ISSUE NO.63 March 2002
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Constitution Review Report
Presented
 |
 |
Prime
Minister, Lester Bird and the
Governor-General's Deputy,
Miss Yvonne Maginley |
Members
of the Commission - left to
right - Robin Bascus, Sydney Christian,
Professor Carnegie and Sir Fred Phillips |
The Constitution Review Commission has completed its work. On
Thursday 28th February it presented its report to Prime Minister
Lester Bird.
The Commission, appointed in December of 1999, was charged to
examine the 1981 Constitution and other laws of Antigua and Barbuda.
The Chairman of the Commission, Sir Fred Phillips, presented the
138-paged document to the Governor General's Deputy, Miss Yvonne
Maginley at Government House, who then handed the report to the
Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Bird paid tribute to the members of the Commission,
and noted the calibre of persons involved in the committee. He
said that after his meeting with the Commission he believed that
the report would be very instructive for the people of Antigua
and Barbuda in trying to modernize the legal system.
"In these days of constitution reform, the whole notion of
civil society and how it operates in a framework of a constitution
will in fact provide the necessary guidelines for our people, and
the law enabling legislation will follow, and ensure that the rule
of law will be paramount in whatever we do in this country," said
the Prime Minister.
Mr. Bird assured the members of the Commission that his government
will take the report very seriously.
In addition to the Commissioner's main report, a "Minority
Report" was presented to the Governor General's Deputy by
Mrs Blandina Francis Negga, the Barbudan representative on the
Constitution Review Commission.
The Constitution Review Commission also comprised Dame Bridgette
Harris, Sydney Christian Q.C., Professor Ralph Carnegie of UWI
Cave Hill, Radford Hill, Anthony Michael, Rev. Oral Thomas, Robin
Bascus, Arlene Gomez and Stacey Richards-Anjo.
(For the full Report of the Constitution
Review Commission, see our website: www.antigua-barbuda.com)
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Agreement signed for new
Imaging Equipment for Mount St. John Hospital
(Pictured
Right) : Prime Minister signs agreement in the presence of members
of Siemens, Dr Butch Rosser of Beth Israel Hospital, Medical Superintendent
Dr Joseph John, Senator Asot Michael and Financial Secretary Alphonsus
Derrick
On
Friday 1st March 2002 Prime Minister, Lester Bird signed an agreement
with Siemens of Germany for the provision of imaging equipment
for the Mount St. John Medical Centre.
This
agreement is the culmination of long and considerable negotiations
with Siemens over the past year. Siemens will now play a very
significant role in the outfitting of a lot of the heavy-duty
equipment for the Mount St. John hospital. They will provide
all the imaging equipment, including the X-rays, MRI and Cat
scans machines, the mammography and the monitoring equipment,
ventilators and anaesthesia machinery.
Chief
Surgeon at the Holberton Hospital, Dr. Joseph John said that
the agreement includes in-house financing by Siemens, which is
backed by the German Government.
Dr.
John explained that Siemens, a German company with branches worldwide,
is trying to expand their reach and the Mount St. John Medical
Centre is the perfect platform to showcase their equipment in
this part of the world.
"The
German Government has a policy whereby they support German companies
such as Siemens in their quest to do business overseas. Siemens
approached the German government to back the loan and it was
approved. The loan in being provided by Siemens through a bank
called KFW in Germany and backed by a bank, which is the German
equivalent of the Exim Bank," said Dr. John. He added that, "The
financing is backed by the German government on a government-to-government
basis at an interest rate at about .5 above liable, which comes
out to be less than four percent. This is a remarkable and unbelievable
deal."
Siemens
is providing five-year service contracts with spare parts and
maintenance contracts on all their equipment. In addition, they
will be facilitating training for Holberton's nurses, doctors,
technicians and bio-medical engineers in North Carolina, Germany
and Antigua. A service support centre will also be set up in
Antigua.
The
Chief Surgeon added that the equipment for the Mount St. John
Hospital will be ordered immediately for training and use at
the Holberton Hospital.
Mr.
Alphonsus Derrick, Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance
witnessed the agreement.
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Dutch
Ambassador visits Antigua and Barbuda
(pictured
left): Ambassador Klipp presents
credentials to Governor-General Sir James Carlisle
On
Tuesday 5th March, His Excellency Mr. Erik W. P. Klipp, the
new non-resident Netherlands Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda,
paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister, Lester Bird and presented
his credentials to the Governor-General, Sir James B. Carlisle.
The
Ambassador conveyed personal greetings from Her Majesty Queen
Beatrix of the Netherlands to the Prime Minister and people
of Antigua and Barbuda.
During
his visit the Ambassador discussed a number of international
issues with the Prime Minister including globalization, the
fight against terrorism, narco- trafficking and money laundering,
and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) relations with the Netherlands.
The Dutch Diplomat noted that his programme would take into
consideration the geopolitical and geographical composition
of the Caribbean. It would focus on regional priorities and
the Caribbean integration process.
In
addition, he told the Prime Minister that the long maritime
tradition and ongoing struggle with water has made the Netherlands
a stakeholder "by nature" in the field of integral
water management and an active member of the Global Water Partnership
(GWP).
The GWP has established twenty-four country and regional water
partnerships. The Ambassador was asked to "champion" a
new Caribbean Water Partnership, a cause he promised to pursue.
The Netherlands also plans to take part in the regional fight against drugs,
as co-chair with Costa Rica on negotiations for a Regional Agreement Maritime
Co-operation as part of the Barbados Plan of Action. The negotiations for the
Agreement are in a final stage and Ambassador Klipp expressed the hope that
Antigua and Barbuda will be one of the signatories.
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Prime
Minister appoints special committee on new FATF criteria
to combat terrorism financing
Antigua
and Barbuda's Prime Minister Lester Bird has appointed a Special
Committee to analyse eight new criteria established by the
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to combat terrorism financing.
The
Special Committee will be headed by Sir Ronald Sanders, who
has been leading Antigua and Barbuda's international negotiations
on financial services, and it will include Wrenford Ferrance
and Curtis Bird of the Office for National Drug and Money Laundering
Control Policy (ONDCP), Mr. Lebrecht Hesse and Ms. Althea Crick
of the International Financial Services Regulatory Authority
(IFSRA) Mr. Colin Murdoch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Rodney Gallagher as Adviser.
The task of the Committee will be to recommend any legislative and administrative
changes that Antigua and Barbuda might be required to make in order to comply
with the new FATF criteria. The FATF was set up in 1999 by the Group of Seven
large industrialized nations to counter money laundering and other financial
crime worldwide. It has produced reports every year since 2000 in which it
has identified those jurisdictions deemed to be uncooperative. Antigua and
Barbuda has never appeared on the FATF blacklist and has been judged to be
operating the highest international standards against financial crimes.
The terms of reference of the FATF were expanded to include terrorism financing
after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11th.
The Prime Minister said, "It is important that Antigua and
Barbuda complies with the new requirements of the FATF in the
international fight against terrorism
and the potential abuse of financial institutions. Our objective must be to
ensure that our financial services sector remains highly reputable and well
regarded."
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Prime
Minister signs MOU with Canada
(Pictured left): Prime Minister Lester Bird and Ms. Goulet sign Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU)
On
8th March, Prime Minister Lester Bird signed a Memorandum Of
Understanding (MOU) with Canada for EC$22 Million.
The
funds are available under the Eastern Caribbean Economic Management
Project (ECEMP) - Phase Three.
The Head of the Development Assistance Section of the Canadian High Commission
based in Bridgetown, Barbados, Ms. Joanne Goulet, signed on behalf of Canada.
She said that the Government of Canada, through the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) has had a long history of assistance to the Caribbean
in areas of economic reform, including national revenue and public expenditure
management.
Antigua and Barbuda is now in a position to avail itself of opportunities to
participate in the various projects to be implemented under the ECEMP III.
Over the next six years, support will include a number of measures to bolster
financial management capabilities at the national level. Technical assistance
as well as staff and beneficiary training will form part of the assistance
which Canada will provide.
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Financial
Secretary decries newspaper article
Financial
Secretary, Alphonsus Derrick, has taken serious objection to
an article in The Observer newspaper of Monday 11th March.
Mr.
Derrick described the Observer story as "misguided and
misleading".
The story claimed that an institution called the Antigua Savings
Bank, is independent of the Treasury and that its deposits
of £1.1 million, held in London
by the private firm, Crown Agents, were "cashed-in" by the Government,
and that the Government had "deliberately allowed the bank to malfunction".
The
Financial Secretary pointed out that the Savings Bank is not
independent of the Treasury. Further, it has operated since
1846 and is still in operation with deposits made as recently
as February this year, and withdrawals made only six months
ago.
Mr.
Derrick stressed that the Treasury made the decision to transfer
the deposits to Antigua because they would earn more interest
there.
He said, "The beneficial owners of the monies are the
depositors, not the Government. The beneficial owners remain
the depositors and their money
has been set aside in a special Savings Bank Account with a local financial
institution. This simply means that the Savings Bank, instead of keeping deposits
in London at 4% interest, is now maintaining them in Antigua at 8%."
The Financial Secretary expressed his regret that the Observer newspaper did
not research its story properly before writing its misleading and libellous
article.
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New
senators receive official sanction
Governor-General
Sir James Carlisle presented two new senators with their official
papers on 14th March in a brief ceremony at Government House.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Prime Minister Lester Bird, Opposition Leader
Baldwin Spencer, colleagues, friends and family.
Attorneys-at-law
Harold Lovell for the Opposition United Progressive Party and
Gail Christian for the ruling Antigua Labour Party will be
sworn in and take their seats in the Senate.
Lovell, who contested the leadership of the UPP, will replace minority leader
in the senate Lionel Gomes, who has retired. Lovell also ran on the UPP's ticket
in the last general elections in the constituency of St. John's City East.
He
is the UPP's spokesman on foreign affairs, industry and trade,
with special responsibilities for tourism.
Gail
Christian, one of the youngest attorneys practising in Antigua
and Barbuda, will replace former Leader of Government's Business
in the Senate, Bernard Walker. Her appointment to the Senate
will increase the number of females in the Upper House. She
joins President of the Senate Millicent Percival and Senator
Nathalie Payne, bringing the number of women in the Senate
to three.
Speaking
on the appointment of Christian to the Senate, Opposition Leader
Baldwin Spencer said, "I have nothing but admiration for
her and hope that her tenure in office will be a successful
one and that she will be able to bring a new sense of balance
to the process at that level."
Speaking
on Lovell's appointment, Spencer said: "He is deserving
of this appointment and some would say that it has been late
in coming. I am quite sure that he is going to impact heavily
on the situation in the Senate."
Prime
Minister Lester Bird said he was pleased and proud of the appointment
of both Christian and Lovell.
"This
is what this country is all about, having young people take
an active part in the governance of their country, and at the
same time learning the processes which are required for the
exercise.
"These
are two young vibrant people, although on opposite sides of
the political fence, who can only enhance the future of Antigua
and Barbuda," he stated.
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1999
Convention Scheduled to enter into force April 10
Antigua
and Barbuda has become the 22nd country to ratify the International
Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism,
meaning that the treaty will now enter into force April 10,
U.N. officials said.
According to the United Nations, the convention obligates countries
either to prosecute or extradite persons accused of funding
terrorist activities and
requires banks to enact measures to identify suspicious transactions.
The
United Nations said the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States
have heightened the value of the treaty, which was first adopted
by the U.N. General Assembly in 1999.
"This
convention was deemed so important following the events of
September 11 that the Security Council adopted a resolution
later that month urging all nations to take steps to curtail
financing for terrorism," said U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq.
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Privy
Council ruling will affect Caribbean jurisprudence
The
Privy Council has ruled that mandatory death by hanging is
unconstitutional in Antigua and Barbuda and in six other Caribbean
states - St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Grenada,
St Kitts/Nevis, Dominica and Belize. Prime Minister Lester
Bird described the ruling as "a seminal decision, which
is going to transform the whole question of jurisprudence in
the Caribbean."
In
its ruling, the Privy Council cited numerous international
standards and other court decisions pertaining to the imposition
of the death penalty and unanimously ruled that: "To deny
the offender the opportunity, before sentence is passed, to
seek to persuade the court that in all the circumstances, to
condemn him to death would be disproportionate and inappropriate
is to treat him as no human being should be treated and thus
to deny his basic humanity.''
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan appeared before the Privy Council on behalf
of the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
and Grenada. Also appearing with Senior Counsel Astaphan were Sir Godfrey LeQuesne
and James Bingham of England.
Astaphan
said the ruling was very significant, and it was very unlikely
that those presently on death row would ever be executed.
He explained that death sentence appeals take three or four years to go through
the Privy Council and are only upheld in exceptional cases. If a sentence is
upheld, it then goes to the Mercy Committee where it can spend another five
years under judicial review procedures. After so much time, it is then unlikely
that a person would be hanged.
"The
long and short of it is that it is perhaps one of the most
significant constitutional judgements coming from the Privy
Council in relation to this jurisdiction, perhaps since Associated
Statehood," Astaphan said.
Prime
Minister Lester Bird, a lawyer by profession, said that the
ruling was so significant that if the nation is "going
to accept that the judiciary is going to play a major role
in the jurisprudence and fabric of the society, in as much
as many of us feel that the mandatory sentence of death by
hanging is important in our society, then we will have to change
our trend of thought where this issue is concerned."
At
present there are about nine death row prisoners in Antigua
and Barbuda.
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Prime
Minister goes on work progress tour
 |
 |
Tobitt
Kentish explains to Prime
Minister how the electronic
hoist works |
Prime
Minister Lester Bird (left),
Minister Brown (centre) and
Minister Asot Michael donned
their "hard hats" for the tour of
the Parham fisheries complex. |
Prime
Minister Lester Bird recently toured two government projects
in order to get a first-hand view of their progress as the
government continues it development agenda.
His
first visit was to the new abattoir at North Sound. The Administrator
of the abattoir, Mr. Tobitt Kentish escorted the Prime Minister
on a tour of the facility and gave a status report of its work.
The new facility began operations on Monday 19th March and
brings a more humane method of slaughtering to Antigua and
Barbuda. It also provides an improved service which allows
butchers to sell their products in selected "choice cuts," a
move that has won approval from restaurants and hotels.
Mr
Kentish also pointed out that the modern facility with its
high-tech equipment will produce sausages and a number of other
meat products when fully operational.
"I am very pleased with what I have seen and I am sure the people of Antigua
and Barbuda will be pleased with the very high standard of hygiene at this facility
along with the improved service it will provide. It must also be noted that,
this is all part of my government's plan to develop our country further and will
provide employment opportunities for our people." Mr. Bird said.
The Prime Minister's second visit was to the Fisheries Complex now under construction
with Japanese assistance in Parham. There Mr. Bird was greeted by Planning
Minister, Gaston Brown, other officials from the Ministry of Planning and Japanese
workers on the project.
Mr Bird expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work being done on
the project. He noted that a great deal of potential lies in the fisheries
complex and this would greatly benefit the people of Parham and surrounding
communities.
Mr.
Bird was accompanied on the tour by Chief of Staff and Junior
Minister of Finance, Senator Asot Michael.
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Prime
Minister presents computer to Clare Hall Clinic
 |
 |
Prime
Minister Lester Bird addressing
health personnel at the presentation |
Pharmacist
Stephen Francis
checks out the new computer |
On
21st March, Prime Minister Lester Bird, who is also the Constituency
Representative of Rural East which includes Clare Hall, presented
a brand new, fully loaded computer system to the doctor and
nurses at the newly opened Clare Hall Clinic.
In handing over the equipment, Mr. Bird said the people of Antigua and Barbuda
deserve the best, and that the computer in this is a quintessential instrument
in the delivery of first class health care.
In accepting the unit, Dr. Maria Periera pointed out that the computer will
allow the Clinic to join in tele-conferencing across the globe and will also
give health personnel at the clinic the chance to engage in telemedicine classes
and workshops.
The Clare Hall Clinic is one of five such health-care facilities which the
Lester Bird Administration has constructed, with help from the British government.
They are all part of the government's commitment to provide a first class health
care service for the nation.
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Electoral
Commissioners Chosen
Prime
Minister Lester Bird on Thursday 21st March 2002, wrote to
the Governor General, Sir James Carlisle, requesting that an
Electoral Commission be established as soon as possible, and
Election Commissioners appointed.
Section
three of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act requires
that the Commission shall consist of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman,
and three other members who shall be persons of integrity.
The
law stipulates that the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation
of the Prime Minister shall appoint the Chairman and two other
persons. It also states that two other members shall be appointed
acting on the recommendation of the Leader of the Opposition.
In his letter, the Prime Minister informed the Governor-General
that "after
consultation with the Leader of the Opposition he recommends McClin Matthias
as Chairman and Winston Gomes and Nathaniel "Paddy" James as members."
Mr.
Bird also confirmed to the Governor-General that the Leader
of the Opposition, Mr. Baldwin Spencer, had informed him of
his intention to nominate Mr. Bruce Goodwin as Deputy Chairman
and Bishop Ewing Dorsett as a member.
Electoral
reform was one of the pledges contained in the Antigua Labour
Party manifesto at the 1999 General Elections. Prime Minister
Bird said, "I am pleased that my government has delivered
yet another of its election manifesto pledges. On page 23 of
the manifesto, we pointed out that we had inherited the electoral
system from the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM) who introduced
it while in office. We pledged to reform it and to introduce
a more up-to-date system. We have now done so."
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Prime
Minister honoured by Christian Society
 (Picture
right): Dr Breitenhaler bestows
honour on Prime Minister Lester Bird
On
28th March, Prime Minister Lester Bird was honoured for his
commitment to the preservation of Christianity in Antigua and
Barbuda and the wider Caribbean.
Dr.
Wolfgang Breitenhaler, Director-General of the Society of the
Byzantine Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, accorded
the title of Knight of the Grand Cross to Prime Minister Lester
Bird.
The Headquarters of the Society is in Bratislava, the metropolis of the Slovak
Republic, a European State with a great variety of Christian religions.
Dr. Breitenhaler said he was delighted to bestow the honour on the Prime Minister.
He noted that the Prime Minister has strongly defended the principles of Christianity
and the practice of freedom of religion.
Prime Minister Bird said he accepted the honour on behalf of
the people of Antigua and Barbuda. He said, "It is a recognition
that the people of Antigua and Barbuda are quintessentially a
people of Christian faith and as
the Prime Minister, I accept this particular presentation on their behalf."
Also attending the brief ceremony were members of the Christian Council and
Ambassadors Sir James E. Thomas and Colin Murdoch.
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One-Day
International Bankers' Consultation held in Antigua
 |
 |
(left
to right) Trevor Bailey, Althea Crick,
Sir. Ronald Sanders, Ambassador Colin
Murdoch and Lebretch Hesse. |
Delegates
attending the
one-day consultation |
A
one-day Bankers' Consultation organized by the International
Financial Sector Regulatory Authority (IFSRA) of Antigua and
Barbuda was held at the Jolly Beach Resort on Tuesday 26th
March.
Over sixty representatives of licensed international banks and industry practitioners,
who provide service to International Banks, attended the gathering which addressed
a wide range of topics including the requirements for international banks to
have a physical presence in Antigua and Barbuda, issues relating to the imposition
of a 3% tax, the rising cost of doing business in the jurisdiction and the
introduction of harmonized reporting and International Prudential Standards.
Chief Negotiator on International Financial Services for Antigua and Barbuda
and High Commissioner to London, Sir Ronald Sanders, delivered the feature
address. He noted that the day was an opportunity for the Government, the regulator
and the industry to explore the means by which Antigua and Barbuda as a jurisdiction,
and the delegates as operators within that jurisdiction, can comply with the
growing requirements of the international community for high standards in offshore
financial services.
Sir
Ronald examined the three issues that dominate the international
financial services - money laundering, tax evasion and terrorist
financing - and how these affect the industry in Antigua and
Barbuda.
With
regard to money laundering, he noted that Antigua and Barbuda
now has a reputation internationally as a well-regulated jurisdiction
that enforces its anti-money laundering laws. In order to maintain
this reputation Sir Ronald urged the conference participants
to stringently enforce the principle of "Know your Customer" and
to assist the government in identifying unusual or suspicious
money transactions.
In
his discussion of tax evasion Sir Ronald pointed out to participants
that the government of Antigua and Barbuda is very serious
in its stand against the financial sector providing a haven
for tax evasion. He added that "Just as our jurisdiction
could not be sustained on illegal money, neither could your
banks." As such Antigua and Barbuda signed an exchange
of information agreement with the US last November and has
agreed to participate in the OECD's global forum working group
that will develop definitions and applications of transparency
and effective exchange of information.
Sir
Ronald assured the gathering that as Antigua and Barbuda takes
part in this work "we will be diligent in ensuring that
our own jurisdiction is not placed at a disadvantage in relation
to any others. In other words, we will insist that the same
standards that apply to us are applied to everyone else."
He
stressed the importance of the private sector's views on draft
documents and agreements that would directly affect their business,
and suggested that the offshore banks might establish an umbrella
organisation to communicate their views to government. The
Antigua and Barbuda government would welcome such an organisation
and "we would be very pleased to share the documents with
you and to take account of your views on them."
Turning
to terrorist financing, Sir Ronald explained that the government
had been one of the first to enact legislation criminalizing
any assistance given to terrorists by a financial institution.
This was done even before the US congress passed the US Patriot
Act against terrorism. In highlighting Title III of this Patriot
Act, Sir Ronald pointed out that it prohibits all US licensed
financial institutions from establishing, maintaining, administering
or managing correspondent accounts with banks that do not have
a physical presence in an offshore jurisdiction. Thus, financial
institutions in reputable Caribbean jurisdictions must have
a physical presence in the territory.
Sir
Ronald called upon financial institutions to cooperate with
the government to explore ideas that will satisfy the genuine
and understandable concerns of the US government in the context
of the atrocities of September 11, but also ensure that financial
operations are not crippled by these international obligations.
He assured the conference that "Antigua and Barbuda will
continue to do all in its power to establish and enforce the
highest standards and the best practices in international financial
services."
Mr
Lebreche Hesse, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International
Financial Sevices Regulatory Authority (IFSRA), Executive Director
of IFSRA, Miss Althea Crick and Acting Supervisor of International
Banks and Trusts, Mr Trevor Bailey, also gave presentations.
The consultation was chaired by Ambassador Colin Murdoch of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Antigua and Barbuda.
(For
the full text of Sir Ronald's Speech, see our website: www.antigua-barbuda.com)
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Throne
Speech 2002
 (Pictured
right): Governor-General Sir James
B. Carlisle delivering Throne Speech 2002
Government's
policies on several key economic, social and political issues
were outlined on Monday 18th March by Governor-General, Sir
James B. Carlisle, as a new session of Parliament opened with
the traditional Throne Speech.
Highlights
of the policy statement follows:
Land
for all
Government
will make some 400 acres of land available to public servants,
young people and other nationals, as it strives to allow more
nationals to build their own homes.
100
acres will be set aside for public servants, including police
officers, firemen, teachers, prison wardens and nurses, who
wish their own homes.
These public servants will be able to buy land over a specified period, making
monthly deductions from their salaries.
A second 100 acres will be used to continue the "Land for Youth" programme
which began three years ago, and which has helped empower the youth of the
country "by giving them a stake in its progress and development."
The
other 200 acres are still to be identified, and will be made
available for sale to Antiguans and Barbudans at home and abroad.
The
Governor-General explained that, "The purpose is to give
as many of our people as possible ownership of a piece of their
homeland in the spirit of reunion and reunification, and as
part of the celebration of our 21st anniversary of independence."
In
a related matter, the government has taken a policy position
that helps Antiguans and Barbudans to own their homes.
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHAPA) will help individuals to
a build house on their privately-owned lands.
Under
the programme, CHAPA will provide the architectural drawings,
material and professional supervision, while individuals working
together supply the labour for the construction of homes in
the scheme.
Health is top priority
 |
 |
The
Mount St John Hospital - scheduled
to open at the end of the year |
Newly
opened Clare Hall clinic |
The
government will spend the largest portion of this year's budget
estimates on health.
Within the next few months, five health clinics will be opened and operational,
bringing immediate health care virtually to the people's door. Clinics at Clare
Hall and Pigotts are already functioning and benefiting their communities.
In
order to deal seriously with the problem of HIV/AIDS the government
will seek support from various international agencies and friendly
governments. Last year, there were 37 new notifications of
HIV/AIDS including six pregnant women. Deaths rose to 16 the
highest number since the start of the local epidemic in 1985.
The
Governor-General pointed out that the problem needs to be tackled
by the society as a whole, and invited all, including the private
sector, NGOs, service organisations and youth groups to join
government in its attempt to end this plague.
Additionally,
the Mount St. John Medical Centre will open its doors by year-end.
A board has been commissioned to manage the operations of the hospital, and
training of personnel is now in progress in areas as diverse as nursing, computer
systems, maintenance and bio-medical engineering.
Celebrations for 23 years of unbroken growth of GDP
Antigua and Barbuda's economy grew by two per cent last year and the nation
has enjoyed the remarkable record of 23 years of unbroken growth in its gross
domestic product.
The
Governor-General announced that government intends that this
year should be one of celebration and consolidation.
"We should celebrate the 21 years of independence in which our economy has
grown every year, and our country has leap frogged into the 21st century as a
modern and vibrant state. And, we should consolidate the gains and strengthen
the solid foundation that we have laid so far," he said.
The
theme of this year's anniversary of political independence
will be Reunion 21.
Sir James proposed that "On the 21st anniversary of our
nation's independence in the 21st century, Reunion 21 will
become a focal point for our people to
reunite as a nation and recommit ourselves to the pledge we made 21 years ago
to develop our beloved country, to make it strong, and to contribute to its
growth and prosperity.
Antiguans
and Barbudans are invited to come home from all over the world
for a week of celebrations marking the 21st anniversary of
Independence.
In addition to the Independence celebrations this year also marks Queen Elizabeth
II 50th year on the Throne. As part of the country's Golden Jubilee celebrations
a Golden Jubilee Scholarship will be established.
The
scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding Antiguan and
Barbudan student wishing to pursue university studies in a
discipline identified as important to the needs of the nation.
Government will also host a Jubilee Reception at Government House to mark this
historic occasion
Country-wide road rehabilitation programme to be launched
Pictured Right: PWD workers resurfacing a road in Ottos
In
the last 12 months, only six miles of roads were paved at a
cost of $3.6 million.
The
disappointing performance of the road project was due to the
closure of the Bendals Quarry. Road work was halted while solutions
were found to issues related to the quarry and to the asphalt
plant.
This
year the recommendations of two scientific studies of the quarry
and the plant will be implemented, providing a safe and secure
environment for the workers and the people in the neighbouring
areas. Then the government will re-launch the country-wide
road rehabilitation and upgrading programme it had planned
for last year.
Major road works will include completion of the Fig Tree Hill Road to Roman
Hill Road; Freetown Road to Half Moon Bay Road, and the Bethesda and Valley
Roads. Work will also begin shortly to upgrade Old Parham Road, which will
be lit and provided with sidewalks.
In addition, 60 contractors are employed by Public Works Department for the
construction of sidewalks and drains.
Improvements
to drains and sidewalks have made a significant difference
to the life of many villagers, and the government plans to
continue construction in every village during this year.
The road rehabilitation programme is intended to improve the physical environment,
sanitation and safety, and enhance the country's tourism industry.
Education
legislation promises new standards
(Pictured left): The new, modern, indoor JSC Sports Complex
The
government will soon set new and improved standards for all
schools in the country.
The government will introduce two bills dealing with education.
The first will overhaul the existing Education Act and set new and improved
standards for all schools at all levels - both private and public.
It will set out the rights of pupils and teachers and lay down the rules for
discipline within the school system.
The second bill will establish a statutory body to administer the Antigua State
College. A board of governors will be appointed with the responsibility of
the operation of the college, including the setting of standards, employment
of teachers, deciding curricula and ensuring that the college is an institution
of scholarly excellence.
The board will also be empowered to mount fund-raising activities.
Young
people will also benefit from the rehabilitation of the country's
sports complexes.
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Government
moves ahead with harbour development
 (Pictured
right): This site on lower Nevis Street (formerly Fibrey)
has been cleared for the construction of retail stores and
restaurants
The
government is pushing full speed ahead with plans for the
continued development of the St. John's Harbour and the surrounding
areas.
According to a government spokesman, preparatory work has already began at
the lower section of Nevis Street known as Fibrey, where a new pier will be
constructed. Upon completion, the new facility will be able to accommodate
four mega cruise ships at once, a move that is expected to greatly enhance
cruise ship arrivals to the country.
Project Engineer, Roland McKenzie said that about sixteen piles will be driven
into the ocean-bed as construction of the new pier moves into high gear.
Managing Director of Key Properties, Mr Cameron Frazier said, "The
further development of the St. John's Harbour and its surrounding
areas is a crucial
factor if Antigua and Barbuda is to hold its own in the fierce competition
from other islands in the cruise business."
Mr
Frazier also noted that several mega cruise lines have been
knocking on Antigua and Barbuda's door, seeking information.
A boardwalk with retail stores and restaurants will also be part of the new
facility.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Lester Bird says, he is pleased with the development
taking place in the area, and that it will provide more employment for the
people of Antigua and Barbuda.
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