Government

Good Morning, Mr. Speaker.

“To provide accessibility to adequate and affordable housing and to promote independent living to enhance the quality of life in Bermuda.”

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members,

I rise today to lay the 2022-2023 Annual Report of the Department of Financial Assistance in accordance with section 3(4) of the Financial Assistance Act 2001.

Mr. Speaker, 

The Annual Report highlights that were:

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, 

Today I will be laying before this Honourable House a report proposing the establishment of an Economic Empowerment Zone in South East Hamilton.

Mr Speaker,

Mr. Speaker,

I rise this morning to share with my Honourable colleagues the collaborative work that has been planned by the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors and the Bermuda Health Council to develop a National Senior’s Strategy for Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker,

Good afternoon,

It has been one week since the Government of Bermuda experienced a sophisticated and deliberate cyberattack. Since last Thursday’s discovery and confirmation of the attack, impacted government systems are slowly and efficiently being restored.

Additionally, as I mentioned in Monday’s press conference, the Government is building a new network with enhanced protection and security to mitigate the risk of future attacks.

It is important to reiterate that not all government systems were impacted during this attack.

A Government spokeperson this evening confirmed that the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with Ministry and Department Controllers, would ensure payroll for Public Officers is run for both monthly and weekly paid staff.

The following is an update on services from the Transport Control Department : 

The Department of Immigration (DOI) is pleased to provide an update on services.

 DOI can advise that there have been no issues around work permit holders arriving without proof of a work permit. However, work permit holders who arrive without evidence of a work permit will be allowed to land for one day, and their employer is advised to contact the Chief Immigration Officer or Assistant Chief Immigration Officer.

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (“RoC”) advises all stakeholders of the contingency plan that has been temporarily implemented until such time as the government network services are restored.

Email Correspondences

Please note that all @gov.bm email addresses are down. Alternative email addresses are provided below.  Please ensure the subject line of all correspondences includes the entity name and registration number, and any reference code previously supplied to the RoC for economic substance submissions. 

In continuation of our previous communication regarding government services impacted by the recent cyber incident, here is today’s update.

The Government email system and switchboard remain out of service.

The Department of Labour

· Labour Relations Officer’s (“LRO”) have cell phone access. Office phones were operational this afternoon.

· Clients may contact the office using the following numbers:

297-7716 – Office number

707-5437 – LRO

707-0673 – LRO

707-5444 – LRO/Tribunal Administrator

707-1593 – Manager

We are pleased to provide an update from the Ministry of Health.

Anyone trying to reach the Ministry of Health Accounts Section can contact 799-1523. To reach the office of the Chief Medical Officer, please call 7991522.  Fax – 296-3283

The Ministry of Health Accounts will continue to accept cash and cheque payments for the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility and Lefroy House Care Community customers at the Ministry of Health headquarters.

Temporary phone list for the public to access Department of Health services.

In continuation of our previous communication regarding government services impacted by the recent cyber incident, here is today’s update.

The Government email system and switchboard remain out of service.

Given the Department of Planning’s telephones are currently not working. At present, building, electrical and elevator inspections continue. Please contact the following mobile numbers for building inspections:

Premier and Finance Minister David Burt expressed his gratitude today: “I extend my thanks to the dedicated Government Public Officers who have been tirelessly crafting solutions to address the challenges posed by our recent cyber-attack. I also want to express my appreciation to the local banks for their unwavering commitment in collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to ensure timely payment for our public officers.”

Arrangements have been made to ensure that our financial assistance clients and public officers who are paid monthly will be paid at the end of the month.

In continuation of our previous communication regarding government services impacted by the recent cyber incident, we are pleased to offer an updated list of affected services.

The Bermuda Government is committed to providing a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliant and clean competition platform for our athletes. The recent decision by WADA to label Bermuda as non-compliant is disappointing; however we are working closely with WADA technical officers in both the Latin American Regional Office and in WADA Headquarters.

This week (Sept. 18), the Premier recognized Michael DeLeon, Operations Manager at the Department of Public Transport, as the recipient of the August Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA).

As the community is aware, the PSEA is a programme that recognizes Public Officers who are demonstrating admirable service delivery. Each month an individual or team is selected for their significant accomplishments in the last 60 days.

Earlier today, the Ministry of National Security convened an Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) meeting to assess the current status of Hurricane Nigel.

Following the 12noon forecast from the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) Hurricane Nigel is not considered to be a threat to Bermuda at this time. Nigel’s closest point of approach to Bermuda is forecast to be around 508 nautical miles to the east at 9.00 pm on Tuesday September 19, 2023. 

With the passage of Hurricane Lee, the Acting Minister of National Security, Lt. Col. David Burch and the Director of the Bermuda Weather Service, Michelle Pitcher provided the following morning update.

The Minister in particular discussed roadways, garbage collection, infrastructure and school assessments.

Following assessments by the Ministry of Public Works and utilities crews, the Ministry of National Security is advising the public that the main roadways are clear for passage.

The public can move about the main thoroughfares, but are encouraged to continue to use caution as they commute, as workers are clearing away some debris along the roads.

The Causeway is clear for traffic. And the area of South Road between John Smith’s Bay and Watch Hill Park which was closed yesterday, is currently being cleared of debris and is expected to reopen later this morning.

In light of Hurricane Lee, please be advised that there will be no meeting of the House of Assembly tomorrow Friday, September 15th.

The next meeting will be on September 22nd.

As of the Bermuda Weather Service’s 12 p.m. update, a Tropical Storm warning remains in effect for our island. 

Hurricane Lee is currently a Category 1 storm located approximately 212 nautical miles southwest of Bermuda, moving north at 12 knots, with maximum sustained winds of 80 knots and gusts of up to 100 knots.

Acting Minister of National Security, Lt. Col. the Hon. David Burch, OBE (Mil), ED, JP, MP, emphasises, “Your safety is our utmost concern. We strongly discourage motorists from being on the roads unless it is absolutely necessary. 

The Department of Social Insurance wishes to advise the public that, as a precautionary measure, pension benefit payments ordinarily made by direct deposit on September 15^th, will be processed today, earlier than usual, due to any disruption due to Hurricane Lee. For those receiving pension cheques, they have been printed and delivered to the Post Office for delivery.”

Good afternoon:

Thank you for joining me.

Joining me today from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team, Ms Russann Francis and on the phone from the Bermuda Weather Service, the Director Michelle Pitcher.

As you will be aware, we convened an Emergency Measures Organisation Executive meeting at midday to get the latest on Hurricane Lee.

At this time I will turn it over to the BWS’s Michelle Pitcher to provide an update on Hurricane Lee.

Parents of BPSS Preschoolers will be provided with “Beginning of the Year Curriculum” learning activities.  These activities align with this week’s preschool lessons, including discovery and exploration.

In response to Lee’s approaching threat, the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) has placed the Island under a Tropical Storm Watch.

The BWS is also expected to consider upgrading this watch to a Tropical Storm Warning tonight. This development is indicative of the potential impact that Lee may have on Bermuda.

Key points to note: