The Daily - Antigua Observer Newspaper

The Daily “Let there Be Light” 

OBSERVER 

Vol. 18 No. 60 St. Johnʼs, Antigua Saturday March 13, 2010 Price: $2.00 

SIC Staff Wants 

Chairman To Resign 

GG accepts baton 

Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack (2nd left) receives the Queen’s Baton from 

regional vice-president for the Caribbean on the Commonwealth Games Federation 

(GFC), Fortuna Belrose of St Lucia ahead of the relay through Antigua & Barbuda today 

and tomorrow. The baton, which contains a message from the Queen, is a symbol of the 

Commonwealth Games to be staged in Delhi, India in October. Members of the Delhi 

2010 team are Di Henry (2nd right), Subie Issac and photographer, Shiv Raj. (Photo by 

Colin James - Antigua Independent Media) 

By Shelton Daniel 

The union representing 

line staff at State 

Insurance Corporation 

(SIC) is calling for 

Chairman Pedro Corbin to 

either resign or be sacked 

immediately. 

This follows a meeting 

Friday morning between 

representatives of the 

Antigua Trades & Labour 

Union (AT&LU) and SIC 

employees. 

On behalf of its 

unionised SIC members, 

AT&LU has undertaken to 

write Prime Minister 

Baldwin Spencer demanding 

Corbin’s head without 

any delay. 

Two members of the 

AT&LU bargaining unit at 

SIC told this newspaper the 

letter will draw to the prime 

minister’s attention the perceived 

conflict of interest 

involving the corporation’s 

chairman. 

According to a draft 

of the letter, which was read 

to The Daily OBSERVER, the 

bargaining unit is of the 

opinion that Pedro Corbin 

Continued on page 9

Page 2 Saturday March 13, 2010 

THE DAILY OBSERVER 

PM outlines UPP Government’s 

accomplishments 

The following is an 

excerpt of Prime Minister 

Bladwin Spencer’s address on 

the occasion of the first anniversary 

of the United Progressive 

Party’s second term. 

What has been the 

track record of the UPP 

Government? 

There are some critics, 

mainly in the Opposition 

ALP, who have said the UPP 

government has raised 

taxes, collected more money 

with nothing to show for it. 

That is not true. 

In the four years 

between 2004 and 2008, the 

UPP Government spent $446 

million providing health 

care for the people of this 

country, spending an average 

of $100 million a year. 

This is more than the average 

$69 million a year the 

previous ALP government 

spent on health care in the 

four years between 1999 and 

2003. 

In 2003, the ALP’s 

last full year in office, they 

spent $17 million on agriculture. 

In 2008, the UPP 

Government devoted more 

resources – $35 million in 

fact – to supporting our 

farmers and improving the 

agriculture sector. 

In the area of 

Dear Editor 

“Thank you” to two 

women who delivered service 

today; not extra special, but 

service as it is expected globally 

and is so rarely received in 

Antigua. 

Beatrice James at 

Scotiabank, Woods branch, 

met me with a smile, quickly 

Foreign Direct Investment 

the UPP Government 

brought into Antigua & 

Barbuda, $715 million in 

new investments in the four 

years 2004 to 2008. This is 

more than four times or 210 

per cent more than the $230 

million in investments the 

ALP attracted in the four 

years 1999-2003. 

Our record of growing 

the economy has been 

better than that of the previous 

ALP Government. 

Economic growth averaged 

3.2 per cent between 1998 

and 2003 under the ALP 

compared to 6.5 per cent 

between 2004 and 2008 

under the UPP. Even with 

the devastating impact of the 

global economic crisis in 

2009, the average economic 

growth between 2004 and 

2009 was 4.4 per cent under 

the UPP, higher than the 3.2 

per cent recorded between 

1998 and 2003 under the 

ALP. 

From the taxes the 

UPP Government collected 

we have spent $20 million 

providing school meals and 

uniform grants for our 

school children. There was 

no such programme before 

we came to office. 

We devoted $7.5 

Time to institute Service 

Recognition Day 

ascertained and used my 

name throughout the transaction, 

invited me to follow her 

using words, not a perfunctory 

hand gesture, made eye 

contact throughout, and 

thanked me for my business. 

Miriam at 

Townhouse who stepped in 

when another female barely 

million through the Board of 

Guardians to indigent, mentally 

challenged, visually 

impaired persons and other 

vulnerable groups in our 

society. 

We increased total 

minimum payments including 

Social Security for pensioners 

from $250 per month 

to $1,150 per month. The 

UPP Government increased 

minimum pensions to $700 

per person in 2007 from as 

low as $100 per person in 

2003. In 2008 we devoted $58 

million to paying our pensioners, 

almost twice the 

amount ($31 million) in total 

pension payments the ALP 

previous Government made 

in 2003. 

The UPP 

Government has in the years 

since we came to office, done 

the right thing for public sector 

workers, providing a 

total of $87 million for back 

pay and salary increases 

owed by the previous ALP 

government. 

In addition to these 

increases, we have improved 

the salaries of various public 

sector groups, including the 

Police (23.5 per cent); 

Customs (33.3 per cent); Air 

Traffic Controllers (36 per 

cent). 

looked up in answer to my 

question about a chair, saying, 

“No” and continuing to speak 

to her male colleague. 

Miriam took the 

chair, said she’d check in the 

warehouse, then went to the 

owner and came back to me, 

apologised, offered further 

assistance and maintained eye 

contact throughout. 

How about a weekly 

Service Recognition Day 

where talk show callers and 

letter writers are invited to 

GUEST COMMENTARY 

Even if you are not a 

civil servant, chances are 

that a member of your family 

or a close relative is, and 

has benefited from these 

measures. 

These actions 

demonstrate our ‘people 

first’ philosophy and shows 

that as a Government, we 

have remained true to our 

promises to the people. 

Let us now take a look at 

a few of the things that the 

UPP Government has done 

since being re-elected last 

year. 

• Through our economic 

plan, which we presented 

to the people via 

national consultations as 

well as in the Budget 

Debate, we have laid the 

groundwork for national 

economic recovery; 

• We have announced 

some measures to stimulate 

economic activity 

and employment even 

as we focus right now on 

maintaining economic 

stability and ensuring 

that we don’t spend 

more than we earn. 

• Once that economic 

foundation is laid, the 

Government will move 

more aggressively to 

create opportunities 

for greater employment, 

economic activity and 

growth. 

• The Government has 

continued to ensure that 

our young people 

Continued on page 20 

LETTERS 

commend a solid and internationally 

acceptable service 

encountered in the past week? 

In this way we recognise 

individuals who do have 

pride in their professionalism 

and an understanding of the 

value of their customers’ dollars. 

We positively influence 

all service providers to step 

up their game. This is not 

about workshop certificates 

but real-life delivery. 

A satisfied customer – today!

Saturday March 13, 2010 

LETTERS & CROSS COUNTRY 

Japan will not benefit from 

my tourist dollar 

Dear Editor 

... And so the sickness 

of the Japanese continues; 

(yes, an ‘old chestnut’ 

maybe, but also with the 

knowledge that they were 

the only country involved in 

the huge, multi-country 

Second World War, who blatantly 

violated the humanity 

of the otherwise universally 

accepted Geneva 

Convention). 

So now they want 

to flout other IWC rulings 

because they just don’t suit 

them and they are likely to 

now include the humpback 

whale into their slayings. 

It could be a very 

long time before that country 

sees any of my tourist 

dollars. 

And more so as we 

in the Caribbean know, until 

other island countries follow 

Dominica’s intelligent 

example and realise that 

there is far more positive 

media/press about saving 

whales, and participating in 

the known lucrative visitor 

attraction of whale-watching 

(which we all have at 

some point or another), then 

we too are doomed. 

The Japanese wooing 

our countries by build- 

Extempo can 

spice up calypso 

I think that extempo should be encouraged. This 

would help calypsonians to develop their creativity and 

wit. Calypsonians would then become better songwriters 

and stop depending on the same set of writers and 

arrangers who are producing the same old stuff, year after 

year. 

More extempo would bring people out to the tents 

and promote the art form, generally. 

Of course, we would need good media promotion 

to pique the public’s interest. 

CPF 

ing fisheries, which often 

aren’t used to their full purpose 

other than providing 

temporary construction 

work for locals, so that 

we/they vote with them for 

continued whale slaughters 

at the IWC, is an utter polit- 

As part of their road 

safety awareness project, the 

prospective members of JCI 

Antigua recently released a 

Public Service 

Announcement (PSA) to sensitise 

drivers about the 

importance of adhering to 

the rules of the road. 

The PSA, which was 

launched last weekend, was 

produced by Omari 

Harrigan of Chosen Sounds 

Studio and features the voice 

of Lee P Ching cautioning 

drivers about the possible 

disastrous consequences of 

not being focussed on the 

road, a JCI release stated. 

The public, by now, 

would either have heard it or 

will soon be hearing it on all 

radio stations that have 

agreed to participate in the 

joint venture. 

“This Public Service 

Announcement is part of a 

wider road safety awareness 

Page 3 


ical and self-serving move. 

So, FYI, read this 

link below - and also, if you 

didn’t know, The Cove, 

which we in Antigua, were 

honoured to privately view 

as it involved an Antiguan 

producer/director, did 

receive an Oscar. 

Let’s hope it does its 

work; there’s a lot more to 

be done, for sure. 

Activist 

JCI sensitises Antigua 

about safe driving 

project which seeks to spread 

the message of road safety 

and the committee members 

have been making radio 

appearances to this end,” the 

statement said. “This phase 

of the project will culminate 

shortly with the erection of a 

billboard, along a frequentlytravelled 

roadway, with a 

message urging persons to 

drive responsibly.” 

The committee 

expresses its gratitude to 

sponsors that have supported 

this initiative including 

Hadeed Motors, Harney 

Motors, West Indies Oil 

Company, Spencer’s Service 

Centre, Automotive Art, 

GProductions, F & G Trading 

and Williams & Associates. 

The group said it 

looks forward to the continued 

support of the public as 

it reminds drivers, “Road 

safety is as simple as ABC: 

Always Be Careful.”



in Wadadli... 

Today 

CATHEDRAL RESTORATION FUND-RAISER 

The St John’s Cathedral Restoration Committee will be 

holding a take-away luncheon in the Dean William Lake 

Cultural Central parking lot today, from 12 noon to 2 pm. 

The cost of lunch is $20. All proceeds are in aid of restoration 

of the Cathedral. Come out and enjoy a sumptuous 

meal while you support a worthy cause. 

Today 

JOURNEY FOR SIGHT 

The Antigua & Barbuda Glaucoma Support Group and 

the Lions Club of Antigua invite you to take part in their 

annual Journey for Sight March today, starting at 11 am. 

All groups will meet at the Lions Den, Cross Street. Please 

bring along a banner to identify your group. For further 

information, please contact Dr Jillia Bird at 464 1667, or 

Lion Valerie Gonsalves-Barreiro at 772 8399. 

Today 

MUSICAL RECITAL 

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the 

Music Society of Antigua & Barbuda cordially invite you 

to a Musical Recital Featuring Professor Austin Venzen, 

Flautist of the University of the Virgin Islands and Mr 

Eltino Pickering, Steel Pannist Director of the Superior 

Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, along with Miss 

Monet Davis, UVI Music Education graduate & local 

music students, today, at 8 pm, at Ebenezer Methodist 

Church on St Mary’s Street. Admission is EC $20. Funds 

raised will go towards sending music students to UVI 

Summer band Camp 2010, and Ebenezer Methodist 

Church Restoration. 

Today 

ROTARACT FISH FRY & BBQ 

The Rotaract Club of Antigua will be holding its annual 

Fish Fry and Barbecue today, at Rotary House on Factory 

Road and Lady Nugent Avenue just opposite Sagicor. 

Time: 1 pm to 6 pm. Tickets: Fish - $20, Chicken - $15. 

Sides include rice, macaroni pie, steamed vegetables, 

green salad and Johnny Cakes and there will be a bar. 

Tickets can be obtained from any member of the club. For 

more information please call 722-5157. Proceeds are in aid 

of community service projects and club development. 

Today 

HARMONITES GENERAL MEETING 

The executive of the Harmonites Steel Orchestra would 

like all members of the orchestra to attend an important 

general meeting at the pan yard on Lower North Street, 

today, at 4:30 pm. Plans for the year will be discussed. 

Send your notices to The Daily Observer: dailyobserver@candw.ag 

or derrickw@candw.ag or fax: (268) 480 1757 

Minister of National 

Security & Labour, and present 

Chairman of the 

Council of Ministers of 

National Security (CON- 

SLE), Dr Errol Cort, has just 

concluded a visit to 

Trinidad & Tobago, where 

he held talks with Prime 

Minister Patrick Manning, 

the lead head of government 

for crime and security 

within the region. 

During the visit, the 

discussions centred on the 

role of security/military 

forces in support of 

Caricom’s health response 

to the people of Haiti and 

regional initiatives that 

could be undertaken to 

address the need for 

enhanced security within 

the region and its associated 

costs, a release from the 

CROSS COUNTRY 

Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Patrick Manning (left) receives a 

copy of A Little Bit of Paradise from Minister of National Security & 

Labour, Senator Errol Cort. 

Dr Cort discusses 

security issues 

with Trinidad PM 

national security ministry 

said. 

Dr Cort also visited 

the Implementation Agency 

for Crime and Security 

(IMPACS), where he 

received a briefing from the 

executive director, and a 

tour of the facility. During 

the one-day visit, Dr Cort 

also made a stop at the 

Regional Intelligence Fusion 

Centre, where he received 

an update on the efforts 

being made, and the challenges 

faced by the centre. 

Dr Cort expressed 

his thanks to the men and 

women of both centres for 

their sterling efforts in the 

area of security and pledged 

his support to take their 

concerns and issues forward 

to improve the level of security 

within the region.


CROSS COUNTRY & FEATURE 

IMF team presents 

findings to Cabinet 

A team from the 

International Monetary 

Fund (IMF), currently on 

island to conclude negotiations 

for Antigua & 

Barbuda’s standby arrangement 

with the Fund, presented 

its findings to 

Cabinet on Wednesday. 

According to a 

release from the Ministry of 

Finance, Prime Minister 

Baldwin Spencer, Minister 

of Finance Harold Lovell 

and other Cabinet members 

assured the team that government 

is committed to the 

fiscal consolidation programme, 

which will put the 

country on a path to fiscal 

and debt sustainability. 

The Fiscal 

Consolidation Programme 

is the core of the National 

Economic and Social 

Transformation (NEST) Plan 

and is intended to significantly 

improve government’s 

ability to pursue the 

various policies and activities 

outlined in the 

Economic Action Plan, 

Social Safety Net and 

Financial Sector Stability 

components of the NEST 

Plan, the release said. 

The IMF team also 

held discussions with the 

Bargain Centre to launch 

frequent shopper card 

The Bargain Centre Supermarket, as of March 31, 

will be launching the Bargain Centre Frequent Shopper 

Card. 

The management is also advising customers that 

the business is no longer in partnership with the MAGNA 

programme, but will continue to honour all MAGNA 

vouchers presented at the Perry Bay location until April 

30. 

All customers are therefore encouraged to present 

their vouchers as soon as possible. During this period the 

card should not be used at the supermarket, but can be 

used with the other MAGNA partners, a release from 

Bargain Centre said. 

The Bargain Centre Frequent Shopper Card will 

replace the MAGNA card, the release said. 

NATURALISATION 

NOTICE 

NOTICE IS HEREBY given 

that NEHAD MARINA of 

Bendals Road, is applying 

to the Minister for 

Naturalisation and that any 

person who knows any reason 

why Naturalisation 

should not be granted 

should send a written and 

signed statement of the 

facts to the Permanent 

Secretary, Ministry of 

External Affairs.” 

CEDAR VALLEY 

GOLF CLUB CO. LTD 

NOTICE OF AGM FOR 

SHAREHOLDERS 

Date & Time: March 24, 

2010, 6 p.m 

Place: Clubhouse. Minutes 

of last meeting and audited 

accounts are available at 

the Clubʼs office. 

SECRETARY OF THE 

BOARD 

Financial Services 

Regulatory Commission, 

representatives of commercial 

banks and officials from 

statutory corporations, on 

the economic challenges facing 

Antigua & Barbuda. 

In addition, they 

also met with representatives 

from the European 

Union, who were in Antigua 

to discuss the government’s 

By Aastha Dogra 

Knee deep in debt 

and don’t know what to do 

next? Read on for some very 

useful getting out of debt 

tips. 

Mismanagement of 

funds, over spending, 

excessive credit card usage 

are some of the primary reasons 

why so many people 

find themselves in debt. The 

recent recession and job layoffs 

have expounded this 

situation, with many people 

finding themselves caught 

up in a cycle of debt, wherein 

they take a loan for meeting 

their expenses and end 

up in even more debt where 

they have to pay interest on 

the same. Getting out of 

debt though is not an easy 

job, yet it’s not entirely 

impossible. All it needs is a 

bit of planning, restraint 

and management on your 

part. Here are some getting 

out of debt tips which will 

prove handy. 

Spend Wisely 

To start with, 

change your spending 

habits so that there is no further 

addition to the debt 

which you already have. 

Buy only those things that 

you really need, and avoid 

shopping on impulse. Also, 

Page 5 


fiscal consolidation programme 

and Antigua & 

Barbuda’s application for 

grant funding under the EU 

Vulnerability Flex. 

The IMF officials 

have extended their stay by 

a few days in order to meet 

with private sector and 

other stakeholders and to 

finalise the details of the 

standby Arrangement. 

Getting out 

of debt tips 

people tend to spend a lot 

on their housing costs. 

Ideally, the housing costs 

should be below 33 per cent 

of the total household 

income. If you are spending 

more than this, try to bring 

down the housing costs 

through options such as 

refinancing home mortgage 

and lower insurance rates. 

Save 

Although you may 

think that you are young 

and working and do not 

really need to save money, 

yet, on the contrary, saving 

for certain untoward 

unforeseen circumstances is 

a habit which one should 

inculcate, so that a situation 

of debt or taking loans does 

not arise in the first place. 

Pay Credit Card Debt 

Most of the debt 

these days is due to the 

unpaid credit card payments. 

So, one of the most 

helpful tips for getting out 

of debt, is to start paying for 

your credit card debts one 

by one. Ideally, credit card 

debt on which you pay the 

highest rate of interest 

should be eliminated first. 

Use Cash 

Most people hold a 

number of credit cards these 

days and thus find it difficult 

to keep a track of the 

Continued on page 6



CMMB Market Watch 

EASTERN CARIBBEAN 

On the ECSE, 4,220 

shares changed ownership, 

while another 2,000 Cable & 

Wireless St Kitts & Nevis 

shares crossed the floor having 

no effect on overall market 

activity or prices. Only 

four shares traded, Bank of 

Nevis being the only share 

holding firm from the previous 

week. ECFH was the 

biggest loser for the week 

dropping 3.13 per cent to 

Getting from page 5 

due dates, interest rates and 

other payments for the 

same. So, one of the most 

effective getting out of debt 

tips is to stop using credit 

cards and use cash like old 

times. If this seems too 

unrealistic, you can keep a 

single credit card and get 

rid of the rest. 

Negotiate with Creditors 

Sometimes creditors, 

and that includes the 

credit card companies as 

well, are willing to reduce 

the overall debt amount if 

you assure them that you 

will make their payments 

within a particular time 

frame. So, negotiate with 

the creditors and try to 

bring down your overall 

debt amount. 

Opt for Debt 

Consolidation 

Daily OBSERVER 

BINGO 

NUMBERS 

end the week at $14.53. 

The next auction of 

the government of St 

Vincent and the Grenadines 

91 day T-Bills will take place 

on Wednesday, March 15. 

In other news, 

CMMB and First Citizens 

Bank hosted a one-day 

workshop on Pension Fund 

Management, on March 9 in 

St Lucia at the St Lucian 

Hotel. During the workshop, 

participants obtained 

Another useful tip 

for getting out of debt fast is 

to go in for credit card debt 

consolidation. Under this, 

you can shift all the 

impending balances of your 

various credit cards under 

one credit card. This will 

not only make your debt 

repayment easy, but also 

reduce the interest amount 

on the accumulated debt 

considerably. 

Besides following 

the above mentioned getting 

out of debt tips, there is 

one more thing that you can 

do to eliminate your debt, 

and that is to supplement 

your income. Work overtime, 

get a second job, make 

money through Internet, 

basically do anything which 

adds to your income and 

helps you to get rid of your 

debt fast. (Buzzle.com) 

Sponsored By 

a thorough understanding 

of pension plans. 

TRINIDAD 

Over in Trinidad, all 

three indices on the TTSE 

posted gains and market 

volume exceeded 1.4 million 

units valued at over TT $14 

million. This resulted from 

trading in 21 stocks of which 

five advanced, while 

Trinidad Cement Limited 

was the sole decliner. Fifteen 

shares traded firm including 

National Enterprises 

Limited which also emerged 

volume leader with over 37 

per cent ending the week at 

$10.11. 

JAMAICA 

Jamaican indices 

advanced last week as a 

result of the trading of 35 

equity securities. Advancers 

outpaced decliners 22 to 

nine, while another five 

stocks remained unchanged. 

Overall market volume 

exceeded 99 million units 

valued at over J $398 million. 

Supreme Ventures 

FEATURE 

Limited was the volume 

leader accounting for nearly 

81 per cent of the total shares 

traded gaining 8 cents to 

close the week at $2.25. 

BARBADOS 

There was an overall 

increase in activity on the 

Barbados Stock Exchange as 

over 75,000 shares were 

traded, despite market 

indices closing down for the 

week. The top three companies 

traded were led by 

Sagicor with more than 69 

per cent, followed by 

Fortress Caribbean Property 

Fund and Light and Power 

Holdings Limited combining 

for an additional 17 per 

cent. Sagicor was the lead 

advancer closing up nearly 2 

per cent to end the week at 

$3.11. 

INTERNATIONAL 

On the international 

front, European stocks posted 

the biggest weekly gain 

since July as investors speculated 

that the European 

Union will assist Greece 

with its finances if required 

and a smaller-thanestimated 

drop in US jobs 

added to evidence the global 

economic recovery is accelerating. 

And finally in commodities 

news, gold futures 

rose capping a weekly gain, 

on investment demand for 

the metal as an alternative to 

holding currency. 

RURAL WEST BRANCH MEETING 

The UPP St John’s Rural West Constituency 

Branch will be hosting its monthly branch meeting 

at the Constituency Branch Office on 

Monday, March 15, starting at 7:30 pm. All members 

and prospective members are asked to 

attend this meeting. 

PURPLE BORDER 852739/ 939719 

B-4, N-42, G-55, N-32 

13/03/2010


NEWS 

MP for Barbuda Trevor Walker (left), Minister of Agriculture, Lands, 

Housing & the Environment Hilson Baptiste (centre) and Contractor 

Freeston Thomas break ground on the site where the Interpretation Centre 

will be constructed, while council members and officials from the 

Ministry of Agriculture look on. (Photo courtesy Onika Campbell) 

Ground broken on 

Barbuda for construction 

of Interpretation Centre 

By Myria Hart 

MP for Barbuda 

Trevor Walker said when 

people visit the island they 

should be able to go to the 

interpretation centre and get 

all of the relevant information 

about the entire island. 

Walker was speak- 

ing at the ground-breaking 

ceremony for the 

Interpretation Centre at the 

Codrington Lagoon National 

Park yesterday. 

The MP noted that 

economic development must 

go hand-in-hand with environmental 

issues and he 

promised that the officials 

would put the necessary 

measures in place to create 

that balance. 

Walker expressed 

pride in the fact that a 

Barbudan, Freeston Thomas, 

was able to win the contract 

to construct the interpretation 

centre. 

“I’m extremely 

proud, because even if the 

awarding of the contract was 

not necessarily done by our 

counterparts in Antigua, but 

from what I understand, by 

the OECS, I’m happy that a 

Barbudan has that capacity 

to do those kinds of work in 

terms of preparing the documentation 

to bid at that 

level,” Walker said. 

He called on the contractor 

to perform at the 

highest level and to confound 

those naysayers who 

feel that Barbudans are incapable 

of delivering . 

“What I’m looking 

for now is the actual output 

that you should give us,” 

Walker said. “Let this be 

something that people 

would be proud of; let it take 

the doubt from us that we 

here in Barbuda do not have 

that type of ability.” 

Meanwhile, Minister 

of Agriculture, Lands, 

Housing & the Environment 

Hilson Baptiste said he was 

excited that his vision of the 

Interpretation Centre would 

finally be coming to fruition. 

Minister Baptiste 

said the Codrington Lagoon 

is very important, not only to 

Barbuda and Antigua but to 

the entire region and should 

Page 7 


carry the same value as 

Grand Canyon National Park 

in the US. 

He commended the 

Environment Division for its 

hard work and vision in raising 

funds to bring this project 

on stream. 

“It hasn’t been easy 

going out there in the world, 

in this tough economic situation, 

to raise funds … they 

kept the faith because they 

believed in the importance of 

the Codrington Lagoon,” 

Baptiste said. 

He urged all residents 

and citizens to become 

watchmen for the lagoon to 

ensure that it is sustained, 

because the livelihood of all 

Barbudans depends on it. 

At the same time, 

Kelvin Punter, chairman of 

the Barbuda Council, in his 

brief statement, encouraged 

everyone to work together so 

that the project can be beneficial 

to the community. 

“This interpretation 

centre is just another step 

upwards for us … let us, as 

members of the Council, of 

the community, of the society, 

also of the board and the 

park … let us work together 

to ensure that this whole 

process comes together for 

the development of 

Barbuda,” Punter told those 

present at the ceremony. 

When The Daily 

OBSERVER questioned 

Thomas about winning the 

bid to construct the 

Interpretation Centre, he 

responded, “I’m feeling quite 

happy that as a Barbudan, I 

was awarded the contract for 

the building of the centre and 

two ranger outposts, where 

the rangers will be posted for 

the preservation and upkeep 

of the park.” 

The contractor said 

that work on the three structures 

should be completed in 

approximately four months. 

RURAL SOUTH BRANCH MEETING 

United Progressive Party’s St John’s Rural South Constituency Branch 

invites the general public and all Branch members to a meeting on at 

Golden Grove Primary School on Monday, March 15, at 6 pm. Please 

make a special effort to be there and to be on time.



God’s Minute 

Jesus Christ said, 

“Ask, and it will be given to 

you; seek, and you will find; 

knock, and it will be opened 

to you. (Matthew 7:7 

*NKJV) 

As I have often 

said, I believe that prayer is 

one of the most powerful 

things on Earth! Therefore I 

say to you, whatever things 

you ask when you pray, 

believe that you receive 

them, and you will have 

them. This is because the 

eyes of the Lord are on the 

righteous and His ears are 

open to their prayers. (Mark 

11:24) & (1 Peter 3:12) 

Now, these verses 

do not mean that everything 

we may pray for we will get, 

however they do mean that if 

it is God’s will for us, our 

prayer requests will be 

answered! After all, God 

knows what is best for us, 

and sometimes what we pray 

for could end up hurting us 

in the long run. So trust in 

God’s judgment; after all, 

only He knows the future! 

So always; Devote 

yourselves to prayer, being 

watchful and thankful. And 

pray for us, too, that God 

may open a door for our message, 

so that we may proclaim 

the mystery of Christ. 

(Colossians 4:2-4) 

Also please know; 

We always thank God for all 

of you, mentioning you in 

our prayers. We continually 

remember before our God 

and Father your work produced 

by faith, your labor 

prompted by love, and your 

endurance inspired by hope 

in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 

Thessalonians 1:2-3) 

Now, may you have 

a wonderful day that is filled 

with Love, Hope, Faith and 

Prayers too! Amen. 

Labour Day case 

adjourned until April 

By Martina Johnson 

The absence of the 

prosecution’s last witness in 

the Labour Day case, which 

involves seven Antigua 

Labour Party (ALP) members, 

forced an adjournment of the 

trial until April 9. 

Several witnesses 

have already testified in the 

matter and a week ago, the 

prosecution announced that 

there were two remaining witnesses. 

However, yesterday, 

police prosecutor Corporal 

Otis Archibald told the Chief 

Magistrate that only one other 

witness would be summoned 

and then the prosecution 

would close its case. 

The officer then 

asked the court to adjourn the 

hearing since that witness was 

not informed that he had to be 

present yesterday. 

The accused are 

Leader of the Opposition ALP 

Lester Bird, his older brother 

Vere Bird Jr, Members of 

Parliament Gaston Browne 

and Molwyn Joseph, the 

party’s general secretary 

Mary-Claire Hurst, head of 

the ALP youth arm Sharon 

Kentish and Jim Galloway. 

Steadroy “Cutie” 

Benjamin, the defendants’ 

lawyer, opposed the application, 

citing that it was unfair 

and prejudicial to his clients, 

considering the case had been 

called before the court six 

times since they were charged 

in May 2009. He further 

argued that on two of the six 

occasions, the case had to be 

adjourned because of some 

delay on the prosecution’s 

part and as such, he asked that 

the matter be dismissed. He 

said the defence was “prepared 

to accept the witness’ 

written statement (without 

calling him to testify).” 

The defence had also 

asked the court to have the 

trial continue in the absence of 

Vere Bird Jr, who was still hospitalised 

after suffering two 

seizures on Wednesday, one in 

the afternoon and a second 

while in the Intensive Care 

Unit at the Mount St John’s 

Medical Centre. The issue will 

Autopsy reveals ‘PC’ died 

of brain haemorrhage 

A post-mortem conducted on the body of the late 

Patrick Cleofoster “PC” Southwell has revealed that his 

death came as a result of a brain haemorrhage. This is according 

to a communiqué from Police Strategic Communications. 

Southwell died suddenly, at the age of 57, on 

Sunday, February 28 at Mount St John’s Medical Centre. 

He was best known for his bookstore, PCs Book 

Review on St Mary’s Street, which supplied textbooks to 

schools for many years. 

The literary enthusiast was also one of the founders 

of The People’s Parliament, in which members of the community 

discussed hot-button issues, in front of his bookstore, 

from the 1980s to the early 2000s. 

During his youthful days, Southwell played football 

for the Princess Margaret Secondary School, Juventes 

(Jouventes), the Premier League and Hoppers. 

A date for the funeral service has not yet been determined. 

FEATURE 

be addressed on the next hearing 

date. 

Rebutting Benjamin’s 

argument, the prosecutor, 

Archibald, said that the 

adjournment(s) show no proof 

of prejudice and further, three 

adjournments which were 

granted were as a result of the 

defendants, “whether deliberately 

or by nature.” 

The magistrate granted 

the adjournment in favour 

of the prosecution. 

The investigators are 

alleging that on May 4 last 

year, the seven accused 

addressed the rally when they 

were not permitted to do so by 

the Commissioner of Police 

Thomas Bennett, to whom 

they had applied for permission 

in accordance with the 

Public Order Act. 

AUCTION NOTICE 

Instructed by FirstCaribbean 

International Bank (Barbados) 

Limited formerly Barclays Bank 

PLC of High Street, in the City 

of Saint John in Antigua and 

Barbuda, I will sell by Public 

Auction on Thursday 25th 

March 2010 at 4:00 p.m. on 

site the under-mentioned property 

owned by MR. VERNON 

JOSEPH of Marble Hill in the 

Parish of Saint John in the 

Island of Antigua and Barbuda. 

The property is a parcel of 

vacant land, located at Browns 

Bay, and consists of an area of 

approximately 2.71 acres. 

The said property is registered 

under the Registered Land Act, 

1975 as follows: 

REGISTRATION SECTION: 

ST. PHILLIPS SOUTH 

BLOCK: PARCEL: 

32 3286A 79 

Block 32 3286A; Parcel 79 is 

bounded by the following: 

On the North and South by 

access road; On the West by 

Parcel: 200; Land belonging to 

Everett Joseph 

Particulars of the sale can be 

obtained from the undersigned 

at his office at Crosbies, St. 

Johnʼs, Antigua. T/P 562- 

7653.. 

TREVOR “TEDDY” SANTOS 

Auctioneer


NEWS 

SIC from page 1 

should either resign immediately 

as chairman or, if he 

refuses, be fired by the relevant 

authority. 

The recent controversy 

surrounding Corbin 

concerns his other position 

as general manager of the 

Antigua operations of 

Goddard Catering, a division 

of the Barbadian-owned 

Goddard Enterprises. 

Goddard’s is a 

shareholder in Sagicor, the 

Barbadian-based insurance 

conglomerate formerly 

known as Barbados Mutual. 

Sagicor reportedly 

tops the list of regional entities 

being considered for 

majority stake-holding 

under government’s 

planned divestment of State 

Insurance Corporation. 

Founded or 

unfounded, there are concerns 

that Corbin could use 

his position as SIC chairman 

to nudge the divestment in 

favour of Sagicor and, by 

extension, the Sagicor-shareholding 

parent company of 

his employment. 

The call by State 

Insurance workers for their 

chairman to be sent packing 

came just as they ended a 

two-day sick-out. 

Several SIC employees 

stayed off the job 

Wednesday and Thursday 

this week to protest government’s 

planned divestment of 

the state-owned corporation. 

They called in sick 

over the two days, the maximum 

continuous time workers 

can stay off the job 

because of illness, before 

being required to present a 

medical certificate as per the 

country’s industrial laws. 

The SIC employees 

want a commitment that any 

divestment will leave the 

corporation in full (or at least 

majority) local ownership. 

Nearly 20 of the 

company’s unionised line 

staff and middle management 

participated in the 

sick-out, but SIC’s general 

manager, Lyndell Francis- 

Butler, said this did not prevent 

the corporation from 

serving customers, despite 

the heavy staff shortage. 

Upon resuming 

work yesterday, protesting 

workers met with their 

bargaining agent, the 

AT&LU. Their publicly 

expressed desire to see the 

back of Chairman Corbin 

emanated from this March 

12th interaction at the SIC 

premises. 

Corbin also issued a 

press statement on Friday to 

“clear the air” on the conflict 

of interest allegations surrounding 

his simultaneous 

involvement with SIC and 

the Goddard Catering Group 

in Antigua. 

Corbin’s statement 

recalls that he has been the 

general manager of Goddard 

Catering here since 1983, and 

became chairman of SIC in 

2004. 

He said statements 

and comments from various 

quarters over the past two 

weeks have been riddled 

with falsehoods and inaccuracies 

about his involvement 

with the two entities. 

Corbin said the division 

of Goddard Enterprises 

that he works for bears no 

relation to the company’s 

association with Sagicor. 

“I have no connection 

whatsoever to any of the 

other subsidiaries or associated 

companies of the 

Goddard Group, other than 

those in the catering division,” 

Corbin said. 

He continued: 

“Sagicor General is an associated 

company of Goddard 

Enterprises Limited, which 

owns 45 per cent shares, 

with Sagicor Life owning the 

remainder. Goddard 

Enterprises is not involved 

in any way in the executive 

management of Sagicor 

General. Consequently, and 

by extension, I have no association 

with or influence on 

anything that is done at 

Sagicor General.” 

Page 9 


Corbin said information 

about the business 

dealings of Goddard 

Enterprises is clearly outlined 

in the company’s annual 

report, which is easily 

available, since it is a publicly-traded 

company. 

He added that 

despite being chairman of 

SIC, he is not directly 

involved in the divestment 

process, which is now generating 

so much controversy. 

“The government 

divestment unit, headed by 

Ambassador Joan 

Underwood, has been spearheading 

the divestment 

process of State Insurance 

Corporation ... I am not a 

member of that divestment 

unit. The government ... has 

signed an agreement with 

the International Finance 

Corporation, a member of 

the World Bank Group. This 

group is spearheading the 

due diligence process currently 

under way to identify 

potential investors locally, 

regionally and internationally.” 

Corbin added that 

“it is this group in collaboration 

with the divestment 

unit that will be making any 

decision as to which companies 

will be approached or 

considered for any divestment.” 

He noted, “The final 

decision on divestment will 

be made by Cabinet, and my 

board and I will be informed 

at the appropriate time of 

their decision.” 

The day ended with 

SIC board members – save 

one – expressing support for 

the chairman. 

The Daily OBSERV- 

ER has learned that Devon 

Joseph is the only board 

member who – while not 

voicing opposition – has not 

explicitly assented to Corbin 

continuing as chairman. 

With Joseph’s position 

ambiguous for the time 

being, it appears Corbin is 

presently supported by five 

of his six fellow board members.



PAID ADVERTISMENT


PAID ADVERTISMENT 

Page 11 

THE DAILY OBSERVER



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Page 13 

THE DAILY OBSERVER



PAID ADVERTISMENT



Page 15 

THE DAILY OBSERVER



PAID ADVERTISMENT


SUDOKU AND SCOPES 

STELLA WILDER 

YOUR BIRTHDAY 

Born today, you have tremendous staying power that 

will serve you well in virtually all aspects of your daily life — 

work, recreation, friends, family and romance. You have what 

it takes to go the distance any time you have committed yourself 

to something — or someone; youʼre not the kind to cut and 

run simply because things get difficult or dicey in any way. 

Indeed, when things do get tough, you consider it the kind of 

challenge for which you were especially programmed, and 

you will strengthen your resolve and pledge yourself to success 

even when failure is staring you in the face. 

Your loyal, trustworthy, strong and faithful nature 

makes you highly attractive to those who would be your 

friends — and your lovers, too. Indeed, you wonʼt often be 

lacking for potential romantic partners, though you are likely to 

pursue quality rather than quantity in this arena. 

Also born on this date are Dana Delany, actress; 

William H. Macy, actor; Neil Sedaka, songwriter and 

singer; L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder. 

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your 

birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday 

star be your daily guide. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 14 

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) — Youʼll be in line for a 

few important changes, but youʼll have to be patient while you 

wait your turn. Use the time to your advantage. 

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — You can accomplish 

much for the betterment of others, surely, but itʼs bound to take 

more time. Keep on working toward stated goals. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Itʼs a mistake to think 

you can keep on traveling the road youʼre on without paying 

the consequences eventually. Consider a course alteration. 

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Others are likely to 

come to you with unusual requests as they seek the assistance 

theyʼve needed for some time. You can do much to help. 

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — You gain nothing 

from holding a grudge. Instead, talk openly about what was 

done, how you feel and how to move forward from here. 

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You may feel as though 

someone or something is working against you, holding you up, 

and keeping you from coming through on time and underbudget. 

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Itʼs a good day to bring 

certain plans to fruition — and you can do so simply be 

acknowledging that sometimes your needs come first. 

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — What you thought would 

be yours by this time still isnʼt, so youʼre going to have to pick 

up the pace and be more efficient in your efforts. 

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — An offhanded remark 

early in the day may have one or two people you know well 

reacting to you in a surprising way. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — You may be 

feeling uncertain, unsettled and unprepared for something that 

is coming your way. Donʼt fool yourself in this way. 

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Self-deception is 

more dangerous now than it has been at any time in the past 

few weeks or months. Assess yourself honestly. 

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Just when you 

have resigned yourself to a coming separation, circumstances 

make it possible for you to avoid parting altogether. 

Copyright 2010, United Feature Syndicate, Inc. 

Page 17 


Answer to previous Sudoku Puzzle



Answer to previous Scrabblegram 

JUMP START ® by Robb Armstrong 

DILBERT® by Scott Adams 

PUZZLES AND MORE 

PEANUTS® by Charles M. Schulz 

ROSE IS ROSE® by Pat Brady


CARTOON 

Page 19 


“Year one of term two … UPP go celebrate dis weekend.” 

Gov’t gets F from Gaston; 

passing grade from Chaku 

By Amar Spencer 

During what could 

be considered a report card 

session on the government’s 

performance after the first 

year of its second term in 

office, the party chairman 

has given the administration 

a favourable review, while 

the opposition spokesman 

has uttered a resounding 

“F.” 

The United 

Progressive Party (UPP) 

Chairman Leon Chaku 

Symister and Chairman of 

the Antigua Labour Party 

(ALP) Gaston Browne were 

guests on yesterday’s edition 

of OBSERVER AM, where 

they were each given a 

minute to state their take on 

the government’s handling 

of hot-button issues such as 

the economy, crime, the 

smear campaign, education 

and tourism. 

Questioned on government’s 

handling of the 

economy, Symister said: “I 

think that in these trying 

economic times that the 

United Progressive Party, 

under the leadership of the 

honourable prime minister, 

has handled this economy 

with the people of Antigua & 

Barbuda in an atmosphere of 

fierce opposition in a man- 

ner that is commendable. 

“Every society at 

this point is still reeling from 

the world financial crisis,” 

he added. “Nonetheless, 

within the past 12 months, 

the UPP was able to take 

steps that bring more fiscal 

responsibility to government.” 

Noting that most 

residents are concerned 

about keeping their jobs, the 

UPP chairman said the government 

has been able to 

maintain the employment 

level, notwithstanding the 

global economic plunge. 

Conversely, Browne 

accused the government of 

running the economy into 

the doldrums in spite of the 

billions of dollars it received 

through revenue and loans. 

On a scale of one to five, 

with the latter being the 

highest, he ranked the 

administration’s efforts at 

one. 

“… Antigua & 

Barbuda has the worst performing 

economy in the 

hemisphere; barring Haiti, 

recording a record 8 and a 

half per cent contraction last 

year and it will continue to 

contract again this year, 

which would be the first 

time in our modern history 

that this country’s economy 

would have had a situation 

in which it actually contracted 

for two consecutive 

years,” he said. 

The ALP spokesman 

credited his administration 

Continued on page 20



United Progressive Party (UPP) Chairman Leon Chaku Symister 

PM from page 2 

receive high quality education 

through the 

Students Loan programme 

and other 

spending on education; 

• We provided some relief 

to transport operators by 

removing taxes on tyres, 

batteries and other spare 

parts for taxis, buses and 

tour operators; 

• Persons who own homes 

valued under $100,000 

have benefited from 

being exempted from 

paying property taxes; 

We have reserved 25 per 

cent of government contracts 

for the procurement 

of goods and services 

for small Antiguan 

businesses to help stimulate 

the local economy; 

• Many farmers have been 

granted 25 to 40-year 

land leases to expand 

their agricultural businesses 

as part of a 

national production 

expansion plan; 

• Many families continue 

to benefit from the Dollar 

Barrel initiative which 

provides important tax 

relief in clearing household 

supplies from the 

port at Christmas time; 

• Although faced with 

resource constraints, we 

have done, and are continuing 

to do, important 

road and infrastructure 

improvements works in 

some areas. 

The next steps 

Our government 

recognises that there have 

been severe dislocations in 

the national economy as a 

result of the global economic 

downturn. 

We are focussing on 

measures to first stabilise the 

economy and secondly, to 

return to high levels of economic 

expansion, growth 

and job creation for our people. 

As we are embarking 

on the second year of our 

current term in office as a 

Government, we recommit 

ourselves to working to 

improve the lives of all 

Antiguans and Barbudans 

and to competently and prudently 

manage the affairs of 

the country on your behalf … 

We have started the 

process of delivering on our 

promise to divest certain 

commercial activities now 

controlled by the State 

Gov’t from page 19 

for what he termed as 28 years 

of unprecedented growth at 

about 5 per cent per annum, 

with the exception of 1995 

when Hurricane Luis struck 

the island. 

Regarding the government’s 

efforts to combat 

crime in the nation, Symister 

said that everyone can attest to 

the fact that the administration 

has made strides in this regard, 

especially in the reformation of 

the police force. He acknowledged 

that more could be 

done, but said the government’s 

work is commendable. 

Browne, on the other 

hand, pointed the blaming finger 

at the Baldwin Spencer-led 

administration for the hike in 

crime. While conceding that 

there was a reduction in crime 

over the past year, he said 

crime is very much a problem 

through direct private investment, 

public private partnership 

or common ownership 

by the people of Antigua & 

Barbuda. That was a central 

plank of our 2009 manifesto. 

We are starting with 

the State Insurance 

Corporation and have 

engaged a team of consultants 

to do a detailed evaluation 

of the assets and operations 

of the entity. The consultants 

will present a report 

to the Cabinet, which will 

then make the final decision 

about exactly how State 

Insurance will be divested. 

No decision has 

been made so far in the matter. 

We welcome the 

debate on the issue that is 

taking place. I assure you 

that the Government welcomes 

your views on the 

matter and when the appropriate 

time comes, we will be 

taking the decisions that are 

in the best interest of the 

nation. 

While we are aware 

of the need to raise income 

from such divestment exercises 

in the short term to be 

better able to provide social 

services for the people, the 

NEWS 

plaguing the country and the 

government has made little 

progress in addressing the 

matter. 

Referencing the 

police force, the opposition 

chairman said it is in “chaos” 

and that there is no evidence 

that it has been reformed. 

Asked about the government’s 

handling of the 

smear campaign against 

Antigua & Barbuda - which 

has been launched by international 

investors who lost 

money through the Stanford 

debacle - Symister attributed 

the Stanford fiasco to the ALP. 

“I think that the ALP 

can take full credit for that 

debacle that they have welcomed 

Stanford, wrapped up 

with him, had him running 

this country as if it was his 

own and what they sowed 

during the time with Stanford, 

UPP Government remains 

committed to enabling the 

people of Antigua & Barbuda 

to participate in the ownership 

of national assets such 

as State Insurance. 

Openness, transparency, 

consultation and 

dialogue will always be central 

to any divestment exercise 

undertaken by the 

Government that I lead. 

I have personally 

spoken with the workers at 

State Insurance about the 

process that is now taking 

place. I have assured them 

they are vital to the continued 

success of the 

Corporation now and whenever 

it is divested. I am 

expecting that they will give 

their full co-operation to the 

team of consultants which is 

assisting the government 

with the evaluation so that 

they can report back to the 

Cabinet in the shortest possible 

time. 

As we move forward, 

the Government 

remains committed to actively 

encouraging national 

development and the creation 

of economic opportunities 

and wealth among our 

people.


NEWS 

Chairman of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) Gaston Browne 

the people of Antigua are 

reaping that right now,” he 

said. 

The UPP spokesman 

added that apart from defending 

a lawsuit, maintaining 

good public relations and cooperating 

with the governments 

overseas, there isn’t 

much the government can do 

when criminal proceedings 

are being conducted overseas. 

But Browne rebutted 

Symister’s statements that the 

ALP is the cause of the 

Stanford issue, stating that the 

government’s regulations for 

its offshore financial services 

were lax. According to the 

opposition representative, the 

ALP’s regulatory framework 

during its rule was considered 

“a model jurisdiction.” 

Meanwhile, commenting 

on the government’s 

efforts in education, Symister 

said it has focussed extensively 

on education empowerment 

through the numerous scholarships 

being offered. He called 

the ALP an “anti-intellectual 

government,” stating that it 

cannot point to any particular 

programme it embarked upon, 

which facilitated access to 

higher education. 

Countering, Browne 

said ALP introduced 

Education Levy, so the UPP’s 

education successes can be 

shared with the opposition. 

However, primary and secondary 

education, he said, are 

at a level of “total decay,” and 

reiterated that the government 

has “failed miserably.” 

On the topic of the 

ruling administration’s diversification 

of the tourism sector, 

the opposition spokesman said 

the government has targeted 

“low-level tourists “ who come 

to the island on all-inclusive 

packages and spend less 

money. His other perceived 

failure by the ruling administration 

is its inability to attract 

high-end tourists and 

investors. 

But Symister said the 

government has expanded the 

tourism product through the 

development of cultural 

tourism and sports tourism, 

highlighting increased activities 

in the yachting industry 

and in the number of flights 

coming to the island from 

North America and Europe. 

Gone are the days, he 

said, when there was that “one 

approach” of sea and sun for 

promoting Antigua & 

Barbuda. 

By Shelton Daniel 

Senator Joanne 

Massiah is the person chosen 

to spearhead government’s 

response to the Anti- 

Antigua smear campaign 

that was recently launched 

by the Stanford Victims 

Coalition (SVC). 

Senator Massiah is 

currently the minister of 

State in the Ministry of 

Legal Affairs, which issued 

a press release late yester- 

NOTICE 

Senator Joanne Massiah 

Page 21 


Massiah put in charge 

of govt’s response to 

Stanford victims 

day announcing her 

appointment to counter 

SVC’s destructive public 

relations offensive, which is 

aimed specifically at crippling 

Antigua & Barbuda’s 

vital tourism industry. 

According to the 

release, Senator Massiah, a 

lawyer, is the personal pick 

of Prime Minister Baldwin 

Spencer to devise an effective 

antidote to the poisonous 

intent of the coalition, 

Continued on page 22 

We would like to inform the public that 

VAD LIMITED AND ANTIGUA 

PACKAGING MATERIALS 

will be closed 

on Tuesday March 16, 2010 

due to the funeral of Mr. Miles McDonald a retired employee 

and member of the family. 

We regret any inconvenience caused due to this change. 

We will be open for business as usual on 

Wednesday, March 17, 2010.



SPORTS 

Overnight showers 

prevent play in 

Schools U-15 

By Vanroy Burnes 

Early evening 

showers on Thursday, 

which continued overnight, 

left all venues soggy and 

thus prevented play in the 

second round of matches in 

the United Insurance 

Schools Cricket U-15 com- 

Massiah from page 21 

which is bent on making 

Antigua & Barbuda a 

punching bag for their frustration 

at being snookered 

out of billions. 

The fraud was 

allegedly perpetrated by 

Allen Stanford against hundreds 

of clients in a massive 

Ponzi scheme, for which 

the Texan businessman 

now languishes behind 

bars in his home state 

awaiting trial. 

The release quotes 

Massiah as saying that 

“owing to the viciousness 

of this campaign and the 

overwhelming negative 

effects it could have on our 

economy and citizens’ welfare, 

government cannot 

afford a simple knee-jerk 

reaction that could do more 

harm than good.” 

She is reported as 

adding that “the relevant 

ministries continue to collaborate 

to further initiatives 

already undertaken 

by (Antigua and Barbuda’s) 

overseas missions.” 

These initiatives, 

according to the statement’s 

quotation of 

petition on Friday. 

The matches affected 

were Jennings Secondary 

versus Antigua Grammar at 

Grammar School ground, 

All Saints Secondary versus 

Otto Comprehensive at 

Rising Sun ground and 

Christian Faith Academy 

versus Clare Hall. 

Massiah, include 

Ambassador Deborah-Mae 

Lovell having “met with 

members of the US Senate 

and House of 

Representatives” who 

moved a resolution in the 

US Congress supportive of 

the SVC’s claims and 

demands. 

M e a n w h i l e , 

Massiah is credited as saying, 

the country’s New 

York-based Director of 

Tourism, Derede Samuel- 

Whitlock and her team 

“will continue to respond 

as appropriate.” 

The Friday afternoon 

release ends with the 

stated expectation “that 

government’s response will 

be intensified within coming 

days.” 

Attorney General 

Justin Simon and 

Opposition MP Gaston 

Browne have been among 

those making an impassioned 

case for government 

to mount an urgent, serious 

and well-considered 

response to the anti- 

Antigua attack in what is 

one of the country’s key 

tourism source markets. 

When the games 

resume on Friday, March 19, 

St Joseph’s Academy will 

take on All Saints Secondary 

at Mack Pond in All Saints 

and Jennings will battle 

Christian Faith Academy at 

Grammar School ground. 

In the meantime, 

the seniors continue play on 

Monday, March 15 and the 

following day. 

G l a n v i l l e s 

Secondary will face Sea 

View Academy at Seatons, 

Clare Hall will host Pares 

Secondary and All Saints 

Secondary will battle 

Jennings Secondary at Mack 

Pond in Zone 1. 

While in Zone 2, 

Princess Margaret will face 

Christian Faith Academy at 

Grammar School and 

Antigua Grammar will battle 

Ottos Comprehensive at 

King George V. 

Meanwhile, in the 

first round of matches, Clare 

Hall beat St Joseph’s 

Academy by 8 wickets. 

St Joseph’s 

Academy were bowled out 

for 73 in 15.4 overs which 

included 25 extras. 

Wasnar Barnarde 

top scored with 13 and 

Imran Lewis added 12. 

The Antigua & 

Barbuda Cycling Association 

(ABACA) sanctions and supports 

the Ride-a-thon hosted 

by Jamila Jonas and Only the 

Strong Riding Club to be held 

on Sunday, March 14, starting 

at 2 pm, from Bike Plus on 

Camacho’s Avenue. 

Only the Strong 

Riding Club came onboard to 

bring awareness to the fundraising 

efforts for five-yearold 

Kianna Athill who was 

born with a defective heart 

and is in dire need of surgery. 

Alex Bailey of Clare 

Hall captured 6 wickets for 

16 runs off 5 overs and 

Shavorn Moore took 2 for 

13. 

Clare Hall in reply 

scored 74 for 2 off 9.2 overs 

including 43 extras consisting 

of 30 wides, 5 byes, 4 leg 

byes and 4 no balls. Shevon 

Moore hit 12 not out. 

Bartlette Henry and 

Zubin Deyal had 1 for 28 

and 1 for 5, respectively. 

Antigua Grammar 

edged All Saints by 3 runs. 

Antigua Grammar scored 

145 for the loss of 9 off 20 

overs. 

O Matthews struck 

34 runs, J Davis hit 29, and 

T Christian and A 

Matthews scored 18 runs 

each. 

T Richards took 5 

for 40, while O’Neal Barton, 

J Roberts and Ordel Barton 

claimed a wicket each. 

In reply, All Saints 

reached 142 for 7 off their 

allotted 20 overs. A 

Christian hit 42, N 

Cornwall 17, J Roberts 15 

and C Henry 12. 

R Erskine, S Henry, 

J Davis, T Bagot, A 

Matthew and S Charles all 

had a wicket each. 

Cycling association 

endorses Only the 

Strong Ride-a-thon 

She and her mother, 

Ramona Pascal of New 

Winthorpes, will need funds 

for treatments, aftercare and 

accommodations. 

They are travelling to 

Miami, Florida on March 17. 

The newly registered 

cycling club applied to the 

cycling association for the 

sanctioning and collaborative 

effort to host a Ride-a-thon, in 

a Family Fun Ride style. 

The Ride-a-thon will 

be a 20-mile event of which 

riders will make the sacrifice


SPORTS 

and pay a dollar per mile. 

The journey will start 

at 2 pm at Bike Plus and proceed 

unto Independence 

Drive; around the roundabout; 

onto Friar’s Hill Road; 

up Friar’s Hill; through 

Cedar Valley; New 

Winthorpes; onto the APUA 

main road; onto Old Parham 

Road to Sir Vivian Richards 

Cricket Ground via Pigott’s; 

around the stadium via the 

Circuit Road; onto Factory 

Road; left at Harney Motors 

onto American Road; right on 

All Saints Road and return to 

Bike Plus. 

The association is 

asking the general public to 

give their usual support to 

this very worthy cause as this 

is a fund-raiser and would 

appreciate any contributory 

efforts. 

However, it is also 

appealing for your participation 

in the ride. Not only will 

the numbers show the efforts 

for the cause, but the event 

also promotes a healthy 

lifestyle. 

Outlaws and Crushers 

say bye-bye to Super-8 

By Mahijah “Dellar” Davis 

A rainy Thursday 

raised questions about the 

opening night’s attendance in 

the first ever WBL&B Super-8 

Basketball showdown held in 

collaboration with the 

Antigua & Barbuda 

Basketball Association 

(ABBA). 

Some fans suggested 

that it was not properly 

organised, while others 

thought that the inclement 

weather may have contributed 

to the low turnout. 

The Super-8 comprises 

of six solid teams that 

stood their ground in ABBA 

First Division and two outstanding 

teams from the 

Second Division. The Super-8 

has a feel somewhat like the 

North American NCAA 

March Madness style, win or 

go home. 

The first match saw 

Baldwin Spencer Braves facing 

off with JSC Outlaws in 

game one of the doubleheader 

at the JSC Sports 

Complex. This was a very 

interesting game and well 

fought right down to the last 

tick in regulation. 

Both teams went 

back and forth before Braves 

maintained a steady fourpoint 

lead until 55 seconds 

remained when Outlaws got 

to the charity stripe and cut 

the lead to two points, 61-59. 

Outlaws picked up a 

foul and sent Braves to the 

free throw line where they 

only banked one of two, 62- 

59. At this point, both teams 

exchanged possessions with 

silly turnovers. 

With 26 seconds 

remaining, Outlaws again 

Page 23 


managed to cut the lead to 

two points, 62-60. They then 

got a huge steal but were 

fouled in the process. 

Outlaws missed both free 

throws and Braves went on 

to win the match, 63-61. 

Yorks Crushers and 

Big Banana Express played 

the second game. Both teams 

started out flat but still competed 

fairly evenly. At intermission, 

Express held onto a 

slim margin, 33-31. 

Both teams brought 

the intensity in the second 

half when the ball and the 

lead changed hands in little 

or no time. 

However, the game 

was determined at the fiveminute 

mark in the fourth 

quarter. It came down to who 

was going to make the least 

mistakes since at one point it 

looked as if they were passing 

the ball to each other even 

though they were opponents. 

In the end, Express 

took better care of the basketball 

and sealed the deal with 

an 11-point win, 74-63.



SALES - GOODS 

WATER DELIVERY SERVICE ISLANDWIDE. WE TRUCK 

CLEAR, CLEAN WATER FROM CRABBʼS DESALTING UNIT. 

PLEASE CALL: 728-0636 OR 723-6251. 

EDGE- “Newly Renovated” Plus 30-70% off Sale All this 

Week. Come check our Insane New Arrivals of Clothing, Kids 

Clothing & shoes. We have Great prices & huge deals. Hurry 

today!! Call us at 562-3343. 

TRUCK TYRES FOR SALE STARTING @ $900.00. SIZES: 11 R 

22.2, 12 R 22.5, 10.00-20, 11.00-20, 7.50-16. CONTACT: 720-4240. 

ANNETTEʼS ORCHIDS! New shipment of beautiful orchids has 

arrived! Phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, phaius (ground orchids), 

eppidendrums and nobiles, lots of cactus & succulents. 

Georgeous! Visit us today. Paradise View Drive. Tel: 461-9496 

BIG SALE @ MR. DRYWALL HARDWARE – T1 11: 3/8, ½, 5/8, 

thin set, grout, 5/8 formply, sheetrock compound, steel, plumbing, 

electrical and other hardware products. Call: 728-8203 

NEW ARRIVALS OF SHOES AT LAND SHOP #108 HERITAGE 

QUAY. WALK IN & WALK OUT WITH YOUR PAIR. 

NORTH COAST HARDWARE OPENED NOW at Village Walk 

Commercial Centre, DEWALT, MAKITA, Black & Decker, 

Massive selection of high quality Stanley tools, plumbing & 

electrical, garden centre, soils, seeds & drip irrigation. OPEN 

SUNDAYS. Friars Hill Rd. 463-NAIL (6245). 

REAL ESTATE - RENTALS 

HOUSE FOR RENT: A large 3bd house unfurnished 5 to 10 

minutes to many of the main beaches. Ideal for large family or 

group traveling back & forth frequently. US$1300.00. Serious 

inquiries only. 461-1183/776-3069. 

New, 2000 sq. ft, ocean hillside villas with panoramic views, exclusive 

gated compound, furnished, 2bd, 2 ½ bth, fridge, stove, washer, 

dishwasher, microwave, Jacuzzi, hardwood floors, a/c, fans, pool, 

generator, gated, intercom. US$1,600.00. Tel: 462-4533/788-3547. 

FOR RENT: Paradise View 2bd, A/C, 2bth inclusive of CTV & 

internet, US$1,500.00. Hodges Bay 3bd, A/C, 3bth, Swimming 

Pool US$3,500.00. Hodges Bay 2bd, A/C, 2bth security system, 

US$2,000.00. call: 725-4128/561-1563. 

Office space to sub-let in Jasmine Court. 550 square feet. 

Secure Parking. Great price. Contact via email 

bert@westindiespublishing.com to set up appointment for viewing. 

HOUSE FOR RENT ON OLD RUNAWAY ROAD. Fully furnished 

with secured gardens & modern amenities. Price negotiable & 

utilities included. Call: 764-9292. 

FOR RENT – Jolly Harbour area – 4bd 4bth house with washer/dryer, 

A/C, backup generator & cable. EC$2500. Tel: 728-8203 

HOUSE FOR RENT, Unfurnished, with two bedrooms, 

lounge-cum-dining-room and kitchen, located at 2 nd Avenue, 

Gambles Terrace. $1200.00 per month. Tel. 461-4749. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

GRACE CARLTON Miracle worker results in hours 

guaranteed. God Gifted powers, reunites lovers, solves all 

problems, spiritual cleansing, financial blessings, stops 

depression, loneliness & divorce. Free reading. 36 years 

experience never failed. Tel: 940-735-4215 

FREE READING BY PHONE - WORLD FAMOUS PSYCHIC 

MOTHER HOPE & LOVE SPECIALIST. Together we will find your 

path to love, career, finances & health. Helps in all addictions.. 

Results in 24 hours. Call today for a better tomorrow. 469-288-2199. 

SALES - SERVICES 

CHEZ CARIB – Online Print and Media Real Estate Advertising 

and Marketing Services. For more information contact us at: 

info@chezcarib.com. Start-up special available. (Limited 

time offer). 

SQUARE DEAL CONSULTING! Tired of immigration rumors? 

Need help collecting your letters for Processing or renewing your 

work permit? We have your answers. Call: 785-8210. 

SQUARE DEAL CONSULTING! Tired of waiting in line to pay your 

Utility Bills or renewing your Driverʼs License, or you donʼt have the 

time? Worry no more, we can do them for you. Call: 785-8210. 

SALES - BOATS/VEHICLES 

FOR SALE – 2000 Honda Civic Type R. Manual transmission. 

In excellent condition. EC$31,000. Tel: 772-2477 

REAL ESTATE - SALES 

LAND FOR SALE: All Saints Road 2 ½ acres, roads, water, 

electricity. Villa for sale in Jolly Harbour EC$540,000.00, fully 

furnished, A/C, a good investment. Call: 772-8446. 

DINING / ENTERTAINMENT 

OPENING SOON!! GINGER GARDENS ASIAN FUSION 

RESTAURANT. MIXED INDIAN & CHINESE FOOD. LOCATED 

ON FORT ROAD. TEL: 560-8036. 

DIAMOND ICE RESTAURANT OFFERS DAILY LUNCH 

SPECIALS FROM MONDAY THRU SATURDAY FREE 

DELIVERY. CALL: 562-6828. 

EMPLOYMENT 

JOB OPPORTUNITY! Energetic, bold individual needed for debt 

collections. Must own vehicle. Email applications to: 

antiguacollection@gmail.com. Two references required. 

SPRING BREAK ANTIGUA 2010 is looking for staff to work for 

the event. Please email applications to: 

info@springbreakantigua.com 

The Daily Observer is published by 

Winston Derrick, residing at Hodges 

Bay, Antigua. He is also the Printer. 

The Editor is Mickel Brann of Jennings. 

This newspaper is printed and 

published at Coolidge, Antigua. 

For comments and information write to: 

P.O. Box 1318, St. Johnʼs, Antigua, 

W.I. PH: (268) 480-1750, 

NEWSROOM 480-1760 FAX: (268) 

480-1757. 

E-mail: dailyobserver@candw.ag 

Advertising: adverts@candw.ag 

Web-site: www.antiguaobserver.com 

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