Friday, November 10, 2017

Local NewsThe Grenadian VoiceEarthquake survival education

Journalist
Programme.
Through a 20-minute movie, the participants learnt thebest practices in timeof an earthquake.

By Anisha SamuelTOKYO, Japan With a 70% chanceof Japan’s capital
experiencing a major
earthquake that can
destroy the city inthe next 30 years, it
is preparing its citizens to survive sucha catastrophe.

They include apractice thatNational Disaster
Management
Authority (NaDMA)
has been advocatingin Grenada - kneeling and placing one’s
head under a table,
holding on to its legs
while staying clear of
items that can tumble over.

This education is
being transmitted
especially to children,
who are considered
the next generation.
One such institution dedicated to thistask is the Honjo
Bosai-kan (Life
Safety Learning
Centre), operated by
the Tokyo FireDepartment.
This center wasvisited on Friday
October 20 by participants of the 2017
APIC-FPCJ

Local participant Anisha Samuel attempting
to open air-tight room door during simulation‘No vending sign’ is not
stopping vendors in Grenvillethe unsightly way thecarpark looks.”

Charles said theactions taken by theirorganization to erect
the sign which reads“No Vending” and a“No dumping sign”
have been met withstiff resistance fromthe people who havebeen vending there foryears.

Vendors continue to ply
their trade at
the Grenville Car Park
despite signs erectedin the area that speaks
to No vending and No
dumping.
The area, which wasan established parking
area, is now buzzing
with sale of different
items on the weekend
where patrons comefrom all over the island
to cash in on a bargain.

President of theSaint Andrew
Development
Organization (SADO)
Ryan Charles in a

recent interview withThe Grenadian Voicesaid their aim is tobring the area back to
its original purpose which is a car park.
He stated that theorganization hasreceived several complaints from businesses,
police and citizens ingeneral that, that particular portion ofGrenville looks like a
shanty town at the endof the day’s sale. He
said, “As a community,
we have had letters
written to us by theMinistry of Health andother persons about

The SADO leader
stated that they haveidentified alternative
venues such as theGrenville Market; buthave been unsuccessful
in making the switch
with the vendors.
Meetings, he added,
have been held with
the Parliamentary
Representatives tocome up with solutions
to the problem but tono avail. Other avenues explored, include
the Grenville Bus terminus and the blocking of a street on
Saturdays.
Charles noted that in
the past fees have beencollected from the regular vendors; but theorganization was often
faced with new people
setting up shop at theGrenville Car Park for

Other practices are- When outside stayaway from walls,
poles, etc, that canfall at any time;
when leaving one’shome after the earthquake, turn off themain switch to electricity and gas lines
a day without any permission being granted
especially at festiveseasons. He added,“The business community is up in arms overwhat is happening,
because it is theirobservation that thevendors do not pay
taxes nor rent.”
The organisation has
stopped collecting feesin a bid to stop the illegal vending; but
despite that and thenotices being erected
since October, theSADO President notedthat the sales continue.
Charles said they areaware that some people
who are vending in theCar Park also ownbooths in the Vendors’
Mall which is located astone’s throw away.
Another challenge
SADO often encounters he noted, occurs
when vendors fail toremove themselvesfrom the carpark after
receiving notice thatthey should vacate
because the space has
been officially booked
and rented for otheractivities.
He added that theorganization is not trying to put anyone outof a livelihood but ismerely trying to bringback the car park to its
original purpose which is a Car park.

to prevent fire; andseek to help others,
especially children
and elderly.
The group also got
the opportunity toexperience a 7.0
magnitude earthquake via simulation
and were expected todemonstrate thesafety tips for survival as shown in themovie.
In addition, thejournalists got
hands-on experienceof opening an air
tight room door anda car door in a flood,
during a simulation
exercise. The group
found out just how

Page 9difficult a task thatcan be, as somemembers failed intheir individual
attempts to open theroom door. The tour
guide advised that ina real-life scenario,
more than one person should attempt
to open the door,
and if successful,place something
between the door toprevent it from shutting back as lots ofwater will be gushingin.
The Guide also
advised that the cardoor will open easier
when the water leveloutside is the samelevel as the door.

The Centre has on
display various toolsthat residents canpurchase to maketheir homes moresecure; such as accessories to keep furniture in place anddoors sealed. Of
interest to the group
was the emergency
tool to cut seat belts
and crack vehicle
windows in a flood.
According to information from theJapan MeteorologicalAgency, the country
records about
200,000 earthquakes
per year, many ofwhich are minor.

APPLICATION ASSISTANT FINANCE
MANAGER - NAWASA

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the positionof Assistant Finance Manager at the National Water and Sewerage
Authority (NAWASA), Grenada.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Assistant Finance Manager will be
responsible for the daily management and supervision of the commercial
activities which include billing, revenue collection and asset protection
operations.
The Assistant Finance Manager is expected to work under limitedsupervision.
PERSON SPECIFICATION (QUALIFICATION) AND EXPERIENCE•

The position requires ACCA and at least five (5) years’ related
experience; or a Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting and at least
five (5) years’ related experience.

•Experience in revenue collection, receivables management &recoveries will be an asset.

•Possession of a valid drivers’ licence.

SPECIFIC SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE AND/OR KNOWLEDGE•

Ability to assess customers’ needs and resolve problems.

•Results oriented.

•Good interpersonal and communication skills.

•Strong leadership, motivational and analytical skills.

•Familiar with the use of computer software for customer billing,financial and management accounting.

Applications including Curriculum Vitae should be submitted nolater than November 17, 2017 and be addressed as follows:
The General Manager
Vacancy for Assistant Finance Manager
National Water and Sewerage Authority
P.O Box 392,
The Carenage,
St. George’s,
Grenada.
EMAIL: nawasa@nawasa.gd
NAWASA...COMMITTED TO MEETING CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS