COTTON HARVESTING SHOULD INTENSIFY - NET
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Page 2
Wednesday March 3, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive
COTTON
HARVESTING
SHOULD
INTENSIFY
MANAGEMENT officials at the started from Monday of this week, with
Barbados Agricultural Management the fields opening from 7 a.m. until 3
Company (BAMC) are expecting the p.m. Notice was also given that all
process of cotton harvesting to in- COVID-19 protocols would be in full ef-
tensify, as allowance has been made fect on site, and at all collection points.
for cotton picking to restart this Meanwhile, Anderson Eversley,
week, following the period of na- Manager for Area 2 at the BAMC re-
tional pause. cently indicated that the cotton picking
The BAMC is responsible for fields lo- season started out good this year, and in
cated at Searles Farm in Newton, Christ spite of the national pause, he expects the
Church; Constant Farm in Dash Valley, interest in cotton picking to remain high.
St. George; Mt. Pleasant Farm at Parish “The cotton harvesting now is starting
Land, St. Philip; Three Houses Farm in to intensify, because the conditions in
Fortesque, St. Philip; Redland Farm at Barbados now are becoming a bit drier
Wakefield, St. John; Rock Hall Farm in and a bit more favourable for cotton har-
Four Hill, St. Peter and Bromefield Farm vesting and for us in the BAMC, we are
at Harrison, St. Lucy. the only planters right now in terms of
Just recently, Barbadians and other in- cotton, so we should see that harvest
terested persons who had earlier applied completed between now and May,” he re-
to pick cotton at selected farms, were re- marked. Anderson Eversley, Manager for Area 2 at the Barbados Agricultural
cently advised that harvesting would get COTTON on Page 3 Management Company (BAMC).
Compassion is key!
AS persons appear before the law courts
almost daily for breaches of COVID-19 di-
Poor being disadvantaged, says De Peiza
rectives, one attorney is concerned that
some of the fines and sentences being comes to the law, and it is very discour- in a fine, but a man who says I can’t even
imposed on persons are criminalising the aging.” afford basic amenities in my house gets
poor. De Peiza continued, “...The example a $1 000 fine. We know that we are deal-
Attorney-at-law Verla De Peiza, who that stuck out the most – a man says to ing with equalities in our justice system,
is also the President of the Democratic the court ‘Look, I have no electricity; I and it is up to us to speak up and address
Labour Party, raised the issue on Sunday have no running water; I simply was them,” De Peiza argued.
night during a virtual panel discussion going a couple houses, down by my aunt, The attorney made it clear that she is
where they looked at ‘The Two Sides of to get some mayonnaise to put with this not encouraging people to be breaching
COVID in Barbados’. De Peiza main- tuna’, and he is fined $1 000. There is no the law, especially given the role that
tained that the disparity in relation to the contemplation that a man who can’t have those directives play in the preservation
weight of law is worrying and needs to be basic amenities in his house will be able of our health, but she maintained that at
addressed. to pay the fine. We run the risk of crimi- the end of the day the court must be cog-
“What we have found is that we have nalising poverty in this country and it is nisant of who it is dealing with and show
had egregious breaches, such as a visitor disturbing that we should reach that compassion.
testing positive and running away to the level.” “When a man comes to the court, and
airport. We’ve had egregious breaches of She made the point while stating that he says, ‘Look, I was trying to find some
parties being held, but we can’t hear any it is critical that society is not seen to be food to put on my children’s plates’, there
details about the parties, but we could punishing people for being poor. has to be that element of compassion. I
Attorney-at-law and President of the hear about the bus crawl. We have all of “I think that is coming through in a sig- am not speaking about those who reck-
Democratic Labour Party, Verla De these breaches and then we watch as nificant way with the application of fines lessly hold parties, even though they
Peiza. there are different layers applied when it when a known billionaire can pay $6 000 COMPASSION on Page 4
2 • Wednesday March 3, 2021 The Barbados Advocate
NCSA delivering message
through technology
THE National Council on to ensure maximum effec- many schools in
Substance Abuse (NCSA) tiveness and efficiencies. Barbados as teachers
is moving full speed It is against this back- seek ways to engage their
ahead to deliver all Drug drop that NCSA’s pro- students in the virtual
Education programmes gramme officers joined 87 classroom.
through the use of tech- other representatives Over the four days, par-
nology. from Barbados and edu- ticipants were introduced
This will help to diver- cators from over 140 to the new technology
sify the delivery of the or- countries at Nearpod, and the suite of inte-
ganization’s mandate Camp Engage – Winter grated software and on-
through the incorpora- edition, from February 4 line apps. In an effort to
tion and utilisation of – 7th 2021. reinforce that experience,
technology for drug pre- Nearpod is an award- NCSA’s participants also
vention education and winning presentation tool engaged in an in-house
fundraising. which can transform any session where the team
The COVID 19 pan- lesson into an interactive made presentations using
demic has resulted in the format. With classrooms, the tools, to expand ef-
closure of schools and re- offices and churches forts to develop drug edu-
strictions in the number closed, this tool has been cation through technol-
of people permitted to as- identified as one which ogy.
semble has forced the will allow NCSA staff to This training will also
NCSA to adjust to digital have the “in-person” at- add value as the Council
approaches to dissemi- mosphere in an online en- seeks to maximise on this
nating its drug preven- vironment. new approach to pro-
tion messaging in order It has been adopted by gramme delivery. Deputy Manager and NCSA Programme Officers who attended training.
BUT President: Teacher burnout real
TEACHERS have What we do not appreci- ceive any word on this experiencing burnout at that teachers also have same time that the
reached the stage of ate though, is the fact that break for students and this stage,” he declared. children of their own teacher is online, and this
burnout, the Barbados the Ministry seems not to teachers. Furthermore, the BUT doing online classes as poses tremendous prob-
Union of Teachers’ be taking our issues of “I think the BUT at this President stressed that as well and continue to lems for teachers. And it is
(BUT) reported. stress with online teach- point would therefore schooling shifted online, struggle really to multi- becoming a real mental
And President Pedro ing – the physical and want to remind the many educators are also task and in some cases it’s health issue and I believe
Shepherd has issued a psychological impact it is Minister that teachers are juggling two roles – par- not only a single child, but we have to look at that
gentle reminder to the having on our teachers, waiting to hear from her ent and teacher. two or three children in going forward,” Shepherd
Ministry of Education, students, and I believe on this matter, as we are “Some seem to forget the house online at the said. (TL)
Technological and even parents as they too
Vocational Training that are complaining seri-
a much-needed break is
due.
During a recent inter-
ously,” he expressed on the
BUT’s Radio Show
‘Teachers’ Corner’.
Teachers wary about online
view, he also noted that “At the beginning of this
the switch to online learn-
ing has not only taken a
toll on the mental health
term it was raised and
discussed – the possibil-
ity of having a break for
monitoring process
of teachers, but students both students and teach- AN online monitoring teacher appraisals hap- ter word to use at that “We said if you are ob-
and parents as well. ers, and we are now into process being carried out pening online, Public point in time. But the serving the teacher, you
“While the BUT agrees week seven and that by the Ministry of Relations Officer of the BUT wants to remind its make your notes and
with and supports the po- break was coming in week Education has left some Barbados Teachers’ members that it is not an that’s it. The teacher
sition that our students five. The Minister did in- teachers questioning its Union (BUT) Julian evaluation process, it is would have given prior to
cannot be left without in- dicate at the beginning of real purpose. Pierre queried during an not an appraisal process the lesson the objectives –
struction forever, and the term that she would Is it a mere observation interview with President – there is nothing puni- you can observe, you can
therefore accepts the fact have taken the matter to to gather data as to the Pedro Shepherd on the tive or there can be noth- determine whether the
that teaching and learn- Cabinet for a decision – effectiveness of teaching first episode of BUT’s ing punitive about it. And objectives were met or
ing must take place dur- we are now in the seventh online in this ‘new nor- Show ‘Teachers’ Corner’, we have noticed that the not; you have some indi-
ing this current period. week and we are yet to re- mal’, or is it a case of on Monday. monitoring instrument cation as to how many
Shepherd said BUT is has been removed from children are in the class-
aware that the Ministry circulation, but the room and from your ob-
of Education had been process continues never- servation you can tell
“subjecting teachers” to a theless”. how many children were
monitoring/evaluation Shepherd made it clear online…So we are asking
process which com- that BUT objects to any that the monitoring team
menced about two weeks attempt to have the reduce to almost a mini-
ago. names of teachers or mum the questioning of
“And I would say moni- other personal informa- teachers either before or
toring/evaluation because tion on the forums being after the classes”.
to date, while we have used to collect the data; to The BUT President fur-
had three or so meetings members of the monitor- ther assured members
with the Ministry on this ing team entering classes that results of this moni-
matter, we are still un- and engaging students toring cannot be used
sure as to whether it is a prior to the arrival of the against them in any neg-
monitoring process or an teacher; and to certain ative way, “And we are
evaluation,” he admitted. questioning prior to and simply asking you to com-
“The Ministry has indi- after the lesson by the ply with the process but
cated that they used the monitoring team as it report any challenges or
word ‘evaluation’ because ought to be a process of issues which you might
they could not find a bet- observation. encounter,” he urged. (TL)
The Barbados Advocate Wednesday March 3, 2021 • 3
PM: Dedicate more financing to ‘adaptation’
WITH the Caribbean re- including our own, but countries, and therefore threat of sea level rise and viewed as a way to de- countries, to transition
gion now battling several also on adaptation and the scope of our power. devastation from disaster crease the amount of fi- their energy and transport
crises including climate building climate resilience Regrettably, we seem not will be every country’s re- nance dedicated to mitiga- sectors to renewable en-
change and Covid-19, in a crisis not of our mak- to be able to acknowledge sponsibility,” she said. tion or to reduce SIDS’ ergy.
Prime Minister Mia ing, but by which we are that until every country is At the opening session commitment to mitigation Noting global mitigation
Mottley remains adamant disproportionately im- safe, no country is safe. of the Green Climate targets under our new estimates ranging from
more financing must be pacted. COVID does not detect ge- Fund Transformational NDCs, as “we call for a sig- $2.4 trillion to $5 trillion
dedicated to adaptation. “The same might be said ography or nationality. Climate Financing for the nificant increase in overall per year, she highlighted
“It comes as no surprise of the pandemic, which is And similarly, if the global Caribbean Region Event, climate finance.” that for developing coun-
therefore that given our of course of no one’s mak- community does not act she stated that as Mottley pointed out the tries, adaptation costs cur-
vulnerability, our focus in ing, but which sees some of quickly to make up for de- Barbados and AOSIS world’s requirement of rently estimated at 70 bil-
the climate fight has not us less able to access the lays in financing commit- (Alliance for Small Island keeping warming below lion dollars per year, are
only been on encouraging critical vaccines needed to ments under the Paris States) make this call for 1.5 would require tremen- expected to reach up to
all countries to increase protect our citizens, be- Agreement, climate more adaptation financ- dous investment, in both 300 billion dollars per year
their mitigation ambition, cause of the size of our refugees fleeing imminent ing, it should not be developing and developed in 2030.
Hopes to achieve
bigger cotton
target for 2021
COTTON from Page 1 year,” Eversley further the cotton industry will
indicated. continue to grow,”
“We expect in some BAMC CEO Orlanda Atherley said.
regards about 400 to Atherley also expressed “We have also seen the
550 pound per acre. So hope that there will be a numbers increasing over
far, what we are see- significant increase over last year, in terms of
ing in terms of what last year, when it comes those picking. Currently,
we are getting, we be- to cotton yields. we pay $2 a pound on av-
lieve that we can “I know for our exist- erage and if you can pick
achieve the target that ing partner who receives 40 to 50 pounds a day, it
we have set, but it is the cotton and sells it, I makes it more economi-
still early in the sea- know this will be a sig- cally viable. So that is
son, so we have to wait nificant increase for them what we have been see-
a bit to see how the over last year, because as ing,” he added, noting
cotton harvest will we go through the cotton that mainly women in
progress, but the tar- crop, what we have been their 50s and 60s are the
get this year is going doing is making sure it is ones turning out to pick
to a bit more than last scientifically sound, so cotton. (RSM) BAMC CEO Orlanda Atherley.
Smart Fund II moves into execution
THE execution phase of nance for small and shop on February 17th, of efficient streetlights The IDB official also through partnerships
the Barbados Sustainable medium-sized enterprises IDB’s Chief of Operations across the country, the fi- lauded the productive re- among the private sector,
Energy Investment (SMEs) for similar invest- for Barbados, Jean-Eric nancing of electric vehi- lationship between the international financing
Programme (Smart Fund ment and expand the gov- Theinhardt, noted, “This cles in public service Bank and the European institutions, national and
II) was formally launched ernment electric vehicle project is a continuation fleets, electric buses for Union, which provided in- international public sec-
recently, as Barbados dili- fleet and charging infra- of the longstanding and public transportation, as vestment grant funding tor. We recognize and com-
gently pursues its 2030 structure. successful collaboration well as key sector studies for the PSSE program as mend government’s plan
goals of being a 100% re- Project stakeholders re- between the IDB and the for the country including well as this Smart Fund to transform Barbados
newable energy and car- cently participated in a Government of Barbados, a recent publication fo- II. With Barbados pursu- into a carbon neutral is-
bon-neutral island by five-day virtual workshop which seeks to create a cused on the development ing a National Energy land state by 2030.”
2030. The Smart Fund II to support the Executing sustainable energy ma- of ocean energy technolo- Policy of being a 100% re- “Such a national goal
is being financed with a Agency in the Ministry of trix for the country by gies, and institutional newable energy and car- can only be reached
US$30 million invest- Energy, Small Business building upon the work support and capacity bon-neutral island state through the unified ef-
ment loan provided by the and Entrepreneurship in completed under the first building,” he detailed. by 2030, the importance forts of all key stakehold-
Inter-American elaborating a roadmap for phase of the Smart Fund “In addition to financ- of leveraging concessional ers –Policymakers,
Development Bank (IDB) execution of the program. I, and the work currently ing the expansion of im- finance to support this Regulators, Private
and a US$15 million in- Strategizing on how to under the execution of the portant renewable energy transformation of the en- Sector and, most impor-
vestment grant provided fulfill the program objec- Public Sector Smart infrastructure, technolo- ergy sector was under- tantly, Barbadian citizens,
by the European Union to tives within scope, time Energy Program gies and technical capac- scored. who are the most impor-
the Government of and budget, participants (PSSEP).” ity in the public sector, Head of Cooperation of tant beneficiaries and ac-
Barbados. reviewed key topics such “These projects have this new phase of the pro- the Delegation of the tors in this process.
The project will expand as project management promoted energy effi- gram will replenish the European Union to Barbados can always
Government’s ongoing ef- methodologies, procure- ciency in public buildings, funds of the financial fa- Barbados, Luis Maia, count of the cooperation
forts to increase renew- ment, and communica- the expansion of renew- cility to continue provid- said, “This Smart Fund II of international and re-
able energy capacity and tions in collaboration with able energy through the ing loans to small and programme is an excel- gional partners like the
energy efficiency within specialists from the IDB. installation of solar photo- medium enterprises to de- lent example of the trans- IDB and EU as it works
the public sector, as well In his welcome remarks voltaic systems in public velop green energy proj- formational difference toward realizing this
as to support access to fi- at the start of the work- buildings, the installation ects.” that can be achieved goal.”
4• Wednesday March 3, 2021 The Barbados Advocate
Caribbean Day of Prayer
to go virtual this week
THE present COVID-19 our Knees”, has for the of them prayed for one of And we are requesting
pandemic will not be past twelve years seen the eleven parishes of persons across the
stopping this year’s an- prayer warriors travel- Barbados and also the Caribbean to do so as
nual Caribbean Day of ling by bus and making other Caribbean islands, well. We are planning to
Prayer. “Prayer Stops,” across the on CBC 100.7 FM. We have a virtual Zoom
Pastor Courtney island, including stops at also had other powerful meeting from 11:30 a.m.
Selman, former Barbados Government headquar- men and women of God to 12:30 p.m. on March
fast bowler and founder ters and offices, schools, praying at Jubilee 4th, 2021, with a special
of Prayer Warriors police stations, media Gardens in the heart of pause at 12 noon”.
International, an inter- houses, the blocks where Bridgetown, all day, for “We are therefore ask-
denominational group of the boys hang-out and Barbados and the other ing all persons to pause
faith based believers also at our ports of entry, Caribbean Islands as for one minute at 12 noon
says the event, slated where the organisers say well.” and say a “short prayer”
for March 4th each year, illegal guns and drugs al- For this year’s for their respective coun-
will take place virtually legedly enter Barbados. Caribbean Day of Prayer, try, especially at this time
for 2021, given the Reflecting on last year’s Pastor Selman said, “We of the devastating, de-
ongoing COVID-19 pan- event he said, “We en- plan to replicate the pro- structive and deadly
demic. gaged 11 leading men gramme of having men COVID-19 pandemic,
The Caribbean Day of and women of God to and women of God say a that has struck our Pastor Courtney Selman, former Barbados fast
Prayer, which has a pray on the radio. Every short prayer at 6 am, 9 CARICOM countries” he bowler and founder of Prayer Warriors
theme of “March Forth on hour during the day, one am, 12 noon, and 3 pm. stated. (RSM) International.
BARP calls for vaccination programme review
THE Barbados BARP. The BARP Head more people receive their groups at this stage?” tion and gratitude to our the Revolving Fund for
Association of Retired stated however, that they first jab if the Oxford asked Rice-Bowen. seniors for their contribu- Vaccines (RFV) will re-
Persons (BARP) recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine. The president ex- tion to the development of ceive and then arrange
has thanked and ap- national COVID-19 vacci- “What is the age break- plained that the concern this country, is by protect- delivery of the vaccines to
plauded the Ministry of nation programme be sus- down of those vaccinated? of BARP was the health ing them and also help- the countries in the
Health and Wellness for pended for one day to Is the ministry of health and safety of the over 70s ing them to safely survive Eastern Caribbean and
leading the fight against allow for an urgent evalu- satisfied that of the ap- in Barbados, given the this pandemic. Barbados. The expected
Covid-19 including vacci- ation of the initiative. proximately 68,000 peo- high number within this PAHO announced that shipment is slated for
nations but has called for Rice-Bowen explained ple over the age of 70, an age group who have al- Barbados, through the sometime around the end
a brief pause in the pro- that there were three spe- adequate number has ready died from COVID- COVAX Facility, would be of March but with the
gram for a necessary re- cific areas which BARP been vaccinated? And 19. receiving 100,800 doses of pandemic situation
view. wished to be considered should the vaccinations “The best way to the Oxford AstraZeneca changing daily, all dates
BARP applauded the in the evaluation, based be extended to other demonstrate our admira- vaccine. PAHO said that are tentative. (AS)
outstanding service of the on the over 33,000 people
Ministry of Health and vaccinated as of Friday
Wellness regarding its ef-
forts to contain the
COVID-19 virus in
last week. On Monday, the
government announced
that that number had
25 new COVID-19 cases recorded
Barbados on Monday grown to over 38,600 peo- THE island recorded 25
through a released state- ple and as such the re- new positive cases of
ment by Marilyn Rice- quest by BARP becomes COVID-19 on Monday,
Bowen, President of even more pressing as March 1, while 109 peo-
ple recovered and were
discharged from isola-
‘Struggles not tion.
The new positives were
among the 715 tests con-
ducted by the Best-dos
being heard’ Santos Public Health
Laboratory. There were
552 active cases of
COMPASSION ciety must be very vigi- COVID-19 as of
from Page 1 lant, to ensure that peo- Monday.
ple are not being further The 25 new cases com-
know they’re not supposed disadvantaged. prised 14 women and 11
to. I am not speaking “We have to be very men. Ten of them had al-
about those who choose to careful that justice is tem- ready been at the
escape from quarantine, pered with mercy, and re- Harrison Point Isolation
or from isolation. I am member that as the old Facility undergoing as-
speaking about the ordi- people would say, ‘today sessment to determine
nary man whose struggle for you and tomorrow for whether they were in fact
is simply not being heard. me’. There has to be that newly positive, or they
And then we hear that level of humanity that re- had COVID-19 in the
they’re not two mains, and any time that past and were no longer
Barbadoses, but the expe- we are left with the im- infectious. The other 15 1,473 females and 1,667 the public health labora- Programme for COVID-
rience says something pression that the law is cases included 13 males - and 2,552 persons tory has completed 19. To date, a total of
completely different,” she being unevenly applied, Barbadians and one non- have recovered. There 126,829 tests. There were 41,125 vaccinations have
contended. we are going down a slip- national. have been 36 deaths from 2,455 persons vaccinated been administered -
With that in mind, De pery slope where society Barbados has recorded COVID-19. on Monday, as part of the 17,422 men and 23,703
Peiza maintained that so- is concerned,” she insisted. 3,140 confirmed cases - Since February 2020, National Vaccination women.
The Barbados Advocate Wednesday March 3, 2021 • 5
Small businesses
overlooked
AS the country continues to tourism in the future. half of what was offered ini-
grapple with the economic Walters’ comments came as tially”.
challenges posed by the he argued that there has been a Walters lamented that while
COVID-19 pandemic, there lack of support for the sector the small businesses got a cut,
is a call for the Government from the Barbados Labour Party the tourism sector got a boost in
to do more to help the local Administration since the pan- the support offered to them with
small business sector. demic started. the assistance offered moving
It has come from the First Vice “In April of last year there was from $200 million to 300 mil-
President of the Democratic a stimulus package and $268.5 lion.
Labour Party and spokesperson million was earmarked to sup- “There's not a plan in place,
on business, Ryan Walters. port the business sector, $68.5 the Government has seen it fit to
Speaking during a virtual panel million of those funds were sup- put a plan in place for the hotel
discussion on Sunday night, posed to deal with small and sector, which is primarily bigger
Walters said that while the focus medium sized businesses. Out businesses, primarily made up
has been more on the tourism of this $68.5 million, only $5 mil- of foreign entities as well. $300
sector in recent times, the small lion was actually accessed by the million to help with employ-
business sector has a vital role businesses, it was substantially ment, to upgrade and maintain
to play in the economy. undersubscribed. The reports their plan for their facilities;
The DLP’s spokesperson on coming out from the SBA [Small help renewable energy build out;
business made the point as he Business Association] was that and digitising and making it
noted that small businesses ac- the bar was set too high, so busi- profitable on the whole. But
count for 60 percent of busi- nesses could not capitalise on when you look at those ele-
nesses in the local private sector, actually getting these funds,” he ments, these elements are very First Vice President of the Democratic Labour Party and
47 percent of the employment stated. essential for small businesses to spokesperson on business, Ryan Walters.
nationally and according to a He continued, “If we go down succeed... We need our small
2016 report, accounted for al- then to the Throne Speech in businesses to be profitable and unemployment and financial nesses to do what they want”.
most 50 percent of the GDP of September... the Government so some emphasis needs to be difficulty in terms of our econ- Walters said that the sector
the country. These figures, he then reduced its support to placed there”. omy. And we need the govern- desperately needs a pool of re-
maintained, show the impor- small businesses. So they moved The DLP’s First Vice ment with some haste to form a sources, including technical re-
tance of the small business sec- from a $68 million and they President further stated, “It is defined policy that actually in- sources that small businesses
tor and he contended that if the went and they put on the table apparent that there has been no cludes this sector that puts can draw on to have access to
sector is used effectively, it can a $30 million grant or $30 mil- planning involving the micro money at the disposal of these capital, to be able to help sustain
help the country through this lion pool of funds to be accessed and small businesses to help get businesses, not only as grants, their employment levels and
very trying time while we look to by small businesses, a slash by Barbados out of this struggle of but money to fund the busi- build out their businesses. (JRT)
Thumbs down at doing free concerts
LOCAL artistes are being dis- ment. your audience engaged other- go about doing this. He further from these platforms you need
couraged from doing free con- “I would like to suggest to wise than doing free concerts said “most of the younger huge numbers in order for the
certs on their different social artistes not to do free concerts. because it doesn’t benefit the artistes are aware of what it is revenue to really look like any-
media platforms. It might sound bad for the pub- artiste and it is kind of spoiling they can do to monetize their thing.”
President of the Barbados lic, there is absolutely no ben- the public.” music”. Carter indicated one of the
Association of Creatives and efit in it for artistes who are Carter, who spoke to “I think they are still in the focuses of BACA is to “help ed-
Artistes (BACA), Sean currently struggling. If you Barbados Advocate in a recent minority, [those] that under- ucate the artistes as to how
“Apache” Carter suggested that want to keep your audience en- interview, also stated though stand how to actually monetize they can go about doing things
doing such seldom benefits gaged continue to share your artistes are aware that you can their music on various plat- the right way so that they can
artistes especially those who personal videos, your pictures make money through posting forms… Again, the thing with also monetize their efforts on
are struggling financially in and stuff like that on their videos on platforms such these digital platforms even these various platforms.”
the current COVID-19 environ- Instagram and Facebook, keep as YouTube not all know how to though you can be monetized (MG)
PSVs in ‘massive struggle to stay afloat’
PLEA from Back Page better be utilised to help trans- a tax subsidy at the pump where nificance of this, given the con- consistently been a money
port persons who have tested they removed the road tax on cerns about the spread of earner and deserves assistance.
ZM coaches and put them over positive for COVID to the vari- all motors, but for public service COVID, that too was putting a “Yes it took a hit in 2020, but
into the public transport sector, ous isolation facilities, consider- vehicle owners, they were still dent in the revenue earning po- this is a sector that can consis-
which is already saturated, and ing that the Government has required to pay both...Also with tential of the sector. tently be relied on for revenue
there was absolutely no room for been experiencing challenges in the 60 percent in passenger ca- “A lot of these same people are generation for the country. They
them,” he lamented. that regard. pacity for these units to carry, it falling into that net of people therefore are deserving of sup-
He said with many workers Meanwhile, Cox issued a call means that units which are in- that don’t qualify for unemploy- port at this time when they’re
still home there has been a re- for the Government to revisit sured to carry 14 and 20 per- ment so they are just at home getting a hit, in the same way
duction in passengers, which the double taxing of public serv- sons, are now already taking sitting down not doing anything, that tourism is deserving of sup-
has reduced the market size. He ice vehicles, contending that in seven or eight people by law,” he while not making any money port. We don’t want it to look as
went on to say that with some this current environment they explained. and nobody is listening to their though you’re supporting one
ZMs being pressed into action cannot afford it. Reducing the Cox’s comments came as he cries, so they’re just in the category of business more than
in terms of transporting daily cost they pay for diesel, the DLP referred to the latest emergency wilderness,” he added. the other, because then we’re
commuters, it created a “mas- spokesperson on labour main- directive which states that PSV Adding to his comments, DLP back to that two Barbadoses
sive struggle” to stay afloat. He tained, would help to reduce can only carry 60 percent of its President Verla De Peiza en- again, we don’t want to have
said instead of putting ZMs to their operating costs. usual capacity. He hinted that dorsed Cox’s position, noting that scenario and that conversa-
work alongside PSV, they could “The Government introduced while he understands the sig- that the transport sector has tion,” she maintained. (JRT)
6 • Wednesday March 3, 2021 The Barbados Advocate
Financial and Social Youth told to get involved
YOUNG people in the Caribbean are decision-making in young adulthood.
visibility critical being encouraged to learn about and
have a say in how the juvenile justice
system in their country works.
So using the science, this is why the UN
Committee [on the Rights of the Child]
in 2007 in the General Comment 10,
ALL persons must become visible in The call is coming from Heather said that countries should set their min-
the financial and social system to Stewart, child protection specialist in imum age of criminal responsibility at no
ensure their needs and wants can the UNICEF Office for the Eastern less than 12. But with ongoing scientific
be met. Caribbean. She was speaking during a development and information, in 2019
Minister in the Ministry of Economic recently held virtual town hall webinar, they asked countries to raise this to no
Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle, to sensitise youth and youth groups less than 14 years, and that the cut-off
made this clear while backing the move about Juvenile Justice Reform in the mark for adolescence should be no less
for a National Payment System. countries of the Organisation of Eastern than 18 years, because as we said the
Speaking on the system’s bill which Caribbean States (OECS), which was brain is still developing past that age,”
was brought to Parliament recently, she hosted by the USAID/OECS Juvenile she noted.
insisted, “We need to make sure people Justice Reform Project. She went on to say that depriving chil-
are not invisible in the financial or the so- Moreover, Stewart said that UNICEF dren of their liberty as punishment for
cial security system, so that if something also wants to see youth helping to pre- crimes should be a “very last resort” and
happens or if they become ill, have an in- vent crimes from happening in their spe- instead, Stewart stated, priority should
jury, become pregnant that they are able cific communities, by ensuring that all be given to non-institutional solutions
to have access to the benefits of the state. unattached young people become con- such as probation and educational and
So that they can continue to live their nected with positive, awesome activity. professional training programmes. The
best life, so they can continue to be cov- Her comments came as she told those UNICEF official made the point while
ered and can continue to be productive tuning in via Zoom and Facebook that also noting that children deprived of
and that is the importance of a bill like it is important that there are special liberty are at a heightened risk of abuse,
this.” measures in place to uphold the rights violence, exploitation and health-related
Caddle pointed out that currently, how of children in conflict with the law. concerns such as injury and HIV infec-
Barbadians interacted with the domestic “...Children are not simply little tion, when they are in detention centres.
and global financial system has been lim- adults. We get to adulthood through a Additionally, she said they are also at
ited to commercial banks, credit unions process. Neuroscience is telling us that risk of becoming further isolated from
and established financial institutions the maturity and capacity for abstract the society in which they live.
and “we have been takers of whatever reasoning is still evolving in adolescents, She made the point while noting that
policies banks set in other places”. ages 12 to 13 years, since the frontal it tends to be certain types of children
“We have spent decades as takers of cortex of their brains is still developing. who get caught up in the justice system.
policies, of products, of services of feed The brain scientists also tell us that “They may have been socially mar-
structures and what this legislation this means that some adolescents are ginalised for a variety of reasons like
begins to do is to clear the way for that unlikely to understand the impact of poverty and race, which often are high
kind of singular approach to how we Minister in the Ministry of Economic their actions or to understand criminal on the agenda. And for those who say
consume financial services, how we use Affairs and Investment, Marsha proceedings,” Stewart explained. that child rights advocates want child
financial services as inputs to our own Caddle. The child protection specialist went offenders to get off scot-free, the answer
entrepreneurial activities is to say, on to say that 12- to 13-year-olds enter- is certainly ‘no’. While a child’s right to
‘Listen, the banks cannot run things.’ said therefore it was necessary to ensure ing adolescence are at a “very unique juvenile justice demands that the major-
There has to be the opportunity for oth- persons who did not possess bank or defining stage” of their human develop- ity of children are diverted from formal
ers in the space to be able to say, ‘I want credit union accounts were not left be- ment, which is characterised by rapid judicial proceedings, this does not mean
to be a part of the National Payment hind as they would experience difficulty brain development. This development, that they’re not held accountable for
System. I want to be a financial entrepre- in trying to get a credit history, in ac- she noted, affects risk taking, certain their behaviour. It is rather that we are
neur, so that I can come in and help build cessing loans or in interacting with the kinds of decision-making and the ability seeking another way in which to help
a product, build an app or be a service world’s financial transactions due to their to control impulses. them to overcome any challenges, and
provider in a space that was once run by lack of a financial footprint. “The scientists also tell us that ado- which takes account of their level of
banks that are governed by other people “We have to ensure there is uptake of lescent brains continue to mature even development and their evolving capa-
in other places,” she explained. the technology… that is key!” she said. beyond teenage years, affecting certain cities,” she stated. (JRT)
The MP for St. Michael South Central (JMB)
BHTA extends
Caregivers encouraged to condolences to
check in with their children the family of
PARENTS, grandparents and other courage our children to do that. They
caregivers are being encouraged to check
in on children as they engage in online
may not dress in the school uniform ob-
viously, but you make sure that they get
veteran hotelier
schooling, even though they may not be up and they get dressed and they put on THE Chairman, Board of Directors,
technologically savvy. respectable clothes to be in the Google Secretariat and Membership of the
Psychiatrist Dr. Ronald Chase recently Classroom, then check in on them. Know Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association
made the suggestion, as he delivered a their schedule. You don’t have to be (BHTA) wish to extend sincere condo-
presentation on the topic, “My Mental techno-savvy to know everything about lences to the family and friends of tourism
Wellness Matters: Managing Emotions the computer, but you can pop in. Make industry veteran, Hamish Watson.
During Lockdown”. The session was sure you are dressed appropriately We are truly saddened by his passing
hosted by the Substance Abuse as well and see what they are doing,” and take this opportunity to pay tribute
Foundation, online. Chase suggested. to his invaluable contribution to
“Managing the children in school is He continued, “After the class, once Barbados’ tourism sector and the
difficult for parents, (but especially) for you know their schedule and they have Association.
those people who are out of the house for a break, ask them what happened in As a long-standing member of the Hamish Watson
work and the children are left with their class, what was the topic done in class, BHTA, Hamish served in numerous roles
grandparents who are not as techno- do they have homework from that class, including Board Member, Chairman of Resort, who was fondly known for his
savvy and they don’t realise that the do they have another class? Just check the Training Committee and Chairman – calm demeanour and kind spirit, will
child may be logged on or actually play- in.” Luxury Group, amongst others. He was be remembered for his dedication and
ing a game on the same computer or an- “So in managing the children, you a keen supporter of our various events commitment to the tourism industry in
other device that is there,” Chase noted. don’t necessarily have to be all technical. and activities and was always ready and Barbados and the region. May he rest in
“Sometimes it is even in getting them Just simply be there, be around, buzz willing to volunteer his assistance and peace.
into a routine. So just as we may get up around, engage the children about what expertise.
and make the bed, dress as if we are is going on in school,” the psychiatrist The former General Manager of the SENATOR RUDY GRANT
going to work, similarly, we have to en- advised. (RSM) Cobblers Cove Hotel and the Crane BHTA CEO
The Barbados Advocate Wednesday March 3, 2021 • 7
Nation rolls Pineapple growers see
out blueprint
for transport strong demand pay off
PINEAPPLE farmer Wu Jianlian lines have been operating special trains making it the country’s biggest pineapple
grins from ear to ear these days as he since February 6 to help deliver Xuwen’s production base.
CHINA’S transport regulators intro- walks through his plantation in pineapples to major mainland cities, Wu Pineapples have been grown in the
duced the prospects of a nearly Guangdong’s Xuwen county, at the said. county for hundreds of years, and it now
700 000-kilometre network on southernmost tip of the Chinese In addition to Beijing and Shanghai, accounts for more than 38 percent of
Monday as they rolled out a compre- mainland. the special pineapple trains have also the country’s pineapple production and
hensive transport blueprint. Wu, director of the Xuwen County reached Lanzhou, capital of Northwest 60 percent of Guangdong’s total.
“The network, which will connect Pineapple Association, is now busy China’s Gansu province, and other major Wu said he expects to earn more than
all county-level administrative harvesting, weighing and packaging his cities in the eastern, northern and two million yuan ($307,000) from pineap-
regions, borders, major facilities and pineapples and negotiating sales and western parts of the country. ple sales this year thanks to higher prices
tourism spots, will be comprised deliveries. “This year, Xuwen’s pineapple growers and strong demand.
of roads, railways, air routes “Pineapples planted in Xuwen are will certainly earn more than in previous He is harvesting more than 66 hectares
and waterways,” Transport Minister selling well in the mainland market this years,” Wu said. of pineapples this year.
Li Xiaopeng told a news year, and the price has soared compared Located on the Leizhou Peninsula, Tang Ziyu, another local pineapple
conference. with last year,” he said. Xuwen county usually produces about grower, said this year has seen the
According to the blueprint, To help meet growing demand, railway 700 000 metric tons of pineapples a year, highest pineapple prices in decades.
the network will be convenient, “Now, a kilogramme of pineapple usu-
cost-effective, green, intelligent ally changes hands for more than 4 yuan
and safe. in the orchards, compared with just 0.4 to
Li said the guideline is China’s first 0.5 yuan last year, when China was
mid-to-long-term comprehensive affected by the coronavirus outbreak,”
transport plan and maps out the Tang said. “Therefore, the more growers
country’s transport prospects have planted, the more they will earn this
to 2035. year.”
By 2035, main corridors and In addition to the mainland market,
passages will be built as the skeleton some pineapples from Xuwen county are
of China’s transport network. A total being exported to Russia,Tang said. He is
of 100 transport hub cities will be growing pineapples on more than 6 600
established. square metres of land this year and
All kinds of integrated development said the harvest season will continue
will be promoted, such as the till May.
development of tourism, transport Separately, mainland customs have
and logistics, transport infrastructure announced the suspension of pineapple
and information networks, as shipments from Taiwan since Monday.
well as coordinated development Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan
of transportation in different Affairs Office of the State Council, said
regions. mainland customs officers have
Wang Zhiqing, vice-minister of frequently spotted insect pests in pineap-
transport, said China will have a ple shipments from Taiwan.
network of 160 000 kilometres Statistics from the island authorities
of expressways, with seven main ones show Taiwan shipped 45 621 metric
from Beijing, 11 north-south ones and tonnes of pineapples to other markets
18 east-west ones. The network Farmers harvest pineapples at Hanzhai village in Xuwen county of Zhanjiang, last year, including 41 661 tonnes – more
of national highways will reach South China’s Guangdong province, on March 27, 2020. than 90 percent - to the mainland.
300 000 km, and the road network
will link all county-level regions
and areas with more than 100 000
people.
China’s water network will
comprise four north-south and four
New drug list eases patients’ burdens
east-west lines with 25 000 km of A NEW national reimbursement drug list linked to the new list and staff are on the five-year survival rate of ovarian
waterways, as well as 63 major ports. took effect on Monday in a major boost to standby at outpatient units to address cancer patients to 70 percent, represent-
The network will carry more than relieving the financial burden on Chinese patients’ questions to smooth the ing a “breakthrough and milestone” for
90 percent of major export freight patients and increasing accessibility to transition. patients.
transported by water. innovative, lifesaving drugs. “The latest list will markedly ease the She said the new drug list is expected
Ma Junsheng, director of the State The updated list of 2 800 medicines cov- burdens of patients,” he said. “For to enable more patients to access the
Post Bureau of China, said ered by basic medical insurance was re- instance, the price of lenvatinib has lifesaving medication.
80 logistics hubs will be established leased in late December. It includes 119 dropped from 16 800 yuan to 3 240 yuan, The administration said the list
to handle international and newly added drugs with an average price and more people are eligible to claim includes 17 new cancer drugs. Through
domestic express deliveries cut of 51 percent, the National Healthcare reimbursement under the new policy.” negotiations, the prices of 14 oncology
and mail. Administration Bureau said. Lenvatinib is a medication for medications already covered by medical
Liu Zhenfang, director of the The considerable price reduction is treatment of thyroid cancer and some insurance also dropped by an average
National Railway Administration of largely due to price negotiations between other cancers. of nearly 15 percent.
China, said China will build the administration and drug manufac- Yin Rutie, a gynecologist at West China Cao Qian, founder of a nonprofit organ-
a 200 000-km railway network, in- turers in November and December, it said. Second University Hospital in Chengdu, isation devoted to improving the lives of
cluding 70 000 km of high-speed Patients are projected to save about Sichuan province, said the inclusion of those affected by Huntington’s disease, a
railways – up from about 38 000 km 28 billion yuan ($4.3 billion) this year, olaparib, an innovative therapy against progressive neurodegenerative disease
at present. Major railway infrastruc- thanks to price reductions and medical ovarian cancer, will slash out-of-pocket impairing mental and physical capabili-
ture projects will be built to boost the reimbursement, it said. payments shouldered by patients by as ties, said she and members of the organ-
development of China’s western The administration said that compared much as 90 percent. isation were “both surprised and cheered”
region, such as a Sichuan-Tibet to previous adjustments to the list, the “For years, treatment targeting ad- by the inclusion of deutetrabenazine, an
railway and a railway corridor latest additions cover a wider range of vanced stages of ovarian cancer mainly innovative drug developed by global
connecting inland areas in south- conditions, from cancer and rare diseases centred on surgeries and chemotherapy, pharmaceutical company Teva.
western and southern China. to COVID-19, in a bid to bring concrete but about 70 percent of patients are likely She said the next crucial step is to ham-
Dong Zhiyi, deputy director of benefits to more people. to relapse within two to three years mer out the details of local reimburse-
the Civil Aviation Administration of At Beijing Tsinghua Changgung following these standard procedures,” she ment policies, further increase the pro-
China, said 400 airports will be built Hospital, Nie Guangmeng, head of the told Cover.cn, an online news portal. portion of reimbursable fees and explore
in the coming years. healthcare insurance department, said Yin said based on available research, the role of commercial insurance pro-
the hospital’s information system is now the promising drug is projected to raise grammes in alleviating financial strain.
8 • Wednesday March 3, 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
Responsibility and
Stay alert!
LAST Thursday night, in an address to the na-
consequences
tion, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley an- By Dorian Bryan mass vaccinations as the thought about it, closing Opposition Leader Bishop
nounced some relaxation of measures with regard COVID-19 fight enters a supermarkets on Joseph Atherley on the
to the lockdown implemented on February 3 this FOR all those who new level. weekends and with issue, pushing the illusion
year. She however warned at the time that, de- pretend that they are What concerns me is restaurants closed, the of collective responsibility,
spite the ease, persons should “stay the course”. unaware and do not know the lack of understanding pudding and souse or but the announcement
This warning should be heeded by every – there is a link between of the fear which other food delights of the only served to inoculate
Barbadian, young and old, as COVID-19 is still responsibility and Barbadians have for the weekend, especially herself from the blowback
spreading rampant in our community. The latest consequences – but in our public health system Saturdays, were gone, from the public, by stating
figures released on Monday reported 47 new case, this lesson is not one when or if they test forced people to spend that everyone was in
cases and three deaths in one day. And in a press which our current elected positive for any disease. more on grocery stocks to agreement.
conference that same day, Chief Medical Officer government has yet to The stigma of exposure to survive the long month It was a classic
in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Dr. face. COVID-19 and being shutdown. performance. Start with
Kenneth George revealed that there were a few This country entered isolated scares people It is frustrating but drawing the public in
communities identified as hotspots and that the another two-week who might opt to isolate comes as a consequence with the unfortunate
Ministry was working feverishly to rectify the sit- lockdown Feb 3 which themselves. Now that is of hubris and a denial of deaths of three persons,
uation. was extended and was not advised, but the fear valid suggestions being then mention the
This, added to the fact that there is now an ef- slated to end on February of co-workers discovering placed before consultations which you
fort to source additional facilities for persons who 28, which given the that they contracted government, being took part in before
are COVID-19 positive but whose homes cannot rushed attention offered something or having a dismissed as ‘desperate’. reaching your decision,
facilitate self-isolation, should alert people to the to the current spike at the Ministry of Health van This current Prime then add in the new
fact that the fight against this virus is far from end of 2020, with a press pick them up and gypsy Minister, when requirements for visitors,
over. conference to highlight neighbours knowing that Opposition Leader chided ironically after arrivals
In fact, many might argue that here in the spike in cases, which they were headed to her predecessor have effectively stalled
Barbados, and across the region, the fight has was initially focused on North Point must engage challenging him to listen and the Christmas break
now stepped up to round two. A recent Reuters ar- the ‘Brandy and Punanny the attention of policy to suggestions being rush had abated. Then
ticle highlighted that some countries in the bus crawl’ – the signs makers. Barbadians have made since no one group the pivot to the new catch-
Caribbean are “suffering their worst outbreaks were there that the equated this disease had all the answers, so phrases of ‘war on the
since the start of the pandemic following social confluence of events similar to HIV/AIDS and why was she so reluctant, virus’, before dropping the
gatherings over year-end, quarantine violations which emerged from the other serious diseases, in when DLP President hammer with the tougher
by visitors and growing complacency”. It revealed Christmas period and the terms of the reactions Verla DePeiza called on restrictions on the public
that “the number of total confirmed cases has al- potential super-spreader they receive from other Government to stop and then close with
most doubled in the first two months of the year events, that we were not Barbadians. flights from the UK for emotion related to the
in Jamaica. It has risen around fourfold in Cuba, in ordinary territory. What we should have two weeks, while health first point of deaths – a
eightfold in Barbados and around tenfold in St. It was clear from then, heard is that the way out officials got a handle on slow hand clap for that!
Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, ac- for even casual observers of this pandemic is the situation? However, the
cording to Oxford University’s Our World in Data that action needed to be widespread vaccinations There has to be a consequences are still
database.” taken to confront the to stop the spread of the consequence for this developing.
Additionally, World Health Organization implications of the spread disease. Even as we Prime Minister. The The economic situation
(WHO) Chief Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus has re- of the disease into HMPS contemplate achieving failure to act, has been should cause panic also.
vealed that in the past week, the number of re- Dodds and the West Coast this, we have tourism replaced by an overreach The country’s fiscal
ported cases of COVID-19 increased for the first clusters meant that time officials looked at pushing from the Executive. The balances are headed in
time in seven weeks. Reported cases increased in was not on our side to deal vaccine tourism – or decision to go into the wrong direction and
four of WHO’s six regions: the Americas, Europe, with the consequences of marketing to those who communities to test and the Prime Minister again
South East Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean. the outbreak. were vaccinated. Will we extract people – should resorted to politics,
The Director-General noted that continued circu- The HMPS Dodds police this in the same make constitutional claiming that they came
lation of variants was an issue, but some of it ap- outbreak was under way we pushed the 72- scholars cry out and rip to office to rescue the
pears to be due to relaxing of public health meas- control, as of February 20. hour test result their hair out of their economy and despite the
ures and people letting down their guard. While Yet, the country was not programme? Look at how heads. How is that cuts, we are facing a
vaccines are likely to help save lives, he warned given information on why successful that was with constitutional when the period of prolonged
that if countries rely solely on them, they are no ‘Patient Zero’ related the mutated strains of the issue of fingerprinting economic fallout with
making a mistake. He said that basic public to the outbreak of the virus, arguably being was deemed as a breach of revenues declining,
health measures remain the foundation of the re- Christmas Break has unleashed from our rights? Think about foreign direct
sponse. been identified, when our tourism source it? investments falling and
“For public health authorities, that means test- Government had our markets. Police need warrants to the health care complex
ing, contact tracing, isolation, supported quar- borders thrown open, So with the dithering by enter homes even if to be funded, plus
antine and quality care. For individuals, it means even from high-risk officials, we have the someone is suspected of a prolonged lockdown with
avoiding crowds, physical distancing, hand hy- countries. What we hear consequences for citizens crime, yet (by law) health no economic activity, and
giene, masks, and ventilation,” he pointed out. is lectures from officials and tourists alike. The officials can approach increasing debt due to
Barbados needs to learn lessons from what is and a recent weekend majority of businesses homes, using electoral borrowing, this myth of
occurring across the globe. Yes, the vaccine should lockdown with threat of and those who earn a information and require better days, has been
provide a reduction in the numbers of persons be- prosecutions. living from interactions or people to be screened and reduced to prolonged
coming severely ill with COVID-19, however it That was the case point of sale transactions, take a test – and no one hardships.
alone is not the solution. As Britain and the rest earlier this week, when faced a month of questions how this is legal The lack of
of the world looks to relax their restrictions on finally health care practically no new – even in a medical responsibility has started
travel in the months ahead, this country needs to professionals revealed income, but still have to emergency! to transform into
contemplate the impact of additional variants that they wanted ensure that they have This is the acceleration consequences that the
on this society and the efficacy of the vaccine Barbadians to be extra enough food to sustain of the unchecked power of country must bear, but
being administered now against such variants. cautious for the next six their families, since the Executive. It was on when the leaders who
Barbadians also need to accept that “getting to eight weeks. After all restaurants and food full display when the presided over the policy
back to normal” is a long ways off, if it is at all pos- of the dark rhetoric – we establishments were Prime Minister informed failures do not face
sible. Persons should instead cultivate the new so- have be shown the path closed. the country, that she consequences… so far
cial norms being pushed to truly safeguard their forward which includes If Government officials spoke with Depeiza and only Barbadians have!
health and look to operate in the future within
the parameters being identified now, at least Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes
Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke
until this pandemic is really and truly behind us. E-mail Address: news@barbadosadvocate.com
Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen
As the saying goes, “Hope for the best, prepare Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com
Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan
for the worst”.
@The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate
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