ISSUE NO.68 August 2002
Disaster
Management Bill passed in Parliament
An Act designed to organize disaster management in Antigua and
Barbuda was passed in the House of Representatives.
The Disaster Management Act 2002 deals with various disasters including droughts,
earthquakes, fires and floods. It sets out the various roles of key agencies
and individuals who are involved in disaster management. The main purpose of
the Bill is to put in place an adequate and effective system for the management
of natural and man-made disasters.
One of the provisions of the Bill is the establishment of a National Disaster
Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee and a National Emergency Centre
that will provide shelters throughout the country.
Discussions have been held with an Australian company and two other contractors
with a view to constructing shelters which can hold a minimum of 1000 persons.
The shelters will be built in a modular style allowing them to be converted
for other community activities.
Both sides of the Lower House also praised the National Office of Disaster
Services (NODS) for the outstanding work it has done over the years.
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Call
Centres Antigua continues to grow: Board refutes reports of closure
The Board of Directors of Call Centres Antigua Ltd (CCAL) has
refuted media reports which allege that the company will be closing.
“We are not closing and there will definitely be no lay-offs,” Chairman
of the Board, Leroy King stated. According to King, the company,
which opened late last year, will grow even stronger as the result
of the establishment of a strategic alliance with Contact Management
Centre (CMC), a Florida based corporation whose principal has over
twenty-five years experience in tele-services.
CCAL presently employs 370 Antiguans and King said that the new
alliance will pave the way for the employment of more nationals.
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 $2.4m
funding for Dockyard sea wall
The European Union (EU) is providing $2.4 million for the rehabilitation
and restoration of the Nelson’s Dockyard seawall. Financing for
this project falls under the CARIFORUM Regional Indicative Programme
for the Caribbean.
Antigua and Barbuda is the only island in the Caribbean that
has received an award, dealing with the restoration of historical
monuments in the region.
A number of contractors and parties who have expressed an interest
in the project met recently with representatives from the National
Parks Authority (NPA), Geotech – the consultant for the project,
and National Authorising Officer of the European Union, Dr. Clarence
Henry.
According to Dr. Henry, the government requested assistance to
restore the seawall in Nelson’s Dockyard since it is a historical
monument.
“Antigua and Barbuda’s request was not looked upon as a national
request but a regional one, since Nelson’s Dockyard is the only
remaining Georgian facility of its nature in this part of the world,” he
explained.
The Government recognised that the Nelson’s Dockyard plays an
important role in the country’s tourism. Hence funding was sought
to rehabilitate the 18th Century historical monument.
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 Findings
and Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the Medical
Benefits Scheme
A 200-page Report of the Commission set up to inquire into the
Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) was submitted to the Governor-General
on Wednesday 31st July. In turn, the Governor-General transmitted
it to the Cabinet.
On Wednesday 7th August 2002, Prime Minister Lester Bird made
a special broadcast to the nation concerning the findings and recommendations
made by the Commission of Inquiry.
Following are excerpts from that broadcast:
“There was no finding by the Commission that the Prime Minister
or the Cabinet acted in bad faith, fraudulently or corruptly. There
are findings against two former Ministers of Health and the former
Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, but it is clear that
these former Ministers acted on their own and without Cabinet’s
knowledge.
There are also findings against former officers and employees of the Medical
Benefits Scheme. Again, the Report of the Commission indicates that the actions
of these individuals were executed in a manner calculated to conceal them not
only from public scrutiny but also from the Cabinet.
While the Commission’s Report discusses the terms of the construction loan
for the new Mount St John’s Medical Centre, at no time does it question the
importance and necessity of the new facility.
I intend to propose to the Cabinet that the Government should agree to implement
the recommendations of the Commission in so far as it is financially possible
to do so.
There is a difference of opinion between the Government and the
Commission’s Report in respect of four matters. I want to emphasise
that this difference of opinion does not affect the implementation
of the recommendations of the Commission’s Report.
The first of these matters is the sum of money owed to the Medical Benefits
Scheme by the Government. The Commission looked at the financial statements
of the MBS which showed that Government has never paid its contributions to
the scheme and these total EC$120 million.
The Commission does acknowledge that the Government has contested the figure
for its arrears on the basis that the MBS owes the Government a considerable
sum of money since 1998 when, by Act of Parliament, the MBS was obliged to
pay all the costs of the Holberton Hospital and related medical costs but has
not done so. These costs have been met by the Treasury. Outside experts commissioned
by the Government to analyse the monies due on both sides have concluded that
when a reconciliation is done, the Government will not owe the MBS EC$120 million.
This full reconciliation is something that I wish to have addressed swiftly
so that there is no doubt whatsoever about this issue.
I propose that the details of the Reconciliation Statement should be submitted
to Parliament for its information and debate.
The second matter on which there is a difference in perspective between the
Government and the Commission concerns an advance of EC$2 million by the Medical
Benefits Scheme to pay three obligations. One of which was a debt to Amalgamated
Security System which was manning the Prison at the time.
The Commissioners do not question that there was a Cabinet decision, made on
June 2nd, 1999, authorising this payment. It is also acknowledged that it was
the Government’s intention that the Medical Benefits Scheme should purchase
Treasury bills with the money so that it had an asset due and payable by the
Government. This was not done, but the failure to do so was no fault of the
Government’s.
The point is that the Commissioners were troubled that while monies were legitimately
spent, they were spent in this case on matters other than health services.
The problem was that the Government was faced with a crisis. It will be recalled
that the Prison had experienced a series of incidents that threatened to breach
its security and place the community at risk. Amalgamated Security had stepped
in at a critical period to restore order and maintain safety. They had not
been paid for some time and demanded some payment in order to remain on the
job.
Because the safety of the nation was a paramount consideration, the Government
turned to the Medical Benefits Scheme to advance the necessary money, but always
intended that Treasury securities should be bought so as to ensure the Scheme
had a callable asset. It is most regrettable that the Treasury Bills were not
purchased even though, as the Commissioners say in their report, the files
show that a letter to the Accountant-General dated 16th June 1999 evidences
the intention that the Treasury securities should be purchased.
I will now instruct the Accountant-General to rectify this situation which
I did not know about until I read the Report.
The third matter on which there is a difference of views between the Government
and the Commission is the matter of waiver of tender in relation to the Mount
St John’s Medical Centre. The Commission expressed the view that Cabinet had
no authority to waive the tendering process. However, the Government acted
on advice and the law as it was understood. This advice was that since Parliament
enacted the loan agreement in the Mount St John’s Medical Centre (Equipping
and Constructing) Act, there was no obligation to refer any of the contracts
to the Tenders Board.
In any event, the Commissioners did not find that, in waiving the requirement
for tenders, the Cabinet acted in bad faith or in any way that could be regarded
as fraudulent.
The fourth matter on which there is a difference of opinion between the Government
and the Commission is the cost of the Mount St John Medical Centre and the
terms of the loan for its construction. The Commission relied solely on the
work of its forensic consultants for its conclusions in this matter.
For its part, the Government had the loan independently assessed by CFAS Ltd
and SODITIC Ltd, two reputable international financial advisory groups from
the United Kingdom, who have done considerable work for governments around
the world including several in the Caribbean region.
The Commission’s forensic consultants, based on their own calculations and
ignoring some loan documents, concluded that the cost would be excessive at
more than EC$500 million, and the interest rate of 9.8% over 30 years was onerous.
However, the two independent UK consulting groups found that the interest rate
was very attractive and they staked their professional reputation on the argument
that the loan was concessionary and developmental in nature and could not be
secured commercially on any better terms.
The UK firms make two further points that are extremely important. They say
that “local populations place great emphasis on improved social conditions
of which health care is at the centre”. They also stress that “tourists to
the region are becoming increasingly conscious about health care in destinations
at which they holiday. The negative publicity of poor facilities is harmful
to the quest for upmarket tourism”. They then conclude, “Construction of the
Mount St John Medical Centre is justified on those grounds”.
Unfortunately, for reasons that are unclear to me the Commission’s Report did
not take account of the authoritative study by the CFAS Ltd and SODITIC LTD,
the UK firms that the Government commissioned to study the terms of the loan.
But, the point is there is an expert study that disputes the conclusions of
the Commission’s forensic consultants in relation to the costs associated with
the construction of the Mount St John’s Medical Centre. I intend to submit
the Study by the two UK firms to Parliament for its information and debate,
particularly as it was Parliament – both the Government and the Opposition – who
voted to support the terms of the loan in 1998.
It should be noted that the Commissioners have not suggested
in any way whatsoever that there has been any wrong doing in relation
to the loan or the way that it has been operating.
The Commissioners have made 33 Recommendations altogether. Of the 33 only two
recommendations pose a problem to the Government and this is simply because
of their grave financial implications.
The two difficult recommendations are:
First, it is suggested that the Medical Benefits Scheme be converted
solely into a scheme for health insurance and should not fund the
health requirements of the nation. Agreement with this recommendation,
even if it were desirable, would place an enormous burden on any
government. No government could afford it without either increasing
taxation significantly to pay for health services or dismissing
thousands of public servants. With the best will in the world,
therefore, this recommendation has such serious financial implications
that it could not be reasonably contemplated at this time.
In any event, note should be taken that virtually every country in the world,
which has a national health insurance scheme, is moving away from the system
in which the Scheme pays for all health costs.
The second difficult recommendation requires the Government to settle with
the Medical Benefits Scheme for its contributions and pay immediately 50% of
its contributions in cash.
I propose that Cabinet should adopt the remaining 31 recommendations as they
relate to actions required by the Government.
The Commissioners have made 10 recommendations about the operations of the
Medical Benefits Scheme, one of which is its conversion to a National Health
Insurance Service. I have just explained why this would pose a serious practical
financial problem to any government.
However, with regard to the other 9 recommendations, I intend to propose to
Cabinet that they all be accepted. They would include:
- limiting the exercise of Ministerial power;
a stronger role for Parliament in the supervision of the Scheme
though the Public Accounts Committee;
the appointment of the Board by the Governor-General after consultation
with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and NGO’s that
have competence in health services;
new external auditors for the Scheme; and
requirement that expenditures over $50,000 require Board authority.
In specific regard to the Mount St John Medical Centre, the Commissioners have
made three recommendations, all of which I propose should be endorsed by Cabinet.
Briefly these are:
- the Medical Benefits Scheme should be identified as the prime
owner of the medical centre after careful analysis;
reopening of negotiations by the Government with Bank of Antigua
to soften the terms of the loan. I have no hesitation in accepting
that negotiations be re-opened, but I would point out that two
independent UK firms have already described the terms of the loan
as “developmental and concessionary”. Reopening negotiations on
a closed deal that took months to settle also poses the danger
that the lender may use the chance to change terms that were reluctantly
accepted at the time of the first negotiation. Consideration will
also have to be given to the damage the government may do to its
credibility with any future lenders if it reopens a settled loan
arrangement. This may encourage other lenders not to do business
with Antigua and Barbuda because of the likelihood that we may
seek to reopen negotiations on the terms of loans after we have
got the money;
the third recommendation in this cluster is that the Government
should appoint a team of highly experienced professionals to draw
up revised financial projections for the Medical Centre. We have
already done this by commissioning the two UK financial advisory
firms, CFAS Ltd and SODITIC Ltd. Their Study is available and will
be submitted to Parliament for its information and debate, as I
said earlier in this statement.
In respect of applications for overseas medical treatment, the Commissioners
have recommended that no applications should be dealt with by Cabinet. I will
urge Cabinet’s full acceptance of this recommendation. I merely note in passing
that Cabinet did not seek this role in the first place. In small societies,
such as ours, it is usual for persons to approach politicians for assistance
and they expect politicians to deliver. Dealing with applications by the full
cabinet was, if anything, a safeguard. However, a specific and well-publicised
exclusion of Ministers from this process should go some way toward persuading
people that the politician has no power to act in this matter.
The Commissioners have suggested that medical referrals should be made to a
small technical team that would decide on the amount of assistance. Appeals
would be made to the Board of MBS whose decision would be final. I have no
hesitation in saying that I will urge the endorsement of this recommendation
to my Cabinet.
On the matter of disbursement of funds by the Scheme, the Commissioners have
made six recommendations five of which are directed at the Board, and one of
which concerns the Government.
Specifically, the Commission has recommended that no advances
should be made to the Government unless specifically authorised
by Parliament.
In the interest of transparency and good governance, I find this
recommendation acceptable and I will propose its endorsement to
Cabinet. Government expenditure is in the interest of the people,
and I find no problem in the people’s elected representatives having
a say in whether or not statutory bodies should advance monies
in the people’s interest.
With regard to potential criminal matters, the Commission has recommended that
the Director of Public Prosecutions investigate 11 separate incidents to establish
whether or not persons should be charged with fraud or other infringements
of criminal law. Among these persons are Hilroy Humphreys, Bernard Percival,
Cavelle John, Elmeade Jarvis, Norma Jarvis-Southwell, Florence George, Everett
Lake, Dave George, Carlton Lewis, Andy Jacobs, Michael Johnson, Ali Challenger,
Michael Payne and Esley Ryan.
For the full text of the Prime Minister’s comments on the Report please click
here.
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Spencer
chided over distasteful allegation
Prime Minister Lester Bird, has chided Opposition Leader,
Mr. Baldwin Spencer, over his suggestion that the Prime Minister
had "doctored" the copies of the Report from the Commission
of Inquiry into the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) which were sent
to him and members of the media.
The Prime Minister said, "Sadly this is a case of those who are given
to concoction, using their own sins as a basis for judging the actions of others.
The reality is that one of the members of the Commission of Inquiry delivered
three original copies of the Report directly to the Governor-General. The Governor-General
kept one and sent two to the Cabinet which he is required to do by law. Of
the two original copies, I kept one and I sent the other directly to Mr. Baldwin
Spencer, the Leader of the Opposition.“
The Prime Minister invited Mr. Spencer to take the original copy he received,
and any of the copies delivered to the media, and compare them with the copy
of one of the Commissioners, Mr. Oscar Frederick, who must have an original.
“I hope that having done so, he will then explain to the nation
that he is wrong and he withdraws his distasteful allegation. If
he fails to do so, the country as a whole will see his allegation
for what it is: nothing more than mischief making," the Prime
Minister stated.
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Prime Minister implements
the Medical Benefits Report
On Tuesday 13th August 2002, Prime Minister Lester
Bird addressed the nation regarding the implementation of the Recommendations
of the Commission of Inquiry into the MBS as they relate to the
Government.
Following are excerpts from that broadcast:
“On Thursday, August 8th, I wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions
sending him a copy of the Report and drawing his attention to the
Recommendations of the Commission that required him to investigate
incidents to establish whether or not persons should be charged
with fraud or other infringements of criminal law.
I urged the Director to proceed to carry out his duties as he
sees fit, and I undertook that the Government will provide him
with such resources as he deems necessary to conduct his investigations.
On Friday, August 9th, I dealt with several other Recommendations
as they related to the operations of the Medical Benefits Scheme.
I wrote to the Chairman of the Scheme identifying the Recommendations
that are of particular relevance to the Board and instructed that
they be implemented immediately.
These included the following:
• The complete overhaul of the financial and accounting system
by a reputable company which would be selected under a competitive
tendering process, and the introduction of operating manuals governing
procurement, accounting and stores.
• The appointment of new external auditors again selected on a
basis of competitive tendering.
• The appointment of management auditors.
• The appointment of a Secretary to the Board at a high level.
• The division of responsibilities between the Board and senior
management.
• The institutionalization of the requirement that contractors should only be
employed after competitive tendering.
• Loans to staff to be discontinued except in cases of a duly substantiated emergency
approved by the Board.
• A new schedule of billing by the Chief Surgeon and Specialists
that does not permit the Chief Surgeon to bill for each procedure
done at the hospital, and allows Specialists to bill MBS for only
75% of the fees.
I told the MBS Board that it is to develop a schedule for implementing
these recommendations and I have asked that copies of the schedule
be delivered to the Cabinet Secretary, the Speaker of the House
of Representatives and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee
who is also Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer.
This mechanism will give the Cabinet and all elected Representatives in parliament
particularly the Leader of the Opposition oversight of the restructuring of
the Scheme.
Yesterday, I implemented other Recommendations.
I instructed the Financial Secretary and the Accountant General
to do the following:
• First, with immediate effect, and until such time, as appropriate
legislative arrangements can be made, put administrative procedures
in place to ensure that no advances are made to the Government
by the Medical Benefits Scheme unless specifically authorized by
Parliament.
• Second, in relation to payment of Government contributions to
the Scheme, I recalled that the Commission of Inquiry has acknowledged
that the Government disputes owing the Scheme EC$120 million as
of 31st December 1999, because the Government has been paying certain
obligations of the Scheme since 1998. I instructed that the analysis,
already conducted by experts which shows that the Government was
also owed in excess of EC$80 million by the MBS, be updated and
a full reconciliation done up to 30th June 2002, so that a true
figure can be established. This Reconciliation will be done under
the supervision of the Director of Audit. I have further instructed
that, using the formula proposed by the Commission of Inquiry,
a mechanism be established for the payment of the correct balance
through Government securities redeemable over a reasonable period.
It is my intention to place the full reconciliation before the
Public Accounts Committee of which the Leader of the Opposition
is Chairman. This way, the Opposition will have full knowledge
of the payment process.
• Third, I instructed that a plan be devised for the payment of
future contributions on a current basis for urgent consideration
and authorization by Cabinet. Again, it is my intention that Government
should keep its future contributions as current as possible.
• Fourth, the Commission’s Report indicates that, when its forensic
experts examined the files of the Ministry of Finance, they ascertained
in a letter dated 16th June from the MBS that $2 million advanced
to the Government was to be used to purchase Treasury Bills. However,
they could find no evidence of the Treasury Bills in the files
of the MBS. I have instructed that this matter be investigated
and rectified. I have asked to be advised as soon as the facts
are ascertained so that I can inform the public.
• Fifth, the Government commissioned two UK firms to conduct a
study of the Mount St John Medical Centre (Equipping and Constructing)
loan. I have instructed that, in accordance with the Recommendation
of the Commission, these firms of highly experienced professionals
should be requested to update their study so that it could be presented
to Parliament for the knowledge of all parliamentarians.
With regard to the other recommendations that concern the Government, I have
made it clear to Cabinet that in full accordance with the Recommendation of
the Commission, Cabinet will no longer deal with any applications for medical
benefits.
A small technical team consisting of the Chief Medical Officer,
the Medical Assessor and a representative of the medical profession,
nominated by the Medical Association, will deal with all applications.
I have also advised Cabinet that arrangements should be made to
identify the Medical Benefits Scheme as the prime owner of the
new Mount St John Medical Centre, and we have sought legal advice
on how this can best be accomplished.
Legal advice is also being sought on limiting the exercise of
Ministerial power and giving a stronger role to Parliament in overseeing
the operations of the Scheme through the Public Accounts Committee
chaired by Mr Baldwin Spencer.
As soon as the legal advice is received, these two measures will
be implemented.
My Government is prepared to carefully investigate a National
Health Insurance Service that meets the nation’s medical needs
particularly the funding of the hospital. Based on the Recommendation
of the Commission, we will now actively solicit proposals for such
a Service and we will place the best of them before Parliament
for debate and endorsement.
In this connection, my Government will have addressed fully and
substantially all the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry
that are directed at it. We have done so without hesitation but
with the care and attention that marks a responsible Government.“
For the full text of the Prime Minister’s comments on the Report
please click
here.
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DPP
request for expert fraud investigators sent to British Metropolitan
Police
A request from the Antigua and Barbuda Director of Public Prosecutions,
Mr Cosbert Cumberbatch, for two highly trained fraud investigators
has been sent to the British Metropolitan Police.
The DPP sent the request on 15th August to Antigua and Barbuda’s
High Commissioner in London, Sir Ronald Sanders, via the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in St John’s.
Mr Cumberbatch’s request follows the Report of the Commission
of Inquiry into the Medical Benefits Scheme which recommended that
he should mount an investigation to determine whether certain named
persons should be charged with fraud or infringements of criminal
laws. The Commission had suggested that the DPP be provided with “a
highly experienced investigative team and a Special Prosecutor
to assist him”. Prime Minister Lester Bird had said that the Government
of Antigua and Barbuda would provide the DPP with such resources
as he deems necessary to conduct the investigations.
Sir Ronald confirmed that he acted on Mr Cumberbatch’s request
first thing on the morning of 16th August by sending a formal written
application to the British Metropolitan Police.
The High Commissioner said, “In keeping with the DPP’s very specific
request, I have applied on his behalf for two investigators who
must have special investigative skills in the area of fraud”.
Sir Ronald added, “I have stressed that this is a matter of great
urgency and I have asked that it receive prompt attention. I have
also informed the DPP of the action taken in conformity with his
request”.
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 BPM
contemplating disciplinary measures against Nibbs
The Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM), is contemplating taking
disciplinary action against one of its members, the former Chairman
of the Barbuda Council Arthur Nibbs, for what it terms as “creating
divisions within the party.”
The party leadership claims that Nibbs has been entertaining
private caucuses with party members without informing the executive.
According to reports, the party wanted to dismiss Nibbs, but
it was brought to their attention that the constitution calls for
a disciplinary committee to be established to investigate such
allegations and make recommendations.
Nibbs has already gone on record expressing his desire to run
on the BPM’s ticket in upcoming general elections. But first there
would have to be a primary, since political leader, Hilbourne Frank
has not decided to bow out of active politics.
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Barbuda
airport to get facelift
The Codrington Airport in Barbuda will soon be refurbished.
Government is negotiating with C.O. Williams to carry out refurbishment
to the Codrington Airstrip in conjunction with the Barbuda Council.
Council Chairman, Randolph “TC” Beazer, said the ramp was in
need of extensive repairs.
The visit to Barbuda by the C. O. Williams representatives followed
an earlier visit by Aerodrome Superintendent, Errol George, Chief
of Security, Peter Abraham, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Aviation, Hazel Spencer, and other aviation officials.
“Following the aftermath of 11 September 2001 every effort should
be taken to increase security at the country’s airport and seaport.
Despite the fact that we have a domestic airport in Codrington,
there is need for a security checkpoint,” Beazer said.
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Greencastle
Hill declared a national park
The government has declared that the ancient megaliths at Greencastle
Hill will be placed under the jurisdiction of the National Parks
Authority.
The Bendals Community had submitted a letter to the government
proposing that Greencastle Hill be declared a heritage site. In
the letter to the government, the Bendals community stated that
the site would serve well as a “tourism product in Antigua.”
The Prime Minister explained that “recognising the tremendous
potential of the enhancement of our tourism product, among other
considerations, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda gave instructions
for the immediate protection of the site.”
Permission has also been given for discussions to be held with
international organisations, for example UNESCO, with a view towards
appropriate development of the site. The Prime Minister also added
that an astronomical survey of the ancient megaliths was commissioned
in February 2001 for the hill and the immediate surroundings.
A team, led by Dr. Maura Imbert, astronomical scientist attached
to St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies, has
established that Greencastle was used as an astronomical observatory
for the measurement of time.
In the letter to government, the Bendals group noted that “Antigua
too, can do well with a development of a project that would promote
ancient national history, support archaeological research of the
area, create new employment and generate national pride, all the
while preserving the environment of the area.”
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Senior
Antigua opposition politician resigns, accusing party of corruption
A senior official of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP)
has resigned amid newspaper reports that other members of the party
were also contemplating leaving the organisation.
Newspaper reports on Wednesday 21st August said that the resignation
of Valerie Samuel as chairman of the St. John's Rural East Constituency
branch of the party was followed by allegations that the party
had been involved in "fraudulent activity within the constituency."
In a letter to the chairman of the UPP, Dr. George Daniel, Samuel
said that her "action comes as a result of certain developments
and unresolved issues related to the conduct of the leadership
group. These have surfaced during the course of what has become
known as the crisis in Rural East, I am therefore hopeful that
the general membership of the UPP will use the opportunities that
will undoubtedly present themselves to critically assess its current
leadership. “
UPP Baldwin Spencer said he was unable to make a comment on the issue since
he had not yet seen the letter from Samuel, who has been engaged in a legal
battle with the executive of the UPP over its nomination of Melford Nicholas.
In her letter to Dr. Daniel, Samuel said she was satisfied that
the crisis arose out of illegitimate intent of the leadership group
to impose "its arbitrary will on the branch even to the extent
of breaching the constitution of the party."
"I decided not to let this matter go to trial seeing that
it would have the effect of tying up the party in a process of
litigation that could have gone on for years," she added.
"In the interest of the common good I decided to agree to
a compromise that would allow the party to proceed with its candidate
selection and preparation for the upcoming general elections, despite
my desire to get to the truth of the matter," the letter stated.
Samuel has also taken issue with the "flawed membership
list" which was presented by the party's general secretary
and the admission of a number of individuals who were never members
of the party or any of its antecedents.
This, she said, left her with no choice "but to obey the
dictates of my conscience."
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Nicholas
to run as an independent candidate
The man who has been in the middle of a fiasco between the
executive of the opposition United Progressive Party and the party’s
St. John’s Rural East constituency branch, Melford Nicholas, has
quit the party. However, he will be entering the political arena
as an independent candidate in the forthcoming general election.
Following the resignation of Valerie Samuel - chairperson of the
St. John’s Rural East party branch, Melford Nicholas, who was the
centre of the controversy, has decided to follow suit and tender
his resignation to the party.
Nicholas informed supporters, friends and well wishers of his
decision at a recent meeting. He stated, “I’m no longer interested
in running on the UPP’s ticket in the St. John’s Rural East constituency.
He explained, “The reason I have decided to resign is a result
of a direct irreconcilable conflict which has to do with the leadership
of the Party, which wants to manipulate the election machinery,
to change and break laws, to introduce retroactive procedures designed
to give them a particular result,” Nicholas said.
He continued by saying that the action of the St. John’s Rural
East Constituency was nothing new. He referred to a 1994 situation
when Selwyn Walter took the leadership to Court and between 1994
and 1999 when Rick James had a problem with the leadership and
also took them to Court.
Nicholas believes that he has been purged from the Party because
of his support for Senator Harold Lovell in the leadership race
against political leader Baldwin Spencer.
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 BBC
under pressure says Guardian report
The British Broadcasting Corporation may be forced to broadcast
a “positive” story on Prime Minister Lester Bird, who it accused
of misusing more than $150,000,000 of the country’s health funds
for lavish parties and holidays.
This is according to a Kevin Maguire report in London’s Guardian
Newspaper.
The report stated that senior executives of the BBC have discussed
showing a different side of Antigua Prime Minister Lester Bird
after the Prime Minister instructed a firm of London solicitors
to sue the BBC for defamation in a news programme that predicted
an official inquiry would be highly critical of his behaviour.
According to the Guardian, the Prime Minister denounced the accusations
as false, and Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua’s High Commissioner,
explained that the subsequent publication of the report of the
Commission of Inquiry had not substantiated the BBC allegations.
Quoting Sir Ronald, the Guardian said, “The inquiry has now published
its report, and it certainly does not in any way, shape or form,
mention that Lester Bird spent money on anything. It has no findings
against Mr. Bird.”
The Guardian said the possibility of a second Antigua piece,
putting PM Bird’s side of the story, had been privately discussed
by BBC executives as an alternative to a straight correction if
the corporation decides to settle the action rather than pay compensation
or see the Prime Minister in court.
A BBC source, according to the Guardian, has confirmed that the
corporation was discussing its options – as it would in the face
of any libel threat – but declined to elaborate.
“However”, the Guardian continued, “the possibility of running
a favourable story to satisfy PM Bird has concerned some BBC journalists
who, if it was required to apologise rather than fight the case
in court, would prefer a traditional apology.”
The Prime Minister is more interested in the apology, “This is
not greed, it’s not avarice promoting this. It’s simply to have
his name cleared,” Sir Ronald said in the Guardian report.
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Governor
General to seek advice: Lawyers differ on authority to convene
conference
The Queen’s representative in Antigua and Barbuda is seeking the
advice of a leading British constitutionalist as to whether or
not he has the power to convene a Governor-General’s conference.
One of the main recommendations coming out of the Commission
of Inquiry on the Medical Benefits Scheme was that Sir James Carlisle
convene such a meeting. The meeting would be a platform for the
relevant stakeholders to deliberate and achieve a consensus on
the organisational changes to the MBS proposed by the commissioners
in their report.
In a letter the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations requested
a meeting with the Governor-General but he has refused to meet
with them.
“Since doubts have been raised as to whether Section 8.11 of
the report is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution,
it is my view that a legal opinion on this recommendation should
be obtained before any action is taken.
“I have therefore requested such an opinion from a leading British
constitutionalist.
“As for your request for a small delegation to meet with the
Governor-General to discuss the contents of the report, I have
to advise you that it is incompatible with my functions and status,
as Governor-General, to discuss the report with you or anyone else.”
But opposition Senator Harold Lovell is of the opinion that there
is nothing to prevent the Governor-General from convening the proposed
Governor-General’s conference as recommended in the Report on the
Medical Benefits Scheme.
According to Senator Lovell, the Governor-General would be acting
mainly as facilitator. “He will not be the decision maker and therefore
there is nothing to prevent him from facilitating a meeting whereby
the government, the opposition, the Non-Governmental Organisation
and other interested parties come together for the common good,” he
said.
Attorney John Fuller, one of the lawyers who represented the government before
the Commission of Inquiry, said it is clear and uncontested law that the Governor-General
has no executive powers whatsoever and that his function is to act on the advice
of Cabinet and no more.
“The Governor-General cannot unilaterally act on his own accord
or engage in any executive functions. This is well established
and is set out in constitutional law. It is a well-established
convention throughout the Commonwealth that the titular head of
state is no more than a figurehead.
“We are a constitutional democratic monarchy, the Queen is our
head of state, the Governor-General holds office for the Queen
and it could not ever be suggested that the Queen or her designate,
the Governor-General has any executive powers whatsoever. And the
suggestion by those that it is not, is derided throughout the region
and indeed the Commonwealth,” Fuller said.
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UK mobile phones can
roam in Antigua
APUA PCS has now established roaming with five main mobile
operators in Europe. APUA PCS had previously established international
roaming with O2 (formally BT Cellnet) and now has roaming with
T-Mobile and Vodafone of the UK. Roaming has also been established
for the first time with E-Plus and Vodafone of Germany.
Roaming enables the mobile customer to make and receive calls
in other countries, which use Global systems for Mobile (GSM) service.
Over 150 countries have GSM mobile networks with over one billion
customers worldwide.
Visitors from the UK who have the roaming facility with these
mobile operators can now roam in Antigua and Barbuda using GSM
tri-band handsets.
In addition, post-paid PCS customers will soon be able to roam
in the UK and Germany. Charges for roaming calls will be reflected
on their regular monthly bills. APUA PCS is in the process of signing
roaming agreements with over fifty other operators in Europe, North
America, and the Caribbean.
APUA PCS is committed to introducing new mobile services to Antigua
and Barbuda and as such, roaming represents not only a significant
milestone for the Company, but also its ongoing commitment to providing
its customers with the best possible service.
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Sanders rebukes Economist
Magazine for MBS article
High Commissioner Sir Ronald Sanders has taken issue with
the British publication The Economist for an article – “Sick in
Antigua” – published in a recent issue.
Accusing the paper of being ill-informed, Sir Ronald pointed out in a letter
to the editor that the Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the Medical
Benefits Scheme was not a “Royal” commission as asserted by the magazine but
was one authorised by the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda.
Describing the article as “regrettable” Sir Ronald explained that, contrary
to the article’s claim that the government was ignoring the recommendations
of the Commission, the recommendations are in fact being fully implemented,
including the proposal that the scheme be converted to an autonomous agency.
The Prime Minister has not “balked” at this idea; he has simply asked for studies
of the feasibility of converting the scheme into an exclusive national health
insurance service.”
The High Commissioner contested the claim that the money government had not
paid to the scheme ‘was diverted to the health ministry’s budget, or spent
on overpriced pharmaceuticals, and even a $37,000 children’s party’.
He pointed out “The two things are unrelated. The commission and a forensic
audit before it, found that the officers of the scheme had engaged in two of
the activities described in your article.
“It recommended that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
conduct an investigation to determine whether there is a case for
bringing charges of fraud against them. The DPP has started this
investigation.”
The High Commissioner also refuted an assertion that the cost
of the St. John Medical Centre was double its original estimate.
He said it was the view of one man who was used by the commission
as an expert.
“Two UK firms commissioned by the government disagreed with his
conclusion. A new hospital is needed to replace the antiquated
building inherited at independence, not least because the people
of Antigua and Barbuda, and large numbers of tourists who visit
annually expect adequate medical facilities.”
He described as untrue the magazine’s claim that civil servants
were routinely paid late and as “wildly inaccurate that ‘widely-touted
tourism projects had not materialised.’ ”
The letter concluded, “The economic circumstances of Antigua
and Barbuda, like most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean,
are not rosy, but the reasons are much more serious and deserve
better analytical treatment than this regrettable story.”
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Prime Minister Bird
dismisses opposition call to step down
“Beat me at the ballots if you want me to step down.” That’s
the message from Prime Minister Lester Bird to the opposition United
Progressive Party.
Mr Bird said he is “ready for elections.”
He added that he would have no difficulty in calling general
elections if the Electoral Commission had completed the process
of re-registration of voters. Although he did not give any clear
indication when he intended to go to the polls, the Prime Minister
said “I’m ready to go. At the end of the day, the ruling Antigua
Labour Party will return to power. We will hold our own.”
Mr Bird’s statement came in the wake of the opposition UPP’s
for a protest march on September 5.
The Prime Minister denounced the march saying, “This march is
about Spencer trying to achieve by coercion what he failed to do
by election. Spencer led his party unsuccessfully to three election
defeats. Any self-respecting leader would have resigned after such
a dismal performance.
“Recognising that he could lead his party to a fourth defeat,
Spencer is trying to encourage people to force the constitutionally-elected
government from office. He will fail in this attempt,” the Prime
Minister said.
The Prime Minister said the planned march and demand to “lock
down” the country was in nobody’s interest, and that the organisers
of the planned protest march would not succeed in their attempt.
He noted that despite the difficult economic circumstances that
the Caribbean as a whole is facing and the political instability
that the UPP has tried to generate, Antigua and Barbuda was one
of only five CARICOM countries to experience growth in the economy
in the first quarter of this year.
“This shows that we have a sound economy capable of growth. Our
inflation rate is also low at just over two per cent demonstrating
that we are keeping down the increase in price levels. We have
the opportunity to continue to grow the economy and to correct
fiscal imbalance provided that we do not subject the economy to
any rude shocks.
“The march and lock down that the UPP is seeking could cause
just such a shock with terrible consequences for businesses, services
industries and workers,” Mr. Bird added.
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Fernandez
heads new Medical Benefits Scheme Board
The Chairman of the Medical Benefits Scheme Hugh Marshall Sr.
will be replaced by businessman and Senator Max Fernandez.
Also appointed to the new board is Allan Gomes, deputy chairman
of the current board. The appointment of the new board is as a
result of recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the
Operation of the MBS which recommended drastic changes in the administrative
structure and policy of the scheme.
The commissioners, headed by Sir Alister McIntyre, recommended
that the board should include representation from the medical and
nursing associations, as well as the trades union representing
the employees of the organisation.
In a press release issued on August 28, Prime Minister Lester
Bird stated that the government was in the process of revamping
the board of MBS to include representatives of non-governmental
organisations and the wider community.
A Cabinet sub-committee charged with the responsibility of revamping
the board has agreed to the following names: Coralie Knowles representing
the Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association, Dr. Conrad Stevens
representing the Antigua and Barbuda Medical Association, and Winston
St. Agathe of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd. It also
agreed to a nominee from the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union
(ABWU), an affiliate of the opposition United Progressive Party
(UPP).
The Prime Minister said that in keeping with the recommendation
of the Commission of Inquiry that the union representing the workers
should be represented on the board, he has written to the Antigua
Trades & Labour Union to nominate a representative.
Saying that he was taking the opportunity “to ensure a wide cross
section of community interests on the board,” Prime Minister Lester
Bird disclosed that he had also invited Pat Henry, a representative
of media workers, Hubert Hood, an accountant, and Imelda Inyang
to represent social workers. “I have also invited the Antigua-Caribbean
Liberation Movement and the Antigua Employers’ Federation to make
nominations to the board.
“The names of the full board will be announced as soon as I receive
these nominations, but there can be no question now as to its representation
of community interests and its autonomy,” Prime Minister Lester
Bird said.
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 Ministry
pleased with upgrade of secondary schools
The two-year project by the Board of Education to upgrade
the secondary schools in Antigua is well underway.
Deputy Planning Officer in the Ministry of Education, Jocelyn
Simon said the first phase of the project began in July on the
Antigua Girls’ High School, Princess Margaret School, Antigua Grammar
School, Holy Trinity School and the All Saints Secondary school.
Simon explained that construction will continue on the schools, but it will
not disrupt classes.
“Areas that are being worked on will be cordoned off and no injury
would come to the students. We want to assure parents that there
will be comfortable habitation for the students,” she said.
“We want minimal disruption for teachers and students,” she added.
She said the Antigua Girls’ High School’s old buildings are being
refurbished and a two-story building earmarked for specialised
use is being constructed.
The refurbishment of the 21 classrooms at Princess Margaret School has started. “The
floors are also being raised to prevent flooding,” she said.
Renovations are being carried out on the interior of the Antigua
Grammar School and work on the all Saints and Holy Trinity School
are progressing steadily.
Refurbishment and construction at the Clare Hall Secondary School
will start in December, while work on the Pares Secondary and the
Ottos Comprehensive School will start in summer 2003.
This upgrading is being funded by a $40 million loan from the
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in keeping with the OECS Education
Reform Strategy. CDB Project Manager is Lucine Hanley.
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