Caribbean Times 75th issue - Wednesday 23rd March 2016

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8 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Wednesday 23rd March 2016 Tourism Cadet Corps engages in fun walk and hike activity It was a fun and educational trip for the 2016 Tourism Cadet Corp students who engaged in their first out-door activity since the start of the 2016 installation. The group of approximately 60 students engaged in a fun walk and hike activity last Saturday. The trek took them along the main highways of the western end of the island, and along the main roads of Perry Bay, and Hatton, then diverting to the off-road which leads to Deep Bay. Following the excursion, the students - inclusive of Cadet Corp trainers and volunteers - proceeded to hike the historical Fort Barrington. There, they were enlightened on the facts of the tourist attraction. Although the event was not a competition, cadets With the Easter holidays just days away, the Police have issued a number of precautionary measures to help make the season an incident free one. First to begin with, the police are appealing to the general public to be very mindful of their surroundings, and pay close attention to what goes on around them. Pay close attention to suspicious people and vehicles, and be ready to report any suspicious activities to the police. Members of the public are advised against carrying around large amounts of cash on their person, as well as do not display large amounts of cash in the public. Beware of “Pickpockets” and Jahren Philip from the Antigua Grammar School and Tinma Phillip from the Pares Secondary made it a fight to the finish and were the first to reach to the Deep Bay Bridge. Mr. Elroy Daley, Manager of the Lifeguard and Beach Safety Division within the Ministry of Tourism took the opportunity to share the best practices of beach use with the cadets. The fun walk and hike forms part of many planned events to aid in familiarising the cadets about the country’s tourism product in a fun and interactive way. Police issues caution ahead of Easter holidays “Bag-snatchers”. Try and avoid walking alone in remote areas, especially late at nights. Persons are asked to be extremely cautious when utilising ATM Machines at nights during the holidays. The police are also warning not to readily accept assistance from strangers, especially if you have encountered difficulties while using the ATM’s. The police are also reminding members of the public that usually around this time of the year; criminal elements will try to pass off counterfeit currencies in exchange for goods and services. The general public is therefore advised to be extremely cautious when carrying out monetary transactions, especially at nights or in poorly lit areas. If you have to leave home, ensure that your windows and doors are properly locked and secured. Always ensure that you properly lock and secure your vehicles. Do not leave valuable items in plain view, which will attract thieves to break into your vehicles. Do not park your vehicles in remote areas during the day, as well as avoid parking in poorly lit areas at night. Meanwhile, the police have adopted a zero tolerance approach towards members of the public who have the tendency of engaging in criminal activities, fights and overconsumption of cont’d on pg 9
Wednesday 23rd March 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 9 Committee chairman confident of success in referendum The chairman of the National Coordinating Committee spearheading the public education campaign on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Dr. Clarence Henry, Tuesday expressed optimism that Antigua and Barbudans would support efforts to delink country from the London-based Privy Council. Addressing the 40th Annual District Conference of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies – Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis and St. Maarten, Henry said Antigua and Barbuda cannot be railroaded by the shackled mindset of those harbingers of maintaining the relics of colonialism and imperialism. Henry said that the campaign is providing citizens with arguments from both sides so as to help them make a determination of “facts from fiction” and to make an informed choice in the referendum that will follow the campaign. “We have been approached by the Privy Council and the CCJ with materials to assist in this process,” he told the religious group, adding “our campaign is one of transparent/determined education of our people, since on referendum day, there is a requirement of twothirds majority of votes cast in order to effect change. “This is a huge challenge, but I am confident it can and will be achieved,” he said. cont’d from pg 8 alcohol that results in disorderly conduct and drunkenness in public places. Anyone found to be engaged in fights or carrying abroad any offensive weapon, which includes firearms, knives, cutlasses, scissors, etcetera, will be arrested charged. These persons will not be considered for bail, and will be held in custody until the Henry said he was urging the religious groups “to take a more active role in fighting for the heart and soul of this nation, where truth, transparency and real development are promoted, and the church takes a more active role in the spiritual wellness/wellbeing of our nation”. In his presentation, henry sought to allay the fears of the religious community of some concerns raised by sections of the population regarding the independence, funding and capability of the CCJ, which was established in 2001 to replace the Privy Council as the region’s final court. The Trinidad-based court also functions as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping. Antigua and Barbuda wants to join Barbados, Guyana, Belize and Dominica as the Caribbean countries that have so far joined both the original and appellate jurisdictions of the CCJ. Regarding the referendum, henry said that at least two of three legislative amendments will go before parliament for adoption, indicating that at present the referendum provisions in the Constitution are not sufficient to undertake the referendum. “As a consequence, the necessary amendments must be undertaken. Dr. next possible court date. Likewise, the police are appealing to the motoring public to exercise caution when utilizing the roads over the holidays. Anyone found driving in a careless, reckless or dangerous manner or under the influence of alcohol will be arrested and charged. The full cooperation of the general public is therefore anticipated in this regard. Ambassador Dr. Clarence Henry (Francis) Alexis has indicated that the drafts will be ready and submitted to the Attorney General by midday tomorrow. The draft will seek to make the Constitutional Amendment Bill an Act, as well as modify the Representation of the People Act and the Referendum Act to suit the purposes of the referendum.” Henry said that the referendum is similar to general elections, with the the ballot paper used having to be simple, user-friendly to the voter and should reflect the voting culture of the country. “There will be no nomination of candidates or references to candidates in the referendum. In this case, there is no candidate’s name, there is a question. The ballot paper has to ask the voter whether or not they approve the Bill.” Henry told the religious group that while Barbados, Guyana, Belize and Dominica have adopted the Court in its appellate jurisdiction, “the time has come for Antigua and Barbuda to embrace the CCJ as the final Appellate authority. “The destiny of our nation and the Caribbean is in our hands. Let’s understanding this; let us not play with it,” he added. (CMC).
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Caribbean Times 75th issue - Wednesday 23rd March 2016

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