CARIBBEAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Small hotels asking for help

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Written by CBC NEWS Friday, 24 May 2013 16:04

Small hotels in Barbados are not getting the funding, or marketing they need to survive, and they have to grapple with too much bureaucracy to get things done.

These concerns from head of the Intimate Hotels of Barbados, Renee Coppin after meeting with the opposition, Barbados Labour Party during one of its sectoral tours across the island.

On the tour, led by leader Mia Mottley, the group visited five small properties, ending at Pirates Inn, where Ms Coppin is the chairman.

Ms Coppin says the small hotels are willing to work with government and the opposition in the interest of the properties, most of which are struggling to make ends meet.

She says while her organisation has ideas, they're looking for leadership in order to achieve their goals.

What's needed, according to her, is a vision for the next two to five years.

Expensive energy

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Written by CBC NEWS Thursday, 23 May 2013 21:50

Barbadians are being told that there is no quick fix to the high cost of electricity and energy in the island.

The comment came from managing director of the BL&P Mark King at a news conference at the utility company's headquarters.

Mr. King admitted that the fuel clause adjustment reached approximately 43.9 percent in March per kilowatt hour, which is the highest ever experienced.

Mark King says fossil fuels will be with us for a while and that a limit will be set in terms of the amount of alternative power that can be absorbed into the national grid, through wind or sun power, noting that it causes the system to have ups and downs and can lead to blackouts.

Mr. King also told journalists at a news conference at the BL&P's Garrison headquarters that a recent study pointed out that by 2029 Barbados would only benefit to the tune of 29 percent from the use of such energy in the national grid.

He says the Light and Power Company is doing all that's possible to reduce energy costs in Barbados including using the cheapest oil for generating electricity.

And he admitted that the fuel clause adjustment reached approximately 43.9 percent in march per kilowatt hour, which is the highest ever experienced.

Mr. King says they recognise that more and more people want to access renewable energy and they have come up with a policy in this regard.

He has also rejected suggestions that the utility company is abusing its dominant position in the market.

Hope for higher bursaries for private schools

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Written by CBC NEWS Thursday, 23 May 2013 21:48

If a government senator gets his way private schools in Barbados will get an increase in government aid to assist with their bursary programmes.

Parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Education, Senator Harry Husbands says this is long overdue given the important role these institutions play helping to shape the minds of the country.

He acknowledged that it has been over a decade since the monetary offerings to the institutions was increased.

Senator Husbands made the disclosure during a tour of the Ursuline Convent School Thursday.

Senator Husbands says despite the economic challenges government is committed to assisting private educational institutions in Barbados.

Administrator at the school Susan Chinnery believes government's effort to assist private schools especially in these trying economic times must be commended.

She says the issue of raising the state's bursary aid to private schools has been a contentious one for over 20 years

Ms Chinnery says given its financial constraints government has been very humane in dealing with the matter and government's intervention over the years has offered significant relief for many parents.

Wanted man captured

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Written by CBC NEWS Thursday, 23 May 2013 21:44

A St. Michael man wanted by police in connection with serious criminal matters has been remanded to Her Majesty's Prison at Dodds.

This after appearing in the District A Magistrate court Thursday charged for the offence of robbery.

Police say twenty six year old Jody Omar Farnum of Promenade Road, Tudor Bridge, St. Michael was remanded to prison until June 20.

He was captured Wednesday by members of the SSU on Station Hill, St. Michael after several weeks on the run.