Visits to Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) and the Department of Environment (DoE), were the first two items on the agenda for Overseas Territories Minister, Mr. Henry Bellingham, on Thursday, 19 April.

At HMCI Director McCleary Frederick led a presentation on his team’s role during hurricane preparedness and national emergencies that also outlined the function of each Government agency in the event of a disaster.

During this session Minister Bellingham recalled the aftermath of Hurricanes Ivan and Paloma, and commended team members on their current robust preparation plans, both pre-hurricane and post-hurricane.

The visiting Minister was next escorted to the home of Cayman’s environmental protection services – DoE. Here he learned about the department’s projects: including its success in tackling coral algae and marine life protection.  Also raised were issues such as climate change, outdated legislation – currently being considered for review – and coastal development.

Highlights of the DoE portion of the visit were: a presentation on the Marine Park Review, a project supported by the UK’s Darwin initiative; and a visit to the DoE’s lionfish laboratory.

Accompanying the Minister on both visits were: His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Duncan Taylor, CBE, and Minister of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Mark Scotland (to DoE), JP, along with other Government officials.

Minister Bellingham ended Thursday afternoon with an island tour in the RCIPS helicopter.

Mr. Bellingham’s full itinerary for the extent of the visit to the Cayman Islands includes meetings and visits with government, political and civic leaders as well as visits   to government schools and agencies.