Caribzone News Highlight

By Caribzone.com

Jamaica

The Disaster Committee of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) is reporting that it is prepared for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season despite changes to its operations brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Disaster Committee is collaborating with various response agencies to plan for and handle any eventuality that may arise.

The body is also working closely with the Shelter, Health and Welfare Subcommittee, to ensure that an updated list of shelters is finalized and that each facility is adequately prepared for the hurricane season.

Inspection of shelters has already taken place, an activity which required a larger team this year due to the pandemic.

The Committee also has plans to equip shelter managers with items such as gloves, masks and sanitizers.

As it relates to the KSAMC’s Shelter Managers Conference, usually held in May, Ms. Forrester said “we are exploring options as to how we can do a virtual conference to keep them abreast of what is expected of the season”.

The Disaster Preparedness Coordinator said the Committee continue to work to strengthen areas in response to COVID-19.

Persons are encouraged to visit the KSAMC’s Facebook and Instagram pages @ksamcorp for more information and to be notified when the finalized shelter list is published.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30, this year.

--00—

Guyana

At the end of the second week of the national recount of votes cast in the March 2, polls, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has reported that 789, of the 2339 ballot boxes, have been completed.

Last Tuesday’s tabulation saw 732 Statements of Recount (SOR) for the General Elections and 756 for the Regional, completed.

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Rtd) Claudette Singh, is seeking the approval of the National COVID-19 Taskforce for an additional two workstations.

This was disclosed by GECOM spokeswoman, Yolanda Ward, during a brief update to the media outside the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC); where the national recount of votes cast in the March 2, polls, is taking place.

At present there are twelve workstations operating; but this is still below what is needed to meet the proposed 25-day timeline.

The two major political parties who are claiming victory, continue to cry voter fraud after a number of anomalies turned up last week, including the absence of poll books, unsigned oaths, dead voters and ballots for persons not in Guyana at the time of the elections.

--00—

National

An above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.

The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a likely range of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.

“As Americans focus their attention on a safe and healthy reopening of our country, it remains critically important that we also remember to make the necessary preparations for the upcoming hurricane season,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

“Just as in years past, NOAA experts will stay ahead of developing hurricanes and tropical storms and provide the forecasts and warnings we depend on to stay safe.”

The combination of several climate factors is driving the strong likelihood for above-normal activity in the Atlantic this year. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are expected to either remain neutral or to trend toward La Nina, meaning there will not be an El Nino present to suppress hurricane activity.

Also, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, coupled with reduced vertical wind shear, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced west African monsoon all increase the likelihood for an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.

Similar conditions have been producing more active seasons since the current high-activity era began in 1995.

--00—

Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has accepted the resignation of Minister of Public Utilities Robert Le Hunte, who tendered his resignation with immediate effect.

The Former Public Utilities Minister has confirmed that his resignation from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley's People’s National Movement administration was the result of professional conflict on policy positions. In a statement sent to the Media, Le Hunte said he had, in fact, resigned to Rowley since Friday, May 15, but dated his letter May 17. The announcement was made on Monday, May 18.

It is a understood that Le Hunte was not too happy about how the Prime Minister has handled a number of issues including the gas Paria Trading Company sale to Aruba that may have exposed the country to US sanctions.

Despite his departure from the Government, Le Hunte, who was made a senator in order to be appointed a minister, said he was still supporting the PNM.

--00—

St. Kitts/Nevis

Nationals of St Kitts and Nevis will go on the polls on June 5, to elect a new government. Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris in making the announcement last Monday said nomination day will be Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

The announcement comes less than a week after the dissolution of parliament last week.

The polls are predicted to be quite a challenge for the Team Unity government to retain the power as opposition St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party has emerged as saviors in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let the bells ring across the Nation and may the land of beauty always be a land of peace and prosperity.” He said this election will be different because of the rules to combat the virus.

“We will continue to rely on our health experts to guide us in the way in which we can carry out our constitutional election while keeping our people safe.”

Dr. Harris said campaigning using some traditional means of communication will have to be modified.

Harris also indicated that the supervisor of elections will address safety measures after consultations with health professionals.

According to surveys conducted in St Kitts and Nevis 70%, youth is in favor of SKNLP, whereas 30% of youth is sticking to Team Unity. This is significant data as youth votes are considered under the undecided votes sector. Mostly, undecided votes change the scenario of the election result.

St Kitts and Nevis, have a total 11 constituencies, with 8 in St Kitts and 3 in Nevis. Any political outfit or coalition of several parties display the stronghold in 6 Parliament constituencies will hold the government of a twin-island nation.

Team Unity has received a major jolt with two prominent leaders of the SKN resigning from the party accusing it of nepotism. Team Unity founding member Sam Condor and Dwyer Astaphan can be seen distancing themselves from the government.

Another issue that can influence the election is the boundaries act amended by Dr Denzil Douglas in 2015. That time, Privy Council had ordered to conduct elections on previous boundaries.

In the forthcoming polls the government is yet to determine whether the 1983 borders will be in force or newly amended boundaries will be considered in the elections.

So far, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has not clarified on this matter.

In the February 17, 2015 elections, the outgoing coalition (SKNLP and NRP) headed by Dr. Denzil Douglas secured 50.08% of votes but got only 4 seats, while the winning coalition (PAM, PLP, and CCM) headed by Timothy Harris captured 7 seats with only 49.92% of votes.

--00—

Sports

The ousted executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has turned to the High Court here in its fight against FIFA’s decision to replace it with a normalization committee.

The William Wallace-led United TTFA team said in a statement on Monday that it chose to go this route “after long and hard deliberations”, after withdrawing its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which it claimed had displayed bias against football’s world governing body.

“United TTFA assures the football community and the people of Trinidad and Tobago that we have carefully considered the options, the potential risks and the beneficial outcomes of this struggle to defend the sovereignty of our country and our football,” the team of Wallace, Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick, Joseph Sam Phillip, Anthony Harford and Keith Look Loy said.

“We are guided by the principles of freedom and democracy enshrined in the supreme and governing law of Trinidad and Tobago – the Constitution – under which TTFA is established,” said ousted TTFA president William Wallace.

--00—

Sports

Legendary West Indies captain Clive Lloyd agrees in principle with former players stepping in to provide mentorship for the new generation but has called for a careful screening process to get the best outcome from the experience.

The 75-year-old Lloyd has been respected for generations, not just for his cricketing ability but steady and inspiring leadership, which saw the West Indies lift back-to-back ICC World Cup titles in 1975 and 1979.

--00--