MyCash and Mastercard partner: Jamaica, Haiti cashless, B’dos in talks Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Digicel Financial Services is making business in the Caribbean cashless with their digital wallet — MyCash. The wallet, which allows people to conveniently manage their finances, has partnered with Mastercard to enhance its capability.

Aniqa Sandhu, CEO of Digicel Financial Services announced the partnership Wednesday, October 5, during the first-ever Fintech Islands conference (FiX2022) held at Hilton Resort.

“Mastercard is a great partner for us to bring to the Caribbean as Digicel Financial Services, so we have signed up with them for a multi-market deal and one that will enable more use cases, whether it is virtual powers, whether it is physical powers, whether you can go on the merchant and pay. So [it really is] developing the ecosystem around the experience that people have — banked, unbanked and underbanked,” said the CEO. The digital wallet will be rolled out in the 25-plus markets in the region. If all goes to plan, Barbados’ launch is slated for the first financial quarter of 2023.

MyCash has successfully integrated into Jamaica over the past two months with over 25,000 registered, active users and Haiti boasts of over two million customers.

Sandhu explained that the digital wallet will act like a debit card, where individuals can “go to an ATM and withdraw or [do] a bank transfer and withdraw” from their wallet.

Mastercard’s executive vice president for market development in the Caribbean and Latin America, Kiki Del Valle, stated that the financial instrument, which facilitates digital payments and cashless transactions, will be pivotal in transitioning towards a society that is more welcoming toward financial technology.

“This is a great way for us to bring additional financial services to uplift the poor, to find ways to better serve marginalised communities, particularly women, MSMEs (micro, small, medium enterprises) and leverage on the technology and the power of new ways, for consumers who are looking to pay,” said Del Valle.

“This is an opportunity for us to first gain access. It obviously has to be tied to the digital journey that the consumer is going through to eventually help facilitate additional use cases – investments, lending, savings but also providing financial literacy,” she added.

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Indringer probeert 59-jarige vrouw te verkrachten

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

PARAMARIBO — Hulpgeroep van een 59-jarige vrouw, die zich kranig verzette, heeft voorkomen dat ze in haar woning aan de

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Quand l’ambassadeur du Canada Sebastien Carri?re ?voque l’urgence d’une tr?ve

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Sur les ondes de Magik 9 (100.9 fm), l’ambassadeur du Canada en Ha?ti, S?bastien Carri?re, a renouvel? l’appel urgent ? une tr?ve, lanc? par le corps diplomatique en poste en Ha?ti, pour d?bloquer le terminal p?trolier de Varreux sur fond de r?surgence du chol?ra. Ce message s’adresse ? toutes personnes ou groupes qui ont un r?le ? jouer dans ce blocage. Le diplomate, lors de son passage sur Magik 9, a ?voqu? des <> expliquant le retard dans la livraison des v?hicules blind?s command?s aupr?s d’une entreprise canadienne. <>, a dit S?bastien Carri?re. Le pays ?tait ? quelques heures d’un accord entre le PM Ariel Henry et le pr?sident de l’accord Montana, Fritz Alphonse Jean, a-t-il r?v?l? avant de souligner que face ? l’aggravation de la situation en Ha?ti, il faut penser au pays avec des perspectives rapproch?es. Non en mois mais dans les heures ? venir. <>, a soutenu S?bastien Carri?re qui appelle ? un effort de consensus extraordinaire. Questions et r?ponses.

Roberson Alphonse : Dans un tweet, hier, des repr?sentants d’ambassades dont le Canada, l’OEA, l’Union europ?enne, les ?tats-Unis… indiquent ?tre hautement pr?occup?s par le blocage du Terminal de Varreux ainsi que son impact humanitaire, avec notamment, la r?surgence du chol?ra. Vous appelez ? une tr?ve imm?diate pour permettre la sortie du carburant pour besoins urgents ?

Ambassadeur S?bastien Carri?re : Oui tout ? fait. Vous avez vu plut?t dans la semaine un appel ? la tr?ve ?manant du syst?me humanitaire des Nations-Unies. L’essentiel du message c’est que le blocage du Terminal Varreux doit se terminer. Les carburants doivent sortir pour desservir les structures sanitaires d’urgence, notamment pour permettre de traiter le plus rapidement possible les cas de chol?ra pour arriver ? z?ro chol?ra annonc?.

Roberson Alphonse : Quand le corps diplomatique appelle ? une tr?ve, ? qui s’adresse-t-il ?

S?bastien Carri?re : Ce message s’adresse ? tout le monde. Quand je dis tout le monde c’est toutes personnes ou groupes qui ont un r?le ? jouer dans ce blocage. ? bon entendeur salut! L’important c’est que ces int?r?ts priv?s et personnels soient mis de c?t? et qu’on enl?ve cette esp?ce de prise d’otage… On a parl? du chol?ra. Cela va beaucoup plus loin que ?a. Les gens ont faim, vont mourir. Donc, il faut imm?diatement r?tablir la situation qui pr?valait avant ce blocage.

Roberson Alphonse : Depuis le 12 septembre, le terminal est ferm?. Autour du 13, 14, Jimmy Ch?rizier, pr?sent? par la police comme un chef de gang et qui, lui, se pr?sente comme un r?volutionnaire, a assum? la fermeture du Terminal. ? vous ?couter, il ne serait pas l’unique personne ? qui il faudrait s’adresser pour obtenir le d?blocage de cette structure strat?gique ?

S?bastien Carri?re : Je ne suis pas sur place. Je ne suis pas un expert non plus. Je ne peux pas dire ce qui se passe ou ce qui ne se passe pas exactement. Ce que nous on dit comme groupe d’ambassadeurs, est que cette situation ne peut pas durer. Le fait qu’on a maintenant une ?closion de chol?ra, pour nous, c’est un signal d’alarme important. Le chol?ra se propage ? une vitesse grand V. Donc, c’est pourquoi nous avons d?cid? d’intervenir sur cette question.

Roberson Alphonse : Vous avez demand? une tr?ve non l’arr?t des hostilit?s. Pourquoi ?

S?bastien Carri?re: On a demand? une tr?ve car on communique via des tweets. L’espace est limit?. Tout ce qu’on veut c’est que les carburants se remettent ? sortir de Varreux le plus rapidement possible. Apr?s les acteurs politiques, les op?rateurs ?conomiques pourront avoir des discussions, d?termin?es ensemble sur comment les questions du carburant doivent ?tre trait?es. Ce qu’il faut retenir de notre message, c’est qu’il y a urgence.

Roberson Alphonse : La situation ?nerg?tique s’est aggrav?e apr?s la fermeture du Terminal p?trolier de Varreux. Il y a eu une succession de manifestations en plusieurs points du pays notamment ? Port-au-Prince. Des manifestants ont indiqu? qu’ils n’acceptent pas les ajustements effectu?s par le Premier ministre et le gouvernement sur le diesel, la gazoline et le k?ros?ne. Et l? nous avons deux probl?mes en un: le blocage d’une part et la non acceptation de la fixation des nouveaux prix. Et entretemps, il y a silence, d?t?rioration et aggravation de la situation. Des gens de la soci?t? civile sont tr?s critiques vis-?-vis du gouvernement et des forces de s?curit? qui ont montr? leur insuffisance et leur incapacit?. Est-ce que vous partagez cette lecture d’insuffisance et d’incapacit? des pouvoirs publics ?

S?bastien Carri?re : J’entends la col?re de la population. J’entends ses revendications. D’une fa?on l?gitime la population s’est manifest?e pour exprimer leur m?contentement et la plupart du temps, cela se fait de mani?re pacifique. Nous condamnons les d?bordements de violences sans r?serve. G?n?ralement, il y a une col?re qui a ?t? manifest?e sur cette question et toutes sortes d’autres questions. Apr?s, c’est une question de politique ha?tienne interne. C’est aux acteurs politiques socio-?conomiques d’aborder ces questions-l?. Nous, on n’est pas l? pour franchir ces questions-l?.

Roberson Alphonse : Je sais que dans votre pays et ailleurs quand il y a des r?formes qui coincent, il y a la p?dagogie, la n?gociation, des applications graduelles d’?l?ments de la r?forme. C’est ce qu’on fait en g?n?ral quand ?a coince. Quand il y a des conflits. Est-ce que vous, vous croyez que les Ha?tiens devraient s’inspirer de ?a pour trouver une fa?on d’avancer par rapport ? ce contentieux ?

S?bastien Carri?re : ?coutez. Pas seulement dans nos pays. Les Ha?tiens sont capables de discuter entre eux et de trouver des consensus. C’est une d?marche qui appara?t tout ? fait logique. Ce que nous disons, c’est qu’il y a urgence. Le terminal p?trolier de Varreux doit ?tre d?bloqu? imm?diatement parce que les vies sont en jeu. On ne peut pas attendre le luxe d’un accord politique qui dure des semaines sur une question sur l’autre pendant que le chol?ra est en train de se r?pandre dans cette zone dans la capitale.

Roberson Alphonse : Vous aviez indiqu? qu’il y a urgence et justement il y a au niveau de la communaut? ha?tienne, un constat que le pays s’enlise dans l’une des pires crises de son histoire. Frantz Duval, notre ?ditorialiste, a indiqu? que c’est la pire depuis ces quarante derni?res ann?es. Les gens voient de l’inaction, de l’ind?cision au niveau Ha?tien, au niveau du gouvernement et aussi au niveau de la communaut? internationale. Est-ce que cette perception est correcte ou pas monsieur l’ambassadeur ?

S?bastien Carri?re : ?coutez. On ne peut pas questionner les perceptions. Tout un chacun a droit ? ses opinions. Moi, je peux parler du Canada. Il y a trois semaines, il y a eu une Assembl?e g?n?rale des Nations-Unies ? New-York. Le Premier ministre du Canada, Justin Trudeau, avait pr?sid? la r?union sur Ha?ti. Cette r?union avec les partenaires r?gionaux au cours de laquelle la crise qui frappe Ha?ti a ?t? ?voqu?e. On a parl? de renforcer la Police nationale d’Ha?ti. On a aussi ?voqu? des sanctions contre les chefs de gangs mais ?galement les personnes qui financent leurs op?rations. La r?union est publique et disponible sur internet. Tous les membres se sont exprim?s sur la question. Maintenant, il y a un processus o? les ?tats-Unis pr?parent une r?solution pour s’attaquer ? cette question. Donc, je vois de l’action de ces partenaires. Ce que je comprends, c’est aussi li? ? la vitesse souhait?e par les gens en Ha?ti. Quand on vit la crise au quotidien, on aimerait que tout d?bloque ? la vitesse grand V. Je pense que les gens travaillent le plus rapidement possible. Ce sont des questions extr?mement complexes qui impliquent le droit international et la l?gislation de chacun des pays. Donc, les efforts ont ?t? mis en oeuvre pour que ?a avance le plus rapidement possible.

Roberson Alphonse : Le Premier Ariel Henry a indiqu? que les manifestations sont le fait d’individus qui ont des int?r?ts politiques, qu’il ne s’agit pas d’une question de carburant. Certains de ces ?l?ments de langage ont ?t? utilis?s par M. Juan Gonzalez et dans certains cas par M. Trudeau avec plus de nuances que M. Gonzalez et par le secr?taire g?n?ral des Nations-Unies, M. Guterres. Ici en Ha?ti, les gens ont consid?r? que c’est une sorte d’appui qui a ?t? donn? ? un gouvernement qui est d?cri? et aussi il y a eu des critiques par rapport ? ces personnalit?s de la communaut? internationale. On a consid?r? que c’est une mauvaise lecture ? la limite une m?prise vis-?-vis de la population qui vit une situation terrible et qui manifeste dans les rues. Est-ce que vous avez une r?action par rapport ? cela?

S?bastien Carri?re : Effectivement, le Premier ministre Trudeau a exprim? sa solidarit? envers le peuple ha?tien, envers les souffrances du peuple et envers leurs revendications l?gitimes. Je pense que les deux peuvent ?tre vrais en m?me temps. Il peut avoir des int?r?ts qui essayent de manipuler les manifestations, le blocage, les barricades pour faire avancer leurs int?r?ts priv?s, personnels ect et politiques. En m?me temps, il peut aussi y avoir une foule dans la rue qui, de fa?on tout ? fait l?gitime, est en train d’exprimer un manque de satisfaction par rapport ? l’action gouvernementale. Ce n’est pas binaire. Cela peut ?tre l’un ou l’autre en m?me temps. Et certainement, le Premier ministre Trudeau a exprim? les deux lors de ses interventions sur le sujet ? New-York.

Roberson Alphonse : Ici, il y a une th?se. La communaut? internationale a nomm? M. Henry ? travers un tweet, l?, elle lui donne un appui inconditionnel et quelque part ce qui s’y passe participe d’un plan pour qu’il y ait une intervention ?trang?re. J’avais pos? cette question ? M. Bob Rae la derni?re fois que j’ai eu le plaisir de vous rencontrer. Il avait donn? une r?ponse ? cette question. Je vous la pose en direct sur Magik 9 afin d’avoir votre r?ponse ou si vous alignez sur celle de l’ambassadeur du Canada ? l’ONU?

S?bastien Carri?re : Je vais vous donner la m?me r?ponse que Bob Rea. De s’imaginer que la communaut? internationale est en train de comploter pour affaiblir Ha?ti et de l’occuper ensuite, pour moi, c’est de la folie absolument pure. Je pense que nos actions, notamment les actions du Canada en mati?re de solidarit?, prouvent que personne n’est ici que pour affaiblir le pays et ensuite en prendre le contr?le. C’est du d?lire.

Roberson Alphonse : S’il y a crise humanitaire, il y a des gens qui disent dans ce cas-ci que l’hypoth?se d’une aide humanitaire prot?g?e par des ?l?ments militaires pourrait avoir une certaine plausibilit?. Cette lecture-l?, elle est tir?e par les cheveux o? elle a une certaine exactitude ou un peu de bon sens ?

S?bastien Carri?re : Il y a toutes sortes d’hypoth?ses qui circulent. <>. Il faut commencer par le premier morne et ensuite se consacrer aux autres. Pour moi, le premier qu’il faut monter, c’est Varreux. Il faut d?bloquer Varreux. La situation est urgente. Je ne pense pas que l’on puisse se payer le luxe de grands d?bats de salon sur ce qui s’en vient dans les six ou douze prochains mois. Je pense qu’il faut passer au six ou douze prochaines heures.

Roberson Alphonse. Pour la commande des blind?s et les autres ?quipements de la PNH, des officiels ha?tiens dont M. G?n?us, le PM Henry, lors des forums publics, notamment ? l’OEA et ? l’ONU, ont appel? la communaut? internationale ? aider et ils ont observ? des retards au niveau de la livraison de ces ?quipements qui pourraient aider ? renforcer la capacit? op?rationnelle de la PNH. Je sais que votre gouvernement a donn? l’autorisation d’exportation mais nous sommes toujours dans l’attente. Qu’est-ce qui se passe M. l’ambassadeur ?

S?bastien Carri?re : La compagnie fait face ? des difficult?s logistiques consid?rables, importantes. Oui, effectivement, il y a un retard. Tout le monde est insatisfait de ce retard. J’ai bon espoir que ?a se d?bloque dans les prochaines semaines.

Roberson Alphonse : On a entendu des bruits de n?gociations. Il a ?t? question de signature d’un accord. Il me semble que tout a avort?. Il y a un certain cannibalisme politique. Quid des ?chos de ces discussions. Est-ce qu’au niveau de la communaut? internationale, il y aurait une forme d’impatience aussi par rapport au temps que ?a prend ? trouver un accord pour sortir de la crise sur fond d’enlisement de la situation sociopolitique aujourd’hui, humanitaire et sanitaire ?

S?bastien Carri?re : On demande un accord inclusif depuis des mois. Un des moments forts de cette d?marche ?tait la conf?rence minist?rielle pr?sid?e par le ministre canadien des Affaires ?trang?res en janvier dernier. Il y a toute une s?rie de rencontres aussi au niveau des officiels pour marteler toujours le m?me message de la recherche d’une solution ha?tienne inclusive pour un retour ? l’ordre constitutionnel.

Effectivement, cette semaine, semble-t-il, que le pays a ?t? ? quelques minutes d’un accord entre Ariel Henry et Fritz Jean. Ensuite, il y a eu un recul. Nous ne sommes pas dans la micro gestion des accords ou du dialogue politique. Je pense qu’encore une fois — je l’ai d?j? dit publiquement– faire la politique as usual, comme on l’a toujours fait alors que la crise s’aggrave de fa?on importante de jour en jour, ne soit plus ? l’ordre du jour. Moi personnellement, je pense qu’un effort extraordinaire doit ?tre fait au niveau du consensus politique parce que la situation est hors de l’ordinaire. No more politic as usual, comme on dit en anglais.

Roberson Alphonse: Si votre appel ? la tr?ve n’a aucun effet, nous serons dans quel cas de figure ?

S?bastien Carri?re : On va assister possiblement ? une aggravation importante de la situation humanitaire. Je pense qu’on pourrait avoir une ?pid?mie de chol?ra qui explose. Des services sanitaires comp?tents ne peuvent pas intervenir aupr?s des populations touch?es. Ce serait extr?mement grave.

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, s’alarme le professeur Patrice Dalencour

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Alors que la crise politique multiforme que conna?t le pays hypoth?que la rentr?e scolaire fix?e au lundi 3 octobre, l’ancien ministre de l’Education nationale et de la Formation professionnelle, Patrice Dalencour, appelle ? la r?ouverture des classes. <>, a-t-il analys? durant sa participation ? l’?mission ”Panel Magik” ce mercredi 5 octobre.

M. Dalencour souligne que des pays qui vivent des situations similaires essaient de prot?ger les ?coles, les enfants. <>, a-t-il exhort?, tout en encourageant toute forme de solidarit? envers les ?l?ves. <>, a r?clam? le professeur.

Cons?quence de la fermeture des ?coles sur les enseignants et les ?coles

Le m?tier d’enseignant est devenu pr?caire. <>, a fait remarquer le professeur Dalencour.

Les enfants sont traumatis?s

<>, a dit M. Dalencour en abordant le sujet li? ? l’indicateur de baisse de niveau. <>, a expliqu? Patrice Dalencour.

L’?cole, ?ternelle victime des crises sociopolitiques

<>, s’est rem?mor? le professeur Patrice Dalencour.

La balance a bascul?. <>, a regrett? M. Dalencour. <>, a-t-il dit.

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Entertainer allegedly claimed illegal gun Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Artiste one of two slapped with illegal possession charges in St Andrew

Loop News

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The Constant Springp Police have charged two men with illegal possession of Firearm and ammunition following the seizure of a firearm and five rounds of ammunition on Red Hills Road in St Andrew on Sunday, September 24.

They are:

1. Thirty-one-year-old Lougie Hamilton, a recording artiste of Madrass district in St Ann, and

2. Eighteen-year-old Trevaughn Whitfield, otherwise called ‘Rudy’, of Worrell Crescent, St Andrew.

Reports are that about 6:50 am, law enforcers were in the area responding to a report. They reportedly observed Whitfield acting in a manner that aroused their suspicion.

He was accosted and searched and a Smith & Wesson .40 pistol and five rounds of ammunition were reportedly found.

Hamilton, who was in the vicinity, was arrested when he allegedly told the police that the weapon belonged to him.

Both men were charged on Tuesday, October 5 after a question-and-answer interview in the

presence of their attorney.

Their court date is being finalised.

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A year after 5-year-old girl killed while asleep, suspect charged Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The police have made a breakthrough in the murder of five-year-old Denique ‘Den den’ Salmon, who was killed in her bed when gunmen invaded her community of New Haven in St Andrew, a year ago, firing shots indiscriminately.

The police say that they have charged one of two known suspects, Theodore Beaver, with murder.

Beaver was arrested on September 22, 2022, and, following a series of interviews and an identification parade, he was charged on Tuesday, October 4.

Beaver was reportedly among several men who entered the Riverside Drive section of the New Haven community about one on the morning of October 7, 2021, and opened gunfire.

Young Denique was asleep when she was killed.

The police are also looking for another man in connection with her murder.

Senior Superintendent Kirk Ricketts, commanding officer for St Andrew South Police Division, is appealing to Othniel Reynolds to surrender to the police.

“We are looking for Othniel Reynolds, alias Son-son, and he is also of a New Haven address. He’s being encouraged to turn himself into the police, and anyone knowing his whereabouts is asked to call the Duhaney Park Police CIB or 311,” he said.

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St James ‘most wanted’ man cut down in C-TOC operation in St Elizabeth Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

A most wanted man in St James, Oshane Earle, otherwise called ‘Motumbo’, was killed during an armed confrontation with members of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) during a targeted operation in Goshen, St. Elizabeth earlier on Wednesday evening, the police are reporting.

An illegal firearm was reportedly taken from him.

A 14-year-old girl was also rescued by the security force team during the confrontation.

Earle was featured on the police’s ‘Wanted Wednesdays’ social media platform earlier on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

More details are to come on the development, the police have promised.

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PM warns gangsters of plan to smash illegal housing at Bernard Lodge Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has served notice that structures constructed illegally on lands reportedly captured and sold by gangsters in the Greater Bernard Lodge development area in St Catherine will be demolished on Thursday.

He issued the warning during a statement in the House of Representatives on Wednesday while giving an update on the development which is being touted as Jamaica’s first smart city. When complete, the development is to be comprised of a mix of residential housing, commercial and light commercial activities in several blocks, as well as farming activities. It covers a total of 5,400 acres, with the majority (3,027 acres) being reserved for agriculture.

Holness said the informal community of Clifton which is made up of mostly former sugar workers and their descendants took shape in the middle of the Bernard Lodge lands and predated the development plan. He noted that since at least 2009, successive governments have taken the decision to regularise the community which falls in the St Catherine South constituency of Member of Parliament (MP) Fitz Jackson.

According to the prime minister, gangsters have captured the lands in proximity to Clifton and have been preying on the residents.

Regarding the wider development, Holness said the National Security Council has taken a “great interest in looking at all elements of security in the area”.

He said following surveillance and the submission of a report, “we have discovered that in proximity to Clifton, there is an area that has been captured”. Specifically, Holness said it has been determined that gangsters have been selling lots to people in the captured area.

“The National Security Council in reviewing the development plan, has observed an insidious and growing threat in the area, where alleged gangsters were capturing lands in the area adjoining the Clifton community, creating their own informal subdivision, and selling the lands under the false pretext of ownership or building on it themselves,” said Holness.

He showed slides of huge concrete structures and remarked that “these are not the structures of poor people squatting”.

The prime minister said SCJ Holdings Limited which owns the lands, has given warnings and served notices for individuals to cease and desist. But, he said “the capturing and illegal construction has continued to the point where some 30 structures have been identified.”

Holness stressed while the Government wants every Jamaican to own their own home, it must be done in an orderly and legal way.

“This illegal capturing and building on public or private land will not be tolerated,” he warned, adding that “we will not allow criminal gangs to create communities in the country”.

The prime minister pointed out that the informal settlement compromises the well laid development plan for the area.

“It takes away land designated for agriculture,” he stated.

As to what will happen on Thursday morning, Holness said: “The Government of Jamaica will make a stand. It is not going to be left to a Government agency. This is something that the Central Government of Jamaica must stand up and ensure that it does not continue.”

The prime minister told the House that directions have been given to the security forces to have a strong presence in the area to treat with any threats from any criminal element that may want to interrupt or exercise control or present any obstacle to the Government rectifying the situation.

He said: “The JDF has deployed a forward-operating base metres away from this area and are conducting regular patrols, and have created a security blanket, including regular drone surveillance, to see whether there will be any movement by criminals in the area.

“Tomorrow (Thursday) the Government will act to demolish those structures that have been illegally erected,” stated Holness

He also said the Government will take steps to deal with structures that have been completed and are occupied.

“To be clear, they will not be allowed to stand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Holness shared that the process of regularisation for residents of Clifton has begun. He said SCJ Holdings Limited has in its possession in excess of 350 registered titles for lots in the community, which will shortly be distributed to the informal settlers.

He said there is a commitment to upgrade the road network in the community, and to provide residents with access to a proper water supply, as well as connection to a central sewage system which is now under construction.

Additionally, a police post is to be established in the development area.

This, Holness said, will provide security to the law-abiding members of the community who have been preyed on by criminal elements over the years.

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Isaac: Chastanet Will Lead UWP Into Next General Elections – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Former Health Minister Mary Isaac has declared that current United Workers Party (UWP) leader, Allen Chastanet, will lead the party into the next general elections.

Isaac made the remarks on Wednesday night during Newsmaker Live on DBS Television.

“Allen Chastanet is our political leader, and he will remain the political leader going into the next general elections,” the former Minister told Host Timothy Poleon.

The electorate voted the UWP out of office at the July 26, 2021, general elections, which the Saint Lucia Labour Paty (SLP) won by a landslide.

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The UWP managed to retain a mere two of the eleven seats it formerly held in government, including Chastanet’s Micoud South constituency.

But Mary Isaac indicated that Chastanet is the man to continue leading the party.

“That’s the only person in my mind. He is the one that we have there,” she told Newsmaker Live.

“He tendered his resignation. We rejected it, and this is the person that we want to represent us going into the next general elections,” the former Minister asserted.

“You will hear a lot of noise because that is the one man in Saint Lucia that the labour party is most afraid of, I believe. So they believe if they make enough noise and throw enough picong, the UWP supporters may start to buy into the rhetoric,” Isaac said.

She explained that the UWP is coming to grips with the fact that the party is in opposition, despite all the hard work it did in government.

According to Isaac, it was a ‘tough pill’ to swallow.

Nevertheless, she disclosed that the party is regrouping and, like any similar organisation, has its internal ‘push and pull’.

“It is a good thing,” Isaac declared.

“People are ready to serve and want to ensure that their time to serve does not pass them,” she noted.

However, the former Minister was confident it would eventually all come together.

“The UWP is on track,” she told Newsmaker Live.

Earlier this year party leader Allen Chastanet said publicly that he would support whatever leadership decision the upcoming party convention makes.

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IDB says sorry for inappropriate questions to minors Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

After raising the ire of locals, the Inter-American Development (IDB) has stepped forth to apologise for administering a survey with “concerning” questions to 11 year olds.

The survey which was formulated by an organisation called code.org was presented as a pre-test on Computer Science. It was dispensed to First Form students at secondary schools across the island.

Reports from a Barbadian media house earlier today, October 5, stated that students were questioned about their gender identity, sexuality and thoughts on suicide and depression. This led to interviewed outraged parents detailing the survey as invasive and disturbing. Of most concern to some, was that the minors were asked to write their names on the paper.

In a statement issued tonight, the IDB said “no offence was intended”.

“The Inter-American Development Bank expresses regret that a survey administered by the Bank to children in the Barbados secondary school system has offended many Barbadians. The Bank sincerely apologises, but stresses that no offence was intended,” said the organisation.

The IDB also admitted that it has now followed the advice of the Ministry of Education and removed the questionable questions from the survey. However, they confessed that this ministerial request was omitted and the questions were “inadvertently left in the paper” before administering it locally. “The IDB recognises its position as a development partner with the Government of Barbados, with a long and mutually respectful relationship, and assures Barbadians it would not deliberately engage in any practice that would harm that relationship,” the statement continued.

According to a report online from November 2020, IDB partnered with the non-profit organisation code.org to carryout the regional evaluation in the Caribbean because of the size of the project and intended population.

NewsAmericasNow.com