ISSUE NO.48 December 2000
BACK TO TOP
WELL DONE A&BDF
 Prime
Minister Lester Bird has paid tribute to the men and women of the
Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force.
He made the commendation at a medals and awards presentation ceremony
at Government House on 7th December.
"Today is another step in our coming of age as a nation, and marks
the first presentation of medals to the Antigua and Barbuda Defence
Force since (we became) a sovereign nation," he said.
Commander of the A&BDF Colonel Trevor Thomas, Lt. Col. Edward
Croft, and Lt. Ivor Walker were presented with the meritorious
Service Medal for their contributions to the development of the
Force during its transition from a loose volunteer unit at birth
of Independence in 1981 to the professional corps it is today.
Ninety-nine officers, including former members, were presented
with the General Service Medal, in recognition of overseas deployment
in hostile or life-threatening environments, such as the restoration
of democracy in Grenada, Haiti, and Trinidad.
Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were presented to D. Nicholas,
DMC Joseph, and Lt. Corporal M. Colbourne, as well as Deputy Director
of the National Office of Disaster Services Philmore Mullin and
Julien Telemaque.
BACK TO TOP
GOVERNMENT
AND OWNERS OF HALF MOON BAY HOTEL LOCK HORNS
 On
7th December, the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda adopted a Resolution
to compulsorily acquire the Half Moon Bay Property. The following
day the owners of the Hotel secured an ex parte injunction from
the Court blocking the acquisition.
This conflict highlights a significant problem for Antigua and
Barbuda whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism. Half Moon
Bay Hotel has been closed for five years and three months throwing
hundreds of people out of work, reducing the number of hotel rooms
available on the island and reducing revenue to the country.
Throughout the five year period the Government has been working
with the owners to try to get the Hotel re-opened. But, as Prime
Minister Lester Bird said during the parliamentary debate, "We
have arrived at this decision only after the most painstaking efforts
to persuade the owners that the Hotel should be re-opened; efforts
which have been akin to the exertions of Sisyphus pushing a boulder
up a mountain. We made some progress only to find ourselves retreating
under the weight of promises unfulfilled and pledges unrealized."
Mr Bird explained during the debate that "tourism and the hotel
sector within it represent jobs for our people and income for our
economy. When tourism or the hotel sector is either neglected or
abused, the vital interests of the people and the economy are neglected
and abused".
He said, "After five years and three months of pleas that fell
upon deaf ears; after five years and three months of toil that
produced no fruit; after five years and three months of broken
promises and unkept pledges, we feel the time has come for compulsory
acquisition".
Under the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, the owners of the
Hotel are entitled to prompt and adequate payment in compensation
for the acquisition. Mr Bird indicated to Parliament that the Government
was ready to meet its obligations under the Constitution to the
owners.
But even as the Resolution was being debated in Parliament, the
owners of Half Moon Bay, sought an injunction from the Court to
stop the acquisition. The injunction was granted by a Judge without
any representation being heard from the Government.
Noting that since the closure of the Hotel in 1995 hundreds of
workers were sent home and are yet to be compensated, the Leader
of the Opposition, Baldwin Spencer, said "As far as I am concerned,
this matter has been hanging for too long and the property is so
vital to the tourism industry I hope the two parties can get an
early hearing of the Court".
One of the owners of the Hotel, Constantin Querard, in a story
carried by the Antigua Sun Newspaper accused the Prime Minister
of being short "on the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the
truth". Querard claimed that, contrary to the Prime Minister's
assertions in Parliament, the Government was not in discussion
with any hotel chains to manage the Hotel after the Government
had acquired it. He claimed the Government's intention was to acquire
the Hotel and sell it for a profit to either Crowne Plana or Super
Clubs.
This caused a swift and angry response from the Prime Minister's
Office which produced letters from Bass Hotels and Resorts of the
United Kingdom and Super Clubs of Jamaica confirming that the Government
had been discussing with them only the management of the Hotel
resort, and that there was never any question of selling it. The
statement from the Prime Minister's Office accused the owners of
deliberately misrepresenting the facts and described them as "bad
corporate citizens" who have continuously disrespected the people
and government of Antigua and Barbuda.
Whatever the outcome of this case in Court, the issue throws into
sharp focus the problem of unregulated private ownership of a vital
industry to the economy and welfare of the people of Antigua and
Barbuda. While the Constitution provides for adequate and prompt
compensation to private owners for compulsory acquisition, it limits
the circumstances in which such acquisition could be done, and
makes no provision requiring owners of vital sectors of the economy
to abide by internationally acceptable standards of corporate citizenship.
BACK TO TOP
PM'S NEW OFFICE TO BE
READY NEXT YEAR
 Work
on the new Office of the Prime Minister at Queen Elizabeth Highway
is moving ahead as planned, according to Public Works Director,
Mr. B.T. Lewis.
The ultra modern building will house the Office of the Prime
Minister, the Foreign Ministry, the Cabinet Secretariat, the Prime
Minister's Public Relations Department, a Conference Room where
Press Conferences and Briefings will be held, as well as other
offices related to the operations of the Office of the Prime Minister.
The office is being constructed by Fares Hadeed and Co. Ltd.
and is expected to be completed in the new year. Occupancy will
be immediate.
Sanders holds discussions with OECD Secretariat
Antigua and Barbuda's Senior Ambassador with Ministerial Rank,
Sir Ronald Sanders KCN, CMG, held extensive discussions in Paris
on 13th December with officials of the Secretariat of the Organisation
for Cooperation in Economic Development (OECD). He said the talks
were "open and frank" on both sides.
The discussions surrounded a Memorandum of Understanding that
the OECD has produced to which countries named as "tax havens" could
commit.
The OECD named 35 jurisdictions in July this year as practising "Harmful
Tax Competition". The Organisation has given these jurisdictions
until July 2001 to either eliminate regimes that the OECD considers
to be "harmful" or face sanctions imposed individually by OECD
members but in unison with each other.
When the Memorandum was circulated by the OECD on 20th November,
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Lester Bird set up a Working
Group under Ambassador Sanders' chairmanship to study it and report
to him. The Prime Minister had taken similar action over the Financial
Action Task Force (FATF) study which did not name Antigua and Barbuda
on its black list of countries with poor anti-money laundering
regimes.
Sanders' Working Group has since had meetings in Antigua and discussions
have been held with representatives of both the domestic and offshore
banking sectors.
"This MOU will be at the centre of discussions at a meeting planned
for Barbados in early January between the OECD and several of the
affected jurisdictions", Sanders said. "It is therefore important
that we understand exactly what the OECD means by all the terms
and references that are made in the document", he added.
"The purpose of my discussion yesterday was to get a clear understanding
of all the implications for Antigua and Barbuda of each of the
clauses in the Memorandum. Other jurisdictions have done a careful
analysis of the document and are planning for their future". Sanders
said.
The Antigua and Barbuda diplomat remarked at the end of the meeting, "Antigua
and Barbuda must also prepare for all possibilities and I will
be giving the Prime Minister and the Committee he has asked me
to chair a detailed report of my discussions. What is important
is that Antigua and Barbuda must be able to continue to operate
an offshore sector that is held in good repute for the benefit
of the economy as a whole".
While the OECD representatives were meeting with Ambassador Sanders,
the Secretariat publicly announced that the Isle of Man and the
Netherland Antilles had joined six other jurisdictions in giving
a commitment to eliminate "harmful tax practices" by 31 December
2005. The others are Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Malta,
Mauritius and San Marino.
BACK TO TOP
UNDP TO HELP WITH CONSTITUTIONAL
REFORM PROCESS
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is to provide
expertise to help revamp the 1981 constitution of Antigua and Barbuda,
Chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Sir Fred
Phillips said on the 2nd December.
Sir Fred said a Constitutional Law Professor of the University
of the West Indies is at the disposal of the CRC. The CRC was expecting
written submissions from a number of organisations and individuals
but, according to Sir Fred, those were not yet forthcoming.
Although satisfied with the response of the public so far, the
Commission Chairman nevertheless urged the public to actively participate
in the consultations.
CRC Secretary, Arlene Gomez, said that the three public hearings
held so far on Antigua have been dominated by verbal recommendations
that no one should be allowed to serve more than two consecutive
terms as Prime Minister. Another recurring recommendation, Gomez
said, was for Senators to be elected rather than appointed.
Two more public hearings are scheduled for Antigua before year-end
and when the 10 member commission resumes work in January, it will
shift hearings to the sister-island of Barbuda. Chairman of the
Barbuda Council, Arthur Nibbs, has signalled his intention to table
before the CRC a recommendation for a federal system of government
similar to that between Nevis and St Kitts.
Barbuda wants to have its own Legislative Assembly while leaving
security and foreign affairs in the hands of Antigua. But Nibbs
has been less than optimistic that such a recommendation would
be accepted because the central government appeared firm in its
position that Barbuda should not break away.
In addition to the Chairman, the other members are Professor Ralph
Carnegie, Speaker of the House of Representatives Bridget Harris,
lawyers Sidney Christian, Radford Hill, Anthony Michael, and Stacey
Richards-Anjo. Other members are Robin Bascus, Reverend Oral Thomas
and Blandina Francis-Negga, a nominee from the Barbuda.
Key terms of reference for the 18-month life of the commission
that ends in June 2001 include a review of the administrative and
constitutional arrangements between Antigua and the sister-island
of Barbuda and the establishment of machinery to enhance their
relations so that development of the entire state would be peaceful
and orderly.
The commission has also been mandated to ascertain whether the
populace wants to retain or abolish the Senate, look at strengthening
the accountability of parliamentarians to their constituencies;
and building the capacity of the public service to deliver efficient
and responsible support in the implementation of government programmes.
BACK TO TOP
SANDERS
CALLS ON EUROPEAN UNION TO RESPECT TERMS OF AGREEMENT WITH ACP
COUNTRIES
Sanders calls on European Union to respect terms of Agreement
with ACP countries
Antigua and Barbuda's Senior Ambassador, Sir Ronald Sanders KCN,
CMG, on 11th December called on the European Union to respect the
terms of its partnership agreement with the countries of the Africa,
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP).
Sanders made the call as he signed the "Cotonou Agreement" on
behalf of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in Brussels at
the Headquarters of the European Union.
The Agreement was concluded on 23rd June in Cotonou, the Capital
of Benin between the countries of the European Union (EU) and the
ACP and replaced the Lome Convention under which the ACP countries
enjoyed preferential prices and markets for their goods exported
to the EU.
Antigua and Barbuda was the last country to sign the agreement.
Sanders told a gathering of representatives from the EU Commission
and the ACP Secretariat that his government signed the agreement "with
the understanding that it represents a partnership for development,
and that development is at the centre of all aspects of the Agreement."
However, he expressed the fear that "in joining the train at this
stage, my government might be joining a train that has already
been derailed."
The Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador chastised the EU for its "Everything
but arms" initiative. He said that while "this initative is couched
in language that suggests that the European Union wants to help
the poorest countries of the world by permitting all their products
except arms to enter European Union countries free of duty, it
violates and ignores the terms of this Agreement... for it would
set aside the existing preferential arrangements for ACP producers
that are enshrined in this Agreement, and certainly threaten the
livelihood of a vast number of Caribbean people."
Sanders called on the EU to "respect its obligations under this
Treaty" and "to consult with the ACP through the joint trade Ministerial
Committee."
He also warned the EU not to try to dismember the ACP "because
of an infatuation in some European circles with Regional Economic
Partnership Agreements (REPA's)."
The Antigua and Barbuda diplomat declared, "It is the ACP that
should decide the configuration of the ACP, not Europe. Efforts
to split the ACP into groups that suit Europe will ultimately benefit
neither Europe nor the ACP, and all the good work of these last
two decades and more would be undone with dire consequences for
all."
Sanders told the EU representatives that his Government "very
much regrets that we are signing an agreement to which Cuba is
not a signatory because it has been pushed aside by the attitudes
of certain European governments."
He said, "We all know that the only reason that Cuba chose not
to seek to sign this agreement was that it was made clear by some
governments in Europe that had Cuba applied to do so, it would
have been turned down. This shortsighted approach that attempts
to keep out of the Caribbean an integral member of its family should
be rectified. Neither Europe's relationship with the ACP, nor with
Cuba alone will benefit from such a myopic approach."
BACK TO TOP
HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS
BRYANT HOUSE SCHOOL: TALKS TO STUDENTS
 High
Commissioner Sir Ronald Sanders KCN, CMG told students at Bryant
House School in St John's that "ambition, hard work and care for
their fellow man are the keys to success".
The Antigua and Barbuda diplomat made the statement when he spoke
to fourth and fifth form students at the invitation of the School's
President and Principal, Dr Roswald Bird and Mrs Judith Bird on
29th November.
Bryant House school accommodates students from Antigua and many
other countries in the Caribbean. It was founded by Dr Roswald
Bird and his wife Judith who have dedicated their lives to preparing
children for coping with life. The school has a remarkable record
in improving the performance of students that other schools have
found difficult.
Mr Sanders told the students that the "mix of their student body" gave
them a unique opportunity to gain a wide appreciation of the similarities
and common culture and heritage of the Caribbean people. He also
praised the efforts and the results of the school for "approaching
education with a caring perspective, one which placed each student's
individual needs at the centre of the school's philosophy".
After touring the school, the High Commissioner said he was "very impressed" with
the computer laboratory. "I am delighted with the investment that the school
has made in computer education. It is the way of the future, and the Bryant
House students are being well prepared", he said. 
Noting the school's library had suffered from Hurricane and many
of its books had been damaged, Mr Sanders undertook to try to locate
sources in the United Kingdom that would provide books to help
support "the noble work in which Bryant House school is involved."
(Note to readers: if any readers know of any Libraries or schools
in the UK or elsewhere that might be discarding books that are
still in good order and could be sent to Bryant House School, please
contact Ms Curliss Bart, First Secretary, at the High Commission).
BACK TO TOP
OVER
4,000 TRAINED IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
 Over
4,000 students have been trained in information technology in the
past six years by World of Computers, boasted founder and manager,
Elmon "Smokey" Benjamin at a graduation ceremony for the latest
twenty-seven graduates.
He added that the courses cover a range of computer technology
topics which have proven to be very popular and successful with
his students.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Education Minister Dr. Rodney
Williams, praised the school for having made a significant impact
on all aspects of life.
"I want to see similar organizations develop a good reputation
for training in the field of information technology, a field that
is of paramount importance to Antigua and Barbuda, keeping up with
the global market and making a place for itself in the 21st Century," Dr.
Williams added.
BACK TO TOP
A MUSICAL EVENING BY
THE ANTIGUA GRAMMER SCHOOL
Excerpted from the Antigua Sun
The Antigua Grammar School held an evening of music at the Multi-purpose
Cultural Centre on Thursday, 7 December featuring present and past
students.
The Antigua Grammar School has produced many fine musicians, who
include Winston Bailey, a renowned organist; Roland Prince, international
jazz guitarist; songster Barry Harvey and the Hill Brothers. Currently,
through the efforts of Dalton Francis, the music programme has
been revived. Some 250 students are enrolled, with a repertoire
of instruments that include steel pans, recorders, saxophones,
African drums, and piano.
The programme got a major boost with the donation of a music room
from the management of Bargain Centre, two "old boys," the Joseph
brothers, and the sponsorship of instruments from UNESCO.
BACK TO TOP
JAMAICAN
ARTISTS SHARE TECHNIQUE WITH LOCAL STUDENTS
Jamaican artists share technique with local students
Excerpted from the Antigua Sun
The Optimist Club of St. John's recently held an art exhibition
and workshop that featured the works of three Jamaican artists
- John Walter, Paul Blackwood, and Courtney Morgan.
The event was held on 14 and 15 November at the Museum of Antigua
and Barbuda, as part of the club's Youth Appreciation Week.
The club had invited schools to submit the names of four promising
art students from each institution.
Students attended the workshop from Clare Hall Secondary, Christ
the King, Jennings Secondary, All Saints Secondary, St. Joseph's
Academy, Pares Secondary, Princess Margaret, and the Antigua Girls
High School, and the artists worked with them on improving their
art skills.
BACK TO TOP
GEORGE: "BIRTHDAY,
NOT CARICOM DAY, FOR V.C."
President of the Antigua Trades & Labour Union, Wigley George,
speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial of the country's
former Prime Minister on Saturday, 9 December, strongly contends
that 9 December "be promulgated the Vere Cornwall Bird Day and,
accordingly, be observed as a national holiday."
The House of Representatives has passed an Act to observe CARICOM
Day as V.C. Bird Day.
However, George called upon Prime Minister Lester Bird and his
Cabinet to reconsider and redesignate the day to be observed and
celebrated on 9 -December, the date of Sir Vere's birth.
"We do not agree that this celebration of the Vere Cornwall Bird
Day should be observed on an unrelated day or date," he said.
BACK TO TOP
BUS
SHED REOPENS
 The
community of Parham can once again enjoy the use of their refurbished
bus shed.
The reopening and dedication ceremony took place on 10th December
with members of the community and Government officials in attendance.
In an effort to demonstrate their commitment to the development
of the Community's youths, the ribbon cutting exercise was performed
by Ms. Shenique Joseph, Parham's most-outstanding student for the
year 2000.
BACK TO TOP
BRITAIN
MAKING BASELESS CLAIMS - ANTIGUA OFFICIAL
 Britain
is being accused of levelling baseless claims that money laundering
is possible through Internet gambling operations operating in Antigua
and Barbuda.
Wrenford Ferrance, Antigua's Director of National Drugs and Money
Laundering Control Policy, made the statement against the back-drop
of an observation made by the British Economic Secretary, Melanie
Johnson, that in some cases it would be possible to use the gaming
industry for the purposes of laundering through players' accounts
held with the gaming company.
"On the basis of no evidence to support the claim, the U.K. now
also says that there is a 'possibility' of money laundering through
client accounts with Internet Gambling operations. We feel that
this new dimension is unfair, especially as it is unsubstantiated," Ferrance
told a just concluded meeting of the Caribbean Financial Action
Task Force on the International Financial Services Sector.
He said that Britain "has changed the goal posts from those which
it established in April 1999 when it imposed an Advisory."
Another piece of "troubling" evidence of the shifting goal posts,
Ferrance pointed to, was Britain stating in its modified version
of the advisory that Antigua and Barbuda must first make the 30
amendments to its laws.
He noted that the 30 amendments were not required by Britain in
April 1999 or demanded by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF),
the grouping that did not list Antigua and Barbuda as a non-cooperative
jurisdiction in the fight against money laundering in June of this
year. The 30 amendments were identified by the government itself
for "good housekeeping".
Ferrance said his country has remedied the deficiencies in its
anti-money laundering laws, and in its regulatory and enforcement
machinery.
"However, we are disappointed that, despite all that we have done,
and regardless of the fact that the FATF considered us to be fully
co-operative in the fight against money laundering, these Advisories
continue," he added.
The Director of National Drugs and Money Laundering Control Policy
said the economy has suffered a severe blow since the advisories
were issued.
The impact was approximately 25 per cent more to the cost of transacting
international business, a reduction in investments in the financial
services sector and an unwholesome image for the country generally,
which affects investments in other sectors of the economy.
Antigua and Barbuda had 72 offshore banks operating at the end
of 1998 but now only 18 are operating in good standing.
Several American and British banks were said to have terminated
their correspondent banking relations with banks in Antigua because
of the additional costs of attention to transactions for reporting
purposes.
BACK TO TOP
SENATE DEBATES OVER
HONOURS ACT
Senator Colin Derrick has urged fellow Senators not to allow division
or political posturing to affect National Honours. He made the
statement as the Senate debated the National Honours Act on 12th
December.
"It is something we all, as a nation, should be proud of, and
persons who have made contributions, irrespective of the beliefs
that they hold, should be recognized," he said.
The National Honours Act reclassifies and reorganizes the conferment
of national awards in Antigua and Barbuda by honouring citizens
for distinguished and meritorious service.
The Act will establish societies, two of which are Knighthoods
- The Most Exalted Order of National Hero, and the Most Distinguished
Order of the Nation.
"The Governor-General, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the
Opposition may, having regard to the qualifications specified in
the regulations for appointment to the Orders, nominate such suitable
persons for appointment to the Orders," the Bill states.
Both Prime Minister Bird and Mr. Spencer may nominate one person
to the Orders every other year.
BACK TO TOP
LIAT/BWIA
AGREE TO CUT COSTS AND IMPROVE SERVICES
LIAT (1974) Limited and its single largest shareholder, BWIA International,
have agreed on a number of cost-cutting measures aimed at improving
the service of both regional carriers.
No details of the plan were provided.
LIAT, an island-hopping airline, and BWIA, which serves a number
of international destinations, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to enter into a comprehensive strategic alliance.
BWIA holds a 29% stake in LIAT.
Signed by BWIA's Chief Executive Officer Conrad Aleong and his
LIAT counterpart Garry Cullen on November 16, the MoU promises
that, the airlines will provide the Caribbean with new and enhanced
service options and further alternatives.
These, according to the statement, would facilitate the easy flow
of passengers and cargo in the region and internationally, there
by increasing overall revenues and reducing costs."
Prior to the LIAT-BWIA accord, LIAT earlier this year concretised
ties with Air Caribe, Carib Aviation and WINAir under what is labelled
the Carib Sky Alliance.
Under that arrangement, LIAT hopes to ferry passengers to and
from 25 other destinations including Canouan, Curacao, Dominican
Republic, French Guiana, French St Martin, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique,
Miami, St Barts, Saba, and Virgin Gorda.
Outside of its alliance, LIAT alone serves 21 in the destinations
English-speaking Caribbean island chain as well as Guyana, St Maarten
and Puerto Rico. The financially-strapped LIAT has been sealing
cooperation deals with a number of other airlines that serve the
region as it seeks to survive competition from, among other carriers,
Caribbean Star and EC Express.
BACK TO TOP
WORK RESUMES ON PARALLEL
TAXIWAY
Excerpted from the Antigua Sun
Work has resumed on the parallel taxiway at the V.C. Bird International
Airport.
The western taxiway has now been handed back to the airport authorities
and is in full use. With some financial assistance from Texaco/Shell
Antilles, work has started on the replacement and relocation of
the fuel hydrants that the aircrafts use. Work on the taxiway will
be slowed for two weeks, from 22 December to 8 January 2001, to
facilitate the heavy increase in air traffic during the Christmas
period.
In spite of this projected slowdown, the project is expected to
be completed by the second week in March 2001. A new approach lighting
system, using the latest glass fibre and mass-melted light, will
be installed.
BACK TO TOP
CARIBBEAN STAR EXECUTIVE
AIRCRAFT COMING
 Caribbean
Star, is on the verge of converting one of its Dash 8 aircrafts
into an executive business carrier equalling the style and standard
of a Lear Jet.
"This aircraft will take business travel to a new level. Bank
Managers, Government Officials, Business Executives and others,
will be able to fly to meetings or conferences", a Caribbean Star
employee revealed.
The aircraft will be fitted with the newest communication technology.
There will be a bar, an office suite, and a lounge for inflight
meetings, prior to landing at the intended destination.
"We are giving our business people real class here," the source
noted.
News of the coming executive air travel service has sparked of
a great deal of interest among the business sector in Antigua and
several Caribbean islands.
BACK TO TOP
A.C.T. AIMS TO BRING
INTERNET ACCESS TO EVERY HOME
Residents of Antigua and Barbuda will soon be able to subscribe
for full Internet access at reasonable prices through Antigua Computer
Technology.
ACT had planned to launch such a service a year and a half ago,
but after fire destroyed the company's offices on the Old Parham
Road, the plan had to be shelved.
Now, according to Salomon Doumith, Managing Director, all systems
are ready to go for an early 2001 launch.
ACT-Online will not only offer dial-up Internet access and private
line connection, but will provide customers with Web hosting services,
the tools for successful e-commerce, and the expedient support
to help them utilize those tools.
BACK TO TOP
CROSS
STREET PARKING LOT TO EASE CITY CONGESTION
The parking situation in downtown St John's will be improved shortly.
The Social Security Scheme will be constructing a special car
park on the corner of Cross and Church Streets.
Vehicular congestion regularly plagues the city, and parking becomes
especially difficult on those days that cruise ships dock at Heritage
Quay.
Lennox Gardner, Director of Social Security, said that patrons
of the parking facility will be expected to pay a small fee, which,
he indicated, will be utilized for the maintenance and upkeep of
the lot.
Gardner said that work on the parking lot should begin early in
the New Year.
BACK TO TOP
BARRETT
SAYS NO: DEVIL'S BRIDGE PURCHASE DENIED
Rob Barrett, owner of Antigua Resorts, has categorically denied
a story in The Daily Observer that he had purchased Devil's Bridge.
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has also denied the allegations,
and has stated that Devil's Bridge remains the patrimony of Antigua
and Barbuda and its people.
Barrett said he will be suing the Daily Observer.
The hotelier said he has purchased 25 acres of government land
in the vicinity of Laurys Bay to build a tourism facility comprised
of 75 to 85 self-contained cottages for one to three-month rentals,
and targeting Caribbean citizens.
He believes the facility would be beneficial to the country's
tourism product, creating not only additional employment, but contributing
to the country's gross domestic product at the same time.
The project is expected to come on stream next spring.
BACK TO TOP
HUNDREDS
FLOCK TO FIRST-EVER JOB FAIR
Hundreds of job seekers lined the corridors at the Royal Antigua
Hotel on the 9th December, trying to get into the employment market
via the hotel's first one-day job fair.
General Manager, Simon Faulding, told The SUN that it was heartening
and refreshing to see so many people wanting to join Antigua Resorts.
Owner of Antigua Resorts, Rob Barrett said a number of openings
are available at the St James's Club, Royal Antiguan Hotel, Galley
Bay, and Jolly Harbour.
The company recently acquired management status of Jolly Harbour
- which will be expanded - and "so we are looking for a new staff
to grow with us," Faulding explained.
He said the reason behind the job fair was to accommodate those
job seekers who might not have transportation to journey from one
hotel to another to apply.
One hundred and twenty-two jobs were available, and Antiguans
and other Caribbean nationals were able to cast their bids for
a spot within the hospitality industry.
Of future employment opportunities, Barrett said, "We will be
building a brand new 200 two-bedroom facility, providing rooms
for 800 tourists, and jobs for 100 by next spring," he said.
BACK TO TOP
TWA
COMING TO ANTIGUA
The V.C. Bird International Airport will soon be accommodating
another airline.
Aerodrome Superintendent Errol George disclosed that Trans World
Airlines will begin servicing Antigua and Barbuda on Christmas
Day.
Earlier this year, a six-man team of officials from TWA visited
Antigua, where they held discussions with Tourism Minister Molwyn
Joseph and airport authorities.
Authorities at V.C. Bird Airport are busy with preparations to
welcome TWA to the Island during the height of the winter tourism
season.
CAPTION: Minister of Tourism and Environment, Molwyn Joseph and newly appointed
Director-General of Tourism along with the staff of the Antigua Tourist Office
in London as they sell Antigua's Tourism product to the UK market during
World Travel Market 13th to 16th November.
RETURN |
