GOM, DFID Tangle in Talks About Priorities
By Helena Durand
Comments
made to the media this week by Chief Minister John Osborne seemed to indicate
the likelihood of a controversy brewing between the Government of Montserrat and
the Department for International Development (DFID).
These
came during a question and answer session on Wednesday in which Mr. Osborne
discussed the two-day review of the island’s Country Policy Plan (CPP) on
Monday and Tuesday
“We’ve
had several arguments that they mustn’t set our priorities," he said.
"We went and set some priorities.”
He
quoted the proverb "He who pays the piper, calls the tune," but noted,
“ I think we are very strong on the issue that they mustn’t tell us what is
good for us. We must tell them what we want, and right now that is what we are
doing.”
When
asked whether the government could "demand" of DFID what it required
on the people’s behalf, Mr. Osborne said, “Well, I’m not sure if we could
demand from them because it is their money, and I don’t think that they
finance the projects that we want either…they won’t finance projects that
they think are not going to be beneficial to us, even if we think so.”
Might
Montserratians then be given more houses like those at Davy Hill?
“Under
no circumstances whatsoever, could that ever happen as long as I am sitting here
as Chief Minister with my colleagues," the CM declared. "I think that
they have been made to admit that (Davy Hill) was a mistake. Not to forget that
I had warned the previous government not to accept those houses before. Had they
listened to us on the platform, that would not have happened. So I know better
than that, so it can’t happen once I am here as Chief Minister.”
Mr.
Osborne said proposed funding for Montserrat is inadequate for developmental
projects, and he has spoken about it. “They made it crystal clear that they
will not give us any more money, under any circumstances. They have set the
funds for five years and we are told that there will be no change.”
The
Chief Minister said he sees a collision course approaching but won’t do
anything to divert it. “I need to wait a little while longer to see some of it
take effect” he said; that way, “we can prove to them that I’m right in
telling them so. There is no doubt that if they insist that they will not make
any changes in their decision of how to treat Montserrat with aid, there will
come a time, I believe very strongly, that Montserratians will be called upon to
take a stand.”
Mr.
Osborne said if DFID would fund all the projects, he could guarantee that the
island would be a different place in just two years.
“But
they wouldn’t do that," he said. ”I think they have it all planned that
our development should take place in a phased manner, and not very fast
either.”
In
fact, he said, DFID was uncertain as to “what they want to happen in
Montserrat, because they are probably looking at the possibility of a volcanic
eruption which might change things. I think that is why they are slow in
delivering the funds for the development.”
So
is DFID’s call to Montserratians to stand on their feet all smoke?
Mr. Osborne says no. “They would be happy if they don’t have to give
us any money at all. If we could find ways and means to stand on our own two
feet, that would be wonderful for them, but the situation is that they really
can’t turn us out, because we have no other way to survive but to call on
them.”
That
notwithstanding, Mr. Osborne said, “sometimes people give you things, (but) if
what they give you is not what you want, you tell them to keep it.”
Bottlenecks Gone, GOM Declares
By
Helena Durand
Comments
from Government officials, announced on Wednesday that the government “have
gone ahead now and broken the neck of the bottle, and we are going to put the
contractors on Montserrat to work very swiftly.”
That
move, he said, was taken during two days of talks between the Government of
Montserrat and DFID as they reviewed the Country's Policy Plan this week.
Mr.
Hogan's announcement followed a call by Director of Development Mrs. Angela
Greenaway, who expressed the wish that bureaucratic red tape and bottlenecks
would be resolved in the two-day negotiations by the government, DFID and
delegates from the Overseas Territory Unit (OTU).
Those
bottlenecks, she said, "are slowing up the implementation process."
She asked negotiators to "ensure that those projects which are fully
designed, are implemented as quickly as possible, to promote economic activity,
and to ensure that allocated funds are spent efficiently and in a timely
fashion."
Supporting
that call was His Excellency Governor Anthony Longrigg, who was participating in
his first official function on Monday. In
his brief remarks he said, "The important thing is to ensure in these talks
that you lay a foundation for getting that money spent." He was urging the
spending of British allocated funds by the Government of Montserrat because, he
said, "Any part of this £24.4 million which is not spent by the end of
March (2002), you will lose. Now my experience with the British Government is
that lose, really means lose."
Chief Minister John Osborne, who had noted his government's
readiness to work with DFID, told the media on Wednesday, the government had
concluded a "comprehensive review of the Country Policy Plan being
implemented with the assistance from Her Majesty's Government." Among
issues dealt with at the CPP Review were the Environment and Natural Resources,
Education, Health and Community Services, Transportation Links and Water.
He
said during the process, due regard was taken "of my position that
Montserrat's development program cannot be a quick-fix solution. I am satisfied
that our discussions on the range of matters affecting Montserrat is supportive
of my government's plan to lay the foundation for real development."
He
said the Government of Montserrat and DFID have both agreed on new projects that
are expected to begin in 2001. With immediate effect, he said, they will begin
to bring on stream a number of sheltered housing units for the elderly and the
challenged -- the Montserrat Volcano Observatory; a police station, including
training and other facilities; a fire station; an infant school and daycare
center will also be built at Lookout.
“In
addition we have also agreed that the following projects will be initiated
during this year," he said. "Small Enterprises Development Project,
Irrigation Development, Capitalizing Financial Institutions, Operating Theatre,
Fisheries Infrastructure, Public Cemetery, and Servicing of Land for Lookout (2)
Development.”
He
said they have also agreed on a program of expenditure for all DFID assistance
to Montserrat over the next three years. However, "It is clear that the
funding made available by DFID will not be sufficient to cover all the
priorities of the government."
One government official told the Montserrat Reporter that
using the money in the time specified "is the greatest of Montserrat's
problems. Not because the government does not want to use it and get back on
their feet, but because the British themselves tie it up." "When we
make proposals and send them to DFID, we have to wait an eternity before we get
a response. When we do, it is because London has sent down consultants to do
feasibility studies. Then others come to review what the first team did. By the
time the project is approved, the time will have passed. It's all a game that
the British play," the official said.
However, Mr. Timothy Hattan, Programme Manager of the
Overseas Territories Unit(OUT), who led the delegation from London, assured the
Montserrat Reporter that they were going into the CPP Review with, “a clear
joint objective of ensuring full disbursement of the £24.4 million”
He
said most of the projects have been approved, and while there is some remaining
gap, they were looking at the project pipeline to identify which project to
prioritize. “We’re here to listen to the government, so we want to hear
their particular ideas for dealing with the constraints and bottlenecks.
Obviously, we’re very keen to mobilize the full £24.4 million. Today we’re
looking to remove that bottleneck.”
CM Osborne to Rally Montserratians in UK
Montserrat’s
Chief Minister the Hon. John Osborne is on a working visit to the United Kingdom
from last Friday to June 7.
He
will meet with over 30 percent of Montserrat’s 11,000 people who sought refuge
there following the eruption of the island’s Soufriere Hills volcano in 1995.
With
the belief that these Montserratians are now "strategically placed to give
voice and bring attention to the development needs of the island," Chief
Minister Osborne will visit Montserratians in the English cities of London,
Birmingham, Nottingham, Liecester, Manchester and Leeds to tell them of
Montserrat’s rebuilding exercise.
Having
recently concluded discussions and negotiations on the island’s Country Policy
Plan Review, he will also seek the support of the entire British public in the
rebuilding of the island’s major infrastructure, including an airport,
seaport, a town centre, market and housing for the remaining 5,500 persons
living in the northern two-thirds of Montserrat.
Minister
for Communications and Works Hon. Lowell Lewis, and Spokes Person in the Chief
Minister’s office, Claude Hogan, accompanied Mr. Osborne to London. Mr. Hogan
said, "Part of the problem we’ve had so far with the British is that they
are saying ‘oh, you don’t have the capacity; you don’t have enough people
to do so many things; or you cannot get it done."
Mr.
Hogan repeats his boss' position that the government and people of Montserrat
are able to get things done. He has noted, however that government has
"taken on a really good piece of thing to bite here; £24.4 million to
spend . The people of Montserrat, the workers, the contractors, we’re going to
have to put our hands to the wheel so to speak, and see if we can spend that
money."
EDITORIAL
"That
Collision Course the CM Sees Could Be with People of Montserrat
When
the people of Montserrat went to the polls on April 2 this year, they had
basically one decision to make and that was which of the three groups of people,
two parties and a group of independents, they believed would or could better
‘negotiate’ with Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) in Britain. Of course
there were other factors and arguments, but none stood out like this one.
It
is possible that in the New Peoples Liberation Movement (NPLM) some of them
underestimated or not all of them quite understood the gravity of Montserrat’s
true predicament as it tries to ride possibly the worst crisis nature could
throw at man. Today Montserrat faces the worst economic times it could possibly
have known.
Like
the others in the recent election campaign, they talked about the problems as
they perceived them. Indeed each party and individual claimed to be better able
to deal with and solve the problems on hand, which they all perceived had to do
with who better could negotiate with HMG, that is, get better terms in the use
of and delivery of the aid being given to Montserrat at this time.
In
spite of the untimely calling of elections, forced on us by nothing less than
incompetence and, to be kind, ignorance, the new government came in just when
the budget and Country Policy Plan (CPP) were coming up for discussions.
First
the budget, which had already been prepared by David Brandt’s administration.
The government decided to go with it full scale; not having enough time to put
their own genius to work.
Then
the CPP discussions.
At
the public opening ceremony of the talks, Director of Development, Mrs. Angella
Greenaway, got immediately to the point, the only one that really mattered.
“Those bottlenecks, she said, "are slowing up the implementation
process…ensure that those projects which are fully designed, are implemented
as quickly as possible, to promote economic activity, and to ensure that
allocated funds are spent efficiently and in a timely fashion."
We
suggested to Mr. Tim Hatton, leader of the HMG delegation in the discussions
with GOM, that there was little to the talks since the money, £24 million, had
already been allocated, the projects were already known, as were the priorities;
but the problem was discussing and agreeing to ways to break the bottlenecks,
getting the projects off the ground and implemented.
He
agreed, then said: “We’re here
to listen to the government, so we want to hear their particular ideas for
dealing with the constraints and bottlenecks. Obviously, we’re very keen to
mobilize the full £24.4 million. Today we’re looking to remove that
bottleneck.”
Did
our "negotiators" understand that this really was the only matter that
needed to be sorted out? Was that even the focus of their understanding? How
aware were they or how much did they care about the effects of a good result of
such a discussion?
So
what did we hear from the "spin doctor," who claims to speak for the
Chief Minister, and from the CM himself? Yes, they said we have broken the back
of the bottleneck, but no one said how. Instead we were told of all the projects
that had already been negotiated, mostly by the previous government, and that
they will come on stream, “to put the contractors on Montserrat to work very
swiftly.”
Not
a word about how. The fact is that they have come out none the better, but
rather wasted time discussing which projects will take place. The later comments
by the Chief Minister at his first press conference since taking office -- and
just before he departed on a trip for England with his deputy chief and his
spokesman, Hon. Claude Hogan -- suggest that nothing had really been achieved.
Instead, he senses that they might be on a collision course with DFID – what
is new?
Sad
to say, but they are on a collision course with the people of Montserrat if they
continue to tell them that we have nowhere to turn and that we rely solely on
the British for our existence. Never could anyone imagine that we would hear
such a statement. What that says to us is that they must already be constipated
with ideas. Some game is afoot, but it is bound to fail, when all we can do is
sink further into the clutches of our "British partners." What's that?
Partners? That language is completely out of place.
We
must let the advisors know that "spinning" is old-fashioned, that only
honest government information will work these days. That try from London on
Wednesday should not happen again, but let’s just try and cover it with one
word, disgraceful. We know the facts, understand the spin, do not appreciate it.
We are not your subjects, you are our servant; you asked to be elected as such,
promised to be such; and we chose you thus. Please serve with dignity. If it
doesn’t happen again, we will let it pass.
Jus
Wonderin items may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430
SCRIPTURE
VERSE THIS WEEK
'Don't
Be Afraid….I am With You'
One
night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking,
and do not be silent, for I am with you." Acts 18: 9-10
Although
we may rarely talk about them, we know what our fears are and we become adept at
living with them. They are our constant companions. When we let them control us,
however, our fears can keep us from responding to God's call.
Fears
can keep us from such things as making a major life change, joining a prayer
group or visiting a dying friend. God's words to Paul are also directed to us:
"Do not be afraid…. I am with you." Perhaps we need to tape those
words to our bathroom mirrors, dashboards, desks, phones, computers, TV remotes
or other things we use daily. These words would then be a constant reminder that
we have a power within us to break the chains of fear.
Today,
visit your fears and take a look at how they keep you from bringing God's love
to others. Then remember God's words to you, take God's hand and resolve to
overcome each fear, one by one, so that you may experience more fully the joy of
spreading God's love in your corner of the world.
LETTERS
Whatever
Happened To 'Do Unto Others'?
The
97th Psalm exhorts, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord."
That's "a joyful noise," not "a piercing din."
When
someone persuades people to gather inside a canvas or wood and stone sanctuary
to hear a message of redemption, that is evangelism. When someone constantly imposes that message at enhanced
volume on entire neighborhoods of all faiths, so that residents cannot hear
normal conversation, radio, record player or television, that is self-righteous
arrogance.
J.
Donald Brandt
Old
Towne
Beware
Media Wolves In Sheep's Clothing
Dear
Editor
Since
the start of Montserrats’ volcanic predicament, media persons from all over
the world and all walks of life have been coming to our shores, as they say, to
write positive stories or articles about our experiences. Some of them come like
wolves in sheep's clothing pretending to be sympathetic to our situation. The
strange thing about this is that, with all the great promises of positive
stories, we can count on one hand the very few that have kept their word.
Because
of our trusting and friendly nature, we sometimes do not even stop to check out
the credibility of some of these hounds. There is one on island at this time who
promises to write positive articles for, (as he claims) one of UK's popular
magazine. What he is not telling people is that he is a freelance writer and
only if the media houses in UK like his stories and photographs will they
publish them.
Now
it doesn't take a fool to figure out the propaganda behind his story!
If
when the world's prominent media houses come to Montserrat, and promise to be as
helpful as they can, then turn around and disappoint us, how can this guy who is
a freelance writer, doing his first piece, take back constructive stories about
people on Montserrat and expect to sell it to UK media houses?
Another
point of interest is the type of questions he is asking; surely they are not
questions for positive story. It is easy to think, based on his questions, that
his articles would not be marketable, unless they are the usual
sensational/negative stereotype stories.
It
is about time the authorities put some system in place whereby, even though we
cannot control what they write, we might be able to control those who come here
and take advantage of our people and our plight. They come seeking assistance
from our tourism department and other such bodies claiming that their stories
will benefit us, but what can wolves do that would benefit sheep?
Concerned
LOCAL
and REGIONAL NEWS
Montserratian-born
Sherylene Dyer has been selected out of nine students to participate in the
University of the Virgin Islands Early Admissions Program for the new school
year.
She
has also been selected to receive a four-year tuition scholarship and $250 book
stipend to assist her in meeting her educational expenses.
Miss
Dyer has been informed by letter that she can continue receiving the scholarship
“as long as you earn a cumulative semester grade point average of 3.00 at the
end of each semester. Students who earn grade lower than 'C' will lose their
eligibility. Students are expected to meet and satisfy all other UVI academic
requirements and financial obligations as applicable.”
The
letter also expresses the hope that she would “decide to play a dual role by
spending your senior year as a college freshman at the university of the virgin
Islands!”
Tourist Board Solicits Help on Volcano
Views
The
Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) is seeking the participation of civic groups,
individuals, organizations, institutions, businesses, young people and the
general public in its efforts to redevelop the island's tourism product. So says
a release from the MTB.
The
MTB it said, is seeking to make both Garibaldi Hill and Jack Boy Hill areas,
more accessible, and attractive for residents and visitors. The areas will be
heralded as Garibaldi Hill & Jack Hill Maroon, as they will be done maroon
style.
The
rebuilding process will welcome donations of labour, cash, food, equipment,
materials, ornamental plants, moral support and anything else that will assist
in the development of these attraction sites.
The
MTB believes that upgrading and beautifying these sites can only add to the
uniqueness of the island's tourism products. Volcano Viewing has become a
popular adventure, bypassing the highly promoted whale watching and bird
watching says as tourist board official. Unlike the aforementioned pastimes,
which can be done in any part of the world, Volcano Viewing, particularly that
of an active volcano, can only be done on Montserrat. Not only is Volcano
Viewing an educational adventure, but there is great potential to generate more
income for trained Tour Guides, Taxi Drivers, Tour Operators, and Service
Providers.
Donations
have already been received from Romeo's Wayside Store, Tropical Mansion Suites,
Galloway's Hardware, People's Place, W.L. Wall & Company/Wall Trucking; and
L&M Construction, M.S. Osborne, Vue Pointe Hotel, St. Patrick's Co-operative
Credit Union, National Development Foundation Ltd., and Trans World
International.
Day Daytime Entry Zone Restricted to
Farmers
The
Royal Montserrat Police Force announced last week that restricted daily access
is being allowed into the Daytime Entry Zone on the western side of the island
for farmers only. Even they must obtain permission in advance.
The
Daytime Entry Zone was temporarily closed last week because of an increase in
activity at the volcano. Director at the MVO Dr. Gill Norton said since the
closure there has been a reduction in the numbers of earthquakes and rock falls
but that activities have not returned to the level where the zone can be opened
for extended periods.
“It
is very unfortunate," she said, “because we were hoping that the
activities were dying down and we would have a prolonged period, like we had in
1998 and 1999 and the activities were quiet for a much longer period.”
She
said the volcano is giving out warning signs, “that the activity is picking up
again, and we have to watch those warning signs and heed them really.”
The
Department of Agriculture has reported that the current dry spell has caused a
reduction in the production of white potatoes.
Justine
Cassell, Agriculture Development Officer, said only 20,000 pounds of the crop
were harvested this season, well short of the expected 80,000 pounds. It is
estimated that about 28,000 pounds of white
potatoes are consumed monthly.
Low
yields due to lack of moisture during tuberization of the crop, may soon be a
thing of the past, as the Department of Agriculture is awaiting funds for an
irrigation project which will ensure production during the dry season.
Chief
Minister Osborne has announced that during a two-day talk with DFID about the
island’s development, Water Development was among projects agreed to.
Steps
are being taken to preserve the island’s national bird through a project
called Conservation Ecology of the Montserrat Oriole.
The
move was launched following recent discovery of a significant 45-percent
decrease in the number of these birds on the island.
Director
of Agriculture Mr. Gerard Gray said research and monitoring evidence had
revealed that percentage, and that the decrease seemed to have begun from the
onset of volcanic eruptions here in 1995
He
said the project seeks to determine why there was a decrease and how to reverse
the troubling trend. It is being
run in collaboration with the Montserrat National Trust and the Royal Society
for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Chris
Bowden, one of two RSPB officials assisting with the project, said officials
have determined so far that the Oriole is facing problems in the nesting stage.
Twenty pairs of the birds are under observation in search for the cause of their
dwindling population.
“The
question of what might be going wrong is really quite a baffling one to
answer,” He said it could be that the birds simply are not nesting for some
reason, or that eggs or chicks are lost to predators or that the juveniles
simply aren’t surviving.
He
said evidences points to something before the adult stage.
Three
persons are representing Montserrat at a disaster preparedness workshop at the
Seismic Research Unit (SRU) in Trinidad.
They
are Chelston Lee, Communications Manager at the MVO, Venus Bass, Seismic
Technician at the MVO, and Horatio Tuitt, Director of the Emergency Department.
The
weeklong programme is aimed at looking at volcanic hazards and will also focus
on seismic and other related hazards. The workshop is being held against the
backdrop that all islands in the region need to be aware of volcanoes and their
dangers.
Before
leaving island, Mr. Lee said in a radio interview, “One of the objectives is
to make sure that disaster coordinators and communication managers or press
officers at Observatories, can better understand volcanic and seismic phenomena
which are likely to occur in the Eastern Caribbean. So that when we have to
disseminate information to the public, we can do so accurately and . . . get the
public better prepared to face these events when they occur."
In
related news, Montserrat is on its way to establishing teams to handle Stress
Management in Disasters (SMID). Fifty-two persons recently completed training as
part of the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) move to have national SMID
teams in the Caribbean. The training provides individuals the knowledge and
skills to understand, recognize and manage emotional responses to a traumatic
situation.
Chief
Statistician Terresina Bodkin is reporting smooth progress so far in the
population and housing census.
Numerators
she said are in the field collecting information from every resident.
“Certainly, all the feedback that we have gotten so far from the numerators
has been good," she said. "I think people were probably anticipating
something much more intrusive in terms of the questionnaire itself, something
much more lengthy, something much more burdensome, and in large part, they seem
to have been pleasantly surprised at how easily the interviews flowed and how
quickly the process was concluded.
"I
can’t over emphasize the fact that censuses take place all around the world,
usually every 10 years; and it is at a time most people think it’s an
appropriate period at which countries stop and just take a look at themselves,
look at what the population structures look like. It’s just an important base
which most countries use to fund their development programmes”.
Guyanese Community Form Montserrat Group
The
Guyanese community here has formed The Guyanese Golden Arrowhead Group to mark
the occasion of Guyana’s recently celebrated 35 years of independence from
Britain.
A
press release from the group offered greetings and best wishes to their fellow
men here, back home and in the neighbouring islands. According to the release,
although no activity was held on their independence day, Saturday May 26, a
function is being planned to commemorate the event next month.
Leader
of the Opposition Reuben Meade is pledging support the Government of Montserrat
in a united front for negotiations with the British government.
Mr.
Meade said in a recent radio broadcast that the local government is to approach
the British authorities and highlight projects which it deems as priorities.
For
this to be successful, he said, government officials must present their own
plans and objectives in a convincing manner. He said the Opposition is more than
willing to support the John Osborne administration in these negotiations.
“If
we are in the stage of our development, budgetary aid or not, where we have
Ministers of government, and DFID is the one who is going to be out there
saying, you cannot do this and you cannot do that, and they’re making the
decisions, it is now time, that we gather together and get the system changed.
"If the government of Montserrat has the will, those of us sitting on the
Opposition benches are willing to join forces with you to ensure that these
changes are made."
He
said the team must go to DFID with its documents drawn up and its priorities
clear.
"If
they say, look, it’s only $10 Million you have, then we’ll tell them, yes,
we will accept the $10 million, but this is how we are going to spend the $10
million." Mr. Meade said.
Foot and Mouth Ban Allows Canned Foods
Director
of Agriculture Mr. Gerard Gray has announced a Department of Agriculture ban on
imports of animal feed, animal products and animals into Montserrat from listed
countries to ward off Foot and Mouth Disease.
The
ban does not extend to precooked canned meats.
The
ban affects imports from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and
all European countries. It also
includes used animal trappings such as harnesses, saddles, halters, reins, rope
and chain.
Mr.
Gray appealed to all meat importers to contact the department before importing
more meats, because the list of banned countries may be expanded.
Given
the approaching hurricane season, and the fact that the public is always warned
to store up canned foods, a favorite of which is corned beef, Mr. Gray was asked
if corned beef already on island before the ban could carry the disease?
"Canned
foods are not covered by the ban," Mr. Gray said. That is because canned
foods such as corned beef and other meat products are precooked at a very high
temperature, and sterilized before canning.
Antigua,
CANA - Two government ministers have been fired, following the release of the
final report of a forensic audit into alleged financial wrongdoing at Antigua
and Barbuda's state-run Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
In making the announcement, Prime Minister Lester Bird rejected renewed calls
for a Commission of Inquiry because the findings and recommendation of such a
probe would still have to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions
(DPP) and the police for advice and action.
The
full report is to be handed over to those agencies for a police investigation to
begin, with possible assistance from external agencies.
A
section of the report states that Dr. Cort had done some legal work on behalf of
the MBS related to a US$31-million loan for the construction of the Mount St
John's Hospital Complex.
The cost of that legal work by the law firm, Cort and Associates, was
EC$1,279,290 (US$473,337) of which EC$1,179,290 (US$436,337) was paid in August
1999, and the remainder paid last year.
Dr. Cort requested payment from government by writing to then Health Minister
Bernard Percival. According to the forensic audit, submitting the bill to
Percival suggested an attempt by Dr. Cort to circumvent established procedures.
The audit report states that such a request should have been submitted instead
to the Finance Minister, Financial Secretary or even the Accountant General.
Mr.
Percival was also criticised for instructing the Accountant of the MBS to pay
the invoice to Dr. Cort.
As a result of the dismissals, Mr. Percival's former portfolio of Minister of
Home Affairs, Urban Development and Renewal will be added to those of Health
Minister John St. Luce.
Deputy Solicitor General Gertel Thom is to be appointed Attorney General, while
the portfolio of Justice and Legal Affairs will be incorporated into the Prime
Minister's office.
PRIME
MINISTER BIRD DISMISSES ANOTHER MINISTER
Antigua
(GIS) Prime Minister Lester Bird this week dismissed George Bernard Walker from
his posts as Senator and Minister.
The
dismissal of Walker follows the Prime Minister’s request to him last Friday
that he ascertain what amount he may have been overpaid by the Medical Benefits
Scheme and refund it.
The
Prime Minister’s request to Mr. Walker arose out of
a Forensic Audit of the Medical Benefits Scheme which stated that Mr.
Walker may have received a sum of money as a per diem payment to which he was
not entitled.
In
a public statement yesterday, Mr. Walker refused to refund the money claiming
that other Ministers also received per diem payments from the Scheme. He also
demanded that the prime minister withdraw
a press statement on the matter issued last Friday.
In
a letter to Mr. Walker today, the Prime Minister explained that "while
other Ministers received assistance from the Medical Benefits Scheme to help
cover the costs of meals, transportation and accommodation, these payments were
consistent with the level paid to all beneficiaries of assistance from the
Scheme. The per diem allowances were not paid at the rate payable to Ministers
on official duty."
Mr.
Bird told Walker, "In your case, your claim - and the payment - made to
you, was at the rate payable to Ministers on official duty. You were not
entitled to receive that payment."
The
Prime Minister’s letter to Walker said that his failure to comply with
instructions that the amount of the overpayment be ascertained and refunded, and
his public statement that he has no intention of doing so, indicate that he
should not continue to serve as a Minister and a Senator.
The
letter added, that Walker’s public threat against the Prime Minister and his
subsequent wrongful allegations against other Ministers added further weight to
his unsuitability for public office.
Billion-dollar
Airport Finally Opens in T&T
Compiled from dispatches
Trinidad, CANA - Trinidad and
Tobago's controversial new TT$1.4-billion Piarco International airport, said to
be the largest and most modern in the English-speaking Caribbean, opened last
Friday with Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, whose 68th birthday it was,
declaring it no longer a dream.
"Our
new airport is now a reality," said Mr. Panday, punching the air with a
raised fist. "The spirit of Trinidad and Tobago can now soar to
unprecedented heights. I believe we can fly. I do believe that as a nation and
as a people, we can really fly."
The airport --called comparable to the best in the world by Transport Minister
Jearlene John -- opened two years behind schedule, dogged by delays,
controversies and allegations of financial mismanagement and over-spending.
While
construction began in 1997, it had been proposed in 1992 under a previous
administration but never really got off the ground. When the Panday
Administration came into power in 1995, the project was put on hold before going
back on stream in September 1996.
While in opposition, Mr. Panday accused the then People's National Movement
(PNM) regime of Patrick Manning, of engaging in corruption in the airport
project.
The PNM then turned the tables and accused the Panday government of corruption
when it continued the work left off by the PNM.
The airport, with a peak capacity of 1,500-passenger per hour, boasts 14 new
loading bridges directly from aircraft into the terminal buildings, large
baggage/cargo carousels, 26 double counters for international flights, and two
for domestic flights, state of the art baggage handling with x-ray systems, and
escalators and elevators with all areas catering to the physically challenged.
The new facility is expected to triple the current one million passengers.
Prison
Farm Inmates Freed for Baptism
Nevis,
Four inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison got a brief taste of freedom last
Saturday when they replaced their white prison issue with purple baptismal robes
for baptismal immersion at Herbert’s Beach. Trevor Hector, Novan Fahie, Delvin
Huggins and Everedde Allen, were the centre of attraction as the Adventist Youth
Department and the Prison Ministry Team (Nevis Chapter) of the Seventh Day
Adventist Church celebrated Prison Ministry Day at the Mannings SDA Church in
Butlers. The baptismal ceremony was preceded by a morning worship service at the
Mannings Church, where the four baptismal candidates teamed with another three
inmates to form the Mountain Brothers singing group. One of their two songs was
titled "Not Born to Lose."
Teacher is First WomanTo Head Jamaica Party
Jamaica, CANA - Veteran Educator
Hyacinth Bennett made history Sunday when she became the first woman to head a
political party in Jamaica.
Ms. Bennett, 53, defeated businessman Clinton Wilson to become president of the
National Democratic Movement (NDM) at its sixth annual meeting held at the
Jamaica Conference Centre. She polled 339 votes to Wilson's 13. The post became
vacant when founding president Bruce Golding announced on March 18 that he would
not seek re-election. Four vice presidents, Apollone Reid, Barbara Clarke, Pepon
Ruddock, and Michael Stern, were confirmed. While it is the first time in
Jamaica's political history that a woman is at the helm of a party, it is also
the first time that 60 percent of the party's main executive is made up of
women. Ms. Bennett, who has been in teaching for 33 years, told hundreds of
jubilant supporters that the only way out of Jamaica's economic woes was
"education, education and more education".
UNESCO
Helps Create Regional Internet Paper
Grenada,
CANA - Plans are in the pipeline for the establishment of an Internet-based
newspaper to serve the interest of Caribbean countries.
Ms. Jocelyne Josiah, an official of the United Nations Education Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), made the announcement during the fourth
Caribbean Media Conference, which ended last weekend.
Each of the papers will have its own website and will be able to report OECS
news to anyone logging ontto the Internet.
UNESCO,
which has agreed to fund the US$100,000 project , says it involves about 25
newspapers across the Caribbean with the main server located at the Grenadian
Voice in St. George's.
The project will upgrade any newspapers without the technical facility to
participate, and provide special training in Internet journalism and website
management.
While
speaking at the media conference Ms. Josiah added her bit of advice to the
editors and journalists. She said she believes the creation of a code of conduct
should be done by the journalists themselves. "I feel strongly that
questions such as a code of conduct and other means of regulating the practice
of journalism should be done by the journalist themselves. But I think that we
need in the Caribbean is to help strengthen the associations of journalist to
put them into a position to formulate a code of conduct."
Gertel
Thom Named Antigua's New AG
Guyana-born
Gertel Thom, a former Attorney General in Montserrat, was appointed by Prime
Minister Lester Bird last week to be the first female Attorney General of
Antigua & Barbuda. She replaces Dr. Errol Cort, who was fired by Mr. Bird
for his role in the controversy surrounding Antigua & Barbuda's Medical
Benefits Scheme.
Ms. Thom, who was Deputy Solicitor General for Antigua and Barbuda, singled out
electoral and constitutional reforms as her immediate priorities. Before leaving
Guyana, Ms. Thom was a State Counsel in the office of Guyana's Director of
Public Prosecutions.
Before she became Attorney General in Montserrat, she was its Principal Crown
Counsel and Chief Legal Advisor to the British Governor for six years. Ms. Thom
is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Sir Hugh
Wooding Law School.
Brush
Fires Heighten Fears in Dominica
A
high incidence of brush fires in Dominica has raised concerns about the
potential hazard that could result from exposed terrain affected by heat.
"We have fears that with the hurricane season coming on stream, that it may
assist in fuelling hurricanes, but more specifically the whole question of
landslides, and slippage, falling rocks and things of that nature,"
Disaster Preparedness Coordinator Cecil Shillingford told the Caribbean News
Agency (CANA) last week. He explained that the intense heat of the prolonged
drought, creates cracks in the surface of the soil, which loosen particularly
during torrential rains. Due to the mountainous topography of the island, he is
concerned that landslides can pose the risk of road closures particularly along
the western coast. He contends that in the past, his department has not had to
worry about hazards caused by dry weather. Since the start of the dry season in
March, the Fire Department has had to deal with a spate of brush fires which
intensified last week with at least 10 reported to the Department.
Antigua Police, Firemen Look for Their Deductions
Antigua, CANA - Antigua and Barbuda's police and fire
officials are complaining about the apparent non-submission of deductions from
their salaries to insurance and other entities.
Police Commissioner Truehart Smith, promised a statement on the matter but so
far non has been forthcoming. Representatives of the Police Welfare Association
declined to comment on the issue. However, some policemen claimed anonymously
that the Treasury was deducting monies from their salaries and mortgages but
those were not being paid to the various agencies for some time now. Over 100
police and fire officials from as far as the sister-island of Barbuda gathered
at their headquarters in Antigua to discuss the issue on Thursday morning. Some
members of the police force and fire service complained that when they went to
claim benefits from their insurance companies, they were told that no premiums
were paid on their behalf. At a meeting with representatives of the welfare
association's executive Commissioner Smith assured them that deductions made on
behalf of State Insurance Corporation (SIC) were being paid in.
St. Maarten Readies Hurricane Passes
St.
Maarten (GIS) - Last week, members of the Executive Council were presented with
their Hurricane Mobility Passes. Fire Commander Winston Salomon made the
presentation to the Island Secretary.
Mr. Salomon
told the members of the Council that with the 2001 Hurricane Season just around
the corner, 660 applications for mobility passes were made by the private sector
between March 15 and May 1. The Department of Emergency Services (HVD) is
currently printing the passes, and hopes to have all by July 1. The objective of
the pass system is to maintain public order during an emergency and to be able
to effectively mobilize all necessary emergency support teams and clean-up crews
after the passing of a hurricane. Only those with a security clearance mobility
pass can use the public roads during emergency curfew periods. The mobility
passes also help business owners who may want to assess damages to their
property.
St.
Maarten Expands Anti-Tick Campaign
St.
Maarten (GIS) - The Hygiene & Veterinary Department (H&VD) plans to
expand its relationship on the North side of the island in the fight against the
Tropical Bont Tick, Department Head Tony Boyrard told the Government Information
Service (GIS).
This
will be done in close conjunction with the Amblyomma Program Council (APC) of
the Caribbean Amblyomma Program (CAP). The APC has a goal of wiping out the
TBT by the end of 2002.
"If
St. Maarten wants to achieve the provisional free status by the end of 2002,
cooperation between both sides of the island is essential," Jorien
Lucas-Wuite, Director of the Sector for Health Care Affairs," said
Wednesday.
Mr. Boyrard,
who is also CAP Coordinator for the South side of the island, told GIS,
"The CAP is willing to provide various types of resources to both sides of
the island in order to rid the island of TBT."
The
TBT, according to Mr. Broyard, has existed on the island since the early 1980s,
when many livestock herds on the island were wiped out. During the same
time, there was a regional outbreak of TBT. The CAP eradication program
started back in 1993/94.
Anti-racism Conferees Get Ready in Barbados
Barbados,
CANA - Delegates from 15 Latin American and Caribbean states took part in a
three-day meeting here last Thursday in preparation for the upcoming World
Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa, this autumn.
The sessions at the Sam Lord's Castle focused on areas including economics,
education, and civil society's involvement in decision-making.
The main objectives of the consultation were to explore policies and practices
to include racial and other socially excluded groups in economically viable
projects.
Caribbean Star gets green light from Guyana
Antigua, CANA - The Guyana government
has in principle granted route rights to the Antigua-based privately-owned
regional airline, Caribbean Star, a senior airline official said Monday.
"We have been informed that the route rights have been granted but it has
to go to the cabinet for approval," Gilles Filiatreault, Chief Executive
Officer of Caribbean Star told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA).
Applications for flying rights are submitted to the Public Works and
Communications Minister who then refers them to the Air Transport Board (ATB)
before they go back to the minister for eventual cabinet approval. The airline,
owned by American-born Antiguan billionaire Allen Stanford, applied for route
rights one month ago and expects to get the final green light in another two
weeks. Filiatreault said Caribbean Star initially would fly
Barbados-Grenada-Guyana but with the development of Barbados as a hub, a
non-stop service would eventually be available from Guyana to Barbados with
connections to the rest of the Caribbean island chain. Earmarked as a hub,
Barbados has approved an application by Caribbean Star for routes linking
Barbados to St. Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Caribbean
Star was previously only allowed to fly from Barbados to Dominica and islands
further north except St Maarten.
"I am extremely pleased with the graciousness with which Caribbean Star has
been treated by the Barbados government and the great encouragement the airline
has been given in its efforts to make Barbados a major hub," he was quoted
at the weekend in his newspaper, the Antigua Sun. Caribbean Star's plans to fly
as far south as Guyana are coming to fruition at a time when the carrier is
moving to increase its fleet from five Dash-8s to 25 aircraft with the
acquisition of 14 regional jets and several Twin Otters to ply the islands with
smaller runways. LIAT and Caribbean
Star both serve all the English-speaking Caribbean islands of Antigua and
Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and the
British Virgin Islands (BVI).
Caribbean media focusing on press freedom
CANA - Media workers in the Caribbean
have agreed to set up a watchdog committee to closely monitor attempts to
interfere with press freedom in the region.
A statement released late Monday following the Fourth Caribbean media conference
in St. George's said the three-member committee will comprise the chairpersons
of the upcoming conference and the two previous ones. The oversight committee
"will look out for the interests of publishers and broadcasters in the
Caribbean, who are the subjects of attacks".The conference agreed to issue
a press release expressing support for the Media Workers Association of Grenada
in the face of attempts by the government to institute a Code of Practice. In
fact, the conference expressed opposition to any form of intervention by
government in drafting codes of conduct for media workers and that the media
should work towards self-regulation. In 1997 the Grenada Cabinet appointed a
committee to establish a media policy triggering concern among the local media
that government was planning to regulate and censor the press. A recent revision
to the policy has been circulated after the Cabinet and the Ministry of legal
affairs studied it.
"I am advised that the feedback has been much more encouraging that in the
past and we are now studying the responses," Prime Minister Dr Keith
Mitchell said in a keynote address to delegates at the media conference.
"We intend to continue this consultative process and ultimately formulate a
policy that will serve to establish acceptable and longstanding standards of
broadcasting and print in our nation as well as provide appropriate guidelines
and rules of conduct for media personnel" said Dr. Mitchell. He called on
the media to police itself in light of "... a media house or a particular
member of the media presenting incorrect and even slanderous reports which are
more often than not attributed to the proverbial `reliable but unnamed source'.
Relatively,UNESCO's sub-regional
advisor for communication in the Caribbean Jocelyne Josiah believes the creation
of a code of conduct should be done by the journalists themselves.
"I feel strongly that questions such as a code of conduct and other means
of regulating the practice of journalism should be done by the journalist
themselves. But I think that what we need in the Caribbean is to help strengthen
the associations of journalist to put them into a position to formulate a code
of conduct" Josiah told CANA.
About 100 journalists, editors and observers from the English, Spanish and
French-speaking Caribbean participated in discussions ranging from the quality
of journalism and low salaries to the problems of retaining new talent.
There was consensus on the need for proper training, but it was agreed that the
problems could be traced to the level of management and approach to the business
of journalism.
It was felt that Caribbean
journalism was struggling and only travel within the region, further training,
and the resistance of insularity among managers and publishers could cure this.
TRAINING
"The training should be in a range of areas including ensuring that they
are aware of the history and culture of the Caribbean. But also be multi-skilled
so that they can move from one medium to the next and that they should be
employable anywhere in the world," said Dr Hopetun Dunn senior lecturer at
the Caribbean Institute of Mass Communication (CARIMAC) UWI Jamaica.
"We should expand more dramatically than even we currently contemplate the
outreach work of Carimac. I think we need a more extensive regional study as to
what exactly are the ways in which our services are needed throughout the length
and breadth of the Caribbean" said Dr Dunn during his presentation titled
"Generation
Next: Agenda and Readiness". Panelists also included Jamaica's Lester
Spaulding and Oliver Clarke Trinidad and Tobago's Ken Gordon and Guyana's David
De Caires as well as Trinidad and Tobago's Information Minister Ralph Maraj.
STATE MEDIA
"I am saying that in a mature evolved developed society the state media
could be eventually end-up to be the most independent of our media" said
Maraj delivering a presentation on the future of state owned media in the
Caribbean.
"In an evolved society which leads itself but there is political
consciences and there is public opinion the politicians dare not interfere with
the state media and so the state media can maintain its independence,"
Maraj said.
There are plans to call for a meeting of regional information ministers who have
not met in ten years and to ask that media representatives attend.
Caribbean media workers also agreed to issue a strong call for the establishment
of a freedom of information act in each territory.
The conference also agreed to the
formation of a committee of publishers and broadcasters whose main task is to
ensure press freedom remains on the agenda.
Ainsley Sahai is to be appointed to ensure recommendations are implemented ahead
of the fifth Caribbean media conference in Antigua next year.
The
government of Antigua, in an effort to slash its wage bill, has placed 1,500 of
its 6,000 non-established workers on a shortened workweek.
Effective Monday, May 21, these employees worked three days a week as part of
the government's economic austerity programme.
The 2001 National Budget provides for a 20-percent slash in the wage bill,
though among other measures, including retrenchment and an end to ad hoc salary
hikes for established and non-established public sector workers.
These measures are expected to reduce payroll expenditures in 2001 by
approximately EC$23 million (US$8.51 million).
The Antigua Trades and Labour Union, an arm of the ruling Antigua Labour Party,
said that government has discarded the union's proposal for a 20-percent wage
cut for all non-established and established workers as well as government
ministers.
Blocking
OECD Tax Bid Wins Applause for U.S.
PARIS
– The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s so-called
“harmful tax competition” effort suffered a serious setback at the
organization’s recently concluded ministerial meeting. In a dramatic reversal
from last year, the end-of-session communiqué issued by the OECD’s member
nations contained no endorsement of the organization’s attack on low-tax
countries. Instead, the communiqué merely noted that the project existed.
“The Bush Administration deserves appreciation from the world’s
taxpayers,” said Andrew Quinlan, President of the Center for Freedom and
Prosperity. Quinlan headed a delegation that traveled to Paris to monitor the
OECD meeting. “Thanks to the good work of the president’s economic policy
team, we are on the verge of winning the battle for tax competition, financial
privacy, and fiscal sovereignty,” he said.
Mr. Quinlan cautioned against celebration, however, saying that “We have
won an important battle; the war is not over. We must redouble our efforts and
continue to work with Congress and the Bush administration to defend America’s
national economic interests. Over the next few weeks we will be launching
a new competitive tax policy campaign that includes grassroots education and
activism as well as seminars on tax competition, financial privacy and fiscal
sovereignty.”
In Washington, Daniel Mitchell of the Heritage Foundation agreed, saying
“Career bureaucrats at the U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS are
desperately fighting to resuscitate the OECD agenda. That is why shifting to a
territorial, or source-based tax system, is the only way to achieve a permanent
victory. This is the right way to eliminate tax evasion.”
PM critical of journalists
By Rawle Titus
Grenada, CANA - Media houses that pay scant regard to accuracy and truth in
reporting sensational stories under a mandate driven solely by profits are
behaving no different
from drug dealers, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell said last Friday.
"When profits become the sole driving force behind a media
operation, when the race to print or air a particular allegation first takes
precedence over truth and accuracy, then the persons
behind such actions, in my opinion, are no better than the drug barons who
destroy the lives to make profits," Dr. Mitchell said. The
Grenadian leader was delivering the keynote address in St. George's at the
opening of the fourth annual Caribbean Media Conference. Dr.
Mitchell complained that some journalists allowed themselves to be used by
politicians and trade unions and said the media had failed to police itself.
He also said the media put too much emphasis on political issues
while neglecting health care, education reform and truancy. "If
your newspapers and your newscast only report on the perceived scandals, the
latest gruesome accident or incidents of
alleged corruption or you report by innuendo rather than by fact, then you are
distorting the image of your community," he said. "If your
newspapers and newscasts place heavy emphasis on one particular issue or
development while ignoring the other less-headline-grabbing stories, you are
forgetting about balance."
Media Workers Association of Grenada President Wayne Modeste told
CANA the Prime Minister should retract his statement. "I find
it very unfair that the Prime Minister could have linked media practitioners to
... the drugs barons in that we do not indoctrinate anyone," Modeste said.
"He may have had his gripes with certain media practitioners in Grenada,
but to have linked us with the drug barons I think he may have gone too far. I
think the Prime Minister should retract that statement." The
Caribbean's leading media practitioners were Friday afternoon engaged in debate
on issues ranging from the future of the state-owned media to modern technology
in small media. Overall, the meeting is looking at the role of the
Press in a small society.
St.
Vincent to Offer Small Business Loans
St.
Vincent, CANA - Young persons interested in setting up small businesses will
soon receive financial assistance in the form of loans from the National
Commercial Bank to do so.
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, made the
announcement at the opening ceremony of a consultation on the National
Commission of Crime Thursday.
He
said that the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) had informed him that there was
approximately US$500,000 available to the government for micro-loans.
He also said that government would also be seeking to raise EC$500,000 from each
of the five commercial banks in the country for lending to micro enterprises.
The Prime Minister said young persons and others involved in micro enterprises
should get their proposals together and apply for these loans. He emphasised
that small business persons in the Rastarfarian community will be treated like
all small business persons who go to the institution with their proposals.
Nevisians Offered Affordable Housing
Nevis, CANA - Prospective homeowners
in Nevis are being given a chance to put a roof over their heads with a deposit
of EC$1,000, Housing Minister Maclcom Guishard said last week at the launch of
four model units of a government-sponsored affordable housing programme.
"We decided after careful thought, and acting on the representation of
several ordinary Nevisians, that we would request a minimum deposit of EC$1,000
on these homes and that monthly payments would be kept down to a minimum,
somewhere in the vicinity
of EC$600, even if we had to stretch the mortgage over a period of 25
years," Mr. Guishard said.
Developers had valued the houses at about EC$68,000, Mr. Guishard told the
crowd, and under normal circumstances, a prospective buyer would be required to
raise a deposit of EC$6,800, or 10
percent of the value of house. He said the government felt this would discourage
many low-income earners.
He pointed out that the monthly payment would be well in the reach of the
average low middle-income earner in Nevis.
LIAT Union SupportsEarly Retirement Idea
Antigua, CANA - The Antigua Workers Union (AWU) is supporting
in principle the idea of voluntary early retirement by some workers of the
regional airline LIAT (1974) Ltd.
"What LIAT is seeking to do is to reduce expenditure without creating any
heavy impact on workers, then it is good for all of us," Maurice Christian,
AWU President, told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA).
The voluntary early retirement package is expected to further reduce the number
of workers and realise savings in much needed cash.
Mr. Christian said LIAT had only talked with his union about the plan to offer
at least 100 workers across the Caribbean early retirement packages but nothing
was discussed specifically about Antigua operations.
He said some AWU members working at LIAT could be affected if the package were
offered to lower paid workers, but he could not say at this time which group of
workers would be offered.
Of the 850 workers at LIAT, AWU does not represent executive management, middle
management, pilots, engineers or flight attendants, as they have their own
associations.
Noting that the Union "usually would suggest voluntary retirement,"
Mr. Christian explained that voluntary early retirement would help those who
wanted to leave the company and "soften the impact of redundancy."
The voluntary retirement package will cost the airline a one-off payment of at
least EC$5 million (US$1,851,851). But the cash-strapped company said it stands
to save at least EC$6 million in salaries and overhead expenses per year, should
all of the 100 workers, including just under 10 managers, accept the offer.
LIAT's Board of Directors will meet shortly to consider the package. If it is
offered, some workers could begin receiving proposals within a month.
Jamaica Offering Telecom Licences
Jamaica, CANA - As part of the second
phase of liberalising the telecommunications sector, the Jamaica government will
begin this weekend entertaining new applications for more licences, State
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Technology, Colin Campbell has announced.
Mr. Campbell said domestic carrier, domestic service provider and service
provider licences would be granted on September 1. He said that the plan was to
do the preliminary work and testing before September 1, so that the licences
could take effect on the day.
He said that Digicel, the new entrant in the mobile services market, had
connected over 40,000 cellular phones after six weeks in operation, adding that
the Irish-based company employs over 200 people directly, but intended to
recruit another 50 with a variety of skills as the demand for its service
increased.
Antigua Minister Says No to PM Bird's Order
ST.JOHN'S, Antigua, CANA - An Antigua
& Barbuda government minister has refused Prime Minister Lester Bird's order
for him to return a US$1,200 per diem that he received from the scandal-ridden
Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
Senator Bernard Walker, Junior Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Public
Works, declared that he was surprised by the order because the per diem was
approved by Cabinet along with an estimated EC$11,660 (US$4,292) for a medical
check-up in Miami during last August and September.
Sen. Walker said that he would only repay the money if proof is shown that he
was not entitled to the allowance that covered hotel, food and transportation
expenses.
He said he wished to learn why he was the only minister so named in the report
"when in fact many, many other parliamentarians and indeed ministers of
government are also recipients of the same privilege."
Sen. Walker is the third minister to be singled out following the publication of
a forensic audit into alleged financial wrongdoing at the MBS, the other two
being Dr.. Errol Cort and Bernard Percival, who were fired last week.
JAMAICA, (JIS) -- Minister of Industry, Commerce and
Technology, Phillip Paulwell, has said the creation of 40,000 jobs in the
information technology and communications sector would soon be a reality.
Speaking
at a banquet honouring 14 graduates of the 106-year-old Bull Savannah Primary
School, Minister Paulwell said tremendous opportunities existed in the
information technology and communications sector.
Pointing
to the liberalisation of the sector, he said that "by September of this
year a third player, Centennial, should be entering the telecommunications
sector,” which should lead to the creation of more jobs.
The
end result of this action, he said, would be the creation of a far cheaper
platform for Internet services. He pointed out that the Government had removed
the general consumption tax on computers.
Keith
Rowley Suspension Prompts T&T Walk-out
Trinidad,
CANA - Trinidad and Tobago's opposition party has accused Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Dr. Rupert Griffith, of bias and has threatened to bring a
vote of no confidence against him if he does not shape up.
Opposition Chief Whip Ken Valley said the Peoples National Movement (PNM) staged
a walk-out last Thursday because they were fed up and frustrated with Dr.
Griffith's bias as Speaker.
The opposition walked out following the suspension of one of their colleagues Dr
Keith Rowley, whom the Speaker accused of disrespect.
The Speaker had earlier called on Dr Rowley to withdraw statements made about
Attorney General Ramesh Maharaj, and when he refused he was ordered to
discontinue his contribution to a debate.
Dr. Rowley was suspended following an exchange of words with the Speaker.
Speaking on Power 102 Roundtable radio discussions on Sunday, Mr. Valley said
Dr. Griffith's actions show "a total lack of respect for the office of
Speaker."
"When you look at how that matter was dealt with and the tenor of the
Speaker's position with Dr. Rowley, one sees the obvious bias ... extremely
annoying," he said.
Antigua NGOs Pressing On Health Scheme Probe
Antigua, CANA - A group of
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is still petitioning Governor General Sir
James Carlisle for a Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Benefits Scheme
(MBS) although Prime Minister Lester Bird has ruled it out.
Joan Underwood, spokeswoman for the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations
(CNGO,) said that the recently issued forensic audit report strengthens the
demand of the 13 organisations for a public inquiry.
The CNGO dismissed Mr. Bird's that a public inquiry because it would cost at
least EC$1.5 million (US$555,000),
take too long and could hamper any judicial process in which defendants could
challenge the rules of evidence in court.
Prime
Minister Bird has already sacked Attorney General Bernard Cort and former Health
Minister Bernard Percival in the wake of the report, for "a lapse of good
judgement" but said the audit found no evidence of wrongdoing by them.
Ms.
Underwood said the CNGO were a bit surprised that the two would have been
terminated "for a lapse of
good judgement, when we have had repeated instances of lapse of good judgement.
"There
has been massive, massive, massive fraudulent activity at the Medical Benefits
Scheme (and) the final report supports this," she said.
At Thursday's meeting, the 13 labour, private sector, religious and political
organisations agreed to continue collecting signatures to a petition for
dispatch to the Governor General.
The grouping is relying on a constitutional provision that states that the
Governor General can order a Commission of Inquiry without the advice of the
Prime Minister.
Caribbean Star Gains Routes, Looks to Jets
Compiled from dispatches
Antigua,
CANA -- Caribbean Star, the privately owned Antigua-based regional airline, last
week announced a US$50-million expansion plan, including introduction of jet
service, and said Monday its latest bid for route rights is about to be granted
by the Guyana government.
Both
announcements came in the Antigua Sun newspaper, a property of Allen Stanford,
the airline's owner.
Gilles
Filiatreault, Chief Executive Officer, said Caribbean Star applied to Guyana for
route rights one month ago and expects to get the final green light in another
two weeks.
He said the airline initially would fly Barbados-Grenada-Guyana but non-stop
service would eventually be available from Guyana to Barbados with connections
to the rest of the Caribbean island chain.
The planned introduction of 14 regional jets, however, is
part of an overall strategy to serve destinations as distant as Suriname, Cuba
and Mexico. No date has been set on the expansion.
Mr. Stanford announced to staff members that Caribbean Star's existing fleet of
five Dash 8s would be increased to 25 aircraft with the acquisition of several
Twin Otters and the regional jets.
"We will show them what a truly Caribbean airline is. Any island that has
at least a 2,000-foot runway, will with the necessary governmental approvals,
see a Caribbean Star plane at its airport," said the U.S.-born
Antigua-based billionaire.
Meanwhile Barbados, which is earmarked as a hub, has approved an application by
Caribbean Star for routes linking Barbados to St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad
and Tobago and Guyana. Caribbean Star was previously only allowed to fly from
Barbados to Dominica and islands further north except St. Maarten.
All these signs of growth come at a time when Caribbean Star's closest
competitor, LIAT (1974) Ltd, is working to shed its estimated EC$20-million debt
and return to profitability through a new marketing plan.
LIAT has linked up with Martinique-based Air Caraibe and St.
Maarten-headquartered WinAir to serve most of the islands in the Caribbean.
LIAT and Caribbean Star both serve all the English-speaking Caribbean islands of
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and
Nevis, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
The
badly decomposed body of an 18-year-old St. Kitts woman, Lydia Rochester, was
found last Sunday in a shallow grave about half a mile from her home.
The
body of her one-month old son Diandrah was found on Monday in another grave
about 50 yards away.
St.
Kitts and Nevis police questioned four men, among them the child's father, in
connection with the deaths.
Police
reported that the bodies were in such a state of decomposition that they were
unable to tell if there were any marks of violence. A forensic pathologist is expected to conduct a post mortem,
after which the investigation will
continue.
Regional Media Target Foes of Press Freedom
Grenada -- Media workers met in the Fourth Annual Caribbean
Media Conference in Grenada last weekend and agreed during their three-day
sessions to set up a watchdog committee to closely monitor attempts to interfere
with press freedom in the region.
The oversight committee "will
look out for the interests of publishers and broadcasters in the Caribbean, who
are the subjects of attacks," a conference statement said.
The conference agreed to issue a press release expressing support for the Media
Workers Association of Grenada in the face of attempts by the government of
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell to institute a Code of Practice.
In fact, the conference expressed opposition to any form of intervention by
government in drafting codes of conduct for media workers and that the media
should work towards self-regulation.
In
1997 the Grenada Cabinet appointed a committee to establish a media policy,
triggering concern among the local media that government was planning to
regulate and censor the press.
Dr.
Mitchell, who was a keynote speaker, told the conference that a recent revision
to the policy has been circulated after the Cabinet and the Ministry of legal
affairs studied it.
He said the government intends "ultimately to formulate a policy that will
serve to establish acceptable and longstanding standards of broadcasting and
print in our nation as well as provide appropriate guidelines and rules of
conduct for media personnel."
He
said it was not his Government’s intention to dictate a code to the media, but
that the media had that responsibility, which he felt it was not carrying out.
Another
speaker, Ralph Maraj, Trinidad and Tobago's Information Minister, told the media
workers that state media could eventually be the most independent regional
media. "In an evolved society which leads itself but there is political
conscience and there is public opinion, the politicians dare not interfere with
the state media and so the state media can maintain its independence," he
said.
About 100 journalists, editors and observers from the English, Spanish and
French-speaking Caribbean participated in discussions ranging from the quality
of journalism and low salaries to the problems of retaining new talent.
(Bennett
Roach, editor and publisher of the Montserrat Reporter, was a participant.)
They agreed on the need for proper training, noting that the problems could be
traced to the level of management and approach to the business of journalism.
The
Caribbean's strugging journalism, they decided, could only be cured by greater
travel within the region, further training, and to resistance to insularity
among managers and publishers.
The
fifth annual conference will be held next year in Antigua.
Mining
and Energy Minister, Bobby Pickersgill made the disclosure Tuesday during the
opening of the 2001/02 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.
In light of this, he said the Mines and Geology Division was
now processing an application for a quarry licence for the Lottery deposit.
“Considering the demand that should come for Highway 2000,
we are hoping that other companies will follow suit so that Jamaica will be
self-sufficient in skid-resistant aggregate and be able to export this
commodity, which should find a ready market in Florida,” he said.
Florida
imports most of the vast quantities of this material that it uses.
Tortola
Officials Hold Management Retreat
Tortola
(GIS) -- His Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Chief Minister, Ralph T.
O’Neal, Hon. Alvin Christopher, Hon. Ethlyn Smith, Hon. Julian Fraser and Hon.
Andrew Fahie met with the Deputy Governor, Financial Secretary, Permanent
Secretaries and other Top Officials at Biras Creek two days in May to discuss
the management of the Public Service in the BVI.
The
objectives of the 1½-day retreat were to: Define the roles of Ministers; review
relationships between Ministers and Top Management; set common goals; build
consensus, and discuss new trends in Public Sector Management.
The Retreat was
facilitated by former Senator Philip Marshall, the Deputy Executive Chairman of
Ernst and Young (Caribbean), who earlier in the year had conducted a similar
Retreat for Ministers and Top Officials in his native Trinidad and Tobago.
One
of the important outcomes of the retreat was a commitment to move swiftly to the
introduction of performance management standards for Permanent Secretaries who
would be eligible for performance bonuses in the successful delivery of results.
The Minister and the Governor would be responsible for the evaluation
process.
The
remainder of the Public Service is covered by the Performance Management
Programme.
Antigua ISP Starts Service next Week
Antigua, CANA - Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd., the
leading provider of computer technology product and services in Antigua, said
Thursday that it will begin its Internet Services, ACT-Online, on June 1, 2001.
ACT-Online offers three access plans for dial-up customers – a Basic Plan 10
hours at $29.95 per month, Basic Plus 35 hours at $79.95 per month, and Club 56,
Unlimited hours of Access $119.00 per month.
With an ACT-Online account, all customers will receive a user name and password
for Internet access, using the latest modem technology to ensure fastest
connections and increased reliability.
ACT-Online is Antigua's only local ISP and has provided free unlimited Internet
access to customers since October 2000.
US$44,500 to Help Nevis on Food Safety
Nevis
(GIS) -- Mr. Livingston Herbert, Junior Minister for Agriculture, Lands,
Housing, Co-operatives and Fisheries, said Thursday that a US$44,500.00 to the
government would certainly ensure that Nevis met the standards required of it in
the area of food production.
Mr.
Herbert said that the money was from the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Hurricane
Recovery Project.
"An
ice-making machine will be purchased for the Nevis Fisheries Co-operative
Society," he said. He added that an amount would be used "to improve
the Charlestown Public Market in a number of areas being looked at in terms of
security, layout and screens. The remainder of the money would be used to
enhance the abattoir."
NEW BUSINESS ENTITY FORMED IN ANGUILLA
A
new Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been formed in Anguilla, an
amalgamation of the now-defunct Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and the Anguilla
Business Association, ABA.
The
ACCI is headed by prominent local jurist Mr. John Benjamin.
Other members of the Board are Chris Richardson, Louis Bardfield, Alecia
Ballin, Courtney Devonish and Donna Banks as vice presidents, who will each head
separate committees.
Other
officers include the secretary, Wilma Vanterpool, assisted by Merlin Rogers, and
Treasurer Cassilda O’Loughlin. Eventually
plans are to have a permanent office and secretary.
According
to President Benjamin, the former Chamber of Commerce had not been functioning
for some years and it was agreed to dissolve that organization.
The Anguilla Business Association (ABA), formed in 1997 mostly for small
businesses, has been functioning effectively but is not recognized in the wider
Caribbean Confederation of Employees.
The
ABA therefore agreed to dissolve that group and join the Anguilla Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
Jamaica
Continues Its Search for Gold
Kingston,
Jamaica -- Mining and Energy Minister Bobby Pickersgill reported last week that
the Mines and Geology Division was continuing its search for gold.
He
said last year the division conducted geological and geochemical evaluations in
the Hungry Gully area of St. Thomas, which had shown high potential in earlier
surveys. The samples are being
analysed and the results will be posted on the division’s website by October
2001. The website address is www.minesandegeologyjamaica.com.
Mr.
Pickersgill told the House of
Representatives that the Commissioner of Mines and Geology had received an
initial royalty payment for the gold sold in March, the month when gold
production began at the gold mining site in Pennants.
Mr.
Pickersgill said the royalty would be paid on a quarterly basis.
The Minister said the Commissioner had put in place a monitoring
programme, which started long before the commencement of mining, to look at the
impact of mining operations on the environment.
LIAT
Directors Hail Cost Cuts, Progress
Antigua,
CANA - The Board of Directors of LIAT (1974) Ltd. Tuesday expressed satisfaction
with the implementation of LIAT's three-year Business Plan, noting the strong
performance of April and May with passenger numbers running 13 percent ahead of
last year.
In April 1999, LIAT had a total staff complement of 1,022, which has now been
reduced to 828 employees.
The Board recognised the progress being made on cost reduction and emphasised
the necessity for management and staff to redouble their efforts to ensure that
all targets are met.
The financial restructuring of the company was discussed in detail.
In a statement issued to the media Tuesday, LIAT said that seven Caribbean
governments have agreed to the proposed trade of Debt for Preference Share, and
two others advised they would respond shortly, along with their position on a
proposed Rights Issue.
A number of Shareholders have already indicated they wish to accept the Rights
Issue.
"When the Rights Issue process is completed, the Board will seek
shareholder approval to attract new investment by means of offering additional
ordinary shares to trade investors and the general Caribbean public right across
the region," the statement added.
Is E-Tourism The Future?
(reprinted from www.travelmole.com)
The
Internet and developments in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have
revolutionized the entire business world, generating new business models,
changing the structure of the distribution channels and re-engineering all
processes. Given that the online travel industry is information intensive,
people can easily conduct research on fares, timetables, tour offers, and hotel
availability and destination holidays over the web.
It
is against this backdrop of change that the University of Surrey decided to
launch the first MSc in eTourism in the world. The course focuses on the ways
that tourism, travel and hospitality organizations can use the latest
information communication technologies to achieve competitive advantages in the
new digital global world of eTourism. Specialized modules include ePlanning,
eManagement, eMarketing, eCommerce and eProcurement. A healthy diet of more
traditional tourism and hospitality modules are also included as options in the
modular system operated at the University.
Students
are able to explore the ways in which they can transform traditional tourism
enterprises, develop and manage new electronic and dot COM businesses and take
advantage of the emerging technological tools. So far, interest in the course
has been high and there are only 15 places available in the first year.
Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Mr. K. Dwight
Venner has noted the need for prudent regulation by the region’s financial
supervisors to maintain the sector’s competitive edge, given the volatile
nature of banking systems world-wide.
Mr. Venner addressed participants at the 19th Annual CARICOM
Bank Supervisors Conference last week in St. Kitts, which was hosted by the
ECCB.
Mr. Venner said, in the context of the Eastern Caribbean Currency
Union’s (ECCU’s) single financial space, improvements in financial
regulatory systems are critical to the region's success in the global economy.
The governor emphasised the need to understand the role of capital flows
in achieving greater economic development. He also stressed that financial
supervisors should not consider themselves mere audit personnel but as skilled
generators of new ideas for change.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in St. Kitts, Hon. Denzil L.
Douglas, said in his feature address, “For many of our countries in the
Caribbean region, the financial sector is becoming increasingly important to the
overall economic thrusts. One would agree that the scrutiny that the region has
experienced, in relatively recent times, means that we must ensure that all
areas of the financial and banking sectors perform at the highest acceptable
standards. “
“We must sustain and improve areas of cooperation," he said.
"In fact, the issue of regionalism is today, more relevant to us than ever
before. Our ability to put forward a united front is critical to our long-term
sustainability, and the welfare of the people of the region.”
ANGUILLA LOOKS AHEAD TO
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The Government of Anguilla is in the process of preparing a
New Telecommunications Policy to guide the framing of new legislation for the
industry.
The
effort is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications
and Utilities, which is now widely circulating a draft outline of the policy for
public comment.
According
to the draft document, Anguilla’s small size and population, as well as its
location and tax-free status, provide both challenges and competitive
advantages.
The
document further makes the point that the island’s tax-free status, stable
government and the comfort that it provides to investors as a dependent overseas
British Territory holds the promise for its development as a base for e-commerce
and technology industries.
NEW BUSINESS ENTITY FORMED IN ANGUILLA
A
new Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been formed in Anguilla, an
amalgamation of the now-defunct Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and the Anguilla
Business Association, ABA.
The
ACCI is headed by prominent local jurist Mr. John Benjamin.
Other members of the Board are Chris Richardson, Louis Bardfield, Alecia
Ballin, Courtney Devonish and Donna Banks as vice presidents, who will each head
separate committees.
Other
officers include the secretary, Wilma Vanterpool, assisted by Merlin Rogers, and
Treasurer Cassilda O’Loughlin. Eventually
plans are to have a permanent office and secretary.
According
to President Benjamin, the former Chamber of Commerce had not been functioning
for some years and it was agreed to dissolve that organization.
The Anguilla Business Association (ABA), formed in 1997 mostly for small
businesses, has been functioning effectively but is not recognized in the wider
Caribbean Confederation of Employees.
The
ABA therefore agreed to dissolve that group and join the Anguilla Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
UN Calls Caribbean To HIV/AIDS Session
The
United Nations will hold a General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS
on 25-27 June.
Prime
Ministers, Ministers of Health, other health practitioners and advocates in the
fight against HIV/AIDS will attend this gathering of high officials from all
over the world.
A
series of preparatory meetings and informal discussions is preceding the UNGASS.
The first of these was held in February 2000. Another, convened for 21-25 May,
will address the contents of the proposed Declaration of Commitment, which will
be signed during the UNGASS.
Outside
South Sahara Africa, the Caribbean is the hardest hit by HIV/AIDS in the world
today. Nine out of 12 countries with the highest HIV prevalence in the Americas
are in the Caribbean. AIDS is the major cause of death within the 15-44 age
group. By the end of 2000 CAREC estimated that some 300,000 adults and children
in the region are living with HIV or AIDS, compared with 360,000 at the end of
1999. Given the lack of consistency of data from some countries and the
uncertainty about the estimates, the real number could well be closer to
500,000.
UNGASS
hopes to emphasise the role of national leadership in management and prevention
in this pandemic, while at the same time addressing care, support and
involvement of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
In
his address to the World Health Assembly in Geneva on 17 May, UN Secretary
General, Kofi Annan restated his call for a Global Fund of $7-9 Billion
originally made at the Africa HIV/AIDS Conference in Abuja in April 2001.
He
also said, "This historic UNGASS provides the Region with an opportunity to
be part of the international response to AIDS and to turn the tide on a truly
large scale that matches the extent of this epidemic."
Regional
Session Focuses On Cooperative Tourism
A
two-day meeting of regional organizations will be held May 17 in Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, to promote cooperation in sustainable tourism in the
Caribbean.
Mr.
Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will
join with his counterparts from the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the
Latin American Economic System (SELA), Central American Integration System
(SICA) and the Central Economic Integration System (SIECA) in seeking new levels
of cooperation.
The
establishment of a Sustainable Caribbean Tourism Zone is listed as a top agenda
item for this Second Meeting on Inter-Secretariat Co-operation in the Greater
Caribbean.