Connect with us

News

SVG Receives More Support after Volcanic Eruptions Displace 20, 000 People

Published

on

#St.Vincent&TheGrenadines, April 17, 2021 – Hard times hit St Vincent residents and the Grenadines after a catastrophic volcanic eruption displaces over 20,000 residents. The events unfolded as a 42-year dormant volcano roared back into life last Friday, 9th April 2020, spewing a cloud of billowing grey ashes 20,000 feet above the Atlantic ocean.

Even though the Friday eruption of a volcano known as La Soufrière, located in the northern tip of the main island of St. Vincent, hit at the most uncertain of times as the country struggles with the Covid-19 pandemic, experts had predicted the occurrence since late December 2020.

“La Soufriere has moved into an explosive state. Plumes up to eight kilometers. Ashfall expected within five minutes,” the country’s National Emergency Management Organization said on Twitter. Six hours later, another eruption followed, though not as imminent as the first explosion, according to one of the residents evacuated from the danger zone.

The unfortunate events occurred barely a day after the officials raised the alert level following several small tremors detected at the volcano, with clouds of steam seen erupting from its peak.  Scientists warn of more volcanic activities in the area for some days to come.

However, St Vincent and the Grenadines aren’t alone, as many Caribbean countries extend a helping hand to the people affected. Some of the countries that promised their support to the troubled Caribbean nation include Guyana which has pledged to deliver supplies upon receiving the requirements.

Grenada has promised accommodation for 1,600 people, Trinidad and Tobago promised support during the evacuation and monitoring, while Dominica pledged a 5-month accommodation and food for 300 people. St. Kitts and Nevis pledged $1 million in disaster relief.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza announced he would send humanitarian supplies, while Barbados deployed members of its Defense Force to deliver UNICEF relief supplies and offer assistance. The country joined St. Lucia, Antigua, and Grenada to accept evacuees, with empty Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise ships on standby to transport them.

 But, that’s not all as many more countries and regional companies keep joining in hands for the safety and well-being of the people affected in St. Vincent and Grenadines.

There are currently 89 public shelters open and operating; there are 4, 136 people in those shelters which SVG’s NEMO says is 1,333 families and zero casualties.  Private shelters are home now to 3,275 people and overall some 7,411 residents are displaced as of today, April 16.

News

Register of Interests of the Members of the House of Assembly 

Published

on

#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – The Integrity Commission advises that the Register of Interests for Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly, as at 31st December 2022 has been completed.

Members of the House of Assembly are required by the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, Section 103(2), and the Integrity Commission Ordinance (the Ordinance), as amended, Section 52(1), to file with the Commission, Statements of Registrable Interests.  The Commission would, therefore, like to inform members of the public that, it has compiled the information contained in these Statements of Registrable Interests and has produced The Register of Interests 2022 for the Members of the House of Assembly, as at 31st December 2022.

The Register of Interests 2022 is now available for public inspection at the following locations:

  1. House of Assembly in Grand Turk
  2. Office of the Premier – Grand Turk and Providenciales
  3. Office of the Integrity Commission – Grand Turk and Providenciales (during the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm from Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 4:00pm on Fridays.)
  4. Office of the District Commissioner – Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Salt Cay and South Caicos.

The Register can be viewed at these locations during normal working hours or at a time that is convenient for the respective offices.

For further information or any assistance please contact the Integrity Commission:

By telephone at:  946-1941(Grand Turk Office) or 941-7847 (Providenciales Office) By e-mail at: secretary@integritycommission.tc or info@integritycommission.tc

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Grand Bahama to be CARGO HUB, as Bahamas & Qatar ink MOU 

Published

on

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, September 29, 2023 – With moves to deepen ties, governments of The Bahamas and Qatar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify agreements in principle surrounding the development of aviation and other related services.

This is according to Chester Cooper, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister  of Tourism, Investment and Aviation in a Facebook post.

This comes after The Bahamas Government in a press release on September 24th, revealed that Cooper,  was set to meet with the head of Qatar Airways to have talks regarding “multiple mutually beneficial aviation opportunities for both countries.”

The release also said the deputy prime minister and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation are working on “forging strategic partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries to strengthen ties to The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” and this new signing is indicative of such efforts.

Following the September 25th signing, on September 27th, Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General  of Tourism for The Bahamas informed via Facebook some details of the agreement saying, “we have now established a framework for cooperation and formed strategic partnerships with Qatar Airways, Qatar’s Transport, Aviation and Investment Agencies and The Qatar Aeronautical Academy, that will benefit our country.”

Regarding further efforts for the improvement of The Bahamas, Cooper announced on Facebook again on Tuesday September 26th that both countries are working  to make Nassau a passenger hub for Latin America and the Caribbean adding that talks are being held for Grand Bahama as a cargo hub.

Additionally, as the press release informed, Cooper is preparing for an on ground visit of Bahamasair domestic operations by Qatar Airways Technical team sometime in October.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Guyana to build regional food hub

Published

on

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

#Guyana, September 29, 2023 – Guyana is making moves to become the primary food production center for the Caribbean, going ahead with plans to develop a USD$14 million regional food hub.

In fact, as reported by the Observer, the facility has already been identified on the country’s Soesdyke /Linden Highway.

Guyana seems to really want this to become a reality and Zulfikar Mustapha, Agriculture Minister, expressed this, highlighting what Guyana has over its Caribbean sister Islands.

“We want Guyana to be the food hub, the primary production hub of the Caribbean so that we could supply the Caribbean.  What we have, our colleagues in the Caribbean don’t have.  We have arable flat land and abundant fresh water,” he said, adding that with the multi-million dollar US investment, the country can, “modernise the infrastructure, and start ramping up the productions.”

Also, the Agriculture Minister pointed out that the project is geared to make for a more competitive local Agriculture industry as well as developing high-yielding varieties, pest-resistant and climate-resilient varieties.

Additionally, in the facility’s development, Guyana, Mustapha said, will work with Belize.

In fact, with more on Belize’s involvement, Dr. Ashni Singh,  Finance Minister, informed that the Government is in talks with the Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley about sourcing inputs from northern Brazil and transporting them through Guyana to Barbados and vice versa.

Singh also reportedly revealed that the project will help develop the growing logistics industry in Guyana.

Considering regional food import cost, with this development, Guyana is the leading Caribbean Community country pushing ahead with plans to reduce the multi-billion dollar regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, the Observer says.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING