Moontown

Regional stakeholders met in Barbados on Thursday 15 April, to streamline programmes, policies and strategies for public education and awareness in disaster management.

Antigua and Barbuda joined thirty eight participants representing thirteen countries with expertise in the fields of public policy, education, communication, information and disaster management.

Presented were four (4) model public awareness programmes targeting schools, universities and the general public at a Technical Consultation on Draft Model Programmes for Public Education/Awareness.

Two (2) Model Public Education/Awareness Policies and Strategies were also finalised at the consultation. These speak to a regional approach to public awareness and education and the initiation of programmes championing Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM).

CDM is an integrated approach to disaster management involving all phases of the disaster management cycle – prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery – with the goal of reducing the risk and loss associated with natural and technological hazards and the effects of climate change to enhance regional sustainable development.

This consultation follows six (6) months of work undertaken in CDEMA’s Participating States by the lead consultant for activity “Development and Adaptation of Model Public Education/Awareness Policy and Strategy.”

 RICE AND PEAS; MACARONI PIE

ELBOWS AND CHICKEN

BREADFRUIT AND PIG TAIL; BAKED CHICKEN

BAKED PORK; BBQ SPARERIBS

BBQ PIG TAIL; FRIED STEAK FISH

GRILLED STEAK FISH; BEEF STEW

FISH GRAVY; STEAMED VEGETABLES

TOSSED SALAD; COLE SLAW

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has declared a “holy war” against the opposition forces in his country as the fallout continues from the March 12 High Court ruling that his election and those of two of his Cabinet ministers were invalid due to polling irregularities.

“The war that I called for is a war which really speaks to our being able to deal with situations that are currently threatening to undermine the peace and tranquillity of the state and in fact if one looks at the whole context in which the statement was made, I was referring (to a) more biblical premise here where we will be waging a holy war against those who are attempting to create serious destabilisation in the country,” Spencer said in a radio interview here on Sunday.

The main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) has described the Prime Minister’s declaration of war as a “disgrace”, adding that it was extremely worrying.

“It seems that Spencer would have our country in flames and rubble and our people injured and maimed to keep himself in power. For that is what war does,” ALP and Opposition Leader Lester Bird said in a radio broadcast on Sunday night.

But in his interview with the Citadel Radio Group, Spencer said he used the word war in the context of juxtaposing that with certain biblical premises “if one understands and appreciates what is happening in Antigua and Barbuda today and what the opposition forces are seeking to do.

“They are making every effort to make this country ungovernable. They are doing a lot of things which are geared at destabilising and they have said clearly they want to develop a situation where there is total anarchy in Antigua and Barbuda.” Spencer said it is either that the government “throws up our hands in the air and take a defeatist attitude or to say to them, listen we are as much in charge of the situation in Antigua and Barbuda and we have to be seen as acting as such.

“We will not continue to allow them to destabilise Antigua and Barbuda. We will not continue to allow their elements both within the private and public sectors to engage in saboteur activities and just allow things to go by,” he added.

The ALP has been calling on the government to hold either fresh general elections or by elections following the court ruling and has vowed to continue to protest the Spencer administration.

The party has staged several protests outside the Prime Minister’s office to press home its point.

But Spencer told the radio programme that it was ironic that the opposition had gone to the courts to challenge his and the election victory of his Education Minister Jacqui Quinn Leandro and the Tourism Minister John Maginley, but were saying to the ruling party at the same time “don’t fight in the courts. “I don’t quite understand this,” he said, adding that “there are some fundamental principles that have arisen in these petitions which in our view the judge did not apply them properly and as such we feel that these matters should be addressed at the higher court.

“Just as the opposition felt constrained to file petitions in the court to have out election nullified we believe we have a right and under the circumstances a very good right to have to seek to have this matter reviewed.”

The prime minister said while in the final analysis it will be left to voters in his country to decide on the fate of his administration “we believe that it is important that this (court action) be done so that certain issues that have arisen in terms of the judgement could be looked at because it has serious implications not only for Antigua and Barbuda but for the Caribbean.” (Antigua Sun)

Ernest Hilaire.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Another possible showdown between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) was averted last week.

The details of the dispute have become public following the circulation of a confidential letter sent to players by Chief Executive Officer of the WICB, Ernest Hilaire.

The two sides appeared set to clash over a US$450,000 settlement to cover all outstanding issues, which WIPA had brought forward as part of the mediation exercise last year.

“We did not believe there were justifiable claims, but in the interest of settling the matters and starting over with WIPA again with a clean sheet, we agreed to pay the settlement,” Hilaire told CMC Sports Wire yesterday.

But WIPA demanded that the WICB pay the money directly to the organisation, a position with which the regional governing body strongly disagreed.

Hilaire summarised that the WICB felt it was improper for them to pay WIPA money for a group of players whom it viewed - for all intents and purposes - as its employees.

“We took a clear position that the money was for the players, and it would not be paid directly to WIPA,” he said.

“WICB strongly opposed this as we felt that as the money was claimed to be for players who had suffered loss, it should go directly to them and not through a third party.”

At this stage, the WICB requested WIPA to submit a list of the names of players to whom the payments would be made.

The list was sent, but Hilaire noted that the names of several players who were affected by the grievances were not included, and so the battle lines were drawn.

“A list of 16 players was submitted, and those were the players who had gone on strike during the Bangladesh series last year,” he said.

“We explained that all players affected by all the matters that were raised ought to benefit from the money, and not just a few players.”

He added: “Four of the players were also being asked to give WIPA a substantially higher amount of money, so it would have meant US$300,000 would have been shared among the players, and US$150,000 going to WIPA. We disagreed with this.”

WIPA threatened to sue the WICB, but the regional governing body felt it was not in their best interest to endure another public imbroglio with the players’ body.

“We also felt it was up to the players to deal with the matter as they see fit,” said Hilaire.

“Four players signed the authorisation for the transfer of the US$150,000 to WIPA. We are disappointed in the way it was handled, and we believe more players should have benefited. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Last weekend’s rainfall increased water levels at the two main storage facilities in the Corporate Area by 10 per cent, allowing the National Water Commission (NWC) to ease restrictions for now.

NWC’s Public Relations Manager, Charles Buchanan, cautioned that the easing of restrictions “will continue as long as we can” but will be subjected to “continuous monitoring and assessment”.

“A one-off rain event does not reverse the negative effects of below-normal rainfall,” he said.

“Considering that we are coming from very low levels, 10 per cent is good, but does not put you in an excellent position,” he added.

The easing of restrictions will see customers getting piped water for longer hours, among other things.

Before the weekend rainfall, the Hermitage Dam was at 35 per cent of its 809-million-gallon capacity, while the Mona Reservoir was at 22 per cent of its 393-million-gallon capacity.

In addition, the NWC reported that 80 of the island’s 460 water catchment facilities were at dangerously low levels.

With the rainfall, Buchanan said most of these facilities had improved by up to 10 per cent, but pointed out that it was way too early to say the country was past the worst drought it had seen in the past 20 years. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Dr Omar Davies, opposition spokesman on finance, makes a point during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in St Andrew yesterday. Looking on is Leader of the People’s National Party, Portia Simpson Miller. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

THE LEADER of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller, has demanded that Prime Minister Bruce Golding remove the cloud of mystery associated with the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips controversy when he speaks in the Budget Debate today.

“I would hope that the Government of Jamaica would give us the truth and nothing but the truth on Manatt, Phelps and Phillips before we get the information from news media in the United States of America,” Simpson Miller said.

She was addressing a post-Budget press conference put on by the People’s National Party (PNP) at its Old Hope Road headquarters in St Andrew yesterday.

Prime Minister Golding will be making his third Budget presentation as prime minister. Finance Minister Audley Shaw closes the Debate tomorrow.

Shaw has outlined expenditure plans for $503 billion, which is to be financed through tax revenue and grants of $326.3 billion, and borrowings of $176.3 billion.

No credibility

The Opposition has contended that the Budget outlined by Shaw lacks credibility and will result in untold hardships for Jamaicans.

“We have no reason to have any confidence in this Budget. We believe that it was constructed on the same false premise as the last Budget and will yield the same results: more hardship and more confusion,” Simpson Miller said.

“The prime minister must tell us of the measures to ease the pressure on the Jamaican people,” she added.

Meanwhile, the opposition leader was particularly strident about the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips matter, which was first brought to public attention locally by opposition back-bencher Dr Peter Phillips.

Phillips raised the issue in Parliament during a debate, but Golding dismissed the matter, saying he was seeking headlines.

Information then unfolded which linked the Jamaican Government to the United States law firm.

Attorney-at-law Harold Brady, who is listed as acting on behalf of the Jamaican Government, said an error was made in him being listed as a consultant for the Government.

Speculation has been rife that Manatt, Phelps and Phillips was engaged to lobby the US government on the issue of the extradition request for West Kingston strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

“The prime minister himself got up and defended the issue in Parliament. We would like to hear from him on it,” Simpson Miller said.

Robert Pickersgill, chairman of the PNP, said Prime Minister Golding’s “silence is too deafening”, and that it was in the country’s interest that the prime minister add clarity to the matter.

- daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com

Kirk Edwards and Kraigg Brathwaite both stroked half-centuries as West Indies A carved out a handsome six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on the final day of their four-day, first-class match yesterday.

Edwards hammered an entertaining, unbeaten 72 while Brathwaite cracked 62 at the top of the order to propel the hosts to their target of 257 for four at the Queen’s Park Stadium.

Earlier, Zimbabwe added just 29 runs after resuming at their overnight 322 for seven, with fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel (two for 60) and Nelon Pascal (two for 67) accounting for the last three wickets to fall.

Andy Blignaut failed to add to his overnight 72 while Graeme Cremer carried his 30 to 47 before being bowled by Gabriel.

Brathwaite and fellow opener Justin Guillen then gave West Indies A another solid start, adding 36 for the first wicket to set launch the run chase.

PROVIDED A GOOD START: Kraigg Brathwaite

Guillen stroked three fours in 20 off 31 balls before driving medium pacer Chamu Chibhabha to cover for Charles Coventry to snare an easy catch.

Brathwaite, who struck eight fours in an innings spanning 146 balls and 191 minutes, then shared a 68-run stand for the second wicket with Jason Haynes whose 30 came from 61 balls.

When the left-hander fell to a catch at mid-wicket by Timycen Maruma off leg-spinner Cremer, Brathwaite combined in another important stand of 38 for the third wicket with captain Travis Dowlin.

The right-handed Dowlin, who was busy in gathering 31 from 25 balls, fell to a catch by Cremer at mid-wicket off fast bowler Maruma trying to play through the on-side and when Brathwaite went soon afterward, Zimbabwe were in with a sniff at 161 for four just before tea.

But Edwards and Dowrich then combined in a 96-run, fifth wicket partnership to deny the visitors, playing confidently against the varied bowling attack.

The right-handed Edwards cracked seven fours and a six off just 79 balls while Dowrich, a West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman, was unbeaten on 33 from 78 balls with three boundaries.

West Indies A will now clash with Zimbabwe in two Twenty20 matches on Thursday and Saturday. (Trinidad Express)

UNITED National Congress (UNC) founder Basdeo Panday has given his blessing to the recent unity deal struck by the country’s opposition forces.

’I am very happy for them because I think that is the only way to go,’ Panday said as he left the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where he had just appeared in a matter. - See Page 9

On Sunday, five opposition forces voiced their intention to unite in order to fight to ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) in the forthcoming snap May 24 general election.

The UNC will contest 24 of this country’s 41 constituencies in next month’s polls, the Movement for Social Justice two seats, the Tobago Organisation for the People (TOP) the two Tobago constituencies, while the Congress of the People (COP) and the National Joint Action Committee will share the remaining 13.

Panday, however, warned that the united opposition should choose carefully who appears on their political platform.

’They should not have on their platform people who will not account for $30 million and then in the same breath criticise Calder Hart.

’They may be very hard put I think to criticise the Government on corruption, when their own platform could be tainted,’ he warned.

He also challenged Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s recent platform pronouncement that opposition unity never worked before in the nation’s history.

’Things are never the same. They may appear to be so but they are never the same, therefore it may work,’ Panday said.

Panday also reiterated his intention to challenge the Chaguanas West constituency as an independent candidate. UNC chairman Jack Warner will also be contesting the seat for the UNC. (Trinidad Express)

Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

HUMAN RESOURCE manager Joanne Thomas will be the face of the People’s National Movement (PNM) in the St Ann’s East constituency for the upcoming general election, the party’s screening committee decided yesterday.

Thomas yesterday replaced Anthony Roberts as the standard-bearer for the controversial constituency.

Roberts was screened uncontested two Friday’s ago, but the St Ann’s East constituency executive was told to return with a more suitable candidate.

Aggrieved residents from the area staged two protests last week, threatening to withdraw their vote if Roberts was not returned as the area’s candidate for the May 24 election. The St Ann’s East residents took their protests to the PNM’s Balisier House, Port of Spain, headquarters on Friday, after they voiced their displeasure outside the area’s constituency office on Thursday.

’No Roberts, no vote’ the protesters shouted while Prime Minister Patrick Manning, the chairman of the party’s screening committee, spoke to members of the media on Friday. Manning, however, dismissed the protest, which he claimed was not in keeping with the PNM’s process of candidate selection and also did not represent the view of the area’s entire electorate. Manning stood his ground that Roberts would not represent the PNM in the area.

NEW BLOOD: Joanne Thomas, new PNM candidate for St Ann’s East for the May 24 elections, smiles broadly as she leaves Balisier House in Port of Spain yesterday. Anthony Roberts was rejected by the screening committee headed by Prime Minister Patrick Manning, in background. See story on Page 3 -Photo: Jermaine Cruickshank

Yesterday, the St Ann’s East constituency executive returned with three nominees hoping to replace Roberts. Thomas, Nadra Nathai-Gyan, the PNM’s defeated St Augustine candidate in the last general election, and construction contractor, Eldon Coker, all appeared before the PNM’s screening committee, competing for the right to represent St Ann’s East.

Thomas was chosen as the area’s prospective candidate, Chrysanta Joseph, the chairman for St Ann’s East, confirmed to the Express yesterday evening.

’Up to last week we were still battling and hoping that there would have been a change of course (about Roberts’ rejection). That was not to happen and then we decided we have to do that which we must do as PNM people, and we came up with candidates that we screened, who in turn came to the screening process today and Miss Thomas was chosen,’ Joseph said.

’St Ann’s is a very loyal community. Mr Roberts’ service to St Ann’s East is without question. He has done a lot for us, there are a lot of things still in the pipeline. We fought a good fight, we would have loved to have been given Mr Roberts to continue as our candidate, that was not to be, we realised that. We were asked to come up with some candidates, which we did. I think we did very well in the selection of the candidates.’

Among those present at Balisier House yesterday awaiting the screening committee’s decision were several people who participated in last week’s protest.

Following the screening process, Thomas said: ’I felt very confident (during the screening) because my aim is just to serve the people. And I have been doing that since I was 16 years, so it was nothing new to want to serve the people again.’

Thomas is the current chairman of Human Resources at the San Juan/ Laventille Regional Corporation. In 1996 she became a councillor for the St Ann’s/ Cascade and was then appointed as an Alderman for two terms.

Yesterday was the last day of candidate screening for the PNM.

Addressing the media after yesterday’s process, Manning said ’the PNM constitution calls for the political leader making recommendations now to the Central Executive. So what is now required is a Central Executive meeting and then we will announce all the candidates that the Central Executive approves. That is how we propose to proceed’.

’We will consider our recommendations carefully, or just watch the prospective candidates and see how they operate. It gives a chance, however brief, to assess those who are on the ground. The PNM is a very structured and settled party. I know y’all hear that and don’t know what that means, but it means a lot.’ (Trinidad Express)

Aabida Allaham
Tuesday, April 20th 2010

IF YOU have not yet registered to vote, today is your last chance to do so for the upcoming May 24 snap election, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) announced yesterday.

If you were registered to vote back in November 5, 2007, you are most likely still registered now. But the EBC is reminding all qualified electors in Trinidad and Tobago that today officially marks the end of the current period of electoral registration, which was proclaimed by President George Maxwell Richards for the period April 12 to 20.

A visit to the EBC’s head office on Frederick Street, Port of Spain, the registration office for Port of Spain, Laventille and Diego Martin, yesterday, saw dozens of people scrambling to register their change of address, name and lost identification cards and even apply for new ones. Others were seen hovering over the table behind the guard booth, searching to find their names on the preliminary list of electors.

A registered voters’ list, by last count, recorded 1,036,939 eligible voters. Back in 2007, the electoral list stood at 990,467, of which 653,882 people voted. This year, the EBC has been trying to get the 46,472 new voters to come forward to ensure they are registered.

Last week, EBC communications manager, Leslie Fitzpatrick, told the Express that people were allowed to apply for an identification card at the age of 15, and the ones who did so back in 2007 would have turned 18, making them eligible to vote for this year’s election. As a result, persons who turned 18 last week, and even today, would be field-checked to ensure that the information they gave when they applied (for an ID card) was verified and they would be put on the electoral list.

The purpose of the electoral registration is to facilitate those individuals who would have attained the age of 18 and over, but were not registered as electors or cannot find their name on the list, the EBC said.

The EBC also stated yesterday that the preliminary list of registered voters can now be found in 2,944 locations in the 41 electoral districts across the country. For those who have yet to register, the EBC will be open until 6 p.m. today to facilitate registration. (Trinidad Express)