ISSUE NO.53 May 2001
BACK TO TOP
BACK TO TOP
 Workers
encouraged to support union and party
Hundreds of workers and supporters of the Antigua Trades and
Labour Union (AT&LU) and the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) gathered
at the West Bus Station for the traditional Labour Day rally and
march.
Speeches were delivered by President of the AT&LU, Wrigley
George and the leader of the ALP, Prime Minister, Lester Bird.
"What we want to do is to build a more modern Antigua, where all the people
in the country can share a piece of the pie."
The Prime Minister noted that, since 1976 the Labour Party's motto has always
been, "Back to work with Labour, when we created a whole new established
group and in many instances you have better conditions than the civil servants.
All that was done under the great leadership of the Antigua Labour Party and
the Antigua Trades and Labour Union."
Workers were further encouraged to hold fast to what they believe in and continue
their strong support for the AT&LU and the ALP.
Mr. Bird, told the workers that the great movement of Labour would continue
into the next Millennium, bringing benefits to all.
Following the rally workers participated in the traditional Labour Day march,
through the streets of St.John's to the AT&LU Headquarters at 46 North
Street. This year's march was led by newly-crowned Labour Queen, Ms. Laurel
Kelsick, the Community Marching Band, ALP Majorettes and officials from the
AT&LU and the ALP. At the end of the march the workers then proceeded to
the popular Fort James beach for the annual Labour Day picnic, featuring games,
sea bathing and the best of local dishes.
Prime Minister, Bird expressed his delight over the massive turn out for the
rally.
"There are those who thought that the workers would have stayed away, given
the tough financial times which this country is experiencing, but the crowd today
shows that the masses are still committed to Labour and that AT&LU and the
ALP are stronger than ever."
BACK TO TOP
 Curtley
Ambrose made Ambassador at Large
Former Antigua and Barbuda and West Indies pace bowler, Curtley
Ambrose, has been appointed Ambassador at Large for Antigua and
Barbuda. The appointment took effect from April 1, 2001.
In a letter to Mr Ambrose, Prime Minister Bird said, "It
is the view of my Government that your record of achievement on
the cricket fields of the world in the service of the region, is
exemplary; and your leadership skills and strong principled position
are well known. I believe that the qualities which you possess
can serve Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean region well in
the capacity of Ambassador at Large for Antigua and Barbuda. In
this capacity, you will join other serving Ambassadors in the Diplomatic
Corps of Antigua and Barbuda and may be called upon to take up
matters relating to the national interest of Antigua and Barbuda
whether in the Caribbean region or other parts of the world."
Mr Ambrose, who was born in Swetes Village, is a role model for
hundreds of Antigua and Barbuda youths. He recently retired from
international cricket and presently serves as a coach within the
Ministry of Sports.
BACK TO TOP
 PM
Bird welcomes US- government's rejection of OECD 'Harmful Tax'
Scheme
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, Lester Bird, has welcomed
the US Government's decision not to support the OECD's 'harmful
tax competition' scheme.
The US Government's position was set out in an article written
on 10th May for the Washington Times by Secretary to the Treasury
Paul O'Neill.
In the article Mr O'Neill said, "I share many of the serious
concerns that have been expressed recently about the direction
of the OECD initiative." He continued, "I am troubled
by the underlying premise that low tax rates are somehow suspect
and by the notion that any country, or group of countries, should
interfere in any country's decision about how to structure its
own tax system."
Significantly, Mr O'Neill also said, "I also am concerned
about the potentially unfair treatment of some non-OECD countries."
The Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, who is responsible for
Services in the CARICOM quasi-cabinet, said that the US Treasury
Secretary's statement is a clear indication that he and President
George W. Bush were listening keenly when, at two separate meetings
in Canada in April, Antigua and Barbuda spoke for Caribbean countries
to the US President and Mr O'Neill on this matter.
Mr Bird declared, "the Treasury Secretary has said that
the US Government is interested in 'pursuing those who illegally
evade taxes' and machinery exists under Mutual Legal Assistance
Treaties and Tax Information Exchange Agreements to address this
issue effectively. Therefore, US concerns could easily be met."
On the OECD scheme itself, Prime Minister Bird said that he held
the view that Prime Minister, Jean Chretien and Finance Minister,
Paul Martin of Canada had recognized that the entire scheme was
deeply flawed. "It is my hope that Canada will join the United
States in the OECD councils to achieve the US objective of narrowing
the OECD scheme so that it focuses on exchange of information to
prevent the illegal evasion of tax laws."
Mr Bird observed that a very important element in this would
be the full involvement of non-OECD countries in devising the systems
and mechanisms in which exchange of information could be achieved
between countries or groups of countries.
The Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister said, "The involvement
of non-OECD countries in this process is intrinsic to its success
and vital to the process of global governance. I expect that all
countries will acknowledge and respect the right of full participation
in decisions on cross-border tax issues that involve a multitude
of jurisdictions globally."
Mr Bird warned that Caribbean countries should not believe that
because the US Government has taken a different stance on this
issue that it will disappear.
The Prime Minister cautioned, "It is likely that the targeted
jurisdictions still have a battle on their hands even with the
implementation of a OECD scheme modified by the US Government."
"We have to await the unveiling of the kind of OECD scheme
that will now be created," Mr Bird said.
BACK TO TOP
OAS
meeting to be held in June
Some key issues that have gained special interest from Antigua
and Barbuda will occupy the agenda of the 31st General Assembly
of the OAS in June.
Among them will be the whole matter of the OECD's efforts to
impose its will on small island states so far as their tax laws
are concerned.
Antigua and Barbuda has helped to lead a regional lobby against
the unfair nature of the scheme. Prime Minister, Lester Bird and
UK High Commissioner, Sir Ronald Sanders have addressed the issue
at regional and international meetings.
The OAS General Assembly will also hear from US Secretary of
State, Colin Powell on his country's new foreign policy thrust
to place the Caribbean on an equal footing with Canada and Mexico.
The Assembly will be held from June 3rd to 5th in Costa Rica.
BACK TO TOP
 PM
Bird and Sir Ronald Sanders in "Hall of Fame"
Excerpted from Tax-News.com, London 24th May
2001 by Jeremy Hetherington-Gore
Adding a rare touch of humour to the somewhat dour process of
confrontation between the God-like OECD and the offshore jurisdictions
which it has been tormenting, the Centre for Freedom and Prosperity
has instituted two international prizes for people it sees as stars
or boobies in the interminable back-and-forth that is defining
the future of 'offshore'.
The CFP Halls of Fame and Shame have as their first occupants
(for Fame) Antiguan Prime Minister Lester Bird and High Commissioner
Sir Ronald Sanders, while Shame is ladled out to Richard Hammer,
Chairman of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee of the OECD's Business
and Industry Advisory Committee.
Here is the CFP's announcement and explanation of its new awards:
'Fighting on the front lines of this issue, we have learned to
appreciate strong
allies. We also have learned that there are many who are willing to capitulate
for personal advantage. As a result, we thought this would be a good time to
launch an "Unsung Hero Award" and a "Benedict Arnold Award" for
those whose actions demand special recognition.
' These awards, which will be an occasional feature of our weekly
update, are designed to help the broader community get a better
appreciation of the behind-the-scenes battle.
' The "Unsung Hero Award" goes to the person, institution,
or government that has demonstrated special valour and commitment
in the fight to preserve tax competition, financial privacy, and
fiscal sovereignty. The first winner of this award is the government
of Antigua and Barbuda. More specifically, Prime Minister Lester
Bird and High Commission Sir Ronald Sanders have played a critical
role in this fight. The Prime Minister's courage helped ensure
that the Caribbean jurisdictions resisted the OECD's fiscal colonialism.
Sir Ronald Sanders, meanwhile, has been an effective voice in London
and elsewhere for the principles of freedom and competition. We
also owe a special debt to Sir Ronald. It was his trip to Washington
almost one year ago that helped trigger the events that led to
the founding of the Centre (okay, we may be a little biased as
a result, but Sir Ronald deserves praise for everything else he
has accomplished as well). Congratulations.
'The "Benedict Arnold Award," named after America's
infamous Revolutionary War traitor, goes to the person, institution,
or government that has demonstrated a special cowardice or incompetence
in the fight to preserve tax competition, financial privacy, and
fiscal sovereignty. As such, it does not go to those who started
on the wrong side, have stayed on the wrong side, and always will
remain on the wrong side (i.e., the government of France). Instead,
it goes to someone who should be on the right side, but winds up
aiding the forces of statism through either incompetence or venality.
The first winner of this award is Richard Hammer, Chairman of the
Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee of the OECD's Business and Industry
Advisory Committee (BIAC). Mr. Hammer in 1999 helped oversee the
publication of a BIAC report that was appropriately critical of
the OECD anti-competition initiative (still available on the www.biac.org
website). Earlier this year, however, Mr. Hammer did an about-face
and co-authored an article endorsing the OECD's attack on tax competition.
For selling out the interests of the business community - and for
switching sides just as the OECD effort is falling apart, Mr. Hammer
truly has earned the "Benedict Arnold Award." Congratulations.
BACK TO TOP
 Syrian
Ambassador pays visit to PM Bird
Prime Minister, Lester Bird on 24th May received Ambassador H.E.
Dr. Mikhail Webbe of Syria, Syria's Permanent Representative to
the United Nations.
The Syrian Ambassador brought with him a letter addressed to the
Prime Minister from the President of Syria, Dr. Bashan al Assad.
The PM and the Ambassador discussed bilateral relations between
Antigua and Barbuda and Syria and the situation in the Middle East.
Ambassador Webbe solicited the support of Antigua and Barbuda
for Syria's candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council at
elections during the UN General Assembly on October at the UN Headquarters
in New York.
BACK TO TOP
 Ministers
appointments revoked ... Dr. Errol Cort and Bernard Percival
lose portfolios
Excerpted from the Antigua Sun
Prime Minister, Lester Bird has revoked the appointments of Dr.
Errol Cort and former Health Minister, Bernard Percival.
The announcement was made by the Prime Minister during a press
conference on Tuesday, 22nd May, which was called to inform the
nation that he was now in receipt of the report from the forensic
auditor, Allan Joseph.
While the Prime Minister ruled out any idea of a commission of
inquiry into the operations of the Scheme, he said the "audit
did not find that any Minister acted in any way to defraud the
Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
"However, it did find that two ministers displayed a lapse
of good judgement regarding payment for services rendered. There
is no dispute that the services were validly rendered and that
payment was legitimately due and payable. That is not the issue.
The real issue is that the established procedures for payment were
not followed," he said.
"In the circumstances, I have asked the Governor-General
to revoke the appointments of Minister Bernard Percival and Dr.
Errol Cort. I shall combine the portfolio assigned to Mr Percival
with the portfolio of Health Minister, John St. Luce and I intend
to appoint Gertel Thom as Attorney-General. The portfolio of Justice
and Legal Affairs will be incorporated into the Prime Minister's
Office," Mr Bird said.
Ms. Thom was Deputy Solicitor-General in the office of the Attorney
General.
Mr Percival held the portfolio of Home Affairs, Community Development
and Urban Development.
According to Mr. Bird, the audit revealed "a prime facie case for legal
action against certain officers of the Medical Benefits Scheme. Therefore,
I have transmitted a copy of the final report to the Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP) with the request that he take such action as in his own deliberate judgement
is required under law."
"I have also sent a copy to the Commissioner of Police for
a police investigation to begin and I have advised that he may
request assistance from external agencies such as Scotland Yard,
to help in the investigations," Mr Bird added.
He made it clear that the Director of Public Prosecutions was
an independent officer under our Constitution.
"He is not required to answer to any Minister or official
for those actions that he properly takes in his official capacity.
Therefore, neither the Government nor anyone else can interfere
in any of his work. In transmitting the document to the DPP, I
have made it clear that, upon his request, Government will also
provide him with any further resources he may need to carry out
his duty," he said.
According to the Prime Minister, other aspects of the audit report
point to weaknesses in the management and control systems, as well
as the procurement procedures of the MBS.
"These weaknesses have led to costly transactions, if not
a wastage of money," he said.
Mr Bird further proposed that in the nine months, "Mr Joseph
shall conduct another audit of the Scheme to ensure that the new
controls are established and that there is no abuse of the procedures
and systems. That report will also be made public," he added.
The Prime Minister said that there could be no good reason for
holding a public inquiry, which would be lengthy and costly.
"No commissioner of inquiry has powers to anything more than to examine
documents, listen to what is said and compile a report with recommendations.
It has no powers of prosecution and would have to request the DPP to deal with
any allegations of criminal actions. At the end of the day, an inquiry could
also hamper any judicial process that might be implemented, since every court
would be compelled to give credence to legal arguments that defendants could
not have a fair trial by jury in the light of a public inquiry, which would not
be subject to the same rules of evidence as a court."
Prime Minister Bird on 22nd May met Opposition Leader, Baldwin
Spencer, members of the Antigua Christian Council, the Antigua
Employers' Federation and the editor of the Outlet newspaper, Leonard
'Tim' Hector, who initiated the story in the press, and gave each
of them a copy of the report.
BACK TO TOP
Report
accuses Dr. Cort of conflict
Excerpted from the Antigua Sun
Former Attorney-General, Dr. Errol Cort has been accused of conflict
of interest in seeking payments for legal services for work done
in connection with the Mount St. John Medical Complex.
Both Dr. Cort and former Health Minister, Bernard Percival have
also been cited for breaching procedures in the application and
processing of fees amounting to $1,279,290.
According to a section of the final report of the forensic audit
conducted by Allan S. Joseph, into the Medical Benefits Scheme, "the
method through which Dr. Cort submitted the bill to the Minister
of Health suggests that it was an attempt to circumvent the established
procedures."
"We further believe that Mr Percival, upon receipt of Cort
and Associates' request, should have transmitted it to the Antigua
and Barbuda Medical Benefits Board of Control. He should not have
instructed the Scheme's accountant to pay the invoice," the
report stated.
Although the bill was genuine and consistent with the billing
practice of the legal profession in Antigua and Barbuda, the forensic
auditor said the proper protocol was not followed in the payment
of the invoice.
"The invoice, to the tune of $1,279,290, was paid without
prior approval and/or directive from the Board of Directors," the
report added.
It further noted that the Medical Benefits Board of Control never
authorized the payments.
On the issue of conflict of interest on the part of Dr. Cort,
the report noted that he was "not only counsel for the lender,
but as Attorney-General, he was counsel for the borrowers (Medical
Benefits Scheme, Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Mount St John
Medical Complex). This is a clear indication of a conflict of interest,
because after he became Attorney General on 12 March 1999, Dr.
Cort assumed the position of counsel for all of the parties to
the contract."
"Dr. Cort's conduct in the presentation of the invoice to
the Minister of Health, five months after he became Attorney- General,
is highly indicative of a breach of fiduciary duty to his clients," the
report said.
The report further added that Dr. Cort secured preferential treatment
for his firm by exploiting his position as counsel for all of the
parties.
According to the report, Dr. Cort explained that he requested
payment from Government by writing to Mr Percival, but the report
concluded that "this was a highly irregular method to request
payment from the Government." Instead, the auditors pointed
out that such request should have been submitted to the Minister
of Finance, the Financial Secretary or even the Accountant General.
"A request for the payment to the Minister of Health, in
our opinion, is not a request of the Government, but a request
of the Minister responsible for the Medical Benefits Scheme. We
believe that an appropriate request of the Scheme should have been
addressed to the chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Medial Benefits
Board of Control," added the report.
BACK TO TOP
Prime
Minister says he is pleased that women are now represented in
the Cabinet
Prime Minister Lester Bird said on 24th May that he is extremely
pleased that women are now represented in the Cabinet.
Gertel Thom is the first woman Attorney-General of Antigua and
Barbuda and the first woman to sit in the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet.
Under the Lester Bird administration, several women have been appointed
to top posts including President of the Senate and Speaker of the
House.
Prime Minister Bird said that while he welcomes the representation
of women in the Cabinet, he also chose Ms. Thom to carry out the
duties of Attorney-General because of her considerable experience
as a civil servant in various legal departments in the Caribbean.
He emphasized that Ms. Thom is not a 'political' Attorney-General
which is why she is not also Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs.
Remarking on her career, the Prime Minister said that before
serving as Deputy Solicitor-General for Antigua and Barbuda, Ms.
Thom was the Attorney-General of Montserrat and Chief Legal Advisor
to the Governor for six years. She also served as Principal Crown
Counsel in Montserrat and as a State Counsel in the Directorate
of Public Prosecutions in Guyana.
The Prime Minister said that Ms. Thom graduated from the University
of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School and is highly
regarded in the legal fraternity throughout the Caribbean. He added
that she has considerable experience in negotiations with transnational
corporations, adjudication of disputes, legal drafting and in providing
assistance in criminal matters to foreign jurisdictions. She also
acted as the Governor of Montserrat on several occasions.
"I expect Ms. Thom will give the Government solid legal
and objective advice of a professional nature in the execution
of her duties. I hope that in future she will be joined by other
women as full Ministers in the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda," the
Prime Minister said.
BACK TO TOP
 PM
tells Minister Walker to pay back per diem
Prime Minister, Lester Bird on 23rd May called in Minister George
Bernard Walker and instructed him to arrange to pay back immediately
any per diem which he may have received in error from the Medical
Benefits Scheme.
One of the findings of the Allan Joseph audit of the Scheme is
that Minister Walker was paid funds for overseas medical treatment
which included per diem payments that were "not intended to
be part of the medical cost approved by Cabinet".
Prime Minister Bird said, "While I recognize that Minister
Walker was paid per diem expenses in error and through no fault
of his own, he is not entitled to retain those funds and I have
instructed him to contact the Scheme immediately for the accountants
to determine the sum by which he was overpaid. I expect the per
diem expenses to be returned at once."
"The Minister has given me the understanding that he will
act upon my instructions promptly and I have asked that the public
be advised when the monies are properly refunded to the Scheme," the
Prime Minister said.
BACK TO TOP
Local
ISP comes on stream
Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd., the leading provider
of computer technology product and services in Antigua, began its
Internet Services, ACT-Online, on 1st June, 2001.
ACT-Online offers three access plans for dial-up customers --
a Basic Plan 10 Hours at $29.95 per month, Basic Plus 35 hours
at $79.95 per month, and Club 56, Unlimited hours of Access $119.00
per month.
With an ACT-Online account, all customers will receive a user
name and password for Internet access, using the latest modem technology
to ensure fastest connections and increased reliability. New subscribers
also receive free support, e-mail accounts, and one-month free
Internet access.
ACT-Online is Antigua's only local ISP and has provided free
unlimited Internet access to customers since October 2000.
BACK TO TOP
Mapping of disaster-prone
areas completed
Antigua and Barbuda is now in a better position to minimize the
impact of some natural disasters, a top disaster preparedness official
said on 16th May.
This is as a result of the mapping of disaster-prone areas by
the Organization of American States (OAS) under the post-Georges
Disaster Mitigation Project (PGDM) for the USAID-Jamaica Caribbean
Regional Programme. The types of hazards that were considered by
the Natural Hazard Vulnerability Assessment are beach and inland
erosion, inland flooding, drought, storm surge and high winds.
"These maps will be an important resource in guiding future
development and investment to less hazard-prone areas of the country," said
Rosemary Georges, spokeswoman for the PDGM Project in Antigua.
"This information will be valuable in identifying government
buildings and facilities that need extra attention due to their
vulnerability hazards," she added.
Georges said the same situation would apply in identifying existing
facilities, communities and developments that are at risk.
Delivering remarks at the opening of the Natural Hazard Vulnerability
Assessment presentation on 16th May, Director of the OAS office
of Antigua and Barbuda Cicely Norris commended government for setting
up a National Mitigation Council, "signalling its commitment
to disaster mitigation."
BACK TO TOP
Average
number of hurricanes predicted for the Caribbean
U.S. Government weather experts on 21st May predicted an average
Atlantic Ocean hurricane season this year with five to seven hurricanes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said
the 2001 hurricane season, which officially starts on June 1, would
likely see eight to eleven storms, an average amount of storms.
Five to seven of the tropical storms will reach hurricane strength
with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. Of those, two
or three could become "major hurricanes" with sustained
winds of at least 110 miles per hour.
Last year, the Atlantic produced 15 tropical storms, of which
eight reached hurricane strength.
Three of the hurricanes -- Alberto, Isaac and Keith -- were categorized
as major hurricanes.
BACK TO TOP
Family Survival research
to be conducted in Antigua and Barbuda
The Co-ordinating Council of Women will be focusing on a number
of programmes to enhance the survival of families in Antigua and
Barbuda.
During the course of this year, the council will be carrying out a research
to find out how families survive.
Special Adviser to the Minister of Labour, Social Improvement
and Gender Affairs, Gwendolyn Tonge, said from this research, the
council will work out a plan to assist families. She also said
that the council is seeking funding from the OAS Inter-American
Commission for women.
The Council will also be engaged in a literacy programme, geared
at improving the reading and writing skills of men and boys who
are out of school. Other areas of focus for the Council will be
a series of training sessions on gender development and consumerism.
These activities should be underway by the middle of this year.
BACK TO TOP
Red Cross prepared
for upcoming hurricane season
Director General of the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross says
the organization is well prepared for the upcoming hurricane season.
He says the Red Cross is now focusing its efforts on training.
Mr Price spoke specifically about motivating communities to be
response agents in the event of disasters. The Red Cross will be
examining its radio communication system in an effort to improve
the service.
The Director General revealed that the organization has stockpiled
blankets, plastic sheeting and other materials. He also spoke of
the need to collaborate with other agencies involved in disaster
response so that the organization can serve a wide cross-section
of the people more effectively.
BACK TO TOP
 Gweneth
O'Reilly Ward re-commissioned
The Gweneth O'Reilly Ward at the Holberton Hospital, which was
severely damaged during hurricane Luis in 1995, was re-commissioned
in a ceremony held on 15th May.
The refurbishment of the ward was financed by the British government,
in recognition of the additional demands imposed on the health
service of Antigua and Barbuda by Montserratians who were displaced
as a result of volcanic activities on that island and who now reside
in Antigua.
Health Minister, John E. St. Luce, said the opening of the ward
will help to alleviate overcrowding and ease the congestion, which
regularly plagues the casualty Department and the Observation Ward.
The Gweneth O'Reilly Ward forms part of a $6.5 million project
funded by the British government, which includes the construction
of four clinics at All Saints, Browne's Avenue, Clare Hall and
Pigotts.
BACK TO TOP
Government
team off to purchase equipment for Mount St John's
Government is moving to procure furnishings and equipment for
the new Mount St John's Medical Centre, which is nearing completion.
Medical Superintendent of Holberton Hospital, Dr Joey John, will
lead a three-man technical delegation comprising the chief engineer
at Holberton Hospital, Keithroy Joseph, and Director of Public
Works, B.T. Lewis to Houston, Texas, to talk with officials of
Genesis Healthcare Corporation, a medical consulting group.
Explaining the nature of the visit, Dr John said the government
would be looking to secure a deal with Siemen, a large conglomerate
that specializes in a wide range of medical equipment.
"We expect all our imaging and monitoring equipment and
information technology communications systems to come from Siemen.
The benefit of something like this is that you can negotiate a
much better package than when you are dealing with individual pieces
of medical equipment from different companies. In addition, if
we are going to enter into a large contract with them, we will
be negotiating with them to open a support office here," Dr.
John said.
"The hospital is going to have a state-of-the-art spiral
CAT scanner, as well as an open MRI system," Dr. John said.
On the question of staffing of the new medical facility, the
senior medical officer stated that government is in the process
of recruiting qualified medical personnel for the new hospital.
He further disclosed that Dr. Peter Belle has been appointed
to head the Anaesthesiology department, while other technical medical
personnel will be recruited prior to the official commissioning
of the new centre.
Dr. Belle was the deputy head of an anaesthesiology department
in a respected university hospital in Germany.
"We are in the process of revamping our operating room and
anaesthesiology service. We are looking to attract key persons
who can start to build the different systems that we need to have
in place when we move to the new hospital. Other areas that will
be looked at include the emergency room, specialist physicians,
nursing specialists ad ancillary support services, to include lab
technicians, radiology technicians, bio-medical engineers and persons
in the maintenance field," Dr. John said.
Mount St John's Medical Centre is scheduled to be officially
opened late next year.
BACK TO TOP
 Villagers
barricade road to protest pollution
Residents of Bendals village barricaded the road with debris
on 16th May protesting noise and pollution from a quarry.
The debris was placed on the roadway to prevent trucks from going
to the quarry operated by the Barbados-based C.O. Williams Construction
Company, for supplies of material.
No one was arrested and the debris was later removed following
the intervention of Environment Minister, Molwyn Joseph, who is
also the constituency representative.
Residents bitterly complained that the blasting and grading of
a hill closer to their village had resulted in an increase in respiratory
problems among residents, teachers and pupils of Bendal's Primary
School.
The school has been opening for a limited number of hours daily
but on 15th May teachers and parents were forced to close its doors
because the situation had become unbearable.
Minister Joseph announced at an on-the-spot meeting that the
quarry would be closed immediately until officials of the Public
Works Ministry, Ministry of Education and operators of the quarry,
C.O. Williams Construction Company, meet with the community to
find a long-term solution. He promised to dispatch the Environment
Officer of his ministry to observe the practices and document a
report for him.
BACK TO TOP
Prime
Minister gives his support
Prime Minister, Lester Bird has given his full support to
measures which will immediately address the problems facing the
Bendals Community.
Following a detailed presentation by Minister Joseph, where he clearly outlined
the serious health hazards posed by the quarry operations and the mining of
a hill which shielded Bendals from the dust and fumes, the Prime Minister asked
the Parliamentary Representative of the area to communicate the following decisions
to the Residents of Bendals as the official position of the Government:
1. All quarry operations remains suspended indefinitely, until
the technicians from Public Works and C.O. Williams can develop
workable solutions to solve the health hazards.
2. An evaluation is to be carried out on the operational practices
of the quarry to determine if such practices can be modified to
assist in arriving at workable solutions. Specific attention must
be paid to the practice of using lime in the asphalt mix.
3. The Government will retain the services of local doctors to
evaluate the health of the students at the Bendals School, and
in addition will secure the services of a Respiratory Specialist
from the University of the West Indies in order to ensure the most
thorough evaluation of the students.
4. The Ministry of Public Works will initiate an immediate programme
of restoration of the hill which was being mined.
5. The Ministry of Public Works will also immediately undertake
a comprehensive programme of road repairs and construction in Bendals
for the benefit of all villagers.
BACK TO TOP
Candidate
gets regional backing for IACHR
Antigua and Barbuda's candidate for a seat on the Inter-American
Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) is being supported by the 15-nation
Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM).
The candidate, former Attorney General, Clare Roberts, emphasized
the importance of the Caribbean being represented on the IACHR.
"I think it gives us an influence in these matters and we
do have a number of cases going from the region to the commission
and I think that it is only right that we have some representation
on the commission," Mr Roberts said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colin
Murdoch said that Mr Roberts got unanimous support from the rest
of the region at the just concluded meeting of CARICOM's Council
for Foreign and Community Relations (COFOR).
"I think it (CARICOM's support) enhances Mr Robert's candidacy
immensely because CARICOM member-states have almost one-half of
the votes in the OAS General Assembly and so once we have 13 or
14 CARICOM votes, we are well on our way to achieving the majority
that we need," Mr Murdoch said.
The IACHR elections are scheduled to be held during the 31st
General Assembly of the OAS from June 3 to 5 in Costa Rica.
Mr Roberts is vying for the seat against Evelio Fernandez of
Paraguay, Elizabeth Odio Benito of Costa Rica, Diego Garcia Sayan
of Peru and Jose Zalaquett Daher of Chile.
Among the first batch of UWI law graduates in 1975, the CARICOM candidate served
as Attorney General in the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and Antigua
and Barbuda. He was also Parliamentary Counsel and Solicitor General for Antigua
and Barbuda. Currently, he is in private practice, a director of the Antigua
Commercial Bank (ACB) and chairman of the Board of Directors of the subsidiary
ACB Mortgage and Trust Ltd.
The Washington based IACHR is one of two bodies in the inter-American
system for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The other human rights body is the Inter-American Court of Human
Rights, which is located in San Jose, Costa Rica.
BACK TO TOP
Police covered by insurance
Government remains committed to complete insurance coverage
for all police officers in Antigua and Barbuda.
The comments were made at a high level meeting on Thursday 24th
May amidst rumours that police officers were not covered.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that all police officers
have been covered by insurance since 1st September, 1994.
Labour Minister Steadroy Benjamin, who attended the meeting,
stated that the State Insurance Corporation has paid more than
one million dollars in claims over the period.
Meanwhile the Junior Minister of Finance, Senator Asot Michael,
who was also there, has committed to pay one million dollars to
State Insurance to bring all outstanding arrears up to date.
This amount will also ensure continued coverage of all police
officers.
Police Commissioner Trueheart Smith, Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Labour, Eden Weston, and the Accountant General, Eustace
Peters attended the meeting.
Also present were the Financial Comptroller of State Insurance
Corporation, Charles Watson and the General Manager of Claims Dalma
McCoy.
BACK TO TOP
Cable
and Wireless makes mobile phone donation to police force
Cable and Wireless has given the Royal Police Force of Antigua
and Barbuda six mobile phone units.
Head of the mobile department of Cable and Wireless, Sarah Stewart,
said the company is pleased to be involved with the police in their
ongoing fight against crime.
"Last year we donated 10 Nokia 6120 digital hands-free mobile
phones to the Quick response Unit. We are pleased to make this
additional contribution to the police to assist them in alleviating
rising crime in Antigua," she said.
"The police need reliable and secure mobile communication,
which Cable and Wireless is pleased to provide. The installations
will be carried out by our qualified technical service team, who
have all been trained overseas by the phone manufacturer to provide
first-class installation and repair services," she added.
BACK TO TOP
Antigua
developing major tourism facility
A major new tourism facility is being developed in Antigua
at a cost of US$22 million (£15 million approx.)
Construction of the facility will begin in 40 days time and it
will transform the entire St John's Harbour area into a significant
tourism centre with an additional pier for cruise ships, a waterfront
shopping complex, a range of restaurants, and a boardwalk along
the entire harbour front linking the main sea port to the Island's
existing duty-free shopping centres and market complex.
The Minister of Tourism, Molwyn Joseph, signed a contract in
St John's on Friday 11th May with the Netherlands-based civil engineering
firm, Boskalis International, for the executive of the entire project.
Financing for the project was raised from a banking consortium
that included the Antigua Commercial Bank and Republic Finance & Merchant
Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.
The first phase of the project, to be completed by the end of
September, is the dredging of St John's Harbour to accommodate
the new generation of large cruise ships that will be calling at
Antigua from October this year. Most of the project is scheduled
for completion in 18 months.
Passenger arrivals from cruise tourism will increase from 460,000
this season to 600,000 next season rising to one million in three
years as a result of the improvements to the Harbour and the increase
in large and modern vessels.
Antigua's High Commissioner to London, Sir Ronald Sanders, observed: "We
are all excited about this major facility which will transform
the harbour front for the benefit of all visitors to Antigua who
will have another centre for high quality shops, restaurants and
other entertainment".
BACK TO TOP
LIAT directors satisfied
with business plan
The Board of Directors of LIAT (1974) Ltd. Tuesday expressed
satisfaction with the implementation of LIAT's three-year Business
Plan, noting the strong performance of April and May with passenger
numbers running 13 percent ahead of last year.
In April 1999, LIAT had a total staff complement of 1,022, which
has now been reduced to 828 employees.
The Board recognized the good progress being made on cost reduction
and emphasized the necessity for management and staff to redouble
their efforts to ensure that all targets are met. The financial
restructuring of the company was discussed in detail.
In a statement issued to the media on 22nd May, LIAT said that
to date, seven Caribbean governments have agreed to the Debt for
Preference Share swap and the other two advised they would respond
shortly along with their position on the Rights Issue offer.
A number of Shareholders have already indicated they wish to take
up the Rights Issue. "When the Rights Issue process is completed,
the Board will seek shareholder approval to attract new investment
by means of offering additional ordinary shares to trade investors
and the general Caribbean public right across the region," the
statement added.
BACK TO TOP
Miss Talented Teen
Competition
June 9 is the Miss Talented Teen Competition, a show put on by
Talented Teen Incorporated.
Organizers of the annual event say they have taken the event
to a higher level, after receiving the franchise for various regional
and international pageants.
The winner of the Miss Talented Teen competition will be eligible
to represent the country at the Hal Jackson International contest
in New York City and the Miss Teen tourism in London. The winner
is also expected to take part in the Miss Caribbean Teen and Miss
Leeward slated for St Kitts and Anguilla respectively.
BACK TO TOP |
