Archive for October 29th, 2008
All government tenders and contracts to go public
(CNS): With just over two months to go before the implementation of the Freedom of Information Law the Central Tenders Committee (CTC) said it will be posting the details of all awarded contracts and tender documents on the CTC website with immediate effect. “The CTC is committed to ensuring transparency in all public sector bids, and continues to welcome comments or questions relating to contracts awarded,” it said.
In a short statement issued on Tuesday 28 October it confirmed that the public may log on to the website at www.centraltenders.gov.ky to see full details of all future contracts and those warded during August and September 2008. The committee said questions and comments may be submitted in writing to: Please send these, in writing, to the CTC Secretary daun.alleyne@gov.ky
The Central Tenders Committee comprises public and private sector members, chaired by Terrence Outar. The CTC, formerly known as the Public Tenders Committee, has been in existence for at least 15 years and has awarded numbers contracts over the years. The Committee meets twice monthly to receive and open tenders greater than $250,000 and overseesthe evaluation of all tenders. Other functions include approving requests for pre-qualification or other methods of procurement by government bodies; providing guidelines for all public sector procurements on behalf of the Financial Secretary and approving all tender recommendations and awards.
Conch remains at risk as season opens
(CNS): Although the conch and whelk open season starts this Saturday, 1 November, the Department of Environment (DOE) said that there are strict limits on the daily allowance and neither can be taken from marine protected areas. DoT also noted that chitons, periwinkles and bleeding teeth may not be taken from Cayman waters at any time.
As the popular season opens the DoE is reminding people of the law. As the Conch is an endangered species, the DoE said the daily allowance for taking conch is five per person or ten per boat, whichever is less. The law further stipulates that no-one may purchase or receive more than five conch from Cayman waters in any one day.
The open season catch limit for whelk is 2½ gallons in the shell or 2½ pounds of processed whelks per person per day. Also, no-one may buy or receive more than this quota.
Violating any of the marine park regulations and conservation laws carries a maximum penalty of CI$500,000 and one year’s imprisonment. If convicted, the Court can also order the forfeiture of a person’s boat or other equipment used. The current conch and whelk season will close on 30 April 2009.
The local Broad Leaf Conch is a vegetarian, marine snail native to the western Atlantic Ocean. Demand for its delicious meat and beautiful shell have contributed to chronic over fishing and placed it under enormous stress throughout the Caribbean. The drastic decline in conch populations across the Caribbean due to over-fishing, led to it being placed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species’ (CITES) list in 1992.
The conch population is extremely fragile and according to the National Trust estimates suggests that out of 400,000 offspring; fewer than one conch will survive into adulthood. This alarming statistic, coupled with other environmental and human pressures, signals a worrying time for the Queen Conch. The Cayman Islands’ Department of Environment conducts an annual conch survey to monitor the success of marine parks and replenishment zones in stabilising existing populations
Two men arrested for the murder of Estella
(CNS): Two men are currently being questioned in police custody at George Town Police Station, having been arrested on suspicion of murdering Estella Scott-Roberts. According to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the two men, who are aged 27 and 23, were arrested by detectives investigating the murder on Monday afternoon, 27 October. Police could not say where the arrests took place or how they were led to the suspects but said that both men have George Town addresses.
Estella Scott-Roberts was last seen in the car park between Deckers and Buckingham Square at around 11:15 pm on Friday, 10 October. Her burnt out black Ford Edge was found in the Dykes in West Bay the following day. An examination of the remains found in the vehicle by a forensic pathologist left little doubt that the body was that of Scott-Roberts.
Yesterday, police released one man who had been in custody since Saturday, 18 October, helping them with enquiries. Following his release police stated that investigations continued and officers were following some important lines of enquiry.
“We have a number of positive lines of enquiry which we cannot elaborate on at this time,” said Superintendent Marlon Bodden, who has strategic oversight of the investigation. “We appreciate all the assistance we have been receiving and encourage the community to continue to work with us. We must take a stand against violence as a whole community.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the murder team directly Detective Inspector Kim Evans – 926-1773; Detective Constable Wade Chase – 925-7240; Detective Constable Charmane Dalhouse – 926-3975; Detective Constable Karl Lovell – 925-6761 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.
