Archive for May, 2011
PWD has new tender criteria
(CNS):The Public Works Department has overhauled its criteria for measuring the value and quality of bids submitted during tender requests for government jobs. The acting deputy chief officer at the ministry, Tristan Hydes, told CNS that the first tender request regarding the work for the Cayman Brac emergency centre was withdrawn as a result of changes made by the department as recommended by the Central Tenders Committee. The tender for the foundations was awarded on the second RFP as a result of the changes to the requirements, which Hydes said were more objective in order to attain “best value” for government. This objective approach, he added, introduces a more detailed scoring mechanism that was not just focused on price.
The tender was re-advertised in accordance with CTC regulations under the new rules after a letter had been circulated to bids already made. Hydes said that the same tenderers that submitted under the first advertisement, expressed interest under the second tender with the same dollar values, and the tender that won was clearly leading under the first evaluation as well.
“This new mechanism is now being used going forward on future PWD projects, and it is this ministry’s as well as CTC & PWD's intention to be fair and objective in all projects that will lead to government obtaining the best value for its project,” he added.
The first tender for the first phase of the $9 million Brac shelter project (nick-named Hurricane Hilton as a result of the various luxuries, such as en-suite hotel type accommodation that are part of the design) was won by Island Builders Co. The owner of the construction company, Dean Scott, signed the contract with Deputy Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly at a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month. Despite the changes to the criteria described by Hydes, Scott told CNS that his bid of $285,000 to build the 27,000 square foot foundation was still the lowest of the five bids when it came to dollars.
A letter cancelling the original tender was sent out by the director of public works to all those who had already submitted bids in early February, stating that a new RFP would be circulated. The project was then retendered under the new criteria and closed in March.
The CTC and procurement process is currently under scrutiny by the auditor general, who is expected to publish a report next month. How government gives out contracts has been the subject of controversy for some time and the Commission for Standards in Public Life, created under the constitution, has also stated that it intends to look closely at the technical teams that advice the CTC and the make-up of the committee itself.
However, despite being established in the immediate wake of the implementation of the country’s 2009 constitution, the standards commission has not yet begun any investigations of any kind as it says it needs specific legislation in place before it can fulfil its mandate.
Jamaican drug suspects charged on immigration issues
(CNS): Police have released pictures of the recent haul of 275lb of Ganja seized from a Jamaican drug canoe. Although the four men arrested have not yet been charged by the police for their attempt to land drugs in Grand Cayman, they did appear in court Friday charged with immigration offences. The Jamaican nationals, who were arrested following a police operation on Saturday 14 May, when a drug canoe was seized off the north coast, were charged in Summary Court with smuggling and illegal landing. The men were spotted at around 10pm on the night of their arrest by officers on maritime patrol. The police air support unit wasnotified and after a short pursuit the marine vessel intercepted the Jamaican canoe. (RCIPS Photos)
All of the men were arrested for illegal entry into the Cayman Islands as well as suspicion of importation of drugs when the significant ganja haul was discovered, which included some 10 bales of the drug. Police enquiries into the suspected drug smuggling are continuing and so far no charges have been brought against in connection with that crime but all four men remain in custody.
"This is yet another example of how the RCIPS combined resources of the Air Operations Unit and our joint marine assets are successfully protecting our borders and preventing illegal drugs reaching the dealers and streets of the Cayman Islands,” said Superintendent Kurt Walton. This latest intervention should send a very clear message to anyone thinking about bringing drugs or guns into our country."
Miller battles party politics
(CNS): Two years into this administration, Ezzard Miller has told CNS that being the only independent member today is very different from his previous times serving in the parliament because party politics has become more important than the people. Answering six specific questions put to him by CNS, Miller said he is striving to do what he can to represent his district, and is most pleased with the creation of the council, which offers his constituents a voice in the democratic process. Miller explained that he sees himself not as an opposition to government but as someone offering constructive criticism or alternatives, as he comes to the LA to represent the wants and needs of the people of North Side. However, if that is in opposition to government he said he won’t flinch to express those views. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
CNS -Q: What do you believe is the greatest achievement that you've managed in your role as an independent member for your constituents or even the wider community in this first two years?
EM: The North Side District Council, which has succeeded in uniting the North Side community in working to solve the social and economic problems of North Side. However, I cannot claim the total success for the achievements of the council as many persons and in particular the executive and the office manager of the MLA office have contributed in various ways. The council facilitates my core political principle, participatory democracy, that is my conviction that the persons I am privileged to represent have a right to be involved in all decisions made by their government.
CNS-Q: What do you consider to be the most pressing issue you haven’t managed to tackle yet?
EM: The most pressing issue that I have not been able to tackle is the lack of hope in young people from primary school to age 25. This lack of hope combined with lack of enthusiasm for success in adult life is a ticking "time bomb" that I believe has the potential to destroy the "Cayman economic miracle".
These young people have no local heroes to emulate, mingle with or admire as I did when I was growing up as I believe my generation was the last to be raised by the village. We, the council and myself, have made some progress in this area by the introduction of "The Hard work and Determination" campaign launched in December 2009, however much is left to be done.
The failure to obtain any funding from government to assist with the planned after school programme has slowed things down considerably. However, we are now in the process of seeking funding from the corporate sector to launch the after school program in September.
These young people are discouraged when they see their family members who did not do well in school being unable to get adequate employment and even more discouraged when they see those family members who have completed university, obtained their degree and also unable to get employment. The first is easy to explain, the second much more difficult in a country with sixty percent over employment and the constant pronouncements of their government that leads to more work permits.
CNS-Q: If you could do these two years over, what would you do differently (if anything)?
EM: There is not much that I would do differently as most of what I did as a representative was done in full consultation with the people that I represent.
CNS-Q: What are you most looking forward to in the next two years?
EM: To continuing working with North Side District Council to achieve the following for North Side: repairs and deepening of the launch ramp in Old Man Bay and the conversion of the area into a local beach resort, the creation of a waste site for trash and white goods, some road repairs and street lights, as well as successfully tackling the problems of the young people.
CNS-Q: What do you think will be the most difficult issue that you anticipate facing over the next half of the UDP administration?
EM: The most difficult issue that I will face from the UDP administration over the next two years is the personal attacks that will be launched against me in the Legislative Assembly as I continue to offer constructive criticism to their laws, policies and programs from the ‘Southeast Corner’ as an independent member. I do not see my role as one in opposition to the government but rather to assist the government in doing what is best for Cayman and Caymanians, through constructive criticism. However, I will not flinch from opposing if the people whom I represent believe and express the view that opposition on some things is necessary, for example the East End Seaport.
CNS-Q. How does the last two years of this administration compare to when you were in the Legislative Assembly the last time?
EM: The greatest difference between when I represented North Side in the 80's and now is party politics, where the individual parties take precedence, then the party members, then Cayman and Caymanians and the absolute lack of camaraderie for the good of Cayman. This is followed closely by the level of debate and personal attacks which take precedence over debating the issues and anything seems to be right as long as they can blame someone else. While in the 80's we had heated debate on issues, Cayman and Caymanians always took precedence in the final analysis and collective solutions was common through working together in select committees. Today, it is far more important who does something than what is being done. The ruling Party the UDP must get the credit in their achievement list for the next election.
Man robbed of cash in street mugging
(CNS): A man was uninjured following a street robbery late Friday, which took place near Larry's Tyre shop, on Shedden Road in George Town. Police say that at around 11.50 last night (20 May) the man was confronted by a masked suspect who appeared from nearby bushes. The suspect grabbed the man, pushed an unknown object into his side and demanded cash. The mugger ran off with an undisclosed sum of money and the victim was not hurt. The suspect is described as being about 5’ 9” tall and of medium build.. He was wearing a white short sleeved T-shirt, long blue jeans and spoke with a Caymanian accent.
Police asked anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information regarding the incident to call George Town CID on 9494222 or the confidential Crime Stoppers number 8008477 (TIPS).
Fire destroys George Town apartment
(CNS): A flate night fire at an apartment on School Road in George Town on Friday has destroyed the property, CNS understands. Although officials have not yet confirmed how the fire started or details of the incident police have stated that there appears to be no suspicious circumstances and that no one was hurt in the blaze. According to witnesses at the scene the fire may have been started when a resident fell asleep smoking a cigarette. Fire crews and other emergency services were at the scene at around 11:15pm to put out the blaze but the apartment and the man's belongings were lost. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
Check back to CNS for more details later
CS costs delay budget
(CNS): Government has revealed that delivery of the budget for the next financial year has been delayed yet again as a result of the UK querying civil service costs. A statement released from the premier’s office on Friday evening said that even though the government’s budget position has improved, the British government had asked for additional time to review the proposed 2011-2012 financial plan due to be brought to the Legislative Assembly on Monday. “The main area of scrutiny is personnel costs which the CI government does not want to cut further,” the statement read. However, the UK has said that the present personnel costs of the local civil service are unsustainable.
Thishas resulted in the Budget Address being delayed for additional review time by the UK and just the throne speech will now be delivered on Monday when the LA re-opens for the Budget meeting. McKeeva Bush said he could not now bring the budget until it has the approval of the UK as it is insisting that spending on public secoremployees be reduced.
“We won’t cut back on salaries and benefits,” the premier said. As a result, other areas must be found where cuts can be made to gain the approval of the UK Government for the budget and more time is needed to do this, Bush added.
The premier again pointed to the loans that his government has taken to fund the new schools and the government administration building, started by the previous PPM administration and other expenditures that he said had caused an $81 million recurrent expenditure deficit and a $120 million capital deficit in 2009.
However, the UK has apparently focused on the personnel costs, which the FCO has said needs further scrutiny.
Accused denies killing Forbes
(CNS): Lorenzo Wright pleaded not guilty on Friday to the manslaughter of Jack Forbes at a shopping plaza in Bodden Town last year. Wright is one of two men charged with the killing of the 49-year-old Bodden Town man, who was reportedly beaten to death in October. Steve Brown, who was also originally charged with murderfor the killing has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but Wright is now set to face trial in July. Forbes’ body was discovered by paramedics at the Plazza Odessa at around 6:20 in the evening of Friday 1 October. The victim had sustained numerous injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Forbes had been released from Northward prison shortly before he was killed after serving some ten years on a manslaughter charge for the killing of Steve Watler in May 2000.
Witnesses at the time reported that Forbes appeared to have been the victim of a systematic attack by several people.
Police arrested four people in the wake of the incident but eventually charged just two men, Wright (20) and Brown (35). Following the reduction of the charges from murder to manslaughter, Brown pleaded guilty and will face sentencing later this year. However, although the charges against Wright were also reduced to manslaughter from murder, Wright has denied the killing and opted to face trial.
Following his plea today, Wright was bailed to return to court for trial on 18 July.
Special needs projects receive education awards
(CNS): Two education initiatives help those with special needs walked away with $6000 each last weekend at the 2011 Joanna Clarke Excellence in Education Award (JCA), sponsored by DMS. This year’s winners were Catch Up Cayman which helps young people who are underachieving because of literacy challenges and the Speech and Language Therapy Department for its training assistance programme Making Hanen Happen whichtrains and support parents of children with language delays. The award not only assists in funding the initiatives but also helps raise awareness about the efforts, encouraging further private sector support.
Catch Up Literacy requested funding to continue its programme which seeks to address the problem of underachievement that is often rooted in literacy and numeracy challenges. In 2010 literacy coaches underwent training to offer the programme which is based on a proven literacy model that enables and supports the sustainable use and embedding of the Catch Up Cayman intervention for ‘at risk’ students across Cayman’s public schools.
JCA Committee Member Tara Tvedt said Catch up Cayman was selected because of the ‘train the trainer’ aspect which offers sustainability to the project. “Going forward there will be no requirement to hire trainers from the UK foundation, and thus the programme becomes self sustainable. In addition, the organization has already identified and recruited local volunteers from organizations such as Rotary International and the Pink Ladies who would like to be trained as facilitators, and thus it also demonstrates the criteria ‘to contribute to community involvement in education,” she said.
The Speech and Language Therapy Department sought funding to set up a training assistance programme intended to train and support parents and caregivers of children with language delays to understand how they can assist with language development. Parents and caregivers will undergo a 12-week training programme to become language facilitators and understand how to maximize children’s daily routines, even playtimes.
DMS Vice President and a JCA Committee Member Krista Pell said it was selected largely because the programme is centered on community as well as parental involvement, with the training being offered to parents and caregivers alike. “Making Hanen Happen is an outstanding programme that encourages participation at an active level with a variety of children to combat language delays, and we are proud to do our part to support them,” sheadded.
Joanna Clarke, said it was inspiring to see how many educators were striving for improvement in the education system. “There is great opportunity for funding from the private sector to help drive even greater success stories,” the former educator stated.
The other finalists recognized at the ceremony and their proposed initiatives included Early Years Task Force for its Preschool Educational and Training Assistance Programme; the School Counselor’s Group to provide guidance counseling; and the Harmony Learning Centre for its Towards Independence Programme.
The silent auction raised additional proceeds for the Joanna Clarke Scholarship Fund which added to ticket sales equaled an impressive $4,000.DMS President, and a former student of Ms. Clarke’s, Don Seymour said the firm remained committed to building the community through donations, sponsorship and volunteer efforts. “This award is one that we cherish and hold in the highest regard as it brings to the forefront so many deserving education initiatives that require the support of the private sector to be successful. We commend all applicants on their endeavours to provide invaluable opportunities for Cayman’s people to capitalize on their skills and talents, and DMS looks forward to continuing to do our part to help them succeed in their mission,” Seymour said.
For further information on the Joanna Clarke Excellence in Education Award visit www.joannaclarkeaward.ky.
Unemployment climbed close to 7% in 2010
(CNS): Preliminary labour results from the 2010 National Census have revealed that unemployment climbed to 6.7% during 2010 as a result of the slump in the local economy. Despite the fact that the size of the workforce shrank a greater decline in the demand for labour resulted in a higher rate of unemployment than in 2009. The report, by the Economics and Statistics Office said the total Cayman Islands work force stood at 35,859 people in 2010 compared to 36,000 the year before. Of these, 33,463 were employed compared to 33,920 in 2009. The unemployed totalled 2,396 in 2010 compared to 2,180 in 2009, resulting in an increase by 9.9% and an overall spike in the unemployment rate.
“The results on the labour force indicate the need for continued efforts to create economic opportunities that would benefit the workforce,” the Premier and Finance Minister, McKeeva Bush, said in the wake of the results release, Friday.
The number of people in jobs fell by 1.3 percent in 2010 while the employment rate fell to 92.3 percent in 2010 from 93 percent in 2009.
The ESO did not conduct its annual labour survey last year as a result of the national census. However, the census did cover labour and employment issues enabling the office to produce a preliminary report on the workforce for the 2010 calendar year. This preliminary report comes ahead of the fullreport that is to be published with the complete Census
at the end of this year.
The census which was conducted in October and November last year revealed the local population 54,397 of those 43,855 are aged over fifteen and considered to be of working age. However 7,996 of those are not in the labour force leaving a total population of possible workers of 35,859.
The Cayman Islands’ Preliminary 2010 Labour Force Report is available at www.eso.ky or can be viewed below
UCCI president receives award from old college
(CNS): Roy Bodden, the president of the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), was back at his alma mater last weekend where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2011 at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. A former member of the faculty at UCCI, and classmate of Bodden’s at Trent, Dr. Tom Phillips, introduced Bodden to more than a hundred guests at Trent University’s Alumni Awards dinner. A former Cayman Brac High School student was also there who will soon be heading to Hong Kong as an intern thanks to another former Trent classmate of Bodden and Phillips’.
Justin Chui, the Executive Director of the Hong Kong-based, multinational real estate development firm, Cheung Kong Holdings has created two summer internships opportunities in Hong Kong for Trent students. One of this year’s interns is Bracker Shalico Christian who was also a former student at UCCI and who is about to enter the final year of his Bachelor of Business Administration degree program at Trent University.
Photo left to right Shalico Christian, Tom Phillips, Roy Bodden, and Justin Chiu.