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CHAPA and ACB launches housing project

PICTURED: Deputy Prime Minister Robin Yearwood

"Bringing it home to you" is the name of the joint home ownership alliance between the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CHAPA) and the ACB Mortgage and Trust Co.

The mortgage company has allocated an initial $10 million for the project, which is geared toward providing housing for nurses, teachers, police, civil servants and other persons who may qualify.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing Robin Yearwood said there should be no excuses for people not to own their own home.

"The government played a very significant role in this negotiation, whereby we have given ACB Mortgage and Trust tax free concessions on the interest they will earn on this housing project," the Minister said.

According to Yearwood, CHAPA will act as guarantor for civil servants who do not have a deposit, once they have 10 years in the government service. Added to this CHAPA will be making lands available to people if they do not own their own lands.

Manager of ACB Mortgage and Trust, Pershing Waldron, noted that the alliance is a historic occasion between two august institutions, "it is another first for Antigua and Barbuda that is owned home grown by ACB Mortgage and Trust."

"The initial offer is to lower interest rate and should impact on mortgage financing and stimulate the construction industry. We see it as the beginning of a window of opportunity," Henry said.

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Prime Minister announces new ministerial portfolios

On the 26th June, Prime Minister Lester Bird announced new Ministerial portfolios following both the resignation of Senator Asot Michael from his Ministerial appointments and a High Court judgement ordering Mr Guy Yearwood to vacate his seat in the Senate.

The Prime Minister said that, in keeping with High Court order he revoked Mr Guy Yearwood’s appointment, and will re-appoint him as a Senator since he has relinquished his Canadian citizenship in compliance with the law.

With respect to the two portfolios previously held by Senator Asot Michael, Mr Bird revealed that he has decided to keep the Ministry of Public Works under his own portfolio, and, to facilitate this, he is relinquishing a number of other responsibilities including the Ministry of Finance which will be assigned to Deputy Prime Minister Robin Yearwood in addition to his existing Ministerial responsibilities.

The Prime Minister disclosed that the Cabinet has decided to appoint a Cabinet Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Robin Yearwood and including Ministers Molwyn Joseph and Gaston Browne to hold discussions with the private sector on ways in which the Government could help in the expansion of business activity. “The addition of the Ministry of Finance to Deputy Prime Minister Robin Yearwood’s portfolio will greatly assist him to hold meaningful discussions with the private sector”, Mr Bird said.

To further facilitate the work of the three-man Cabinet Committee, the Prime Minister said that he has decided to re-allocate some of responsibilities from himself and Deputy Prime Minister Robin Yearwood to Ministers Molwyn Joseph and Gaston Browne. Responsibility for Economic Development and Investment promotion will be added to Minister Joseph’s portfolios, and Minister Gaston Browne will be entrusted with the further portfolios of the Free Trade and Processing Zone and Transportation.

Mr Longford Jeremy has been appointed a full Minister. He will have responsibility for Home Affairs, Local Government, Information and Youth Empowerment. Senator Guy Yearwood has been re-appointed as a Minister with responsibility for Sports and Carnival.

The new and amended portfolios are as follows:

Honourable Lester B Bird:
Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Public Works, CARICOM and OECS Affairs, Overseas Representation, Defence, Coast Guard, Military, National Security, Merchant Shipping and Shipping Registration, Printing, Office of National Drug Control and Money laundering Policy, Financial Services Regulatory Commission, Telecommunications, Immigration, Information Technology and the IT Centre, Data Bank (NCC), Energy, Law, Courts, Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar and Provost marshal, Magistrates, Industrial Court, Law Reform, Legal Aid, Legislature.

Honourable Robin Yearwood:
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Financial Secretary’s Office, Treasury, Income Tax, Customs, Post Office, Audit, Property Valuation Divisions, Inland Revenue Division, Social Security Scheme, Sea Ports, harbours, Port Authority, Tax Compliance Unit, Antigua Public Utilities Authority, Civil Aviation, Meteorology, V C Bird International Airport, Housing, Central Housing and Planning Authority.

Honourable Molwyn Joseph:
Minister of Tourism, Economic Development and Environment, Tourism Development, Investment Promotion, Deep Bay Development Corporation, Beach Protection, Vendors, Environment.

Honourable Gaston Browne:
Minister of Public Service, Trade, Planning and Implementation, Planning, Statistics, Implementations, Public Service Affairs, Training Division, Human Resources Development and Management Services, Work Experience Programme, Public Service Reform, Transportation, Free Trade and Processing Zone, Domestic, CARICOM and OECS Trade, Bureau of Standards, Price Control, Consumer Protection, Small Business Development, Commerce, Supply Office, Manufacturing, Antigua and Barbuda Development Bank, Industrial development board.

Honourable Longford Jeremy:
Minister of Home affairs, Youth Empowerment and Information. Non-formal youth skills, Public Information and Broadcasting, Home Affairs, Local Government, Community Development, Ecclesiastical Affairs, Independence Celebrations.

Honourable John E St Luce:
Minister of Health, Social Improvement and Community Development: Hospitals, Hospital Board, Medical General, Medical Benefits Scheme, Social Improvement, Fiennes Institute, Central Board of Health, Aids Secretariat, Mental Hospital, Health Information, Health Education, Single Parents, Poverty Eradication, Mentally Handicapped and Physically Challenged, Social welfare, Care for the Elderly, Gender Affairs, Alliance for Social Well Being, Citizens Welfare Division, Drug Rehabilitation Programme and Reduction, Barbuda Affairs and National Parks Authority.

Senator Honourable Guy Yearwood: Minister of Sport and Carnival; Carnival Development Corporation.

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Businessman to run for ALP in St. Phillip's South

Businessman Elmore Charles has been confirmed as the Antigua Labour Party's candidate to run in the constituency of St. Philip's South.

In his presentation to the screening committee Charles said this is an opportunity he hopes to fully use to make a worthwhile contribution to his community.

He said, "I shall be seeking the support and help of everyone in providing a number of special facilities for St. Philip's South. I do not believe that life should revolve only around the City of St. John's. The eastern constituency of St. Philip's has enough attractions that could make enjoyment of the area just as good as going to town.”

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ALP candidate selected for St. Mary's South

Terry Ephraim has been selected by the screening committee to represent the ALP in the next general elections in the constituency of St. Mary's South.

Ephraim, who in 1999 stood down in favour of Laurent John, strongly believes that he can defeat Hilson “Brother B” Baptiste, the UPP’s encumbent in the constitutency

"My wish is to work along with everyone in the interest of the party and to return St. Mary's South seat to Labour," Ephraim said.

Ephraim is a past president of the youth arm of the Antigua Labour Party.

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Deadline for new voters list will be met

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), which is helping Antigua and Barbuda prepare a new voters’ list for the upcoming general elections, says the September deadline will be met.

Director of Elections for Jamaica, Danville Walker said the list should be prepared on time.

The EOJ has been hired to assist Antigua and Barbuda electoral officials prepare for the elections, constitutionally due by next year.

Both the ruling ALP and the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) have indicated that they would only contest elections with the new voters’ list.

Walker said that the EOJ had always been working with a September deadline.

“Registration of voters will be begin on July 1 and they have a month to register and then they have the month of August to challenge or object. We will then publish the list in September. It should be ready on time with no difficulty at all,” Walker added.

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Electoral commission takes training exercise to Barbuda

The Electoral Commission held a training for registration clerks in Barbuda.

On Tuesday 24th June, Pauline Walsh, head of training and research of Electoral Office of Jamaica, and Karen Manwarren, of the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, journeyed to Codrington to train 8 officers.

A similar training programme was conducted in Antigua "It is the same training programme that is being done in Antigua for registration officers and clerks which will be carried out for the scrutineers in Antigua," Peter Gordon, public relations office of the Electoral Commission, said.

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Quinn-Leandro: Nothing to fear with a UPP government

Former ABS TV and Radio personality Jacqui Quinn-Leandro, who is running on the United Progressive Party's ticket in the constituency of St. George, has declared that she will never be a part of any government that in any mass deportation of non-nationals.

She declared, "You have absolutely nothing to fear with a UPP Government."

In her maiden speech on the UPP platform at a public meeting in New Winthorpes, Quinn-Leandro told her audience "My husband is a Guyanese, my two children are half Guyanese, I could not be a part of a government that would do anything to hurt our Caricom brothers and sisters."

"In fact, I will go further and say that when we are elected to office and should there be any instance of illegal deportation, I, Jacqui Quinn-Leandro, will resign forthwith. I am saying if there is a single case of "willy nilly" deportation of non-nationals I will walk out of government immediately," she added.

Quinn-Leandro also pledged that in keeping with UPP's code of conduct "I will declare my assets to include bank accounts in Antigua and abroad, the properties I hold, stocks, shares, vehicles or any other financial interests prior to the election, and annually to the auditor general and after my exit from politics."

"I do not believe that politics should be used as a means to earn wealth and to lead ostentatious lifestyles. I am diametrically opposed to corruption in any way, shape or form, and pledge that I will not be party to any organisation or group that does not fully practice transparency, good governance, fair play and high ethical standards in all our dealings," Quinn-Leandro added.

Turning her attention to her proposed development plans for the constituency, Quinn-Leandro pledged her firm commitment, dedication, and an open door policy to constituents. Noting that the people of St. George's have been neglected in the past, Quinn Leandro said “St. George's will become the model for a well-developed, a well managed and a strong community just as Antigua and Barbuda will be restored to a place of economic leadership in the OECS and wider Caribbean region."

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AIDS Secretariat urges safer sex

The AIDS Secretariat is urging people to practice safer sex, whether by abstinence, mutual fidelity or correct and consistent condom use.

In a statement, the Secretariat noted that mutual fidelity is strongly recommended whether one partner is HIV infected or not. However, where one or both partners are HIV positive, the consistent and correct use of condoms is especially important for both partners.

The Secretariat is also urging pregnant women to visit a health care facility within their community, especially during the ante natal period and to have an HIV test.

According to the statement, knowledge of HIV status in pregnancy can prevent the virus from spreading to the baby. It said women can also get their care early, so that the quality and length of life can be greatly improved.

It also mentioned that men are being invited to have HIV testing and counselling. In Antigua and Barbuda, one person becomes HIV infected every week at least one person dies from an HIV/AIDS related illness every month.

The statement from the Secretariat came as part of a training programme being conducted by the Secretariat as part of the Strategic Plan for National Response to HIV/AIDS Antigua and Barbuda 2002-2005. The programme covers legal, ethical and social issues associated with HIV including prevention and treatment.

The Secretariat is also working on a comprehensive treatment plan with the assistance of the W.L. Clinton Foundation and other Regional partners.

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Antigua and Barbuda signs Prisoner Transfer Agreement with UK

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the United Kingdom on 23rd June signed an agreement allowing for the transfer of prisoners.

The agreement was signed at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner Sir Ronald Sanders and Baroness Elizabeth Symons, a Minister in the British Foreign Office.

Under the agreement, British nationals, who have been sentenced to jail in Antigua and Barbuda, may be returned in certain circumstances to the UK to serve their sentences. Similarly, any nationals of Antigua and Barbuda in UK jails may also be transferred to Antigua if they apply for such a transfer and the Antigua and Barbuda government agrees.

The agreement was negotiated in April this year between Sir Ronald and Attorney-General, Mrs Gertel Thom, representing Antigua and Barbuda, and representatives of several British government departments.

Both Baroness Symons and Sir Ronald welcomed the signing of the agreement, noting that several Caribbean countries have now concluded such agreements with the UK.

Sir Ronald said, “I expect the transfer of prisoners to be very much a one-way street with British prisoners in Antigua being sent to the UK, because Antigua and Barbuda has no nationals in UK prisons who are not also nationals of the Britain.”

The High Commissioner added, “The transfer of British prisoners from Antigua will ease the burden on limited resources, and it will also mean that we can get dangerous prisoners out of Antigua into Britain where they will serve the full sentence imposed by the Antigua and Barbuda courts”.

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Antigua calls on CARICOM to adopt joint position on US bid for exemption from International Criminal Court

Antigua believes that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) should adopt a joint position on a bid by the United States to be exempted from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Prime Minister Lester Bird said he hopes the matter will be discussed at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government summit in Jamaica.

Mr Bird said the establishment of the ICC was of critical importance to the Caribbean, particularly since the region played an integral part in the creation of the international tribunal.

However, he revealed that to date only six CARICOM countries – including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Trinidad and St. Vincent and the Grenadines - have ratified the agreement for the establishment of the court, while the Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, and Haiti have signed the agreement but have not ratified the court.

Bird did not make mention of the status of Grenada, but he noted that St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and Suriname have not signed or ratified the agreement. "Potentially there are eight of 14 Caribbean states that could exempt the United States on the basis that they have neither signed or ratified the CC Treaty," said Bird.

Washington has been seeking to negotiate bilateral agreements with regional states that would exempt US personnel from the court's jurisdiction, including the prosecution of perpetrators of crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes.

At the end of their meeting last month in St. Vincent, Caribbean foreign ministers rejected the US position while reaffirming the region's commitment to "to the preservation of the integrity and effective functioning of the court.”

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Former government Minister loses attempt to set aside MBS Inquiry Findings

Former Health Minister Hilroy Humphreys lost a court case in which he was seeking to have the findings of the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) Commission of Inquiry against him quashed.

Humphreys, 53, was on 19th June released on EC$120,000 bail after he was charged with 14 counts of conspiracy, fraud and forgery arising out of the MBS inquiry.

In his suit filed on November 19, 2002, Humphreys contended that the commissioners - Sir Alister McIntyre (chairman), Dr. John Anthony Roberts and Oscar Frederick - acted outside their terms of reference in making their findings.

Humphreys, who served as Health Minister from 1994 to 1996, was also asking the court to have the recommendation and findings “set aside or quashed”, charging that the commissioners made judgement without considering all of the evidence in a fair and impartial manner.

But Justice Ian Mitchell has ruled that the charges levelled by the commissioners against Humphreys were consistent with the Commission of Inquiry Act. The judge also ruled that there was sufficient probative evidence for the commissioners to come to their findings.

Humphreys' lawyer, Sherfield Bowen, said he was awaiting the written judgement before deciding his next step. "Those conclusions I'm sure are supported by rationale (arguments) so if I find fault in the rationale in arriving at the judge's conclusion then I might want to appeal," Bowen said.

Legal observers in Antigua said that the court ruling is likely to affect the outcome of two other legal challenges brought by another former Health Minister, Bernard Percival, and the accounting firm that audited the books of the state run health insurance plan.

The Commissioners had recommended criminal proceedings against Humphreys, Percival and 10 other persons implicated in a scandal at the MBS.

Humphreys is due to re-appear in court on August 22 to answer the charges against him.

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Efforts continuing to have no-confidence motion heard against Prime Minister Bird

Efforts are continuing in Antigua and Barbuda to have a motion of no-confidence heard against Prime Minister Lester Bird, following a ruling by the Speaker of the House that the motion, tabled on June 19 by former government backbencher Sherfield Bowen, was out of order.

Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer told a UPP public meeting that tabling of the motion was a joint effort between his party and Bowen.

"Whether Lester Bird likes or not there will be a motion of no confidence that is going to be debated in the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda even if it means that we have to change tactics on this one," Spencer said.

He was therefore unhappy with a ruling issued by the Speaker of the House, and her instruction to the Clerk to Parliament "not to enter the notice in the Order Book and not to place the motion on the Order Paper”.

But notwithstanding the Speaker Harris’s ruling, Bowen is taking steps to ensure that his motion is heard. "I want my motion to be put on the order paper. I’ve a right to have my motion be heard," he said.

Whether or not the motion is eventually heard in the House, Bowen has plans for it to be debated during a “mockup session” to be held at historic the tamarind tree in his eastern St Phillip South constituency.

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Antigua to offer more assistance to cash-strapped LIAT

The Antigua and Barbuda government is pumping an additional EC$4.5 million (US$1.69 million) into cash-strapped LIAT.

Prime Minister Lester Bird said his administration was forced to take action after other regional governments, which had pledged to provide funds to keep the Antigua-based carrier in air, failed to fulfil their promises.

“We're now back in an emergency situation where the next tranche of monies that are required will have to be paid otherwise LIAT again will have a serious problem,” he explained.

He said the Antigua government has agreed to take up an additional portion of an EC$12.5 million (US$4.6 million) loan being provided by the government of Trinidad and Tobago to the LIAT shareholder governments.

Under the initial agreement, Antigua was scheduled to provide EC$4.8million (US$1.7 million); Barbados EC$3 million (US$1.1 million); St. Vincent and the Grenadines EC$2.5 million (US$925,000) and Grenada EC$300,000 (US$111,000).

The Prime Minister refused to name and shame any country which has not lived up to its obligations. However, representatives of four of the five governments involved met in Trinidad and agreed to the formation of a new holding company to facilitate a merger of LIAT with BWIA.

The new company, to be called Caribbean Airlines (Holding) Limited, will hold shares in both BWIA and LIAT and is to be incorporated in Trinidad and Tobago on July 6.

Prime Minister Bird said he believed a merger was the natural route to go given similar difficulties currently being faced by both carriers.

In addition, he noted that BWIA was the largest single shareholder in LIAT and therefore “it is the natural thing I would have thought is to subsume LIAT into BWIA and vice versa.”

The Antigua Prime Minister said it was imperative that the region has its own carrier as it seeks to become an integrated society.

“The other private sectors can add to it (regional air transport) but we have an intrinsic responsibility to move our people in the islands from one destination to another and that is why I have been supportive of LIAT,” he added.

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Antigua and Barbuda prepared for the 2003 storm season

The 2003 hurricane season in the Caribbean has arrived and the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) is prepared.

Deputy Director of NODS Philmore Mullin says the disaster office has been conducting telecommunications check.

It will alsol be to conduct mini-exercises to ensure that the various agencies within the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) understand their roles.

With regard to shelters, Mullin says every year a physical check is done and at the moment, the Public Works Department is carrying out inspections.

Meanwhile, the disaster offices' work programme has been completed and will be implemented shortly.

The hurricane season runs from June 1 to the end of November.

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Judge tells Senator Yearwood to...VACATE SENATE

PICTURED: Senator Guy Yearwood

Justice Ian Donaldson Mitchell has ruled that Antigua Labour Party (ALP) candidate for St. George's, Guy Yearwood, is not entitled to sit in the Senate because he did not qualify so to do at the date of his appointment. Yearwood was appointed to the Senate by the government following the 1999 general elections.

The UPP took legal action against him on the grounds that he sat in the Senate illegally as he had previously sworn allegiance to a foreign power. Senator Yearwood became a citizen of Canada in December 1984. He has since renounced his Canadian citizenship.

The Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda states that no person shall be qualified to sit in the Senate who is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power.

In his ruling Justice Mitchell ordered Guy Yearwood to vacate his seat in the Senate with immediate effect. He issued an injunction restraining Yearwood from sitting or continuing to sit in the Senate, and an injunction restraining Millicent Percival and Llewellyn Smith as President and Vice President of the Senate from allowing Yearwood to take his seat or participate in any and all deliberations.

Justice Mitchell ordered Yearwood to pay Spencer $10,000 in costs.

Yearwood’s attorney, Clement Bird, said that his client has been granted leave by the judge to appeal the decision.

"Justice Mitchell has given ruling in the matter filed by opposition leader Baldwin Spencer to that effect. He has, however, also given Senator Yearwood a stay of execution of the judgement for up to six weeks while an appeal against his decision is filed," Bird said.

"The judge is cognisant that he has made a decision which is to be challenged," he added.

Yearwood's legal team had put forward the argument that their client (Senator Yearwood) had renounced his Canadian citizenship - an argument, which Judge Mitchell refused to accept.

This ruling by the judge, however, will in no way not affect Yearwood's candidacy for the upcoming next general elections,

Attorney Justin Simon appeared on behalf of the UPP's political leader.

Yearwood’s appointment as a Senator was restored following the Court order, and he was reappointed since he is now in compliance with the law and has relinquished his Canadian citizenship.

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Prime Minister Lester Bird welcomes inaugural flight by Caribbean Sun

(standing left to right) Prime Minister Lester Bird (holding model of the Caribbean Sun), Paul Moreira – Chief Operating Officer of Caribbean Sun Airlines, Yolanda Suarez – President of Caribbean sun airlines, and (seated) Rev. Romeo Challenger		(left to right) Education Minister Dr Rodney Williams, Trade Minister Gaston Browne and Tourism Minister Molwyn Joseph at the ceremony to welcome the inaugural flight of Caribbean Sun from Puerto Rico

On 25th June Prime Minister Lester Bird welcomed the inaugural flight of Caribbean Sun from Puerto Rico, saying it provided “yet another gateway to Antigua for both our tourism industry and business community”.

“Our network of links to the global marketplace is now enhanced, and so too are the opportunities to sell our goods and services to the international community,” Mr Bird said as he spoke of the latest initiative by Allen Stanford.

“Allen Stanford has played a distinct and positive role in this, not only by the establishment of Caribbean Sun, but also by the other initiatives that preceded it, among them Stanford International Bank and Caribbean Star, “ Bird said.

“In each of these entities, he opened possibilities for our nation, and he affirmed a belief that, small though Antigua and Barbuda may be, we could compete in international financial services and in global tourism, commanding the respect of countries larger and more powerful than ourselves,” he said.

Mr Bird took the opportunity to dispel allegations that Stanford because of his investments in the country “must, somehow, exercise undue influence on the government”.

He said “Mr Stanford has never sought or received from the government an undue influence on our affairs. He is a businessman and an investor in our country”.

“He has never sought any more than any other Antiguan businessman or any other investor has sought. Whatever concessions he has received have been in compliance with the laws of the country and in accordance with the scale of those concessions. He has got no more than is available to any other Antiguan businessman, and, as we all know, he has invested far more than any one person,” Bird added.

Mr Bird said that it was public knowledge that Mr Stanford was backing a Caribbean investment fund worth US$2 billion to finance tourism and other economic projects in the region.

“If that Fund is to be successful, it needs to be supported by transportation links that will facilitate the movement of tourists and businesspeople,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that the creation of Caribbean Star airlines and Caribbean Sun airlines serves that wider business vision as much as it brings a direct benefit to Antigua and Barbuda.

Mr Bird said he understood that the Caribbean Sun inaugural flight was the first phase of an attempt to provide regular air links to the United States. He said it was important for Antigua and Barbuda to have adequate air links with one of its major tourism markets, noting “we well know that major airlines in the US are facing bankruptcy. In the future, we may well see many of these over-extended airlines in the US collapse altogether. It may very well be that only two or three of the major carriers will survive”

He said “in as much as we have vastly improved our air links from the United Kingdom both in terms of the number of flights and the volume of tourists coming from Britain and other parts of Europe, we must maintain transportation arrangements from the United States”.

“Our tourism cannot stand on one leg. We have to ensure that the industry remains upright, strong and unshakeable. To do so, we need to maintain our visitors from Europe and the United States, while we develop markets in other parts of the world,” he added.

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