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Barbados Told To Repair Leaky Mains To Ease Water Woes

KINGSTON, Jamaica  –  A Trinidadian scientist has a very simple message for Barbados as the country grapples with chronic water shortages brought on by a prolonged drought: fix the pipes!

Professor of Tropical Island Ecology at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine John Agard said before the authorities here worry about the possible impact of climate change on the water supply, they should first seek to curtail the amount of water being lost through leakage.

“Why don’t they fix the pipes? Do that first before you worry about climate change, because with that alone you are losing more water than you will lose from the decrease in precipitation,” Agard said at an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) outreach event for the Caribbean held last week in Jamaica.

He cited a European Union-funded Global to Local Socio-Economic Climate Change Project which states that the anticipated ten to 11 per cent decline in precipitation due to the effect of climate change was far less than the amount of water being lost through leaky mains.

“Water leakage from pipes underground in Barbados is more than 40 per cent, and therefore they can manage climate change very well by saving water leakage underground.

“These are the kinds of lessons that we should act upon,” said Agard, a lead author of the fifth assessment report on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

He said the EU-funded study also placed Barbados on the list of the ten most water-impoverished countries in the world, adding that in addition to being in this grouping, a decrease in precipitation for the island would naturally “be terrifying”.

Agard explained that “Barbados has very good numbers to run models” because every house and every factory is metred.

“They know exactly how much water is
produced and how much water is used, because in Barbados they send everybody a bill for their water, so they measure everything.”

But he said the leakage of water underground due to old and rotting pipes was not unique to Barbados.

“I would be shocked if it’s any different in Jamaica or in Trinidad Read more

$80,000 Spent On Govt. Christmas Decorations

PHILIPSBURG--During the handling of the draft 2017 budget discussion in the Central Committee meeting on Monday, Member of Parliament (MP) Tamara Leonard requested information on the amount spent by Government for Christmas decorations this year.

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Naf. 10 Departure Tax Pending For Country

PHILIPSBURG--A departure tax of NAf. 10 is pending for the country. This tax, when implemented by Government, will affect all passengers leaving the country, except cruise ship passengers. Finance Minister Richard Gibson anticipates this tax will raise some NAf Read more

Minister Jacobs Attends Health And Wellness Fair At Vocational

SOUTH REWARD – Under the theme “Depending on Each Other to Create a Healthy Future,” the St. Maarten Vocational Training School (SMVTS) held its 3rd annual Health and Wellness fair on Monday, December 5.

Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs as well as Head of Division Public Education Glenderlin Davis-Holiday were in attendance.

Minister Jacobs encouraged all students to apply all the information gained at the health and wellness fair Read more

Successful Conference On Bonaire On Political Future Of Dutch-Administrated Caribbean

Kralendijk, BONAIRE – Recently, Foundation Nos Kier Boneiru Bek organized a conference at Plaza Hotel, which addressed a better future for Bonerian people, and for the other sister islands administrated by the Dutch.

After the conference, a gala dinner was held at Eddy’s restaurant with keynote speaker Dr. Corbin. Both events were successful and participants said that the conference was very informative and of international standard.

The Aruba delegation represented by Dr Read more

Successful Conference On Bonaire On The Political Future Of The Dutch Administrated Caribbean

BONAIRE - Recently Foundation Nos Kier Boneiru Bek organized a conference at Plaza Hotel which has put a foundation for a better future for the Bonerian peoples and of our other sister islands which are administrated by the Dutch. Following after the conference a gala-diner was held at Eddy's restaurant with keynote speaker Dr. Corbin. Both events were successful with good attendance and got from the participants and the public which followed the vents through the media that these were very informative and of international standards.

The delegation Aruba represented by Dr Gerrit Croes and of Curacao by Mr Read more

Minister Jacobs Attends The 3Rd Annual Health And Wellness Fair At The St. Maarten Vocational Training School

SOUTH REWARD, St. Maarten – Under the theme “Depending on Each Other to Create a Healthy Future,” the St. Maarten Vocational Training School (SMVTS) held its rd annual Health and Wellness fair on Monday, December 5th, 2016. The Minister of Education, Ms. Silveria Jacobs as well as the Head of Division Public Education, Mrs. Glenderlin Davis-Holiday were both in attendance Read more

SOUTH REWARD:---  Under the theme “Depending on Each Other to Create a Healthy Future,” the St. Maarten Vocational Training School (SMVTS) held its 3rd annual Health and Wellness fair on Monday, December 5th, 2016. The Minister of Education, Ms. Silveria Jacobs, as well as the Head of Division Public Education, Mrs. Glenderlin Davis-Holiday, were both in attendance.
Minister Jacobs encouraged all the students to apply all the information gained at the health and wellness fair Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr made clear during the budget hearing on Tuesday that Parliament should hire a legal translator to translate the budget and other documents for Members of Parliament. He said government paid for the translation of the 2016 budget and this year the request to translate the 2017 budget was submitted late and the translation is in the process Read more

Port Registers Loss Of Us $9 Million

PHILIPSBURG--Port St. Maarten has registered a US $9 million loss, a shortfall Government will have to cover, disclosed Finance Minister Richard Gibson.

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Parliament And The Budget

Wycliffe Smith Leader of the St. Maarten Christian Party

Parliament’s website states that Parliament has two main tasks, namely to act as co-legislator and to exercise control over Government’s policies. The budget is an excellent example of co-legislation. It is drafted by the Government, but must be approved by Parliament in order for it to become a law.

On Monday, December 5, the Central Committee of Parliament, which consists of all fifteen members of Parliament, will meet to discuss the 2017 Budget of Country St Read more

Vlf’S Leader Worth Following Awards Left Lasting Impact On Attendees

COLE BAY – “In the spirit of joy and thanksgiving, heartfelt congratulations must be expressed to The Victorious Living Foundation team for hosting the first VLF Leader Worth Following Awards 2016,” stated one of the awardees, Ambassador Alicia Liverpool, founder of the David Company.

Liverpool added: “Leaders Worth Following who lead with integrity of heart are much needed in the world today. Giving recognition to such leaders is equally honourable. As a recipient of this award on December 3, the esteem has been rewarding and will always be deeply regarded.”

The sentiments echoed from the 85 attendees at this event were: “powerful, fantastic, wonderful, and empowering experience.” Awardees were: Dr Read more

The gathering outside the new Government Administration Building on Sunday for the 18th annual Thanksgiving Service and Lighting Ceremony. (Andrew Dick photo)

 ~ ‘St. Maarten is truly blessed,’ says Marlin ~

PHILIPSBURG--Giving thanks with a grateful heart was the order of the day on Sunday when persons gathered in front of the new Government Administration Building celebrating the eighteenth annual Thanksgiving Service and Lighting Ceremony

  The Service usually takes place at the old Government Building, but Government decided to move the ceremony to the new building.

  Prime Minister William Marlin said St Read more

Victorious Living’S Leader Worth Following Awards Left Lasting Powerful Impact On Attendees

Cole Bay, St. Maarten - “In the spirit of joy and thanksgiving, heartfelt congratulations must be expressed to The Victorious Living Foundation team for hosting the first VLF Leader Worth Following Awards 2016,” stated one of the awardees, Ambassador Alicia Liverpool, founder of the David Company. Liverpool added: “Leaders Worth Following who lead with integrity of heart are much needed in the world today. Giving recognition to such leaders is equally honourable. As a recipient of this award on December 3rd, the esteem has been rewarding and will always be deeply regarded."

The sentiments echoed from the 85 attendees at this memorable event were: “powerful, fantastic, wonderful, and empowering experience.” Awardees were, Dr Read more

PHILIPSBURG – Parliament’s website states that Parliament has two main tasks, namely to act as co-legislator and to exercise control over Government’s policies. The budget is an excellent example of co-legislation. It is drafted by the Government but, must be approved by Parliament in order for it to become a law.
On Monday, December 5th the Central Committee of Parliament, which consists of all fifteen members of Parliament, will meet to discuss the 2017 Budget of Country Sint Maarten Read more

Vromi: Anuncia “Reparaciones De Emergencia En Back Street”

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – El Gobierno de St Maarten, representado por el Consejo de Ministros, informó a la población en general sobre las reparaciones de emergencia que se llevarán a cabo en Back Street. El proyecto está siendo financiado por el Ministerio VROMI.

Nos complace informarles que las reparaciones de emergencia para Back street comenzarán hoy lunes 5 de diciembre. Las obras se concentrarán en la reparación de los puntos críticos donde se terminan las calles pavimentadas Read more

Finance Minister Should Forget About Curbing Online Shopping --- St. Martin Is A Siamese Twin.

Give the people a grace period to regulate their taxes.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Christopher Emmanuel urged the Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr to stop is plan in curbing online shopping since there is not much that can be done to curb or stop residents from shopping online Read more

Draft 2017 Budget Up Naf. 20M From This Year

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Richard Gibson has managed to increase the budget for the coming year by NAf. 20 million more than the amount budgeted for 2016. The total budget stands at NAf Read more

Vromi: “Emergency Repairs Back Street”

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Government of St Maarten, represented by the Council of Ministers, would like to update the general public with regards to the Emergency repairs which will be carried out on Back Street. The project is being Financed by the Ministry of VROMI.

We are pleased to inform you, that emergency repairs for Back street will commence on Monday December 5th, 2016. The works are to concentrate on repairing the critical points where the road pavers are completed undone Read more

Climate Change Concert Takes Place This Evening, Arts And Culture, Climate Change

KINGSTON, Jamaica  – Panos Caribbean’s Voices for Climate Change Education artistes Aaron Silk, Cameal Davis and Minori Russell are among the acts who will grace the stage at today’s Climate Change concert in Kingston.

The concert — which begins at 6:00 pm inside the capital’s Emancipation Park — will be the icing on the cake of Jamaica’s now annual Climate Walk, the brainchild of Environmental Solutions Limited.

It will also culminate the island’s Climate Change Awareness Week, activities which have been led by the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

Silk, Davis and Russell — all accomplished and celebrated singers — have long been committed to environmental education, giving, over the years, yeoman’s service to the Voices for Climate Change Education effort.

Voices has been a flagship Panos project since inception in 2009 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- As of 5pm on Friday afternoon residents on Dutch St. Maarten have been experiencing power outages at various locations. However, about an hour ago all generators at the Cape Bay power plant shut down causing a total blackout.
Chief Financial Officer Iris Arrindell said in an invited comment that GEBE mechanics are working on getting engine 19 back online in order for the St Read more

Peridot Foundation Joins The World In Commemorating Of 16 Days Of Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Gracita Arrindell founder of Peridot foundation stated: “The UN call for action theme for this year: ‘Orange the world – Raise money to end violence against women and girls,’ is aimed to place more focus and address the fact that funding for this cause is still lacking. You have a voice. You have choice to support.”

“As the domestic violence awareness campaign, which started Friday, November 25, continues, more than ever before, thanks to the entrance of the social media era, has it been possible to share the voices and numbers of victims of domestic/relational violence perpetrated mostly against women and children.

Social media can also be an effective tool to raise funds for awareness campaigns Read more

Netherlands Minister Of Education Visits Nipa

CAY HILL – On November 30, Minister of Education, Culture and Science from the Netherlands Jet Bussemaker, visited NIPA during her brief stopover on the island.

The Minister, her delegation and invited guests, which included Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Silveria Jacobs, and members of the NIPA board, received a tour from Interim Director Dr Read more

Nia Acrobatic Workshop With Annelies And Jiska Steenbeek

PHILIPSBURG – On Saturday, November 26, the National Institute for Arts (NIA), hosted an acrobatic gymnastic exhibition at the NIA gymnastic program located at Asha Stevens Christian Hillside School, with Jiska and Annelies Steenbeek.

The Steenbeek sisters, who are both gold and silver medal champion gymnasts from the Netherlands, were able to conduct a one-day acrobatic workshop at NIA.

Jiska Steenbeek has been performing in this highly competitive sport for over 18 years, before she retired in 2009, to focus on raising her family Read more