. As such, Ms. Coke-Hamilton what is in our control and ac- tries’ administrations under- time of speculation and risk, the “With these objectives in said that revitalising invest- tion that, she suggested while stand where their comparative Caribbean can stay ahead of the mind the significance of the in- ment flows is one important noting that investment facilita- advantages are and the mecha- curve by “positioning itself as an vestment facilitation for devel- part of the recovery and building tion is within the control of nisms that must be put in place attractive region in which to in- opment initiative at the WTO back measures. Caribbean countries. to develop their investment vest”. cannot be overstated. Furthermore, she reasoned She remarked that the jour- regimes. Region closely following negotiations NEGOTIATIONS for a World Goals cannot be financed by Trade Organization Trade and public funds alone,” Paul told Investment Facilitation agree- the audience comprising some ment are being followed with ministers, stakeholders and great interest in the representatives of interna- Caribbean. tional organisation. So says Neil Paul, Director According to him, private fi- of the Shridath Ramphal nancing also has a role to play. Centre for International Trade In addition, creating a facilita- Law, Policy and Services. tive environment for sustain- Paul gave opening remarks able investment by local, for- at a roundtable event deemed eign, and diaspora investors, as extremely critical for ad- must be part of our countries’ vancing trade and investment post COVID-19 economic re- matters within the Caribbean. covery efforts. He has told the recent event The Shridath Ramphal discussing the WTO proposal Centre official sees the event as that although four Caribbean extremely important, noting countries have officially signed that it should not only inform the WTO statement on the ini- participants about the current tiative, the negotiations are state of play with the WTO ne- being followed on a wider scale gotiations, but will be a plat- across the region. form for a full and frank ex- “This is because the majority change of views on the interest of our countries are FDI de- of the Caribbean on these nego- pendent,” Paul said. “It is also tiations. recognised that our achieve- Paul added the agreement ment of the 17 United Nations should include potential value Neil Paul, Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Sustainable Development added for the region. Services.

Printed and Published by ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC. Fontabelle, St. Michael. Telephone 467-2000, Fax 434-2020/434-1000 The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 17

‘US will do what’s necessary to defend itself after attack in Iraq’ WASHINGTON – The who was responsible. US “What they should draw rockets landed at the base United States will do officials have said the in- from this, again, is that but the Pentagon was what it sees as necessary cident fit the profile of a we’re going to defend our more guarded, saying to defend its interests strike by Iran-backed troops and our response there were ten “impacts.” after a rocket attack last militia. will be thoughtful. It will It said the rockets ap- week against Iraq’s Ain “We’ll strike, if that’s be appropriate,” Austin peared to have been fired al-Sada airbase, which what we think we need to said.“We would hope that from multiple sites east of hosts American, coalition do, at a time and place of they would choose to do the base, which also was and Iraqi forces, US our own choosing. We de- the right things.” targeted last year by a Defense Secretary Lloyd mand the right to protect There were no reports ballistic missile attack di- Austin said on Sunday. our troops,” Austin said. of injuries among US rectly from Iran. Speaking on ABC’s Asked if Iran had been service personnel after US forces carried out air “This Week” program, given a message that US the attack but an strikes against facilities Austin said the United retaliation would not con- American civilian contrac- at a border control point States is urging Iraq to stitute an escalation, tor died after suffering a in Syria used by Iranian- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to quickly investigate the in- Austin said that Iran is “cardiac episode” while backed militias including Defense Department personnel during a visit by cident at the base located fully capable of assessing sheltering from the rock- Kata’ib Hezbollah and US President Joe Biden at the Pentagon in in western Anbar the strike and U.S activi- ets, the Pentagon said. Kata’ib Sayyid al- Arlington, Virginia, US. province and determine ties. Iraqi officials said ten Shuhada in February. Senegal protests: The country is ‘on the verge of an apocalypse’ A TOP Senegalese offi- cial whose job is to set- tle conflicts has said the country is on a dan- gerous precipice after four days of protests left at least five young people dead. Alioune Badara Cissé, known as the mediator of the republic, urged the au- thorities to stop threats and intimidation against protesters. He also called for those on the streets to act peace- fully and stop looting. The unrest was trig- gered by the arrest of op- position leader Ousmane Sonko. Mr Sonko appeared in court on Friday accused of disrupting public order. He also faces a rape alle- gation. He denies the allega- tions and his supporters say the accusations are po- litically motivated. The protests have also The protests have spread from Dakar to different parts of the country. been fuelled by economic inequalities and concerns the country. turn to order". to exercise restraint and public order when he re- Mr Sall may seek to over young people’s stan- But the respected medi- Speaking on national remain calm” - adding fused to change his route change the constitution to dard of living. ator is warning of much TV,Mr Diome accused Mr that the authorities to the court. allow him to run for a In a press conference on more turmoil ahead un- Sonko of “issuing calls to should “take the necessary Mr Sonko says the alle- third term. Sunday,Mr Cissé said the less the government acts violence". measures to ease tensions gations of rape are fabri- Mr Sonko - who is par- authorities “need to pause fast to address the deepen- The opposition alliance and guarantee the free- cated. He accuses ticularly popular with and speak with our youth” ing poverty and lack of job known as the Movement dom to demonstrate President Macky Sall of young Senegalese - is the and warned that “we are prospects for the youth, to Defend Democracy peacefully". trying to remove potential president’s only remain- on the verge of an apoca- says BBC World Service (M2D), which is behind Mr Sonko, 46, was ac- opponents ahead of the ing serious challenger, lypse". Africa Editor Will Ross. the demonstrations, has cused of rape in February. 2024 election. says BBC Afrique’s Ndèye His statement came a On Friday, following vi- announced three further Following an investiga- Two other opposition Khady Lo in Dakar. day after a teenager in the olence in the capital, days of protests starting tion he was arrested on leaders were excluded In 2014 he founded his southern city of Diaobe be- Dakar, and elsewhere, on Monday. Wednesday and taken to from the 2019 election own political party,Pastef- came the fifth person Interior Minister Antoine The West African re- court accompanied by a after being convicted on Les Patriotes, and came known to have died in Felix Abdoulaye Diome gional group Ecowas has group of supporters. charges which they say third in the 2019 presiden- clashes with security vowed to use “all the condemned the violence Police said they then ar- were politically motivated. tial election with 15% of forces in various parts of means necessary for a re- and called on “all parties rested him for disrupting There are reports that the vote. 18 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate French MP and billionaire Olivier Dassault dies

FRENCH MP and bil- The accident occurred on In his tribute, President The MP,from the centre- Twitter. Richard Ferrand, presi- lionaire Olivier Sunday evening in Emanuel Macron said right Republicans, was The helicopter carrying dent of the National Dassault has died in a Normandy where he had a Dassault, 69, loved France considered the 361st rich- Dassault crashed near Assembly, said: “I am helicopter crash in holiday home, according to and his death would be “a est man in the world – Deauville at about 18:00 thinking of his family and north-western France. police sources. great loss". worth an estimated ¤6.3bn sources told AFP news loved ones who must feel Dassault was the son of ($7.3bn; £5.2bn) according agency. The pilot was also terrible pain.” industrialist Serge to Forbes. killed, the sources added. Valerie Pecresse, a con- GOVERNMENT NOTICE Dassault, whose group “Olivier Dassault loved No-one else was on board. servative politician, builds Rafale war planes France. Captain of indus- Investigators with tweeted:“Great sadness at Particulars Regarding the Vacant Post of and owns Le Figaro news- try,lawmaker,local elected France’s civil aviation au- the news of the sudden Pharmacist Barbados Defence Force paper. official, reserve com- thority said in a tweet that passing of Olivier He was elected to the mander in the air force: the helicopter, an AS350 Dassault. A businessman, 1. Headquarters, Barbados Defence Force is inviting suitably qualified National Assembly – during his life, he never Écureuil, had crashed “on but also a renowned pho- applicants for the post of Pharmacist. France’s lower house of ceased to serve our coun- take-off” from private tographer, he had a pas- parliament – in 2002 and try, to value its assets. His land. sion for politics in his 2. The appointment of Pharmacist is a civilian post on the Civilian represented the Oise area sudden death is a great Dassault was the father blood.” Establishment of the Barbados Defence Force. Among other qualities, of northern France. loss,” Mr Macron said on of three children. Dassault’s grandfather, confidentiality and trustworthiness shall be the enduring character traits Marcel Dassault, founded which the Pharmacist must demonstrate at all times. Dassault Aviation which GOVERNMENT NOTICE made aircraft propellers in 3. Qualifications. Qualification requirements for this position are as fol- World War One. lows: TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF On Marcel’s death in 1986, Serge Dassault ap- a. Must be a Registered Pharmacist. DRUGS AND RELATED ITEMS TO THE BARBADOS DRUG SERVICE pointed Olivier director of civil aircraft strategy at b. Not less than five (5) years’ relevant experience in retail Pharmacy Dispensing. Notice is hereby given that invitations to tender for the supply of the company. In 2011 he Drugs and Related items under a Maximum Price Contract for a was appointed chairman 4. Duties and Responsibilities. The successful applicant will be period of twenty-four months with effect from April 1, 2022 to of the supervisory board of expected to: March 31, 2024 will be available from 09:00 hours, Monday, Groupe Dassault. March 8, 2021. Dassault later stepped a. Dispense prescriptions for all pharmaceuticals ordered by the down from his role on the Doctors and Dentists; 2. An invitation to Tender is part of a Tender Document which The MP was estimated board to avoid any conflict includes instructions to Tenderers and other relevant information. to be the 361st richest of interest in his political b. Educate patients on the use of pharmaceuticals prescribed; The Tender Document will be obtainable from the BARBADOS man in the world. career. DRUG SERVICE, 6th FLOOR, WARRENS TOWERS II, c. Maintain the Treatment, Emergency Room and Chamber Room WARRENS, ST. MICHAEL BARBADOS. The Tender Document stocked with pharmaceuticals, dressings and other supplies; relates to the products of Drug Manufacturers who are Approved Suppliers to the Barbados Drug Service as required by Rule 40 Switzerland: Voters d. Order pharmaceuticals , dressings and other supplies for the of the Financial Administration and Audit (Drug Service) Rules, Medical Unit Stores; 1980; unapproved suppliers will not be issued Tender Documents. support ban on face e. Inspect, analyse and restock the Medical Inspection Rooms at Paragon, Willoughby Fort and Coast Guard Ships; 3. The successful Tenderer(s) will be required to enter into a contract in a form approved by the Solicitor General and may be coverings in public f. Maintain patient pharmaceutical profiles; required to provide surety for the due performance of the contract in accordance with the Financial Administration and Audit (Drug SWITZERLAND has nar- 30 women wear the niqab. g. Manage Medical and Emergency Stores; Service) Rules. rowly voted in favour of About 5% of Switzerland’s banning face coverings in population of 8.6 million h. Supply pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to the Barbados public, including the people are Muslim, most Cadet Corps and Sports Programme for specific events; 4. TENDERERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE LABOUR CLAUSES (PUBLIC CONTRACT) ACT CAP. 349 SHALL, IN SO burka or niqab worn by originating from Turkey, FAR AS IS APPLICABLE TO THE TENDER, APPLY TO ANY Muslim women. Bosnia and Kosovo. i. Lecture to participants involved in BDF Medical courses when the Official results showed Swiss people are given a need arises; CONTRACT MADE IN RESPECT OF THE TENDER. FULL DETAILS OF THE CONDITIONS OF THIS ACT CAP. 349 MAY the measure had passed direct say in their own af- j. Provide information and advice on health matters; and, BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, by 51.2% to 48.8% in fairs under the country’s LABOUR DEPARTMENT, NATIONAL INSURANCE BUILDING, Sunday’s referendum. system of direct democ- k. Any other related duties that may be assigned. FAIRCHILD STREET, ST. MICHAEL, BRIDGETOWN. The proposal was put racy. They are regularly TENDERERS SHOULD SUBMIT WITH THEIR TENDERS THE forward by the right-wing invited to vote on various 5. Salary. The salary of the Pharmacist is Z16 – Z11 i.e. $45,981.81 - CERTIFICATE REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE Swiss People’s Party issues in national or re- $53,431.30 per annum (Pharmacist II) SCHEDULE OF THE ACT WITH THEIR TENDER. (SVP) which campaigned gional referendums. with slogans such as “Stop It is not the first time 6. Appointment. The appointment is permanent and is subject to 5. All CORPORATE TENDERERS must include with their extremism". Islam has figured in a termination by at least four weeks’ notice on either side. tenders a copy of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation as A leading Swiss Islamic Swiss referendum. In evidence of the fact that the company is an existing group said it was “a dark 2009 citizens went against 7. Leave. Leave is granted as follows: registered company as at the date of tender. FAILURE TO day” for Muslims. government advice and PROVIDE THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION WILL “Today’s decision opens voted to ban the building a. Vacation Leave. The Pharmacist is entitled to thirty (30) days’ RENDER THE TENDER VOID. The Certificate must be in the old wounds, further ex- of minarets - a proposal vacation leave per annum. name of the tenderer. pands the principle of also put forward by the b. Sick Leave. Twenty-one (21) days sick leave is granted per year. legal inequality, and sends SVP which said minarets 6. Local Tenderers are advised that the Certificate of a clear signal of exclusion were a sign of Incorporation referred to at paragraph 5 above means a to the Muslim minority,” Islamisation. c. Method of Selection. Applicants will be invited to attend an Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act interview with a panel as selected by HQ BDF. Interested persons or where applicable a Certificate of Continuance and/or the Central Council of The proposal in are invited to submit applications to: Chief of Staff, Barbados Certificate of Amalgamation or Certificate of Amendment. Muslims said in a state- Sunday’s referendum did Defence Force, St. Ann’s Fort, Garrison, St. Michael no later than Certificates must be dated after 31st December, 1984. ment, adding that it would not mention Islam directly 17 March 2021. challenge the decision in and was also aimed at 7. A Tender must be submitted in a sealed envelope or package court. stopping violent street 9. Assessment. Applicants will be assessed on the following: identified as a TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF DRUGS AND The Swiss government protesters from wearing RELATED ITEMS and addressed to the CHAIRMAN, DRUG had argued against the masks. However, the vote a. Relevant qualifications and professional training; TENDERS COMMITTEE, BARBADOS DRUG SERVICE, 6TH ban saying it was not up to was widely referred to as b. Experience; FLOOR, WARRENS TOWERS II, WARRENS, ST. MICHAEL the state to dictate what “the burka ban". c. Performance at interview; women wear. The latest proposal pre- d. General suitability BARBADOS to reach her not later than 16:00 hour on Monday May 10, 2021. According to research by dated the coronavirus 10. Further particulars and a copy of the Terms of Reference for the post the University of Lucerne pandemic, which has of Pharmacist may be obtained from the Staff Officer (Civilian), 8. The Government of Barbados does not bind itself to accept the (in German), almost no- meant all Swiss adults Barbados Defence Force. lowest or any tender. one in Switzerland wears having to wear masks in a burka and only around many settings. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 19

Where IS ruled, pope calls on Christians to forgive, rebuild QARAQOSH, Iraq – Conception. “What is destroyed and many thou- Pope Francis urged needed is the ability to for- sands of people – Muslims, Iraq’s Christians on give, but also the courage Christians,Yazidis — who Sunday to forgive the not to give up.” were cruelly annihilated injustices against them The Qaraqosh church by terrorism and others by Muslim extremists has been extensively ren- forcibly displaced or and to rebuild as he vis- ovated after being vandal- killed.” ited the wrecked shells ized by IS militants dur- IS inflicted atrocities of churches and met ec- ing their takeover of the against all communities, static crowds in the town, making it a symbol including Muslims, during community’s historic of recovery efforts. its three-year rule across heartland, which was Iraq’s Christian popula- much of northern and nearly erased by the tion, which has existed western Iraq. But the Islamic State group’s here since the time of Christian minority was hit horrific reign. Christ, has dwindled from especially hard. The mili- “Fraternity is more around 1.5 million before tants forced them to durable than fratricide, the 2003 U.S.-led invasion choose among conversion, hope is more powerful that plunged the country death or the payment of a than hatred, peace more into chaos to just a few special tax for non- powerful than war,” the hundred thousand today. Muslims. Thousands fled, pontiff said during Francis’s visit, on its last leaving homes and prayers for the dead in the day Sunday, aimed to en- churches that were de- city of Mosul, with the call courage them to stay, re- stroyed or commandeered for tolerance that has been build and restore what he by the extremists. the central message of his called Iraq’s “intricately Mosul, Iraq’s second four-day visit to Iraq. designed carpet” of faiths largest city, became IS’s Pope Francis, surrounded by shells of destroyed churches, leads a prayer for At each stop in northern and ethnic groups. bureaucratic and financial the victims of war at Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once the Iraq, the remnants of its backbone. It took a fero- de-facto capital of IS yesterday. The long 2014-2017 war to drive IS out left Christian population First stop cious nine-month battle to ransacked homes and charred or pulverized buildings around the north of turned out, jubilant, ulu- Dressed in white, Francis finally free the city in July Iraq, all sites Francis visited on Sunday. lating and decked out in took to a red carpeted 2017. Between 9,000 and colorful dress. Heavy se- stage in Mosul on his first 11,000 civilians were ered a message of interre- filled with pain, misery, cheers when he arrived curity prevented Francis stop of the day, sur- killed, according to an AP ligious tolerance to war, persecution and dis- and did a lap around the from plunging into the rounded by the grey hol- investigation at the time, Muslim leaders, including placement.Things are dif- track in his open-sided crowd as he would nor- lowed-out shells of four and the war left a swath of in a historic meeting ficult for those living popemobile, the first and mally. Nonetheless, they churches – Syriac destruction. Many Iraqis Saturday with Iraq’s top here.” only time he has used it simply seemed overjoyed Catholic, Armenian have had to rebuild on Shiite cleric, Grand At Qaraqosh, Francis on this trip due to security that he had come and that Orthodox, Syriac their own amid a years- Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. urged its residents to con- concerns. they had not been forgot- Orthodox and Chaldean – long financial crisis. tinue to dream, and for- On the makeshift altar ten. nearly destroyed in the The Rev.Raed Kallo was Real changes needed give. for the Mass was a statue It was a sign of the des- war to oust IS fighters among the few Christians But Christians say it will “Forgiveness is neces- of the Virgin Mary from peration for support from the city. who returned to Mosul take real changes on the sary to remain in love,to the Mar Adday Church in among an ancient commu- It was a scene that after IS was defeated.“My ground for them to be able remain Christian,” he the town of Keramlis, nity uncertain whether it would have been unimag- Muslim brothers received to return and stay, saying said. which was restored after can hold on.The tradition- inable years earlier. me after the liberation of they face discrimination One resident, Doha IS militants chopped off ally Christian towns dot- Mosul, Iraq’s second the city with great hospi- and intimidation from Sabah Abdallah, told him its head and hands. ting the Nineveh Plains of largest city, was at the tality and love,” he said on Shiite militias on top of how her son and two other Few in the crowd wore the north emptied out in heart of the IS so-called stage before the pontiff. the economic hardships young people were killed facemasks, as was the case 2014 as Christians – as “caliphate” and witnessed Before IS, he had a suffered by all Iraqis. in a mortar strike Aug. 6, during all of Francis’ visits well as many Muslims – the worst of the group’s parish of 500 Christian Qaraqosh resident 2014 as IS neared the Sunday in northern Iraq. fled the Islamic State rule inflicted on Muslims, families. Now only 70 fam- Martin Auffee said he was town. “The martyrdom of The pope heads back to group’s onslaught. Only a Christians and others, in- ilies remain, he said. “But overjoyed by the pope’s these three angels” alerted Rome early Monday few have returned to their cluding beheadings and today I live among 2 mil- visit and appreciated that the other residents to flee, morning. homes since the defeat of mass killings. lion Muslims who call me he showed he was with she said. “The deaths of Public health experts IS in Iraq was declared He deviated from his their Father Raed,” he Christians as he urged three saved the entire had expressed concerns four years ago, and the prepared speech to em- said. them to endure. But the city.” ahead of the trip that rest remain scattered else- phasize the plight of Iraq’s Gutayba Aagha, the 27-year-old said many of She said now it was for large gatherings could where in Iraq or abroad. Yazidi minority,which was Muslim head of the the young in his area have the survivors to “try to for- serve as superspreader Bells rang out for the subjected to mass killings, Independent Social and grown weary of lack of op- give the aggressor.” events for the coronavirus pope’s arrival in the town abductions and sexual Cultural Council for the portunity. Francis wrapped up the in a country suffering of Qaraqosh. slavery at the hands of IS. Families of Mosul, invited “We don’t know for how day — and his visit — from a worsening out- “The road to a full recov- “How cruel it is that this “all our Christian broth- long they can cling onto with a Mass at the sta- break where few have ery may still be long, but I country, the cradle of civi- ers to return to this, their hope and continue to stay dium in Irbil, in the semi- been vaccinated.The pope ask you, please, not to lization, should have been city, their properties and in Iraq because there’s a autonomous northern and members of his dele- grow discouraged,” afflicted by so barbarous their businesses.” lot of pain, unemployment Kurdish region. An esti- gation have been vacci- Francis told a packed a blow,” Francis said,“with Throughout his four-day and uncertainty,” he said. mated 10,000 people nated but most Iraqis Church of the Immaculate ancient places of worship visit, Francis has deliv- “My whole life has been erupted in ululating have not. 20 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

GOVERNMENT NOTICE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Registration Department Institution: Inter-American Development Bank reengineering and change management. Country: Barbados Project: Public Sector Modernisation Programme 5. The consulting firm must present for consideration a qualified technical team that covers the Sector: Modernisation of the State necessary capabilities. Please note that a professional can only occupy one position for the required Abstract.: Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; services and must be certified professionals or adequately trained in the position assigned. (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Registration Department 6. The EOI should be no more than twenty (20) pages, presented using the Arial or Tahoma fonts Loan Contract No: 4920/OC-BA with a font size of 12. The following shall be presented but not limited to: Contract/Bid No.: IDBBPSMP-EOI07 Deadline: March 24, 2021 (i) A description of the firm (Company Profile); (ii) Experience of the firm in provision of the required Consulting Services; 1. The Government of Barbados has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (iii) An Understanding of the assignment; (IDB) towards the implementation of the Public Sector Modernisation Programme (PSMP). The (iv) Assignments of similar scope, complexity and technical specialization completed; Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST) is the executing agency for the PSMP (v) Qualifications and experience of the Consulting Team. and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of the loan for the procurement of consulting services for which this expression of interest is issued. 7. Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the 2. The consulting firm is required to conduct a thorough analysis of the current state (as-is) business Inter-American Bank (GN-2350-15) and participation is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the processes at the Barbados Registration Department (BRD); do a thorough future state (to-be) policies. analysis, and design results-oriented business and work flow processes for intersectional harmonisation and improved effectiveness and greater efficiency; recommend an optimal integrated 8. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to ICT solution; and prepare an implementation plan for the BRD. The project is expected to be enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing the shortlist, the nationality of a firm is implemented over a period of five (5) months. that of the country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality of the firm appointed to represent it. 3. The services required for the project include: 9. A consulting firm (Consultant) will be selected in accordance with Selection based on the (i) Hold an initial briefing meeting with the BRD, Office of the Attorney General, MIST, the Digital Consultants’ Qualifications (CQS) method set out in the policies mentioned above. Transformation Support Consultant, the Change Management Consultant and other relevant stakeholders, relative to project objectives, scope and specific activities; and thereafter hold 10.All Corporate Tenders must include with their application a copy of the company’s Articles and other meetings as required; Certificate of Incorporation as evidence that the company is an existing registered company as at the date of application. Note that firms that do not submit the Certificate of Incorporation at the time (ii) Work with the Digital Transformation Support Consultant and the Change Management of submission of Expressions of Interest will be given a maximum of two (2) weeks to submit their Consultant to achieve high levels of awareness and adoption from the Management and Staff of Certificates of Incorporation. The Certificate must be in the name of the applicant. This Certificate the Registration Department to ensure the achievement of project deliverables in accordance will not be counted as part of the twenty (20) pages required at paragraph 6. with the approved schedule and overall success of the project; 11. Tenders are advised that the Certificate of Incorporation referred to at paragraph 10 above (iii) Hold Discovery Meetings to determine the enabling framework, how the business means a Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados or where processes are done currently, what are the existing problems and how to solve critical business applicable a Certificate of Continuance and/or Certificate Amalgamation. Certificates must be dated problems and achieve business objectives; after December 31, 1984.

(iv) Review, map and analyse BRD current business processes and workflows including roles 12. Any firm incorporated outside of Barbados, which is awarded a contract, will be required to be and responsibilities of institutional structures and individual functionaries – vertically at all levels registered in Barbados as an External company under the ‘Companies Act of Barbados’. of administration and horizontally across the sections; 13. Interested Consultants can obtain further information at address 1 below during office hours of (v) Design to-be business processes, clearly showing functional interfaces and seamless 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. workflows vertically at all levels of administration and horizontally across the sections; and recommend opportunities and key areas for automation; Address 1:

(vi) Recommend an ICT Solution (ERP/ERM, Hardware (Servers, storages etc.), Network Attention: Mr Rodney Payne, Project Manager (LAN/WAN), IT Security, Databases, Backup (BCP), Disaster Recovery (DR), Website and Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology Intranet etc. that is compatible with future state Government’s E-services Platform and in 3rd Floor, Baobab Towers keeping with industry best practices being followed by similar international organizations; Warrens St. Michael (vii) Recommend a system(s) specifically for the provision of online services for integration into Barbados the Government’s Payment Ecosystem and E-Services Platform; Telephone number: 1-246-535-1282 E-mail: [email protected] (viii) Incorporate the Electronic Documents and Records Management System of the Government in the recommended ICT Solution as required; 14. One original, one (1) copy and an electronic copy of the Expression of Interest clearly marked “Request for Expressions of Interest – Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process (ix) Identify training and prepare a change management and capacity building plan to support Reengineering Services; (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an optimal performance through human development and ICT management for the future state of Implementation Plan for the Barbados Registration Department” must be prepared in English BRD; and delivered in a sealed envelope to Address 1 at paragraph 15, no later than 4:30 p.m., Wednesday March 24, 2021. (x) Advise BRD on any other value-added considerations towards improving department-wide effectiveness and efficiency; and OR

(xi) Develop an Implementation Plan which shall include tactics, activities and operational goals, Submit an electronic copy of the Expression of Interest clearly marked “Request for Expressions detailed approach and schedule, risk mitigation measures and related financial and other of Interest – Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; resource estimates. (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Registration Department” in English to the following email address no later than 4:30 4. The Government of Barbados, through the Programme Execution Unit, Ministry of Innovation, p.m., Wednesday March 24, 2021. Science and Smart Technology now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating Email Address: [email protected] that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience with respect to the following: 15. Late submissions will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the applicant. (i) Technical competence in ICT management and management consulting concepts such as business process reengineering and restructuring. In addition, the firm should have a minimum 16. The Government of Barbados reserves the right to accept or reject any application received. of five (5) years of experience in the implementation of ICT solutions, business process The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 21

9 great apes get COVID-19 vaccinations at zoo Alien ‘super-Earth’ SAN DIEGO – The San Diego January outbreak of COVID-19 virus because we don’t really Zoo has vaccinated nine great at the zoo’s Safari Park. Eight know how it’s going to impact apes for the coronavirus after a western lowland gorillas got the them.” troop of gorillas in its Safari virus, probably by exposure to a The gorillas had symptoms may offer clues Park became infected, officials zookeeper who tested positive ranging from runny noses to said last week. for COVID-19, officials said, coughing and lethargy.But they Four orangutans and five even though employees work are recovering. about atmospheres bonobos received COVID-19 masks at all times around the Wildlife experts have injections in January and gorillas. expressed concern about the February. Three bonobos and a “That made us realize that our coronavirus infecting gorillas gorilla also were expected to other apes were at risk,” Nadine and other endangered apes that on distant worlds receive the vaccine, which is Lamberski, chief conservation share much of their DNA with experimental. and wildlife health officer for the humans. WASHINGTON – Scientists considerably less than our It was developed by Zoetis San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Other kinds of wildlife in have spotted a planet solar system’s ice giants Inc., a U.S. firm that produces told the San Diego Union- other locations – from minks to orbiting a star relatively Uranus and Neptune. Gliese medicine for animals. Tribune. “We wanted to do our tigers – also have gotten the near our solar system that 486 b’s mass is 2.8 times The vaccinations followed a best to protect them from this virus. may offer a prime Earth’s. opportunity to study the It is located in our celestial atmosphere of a rocky neighborhood about 26.3 light Earth-like alien world – the years – the distance light type of research that could travels in a year, 5.9 trillion aid the hunt for miles (9.5 trillion km) – from extraterrestrial life. Earth, making it among the The researchers said on closest exoplanets. It orbits a Thursday the planet, called ‘red dwarf’ star that is smaller, Gliese 486 b and classified as a cooler and less ‘super-Earth,’ is not itself a luminous than our sun, with promising candidate as a about a third the refuge for life. It is thought to mass. be inhospitable – hot and dry The planet orbits very close like Venus, with possible to its home star, leaving it rivers of lava flowing on its heavily irradiated. Like Earth, surface. it is a rocky planet and is But its proximity to Earth thought to have a metallic core. and its physical traits make it Its surface temperature is well suited for a study of its about 800 degrees Fahrenheit atmosphere with the next (430 degrees Celsius) and its generation of space-borne and surface gravity may ground-based telescopes, be 70% stronger than starting with the James Webb Earth’s. Space Telescope that NASA “Gliese 486 b cannot be has slated for an October habitable, at least not the way FILE - In this June 11, 2020, file photo, Devon Prince, front, puts down a sticker to guide visi- launch. These could give we know it here on Earth,” tors at the San Diego Zoo once it reopens, as Emmanuel Lopez, behind, and Ariel Hayes also scientists data to be able to Trifonov said. “The planet work, in San Diego. The San Diego Zoo vaccinated nine great apes for the coronavirus during decipher the atmospheres of possibly only has a tenuous the first two months of 2021, after a troop of gorillas in its Safari Park became infected. The other exoplanets – planets atmosphere, if any. Our experimental vaccine was developed by Zoetis Inc., a U.S. firm that produces medicine for beyond our solar system – models are consistent with animals. including ones that may host both scenarios because stellar life. irradiation tends to evaporate “We say that Gliese 486 b atmospheres, whereas, at the Brazil working with Biden on will instantaneously become same time, the planetary the Rosetta Stone of gravity is strong enough to climate, Amazon deforestation, exoplanetology – at least for retain it.” Earth-like planets,” said Still, Gliese 486 b could prove astrophysicist and study co- ideal for studying the says foreign minister author José Caballero of atmosphere of an Earth-like BRASILIA – The Brazilian Araujo said he and Brazilian Centro de Astrobiología in planet using instruments on government and the Biden Environment Minister Ricardo Spain, referring to the the James Webb Space administration are working Salles had talked with President ancient stone slab that helped Telescope and the future together on climate change, an Joe Biden’s climate envoy, John experts decipher Egyptian Extremely Large Telescope, an area that appeared to be the Kerry, and his team. He said hieroglyphs. astronomical observatory main hurdle to good relations, there were no “philosophical Scientists have discovered now under construction in Brazil’s Foreign Minister differences,” only differences in more than 4,300 exoplanets. Chile. Ernesto Araujo said on Friday. approach. Some have been large gas The chemical composition of Far-right President Jair Araujo had previously been planets akin to Jupiter. Others an atmosphere can tell a lot Bolsonaro had developed a close seen as a climate skeptic, who have been smaller, rocky about a planet and its alignment with former U.S. had called theories of human- Earth-like worlds, the kind habitability. Scientists are President Donald Trump and induced climate change a considered candidates for interested in looking at the shared his disdain for climate “Marxist conspiracy.” harboring life, but currently combination of gases in the change issues and international He acknowledged there was available scientific atmospheres of Earth-like accords. illegal deforestation occurring Brazil’s Foreign Minister instruments tell us exoplanets, with a mix of But that has changed now, in the Amazon, which he said Ernesto Araujo little about their oxygen, carbon dioxide and according to Araujo, speaking the government was combating. atmospheres. methane like that of our own remotely to the Council of the “The readiness to cooperate in deforestation in 2019, when “The exoplanet must have planet a potential indication of Americas hemispheric business on deforestation is totally there,” Bolsonaro took office and moved the right physical and orbital life. forum. he said, adding that the United to weaken environmental configuration to be suitable for “All that we learn with the “Something that was regarded States was open to “sustainable enforcement, which he has atmospheric investigation,” atmosphere of Gliese 486 b and as an impediment... is totally out investment” in the Amazon. criticized as overzealous. said planetary scientist Trifon other Earth-like planets will of the way.We are now working Deforestation in Brazil’s Araujo said Brasilia was Trifonov of the Max Planck be applied, within a few together... as key partners Amazon rainforest hit a 12-year looking to forge an alliance with Institute for Astronomy in decades, to the detection of towards a successful COP26 and high in 2020, when an area the United States based on the Germany, lead author of the biomarkers or biosignatures: fully implementing climate seven times the size of London values of “democracy and research published in the spectral features agreements,” Araujo said, was cut down, according to prosperity,” with Brazil needing journal Science. on the atmospheres of referring to the COP26 United government space research U.S. investment to transform A ‘super-Earth’ is an exoplanets that can only be Nations climate summit agency INPE. itself into a modern market exoplanet with a mass greater ascribed to extraterrestrial scheduled for later this year. That followed on a major jump economy. than our planet but life,” Caballero added. 22 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Twitter’s Dorsey auctions first ever tweet as digital memorabilia “JUST setting up my twttr” - the first ever tweet on the platform is up for sale after Twitter boss Jack Dorsey listed his famous post as a unique digital signature on a website for selling tweets as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The post, sent from Dorsey’s account in March of 2006, received offers on Friday that went as high as US$88,888.88 within minutes of the Twitter co-founder tweeting a link to the listing on ‘Valuables by Cent’ – a tweets marketplace. Old offers for the tweet suggest that it was put for sale in December, but the listing gained more attention after Dorsey’s tweet on Friday. NFTs are digital files that serve as digital signatures to certify who owns A woman enters the face and iris-recognition gate to board a plane, during a media tour at Dubai Airport, in the photos, videos and other online media. United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 7, 2021. Dubai's airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, has intro- Dorsey’s 15-year old tweet is one of duced an iris-scanner that verifies one’s identity and eliminates the need for any human interaction when leaving the most famous tweets ever on the the country. It’s the latest artificial intelligence program the UAE has launched amid the surging coronavirus pan- platform and could attract bidders to demic. pay a high price for the digital memorabilia. The highest bid for the tweet stood at US$2 million at 04:47 GMT on Saturday. At Dubai airport, travelers’ The updated offer was made by cryptocurrency pioneer Justin Sun, who won an auction for Warren Buffett’s charity dinner. eyes become their passports “I have updated my offer to 2 million USD,” Sun tweeted DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – recognition databases so the passenger “Any kind of surveillance technology Launched three months ago, Dubai’s airport, the world’s busiest needs no identifying documents or raises red flags, regardless of what kind Valuables compares the buying of for international travel, can boarding pass. The unusual partnership of country it’s in,” said Jonathan Frankle, tweets with buying an autographed already feel surreal, with its between long-haul carrier Emirates, a doctoral student in artificial baseball card. “There is only one unique cavernous duty-free stores, owned by a Dubai sovereign wealth fund, intelligence at the Massachusetts signed version of the tweet, and if the artificial palm trees, gleaming and the Dubai immigration office Institute of Technology. ”But in a creator agrees to sell, you can own it terminals, water cascades and near- integrates the data and carries travelers democratic country, if the surveillance forever.” Arctic levels of air conditioning. from check-in to boarding in one fell technology is used transparently,at least A tweet’s buyer will get an Now, the key east-west transit hub is swoop, they added. there’s an opportunity to have a public autographed digital certificate, signed rolling out another addition from the “The future is coming,” said Major Gen. conversation about it.” using cryptography, that will include realm of science fiction – an iris-scanner Obaid Mehayer Bin Suroor, deputy Iris scans, requiring people to stare metadata of the original tweet, that verifies one’s identity and eliminates director of the General Directorate of into a camera as though they’re offering according to the Valuables website. The the need for any human interaction when Residency and Foreign Affairs. “Now, all a fingerprint, have become more tweet will continue to be available on entering or leaving the country. the procedures have become ‘smart,’ widespread worldwide in recent years as the Twitter website. It’s the latest artificial intelligence around five to six seconds.” questions have arisen over the accuracy program the United Arab Emirates has But like all facial recognition of facial recognition technology. Iris launched amid the surging coronavirus technology, the program adds to fears of biometrics are considered more reliable pandemic, contact-less technology the vanishing privacy in the country, which than surveillance cameras that scan government promotes as helping to stem has faced international criticism for people’s faces from a distance without the spread of the virus. But the efforts targeting journalists and human rights their knowledge or consent. also have renewed questions about mass activists. Despite concerns about overzealous surveillance in the federation of seven According to Emirates’ biometric surveillance in the UAE, the country’s sheikhdoms, which experts believe has privacy statement, the airline links vast facial recognition network only among the highest per capita passengers’ faces with other personally shows signs of expanding. Last month, concentrations of surveillance cameras in identifying data, including passport and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin the world. flight information, retaining it for “as Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as Dubai’s airport started offering the long as it is reasonably necessary for the Dubai’s ruler, announced the country program to all passengers last month. purposes for which it was collected.” The would begin trials of new facial Yesterday, travelers stepped up to an iris agreement offered few details about how recognition technology to cut down on scanner after checking in, gave it a good the data will be used and stored, beyond paperwork in “some private sector look and breezed through passport saying that while the company didn’t services,” without elaborating. control within seconds. Gone were the make copies of passengers’ faces, other During the pandemic, the skyscrapper- days of paper tickets or unwieldy phone personal data “can be processed in other studded city of Dubai has advanced an apps. Emirates’ systems.” array of technological tools to fight the In recent years, airports across the Bin Suroor stressed that Dubai’s virus in malls and on streets, including world have accelerated their use of immigration office “completely protects” disinfectant foggers, thermal cameras timesaving facial recognition technology passengers’ personal data so that “no and face scans that check for masks and to move passengers to their flights. But third party can see it.” take temperatures. The programs Dubai’s iris scan improves on the more But without more information about similarly use cameras that can record commonplace automated gates seen how data will be used or stored, biometric and upload people’s data, potentially elsewhere, authorities said, connecting technology raises the possibility of feeding the information into the city- the iris data to the country’s facial misuse, experts say. state’s wider biometric databases. Twitter boss Jack Dorsey The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 •23

GOVERNMENT NOTICE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Immigration Department Institution: Inter-American Development Bank reengineering and change management. Country: Barbados Project: Public Sector Modernisation Programme 5. The consulting firm must present for consideration a qualified technical team that covers the nec- Sector: Modernisation of the State essary capabilities. Please note that a professional can only occupy one position for the required Abstract.: Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; services and must be certified professionals or adequately trained in the position assigned. (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Immigration Department 6. The EOI should be no more than twenty (20) pages, presented using the Arial or Tahoma fonts Loan Contract No: 4920/OC-BA with a font size of 12. The following shall be presented but not limited to: Contract/Bid No.: IDBBPSMP-EOI06 Deadline: March 24, 2021 (i) A description of the firm (Company Profile); (ii) Experience of the firm in provision of the required Consulting Services; 1. The Government of Barbados has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (iii) An Understanding of the assignment; (IDB) towards the implementation of the Public Sector Modernisation Programme (PSMP). The (iv) Assignments of similar scope, complexity and technical specialization completed; Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST) is the executing agency for the PSMP (v) Qualifications and experience of the Consulting Team. and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of the loan for the procurement of consulting services for which this expression of interest is issued. 7. Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the 2. The consulting firm is required to conduct a thorough analysis of the current state (as-is) business Inter-American Bank (GN-2350-15) and participation is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the processes at the Barbados Immigration Department (BID); do a thorough future state (to-be) policies. analysis, and design results-oriented business and work flow processes for intersectional harmonisation and improved effectiveness and greater efficiency; recommend an optimal integrated 8. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to ICT solution; and prepare an implementation plan for the BID. The project is expected to be enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing the shortlist, the nationality of a firm is implemented over a period of five (5) months. that of the country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality of the firm appointed to represent it. 3. The services required for the project include: 9. A consulting firm (Consultant) will be selected in accordance with Selection based on the (i) Hold an initial briefing meeting with the BID, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Consultants’ Qualifications (CQS) method set out in the policies mentioned above. Public affairs, MIST, the Digital Transformation Support Consultant, the Change Management Consultant and other relevant stakeholders, relative to project objectives, scope and specific 10. All Corporate Tenders must include with their application a copy of the company’s Articles and activities; and thereafter hold other meetings as required; Certificate of Incorporation as evidence that the company is an existing registered company as at the date of application. Note that firms that do not submit the Certificate of Incorporation at the time (ii) Work with the Digital Transformation Support Consultant and the Change Management of submission of Expressions of Interest will be given a maximum of two (2) weeks to submit their Consultant to achieve high levels of awareness and adoption from the Management and Staff of Certificates of Incorporation. The Certificate must be in the name of the applicant. This Certificate the Immigration Department to ensure the achievement of project deliverables in accordance will not be counted as part of the twenty (20) pages required at paragraph 6. with the approved schedule and overall success of the project; 11. Tenders are advised that the Certificate of Incorporation referred to at paragraph 10 above (iii) Hold Discovery Meetings to determine the enabling framework, how the business means a Certificate of Incorporation issued under the 1985 Companies Act of Barbados or where processes are done currently, what are the existing problems and how to solve critical business applicable a Certificate of Continuance and/or Certificate Amalgamation. Certificates must be dated problems and achieve business objectives; after December 31, 1984.

(iv) Review, map and analyse BID current business processes and work flows including roles 12. Any firm incorporated outside of Barbados, which is awarded a contract, will be required to be and responsibilities of institutional structures and individual functionaries – vertically at all levels registered in Barbados as an External company under the ‘Companies Act of Barbados’. of administration and horizontally across the sections; 13.Interested Consultants can obtain further information at address 1 below during office hours of (v) Design to-be business processes, clearly showing functional interfaces and seamless 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. workflows vertically at all levels of administration and horizontally across the sections; and recommend opportunities and key areas for automation; Address 1:

(vi) Recommend an ICT Solution (ERP/ERM, Hardware (Servers, storages etc.), Network Attention: Mr Rodney Payne, Project Manager (LAN/WAN), IT Security, Databases, Backup (BCP), Disaster Recovery (DR), Website and Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology Intranet etc. that is compatible with future state Government’s E-services Platform and in 3rd Floor, Baobab Towers keeping with industry best practices being followed by similar international organizations; Warrens St. Michael (vii) Recommend a system(s) specifically for the provision of online services for integration into Barbados the Government’s Payment Ecosystem and E-Services Platform; Telephone number: 1-246-535-1282 E-mail: [email protected] (viii) Incorporate the Electronic Documents and Records Management System of the Government in the recommended ICT Solution as required; 14. One original, one (1) copy and an electronic copy of the Expression of Interest clearly marked “Request for Expressions of Interest – Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process (ix) Identify training and prepare a change management and capacity building plan to support Reengineering Services; (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an optimal performance through human development and ICT management for the future state of Implementation Plan for the Barbados Immigration Department” must be prepared in English BID; and delivered in a sealed envelope to Address 1 at paragraph 15, no later than 4:30 p.m., Wednesday March 24, 2021. (x) Advise BID on any other value-added considerations towards improving department-wide effectiveness and efficiency; and OR

(xi) Develop an Implementation Plan which shall include tactics, activities and operational goals, Submit an electronic copy of the Expression of Interest clearly marked “Request for Expressions detailed approach and schedule, risk mitigation measures and related financial and other of Interest – Consultancy for the Provision of (i) Business Process Reengineering Services; resource estimates. (ii) recommendations for an Integrated ICT Solution; and (iii) an Implementation Plan for the Barbados Immigration Department” in English to the following email address no later than 4:30 4. The Government of Barbados, through the Programme Execution Unit, Ministry of Innovation, p.m., Wednesday March 24, 2021. Science and Smart Technology now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating Email Address: [email protected] that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience with respect to the following: 15. Late submissions will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the applicant. (i) TTechnical competence in ICT management and management consulting concepts such as business process reengineering and restructuring. In addition, the firm should have a minimum 16. The Government of Barbados reserves the right to accept or reject any application received. of five (5) years of experience in the implementation of ICT solutions, business process 24 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Grammy performers: Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B, Billie Eilish aylor Swift, BTS, the March 14 event. The “artists will be coming Maren Morris, DaBaby, Cardi B and Billie show will air live from together, while still safely HAIM, Lil Baby, Brandi TEilish are set to the Staples Center in Los apart, to play music for Carlile, Roddy Ricch, perform at next week’s Angeles on CBS and each other as a Brittany Howard, Grammy Awards. Paramount+. community and celebrate Miranda Lambert, The Recording The Grammys were the music that unites us Mickey Guyton and Academy announced originally supposed to all.” Black Pumas. yesterday that Harry take place on Jan. 31 but Trevor Noah is hosting Beyoncé is leading Styles, Bad Bunny, Post were delayed because of the show for the first nominee with nine, Malone, Megan Thee the coronavirus time. Other performers followed by Swift, Lipa Stallion and Dua Lipa pandemic. The academy include Chris Martin, and Ricch, who each will also hit the stage at said in a statement that John Mayer, Doja Cat, earned six nominations. EL James’ ‘Freed,’ as told by Christian Grey, coming in June CHRISTIAN Grey is challenging, infuriating, tying up the loose ends of and endlessly fascinating his side of the story this character,” James added. summer. “Freed: Fifty “Living in his head is Shades Freed as told by exhausting, but I got to Christian” is set to hit explore aspects of his life shelves on June 1, the in Freed that we only publisher said yesterday. glimpsed in the original The book is the trilogy.” conclusion to author E L “Freed” will be James’ trilogy from published by the Bloom Christian’s point of view. Books imprint of Previous books include Sourcebooks. James’ “Grey” and “Darker.” “Fifty Shades of Grey” James said in a trilogy has sold over 150 statement that “Freed” million copies worldwide has been a labor of love. and were adapted into a “For me, just as for series of films that made FILE - In this Oct. 29, 2015 file photo, author E L Anastasia Steele, over US$1.3 billion at James arrives at the amfAR Inspiration Gala in Bridge Christian is a the worldwide box office. Los Angeles. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 25 SSPPOORRTTSS Alice Bernstein a beacon in Shotokan Karate By Corey Greaves of our students, not only techni- cally but in attitude, confidence THE artform of Shotokan and discipline, along with the Karate has been a part of willingness to work hard in Alice Bernstein’s life for order to succeed.” over four decades and she Her attention for detail has continues to excel in many also allowed her to focus in on ways. the small things, which make a She has been a top performer difference. for the island when she was “What is important too is competing and now her role as to encourage them to work on an instructor and a coach is an their weaknesses and not take important one to those who the easy way out by quitting. seek to advance in the artform. This goes a long way in their Over the 43 years she has personal life.” been the spearhead of the fe- Her teaching career, which male movement, though she now stands at 35 years, has does not see it that way as also led her to coaching the there was never any real bias National team, which started since her involvement. 25 years ago. She was not daunted by the As she looked back over the fact that there were not many years, she said that in the early females involved in the sport days some of the instructors when she started in 1978 and were a bit condescending. anyone who comes into contact “When doing certain exercises, with her can assure you she they would say, ‘Women and never looks for the easy road children can stop.’ That irked out. me. I did every one and more She became the first female and put an end to that think- in ‘Shotokan Karate’ to attain ing.” the rank of black belt in But other than that, there Barbados and then she went were no challenges being a fe- on to become the first female male in her chosen sport. instructor as well. This shone through when She is now the highest- one of her students, Janelle ranked female Shotokan Harewood, who has also com- Karateka in the Caribbean. peted for Barbados and risen She is the joint Chief Instructor through the ranks, said she of the Barbados Karate doesn’t really see gender Association (BKA) as well as differences in karate as one her home club – the Barbados mainly only sees rank. “To me Shotokan Karate Club. She as a female, there is no one else also sits on the advisory board for me to look at as I was com- of the international body which ing up. It doesn’t occur to me governs the association in that karate is male-dominated Barbados. and the reason for this is During an interview with because I have always seen a The Barbados Advocate, she woman at the top or very near took us back to when it all the top.” started. Harewood, who is now re- “First let me say I’m number tired from competition, went on eight in a family of ten, so you to add: “So it seems normal for can well imagine there was me to grade to higher levels hardly any time or money for cause she is always there and I extracurricular activities. see that happening now with “I have always had an affin- younger girls. ity for Karate and the ability “I think that if Alice wasn’t to defend oneself was very there, it maybe a bit weird appealing. I married Paul, a and I think we take that for Barbadian and at that time he granted. was a member of the Barbados “She is not just an older Karate Association. female in karate, but she is the “In January of 1978 he, along one pushing, the one who can with Peter Warren, Aaron Alice Bernstein holds the designation of International Karate Daigaku (IKD) A-Class Instructor, do everything you do even Truss, Robert Knight and A-Class Judge, and A-Class Examiner. though she is older. Stephen King formed the “She would be there as Barbados Shotokan Karate Program and holds the medal and was given a stand- ‘nothing ventured, nothing motivation for both males and Club, so that was the perfect designation of International ing ovation by the crowd.” gained’. Also, the training in- females because she never opportunity for me.” Karate Daigaku (IKD) A-Class However, the question as to volved in competing played an stops pushing.” She highlighted that she Instructor, A-Class Judge, why she decided to compete important role in my develop- Alice pointed out that the learnt how to form a fist the and A-Class Examiner, which gave her some problems. ment in Karate. It helped me to question about challenges correct way on the first day and has earned her a place on the “Why did I start competing? elevate my Karate to a differ- being a female in Karate is def- was hooked. Shihan Kai Senate of IKD. That’s a good question because ent level.” initely a thing of the past as “Looking back, I can honestly During her competitive I was never a very confident She has transitioned from she said that “the Shihan Kai of say from the first day I knew years, which spanned for about person. I was never able to competing to imparting her the Caribbean, of which I am a that one day I would be a black 15 years starting in 1982 rep- sleep the night before a tourna- wisdom to students and com- member (the governing group), belt.” resenting Barbados at the ment, so it begs the question, petitors from across the region is made up of three men and After attaining this rank, Caribbean Championships ‘Why then did I compete?’” as well as internationally. three females. I am also a mem- she has risen to the pinnacle hosted by Barbados, she re- As she settled into thought, “As a qualified Instructor, ber of the governing body of the as she is a graduate of the called one of her best experi- she found the answer.“Because Examiner and Judge, what re- International Karate Daigaku International Shotokan ences. I hate to back away from a chal- ally strikes me and warms my Headquarters in Toronto, Federation (ISKF) Instructor “I won Barbados’ first gold lenge. I am a firm believer in heart is to see the development Canada. We are here to stay!” 26 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Shaquana Quintyne celebrating on International Women’s Day THERE is a silver lining for cricketer Shaquana Quintyne who has battled with injury for the last four years. Quintyne who is only 25-years old injured her right knee during a training session in Antigua but has not sat back and let negative feelings consume her over the years despite the challenges she has had. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Quintyne is also celebrating as she is now a certified personal trainer which Quintyne has done a six-month course online with Focus has been one of a few certificates Personal Training Institute in New York. she has obtained thus far. Speaking to The Barbados people while at the clinics who future holds but I know who Advocate, Quintyne said that have been going through the holds it…” as she said she will she has a certificate from the trauma of some kind of injury ... definitely continue her NASM – National Academy of Seeing the satisfaction that education and get some more Sports Medicine, and she has arrived from looking after certifications with NASM. also done a six-month course others, I wanted to ensure that Quintyne said that she “will online with Focus Personal others who are also broken in continue to focus on what’s Training Institute in New York. their bodies can have a decent working for me, to focus on what She decided to go this route quality of life even after I can do physically, not what I after numerous visits to clinics accidents and injuries.” can’t”. as part of her routine to regain She knew the benefits derived Working out keeps her the kind of quality of life which from exercise despite the motivated and she has accepted she desires and after being told constant pain with every motion “who, what and where I’m at she will no longer be able to play she still has. and each and every day I wake the sport she loves. She doesn’t plan to stop there I look forward to my gym “I was also surrounded by either, “I don’t know what the session”. (CG)

Quintyne who is only 25-years old injured her right knee during a training session in Antigua but has not sat back and let negative feelings consume her despite the challenges she Quintyne is now a certified personal trainer. has had.

World Athletics makes new equality pledges to mark Int’l Women’s Day LONDON – World Athletics 2019 and increased female the United States in 2022, will discussion in any organisation,” programme of events and prize has marked International Council representation to 30% conclude, for the first time, with World Athletics President money for both women and Women’s Day with a series of and says it is committed to a women’s event and results Sebastian Coe said in a men. pledges to “further advance the making that 40% by 2023 and will no longer be automatically statement. “We want the strides we have role of girls and women” in the an equal balance by 2027. presented “men first”. “We should all be taking made in our sport, thanks in sport under the campaign The Monaco-based World championship and action by identifying barriers, most part to trailblazing slogan “WeGrowAthletics.” organisation has also said it is Olympic programmes have reviewing our policies and women on and off the field of The world governing body reviewing traditions around usually signed off with the practices and creating clear play, to inspire others. says it is focusing on three core the presentation of women’s men’s 4x400m relay. pathways for women to rise, “We have much more to do areas of the sport – empowering performances and The “landing page” for the contribute and participate at but I am confident these women in leadership positions, achievements where there is organisation’s website will also all levels. pledges, together with those of breaking with traditions and currently often an unconscious change so that the default is no “Athletics has historically led our partners and stakeholders, shining a spotlight on women’s bias. longer men’s results, rankings the way in gender equality will allow more women to stories across its platforms. To mark that, the next or awards. since the beginning of the hurdle historically established World Athletics appointed its edition of the world “Gender equality should no professional sport era in the barriers on the way to greater first female vice president in championships, in Oregon in longer be a theoretical 1980s with an equal gender equality.” The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 27

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Laporta elected FC Inchcape, St. Philip 4355 sq ft $ 96,000 Barcelona’s president Belle, St. George 4 acres $400,000 BARCELONA – Laporta, 58, succeeds Barcelona members Josep Maria Bartomeu, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael elected Joan Laporta as who resigned as 6336 sq ft $126,000 club president yesterday, president in October to Under Offer turning to the man who avoid facing a vote of no TEL: 247-4469 oversaw one of their most confidence from members Cel: 253-6319 Cane Garden, St. Thomas successful periods to lead who turned on him after 828-4800 7,000 sf to 18,000 sq ft them out of an Lionel Messi tried to Email: Private entrance. institutional and leave the club last caribbeanpropertiesltd From $187,681 financial crisis. August and the team @gmail.com Laporta, who was were beaten 8-2 by Ragged Point, St. Philip PROPERTIES Barca president between Bayern Munich in the 8,267 sq ft $166,000 2003 and 2010, won a Champions League. resounding 54.28% of Messi was among Kirtons, St Philip Rolling Hills, St. George 3 bedroom plus 12,000 sq ft total votes, while Victor several Barca players to 2 bedroom apt 4,790 sq ft $310,000 (negotiable) Font came second with vote in the election a day $685,000 29.99% and Toni Freixa after winning 2-0 at Ocean City, St. Philip was third with 8.58%. Osasuna to go second in Amity Lodge, Ch Ch 6150 sq ft $123,000 La Liga. 3 bedroom plus REAL ESTATE Barca said 51,765 out 1 bedroom apt Fortesque, St Philip Hotel 18 rooms fully Milan close gap on Inter with of 109,531 eligible 6,646 sq ft $650,000 Agricultural Land operational $2,950,000 neg members had voted in 494,500 sq ft $1,100,000 under offer the election, which was Gibbons, Ch Ch comfortable win at Verona postponed from January 3 bedroom plus Dalkeith, Christ Church Silver Sands, VERONA, Italy: Milan saw out just a due to coronavirus 2 bedroom apt Christ Church 17,371 sq ft approved for Spectacular goals either second win in their last 9,835 sq ft restrictions in Catalonia. 7,129 sq ft $160,000 shops and offices side of half time earned seven games in all $675,000 (reduced) $495,000 A total of 30,184 people AC Milan an important 2- competitions to move on to voted for Laporta. Bushy Park, St. Philip Breezy Hill, St Philip 24,000 sq ft $190,000 Roebuck Street, 0 victory at Hellas Verona 56 points, three behind 3 bedroom, 2 bath Bridgetown yesterday, as Stefano Inter, who are in action NOTICES reduced to $298,000 Apes Hill, St. James Shopping Mall/Office space Pioli’s side closed the gap against Atalanta on 31,000 sq ft upward $8,100,000 negotiable on rivals Inter Milan at Monday, and four ahead of BARBADOS Black Rock, St Michael Large lots at $15 per sq ft the top of the Serie A third-placed Juventus, 3 bedroom, 1 bath Batts Rock, St Michael standings to three points. who have a game in hand. IN THE ESTATE OF 6732 sq ft $360,000 Mount Wilton, St. Thomas Guest House, 12,078 sq ft JERRY ALPHONZO 15,500 sq ft and 22,066 sq ft $2,850,000 negotiable Without injured top Verona stay eighth. RICHARDS also Enterprise, Christ Church $300,000 and $220,000 scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, NOTICES known as JERRY 3 bedroom, 2 bath Cane Garden, St Thomas who was watching from RICHARDS 5062 sq ft Union, St. Philip 3.6 acres approved the stands, Milan went DECEASED, LATE OF $390,000 (reduced) BARBADOS 7560 sq ft Roadfront ahead in the 27th minute MAYNARDS HOUSING $150,000 $1,650,000 negotiable AREA IN THE PARISH The Belle, St George when Rade Krunic fired a No. 274 of 1991 OF SAINT PETER, IN THE HIGH COURT Plantation style House Thorpes, St. James Fitts Village, St James stunning free kick into the OF JUSTICE BARBADOS Standing on 4 acres 11,376 sq ft with structure Guest House, 4 Suites net – the Bosnian’s first PROBATE DIVISION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN $1.1M $235,000 6,135 sq ft league goal for Milan. In the estate of HUBERT pursuant to Section 31 of the $750,000 negotiable The visitors’ second, five JOSEPH DOWELL, deceased Frere Pilgrim, Trustees Act Cap. 250 of the Laws Cottage, St George minutes into the second NOTICE of Barbados that any person having Christ Church 5000 sq ft Mason Hill Street The City 3 bedroom, 2 baths with half, was just as NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pur- a claim or interest in the estate of $110,000 (negotiable) 26,500 sq ft with buildings suant to Section 31 of the Trustee JERRY ALPHONZO RICHARDS two bedroom apartment. impressive, as Diogo Dalot $4,000,000 negotiable Act, Cap 250 to all persons having also known as JERRY 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 Morningside, St Philip arrowed his first Serie A any debts claims or demands upon RICHARDS DECEASED, late of 4567 sq ft $133,000 All enquiries to goal since joining on loan or affecting the estate of HUBERT Maynards Housing Area Saint Hanson Heights, St George (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 from Manchester United JOSEPH DOWELL, deceased late Peter who died at Queen Elizabeth 8321 sq ft $595,000 or (246) 247 4469 of 1st Avenue Worthing in the parish Jupiter Gardens, St Peter into the top corner. of Christ Church in this Island who Hospital, St. Michael, Barbados on 7312 sq ft 18th day of April 2018 is required Ealing Grove, died in this island on the 8th day of $133,000 (negotiable) February 1991 testate to send par- to send particulars in writing of Christ Church ticulars of their claims duly attested their claims duly attested to 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths Bagatelle, St. Thomas NBA: No international to GWENDOLYN DOWELL the NORMA E RICHARDS/ROSALIND 9320 sq ft $565,000 62000 sq ft into 2 lots duly qualified Executrix of the estate P RICHARDS, the Administrators of $520,000 each, or of the said HUBERT JOSEPH the estate of JERRY ALPHONZO DOWELL, deceased in care of LOTS FOR SALE $1M for both games next season RICHARDS also known as MRS. SUZANNE M. BARKER- JERRY RICHARDS deceased in SMALL, Attorney-at-Law of Emeth care of Navisha Debideen-Worrell, Boarded Hall, Marley Vale, St Philip Chambers, First Floor, One Attorney-at-Law, “Anfield Law Christ Church 21,780 sq ft $275,000 but full arenas in Welches, Welches in the parish of Chambers”, 2nd Avenue Carters 10,429 sq ft $157,000 Saint Thomas in this Island on or before the 7th day of May 2021 Gap, Black Rock, St. Michael, Sandford, St Philip Barbados on or before the 9th day Westbury Road, St Michael 16,356 sq ft $300,000 the plan, says Silver after which date the said GWEN- 2,520 sq ft $45,360 DOLYN DOWELL will distribute the of May 2021 after which the said THERE will be no arenas, Silver said the estate among the beneficiaries enti- NORMA E RICHARDS/ROSALIND P RICHARDS will distribute the Goodland Gardens, international games on resumption of tled thereto having regard only to COMMERCIAL the claims and interests of which estate among the persons entitled Christ Church the NBA schedule next international games will season but there is hope be on hold until at least she shall have had notice and will thereto having regard only to the 9,605 sq ft $145,000 Mount Standfast, St James not as respects the property so dis- teams will be back playing the 2022-23 season. claims and interests of which they Two properties on tributed be liable to any person of shall have had notice and will not Nursery Road, St Philip 22,714 sq ft. in near full arenas in “First of all, no plans yet whose claim she shall then have not in respect of the property so 9,266 sq ft $139,000 Asking $1,200,000 2021-22 as the United to travel for next season,” had notice. distributed be liable to any person States gains control of the said Silver, talking ahead of whose claims they shall not then Lashley Road, St Philip And all persons indebted to the said Black Rock, St. Michael COVID-19 pandemic, said of yesterday’s All-Star estate are requested to settle their have had notice. 5,839 sq ft, $150,000 Warehouse/Storage commissioner Adam Silver Game in Atlanta. “In all accounts without delay. 4000 sf space 23,861 sq ft on Saturday at his pre-All likelihood, we won’t travel AND all persons indebted to the Salters, St George $900,000 (reduced) Star Game media internationally until the Dated this 8th day of March 2021 said estate are requested to settle 2 lots 32,760 sq ft, $230,000 conference. following season. GWENDOLYN DOWELL their accounts without delay. Foul Bay, St. Philip Executrix of the estate With last year’s season “But the plan remains to of the deceased Dated this 8th day of March 2021 Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Approved for condos, 14,876 sq ft. $110,000 held in a quarantine try to resume our season 39,242 sq ft $1,600,000. bubble in Orlando and the as close to so-called Mrs. Suzanne M. Barker-Small, Navisha Debideen-Worrell current campaign being normal as possible next Attorney-at-Law Attorney-at-Law for the Bushy Park, St. Philip Dover, Christ Church [email protected] 17,000 sq ft $170,000 played in mostly empty year. Administrators 28 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Man City march halted by United, Liverpool woes deepen MANCHESTER, England – sixth successive home league Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 Manchester City’s relentless game – this time 1-0 against victory over Crystal Palace to march towards the Premier relegation battlers Fulham – to move into sixth spot, two points League title was drop to eighth. behind Chelsea. Kane claimed interrupted as their 21- Ordinarily Fulham’s first win assists for both of Bale’s goals match winning streak in all at Anfield since 2012, sealed by taking his total for the season to competitions was ended by Mario Lemina’s goal on the 13, as well as his 16 goals. a surprise 2-0 home defeat to stroke of halftime, would have “He’s fantastic, an incredible rivals Manchester United been a huge shock but such is striker. He showed that again yesterday. Liverpool’s current malaise it tonight. It was a fantastic Pep Guardiola’s side could became just another sad performance again from him have few complaints as a statistic for the crumbling and we are lucky to have him second-minute penalty champions. here,” Bale who has scored six converted by Bruno Fernandes “This team is an extreme goals in his last six games, said and Luke Shaw’s fine finish team. We were extremely of the Tottenham skipper. early in the second half earned successful and now we have an Manchester United had not United a surprise win. extreme situation as well but beaten any of the so-called “big While City still lead the table we will fight through,” Liverpool six” this season until Sunday, Manchester United's Harry Maguire celebrates at the final by 11 points with 10 games left, manager Juergen Klopp said. but manager Ole Gunnar whistle. second-placed United showed Fulham’s win moved them Solskjaer is starting to become there are chinks in the armour level on points with 17th-placed something of a nemesis for his of Guardiola’s side as they Brighton and Hove Albion and City counterpart Pep Guardiola CWI extends birthday tribute ended a disappointing run of only one point behind after a fourth derby victory results against the so-called big Newcastle United, who could since he took over at Old six. only manage a 0-0 draw with Trafford in December 2018. to Sir Vivian Richards Victory for United put them second-from-bottom West City were stunned after 34 CRICKET West Indies yesterday against England in 1976. in a reasonably healthy position Bromwich Albion. seconds when referee Anthony sent special birthday greetings He also played 187 ODIs and in their quest to ensure a top- “It’s a big win. There’s a lot of Taylor pointed to the spot after to Sir Vivian Richards, as the made 6,721 runs at an average of four finish as they are eight emotion and I am very proud,” Gabriel Jesus brought down legendary batsman celebrates 47, with a top score of 189 not out points ahead of fifth-placed Fulham boss Scott Parker said. Anthony Martial just inside the his 69th birthday. During his also against England. One of his Everton who play fourth-placed box and Fernandes converted. amazing career Sir Viv was most famous performances came Chelsea on Monday at Stamford ‘Incredible striker’ Shaw drove home United’s hailed as the best in the world. in the 1979 World Cup final Bridge. Gareth Bale and Harry Kane second and despite loads of He made 8,540 runs in 121 Tests against England at Lord’s when Liverpool’s horrendous run of combined in exhilarating possession City could not at an average of 50.23 runs per he score 138 not out to win the form continued as they lost a fashion with two goals apiece in penetrate United’s red wall. innings. His top score was 291 Man-of-the-Match award. The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 29 Meakins pleased to have made her mark DESPITE not being born in When an opportunity for her to come Meagan Best, and Amanda Haywood, Barbados, former national squash and teach squash in Barbados came up, who became the first female player from champion Karen Meakins is proud she took a six-month career break, Barbados to get a scholarship to a to have left a legacy here after taught for six months and never looked United States university, Jada Smith- making the island her home. Since back. Padmore and Sumairaa Suleman, and relocating to Barbados, in 2000 Stating that the transition was not said that it was nice to see so many Meakins made her name known too bad as she had been playing here for young women doing so well. locally before going on to become a years, she said that she has had her Being here for more than 20 years, 15-time national champion. best playing days in Barbados. Meakins thinks that the fraternity has Speaking to The Barbados “Honestly I think I have had the best done a phenomenal job despite having Advocate recently, Meakins who is 48, part of my squash career while I have extremely limited facilities. stated that she began playing at the been here in Barbados. Once I had lived “We have a massive challenge in age of 10. Admitting that as a child she here for two years I was allowed to Barbados with a lack of facilities. The tried about 10 different activities in her represent Barbados, so from 2002 I Barbados Squash Club has three courts native town of Dunstable (UK) before started to play squash for Barbados and and Pleasant Place has one court and she got into squash, she conceded that I honestly think I have had my best that is basically all the courts we have she was not quite sure why she stuck squash since I’ve lived here. By far,” she on the island. So it’s always going to be with the sport as she was not very good said. a challenge for a sport to grow with four at it at first. Scribing her name in the history courts. But I think we have a really She would fall in love and build up a books as the first woman to oversee a good junior programme that has grown level of skill playing in local 15-year dynasty at the top of the sport, really well,” she said, also making tournaments at the junior county level Meakins held the title from 2001 to mention of the achievements of the that would see her getting a call up for 2015. island at regional and international England’s national squad training. “When I started, my goal was always competitions. Although she did not make the team, to win 10 consecutive national titles Having headed the Women’s national Meakins did make it up to the 21st- and I actually went to 15. So I’m pretty team, the junior national team and ranked player while picking up a rank proud of that. There’s a lot of good individual players, Meakins noted that of 63 in world rankings in the 90s. players now so I’m sure someone will she coached heavily up until two years Noting that she had been coming to come along and beat it one day.There’s ago and a double-knee surgery in 2018, Barbados since she was 13, Meakins a lot of good young players now.” but still passing on her knowledge. Karen Meakins is a 15-time national revealed that she played here in what Gushing about the up and coming squash champion. would have been the Rockley Open. talent, she dropped the names of CONT’D on Next Page 30 • Monday March 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Sandra Osborne on top of her game ALTHOUGH she is 20 when she was younger, started to take on a lot international duty. doors,” she said. committees and I have years into her Osborne said that her story more. Became involved “So I spent a lot of time Since heading the BOA, embraced them all.” journey as a at the helm of sport began with a lot of the liaising with the Osborne has been With a potentially bright sports administrator, when she started helping international tournaments International Tennis constantly on the move future ahead for sport, Barbados Olympic out with the Barbados and junior tennis and that Federation (ITF) and that professionally as her Osborne said that it was Association President Tennis Association. Noting kept me very, very busy,” really exposed how sport election opened further her dream in life to see Sandra Osborne has her that her sons followed in she said. worked internationally. I doors for her.Having to give sport become a vehicle for sights set on achieving her footsteps and got into Stating that she went on became a Director of the up her role with the as many as possible. so much more. Since tennis, she explained that it council around 2000 and BOA back in 2012 and I Barbados Tennis “I am fully committed to becoming the island’s presented her with the became a Vice President would have then started as Association, she has since sport and I firmly believe in top sports opportunity to be sucked very soon after, Osborne Legal Advisor of the taken up posts on the ITF the power of sport to administrator in 2017, into the behind-the-scenes revealed that her Commonwealth Games gender equity committee transform lives. So for me, the former lawyer is on activities. involvement in Federation in 2015, 2016. and their ethics it is a labour of love. I think a mission to see sport “I think it was as a result the organisation of the So I started working in commission. that if we can make a little change the landscape of of their involvement. You island’s Davis Cup ties and international “Other things have difference in somebody’s the island. know – a typical parent. I her legal career groomed sporting organisationsand happened since then. life through sport, I think Having played tennis became involved and then her perfectly for that opened up quite a few Various other opportunities that it’s well have come up to serve on worth the effort,” she various commissions and said.

Barbados Olympic Association President Sandra Osborne Desire for more facilities expressed; great talent out there CONT’D from Page 29 anybody, we could get schools involved, we could Stating that her hopes get kids involved that for the future of the sport don’t necessarily know included a national about it. That would help squash centre that was us grow and I’m sure that open to the public, would really put us on the Meakins said that the aim world map because was to have it able to cater already we’ve got some to school programmes and phenomenal squash build the numbers. players in Barbados that “There is so much are doing amazing things untapped talent out there that have never been done and a lot of people don’t before. I’m sure there’s a know about squash lot more kids out there because we have so few who could do the same facilities. So if we could things if they had the get a national squash opportunity,” she said. centre that’s open to (MP) The Barbados Advocate Monday March 8, 2021 • 31

P R O HOROSCOPES S A ARIES (March 21-April 19). An unexpected N email or text message will bring good news. This D should go a long way to cheer you. At last you have a chance to cut ties with someone who has recently C had a restraining hold over you. A little speculation O could be fun and there is no reason why you should- N n't have a flutter if you can afford it. S TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Assertive action will get other people to start taking you more seri- ously. Something is urging you towards new expe- riences. You want a taste of the grass on the other side. Talking to an adventurous friend will give you ideas on how to make life more interesting. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Mix-ups and misun- derstandings will cause confusion in the work- Z place. Some people will get all hot and bothered I over minor problems. It isn't as if plans can't be eas- T ily changed. After all the drama, all you will want S to do is shut the world out. You are avoiding a so- cial networking site for a good reason. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The well-being of a relative is what concerns you most and you won't be able to relax until you know their health is im- proving. A job offer or a letter of acceptance to a college or University could be the first step to- wards a new and brighter future. You are starting to feel as if your life is moving forward again. R LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A colleague or neighbour E will remind you about something you had hoped to X get started on by now. This will inspire you to make an effort while you are thinking about it. M Working with someone you don't know well makes O you nervous until you find ways to make the most R of your combined skills and interactions with each G other. A VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You were expecting N more help with a complicated task or assignment. A lack of support means you will just have to sol- dier on and keep smiling. You aren't about to give up just because you have to face this challenge on your own. You will actually enjoy approaching this independently. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Any work that needs P steady focus will be a struggle when your concen- H tration is nowhere to be found. You will be an- A noyed with yourself for having made a foolish mis- N take. An older relative has something of interest to T say to you if you are willing to listen to their ad- O vice. It's worth paying attention. M SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're determined to make some time to send a message to a friend who has been on your mind a lot recently. If you haven't seen each other in a while, you will be hop- ing to make plans to meet up again soon. This will make for a pleasant change since work and respon- sibility is all you seem to have had time for recently. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You should be M proud of your progress. You're starting to see results A of recent efforts and you have done well. You've R still got a long way to go but you're going in the Y right direction. In business and finance tread with care as some people aren't as honest or reliable as W you. O CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Insight into R problems that recently bugged you can be gained T through some quiet thinking. All you have to do is H try to visualise where you may have been going wrong. A determined mood will help you get results as you're quite prepared to face whatever chal- lenge arises in a practical and sensible way. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Contention is in M the air at home and this is making you tense and O nervous. You don't like to share private problems T with other people but sometimes it does help to talk. H A problem shared will be a problem halved. E Confide in a sensitive and compassionate friend. R PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You might feel un- certain about what a close friend or partner is up to. G Their behaviour is making you insecure. Your O health will suffer if you bottle up your emotions. O S There are ways to bring your feelings out into the E open without it sounding like criticism or com- plaint. Alice Bernstein a beacon in Shotokan Karate Page 25

Monday March 8, 2021 Women’s jobs disappearing due to COVID-19 pandemic THE recovery plans for the world of work after the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, must include special measures to promote the return to work for women, who were especially hit by a crisis that caused significant exits from the workforce, unemployment and large demands for unpaid care. Vinicius Pinheiro, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, pointed out the above recently, on the cusp of International Women’s Day today. “This unprecedented crisis has exacerbated gender gaps in the region’s labour markets, pulling millions of women out of the workforce, and negated previous advances. We have gone back 10 years in 10 months and now we need to recover those jobs and step on the accelerator of gender equality,” he said. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has meanwhile noted that before the pandemic, gender equality was a pending issue that challenged labour policymakers to Reverend Suzette Archer of the St. George Parish Church preached the importance of following the ten commandments, confront its structural roots, even which ask that Christians love God and love others. though significant progress had been made over decades.With the current crisis, “new dimensions have appeared that widen the gaps”. “Recovery from the crisis at work must remove the amplification of inequalities FOLLOW THE caused by COVID-19, if we want to achieve sustainable economic growth with productive and quality jobs. On this International Women’s Day, it is crucial to reaffirm the commitment to recover the ground lost during the economic and social debacle in our countries,” added COMMANDMENTS the ILO Regional Director. The latest available data indicates ONE rural religious leader is care for ourselves and others,” she said. pride blinds people with inaccurate that in 2020, nearly 12 million women urging Christians to follow the The Reverend noted that worship has ideas about who they are while being in left the regional workforce, due to the commandments and love God. encouraged Christians to spend some a relationship with God. destruction of jobs. The decline in Reverend Suzette Archer of the St. quiet time in communion with God. She Reverend Archer noted that the right women’s labour force participation George Parish Church preached this said that they have been encouraged understanding of ourselves should be came after decades during which there during her sermon on the third Sunday to spend this period in self-reflection, centred on understanding who God has had been a steady increase in their of Lent. considering their own crosses and how created us to be and He has called us incorporation into paid employment. Reverend Archer stated that if they relate to the crosses of Jesus. to him. She added that God has given In total, around 25 million women are Christians truly love the Lord with “We have also been encouraged to Christians the spirit, the Word, and his currently unemployed or out of the all their heart and they are in a reflect on our character and calling people as the primary source in which workforce. relationship with him, they would be within our various communities, home, they cultivate greater self-awareness. Women have also been affected in aware of their own need to keep the first work, school, neighbourhood, and even “A lack of self-awareness can also the labour market due to their greater four of the ten commandments. She on a national level,” stated Reverend hinder our awareness of the hearts and presence in economic sectors strongly added that if Christians love their Archer. lives of others, which impacts how we affected by this crisis, such as services neighbours as they love themselves, love and leave those around us. If we where about 50 per cent of the female they would keep the last six of the ten Lack of self-awareness don’t see or understand how we struggle labour force works, and commerce at commandments. The preacher said when Christians lack to love God and others, we won’t seek 26 per cent. “How we know and experience God self-awareness, they must understand Christ to change the way we love,” said directly impacts our ability to love and themselves and God. She expanded that Reverend Archer. WOMEN on Page 7

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