August 2009
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Archive for August 2009

MONDAY’S SPECIAL

31. August 2009 by admin.

YELLOW SPLIT PEAS AND RICE

CHICKEN CHOWMEIN; MACARONI PIE

BAKED PORK; BAKED CHICKEN

GRILLED BARRACUDA; FRIED POT FISH

FRIED FLYING FISH; PICKLED BREADFRUIT

FISH GRAVY; LAMB STEW

STEAMED VEGETABLES; TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD

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LIAT examining reduction of airfares to Caribbean destinations, says CEO

31. August 2009 by admin.



WILLEMSTAD, Curacao – Acting Chief Executive Officer of LIAT, Brian Challenger says the airline is aware of the concerns of Caribbean nationals regarding the high airfares charged by the airline and promises that efforts are ongoing to look at ways in which this can be addressed. Speaking at a press conference in Curacao on Friday, Challenger explained that while the airline is desirous of addressing this issue there are a number of other factors that are hindering immediate reduction of the fares. Challenger noted that the issue of high rentals for Liat’s carriers and the high taxes charged by Caribbean governments are partly responsible for the high airfares. “I agree that the cost of travel in the Caribbean is very expensive, that really reflects the cost for providing the service but to provide the type of service which Liat provides its very costly exercise… Liat spends about US$70,000 to lease an aircraft, and most of our aircrafts are leased. That is the norm internationally, very few airlines actually own aircraft. Pilots are expensive, engineers are expensive, as well as the technology that we use. If you really think about all the personnel involved in getting you onto a flight and taking you off, its a costly exercise. What we do really reflects the cost of the operations, Liat is a publicly owned company in a sense as it is primarily owned by three governments. Its function is not to really make a profit in the sense of providing major returns to its shareholders, but principally to cover its cost including its capital and operational costs. The cost are high but they really reflect the cost of operating in the region,” Challenger said. Additionally, he noted that the price initially went up in 2006 when an agreement was reached between Liat and Caribbean Star, which had very low airfares, to raise their fares together by about 25 percent. He noted that cost can be compared to what it was four years ago and to the North American type operations which are the same. There is no way based on basic economics that Liat can provide the type of service like that of the United States and North American carriers. “I am not trying to give an excuse, we do recognize that the costs are high and we are trying to see what we can do to bring down some of those costs,” the CEO promised. Meanwhile, on the issue of a recent move by the Guyana government to meet with airlines plying the Georgetown route to discuss airfares, Challenger reported that while he has heard of the move, which he welcomes, his carrier has not been approached by the government of Guyana and remains open for any such discussion. Liat has been recently plagued by a number of late arrivals and delayed flights and, according to the CEO, there are some instances where this has happened but dismissed allegations that it is a regular occurrence, noting that the airline like any other may have flight problems, particularly at this time when there are some teething problems with pilots, who have been going on strike over contractual matters. He noted that when it comes to connecting flights, Liat, when it abolished this service in 2006, made it clear that it is not responsible for the delays of other airlines. Challenger noted that another problem the airline has been facing at destinations where larger carriers are not plying, is excess baggages, which sometimes result in persons receiving their baggage late. He explained that owing to the fact that from these destinations larger carriers are not operating, Liat and other regional airlines are left to transport the large baggage of passengers flying outside the Caribbean and these airlines do not have the cargo capacity to accommodate excess baggage. The airline boss has also revealed that talks between Liat and the Barbados government regarding direct flights to Jamaica are hanging in the balance. “We had some discussion with the tourist board (Barbados) but at this point in time we don’t serve Jamaica and to be honest it probably is not going to happen in the near future. We are not closing the door on it but at this point in time its not something we agree on,” Challenger explained. The Lait boss is also hoping that all Caribbean governments buy more shares in the airline which he feels can improve its efficiency.

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Thirty-four standards in the works says Barbados National Standard Institution

31. August 2009 by admin.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — There are 34 standards currently being developed by the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) under an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB/MIF) funded project arrangement. They will cover a range of areas including gold jewellery, wooden furniture and botanical cosmetics.

Chief Technical Officer (Specifications) at the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI), Fabian Scott, said these standards were necessary to ensure that Barbadian goods were of a high quality when exported.

He made these observations while addressing the BNSI/CROSQ sponsored small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) business support organisation seminar on Standards and Conformity Assessment, in St Michael.

Scott also revealed that standards outlining the specifications for packaged natural coconut water; wooden furniture; fruit and vegetable juices; fruit nectars; spices and sauces were also being formulated by CROSQ.

To create greater efficiencies in the business sector, he said a Good Management Practices Standard for SMEs (9001,14000 OSH) was also in the works.

In highlighting the benefits of applying standards to the operations of small, micro and medium-sized sectors, Scott indicated: “Standards are not only a necessary business tool; they also assist managers to improve the competitiveness of their businesses, which ultimately, would lead to economic growth for their respective countries.”

Meanwhile, Project Manager at CROSQ, Michael Seepersaud, lamented the fact that there were too many SMEs which were oblivious to the standards that had been developed over the years, and those currently being developed to improve the competitiveness of their businesses.

To correct this deficiency, he disclosed that CROSQ, in collaboration with the BNSI and other standards bodies in the region, would step-up its educational awareness campaign about the importance of Technical Standards among SMEs in the public and private sectors.

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OAS Secretary General to pay official visit to Barbados

31. August 2009 by admin.

By Eyvette McClean

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, will pay an official visit to Barbados from Sunday, August 30, to Tuesday, September 1.

OAS Secretary General, José
Miguel Insulza. OAS Photo

While here, the Secretary General will pay courtesy calls on Governor General, Sir Clifford Husbands; and Prime Minister, David Thompson.

He will also participate in a working meeting that will be chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, and comprise officials from the Ministries of Economic Affairs, Education, Agriculture, Tourism and Foreign Affairs.

Insulza is also scheduled to meet with the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr Compton Bourne; and officials of the University of the West Indies.

The Barbados government said it attaches great importance to the work of the OAS, and in particular, the vital contribution made to this country’s continued development by the presence of its national office.

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Guyana president not interested in third term despite recent poll

31. August 2009 by admin.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Despite the result of a recent poll which suggested that almost half of the adult Guyanese population will support the president for a third term he will not run.

Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo. AFP PHOTO

President Bharrat Jagdeo’s constitutional two terms in office as Head of State comes to an end in 2011 and following the polls there were major speculations that there may be a referendum to see the Russian trained economist contest as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.

But Jagdeo while addressing a function late Friday evening here said he is not interested in another term in office and dismissed as “speculation” that he might find a way to maneuver himself into a third term.

“Let me tonight clear this up – I have no intention, no desire, nothing to run for another term so all of this speculation out there; it’s just that - speculation,” said Jagdeo

However, he stopped short of saying whether he supports or disapproves of the removal of two-term limits from the constitution.

Jagdeo was appointed Head of State in August 1999 after then president, Janet Jagan stepped down due to health reasons.

He contested the 2001 general elections as a the PPP presidential candidate, which his party won after grabbing over 50 percent of the votes and repeated this is 2006

There has been speculations over the past two months that Jagdeo may be looking to make constitutional changes and meet with the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR). Robert Corbin to remove the two term limit from the constitution.

A mid-July 2009 poll conducted by the North American Teachers Association (NACTA) showed that Jagdeo is the most popular politician in Guyana and if he contests for the presidency in the next elections he will win outright.

The Guyanese leader assured that he would be on the campaign trail for the next person.

Out of the 780 adults surveyed, 51 percent approved of Jagdeo’s performance as president; as compared to the 36 percent who disapprove and 13 percent who opted not to answer the question and 50 percent supports his third term.

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MONDAY’S SPECIAL

31. August 2009 by admin.

YELLOW SPLIT PEAS AND RICE

CHICKEN CHOWMEIN; MACARONI PIE

BAKED PORK; BAKED CHICKEN

GRILLED BARRACUDA; FRIED POT FISH

FRIED FLYING FISH; PICKLED BREAD FRUIT

FISH GRAVY; LAMB STEW

STEAMED VEGETABLES; TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD

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Vieira, Gayadin chalk up wins

31. August 2009 by admin.

-but Summerbell leads Caribbean c/ships
By Rawle Toney in Barbados

It was a day filled with some electrifying and exhilarating races at the Bushy Park circuit in Barbados and approximately 20,000 spectators were on hand to witness what turned out to be a day of mixed fortunes for Team Guyana at round two of this year’s Caribbean Motor Racing Championships yesterday.

Blessed by perfect weather for racing and a crowd which cheered and blew horns for the drivers to acknowledge their thrilling moves, Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira and Gavin Gayadin proved to be the more successful out of the six Guyanese represented.

MOVE OVER! Stephen Vieira smoothly passes Arthur Cumberbatch of Barbados on the last turn to claim the win. (Rawle Toney photo)

The local Super Bike champion after finishing third in his first race, rebounded to win two of the day’s most exciting races where he showed why his alias was that of the world-renowned Italian rider; Valentino Rossi.

He (Vieira) was given a stiff challenge from one of Barbados’ most experienced riders in Arthur Cumberbatch who really pushed him to the limit.
So invigorating were his rides especially the second race where he won his first race on the day, that the huge crowd rose to its feet to give the Guyanese a thunderous applause.

Vieira also set a new lap record for the bushy Park circuit by clocking 55.581 seconds on his 2008 Suzuki GSX 600.
Another Guyanese, Maurice Menezes was also impressive despite not finishing in the top bracket of his three rides.
Gayadin, competing in the Group ‘3B’ category with his BMW 318I was on his debut run in Barbados and certainly turned some heads after his first race where he finished third.

This, according to Gayadin, was due a gear box failure which was soon rectified by his hard-working crew and then he sped to his first win in Barbados.

TOP THIS!Gavin Gayadin with the chequered flag (Rawle Toney Photo)

His third race saw him making a few mistakes and he even spun out but he was skillful enough to come back to the track for a third place finish.
He capped his performance for the day by picking up two crucial points for Guyana in the Caribbean Championships.

“I never knew representing Guyana would have feel like this and as for the crowd support, it was awesome, everyone came to me and said they were impressed so I’m glad I came, I don’t even get this kind of support back in Guyana so it was good for me I feel great for my first time. So I just want to thank my crew because those guys worked really hard,” said Gayadin who also added that he was pleased with his first-time performance.

Meanwhile, the Group 4 category where the drivers compete for a chance to be crowned Caribbean champion, was one marked by grudges and old grievances.

This was evident from the first race which saw two drivers; defending champion Stuart Maloney of Barbados and Jamaican David Summerbell, being sent back to the pit for damages on their cars which occurred during their lap behind the pace car.

With the crowd on its feet none of the Caribbean’s top drivers failed to deliver in the first race which saw Mark Maloney of Barbados claiming the chequered flag and the Guyanese pair of Kevin Jeffrey and Andrew King finishing second and third respectively.

Barbados’ Mark Maloney leads Guyana’s Kevin Jeffrey(second) on his way to yet another Group 4 victory and extend his lead in the Caribbean Championship. (Rawle Toney photo)

The same thing followed in the other races and in one instance, King’s car was literally torn into pieces due to the strain placed upon it by the other cars.

With the defending champion Maloney already out of the championships, Summerbell, after coming to the island in the lead on the points table, was able to build on it well with Mark Maloney gaining as well.

Team Guyana chalked up its first points of the championships after failing to make the first round which was held in Jamaica earlier this year.
However up to press time, the confirmed points standing was not available to the local media and will follow in a subsequent edition.

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Bird blasts St. Vincent PM for supporting Antigua’s approach to IMF

31. August 2009 by admin.

Leader of the Opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) Lester Bird has taken umbrage with Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves recent statements saying that he supports Antigua and Barbuda’s move to enter an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Gonsalves spoke about the IMF and Antigua’s plan to seek monetary assistance from the international lending institution while speaking at the Antigua and Barbuda leg of the launch of consultations about the OECS Economic Union.

Gonalves said Antigua and Barbuda’s business is the OECS’ business.

Therefore, he felt compelled to support the view that the twin-island state should enter an IMF programme.

“First, I know (though he has not said it) that he and other OECS leaders have been deeply concerned about the state of the Antigua and Barbuda economy for some years now under the UPP,” Bird said.

According to Bird, it would have been most helpful if OECS leaders had spoken-up to stop the UPP from its “wanton borrowing and from its squander mania on projects that provided no lasting jobs.”

Bird further stated that it would also have been helpful if OECS leaders had “spoken-up” to stop the UPP regime from imposing personal income tax and government sales tax all at once.

The opposition leader went to say that Gonsalves has drawn about US$5.7 million for St. Vincent & the Grenadines under the Exogenous Shock Facility of the IMF.

This Facility, he explained is not what the UPP is contemplating for Antigua and Barbuda and it is certainly not what the IMF wants to do in Antigua and Barbuda.

“US$6 million under the Exogenous Shock Facility will cure not one ill in the disastrous economic circumstances in which the UPP has pushed our country,” Bird said.

“So, with all due respect to my brother Ralph, he knows as well as I do that the facility he describes is not what the IMF wants in Antigua and Barbuda. The UPP regime has no answers to the economic problems of the nation; therefore, they are surrendering our people to the dictates of the IMF.”

Bird explained that even in St. Vincent under this facility, the IMF itself said that it expects the government to restrain spending by holding public sector wages and prioritising capital expenditure.

“So even with the Exogenous Shock Facility, which is only a little money in the scheme of things; St Vincent got only US$5.7 million; it is not without IMF terms and conditions. My friends, the situation in which the UPP has driven us gives the IMF a perfect excuse for demanding much more,” Bird said.

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Student with 16 CSEC passes pleased with performance

31. August 2009 by admin.

Although she did not come out as the top student at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Britney McDonald is quite contented with her performance, having passed all 16 subjects that she took.

McDonald, a student of the Antigua Girls’ High School (AGHS) was able to get two distinctions, six ones, six twos, and two threes.

She wrote mathematics, English, chemistry, biology, physics, office administration, principal of accounts (POA), principal of business (POB), history, English B, social studies, french, spanish, electronic data processing and management (EDPM), visual arts and information technology.

“It wasn’t very hard because they are related. I have a passion for science and the business subjects are very interesting because it deals with everyday corporate life. It didn’t seem so many, when I was doing it, it felt like the regular eight,” McDonald told the AntiguaSun.

The 16-year-old was actually going to do music as well but backed down after realising that there was no time to slot the subject into an already busy schedule.

Britney McDonald. McDonald said it was not necessarily her goal to top the country CSEC passes but she just wanted to do her best. “I went in to the examination very prepared. I just wanted to do my best and give honour and glory to God for bringing me through a very challenging year,” McDonald said.

She understands the stance, which the Ministry of Education took when it came to deciding who had topped but believes she was at a disadvantage since the AGHS only allows a student to take eight subjects at CSEC. “My friend Ariel Maynard (this year’s top student) did all of her subjects at her school. At my school, it’s only if the teacher is willing to have after school classes that we will sign up for extra subjects,” McDonald added.

McDonald wrote nine subjects at AGHS and seven at the Collins Centre for Academics.

The Fitches Creek resident is preparing to further her studies at the Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology (ABIIT) and after that she will go on to the Stanford University in California. She will pursue studies in Corporate Law and International Relations.

McDonald paid her success to her mom Michelle Plumber, father Andy McDonald and three sisters. “I give God the total praise and my teachers who worked with me,” McDonald added. McDonald is also a former student of the Baptist Academy.

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Principal caught having inappropriate contact with student

31. August 2009 by admin.

Antigua Sun

Police are investigating reports that the principal of a primary school may have been having inappropriate contact with a young female student.

Allegations are that the man sent questionable photographs to the 12-year-old and also engaged her in conversations over the Internet and otherwise.

It is further alleged that the child’s mother got wind of the matter and posed as the little girl in seeking to determine the identity of the man with whom she had been interacting.

Upon successfully completing her mission the mother subsequently alerted the police who it is reported are now seeking the married father of two.

Meanwhile the police have released two men who they had detained last Thursday in connection to an alleged rape.

Reports are that an aspiring politician and another man took the young woman, who is in her 20s, to a secluded area in the south of the island where the alleged offence is reported to have taken place.

The men were released on the weekend and police are continuing their investigations into the matter.

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