Archive for November 3rd, 2008
Rebranding across Caribbean
(CNS): The much anticipated launch of Cable & Wireless’ rebrand happened this Friday when the local communication firm, which has now merged into a pan-Caribbean company, announced the arrival of LIME – Landline, Internet, Mobile, Entertainment. Rolling out today across the region the new brand replaces the familiar bmobile.
At the launch the company stated that LIME provides a full suite of telecoms services, including home phone, internet access, mobile phones, ringtone downloads, phone calls via internet, cable TV (in some markets only) and data, networking and hosting services for business customers. Operating in 13 markets across the Caribbean, LIME was described by the firm as not just a way to make money for its shareholders, but to improve things for customers and for the communities in which it operates.
To prove its commitment to this aim LIME has today published its manifesto for change – a 15 point plan that outlines some of the ways in which LIME will make things better for Caribbean people,” the firm said on Friday.
In this manifesto C&W says it will promise to answer calls to customer service centres within one minute, ensure LIME customers never go more than one day without the ability to communicate, via at least one of LIME’s services, never sell services or products that customers do not need, that every child, in themarkets where LIME operates will have access to a computer and the Internet to aid their education and that the company will invest $5m in local community initiatives every year.
It also said it will publish its financial results – making it clear how much it has invested in the region and how much Caribbean shareholders have gained from investing in LIME and that it will provide employment and promotion opportunities for Caribbean residents as a priority.
“We’re making a promise to the people of the Caribbean that we’ll create a better company for them. Our manifesto pins us down to delivering on that promise,” said Richard Dodd, Chief Executive of LIME. “I’ve seen too many businesses that are all talk and no action and I’m determined that, unlike these companies, LIME will actually put its money where its mouth is. We’ve spent a lot of time listening to our customers and the customers of our competitors and they told us that they wanted more. They want the levels of service they see elsewhere in the world, they want the products and services that are available in the States, Canada and Western Europe.”
Dodd said that C&W had already changed the business beyond recognition with improved levels of customer service in every market and significant investment in the roll out of next generation network capability.
“It’s clear that the business I manage today is very different from the Cable & Wireless of old – that’s why we’ve changed our name, because effectively this is a new business,” he added. “The journey to becoming the kind of business that Caribbean people deserve has not finished for us – we will continue to improve every day – but it has begun. We are today the only pan Caribbean telecoms business built exclusively for the people of the Caribbean.”
He explained that with the new name also comes a new look and feel as well as a new commitment to the wider community. “Out goes the Cable & Wireless globe and corporate blue and white and in comes a new, more sophisticated style. The new look has a modern Caribbean flair with black backgrounds, splashes of bright colour and bold imagery. On Monday, customers will be able to see the new look for themselves at our Anderson Square and Galleria Stores and in all LIME’s communications. Any remaining Cable & Wireless branding will be phased out next year,” Dodd noted.
Government should have acted sooner, says Bush
(CNS): Following announcements, first reported on CNS, of a recruitment freeze in the civil service and a need to cut government spending because of a projected short fall of CI$15 million in the 2008/2009 fiscal year, the Leader of the Opposition has said the government should have been looking to cut back on spending more than eight months ago and that the country needs to see more detailed information on where cutbacks will be made to deal with the revenue shortfalls.
“It is regretful, that they rejected my proposal to take this type of action over eight months ago and we are now likely that much worse off because they did not react early enough” said McKeeva Bush.
The Leader of the United Democratic party said that while he wanted to cooperate with the government in times of crisis, he expressed regret that his private member’s motion back in February of this year for the Government to consider such cutbacks was rejected outright by Kurt Tibbetts, the current Leader of Government Business.
“It goes to show that the government needs to restrain itself from politicising every motion brought before the honourable Legislative Assembly and take things based on the merits of the actual proposal being made” he added.
Bush raised the issue of the global crisis as it was unfolding early in the year and proposed in the Legislative Assembly that cutbacks be implemented. Records in the Hansard, the parliamentary documentation of proceedings in the LA, shows that his suggestion was flatly rejected by the government at the time. As a result, the opposition leader suggests, government may have committed itself to certain projects that are impossible to reverse at this stage.
Bush is also calling for more information on where the cuts are being made, as soon as this is determined. “It is important that the opposition and the public in general, obtain full information from the government so that they can better understand the fiscal position,” he added. “We need to better understand the areas that will be affected. Are we sure that certain important public services will not suffer? And how will this cut impact our current effort to borrow the additional approximately 180 million? Should we even be borrowing at this stage?” he asked.
He said as a result it was very important to see the $1.5 billion in financial accounts that are in arrears than at the present. “We need to better understand the state of the country’s financials over the past few years in order to properly analyse the implications of the present crisis”, argued Bush. “The government has promised to sort out these delayed accounts but we are no where closer to getting them and they have become even more important given the economic crisis we are currently facing.”
The Public Accounts Committee was supposed to meet to assess a report by the Auditor General, Dan Duguay which revealed the significant delay in accounting for government spending over the last four years in September. The meeting was postponed however and is now expected to meet in November.
Man charged over road deaths
(CNS): A teenager has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving following a crash that occurred in February this year which claimed the lives of two young men. Police said that 21-year-old Sidney Myles, of George Town and 31-year-old, Bruce Lee Ebanks of West Bay died at the scene of the crash on West Bay Road, near the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman.
The driver, 19-year-old driver of the car Alexander Callan, has now been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed to appear in court on 17 November. The crash occurred on 29 February after police had attempted to stop the vehicle in which the men died at around 11:30 pm in West Bay.
The car was described by witnesses at the time as travelling at over 100 mph without lights. The pursuit ended when the vehicle left West Bay Road just south of the Ritz-Carlton and hit a pole supporting power lines.
The Cayman Islands fire service had to cut the victims free from the wreck.
Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling crime stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.
Law enforcement document leaked by Immigration
(CNS): A confidential law enforcement document about a wanted man that was recently circulated in the public domain was not leaked from the police department, but an investigation is now underway, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said yesterday. The document, which gave details of a man whom police wanted to question in connection with child rape allegations, was sent via e-mail across the Cayman Islands.
The document leaked on 21 October was an internal police profile sheet on a wanted criminal, in this case relating to a man who has since been charged with the rape of a five-year-old child. The law enforcement information sheet that was circulated between agencies to ensure the suspect was tracked down by law enforcement officers was, at some point, leaked into the public domain and then sent to thousands of e-mail addresses.
RCIPS and Immigration both stated that the respective departments take breaches of this nature extremely seriously and have initiated internal investigations. Preliminary indications suggest that the disclosure was made by a member of the Immigration Department.
“The RCIPS is satisfied that no breach was made by any member of the Police Service. Law enforcement agencies, such as the Police Service and Immigration Department, routinely share information in the course of conducting investigations and tackling crime. Some of this information is sensitive in nature and cannot be released to the public so as not to prejudice the investigation and any future court proceedings. It follows, therefore, that all officers in receipt of such information are under a strict duty of confidentiality,” police said in a statement.
Both agencies acknowledged the critical importance of receiving information from the public about crime and the need to protect the information to ensure the public was not deterred from coming forward. Both agencies said they wished to assure the community that if any deliberate or reckless breach of this duty of confidentiality is found, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the person or persons involved.
“The RCIPS takes this opportunity to reaffirm that as much information as is possible is released to the public bearing in mind all factors such as investigation protection and victims rights,” they stated. “It is not the policy of the RCIPS to release personal details of those under suspicion, those wanted in connection with a crime, or those arrested. Personal details, such as name and age, can only be released when a person has been charged and has a date to appear in open court.”
The police explained that the policy exists notonly to protect the investigation process and ensure that they have the best chance of securing a conviction, but to protect those who are innocent of any crime.
“Law enforcement agencies strive to be as open and transparent as possible and whilst all agencies understand the desire and need for information, upholding the law and protecting investigations must always be of primary concern,” police said.
Dog owners warned by police
(CNS): Over 100 complaints about stray dogs have been received In West Bay this year with 5 prosecutions taken before the courts, while in Cayman Brac, two people have reported being bitten by stray dogs in just over a week. Now police are warning dog owners not to let their animals roam free to chase, frighten and bite people or they could face prosecution.
Police said they had received a number of complaints over the past few weeks in relation to animals running around with their owners taking no responsibility for their actions, and warned dog owners that prosecutions will be made where evidence is available.
Under the Animal Law (2003) anyone found guilty of permitting an animal to stray in the community could be liable to a $500 fine, a release from the police the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said. In addition, if an animal is deemed to be dangerous or out of control in a public place the person in charge of it could be subject to a $4000 fine or 6 months in prison. If an animal hurts a person, the person in charge could face up to two years in prison. There are also laws against cruelty and mistreatment of pets.
Aside from the legal aspect, allowing a dog to stray can also put the animal itself in danger by allowing it to be exposed to parasites, disease and poisons. In addition, they are more likely to be hit by vehicles, exposed to attacks and there is an increased chance of unwanted breeding taking place.
Owners could also face having to look for their animal if they let it run loose as there is a strong possibility it could be trapped and impounded. To reduce the chances of animals straying, owners are urged to close gates, fence the yard, use a kennel and take pets on scheduled walks for essential exercise.
Anyone who wants to report stray dogs or dog attacks should contact their local police station or the Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Unit on 947-3090 in Grand Cayman and 948-0522 in Cayman Brac. If your dog is missing, please contact the Department of Agriculture Pound to see if they have it as well as the Humane Society.
Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling crime stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.