Clare Harris, Deputy Airport Director, and Nigel Kirby, DFID Project Manager, were in Johannesburg last week to meet with Basil Read and Lanseria International Airport to focus on the actions that all parties need to take to ensure that certification of St Helena’s Airport is achieved on time. 

During two days of meetings with Basil Read, Clare and Nigel reviewed the programme to achieve certification of the Airport, clarified responsibilities and agreed a programme of action – which will be monitored on a monthly basis to minimise the risk of delays to opening the Airport.  Clare and Nigel were also invited to join the regular 06:30 Friday internal Basil Read/Lanseria meeting, where progress is reviewed in the preparation of the many manuals and plans for staffing and training. 

The issues discussed in SA with be followed up in the UK this week in meetings with the regulator, Air Safety Support International (ASSI) and the UK Department for Transport.

The visit to Lanseria International Airport provided an opportunity to see a live airport in operation, and to review first hand many of the processes that will need to be established for St Helena.  The visit included close observation of all the activities for both arrival and departure of an aircraft, including checking in, immigration, customs, baggage handling in and out of the aircraft, marshalling and push-back of the aircraft. There was also a demonstration of the rescue and fire-fighting service (RFFS) capabilities with a full scale practice of evacuating an aircraft filled with smoke.

Clare was given an opportunity to ‘push back’ a Boeing 737-800, join the pilot in the cockpit of the aircraft, travel with the baggage trolleys to see how cases are offloaded and placed on the carousel and to put on full fire-fighting equipment and join the rescue teams entering the simulated aircraft fire.

SHG thanks everyone at Basil Read and Lanseria who made Clare and Nigel so welcome.

Two pictures are attached to this release.

SHG

10 March 2014

St Helena is to have a new Chief Secretary. Roy Burke (photo attached) currently the Chief Executive in the States of Alderney, Channel Islands, will take up his position in early June 2014, succeeding the current Chief Secretary, Owen O’Sullivan.

Roy has a wealth of experience in the public sector, having held Chief Executive positions for the past twelve years.

Governor Capes said of Roy’s appointment:

“’I warmly congratulate Roy on his appointment, and look forward to working with him as we continue to prepare St Helena for air access and to make progress on the path to sustainable economic development. With his valuable skills and many years of experience, Roy is well placed to lead the public service at this critical and exciting time for St Helena.

“He will take over from Owen O’Sullivan, who will be leaving in May at the end of his contract and three very successful years as Chief Secretary.”  

Roy will be accompanied on the Island by his wife Jill.

Roy said:

“Jill and I are very much looking forward to moving to St Helena.  I know these are exciting times and I am expecting a busy but rewarding posting.”

SHG

7 March 2014

Basil Read will be blasting on the Haul Road in Upper Rupert’s Valley on Saturday 8March 2014 between the hours of 1-2pm. This blast will only commence if weather permits. 

The general public and all persons working in close proximity to the Rupert’s area are asked to please adhere to the warning signs and stay clear of the affected areas whilst the blasting operation is carried out. Security guards with red flags will be in position to assist and ensure that everyone adheres to the warnings. One long continuous siren will be sounded to indicate that the blast is taking place. The all clear is given when the siren stops.

Due to Basil Read safety measures which are imperative for this particular blast, the Solomon’s Bulk Fuel Installation and Connect Saint Helena’s Power Station are to be temporarily shut down to enable personnel to be evacuated. 

As a result of this shut down and evacuation process, Connect Saint Helena would like to advise the public that there will be an Island-wide power cut during the blasting procedure, set for 1-2pm.Power will be restored once the all clear is given by Basil Read for personnel to return safely to their stations. 

Basil Read and Connect Saint Helena Ltd appreciate your continued co-operation and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

On behalf of Basil Read and Connect Saint Helena Ltd

7 March 2014

The public is reminded that a Bye-Election will take place on Wednesday 12 March 2014 when St Helena will go to the Polls to elect a new Member to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council.

Candidates for the 2014 Bye-Election are: Dr Corinda Essex of Jamestown, Mrs Brenda Moors of Alarm Forest and Mr Lionel Williams of St Paul’s.

Polling stations will be at the Levelwood, Jamestown, Harford, Blue Hill, Sandy Bay and Kingshurst Community Centres, Half Tree Hollow Clinic and at Judges Lodge, Alarm Forest.

Only those named on the Register of Electors dated 7 February 2014 will be able to vote in the Bye-Election and you must vote in the Polling District in which you are registered. Half Tree Hollow residents should note that their Polling Station is now at the Half Tree Hollow Clinic (and not at the normal venue of the Half Tree Hollow Community Centre).

If on Polling Day you cannot make it to the Polling Station, you may vote by Proxy – providing you obtain advance permission from the Returning Officer Gillian Francis at the Castle.  To get permission you must complete the relevant form which must be handed to the Returning Officer by no later than 10am on Monday 10 March 2014 (any forms received after this time will not be valid).

If you are voting by Proxy on Polling Day, your Proxy must be on the current Register of Electors and in the same Polling District in which you are registered.

For Proxy forms or to inspect the current Register of Electors you may contact the Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officers or Assistant Registration Officers. The names of these Officers were printed in newspapers dated 6 and 7 March 2014.

SHG

7 March 2014

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women’s Day is a national holiday.

 “A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water – Eleanor Roosevelt

This Saturday 8 March, ‘Ordinary Women are Extraordinary Too!’ will be launched on St Helena.   Members of the Island’s community – both male and female will be able to contribute words of wisdom by and for the women that have inspired them.

There will be a giant blackboard at the Canister between 10am to 1pm to write your inspiring messages.  Alternatively, hard copies of messages can be submitted to the Human Rights Facilitator, Catherine Turner, in Napoleon Street or by email to humanrightsoffice@helanta.co.sh

Catherine commented:  

“Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal.  International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women, while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

“Here on St Helena we are looking forward to the extension of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which will bring us into line with best international practice.

“Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme for our International Women’s Day Celebration – encouraging advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere and in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for equality and vigilance in inspiring in positive change.”

A leaflet on women’s rights ‘Opening Doors with CEDAW’ will also be available on Saturday outside the Canister and copies will be made available from the Human Rights Officer thereafter.

SHG

5 March 2013

Legislative Councillors will be holding a second series of public meetings in April 2014. During the Constituency meetings there will be a minimum of three Members present at each meeting.

Agenda items planned to be discussed at the meetings include Economic Development, Same Sex Marriages and the Complaints Procedure. Members of the public are also encouraged to raise any issues not covered in the agenda at the meetings.

The schedule is outlined below. All meetings will run from 7.30pm to 9pm

Tuesday 1April. Jamestown Community Centre, attended by Cyril George, Nigel Dollery and Brian Isaac

Wednesday 2April. Briars (St. Mary’s Church), attended by Ian Rummery, Tony Duncan and Derek Thomas

Wednesday 9April. Sandy Bay Community Centre, attended by Christine Scipio-O’Dean, Gavin Ellick and Leslie Baldwin

Thursday 10April. HTH (Guide Hall), attended by Lawson Henry, Bernice Olsson and New Member

Wednesday 16April. Longwood (Harford Community Centre), attended by Cyril George, Bernice Olsson and Nigel Dollery

Thursday 17April. Levelwood (Silver Hill Bar), attended by Ian Rummery, Derek Thomas and New Member

Wednesday 23April. St Pauls (Kingshurst Community Centre), attended by Leslie Baldwin, Tony Duncan and Christine Scipio-O’Dean

Wednesday 23April. Blue Hill Community Centre, attended by Lawson Henry, Gavin Ellick and Brian Isaac

Wednesday 30April. Ruperts (St Michael’s Church), attended by Leslie Baldwin, Nigel Dollery and Brian Isaac

On behalf of Legislative Council

4 March 2014