The public is reminded that while construction works continue at the Wharf, the area will be open to pedestrians only between the hours of 16.00 & 08.30 Monday to Friday and from 16.00 Friday to 08.30 Monday. There will be restricted access to vehicles, and a barrier will be in place at the start of the construction works, adjacent to the freight terminal.

Authorised users only will be able to drop off/pick up equipment (e.g. diving equipment, fishing tackle etc) at the lower steps – before returning their vehicle to the area beyond the barrier. No vehicle at any time can be left parked on the Wharf between the construction site and the landing steps – this area will need to be kept clear in the event of an emergency.

Port management would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in advance for their continued co-operation.

SHG

26 May 2014

A new Chief Executive for Economic Development (CEED) has today been appointed.

Niall O’Keeffe (photo attached) succeeds Julian Morris and will arrive on-Island on Wednesday 23 July to take up his new position, as Head of Enterprise St Helena, on a three year contract.

As the CEED, Niall will work closely with the private sector, St Helena Government (SHG) and the Department for International Development (DfID) to bring about St Helena’s economic transformation.

Niall’s main purpose will be to deliver the Sustainable Economic Development Plan to maximise the advantages of the investment in air access, to deliver a shared vision for St Helena’s future prosperity and to ensure the Island is ready for the Airport opening in early 2016.

Niall’s remit will be to attract investment from Saint and international investors, promote tourism, fisheries development and to lead on major economic initiatives and support policy development. The CEED’s duties, through Enterprise St Helena, are also to help Saint businesses grow, to up-skill Saints, and to oversee the provision of micro-grants, loans and equity finance for local Saint businesses.

Niall said of his appointment:

“I am delighted to be joining the team at ESH to help build and expand upon the positive work undertaken to date.

“I look forward to working with and for the people of St Helena to strive for sustainable and inclusive economic development. It is a privilege to take on the CEED role at such an exciting time in the history of St Helena and I hope to contribute to maximising the opportunities and minimising the risk associated with such change.

“On a personal level, I am very excited that I, along with my family, will have an opportunity to experience the culture and charms of such an extraordinary place.”

Niall is currently the Chief Executive of NABCO, Ireland’s National Association of Building Co-operatives.

SHG

23 May 2014

Yesterday’s traditional St Helena’s Day celebrations (21 May 2014) were once again organised by New Horizons and held in lower Jamestown.  Activities and stalls were laid out in the Mule Yard and along the Wharf, with busy crowds enjoying the sunshine.  

The festivities began with a parade from the Canister involving the Scout, Brownie, Guides and Rainbows troops.  Speeches were given by Miss St Helena, Sinead Green and the day was officially opened by Acting Governor Sean Burns.

The mini marathon began proceedings, followed by a themed fancy dress competition.  One of the highlights of the day was the much anticipated themed float parade with New Horizons’ Lemon Valley float winning first prize and the St Helena National Trust and Saint FM winning second and third places respectively.

International Day for Biological Diversity is held today on (Thursday 22 May) and this theme was brought forward a day and celebrated on St Helena’s Day.

A firework display ended the day with live bands entertaining onlookers in the Mule Yard and at Donny’s into the evening.

Five pictures of the day’s celebrations accompany this release.

SHG

22 May 2014

4 DAYS LEFT TO MAKE AMENDMENTS

The Provisional Register of Electors for St Helena was published on Friday 9 May 2014, with a deadline of 4pm on Friday 23 May for any amendments.

Members of the public now have four days left to come forward if they would like to add or remove their name, remove the name of someone who has died or left the Island, correct the name of someone who has married, correct an Electoral District or change an address on the Register.  

To register, persons must:

• Be over the age of 18 years with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
• Have St Helenian status or be the spouse or life partner of a person who has such status.

Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from Assistant Registration Officer, Gina Benjamin, at the Castle on telephone 22470 or via email at: cofcouncils@sainthelena.gov.sh

If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any upcoming General or Bye-Election.

The final Register will be published on Tuesday 1 July 2014.

SHG

20 May 2014

4 DAYS LEFT TO MAKE AMENDMENTS

The Provisional Register of Electors for St Helena was published on Friday 9 May 2014, with a deadline of 4pm on Friday 23 May for any amendments.

Members of the public now have four days left to come forward if they would like to add or remove their name, remove the name of someone who has died or left the Island, correct the name of someone who has married, correct an Electoral District or change an address on the Register.

To register, persons must:

• Be over the age of 18 years with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
• Have St Helenian status or be the spouse or life partner of a person who has such status.

Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from Assistant Registration Officer, Gina Benjamin, at the Castle on telephone 22470 or via email at: cofcouncils@sainthelena.gov.sh

If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any upcoming General or Bye-Election.

The final Register will be published on Tuesday 1 July 2014.

SHG

20 May 2014

QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE PROGRAMME – IMMIGRATION

Recently returning to St Helena was Senior Immigration Officer Emerald Newman (photo attached) following a training and front line exposure visit to UK Border Force, funded through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Programme.

Emerald spent a week working alongside Immigration Officers at Stansted airport, shadowing Border Force officers and witnessing interviews and in-depth investigations into a range of cases.  Emerald saw a wide variety of passports and was able to experience handling various EU and rest of the world documents, checking for forgeries and counterfeits.

Emerald said:

“Seeing a wider variety of travellers, passports and travel documents and undertaking thorough investigation of arriving passengers in a time-constrained airport context was a really useful experience as St Helena moves towards air access.”

Emerald’s training follows the exposure visit by Immigration Officers Fiyanna Maggott and Tina Yon to UK airports in November 2013.  Emerald added:

“While some of the working practices at Stansted are similar to St Helena, this trip has highlighted some alternative approaches. The knowledge gained from my visit along with Tina and Fiyanna’s exposure visits to smaller UK airports last year has given us some helpful insights and ideas on processes we can implement on St Helena – to improve both security and the passenger experience.”

Immigration Executive Lewis Evans commented:

“Training visits to airports are an important part of preparing St Helena Immigration for air access, as UK officers manage thousands of passengers from diverse backgrounds.  We are grateful to the Border Force officers involved in the training for the opportunity to benefit from their skills and knowledge.”

Exposure and training visits to the UK allow individuals to experience international best practice in Government services – placing them in a better position to implement new and improved processes on St Helena.

SHG

19 May 2014

MFV EXTRACTOR WELCOMES STUDENTS

Yesterday, Thursday 15 May 2014, the MFV Extractor welcomed aboard children from the three Primary Schools, as well as Prince Andrew students.

Tammy Williams, Community Liaison Manager of Enterprise St Helena, commented:

“One of things we wanted to do as soon as the Extractor arrived was to allow schoolchildren to have that experience of seeing what it’s like onboard. The crew have been tremendous in encouraging interest in the fishing industry, including those who will be the next generation of fisherman.” 

Harford Primary students were the first to visit at around 10am.  Once onboard, the children were given a tour by skipper Trevor Thomas, with children allowed to explore the sleeping quarters, engine room and navigation equipment.  They were also given a demonstration of the rods and hooks used for fishing.

Trevor said:

“In collaboration with ESH, we are promoting the traditional industries campaign.  These young children onboard are coping very well in unfamiliar surroundings and conditions, and are obviously extremely excited to be here.”  

  Waylon Thomas (crew member) took the helm and gave the children a short dolphin watching trip.  Once back, St Pauls   Primary School students waved to those onboard from the Wharf and were the next group to visit the Extractor.

Waylon Thomas added:

  “It has been nice to see the young kids aboard today.  One boy was particularly interested in all of what was going on      around him.  If by doing this trip, we have enticed one young person to take an interest in the fishing industry, then that’s what we are here for.”

“Fishing is a tough job and those who follow it have to be passionate about the Industry.”

Three pictures attached.

16 May 2014

SHG

 7 DAYS LEFT TO MAKE AMENDMENTS

The Provisional Register of Electors for St Helena was published on Friday 9 May 2014 (see press release dated 6 May 2014).

Members of the public now have seven days left to come forward if they would like to add or remove their name, remove the name of someone who has died or left the Island, correct the name of someone who has married, correct an Electoral District or change an address on the Register.

To register, persons must:

• Be over the age of 18 years with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
• Have St Helenian status or be the spouse of life partner of a person who has such status.

Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from Assistant Registration Officer, Gina Benjamin, at the Castle on telephone 22470 or via email cofcouncils@sainthelena.gov.sh

The Provisional Register (and application forms) is available for inspection at the Office of the Assistant Registration Officer at the Castle, the  Customer Service Centre, the Public Library in Jamestown, ANRD Offices at Scotland and all rural sub-Post Offices. Copies are also held by Assistant Registration Officers, and the Administrator’s Office on Ascension Island.

You can also view it on the SHG website at http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Ex-Gaz-27-2014-Provisional-of-Electors.pdf

Applications to amend the Register must be made in writing (on the correct form or by letter) and submitted to Assistant Registration Officer, Gina Benjamin, at the Castle by no later than 4pm on Friday 23 May 2014.

If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any upcoming General or Bye-Election.

A final Register will be published on 1 July 2014.

SHG

16 May 2014

Councillor Leslie Baldwin will depart the Island on Friday 16 May 2014 to represent St Helena at the 44^th British Isles and Mediterranean Region Annual Conference (BIMR Conference) – hosted by the Wales Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in Cardiff Bay from 27-30 May 2014.

The theme for this year’s BIMR Conference is ‘Equality of Access to Democracy’ and during the conference Councillor Baldwin will attend plenary sessions on various issues, including the Campaign for Women in Public Life, Bilingualism and the Role of Official Languages in Parliament, and Youth Parliaments and Engagement of Young Citizens in the Democratic Process.

Councillor Baldwin will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops based around the plenary sessions to discuss women in public life, official languages in Parliament and youth engagement.

Councillor Baldwin commented:

“I am genuinely looking forward to the British Islands and Mediterranean Region seminar, which will give me the opportunity to share information on the engagement of women on St Helena.  I am pleased to have the opportunity, to chair and facilitate a discussion on youth parliaments – to obtain knowledge and assistance in re-establishing our own Youth Parliament.  Council is very keen to emphasise youth engagement.”  

Councillor Baldwin will remain in the UK to attend the 63^rd Westminster Seminar and Workshop, being held from 16-20 June in London, where he will be joined by Councillor Gavin Ellick.

The seminar will bring together up to 90 recently-elected Parliamentarians and mid-career Clerks from Commonwealth national and devolved Parliaments for a five-day programme to explore Parliamentary democracy, practice and procedure around the Westminster model. 
 
The evolving programme will highlight current best practice and how Parliaments adapt to changing domestic and global political environments.

 In Councillor Baldwin’s absence, Councillor Brian Isaac will Chair the Social & Community Development Committee, and sit on Executive Council.

SHG

13 May 2014

On 16 April 2014 Executive Council considered the St Helena Maritime Sector Review report produced by Marine Maven (T&T) Ltd, commissioned by St Helena Government.  The scope of the report was to provide advice and guidance on a range of maritime issues, covering the legislative framework, the adequacy of governance arrangements, the operation of vessels, and the system of licensing and improvements in the sector infrastructure. Members considered the report in conjunction with SHG’s response to its recommendations. 

The report has thirty-five recommendations and SHG has commented on each one, giving an indication as to next steps, the person responsible and a timeline.  It is agreed that Officers will report progress against these recommendations to the Economic Development Committee as part of the reporting process.

One of the key recommendations in the report relates to the introduction of a Maritime Services Officer funded through the Technical Cooperation budget.  SHG has reviewed the recommendation and deems it unnecessary at this time. Instead, the new Head of Customs and Port Management (Jonathan Holland) will take up a number of the prescribed duties from the report and ensure implementation of the associated recommendations.

Another key recommendation is the setting up of the St Helena Yachting Association. SHG supports the idea of such an association and the benefits it could bring, including the introduction of a National Yachting Scheme – and welcomes this being established by individuals or the private sector, as this is beyond the core business of Government.

Council advised and the Governor agreed to endorse the responses provided by SHG to the recommendations of Marine Maven (T&T) Ltd.

Copies of the full report and SHG’s response to the recommendations can be obtained from Corporate Finance at the Castle and a copy has been placed in the Public Library, Jamestown. Please note due to the size of the report, only SHG’s response to the recommendations has been placed on the SHG website at http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Formal-SHG-Response-to-Recommendations-in-Maritime-Sector-Review-April-2014.pdf

SHG

13 May 2014