Local News From Every Source
The Minister of Health is encouraging parents to register their children who have asthma, on the 2022/23 Bermuda Student Asthma Registry.
Good day to all members of the media and the listening public.
Joining me here today from the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme or BOPP, is MS. Cheryl Mapp, Blue Economy Specialist, Sarah Brooks, Marine Spatial Planning Specialist, Ali Hochberg, Outreach Specialist, and Noelle Young, Administrative Assistant. And from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Director Andrew Pettit, and his team.
The Ministry of Education is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Bermuda Government Scholarships and Awards.
Each year the Ministry of Education provides scholarships and awards to Bermudian students to pursue higher education.
The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, said, “Education is and will continue to be a top priority for this Government, and it is also an undeniable part of the continued development of Bermuda.”
“I enjoyed the challenge of walking across the Popsicle Bridge built by students of the 2022 STEAM Academy Programme. I was impressed by how engaging and confident the students were as they assured me that the bridge would hold my weight,” expressed the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP Minister of Education.
Between July 4-27, students aged 9-14 participated in the 2022 STEAM Academy, a summer programme facilitated by the Department of Education.
Recently, the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, joined Bermuda Youth Connect to host an in-person youth engagement event discussing Bermuda’s Youth Employment Strategy.
The event, held at the Berkeley Institute School Library, saw 20 Bermudians from 18 to 26 years of age come together to ask questions, gather information, and discuss how the Government will support them in developing their ability to guide and lead our country’s path into the future.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has received reports of what appears to be tan-brown slicks floating in the waters along South Shore and other parts of the island.
DENR can advise that this natural occurrence is, in fact, large rafts of pink/orange/brown coral spawn seeking new areas to propagate.
While it may look unsightly, this act of nature is one to be celebrated as it reflects the excellent health of Bermuda’s coral reef system.
“This event will advance our national strategy to address the community violence problem,” said Minister of National Security Michael Weeks, JP. MP, as he hosts a retreat on September 15th and 16th.
“This upcoming retreat will build on the feedback received during the town hall meeting on community violence held on 19 July at the St. Paul Centennial Hall, by engaging stakeholders who directly work with young people and who were not able to attend that meeting,” the Minister added.
Minister of National Security Michael Weeks has offered his condolences to the family and friends of the female visitor who died Saturday at Horseshoe Bay after she was pulled from the water in an unresponsive state.
Minister Weeks stated: “It is always tragic when a visitor dies on our shores, especially under the circumstances. I send my sympathies to the victim’s friends and family.
After receiving the news that a man was stabbed to death in Warwick on Saturday night, the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, today stated: “I want the family and friends of this young man to know that my heart goes out to them during this difficult time.
“I was saddened and disturbed by the news. Losing anyone through violence is not normal, especially in such a small community.
The Government advised today that it has shared a household mailer which provides the public with an update of the programmes, policies and initiatives that have been undertaken and completed over the last five years.
The expansive overview provides a progress report on several areas on which the Government has delivered, including healthcare, education, youth, seniors, childcare, energy reform, environmental protection and sustainability, COVID relief, economic stimulus, and economic recovery.
In preparation for COP 27, which will be held in Egypt later this year, Deputy Premier and Minster of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, travelled to Nassau, The Bahamas. There he participated in the ‘First Regional Heads of Government Meeting in preparation for COP27’ held from 16-18 August.
Following reports of several guinea pigs dumped within the boundary of Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, located off South Road, Smiths, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) wish to remind the public not to release unwanted pets into the environment.
While guinea pigs are trendy and endearing pets, they are also prolific breeders and voracious eaters that can cause significant ecological damage to sensitive habitats and crops.
Good evening
On behalf of the Government, I welcome you to tonight’s event celebrating your accomplishment. You have spent the last 13 weeks developing your strategic-growth plans which will propel you into the next phases of your entrepreneurial journey.
Entrepreneurship can be difficult, stressful and in most cases, very tiring. I know that you have spent long days, nights and weekends working “IN” your business. But through the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator you seized the opportunity to work “ON” your business.
Premier David Burt today confirmed that the approved 2.75% increase to pensions will come into effect in September 2022 and will be backdated to August 16, 2021. The Premier said: “The Government is proud of its record of delivering for our seniors.”
In July, the Premier and Minister of Finance introduced the legislation to increase seniors’ pensions, and the Ministry of Finance has indicated that pensioners will receive the increase in their September 15th payment.
“The Government intends to ensure that it attracts and nurtures the best and brightest talent that Bermuda has to offer. And I am pleased to recognize Danielle Foote as this year’s Public Service Bursary Award recipient,” said the Head of the Public Service (HoPS), Dr. Derrick Binns in recognizing this year’s (2022) Bermuda Government Bursary Award recipient.
Ms. Foote is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in architecture at the Savannah School of Art and Design (SCAD).
“On its surface, it would appear that the repairs are being carried out at an inopportune time,” said the Minister of Public Works, Lt. Col. the Hon. David Burch, OBE (Mil), ED, JP, MP, today in response to commentary over the cancellation of the Ferry Service Orange Route between Dockyard and St. George’s due to repair work at Hunter’s Wharf.
Minister Burch, in clarifying the situation, stressed that the repairs are needed in order to protect the health and safety of passengers.
He put forth the following timeline on the issue:
“Bermuda has long been looked at as an example within the region for other islands to follow,” said Minister of Public Works, Lt. Col. the Hon. David Burch, after three representatives from the government of the British Virgin Islands, touched down in Bermuda on Sunday.
The representatives are here for a three-day visit to learn about Bermuda’s waste disposal system.
13 Bermudians who took part in the 8-week global FinTech Education Programme received their completion certificates at a modest reception on August 11th.
The programme was a collaboration between the Economic Development Department and NEXT, the Island’s first digital asset industry association. NEXT comprises 15 global entities that have established themselves in Bermuda to benefit from the ground-breaking regime regulating digital assets.
“These past two years have been challenging for many, especially our seniors. Now that we are moving beyond the pandemic, we have planned a series of events focused on the needs and concerns of our seniors,” said the Hon. Tinee S. Furbert, JP, MP, Minister of Social Development and Seniors.
As announced by the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, last month, “The Government will provide $150 to parents and guardians for each student enrolled in public school. This funding assists with purchasing school essentials as we recognize the financial burden encountered annually when preparing to send children back to school.”
Please see the following statement from the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, on Government’s commitment to addressing the unacceptable situation area residents and businesses face from BELCO’s emissions.
“I can advise that the Government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, continue to be heavily involved with the Environmental Authority and BELCO to address the environmental issues impacting neighbours. The work is ongoing, and the public will be advised as soon as possible of the next steps.”
An investigation is underway regarding the escape of inmate Mr. Antoine Anderson from the Farm facility.
This will include not only the circumstances of the escape but the risk assessments and reviews that were done that enabled him to be transferred to and remain at the Farm facility, which is an earned privilege.
Mr. Anderson is currently in Police custody and will be returned to Westgate in due course. We appreciate the public’s patience as we carry out this investigation.