Caribbean Times 28th Issue

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4 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Monday 13th June 2016 APUA launches third internship program By Justin Peters The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) is the one of the largest employers on the island. Many local success stories started at APUA and the nation’s indigenous utility company with the very factual slogan “Necessary for Life” continues to do facilitate the growth of Antiguans and Barbudans financially and academically. The APUA Summer Internship Program, which started 5 years ago has grown and has produced successful professionals each year in the fields of Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Computer Programming, Graphic Design, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Hydrology, Communications and Networking just to name a few. The only program of its kind in Antigua and the best of its kind in the region, the program takes young locals who have completed senior levels in local tertiary institutions or are pursuing degrees in international institutions and affords them real world experience in departments that are deemed to best suit their courses of study. This year’s program for example, is project based and will see some of the interns have the opportunity to work at the recently commissioned reverse osmosis plant at Pigeon Point in English Harbour. Opportunities such as this has helped interns to Joanna Paris Prime Minister, the Hon. Gaston Browne, said that he declared his assets of $30 million dollars to the Integrity Commission before assuming the Office of Prime Minister. As opposition forces continue to question and create allegations as to the source of the Prime Minister’s wealth, the nation’s leader during the parliamentary debate on Friday, made another attempt to set the record straight. He frankly stated that he is not obligated to give the “detractors” any answers but assured that he will continue to be accountable to and transparent with the public. “I am not an overnight investor and all of my companies would have had well in excess of a decade of performance, so it is not a situation where companies are suddenly incorporated into my assets. “As Prime Minister I have not acquired a single vehicle, I have been using the ones that were used by the former Prime Minister for the last 10 years”, he said. decide on a career, often returning to APUA as a full time employee and being rewarded as they climb the ladder based on their expertise and how well they apply those skills within the APUA infrastructure. As one of the former interns of 2013, Queens Young Leader, and Chairman of the Internship Committee, Mr. Regis Burton who found a home at eventually attaining the position of HR Systems and Employment Engagement Officer will tell you, once you are determined to come to work on time and focus APUA is the place for you and interns are given preference for available vacancies. PM Browne declares assets to Integrity Commission He also stated that he has transferred some of the assets to his 27-year-old son, a business man in his own right, a decision that Prime Minister Browne said “I have all right to do”. Prime Minister Browne said that most of his assets were acquired before he got into politics and without any assistance from the government. He added that most of the resources are in real estate along with some heavy-duty equipment. He told the House that he began his ventures at the young age of 20.
Monday 13th June 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 5 Small hotels thank Hon. Asot Michael By Justin Peters Tourism has been a strong revenue generator for Antigua and Barbuda for many years. With many more territories outside of the <strong>Caribbean</strong> engaging in offering their own tourism product, however, it has become more difficult to maintain a consistent level of visitors to the island. The Honourable Asot A. Michael, as minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy, has championed the cause of local entrepreneurs working in and benefiting from the tourism industry. A recent Road Show which took small hoteliers to Trinidad to showcase their products and attract visitors to their properties and to Antigua to enjoy the land of By Everton Barnes The building that serves as headquarters for the Antigua and Barbuda Disability Association has been robbed, again. President of the association, Bernard Warner, in making the report said the building, which is still under construction, has been the target for thieves at various stages of the construction process. According to Warner the latest robbery was discovered Saturday morning when members realized that a window that was removed by thieves a week earlier and which was secured by plywood and nails, was ribbed away to allow for entry into the building. He said three folding tables and six chairs were stolen. In the earlier break-in, tables and chairs were also removed. Warner said the building, located just off the All Saints Road near the flower show immediately east of the John I Martin compound, is nearing completion and that the repeated break-ins only serve to delay the opening of the headquarters. “The work of the association is affected tremendously by these break-ins because we are forced to replace the stolen items, much of which are from donations and our fund-raising efforts. We are now forced to undertake more fund-raising and seek additional donations,” Warner explained. The ABDA president said the association recently purchased the tiles and adhesive for the kitchen and he Tourism Minister, the Hon., Asot Michael holds his painting. 365 beaches is a testament of and thoughtfulness that went Minister Michael’s dedication to the tourism industry. Humbled by the heart- into making the trip a reality. This proactive move yielded most desirable results ter thanked his hosts for their warming gesture, the minis- with the local entrepreneurs generosity and encouraged making the necessary connections to help increase good fight and to continue them to continue to fight the occupancy at their establishments. have, stressing that he un- investing in tourism as they So it is that they hosted a derstood and felt the hard small ceremony at the Villas work that goes into keeping a at Sunset Lane to show their small accommodation business functioning at the appreciation for the foresight exceptional levels of the ones on the island. He was joined by cabinet colleague The Honourable Sir Robin Yearwood who chairs the finance committee responsible for authorizing the funding for the road show a cost estimated to be just over $10,000, which he expressed was well spent. Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority as well other officials from the Ministry of Tourism were also present for the momentous occasion. As a token of appreciation, Minister Michael was presented with a painting rendered by a local artist. Graciously accepting the gift, he joyously exclaimed “I have to hang this on a wall in the ministry”. Disability Association building robbed again disclosed that during the construction that has been on-going for some time, the thieves seem to wait until there is a resumption of the work to break into the building and steal items. The association has lost windows, doors and other items including the tables and chairs during this time. For this latest break-in, the police were called, but according to Warner they were not able to lift any fingerprints from the scene. A distraught Warner said he could not understand why a building to serve the disabled in the society would be the constant target of thieves as he issued a plea for the return of the stolen items. He said the tables and chairs were donated to the association a little more than a year ago by Courts Furnishings.
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Caribbean Times 28th Issue

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