Caribbean Times 49th Issue - Tuesday 12th July 2016

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4 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Tuesday 12th July 2016 September Assizes for Harry Josiah By Deborah A Parker Former Transport Board General Manager Harry Josiah had his fraud related matters committed to the High Court yesterday. The said company’s former Human Resource Manager Genevieve Phillip, who has also been slapped with fraud-related charges, also had her matters sent to the September 2016 criminal assizes. Attorneys Dane Hamilton and John Fuller, several weeks ago stated that there was insufficient evidence against By Everton Barnes The operating losses reported by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank last their clients. Both lawyers were expected to file written submissions in that respect. However, when the matter came up before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel in District B on Monday Hamilton stated, “ Because of the pressure of work I was unable to file a submission...so we will allow the matter to proceed.” Police prosecutor Cpl Allan Honore’ made application for the 132 exhibits related to the matters, to remain in the police’s custody. He also advised that 31 witnesses month is a reflection of the poor state of the economies of the sub-region. That’s the assessment of economist, McCarty Marie, who said that in times of growth the bank does well but that the reverse is true in times of economic hardship. He said when business is bright in the countries of the currency union and people are making demands on the commercial banks for loans, the bank in turn borrows money from the ECCB to satisfy the demands of its clients. “But as we know, over the last few years the banks have been quite liquid with lots of money to lend but cannot find people who want money to borrow,” he stated. Against this background, he said banks have no need to approach the ECCB for loans which leads to the central bank losing the money it would normally make from charging interests on the money it lends to the commercial banks. “This is a reflection that will be called upon. In an investigation which reportedly dates back to March 2015, the former Transport Board boss was allegedly implicated in some 38 counts of misdeeds, which allegedly includes four counts of obtaining by false documents, four counts of corruption, five counts of forgery and five counts of uttering. Further, as a result of the alleged misconduct, several vehicles, furniture and other items were reportedly removed from Josiah’s home. OECS economic situation impacts ECCB the collective economies of the sub-region have had slow growth, investments have been slow and the demand for loans have also been slow,” he revealed. Marie further explain that this was one reason why the commercial banks asked the central bank to review the interest rates paid on savings. He said the banks complained that whilst they were paying interest at three percent, the low demand for loans was eating away at the banks’ bottom line. He said that eventually led to a decline of one percent on interest paid on deposits. It moved from three to two percent. He said a return to acceptable levels of economic growth will be reflected in improvements in the EC- CB’s finances. The ECCB reported a $10 million loss in 2015 financial year.
Tuesday 12th July 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 5 Five priority areas for Senator Freeland Parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Senator Michael Freeland, second left, is flanked by Minister of Public Works, the Hon., Eustace “Teco” Lake, left, Minister of Social Transformation, the Hon., Samantha Marshall, right, and Governor General Sir Dr. Rodney Williams. By Everton Barnes The new-appointed parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Senator Michael Freeland, has described his role as assisting the substantive minister, Eustace Teco Lake, implement the ministry’s action plan. He was with CT following a brief ceremony at Government House where he was presented with his instruments of appointment by Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams. Freeland was accompanied by family and friends at Government House, including his mother, Lady Ruth Freeland and his daughter, Tsuniyah Freeland. “It is indeed an honour to serve in this capacity for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. I am here to do my best and add to the already progressing state of the Ministry. Thanks to Minister Lake for the confidence to have me join him in the ministry and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Prime Minister Gaston Browne for his continued faith and commitment toward the empowerment of the youth,” he stated. Freeland said there are five priority areas for the ministry that he will assist with implementing. “Our priorities include what he term Community Development which is the construction of sidewalks and drainage at the community level as well as the resurfacing of major roads and by-roads in those communities,” he announced. The second priority is the installation of solar-power street lights in the communi- The Ministry of Works and Housing will be conducting road work on the Main road that leads from Herberts Main Road to Sea View Farm. The Alternative route: Up All Saints Road through Seaview Farm Village to get ties starting with those areas on the outskirts of St John’s. Next is the restoration of St John’s. “Our goal is to refurbish and repair all government-owned buildings in the capital and then to see them occupied by government departments/ministries. This will go some ways to reducing government’s huge rent bill,” he explained. The work to upgrade the city will also see repairs to sidewalks or in some cases complete replacing of sidewalks. According to the parliamentary secretary priority four is the completing of the housing programme launched by the government. Freeland said the aim is to see that the programme meets its goal of providing affordable houses to ordinary men/women. Additionally, he also announced that there are plans to build a new headquarters building for the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHA- PA). The fifth priority for the ministry is the British-funded road programme where US$20 million will be spent on the construction or resurfacing of five major roads in the country. Freeland said a project coordinator has been named to oversee the full implementation of this programme. Road closure in Herberts to Light Foot. Residents can also travel up Factory Road and past the Light Food Pond. The road work will be done to construct of a concrete slab for the construction of a bridge overpass.
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Caribbean Times 49th Issue - Tuesday 12th July 2016

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