Caribbean Times 20th Issue - Wednesday 1st June 2016

8 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Wednesday 1st June 2016
Graduates certified after completing
anti-money laundering course
Joanna Paris
Eight participants have
successfully completed a 15
week certification program
offered by the Money Laundering
and Financial Crime
Institute LLC (MLFC Institute)
in Florida in collaboration
with the Antigua and
Barbuda International Institute
of Technology (ABIIT).
Three students and five
teachers took part in the program,
with Antiguan Heather
Bradshaw emerging on
top with a mark of 93%, the
highest in the OECS region.
During the graduation
ceremony held on Monday,
the Acting Head of ABIIT’s
Campus, Danelle Martin,
Joanna Paris
Meteorologists anticipate a normal to
moderate Hurricane season as the period officially
begins today June 1 st .
The Atlantic coast will likely see a 70
percent chance of 10 to 16 named storms, according
to the center. Of those, between four
and eight will develop in to hurricanes, and
at least one is expected to develop in to a major
hurricane. When asked what Antigua and
Barbuda can expect, Director of Meteorological
Services, Keithley Meade, said that everyone
“just has to wait and see what transpires.
“We may be affected by one or more of
the systems but it all depends”, he noted.
He further explained that El Nino conditions
have affected the country significantly
for the last three years. He added that these
types of environments are not conducive for
storms to thrive in.
However this year La Nina, which is a
congratulated all of the graduates
on their accomplishments
and gave special kudos
to Bradshaw for setting the
benchmark high, with her exceptional
performance.
Martin also indicated that
ABIIT is committed to assist
with the development of the
twin island state where technical
knowledge and skill
sets are concerned.
Also present to congratulate
the graduates was Minister
of Education, Science and
Technology, the Hon. Michael
Browne. He commended
the work being done by
the MLFC Institute in assisting
individuals in increasing
their knowledge about anti-money
laundering, countering
Financing and Terrorism
and financial crimes
prevention.
He too showered words
of praises on Bradshaw who
was absent from the proceedings.
Hurricane season 2016 begins
cooler phase is more favourable for storms.
“This year towards the end of the Summer,
which is August or so, we are expecting
to have moderate La Nina and if that plays out
then any storm we are to have will see greater
development than we have seen in previous
years, like last year and the year before”, Meade
indicated.
Two storms, Alex, in mid-January and
Bonnie in May, have already formed, before
the official beginning of the season.
Meanwhile, Director of the National Office
of Disaster Services (NODS), Philmore
Mullin, encourages residents and businesses
to begin the necessary precautionary measures
in the event that the country is affected
by a storm or a hurricane.
He also urged persons to become familiar
with the designated shelters in their area so
that in the event of an emergency, they will
have a close place of rescue.
President of the MLFC
Institute, Michelle Martin,
stated that the institute’s
curriculum delivers to
the marketplace, individuals
with practical knowledge
of the field, who are able
to work for the private sector,
regulators, enforcement
agencies and governments.
The students who complete
the professional certificate
and actively maintain
their membership to the institute,
will also be authorized
to use the designation- Certificate
in Money Laundering
and Financial Crimes (CM-
LFC).
She wished the first cohort
of graduates ass the best
in their future endeavors.
In November 2015, the
Minister of Education, Science
and Technology, the
Hon. Micheal Browne, finalized
a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the
MLFC institute, which established
ABIIT as their university
partner for the OECS
region.