Moontown

SCORES of registered nurses stayed off the job for a second day yesterday as the long-running and bitter salary impasse between the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) and the Government continues.

Several public hospitals across the island have been affected by the action of the nurses, which is said to have resulted in the cancellation of certain surgical procedures.

According to a release from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, approximately 45 per cent of the 410 nurses scheduled to work at the Kingston Public and Bustamante hospitals stayed off the job yesterday.

And at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew, 31 out of the 176 nurses scheduled for the early shift called in sick.

Other affected hospitals included the St Ann’s Bay, Port Maria, Lionel Town and the National Chest.

“The actions by the nurses have resulted in major hospitals being hampered in their service to members of the public as they are only able to treat emergency cases. In some instances elective surgeries and routine dialysis treatments have been cancelled,” said the ministry.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles has called for an end to the industrial action and asked that the “interest of the public takes precedence at this critical time”.

Charles said also that his ministry would be taking steps to address the current impasse, while calling on the NAJ to make itself available for a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at the ministry’s North Street offices in downtown Kingston. (Jamaica Observer)

THE Government will today tell the country how it plans to finance the 20010/11 budget it presented to the country last month when Finance Minister Audley Shaw opens the 2010/2011 budget debate in Parliament.

The new budget which is now $503.9 billion, up from the initial $499.3 billion when first laid on March 25.

Shaw, in announcing the marginal increase last week, told the House that the adjustment featured an additional $2 billion for public sector salaries, $1.7 billion for external interest payments due to a previous miscalculation in the exchange rate used, $500 million for pensions and $320 million for the Constituency Development Fund, which was restored to the previous $20 million from $15 million per constituency.

Opposition Spokesman on Finance Dr Omar Davies s slated to make his input next Tuesday, April 13.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller will speak on Thursday, April 15, while Prime Minister Bruce Golding is expected to make his presentation on Tuesday, April 20. Shaw will then close the debate on Wednesday, April 21.

In the meantime, it remains to be seen the form the sectoral debate, which follows, will take.

Central Kingston Member of Parliament Ronald Thwaites last year called for an overhaul of the sectoral debate, arguing that the exercise has become “a report card” of stewardship in various areas and an apology or statement of understanding for that which has been done and that which has not been done.

“I don’t think that we are achieving the aim for real sectoral dialogue; I think we need perhaps at this time, no doubt in the wake of the budget, a detailed debate on educational policy for example, on agricultural policy, on aspects of governance and the public service, maybe on foreign policy,” Thwaites said at the time.

It is expected that other members of the House of Representatives will make their presentations in the sectoral debate after the budget debate closes.(Jamaica Observer)

A United Kingdom travel website has placed Jamaica atop a list of five destinations that gays should avoid.

The website, Cheapflights.co.uk, lists Jamaica along with Fiji, Poland, Nicaragua and Mauritius as countries that are not friendly to gays.

“Believe it or not, there are still several places in this modern world where being gay is actually illegal and can result in abuse, and even arrest in some cases.

“So as well as telling travellers where they should go, we also highlight where they shouldn’t with the following top five,” the website said in listing the countries.

Meanwhile, Cheapflights.co.uk lists Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans and Provincetown in the United States; and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, as the top five economic and enjoyable destinations to visit.

Jamaica blacklisted

Cheapflights.com boasts of being able to provide the best shopping-comparison engines for consumers making domestic and international trips.

Jamaica has been placed on various blacklists by gay-rights groups which have argued that the country has not demonstrated tolerance to diverse sexual orientations.

The country’s prime minister, Bruce Golding, has said gay advocates are “perhaps the most organised lobby in the world”.

He has, however, said that Jamaica was “not going to yield to the pressure, whether that pressure comes from individual organisations, individuals, whether that pressure comes from foreign governments or groups of countries, to liberalise the laws as it relates to buggery”, the prime minister told Parliament last year.

Golding has also made it clear that Jamaica’s Parliament would not recognise same-sex marriage or same-sex unions while he was in power.

“I make no apology in saying decisively and emphatically that the Government of Jamaica remains irrevocably opposed to the recognition, legitimisation or acceptance of same-sex marriages or same-sex unions,” Golding said last year as he piloted the Charter of Rights through the Parliament. (Jamaica Gleaner)

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com

THURSDAY’S SPECIAL; RICE AND PEAS

MACARONI PIE; SAUTEED SWEET POTATO

CREAMED YAM; BAKED PORK CHOPS

BAKED CHICKEN; BBQ SPARERIBS

BBQ PIG TAIL; FRIED STEAK FISH

GRILLED STEAK FISH; OX TAIL STEW

FISH GRAVY; STEAMED VEGETABLES

TOSSED SALAD; COLE SLAW

Attorney-at-law Harold Brady.

Attorney-at-law Harold Brady has failed to convince Solicitor General Douglas Leys that the American law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips had corrected the “false claim” that it had been contracted to represent the Jamaican Government.

But the Bruce Golding administration is yet to decide if it will exercise its option of taking action against the attorney.

“I can’t tell you what action is being considered … but I’m sure that you will hear after everything is perused as to what the actions are, if any,” Daryl Vaz, the minister with responsibility for information, told a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday.

Vaz was responding to a barrage of questions from journalists anxious for the latest information on the controversy which was sparked by Dr Peter Phillips, a senior opposition member of parliament.

Claims denied

Phillips last month raised questions about reports that the United States (US) law firm had been contracted by the Government to assist in the impasse surrounding the American’s request for the extradition of west Kingston strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

Government and Brady denied the claims.

Under fire, Brady argued that the law firm had made a mistake when it filed documents with the US Department of Justice saying that it was contracted by his law firm, Harold Brady and Company, on behalf of the Jamaican Government.

According to Brady, this was corrected last year after he pointed out that he was acting on behalf of a private client.

But with the Opposition People’s National Party not satisfied and a sceptical civil society demanding better information, the Government instructed Brady to submit proof of the correction to the solicitor general.

After going through the documents submitted by Brady, the solicitor general returned them to the Cabinet indicating that he was not convinced.

“What the Government is saying is that, based on what documentation has been provided to the solicitor general, it shows nowhere that (the company’s claim that it was representing the Government) has been corrected although Mr Brady admitted that it was a mistake,” Vaz said.

“It is not clear to us in the documentation that has been provided, and that is what has forced the Government to write and state unequivocally that Mr Brady had no instructions, no retention, nothing,” Vaz added, despite a recent claim from Manatt that it stopped working for the Government of Jamaica in February.

Samuda mandated

He said senior minister and general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, Karl Samuda, has been mandated by the Cabinet to take charge of the Government’s response to the allegations.

“Because, obviously, this matter has implications both ways,” Vaz said.

In the meantime, Vaz hinted that he and other government officials could take legal action against persons who have gone public with allegations that an official of Manatt travelled to Jamaica and met with three Cabinet members at Jamaica House.

Vaz provided copies of the two visitors’ log books at Jamaica House and invited journalists to search for any indication that a Manatt official had visited.

He also pointed journalists to the Passport, Immigration and Citizen Agency to check if any Manatt official had entered the country. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Air Jamaica on tarmac.

1 2 >

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

The planned transition of Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines has been set back for 18 days, leaving the cash-strapped carrier in even more trouble.

With advanced booking down to a trickle as travellers adopt a wait-and-see posture, the airline could face serious cash flow problems because of its failure to meet the April 12 deadline as scheduled.

Employees of the airline, who also expected to get redundancy payments next Monday, will have to wait a while longer because of the delay, which has seen the start of the transition period shifted to April 30.

The transition is expected to last for six to 12 months before Caribbean Airlines takes full control of the profitable Air Jamaica routes.

Failed agreement

Airline insiders yesterday told The Gleaner that the delay in finalising the deal was linked to the Government’s failure to secure an agreement with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for Air Jamaica to continue flying to that country during the transition period.

There has been no official confirmation of this from government officials, but the industry insiders were adamant that until an agreement was reached with the DOT the Jamaican Government could not relinquish the controlling interest in the airline.

Yesterday, Information Minister Daryl Vaz downplayed the impact of the delay in arriving at a deal with the DOT, even as he admitted that aspects of the negotiations were still to be completed.

“I wouldn’t say that all is set. What I would say is that, based on the report that we got at Cabinet, it is far advanced, but there are still some issues to be worked out,” Vaz told the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing.

“There is a team, as we speak, in Washington, dealing with that particular matter, and based on the report that came to Cabinet (on Tuesday) by (Transport) Minister (Mike) Henry, the discussions are going very, very well and we don’t see any problems in terms of the transition between Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica,” Vaz added.

The Air Jamaica Divestment Team also avoided any mention of the delay in agreeing a deal with the DOT, even as it confirmed that the transition date had been shifted.

According to Air Jamaica’s chairman, Dennis Lalor, the two parties agreed to the extension in an effort to ensure that sufficient time was devoted to completing the negotiations, which would result in the Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines route networks being combined.

“The extension is also intended to ensure a seamless launch of the operations into the transition period,” Lalor said.

“As is expected, with transactions of this nature, they are very complex and require extensive attention to detail. Jamaicans can rest assured that the details being worked out in respect of these negotiations are designed to ensure that the best possible arrangement is made for Jamaica and Jamaicans,” added Lalor.

He was supported by Bruce Nobles, the president of Air Jamaica, who sought to assure customers that the airline would continue offering quality service during the transition period.

“In simple terms, our customers and stakeholders will not see any visible difference in the airline or its services during the initial transition period, as Jamaicans, visitors, shippers and travel partners can continue to book on Air Jamaica with confidence,” Nobles said.

“As Air Jamaica’s routes are absorbed by the Caribbean Airlines operation over the next year, the combined network will provide significant added value and benefits to our customers and partners,” added Nobles.

Air Jamaica will continue to provide service from Jamaica on the New York, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Baltimore, and Philadelphia routes during the transition period.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw is expected to provide details on the government’s plan to make the redundancy payment when he opens the Budget Debate today. (Jamaica Gleaner)

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com

Aretha Welch awelch@trinidadexpress.com
International and local energy companies have been invited to bid on and explore for oil and gas in seven blocks offshore Trinidad and Tobago.

The Ministry of Energy yesterday offered the blocks as part of the country’s 2010 oil and gas exploration programme.

The launch of the 2010 competitive bid round took place at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain.

The blocks are the North Marine Block, as well as the North Coast Marine Areas 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Blocks 4(b) and 5(d) on the east coast of Trinidad were also offered.

SMALL GIFT: Energy Minister Conrad Enill, right, presents a token to visiting secretary general of the Gas Exporting Countries’ Forum, Leonid Bokhanovskiy, following the launch yesterday of a bid round for offshore energy blocks, at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain. -Photo: Jermaine Cruickshank

Both blocks are about 700 square kilometres and are located in average water depths.

The North Marine Block, which occupies 280 square kilometres, is on the southwest coast of Trinidad. NCMA 2 (1,019 sq km) as well as NCMA 4 (1,779 sq km) are both located off the western tip of Tobago. NCMA 3 (1,019 sq km) is off the north coast of Trinidad and NCMA 5 (2,311 sq km) lies on the northeast tip of Trinidad.

These are shallow water blocks, two of which the ministry said offered both oil and gas potential.

Thirty-nine deepwater blocks are also part of this acreage offered for oil and gas exploration.

The ministry said it would announce which companies were awarded the rights to explore gas in the first seven blocks by October.

Secretary general of the Gas Exporting Countries’ Forum, Leonid Bokhanovskiy, also paid his first official visit to the country this week.

He spoke as an officially invited guest at the launch yesterday

Trinidad and Tobago will chair the executive board of the forum from January 1, 2011. (Trinidad Express)

Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

SPORTS Minister Gary Hunt faced stiff competition when he appeared before his political party’s screening committee yesterday.

The People’s National Movement yesterday held its first phase of screening potential candidates at the party headquarters, Balisier House, Tranquillity Street, Port of Spain, in preparation for the expected snap election.

Nine other MPs faced the committee. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who is the MP for San Fernando East, was the first. Manning put his party on notice of an impending general election when he addressed a party convention at Chaguaramas on March 27.

Hunt, the current Member of Parliament for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West, faced the party’s screening committee, chaired by Manning, around 6.35 p.m. yesterday.

While other nominees walked toward the pool of media personnel awaiting the successful candidates lined outside the front door, Hunt, however, left through the back door of Balisier House around 6.55 p.m. He brushed off the media when approached.

HOPEFUL: MP Gary Hunt yesterday at Balisier House, Port of Spain, before facing the screening committee. -Photo: STEPHEN DOOBAY

Hunt is facing competition from two nominees to represent the Port of Spain constituency.

Patricia McIntosh, the former principal of St Francois Girls’ College in Belmont, and Miguel Donawa, the president of the Blind Welfare Association, have also been nominated by party groups from the constituency. Donawa is being touted as the choice for the constituency executive, according to a PNM source.

PNM insiders said the issue of the $2 million flag may have proved to be the obstacle which caused Hunt to not receive the full support of his constituency executive.

In October last year, a ’giant national flag, measuring 60 by 36 feet’ was erected at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Port of Spain, by Hunt.

In November, amid public complaints, Hunt described the flag as a symbol of national pride and a worthy investment.

However, in February, Hunt, in an address to the nation, said ’There have been a few missteps along the way and one of these has been the construction of a national flag at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.’

Culture Minister Marlene McDonald also faced some opposition yesterday. Unlike Hunt, McDonald faced the party’s screening committee as the lone nominee for her constituency, Port of Spain South.

However, when McDonald exited Balisier House, she was greeted with loud boos from vocal PNM supporter Christine ’Twiggy’ Levia. Levia is a constituent of Port of Spain South. McDonald dismissed Levia’s objection.

Manning faced the screening committee around 5.15 p.m. as the unopposed nominee for the San Fernando East constituency. Also appearing before the committee were Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert, Diego Martin Central MP Amery Browne, San Fernando West MP Junia Regrello, Pointe-a-Pierre MP Christine Kangaloo, Laventille East/ Morvant MP Donna Cox, Laventille West MP NiLeung Hypolite and Barataria/San Juan MP Joseph Ross. The screening of candidates continues today. (Trinidad Express)

Scotiabank yesterday announced the launch of an innovative Small Business Banking Programme, designed to meet the unique and evolving needs of local Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SME).

The full suite of business solutions was unveiled at Scotiabank’s High Street Branch by Country Head of Scotiabank – Antigua and Barbuda, Marlon Rawlins.

“We know that small business is the engine that drives our economy. At Scotiabank, we know that to best meet the needs of our small business customers, we must first understand them” Rawlins said reflecting the bank’s fundamental commitment of working together with the small business customer.

“In-depth independent research and discussion with SMEs here and throughout the region tells us that your short term goals are to increase your profitability, improve administration practices, manage cash flow and be able to reinvest in your businesses.

“Besides these, we know that your longer term goals include growth by increasing staff, product line expansion and thirdly, improving facilities and geographical expansion,” he added.

“The Scotiabank Small Business Programme, which includes a dedicated sales force, has other notable features encompassing both day-to-day and borrowing needs.

“Along with revolving credit options through Overdraft Protection for business and Credit Line for business, Scotiabank is also leveraging the dominance of its Internet Banking channel with the introduction of Internet Banking Cash Management Services for business. These offer customers services from information reporting to electronic transfer payments from the convenience of their own offices,” an official bank press release stated.

“In Antigua, as in many countries, small and medium enterprises often find obstacles in accessing financing from Banks, and not only do they lack financial resources, but also the advisory and technical support needed to move their businesses forward.

“Today, I highly commend Scotiabank for taking on this pivotal role in assisting and partnering with the Small and Medium Enterprises Sector,” the Minister of Finance, Harold Lovell said.

Scotiabank has been part of the Caribbean and Central America since 1889.

It is now the leading bank in the region, with operations in 26 countries, including affiliates.

The bank has some 12,081 employees in the region, serving more than two million customers, with 437 branches and about 919 automated banking machines. (Antigua Sun)