Caribbean Times 81st issue - Monday 4th April 2016

8 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 4th April 2016
MP Massiah advocates for meaningful
debate in the Lower House
Joanna Paris
Member of Parliament for the All
Saints East and St. Luke Constituency,
the Hon. Joanne Massiah called on her
fellow parliamentarians to aim to improve
efficiency in respect to their deliberations
in the Lower House.
Massiah’s comments came about after
there were some level of contention
during last week’s sitting of the Parliament
with particular reference to the debate
on the amendments to the Antigua
and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Act.
Most of the dispute arose from accusations
by the Leader of the Opposition,
the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, who suggested
that the operations of the CIP program
have been illegal, since there has
been no board in place as he indicated is
stipulated by the act.
Members of the government, particularly
the Attorney General, the Hon.
Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, however,
highlighted the fact that there “is no
necessity for a board, since the Prime
Minister and his cabinet will oversee the
operations of the important program”.
During her contribution to the debate,
MP Massiah voiced her support
for an earlier call by the Speaker of the
Everton Barnes
The Antigua Conference
of the Moravian Church is
holding a series of special
services to mark the 260
anniversary of the church’s
work and mission in Antigua.
Chairman of the Provincial
Elders Conference of the
Eastern West Indies Province,
Rev. Dr. Cortroy Jarvis,
House, Sir Gerald Watt, QC, shortly after
the 2014 General Elections, for there
to be an establishment of a joint caucus.
“When we are coming to the Parliament
with amendments to legislation
that is contentious, that we do pull together
some sort of joint caucus so that
when parliament is convened, we can
come here not just to pass without discussion
but to sort of minimize some of
the contentious or perceived contentious
aspects of the bill”, explained the poised
Massiah.
She went further to suggests that it
is the view of members of the public
that this would eliminate some of the
“showmanship” that is often displayed
in the House, which also takes up time
that could be better spent on debating the
bill.
“I believe that our charge as leaders
broadly speaking, is really to advance
the country’s development and to ensure
the deliberate advancement of the people
of Antigua and Barbuda as we seek
to improve their lives”, she added.
Massiah also took the time and called
on persons to be responsible for their actions
and always remember to put the
country of Antigua and Barbuda first.
Her comments, perhaps, were aimed
describes the 260 th anniversary
as ‘an occasion for tremendous
celebration of the many
accomplishments and milestones
by the church’ over
these many years.
He told CT that when
Samuel and Molly Isles, the
first two Moravian missionaries,
arrived in Antigua back
on April 1, 1756, they came
on behalf of the Moravian
Missionaries Movement
from St Thomas, where they
were serving at the time.
“They were specifically
asked to come to Antigua to
mission and they established
the church and held the first
service under the Sandbox
Tree on the Spring Gardens
compound, which is still
Member of Parliament for the All Saints
East and St. Luke Constituency, the Hon.
Joanne Massiah
to put to rest some of the uncertainty that
has been created by recent statements
made by the United Progressive Party’s
Public Relations Officer, Damani Tabor,
suggesting that monies have been stolen
from the proceeds of the CIP.
“All of us have a duty and a responsibility
to speak responsibly in this country
because it is Antigua and Barbuda
that is at stake”, she pointed out.
During his conclusive statements on
the said bill, the nation’s leader, Prime
Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne, gave
kudos to MP Massiah for her words of
wisdom and interest in the advanced development
of the twin island state.
Moravians celebrate 260 years in Antigua
alive and well today, as is the
Moravian Church in Antigua,”
he noted.
According to Rev. Jarvis
the church has had its share
of ‘challenges as well as ups
and downs’ but that despite
this the Moravian church remains
a strong and vibrant
denomination serving a Riscont’d
on pg 9