NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 11, 2024) – The following is a communique from the Nevis Disaster Management Department: In an exemplary display of proactive governance, the Honourable Spencer Brand, Minister with responsibilities for Communications and Chairman of the Nevis Disaster Management Committee (NDMC), presided over the critical first meeting for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season preparedness at the Llewellyn Newton Disaster Management Facility Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The meeting, held on April 09, 2024, brought together subcommittees, agencies, NGO’s, and volunteer groups.
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Saint Lucia who assumed chairmanship of the Board in October 2023. Some of the Agenda items down for discussion include the status of Implementation of ECTEL’s 2022 – 2023 Work Plan, 2023 and updates on the Electronic Communications Bill (EC Bill) and the Procurement of the Integrated Spectrum Management and Monitoring System Vehicles will be provided.
The decisions of the 45th Meeting of ECTEL’s Council of Ministers held in January 2024 in Dominica and online will also come to the fore. To review the agenda in its entirety visit: 97BD1-Agenda-General-Part-17th-April-2024. pdf (ectel. int).
The Board of Directors consists of one Director or an Alternate from each of the five (5) ECTEL Contracting States: namely the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Directors and Alternates are appointed by the Minister with responsibility for Electronic Communications for a term of one year. ECTEL’s Managing Director serves as an ex officio member of the Board. The main functions of the Board include, inter alia, to ensure the effective implementation of ECTEL’sTreaty and policies in accordance with directives from the Council of Ministers; to make recommendations to the Council on any matter relating to electronic communications; and to devise the forms and process for the application and recommendation for an Individual Licence, and to ensure the transparency of the process.
Since 4th May 2000, ECTEL has been the regional regulatory body advising the five (5) National Telecommunications Regulatory Commissions (NTRCs) on electronic communications matters in the Contracting States. In simple terms, ECTEL works with the presented a detailed written and oral report of its current status, activities, and strategic plans designed to robustly tackle the predicted above-average hurricane season, driven by the La Niña phenomenon.
During his address, Minister Brand emphasized the gravity of the predictions for 2024, expressing a genuine concern that led to an impassioned call for comprehensive strategic planning and preparedness. – REGIONAL NEWS –
NTRCs to promote consumer rights and harmonised benefits in the electronic communications sector in its Contracting States. Visit us at www.ectel.int or follow us @ectel on Facebook and YouTube and @ectelauthority on Instagram and X for more information about our work.
“We are facing a potentially harrowing hurricane season,” said Minister Brand. “With early predictions of approximately 23 named storms, the time for decisive action and fortification of our disaster management protocols is now.” Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, Clarisia Langley-Stephens, Chair of NEMA Board, and Brian Dyer, Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department, both underscored the importance of cohesive and strategic action.
Langley-Stephens praised the historical steps taken towards enhancing statutory disaster management provisions, while Dyer elaborated on the Department’s comprehensive approach to resource management and community engagement in preparedness efforts. The presentations by all subcommittees, agencies, NGOs, and volunteer groups of the Nevis Disaster Management Committee demonstrates a proactive strategy, and underscores the thorough preparation to face the expected active hurricane season and other potential hazards.
For further information regarding the NDMC’s initiatives and the comprehensive preparedness strategies, please contact the Nevis Disaster Management Department. 13
