Moontown

Ron Green

The United Workers Party (UWP) says Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit owes an apology to Dominicans and their families in the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Skerrit recently blamed Dominicans visiting their families in the UK for the British Government’s recent announcement of possible visa restrictions on Dominicans entering the UK from Dominica.

Skerrit cautioned Dominican travelers that they should not pretend to visit their relatives in the UK, when in fact they are seeking employment and illegal residence.

But leader of the UWP Ron Green said Prime Minister Skerrit is using that matter as a cover up.

“The statements are inaccurate and bordering on reckless and are causing much embarrassment to the Dominican people here at home and in the UK,” Green said.

Green said by now Skerrit should have available the information pertaining to Dominicans visiting their families in the UK and overstaying.

“He should therefore be fully aware that the incidents of Dominicans visiting their families in the UK, giving false information or overstaying are minimal and are not what concern the British Government. Prime Minister Skerrit has an obligation to correct the records and to apologize to the Dominican people, whom he has so deeply offended by his remarks,” Green said.

According to him, Prime Minister Skerrit should withdraw his statements and apologize to Dominicans both here and in the UK “and to inform the Dominican population of the real reasons why the British Government is now threatening to impose visa restrictions,”

“Prime Minister Skerrit is also fully aware that many of the concerns of the British Government arise out of government’s issuance of Dominican Diplomatic and general passports to persons of ill repute who have been associated with the Dominica Labour Party government and who may be involved in money laundering and other criminal activities,” Green said.

Green has also called on the government to let the Dominican people know what steps that it will be taking to remedy the situation and restore the British Governments confidence in Dominican passports “so that they do not impose visas on us”. (Dominica News)

RICE AND PEAS; STIR FRIED SHRIMP RICE

MACARONI PIE; CREAMED POTATOES

BAKED CHICKEN; BRAISED PORK

BBQ SPARERIBS; BBQ PIG TAIL

FRIED STEAK FISH; GRILLED STEAK FISH

TURKEY STEW; PLAIN GRAVY

STEAMED VEGETABLES; TOSSED SALAD; COLE SLAW

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett - Today’s tourists demand value for money and a unique experience, and Jamaica is more than capable of meeting these demands by simply being Jamaican. - JIS photo

The following are excerpts from Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett’s contribution to the 2010-2011 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives last Wednesday.

Mr Speaker, I address this Honourable House against the background of a global economic landscape which was characterised by the worst recession in recent times and the prospects of a recovery that, at best, leaves the world in a cloud of uncertainty. Indeed, as we say in tourism ‘the only certainty is uncertainty’.

I am proud to say that in the face of the global and regional challenges, Jamaica has shown that we can compete with the world’s best. Today’s tourists demand value for money

and a unique experience, and Jamaica is more than capable of meeting these demands by simply being Jamaican — through our culture, our hospitality, our cuisine and most of all, our people.

The demands of today’s traveler, the cut backs on discretionary spending, and increased competition, force us to be more innovative and to work smarter, ensuring we get our piece of the tourism pie.

In the coming year, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will make greater use of technology and the Internet as important vehicles in the execution of its marketing plan to increase bookings. To this end, Mr Speaker, the JTB has embarked on a comprehensive online marketing strategy.

In addition to redesigning www.visitjamaica.com , the official travel site for Jamaica, the JTB has also embarked upon an aggressive use of social media aimed at engaging, educating and captivating travelers online. Plans are underway to further expand Jamaica’s presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well as reaching travelers through their smart phones.

As a result of the Jamaica Debt Exchange, the subsequent reduction of interest rates and the government’s efforts to create a better investment climate, tourism is well positioned to be a primary engine of growth. The last few years will attest to this, but there is still much to be done.

This low interest rate environment will mean that projects that have been shelved will now become feasible. In addition, new investments will become attractive. In the economies of our major trading and investing partners, we are now receiving reports of recovery in their capital markets which could result in the re-evaluation of a number of tourism projects which were placed on hold.

A number of international investors are keen to establish ventures in Jamaica, despite the global economic crisis. These investments will bring employment and opportunities for Jamaica through much-needed foreign direct investment. But, let us not forget that we have local players who have made a major contribution to our country’s tourism product and are still willing to invest in their home country.

Existing tourism projects injected approximately J$14.702 billion into the economy for the financial year 2009-2010. This expenditure took place between Golden Eye in Oracabessa, HOSPITEN in Montego Bay, Secrets Resorts in Montego Bay, and the Palmyra condominium project.

Mr. Speaker, two new hotels are to be built in Kingston, one being a Sandals City, a corporate hotel, which is expected to open in 2013. The other is a major US chain hotel, which is now finalising land purchases and will commence soon.

Michael Lee Chin’s Trident Hotel and the Castle, both in Port Antonio, are now back on track. Port Antonio will also welcome back the Blue Lagoon development. These projects will help transform Port Antonio into a diversified region and provide a much-needed boost to the area’s economy.

The Burrowes family has announced plans to open a second Dolphin Cove attraction in Lucea.

Phase two of the expansion of the Bahia Principe and the Palladium are under way.

In addition, Grupo Exellence has indicated a readiness to move forward with phase one of their 350-room project.

Falmouth is also coming on stream. The cruise port development, which is to be completed by 2011, will have an additional quarter-billion dollar investment in port side and shore excursions. The Urban Development Corporation and the Ministry of Tourism are deeply involved in this project. Indeed, TEF is spending J$53 million dollars on this project. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Jamaica’s under-16 netballers pose with their trophies upon arrival at the Norman Manley International after successfully defending their title at the Jean Pierre Caribbean Netball Championship. - Ian Allen/Photographer

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

True to form, Jamaica remained unbeaten as they successfully retained their Jean Pierre Memorial Caribbean Under-16 title with a 35-19 victory over hosts Barbados on Saturday at the National Netball Stadium.

The second half of the match was literally a no-contest, as the Jamaicans successfully shut down the Barbadian offence, after taking a 13-11 lead into the half-time break.

It was the fourth straight title for the Jamaicans and an emotional Jamaica captain Vanessa Jones was close to tears of joy following the result.

“Coming into the game we were really determined and we said that we were going to leave it all on the court,” she said.

“It was an all-out team effort. We put in a lot of training. We were very determined and I am just thanking God for the win.”

The match remained competitive throughout the early exchanges in the third period, but the Jamaicans netted eight unanswered goals to lead 26-16 at the break.

On resumption, the Jamaicans scenting victory, defended vigorously and transformed turnovers into goals to rush to a 32-16 lead to seal the fate of the hosts.

It was the second straight year the Jamaicans had stopped Barbados to win the Under-16 title.

Taking the lead

“First quarter we started to take the lead,” said Jones. “Second quarter we got a bit anxious then my coach introduced me at half-time and I made up my mind and decided I had to go out there and do my best.

“It did make a big difference. When I saw the 10-point lead I said to myself there was no way they could catch us again. Then we just slowed it down and came out and completed the job in the last quarter.”

Barbados assistant coach, Denise Alleyne, felt her side had improved and the gap between her team and Jamaica was closing.

Last year, Barbados were beaten 54-19 in the championship game.

“In the early stages of the game I thought that the game would go on to be an evenly-contested one,” she told the local Sunday Sun newspaper.

“We made some unforced errors, Jamaica capitalised on them and they came out on top. Overall, I thought the girls showed a lot of character, they fought really hard and I am really proud of them.”

For Jamaica, Trudianne Pennant scored six goals from seven attempts, Thristina Harwood 15 from 23 and Vanessa Jones 14 from 16.

Chemyne Alleyne led Barbados with 11 from 16 and Shannon Hackett netted eight from 10.

In the development segment, Cayman Islands edged St. Kitts 19-18, after trailing 9-10 at the halfway stage; and Bermuda dominated Guyana 30-19. (Jamaica Gleaner)

A girl rests on her suitcase in a terminal at Germany’s largest airport, in Frankfurt, Sunday. The airport was closed because of volcanic ash streaming from Eyjafjallajokull glacier on Iceland. - AP

An Indian mother and her children rest in the transit area of the Frankfurt airport following the cancellation of all flights yesterday. - AP

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 Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

SOME BRITISH Airways passengers stranded in Jamaica because of the volcanic ash choking European skies might be forced to remain in the island until May 1 or when seats become available.

Passengers have been rebooking and some have been given dates for as early as this Wednesday but, at the same time, there are flights scheduled to leave Jamaica for the United Kingdom that are currently showing full.

Information gathered by The Gleaner suggests that flights from both the Sangster and Norman Manley international airports into the UK and Germany might resume as early as tomorrow, once the airports reopen.

“I have been coming to the airport since last Thursday and British (Airways) told me that I may leave by the 28th of April, but from all indications, I could be here until May 1,” Wayne Jarrett, a British soldier, told The Gleaner.

Jarrett, who has spent the last three weeks here vacationing, is trying to get back to the UK to do an operation to remove haemorrhoids that flared up last week. He said he underwent a minor operation at the Cornwall Regional Hospital last week and was booked to be admitted to the May Day Hospital in London on his return.

“I have been in a lot of pain and discomfort, but I can’t do the operation here because the hospitals and the medical practitioners will not accept my travel insurance.”

He said he was quoted a cost of J$150,000, which is comfortably covered by his £5,000 insurance coverage, but was told he could not use it here.

Jarrett believes passengers should be automatically rebooked on the next available flight.

“I have been told instead to call 1-800-247-9297, and when you call, it tells about the ash in the air.”

When The Gleaner called the number, the automated system said it was difficult for the airline to deal with the number of calls it was receiving and persons were advised to go to www.ba.com to get updates and rebook.

Marcia Erskine, the airline’s local public-relations consultant, denied a Sunday Gleaner report that unlike Air Berlin and Jet Air, British Airways passengers were not protected.

“We did provide protection (accommodation) for visitors stranded across the region for their first night’s stay in various hotels,” Erskine said.

In the meantime, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the fallout in visitor arrivals from Europe could be as steep as three per cent for the month of April.

“But we anticipate that some of it could back-end towards the end of the month,” he added optimistically.

He said this would mean that instead of seeing an increase of between seven and eight per cent in arrivals for April over the corresponding period last year, that number could be reduced to about five or six per cent.

Overall, he believes the country could make up for the arrival haemorrhage, particularly with the opening of the second Secrets Resort hotel on April 24.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Residents push a bus that was stuck in mud from a landslide along the Guava Ridge to Mavis Bank main road in rural St Andrew. - Ian Allen/Photographer

Flooding and road slippages were reported in St Thomas and some hilly areas of St Andrew as an area of active weather dumped more rain over eastern Jamaica yesterday.

Up to last night, the Golden Grove main road, near Hordley Crossing, remained flooded, forcing several motorists heading to Port Antonio, Portland, to turn back.

The main road between Port Morant and Golden Grove, near Bowden Crossing, was flooded for several hours, but by early afternoon the water had subsided.

The police in Mavis Bank, St Andrew, confirmed that a bus carrying a group of schoolchildren was stuck overnight Saturday after a section of the road near Craig Hill gave way.

The Constabulary Communication Network also reported that a section of the road near the St Andrew-St Mary border was blocked for several hours by debris caused by land slippage.

In a statement late yesterday, the Meteorological Service said the area of active weather has weakened to the east of the island but would produce more showers over sections of St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew, St Mary, Portland and St Thomas into today.

Flood watch on

The Meteorological Service also announced that it had downgraded the flash-flood warning to a flash-flood watch for low-lying and flood-prone areas in all six parishes until 5 a.m. today.

Fishermen and other marine interests have been warned to exercise caution, as gusty winds and rough seas are likely.

A flash-flood watch means that flash flooding is possible and residents are advised to take precautionary measures, keep informed by listening to further releases from the Meteorological Service and be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a warning is issued. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Ramnaresh Sarwan continued to clear away the cobwebs, and Ravi Rampaul gained a timely boost of confidence to set West Indies up for a 16-run victory over Ireland in the Jamaica Cricket Festival, yesterday.

Sarwan, still trying to hit full stride following a four-month injury layoff, struck four fours and three sixes in the top score of 52 from 27 balls, as West Indies, sent in to bat in the rain-affected third and final match of the series, reached 152 for four from their allocation of 15 overs.

Rampaul then collected three for 26 from his allotment of three overs, as Ireland were restricted to 136 for seven from their 15 overs at Sabina Park.

The result meant that West Indies swept the three-match series against the Irish, after they won the first match by 31 runs last Monday at the same venue, and the second match by 18 runs also at Sabina Park.

Rampaul struck in the second over, when he removed Paul Stirling for four, but Ireland recovered to reach 38 for one in the fifth over.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy then snared Niall O’Brien, and fellow medium-pace bowler Dave Bernard Jr struck in the following over to remove Ireland captain William Porterfield for 25 to leave the visitors on 45 for three.

Narsingh Deonarine tightened West Indies’ hold when he collected Kevin O’Brien for 13 in the eighth over to leave Ireland 63 for four.

But West Indies nerves were frayed when Nigel Jones joined Trent Johnston and put on 46 for the fifth wicket.

Sulieman Benn then removed Jones for 21, and Rampaul added the scalp of Johnston for the top score of 39 to reduce Ireland to 114 for six in the 14th over, and sink their hopes.

Earlier, West Indies lost Shivnarine Chanderpaul, run out for a duck in the first over, but Andre Fletcher hit six fours in 27 from 17 balls to get West Indies moving.

After Fletcher was caught at backward point off Kevin O’Brien in the fifth over, left-hander Wavell Hinds and Sarwan came together, and put the match out of reach of Ireland with a stand of 81 for the second wicket.

Sarwan fell in the 13th over to Alex Cusack trying to increase the tempo, and Hinds departed two balls later when Johnston held a stunning one-handed catch at third man off Peter Connell before Sammy came with his late typical flourish to give the innings a boost.

Both sides are using the matches to fine-tune their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup, which starts on April 30 in the Caribbean.

West Indies and Ireland are drawn in Group D of the competition, alongside England. (Trinidad Express)