Government Information Service Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 14 - 2020

NEWSLETTER GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

Vol. 1, Issue 14

Sunday, Oct. 04, 2020

PRIME MINISTER REITERATES CALL FOR

REGIONAL COLLABORATION ON ICT INSIDE

EDUCATION MINISTRY DISTRIBUTES

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E-LEARNING DEVICES IN CARRIACOU

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MEETING WITH TRUCKING INDUSTRY A SUCCESS

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RGPF REINFORCES TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

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MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE LAUNCHES LIVESTOCK TAGGING PROGRAMME

AND MUCH MORE...

PRIME MINISTER REITERATES CALL FOR REGIONAL COLLABORATION ON ICT

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Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, has reiterated the need for Caribbean Governments to work collaboratively on matters relating to ICT, including the CARICOM Single ICT Space.

Addressing the 23rd General Conference of the Ministers of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Dr. Mitchell said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for regional governments, corporations and institutions, such as CARICOM and CTU, to collaborate, shape and operationalise a common regional digital future. It can no longer be business as usual.”

Dr. Mitchell, who is Lead Head for Science and Technology, including ICT in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, said it is through united purpose and actions that the region will achieve its greatest results. He lamented the lack of progress towards the CARICOM Single ICT Space.

Dr. Mitchell stated, “It is regrettable, that despite the efforts of the CTU and other entities thus far, the region is still a long way from achieving this Single ICT Space, due in part to the fact that the requisite human and financial resources for this important initiative have not been allocated. It is now over three years since the Heads of Government approved a Vision and Roadmap for the CARICOM Single ICT Space, but progress has been painfully slow.”

The Prime Minister reiterated his opinion that the silo approach to ICT matters must change as the region moves towards the provision of integrated public services online.

He said, “Many countries continue to advance their national digital agendas but if the region does not cooperate and rally behind the CARICOM Single ICT Space, we may simply be replicating efforts and wasting limited resources.”

Dr. Mitchell added, “If the region is to emerge from this pandemic stronger, it is clear that the digital economy must play an increasingly significant role as a driver of economic growth and social transformation.

The consensus is that COVID-19 has placed pressure on the region to accelerate the implementation of the CARICOM Single ICT Space and other technological initiatives.”

The Grenadian leader signaled his intention to present, to fellow CARI-

Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

COM leaders at their next meeting, a report prepared by the CTU which details recommendations for kick-starting the implementation of the CARICOM Single ICT Space.

Dr. Mitchell also suggested that the region position itself for a technological renaissance.

He said, “While the spread of COVID-19 continues to have a major negative impact on the global economy, it is clear that the digital economy is showing no signs of slowing down. The pandemic has created an unprecedented and insatiable demand for technological solutions. The Caribbean must position itself to be on the cutting edge of technology and it is organisations such as the CTU that will lead this regional technological renaissance.”

The CTU meeting, held virtually, was attended by ICT and Telecommunications ministers from the organisation’s member states, officials from the CTU secretariat, as well as representatives from telecommunications companies.

MEETING WITH TRUCKING INDUSTRY A SUCCESS

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On Sept. 17, 2020, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transport and Implementation and the Royal Grenada Police Force met with stakeholders in the Trucking industry which included all commercial and private owners of flatbed vehicles and trucks including: - Delivery open-bed and box trucks - SL trucks - Trucks involved in Solid Waste collection and disposal services - Heavy duty equipment - Tractor trailers Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Transport, Anna Brizan, gave an overview of the operations of the transport division and the establishment of a deeper relationship with the stakeholders of the trucking industry.

Brizan applauded the efforts of the truck operators/owners in showing their support and cooperation by coming out in their numbers, given the short notice.

During the meeting, the Permanent Secretary signaled the urgency to have derelict vehicles removed from roadsides. The widespread situation poses obstruction to traffic and a major health and safety risk. Relevant authorities will be using a wholeof-Government approach to have this situation addressed.

Brizan also informed the meeting about the proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which speaks to the establishment and function of the Grenada Transport Authority. She stated the Bill will be circulated to them in the upcoming week and a virtual session will be held to facilitate their review and feedback.

The issue of managing the hours of operations of trucks during peak hours of commute along the Grenville Vale Road was raised by the RGPF. Truck operators noted implications on businesses and waste collection. Further discussion on the feasibility of this, along that and other roads, is required and will take place in the weeks ahead.

The feedback from the attendees was that the meeting was a success with a total of 63 people in attendance and the quality of discussions on issues raised.

The truck drivers made valuable contributions and suggestions, some of which were the need for more stakeholder inclusion on the part of the Ministry when planning for the construction and refurbishment of the road network and also the need to have strategic planning for the road infrastructure in the country taking into account the development plans of the country.

It was also highlighted that there is need to engage in root cause analysis of the issues pertaining to road transport and traffic management. The RGPF and the Ministry assured the truck operators/owners of the continued plan to work with the industry in resolving traffic and transport issues.

It was noted that stakeholder engagements have been held with the Bus Associations as well as Taxi Associations. Other stakeholder meetings are also being planned for other stakeholder groups including bikers, general motorists and road users.

RGPF REINFORCES TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

At the stakeholders meeting held on Sept. 17, 2020 with operators within the trucking industry, the Royal Grenada Police Force reinforced Road Traffic Regulations. ACP Jessmon Prince took the opportunity to address a number of traffic issues relating directly to the trucking industry.

They were: - Passengers sitting in the trays of trucks, or on top of goods or materials in the tray of these trucks is illegal. However, the Licensing Authority (Commissioner of Police) may grant permission subject to specific conditions for the conveyance of passengers in a safe and appropriate manner.

- Even when special permission is granted by the Licensing Authority, no person is allowed to sit on loads (goods/material) in the trays of the trucks. Also, carrying individuals on top of heavy duty equipment is prohibited.

- Speeding: the stipulated speed limit for trucks and motor omnibuses within any town is 20 m.p.h.; elsewhere in the State 35 m.p.h. It was observed that some truckers are driving in ways which intimidate other road users. An appeal was made to all motorists to be considerate and road friendly.

- Spillage of aggregates and concrete mixture on the road surface and the need for the concrete mixing companies and the truckers to clean up after such spillage - An appeal to stop the practice of overloading of trucks (trucks carrying more than their gross weight) - The need for regular maintenance of trucks by qualified technicians to avoid accidents and pollution

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- Proper location of lights on the trucks to indicate the width and height of vehicles - Escorts for trailers and tractors to be more road friendly.

The distance between the escort vehicle and the trailer or tractor must be between 75 to 100 yards to give adequate warning to road users.

ACP Jessmon Prince

ACP Prince also cautioned truck drivers to operate within traffic regulations to safeguard other road users, themselves and physical infrastructure. He indicated that the RGPF will be strengthening enforcement of the regulations.

A key weakness noted was the reluctance of individuals to report details such as vehicle registration numbers, which affects enforcement and accountability especially as it relates to spillage.

The issue of scheduled operations of trucks along the Grenville Vale Road was raised, along with giving way to other motorists during peak hours.

The truck operators noted the impact that scheduling will have on business operations and waste collection. It was agreed that further discussion on the feasibility of this along that and other roads is required and will take place in the weeks ahead.

In closing, the RGPF and Ministry look forward to continued engagement with the trucking industry on road traffic and transport issues.

EDUCATION CORNER

EDUCATION MINISTRY DISTRIBUTES E-LEARNING DEVICES AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CARRIACOU

Within the period of September 20 -24, most secondary school students and teachers at the island’s two secondary schools, Bishop’s College and Hillsborough Secondary School, were equipped with e-learning devices by the Ministry of Education.

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given that the educational sector was forced to adopt new teaching and learning methods as COVID-19 continues to affect various sectors worldwide.

The initiative is part of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development’s first phase of distribution, towards e-learning across the country, and entails the introduction of technology to facilitate teaching and learning at all secondary schools.

Principal of the Hillsborough Secondary School, Brian Lendore, and Principal of Bishop’s College, Indra Scott, congratulated the Ministry of Education for the implementation of the long-awaited e-learning and teaching system, one which they believe will be extremely impactful, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Planning Officer in the Ministry of Education, Nailah James, described the distribution in Carriacou as a smooth process and commended parents, teachers and students of both Hillsborough Secondary School and Bishop’s College.

Approximately 426 devices were distributed among the two secondary schools in Carriacou, for a small fee of $50.00 each upon registration and $25.00 for students under the Schoolbook Programme, a decision applauded by many parents on the island.

James said that the idea of e-learning, which was alluded to by the Minister of Education, Hon. Emmalin Pierre, in early 2019 is timely,

EDUCATION CORNER

MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSE (MOOC) ON “BLENDED LEARNING PRACTICE” (BLPMOOC4)

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It is with great pleasure that the Commonwealth of Learning For more information about the course and registration, visit: (COL) announces the 4th offer of the Massive Open Online Course https://www.blpmooc.org (Click Register in BLP on this page to (MOOC) on “Blended Learning Practice” (BLPMOOC4), scheduled complete the two stage process). to take place from November 15 to December 12, 2020.

This free 4-week course, provided by COL, in collaboration with Workload: approximately 5 hours per week.

Athabasca University, is open to teachers and other education professionals in diverse contexts. Anyone considering the imple- Teaching Language: English mentation of blended learning practice in their classrooms or on- Instructors: Professor Martha Cleveland-Innes and Dan Wilton line programmes will enjoy and benefit from participating in this from Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada.

MOOC. Prerequisites: None The course is supported by a guidebook on blended learning, which offers a review of various types of blended learning in ref- Please circulate this invitation to interested people in your neterence to the level of education, the needs of students, and the work. subject being taught.

A PDF Brochure about the course is also available for download.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2020 VIRTUAL ACU FELLOWSHIPS The 2020 Virtual ACU Fellowships support collaboration at a distance by enabling the creation of valuable new partnerships between member universities in different countries.

The application deadline is October 14 at 23:59 UTC. Who is eligible?

Academic and professional staff of ACU member universities

Canada. The second Canada fellowship will be awarded to a member outside Canada to partner with a Canadian institution.

• Engineering (Wighton) Fellowship – This fellowship is only open to applicants from low and middle-income countries.

• Hong Kong Jockey Club Fellowships – Two fellowships are available. One will be awarded to a staff member from a Hong

About the Fellowships Each Fellow will receive a maximum grant of 5000 GBP.

Kong member institution applying to work with a partner

The following fellowships are available: • Accountancy Fellowship (Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) • Agriculture, Forestry & Food Science Fellowship (George Weston Limited) • Canada Fellowships – two fellowships are available • The Canada Fellowship (Gordon and Jean Southam) is open to Canadian members to partner with an institution outside

outside Hong Kong applying to work with a partner in Hong Kong.

overseas, and the other to a staff member from an institution • Information Technology and Computer Science Fellowship (Jacky McAleer Memorial) Please see link below for more information https://crm.acu.ac.uk/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=46

AGRICULTURE CORNER

FOOD AND NUTRITION TRAINING ON UTILIZATION OF SELECTED AGRICULTURAL CROPS

During the week of Sept. 14, the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council engaged approximately 20 officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the Climate Smart and Rural Enterprise Programme (SAEP), educating them on the nutrient content, benefits and utilization of selected crops in the preparation and consumption of healthy meals.

This training is part of the knowledge transfer process by the organization to help families across Grenada understand the importance of concise nutrition and meal planning on the crops provided in the COVID-19 Backyard Garden Kit. Jessie Douglas Community Nutrition Supervisor at the Food and Nutrition Council said, “The preparation session that we conducted, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the SAEP program, this would provide participants with information because the whole thing is the training of trainers. We are training these extension officers and the SAEP workers to get information on the nutritional benefits of the planting items that were

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given to the beneficiaries, so they know what it contains and how to prepare and preserve these items and, as a result, we hope that people would grow what they eat and eat what they grow.”

Under the Ministry’s Backyard Gardening Programme, more than five hundred vulnerable households in Grenada will receive assistance. A programme of such magnitude will help to alleviate hunger, reduce levels of imported foods and increase the amount of local food consumed.

The officers explained how they were able to benefit from the training.

Anisha John-Hosten, Extension Assistant in the Ministry of Agriculture, said, “We would be better able to advise the beneficiaries of the SAEP program into how they can use the various vegetables, staples and so on.”

Fisheries Extension Officer (SAEP), Khalil Paul said, “It speaks to a sense of being local and sticking with everything you have grown in your countries and I think people would more be inclined in participating in something like that, into having these things at home, introducing it to their children and so. It cuts off on expenses, so immediately as people hear that it’s something that they would want to be into.”

The Food and Nutrition Council is currently holding a similar training on the Utilization of Selected Agricultural Crops in Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE LAUNCHES LIVESTOCK TAGGING PROGRAMME The Ministry of Agriculture has begun the process of implementing a National Livestock Identification and Movement Control Programme, through the launching of its Livestock Tagging Programme.

The Livestock Tagging Programme, launched at Belmont Estate in St. Patrick on Sept. 24, 2020, encourages proper record keeping and traceability within the sector, while aiding the Ministry in retrieving production data and strengthening its efforts towards its food and nutrition security.

It will take on a colour-coded effect, specific to each parish, promoting an identification system that will serve as a deterrent to animal theft and provide a system for disease control in the sector.

Chief Veterinary and Livestock Officer in the Ministry, Dr. Kimmond Cummings, said the programme will also involve a short interview with the farmer, regarding the animals to be tagged, so that information can be stored. This interview should capture date of birth, treatment, vaccination, health history, breed, sex and colour, among other things, and will complement the farm to table/fork concept.

This Livestock Tagging System will also provide a solution to the problem of ownership, often faced in the sector, due to similarities among animals.

“It is hard to tell someone who has one kid or goat that looks like yours, “this belongs to me”, even if you have a gut feeling. The ultimate goal is to have every animal tagged to combat this phenomenon,” said Dr. Cummings.

The system will also be effective in monitoring each individual animal’s route from its birthplace to its death at the abattoir or slaughter facility.

In this regard, the Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Yolande Bain Horsford, encourages continuity and followup sessions under the programme.

She said, “We cannot just tag animals and go. There needs to be a robust monitoring and evaluation system that buttresses a detailed database that is regularly updated.

Additionally, there must be a strong coordination among the stakeholders of the livestock sector if this tagging programme and the broader identification and movement control system is to function effectively.”

The Agriculture Minister also noted the importance of traceability.

“Traceability is the foundation of any future system for food safety and epidemiological surveillance for animal diseases. There is a growing need for identification of livestock and livestock products, from the point of origin to the point of consumption,” she said.

The programme will begin in the parish of St. Andrew and will continue in a counterclockwise direction. The Ministry is urging all farmers to take advantage of the initiative, as it does not just help the Ministry to capture data, but it increases consumers’ confidence and demand.

Ministry of Agriculture…ensuring food and nutrition security for all

AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING TRAINING CONCLUDES

Two women were among the graduates of a two-week aircraft rescue and firefighting training at the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

Thirty trainees received certificates on completion of the exercise, held at the training room at the airport.

Wendy Francette Williams, General Manager at the Grenada Airport Authority, said, “It is an honour to address you once again, this time at your graduation ceremony. I am sure it has been a long and hard working two weeks of training. Let me thank, immensely, the facilitators of the RGPF, my HR team and members of our operations team who worked tirelessly to complete this task. To the graduates today, the most influential step in your life is what you’re taking today.”

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Insp. Mark St. Paul, the Officer in Charge of the Fire Department at the MBIA, said the training which consists of one week theoretical and one week practical work, is vital to the RGPF’s drive towards ensuring qualification.

St. Paul said, “Among us all, there are competent and qualified individuals, firefighters that can deliver the goods and while we were pondering as to where we’re going to get instructors from, where are we going to get people to conduct the training and provide that material, that knowledge and so on, we had to inform the CEO and her team that we are competent enough and we have the skills and the expertise within the fire department and the RGPF to perform these tasks.”

THANKSGIVING MOTORCADE The Alliance of Evangelical Churches (AEC) Grenada took to the streets on Sept. 19, in an island wide motorcade giving thanks to God, for sparing Grenada during the period of the global pandemic.

President, Devon Rachae, told GIS the country has many reasons to be thankful.

“For us, we believe that because of the favour of God upon this Nation - when you look at what is happening throughout the world, we notice that there is a lot of turmoil, we notice that there are many countries even within the Caribbean region that is still battling with this pandemic. There is a lot of community spread, there have been many deaths, hundreds and thousands of deaths and we believe that Grenada has special reason to give thanks. We have not had a single death within our country and certainly, while we sympathize with the families who have lost loved ones in the diaspora and so on, we believe there are many reasons to give God thanks. I know there are some people who’s going to say, well the pandemic is not over, but in reality we know the nature of the God we serve, that he will always watch over us and, beyond the pandemic, God has always been a good God over this country and we believe that there is a reason why we should pause to say thank you, united as a church and a Nation.”

He highlighted other initiatives of the Alliance, one being the delivery of care packages to families in need.

He said, “There are many things that we have done. Certainly one of our priorities in this time is the psychosocial support of persons who are dealing with different issues. Some of those issues are spin-off issues out of the pandemic, persons who have lost jobs, and has caused some level of depression in some cases - families that have somehow or the other been placed under other pressures that is either related or sometime unrelated to COVID-19 - and so we will continue giving that type of support.”

The motorcade began at the Grenada National Stadium and journeyed through St. David, to the north and west and ended in St. George’s.