Black Immigrant Daily News

Today, the Cayman Islands Government announces a 3- month extension of the Electricity Assistance Programme (EAP) until December 2022 – designed to help residents manage during this period of unusually high fuel costs.

In continuing the initial Electricity Assistance Relief Programme which ran for July, August and September 2022, Government will contribute up to CI$0.05 per kWh for eligible residential customers.

Eligible residential customers are those with monthly energy consumption between 101 and 2000 kWh. For instance, for a household in Grand Cayman consuming 1,800 kWh per month, this will equate to CI$90 in savings off their electricity bill.

This initiative goes beyond the just announced OfReg-approved CUC “Fuel Factor Relief Programme”, which is designed to cap fuel factor costs at CI$0.20 per kWh (as a deferral of the increase until 2023), and runs over the same time period of October through December.

As had been projected, increased residential consumption over the summer months, combined with rising fuel costs, resulted in significantly increased electricity costs. The Government Electricity Assistance Programme has helped many thousands of residential customers with reducing their electricity bills over that period.

Premier Wayne Panton JP, MP stated that Government is fully committed to working proactively to prepare for further price increases, and to reduce what is known for most families as one of the biggest household expenses:

“Around the world, the soaring cost of living is being driven in part by the cost of fuel, and the resulting cost of energy. Here at home, our Government is committed to helping our people get through these challenging times by offering a direct subsidy to their electricity bills. This will help blunt the impact of the sharp increases in utility bills, providing much-needed relief for those who need it,” said Premier Panton.

“Although fuel costs are expected to plateau in the coming winter months, fuel costs remain relatively high when compared to a year ago. For example, at 24 cents per kWh, October’s fuel cost estimate is double what it was in January of this year. This means that even though consumption should be going down because it is cooler, bills may remain relatively high for most households,” he added.

In the face of increasing costs of living, the three month extension of the electricity assistance programme is yet another of more than a dozen initiatives put in place by Government to help lower and manage costs for residents during these difficult times. These include but are not limited to: the free school breakfast, snack and lunch programme; extensions of the displaced tourism worker stipend programme through June 2022; assisting with health insurance payments; cost of living adjustments across the public sectors; and honorariums to public service pensioners.

The programme initially announced in June 2022 gave households a Government subsidy applied directly to their electricity bills, effectively reducing what customers had to pay to their utility company. This programme has helped more than 22,000 households across Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Between July to September 2022, customers on average saved a total of CI$66.20 on their monthly utility bills.

In announcing the extension of the programme, Premier Panton emphasised Government’s people-driven commitment and dedication to the initiative, and hope to provide comfort to those currently enduring difficult times:

“As a Government, we understand how hard these times are for families, senior citizens and young adults, and we will not make excuses or say that nothing can be done,” said Premier Panton.

“That is why we have been working diligently since May last year to put in place more than a dozen initiatives to lower direct costs, and help people protect their income as we brace ourselves to get through the economic challenges that will continue to face us for the foreseeable future.

We understand that things are tough, and people are experiencing financial stress, but we are here to help and give our people hope. If we each do our part, and we work together, we can get through these tough times,” Premier Panton added.

The extended programme will continue to provide assistance to over 80% of the residential customers of CUC and Cayman Brac Power and Light over the next three months. The programme is effective for electricity consumption from October 1, 2022 through to December 31, 2022.

To learn more about how Government is containing costs for individuals and families across the Cayman Islands, visit www.gov.ky/cost-of-living

(Source: Office of the Premier)

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The biggest pink event to grace the roadways of Jamaica every year is about to close registrations.

Jamaica Reach to Recovery (JR2R) is anticipating another successful event when the horns blow to start the run/walk at 6:30 am at the picturesque Hope Botanical Gardens on October 30.

With performances to close off the event from several top acts planned, participants have until midnight on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, to complete their registrations for the exciting event.

The family fun run, as it’s dubbed this year, will not be staged as a competitive race; but will focus more on participants enjoying the event knowing that their participation will benefit the growing number of breast cancer survivors that rely on the JR2R for emotional, financial and psychological support.

Explaining the change in format for this year, Carolind Graham, Chairman of the JR2R cited that the pandemic challenged the planning team to think differently.

“After two years of COVID and a pause to the event, it was only fitting that the race was more of a family event in the hope that more Jamaicans will come out and join the cause while having fun together. We plan to paint Hope Gardens pink to build even more awareness around the cause,” she said.

The JR2R is the breast cancer support arm of the Jamaica Cancer Society, and they is responsible for raising funds to support their work with the survivors.

The five-kilometre run/walk, which takes place every October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is the biggest fundraising event for the organisation.

As the number of survivors climbs each year, the JR2R solicits support from corporate entities to ensure that more Jamaicans have the lifesaving tests and treatments they need to win the fight against breast cancer.

This year, returning title sponsor, the Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI), is more than happy to carry on the tradition of leading the charge in this initiative.

Samantha Samuda, Vice President of Marketing, Distribution and Human Resources at the ICWI, shared that the company looks forward to supporting the initiative each year.

“Since we started partnering with Jamaica Reach to Recovery in 2015, our team at ICWI look forward to planning, promoting and volunteering at the Pink Run each year,” shares Samuda.

“With 43 of every 100,000 Jamaican women being diagnosed with breast cancer each year, the chances that someone we know will be diagnosed is high so we encourage all Jamaicans to get on board, register, donate and come run/walk for the cause, as someone we know may be the life we save,” said Samuda.

Once the online registration portal [www.pinkrunjm.com] closes, persons will still be able to make donations online or by visiting the Pink Run Secretariat upstairs Toyota Jamaica on Old Hope Road in Kingston.

For more information, organisations and individuals may contact the Pink Run Secretariat at 876-978-0375 or 876-517-0312 or via email at icwipinkrunsecretariat@gmail.com.

All proceeds from the initiative will be turned over to the JR2R to support its work with breast cancer survivors.

“Let’s run or walk to save lives,” Graham stated.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Strengthening its ties with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Ministry of Health on Tuesday renewed the strategic note, which outlines plans to assist the development of Guyana’s health sector.

The strategic note is renewed and signed every five years to demonstrate PAHO’s collaboration and commitment to the development of Guyana’s health sector. The note was signed by the Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony and Director of PAHO, Dr Carissa Etienne.

Speaking at the signing, Minister Anthony expressed his gratitude for the work PAHO has done in Guyana over the last decade,

“So, the note that we signed today, the strategic note, is very comprehensive, touching almost all aspects of health. Therefore, we are very pleased to be able to sign this note with the director of PAHO and be able to expand the work that they will be doing.”

Some of the areas which will continue to benefit from PAHO’s assistance include:

Technical assistance in disease surveillance and infectious diseases. It has helped with the control of malaria, elimination of neglected infections, and transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), especially from mother to child.
Procurement of vaccines for immunisation, equipment, and other medical resources.
Expansion of the HEARTS in Americas initiative- a national approach to tackle cardiovascular disease.
Technical assistance in the development of health regulations and laws.
Human resource development- the training of more personnel in areas of high demand and scholarship opportunities.
PAHO has also agreed to work in the non-communicable diseases sector which includes cardiovascular diseases, cerebral vascular diseases, hypertension, etc.

Dr Etienne said she is proud of the ambitions Guyana has to renew the health sector and, in her time, remaining as Director of PAHO, will continue to give support.

“Welcome to a new Guyana where there is a strong commitment and lots of dedication to health and wellbeing, that you have aspirations in the beginning, not only as the center of excellence for Guyana, but a centre of excellence in many respects for the rest of the Caribbean and beyond and this is a dream and vision that you have every possibility to realise.”

“Over the last these last 10 years, Dr Etienne has certainly made a big impact. And I think we in the Caribbean benefited tremendously from her leadership because we were able to do a lot of programmes with PAHO. Over the last two years or so, we have had, I would say a very intensive relationship with PAHO in almost every area that we can think of.”

Succeeding Dr Etienne is Dr. Barbosa da Silva Jr., a national of Brazil, whose five-year term will begin on February 1, 2023.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

President Dr Irfaan Ali’s 1000-men programme is gaining momentum with an activity dubbed Men on a Mission slated for Friday, October 28 at Base Camp Ayanganna.

Chief-of -Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, on Tuesday evening during a televised programme, provided an update.

The 1000-men initiative aims to address some of the most pressing issues afflicting men and boys across Guyana.

The programme was announced by President Ali on October 16, while addressing a religious service in Leguan.

“This 1,000-men programme is to reverse the strategy in dealing with the problems faced by young boys and men in our society. The mission of these 1,000 men is to work in every community to eradicate hunger, to work in every single community to lift those who are emotionally affected, and socially affected.

“It is to change every society and bring positive living and positive light to every single community. It is to work against violence, it is working to make men better, at being good men, responsible men, responsible boys, responsible youths in the society,” the president had stated.

The project aims to provide men with much-needed mentorship and guidance, with the aim of building One Guyana and molding a better future for young Guyanese.

Brigadier Bess explained that the project will be undertaken by men of various ethnicities, religious beliefs and backgrounds, who will serve as mentors, as well as motivators for the current and future generations.

These persons include Brigadier Bess and Mr Hicken, along with other senior ranks of the disciplined forces, religious leaders, teachers, farmers, healthcare workers, sportsmen and entertainers, among others.

“These thousand men will work diligently with the support of every governmental and non-governmental organisation as we strive toward tackling the generation of issues that have afflicted our menfolk.

“As we launch the mentorship programme to benefit young men and men in general, we will launch public education and advocate on the issues facing men. This programme will be done in phases. It will be sustainable, and stretch over a period of years,” BrigadierBess noted.

The Men on Mission is part of the initial phase of the programme.

Bess urged all men and boys to come out to the launch, and be part of the change that is coming.

The event will feature performances by local artistes and an opportunity to hear stories and encouragement from fellow men, with the hope that it ignites within those present, the desire to reach their full potential.

Booths will be set up by companies and organisations to share information on job vacancies, men’s health, social issues and counselling, among other topics.

“By November 19, International Men’s Day, we intend to have a countrywide outreach with committees… to create a better society and mold a better future for men. These committees will be committed to providing men with engagement awareness in regards to men’s health, inclusive mental health. Workshops will be conducted to target decision making, conflict management and de-escalation strategies to name a few,” he explained.

The Chief-of-Staff further highlighted the importance of empowering men and assisting them in having their needs met.

“We have watched a generation of men pass, and many of them have slipped away. We have lost many men for various reasons. This is our chance to provide our men with much the needed mentorship and guidance and build a One Guyana as we create a better future for those young Guyanese to come.”

He expressed his anticipation for a large turnout on Friday, and urged women to support the initiative.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has implored critics of the Government’s plans for the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Project, to not disparage orderly housing development.

While stating that he is not opposed to the former sugar lands being subdivided and given to the descendants of slaves as a form of reparations, he said this must be done in an orderly and fair way.

“Who are the people who will inhabit the new Greater Bernard Development Project?

“It will still be the children, grandchildren, great, great grandchildren of the people who toiled as enslaved on this plantation, but it will be done in an orderly way, in a fair way, in a way that will guarantee a legacy for their children and grandchildren to come,” declared Holness.

He was speaking at Tuesday’s land-marking ceremony for the first Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy that is being developed by the National Education Trust and the Ministry of Education and Youth in Dunbeholden, Bernard Lodge, St Catherine.

Holness has been facing backlash for his order authorising the demolition of unfinished housing structures on agricultural lands near Clifton that formed part of the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Project.

Among those criticising the prime minister’s decision is the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), which has promised to assist the affected residents in taking legal action over the destruction of the structures.

However, Holness has fired back, contending that the lands were being taken and sold by members of the Clansman gang. So far, Suelyn Ward-Brown, a school principal, has been charged in relation to the illegal sale of lands.

On Tuesday, Holness again explained the plans for order relative to housing that the Government is seeking to embark on locally in the area.

“So let us not disparage orderly development. Let us not seek to cast it as being unfair, and let us not believe that it is only one set of people in Jamaica who has the moral conscience for right and wrong,” Holness contended.

In noting the views expressed on various platforms in the public domain that the land should be divided and given to farmers, Holness said: “I am not opposed to that”.

Continuing, he said: “I believe that as a part of the reparations for sugar and enslavement, that Government ought to take a very enlightened and proactive approach in ensuring that the average Jamaican gets access to land.

“But how do we do this? Do we just leave up the land and people go and settle on it, and then afterwards we come in and try to say, ‘Alright, let me move your boundary from where you had staked back 10 feet so that I can put a road for you, sewer there for you’, or ah may have to ask you to relocate from here to go elsewhere.

“Is that how it should be done?” asked the prime minister, adding that “There are those who feel it should be done like that.

However, he said the Government took an enlightened approach and acted before “chaos was allowed to reign”, by maintaining order in the distribution of land.

He said the lands in the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Project will not only be reserved for housing, but also for agriculture, commerce and education.

Approximately 1,000 acres will go to farmers, with 22 acres being reserved for social services, including a school.

In addition, lands have also been reserved for light industrial development within area.

“You are going to have a diversity of housing options here. We have reserved 100 acres of land for the NHT (National Housing Trust) and the HAJ (Housing Agency of Jamaica), to build houses that are accessible to those who fall within the low-income earning bracket.

“So this is not just going to be a place where only middle-income and upper-income (persons) will be able to live.

“The Government has given the land, not sold it. So the cost of the units will not have the cost of the land in it, and therefore, the prices will be lower,” stated Holness.

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