Caribbean Times 88th Issue - Thursday 8th September 2016

Informative, reliable, enriching! 

Thursday 8th September 2016 A n t i g u a a n d B a r b u d a 

Vol.7 No.88 $2.00 

STOP ORDER 

AGAINST YIDA 

By Everton Barnes 

The Development Control 

Authority has issued a 

stop order against YIDA International 

which is currently 

engaged in site preparation 

on Guiana Island. 

Word of this comes from 

Cabinet spokesman Lionel 

Max Hurst who said that the 

Cabinet was informed that a 

heavy duty operator clearing 

the site inadvertently 

knocked down parts of a 

wall that appears to have 

been the remnants of a sugar 

mill. It was not previously 

known that a sugar mill 

existed at Guiana Island. 

Hurst believes that the 

ruins may be more connected 

with cotton than sugar. 

Hurst said the DCA issued 

the stop order following 

the incident. He also reported 

that the YIDA Group 

has agreed to rebuild the 

wall. 

Nonetheless, according 

Ministers of government, YIDA representatives and other tourism stakeholders break ground on Guiana 

Island, the site earmarked to be developed by YIDA International over the next decade. 

to Hurst the Cabinet was 

outraged at learning of the 

incident. 

He also reported that 

both the DCA and the Environmental 

Division are 

supervising the work being 

carried out at the Guiana Island 

site. 

“Nothing can be done at 

the site without both government 

agencies being 

present,” he reported. 

Earlier, YIDA was issued 

another stop order for work 

it was carrying on to construct 

roadways on mainland 

Antigua. Hurst said the 

company did not have the 

relevant permits from DCA 

and it had to await the issuance 

of these before it can 

proceed with the work. 

YIDA International is a 

group out of China which 

has committed to invest in 

excess of $2 billion on a 

major development at Guiana 

Island over a ten-year 

period.

2 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 

Thursday 8th September 2016 

Tourism Minister addresses concerns 


The Antigua and Barbuda 

government is going to 

lengths to reassure the country 

that the Statutory Corporations 

(General Provisions) 

Bill provides safeguards 

protecting the rights of an 

employee who has been seconded 

from one corporation 

to another or from one corporation 

to the civil service. 

Speaking in the House of 

Editor’s Note 

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Representatives debate on 

the motion to approve the 

controversial Clause 7 of the 

bill, Tourism Minister, Asot 

Michael, in defending the 

government’s position, spent 

much time discussing exactly 

what is a secondment and the 

circumstances under which 

they should be effected. 

“The term “secondment” 

describes where an employee 

is assigned on a temporary 

basis to work for another, 

“host” organization (“an external 

secondment”) or to 

work for a different part of 

the employer’s organization 

which may be a large organization 

(“an internal secondment”). 

On expiry of the secondment 

term, the employee (the 

‘secondee’) will return to his/ 

her original employer,” Michael 

explained. 

He also went on to describe 

the relationship between 

statutory corporations 

and the central government. 


Two home owner’s appeal to the Cabinet 

has been successful resulting in the government 

ordering the removal of a cell tower from 

their neighbourhood. 

Making the disclosure, Cabinet spokesman 

said the two people live in the St John’s Rural 

North constituency and they went to the Cabinet 

to report the construction of the two in a 

residential area. They told the Cabinet that this 

poses a threat to homeowners who will be exposed 

to harmful radiation over time. 

According to Hurst the offending tower 

was about 14 feet in height and located in close 

proximity to homes in the area. He said the 

“A public corporation is a 

“quasi-governmental” body 

administering services on 

behalf of the central government. 

But in all cases in 

Antigua and Barbuda, Public 

Corporations are wholly 

owned by the Government 

and the People of Antigua 

and Barbuda,” he further explained. 

Minister Michael also 

addressed a number of concerns 

as detailed in the Daily 

Observer newspaper. 

He listed nine concerns 

but said that they may be 

classified under three broad 

headings; (1) Excessive powers 

are being given to ministers, 

(2) There are Illegal provisions 

of the bill which seek 

to interfere with employment 

contract and (3) Employees 

cannot be seconded without 

their consent. 

In addressing the issue 

of excessive power, Michael 

said ministers who are given 

powers under a statute are 

required to act within their 

powers. 

“We are not laws unto 

ourselves and should not at 

any time act high handed 

or unjustly. We must at all 

times act fairly, reasonably, 

and with impartiality, equity 

and justice for all,” he stated. 

He added that there are 

provisions for redress should 

anyone feel aggrieved by a 

minister’s action. 

Regarding the accusation 

that there are illegal provisions 

in the bill, the tourism 

minister said there are no 

illegal provisions in the bill 

per se, as an employee’s employment 

contract has to be 

honoured prior to the actual 

secondment. 

On the question of an employee 

had to give consent 

before the secondment, Michael 

cited legal precedent 

and relevant statute to show 

that this is now so that an employee 

can be expected to be 

seconded from time to time. 

Gov’t orders cell towers removed 

Development Control Authority had already 

issued a stop order on the erection of the cell 

tower. 

Additionally, Cabinet has ordered the removal 

of the cell tower and that it must be 

cited where it will no longer poses a threat to 

homeowners. “”It appears as though the company 

involved had already placed transformers 

on this tower, now they have to remove all the 

items,” Hurst said. 

He said there are 29 cell towers scattered 

across Antigua many of which are located in 

populated areas and thus pose a threat to humans. 

There are links between the presence of 

cell towers and a higher incidence of cancer.

Thursday 8th September 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3 

Fire victim’s body returns home 

The body of one of the 

victims from the fire that occurred 

in Jennings returned to 

Antigua on Tuesday (yesterday) 

from Guadeloupe via a 

regional security service airline. 

At approximately 1pm on 

Tuesday, the body of Nurse 

Gayan Williams arrived at the 

V C Bird International Airport 

and was met on the tarmac by 

her sister Nicole Williams, her 

Fiancé` Eddy Prince, one of 

Prince’s brothers, Permanent 

Secretary in the Ministry of 

Health and the Environment 

Walter Christopher and other 

officials from the Ministry. 

The coffin carrying the remains 

of Williams was then 

offloaded and taken to Barnes 

Funeral Home on New Gate 

Street under escort from the 

Royal Antigua and Barbuda 

Police Force. 

Williams and her three 

year old son Jayden Prince 

succumbed to injuries sustained 

in an early morning 

blaze at their Jennings home 

in late August. 

Reports are that Nurse Williams 

and her Fiancé` were at 

home with their three children 

when they were awaken by 

the inferno but upon making 

their way through the living 

room, Williams and young 

Jayden Prince sustained second 

degree burns. 

Her Fiancé` and the other 

two children sustained minor 

injuries and were treated at 

the Mount St John Medical 

Centre. 

Whereas Williams was 

flown to Guadeloupe via 

MedEvac Helicopter Services, 

young Prince was taken 

to the Hospitalier Universitaire 

de Martinique, where he 

passed away two days after 

his mom. His remains are due 

back on the island between 

Thursday and Friday. 

The Board, Management and Staff of the 

Antigua & Barbuda Social Security extend 

our sincerest condolences to the family of 

the late Prince Alfred Hurst. 

As you go through this time of bereavement, 

may you find comfort in God’s grace.



Domestic workers getting organised 


Efforts are afoot to organise 

domestic workers and 

to provide them with job 

security and other benefits 

enjoyed by workers in other 

sectors. 

Industrial Relations Officer 

of the Antigua Trades 

and Labour Union, Andie 

Stephen, said her union has 

been making some progress 

in its on-going attempts to 

bring the domestic workers 

together. 

She said two meetings 

were held over the past week 

with the one Wednesday seeing 

the largest turnout so far. 

“Usually, we were seeing 

between five and six persons 

attending the meetings 

in the past but between Saturday 

and again yesterday 

(Wednesday), we are seeing 

a combined total of thirty-three 

people attending the 

meeting. This is a sign that 


People who lose their homes and/or 

valuable items in house fires will be able to 

appeal to the government for greater assistance. 

According to report coming out of the 

Cabinet, the government has reviewed a 

1987 Cabinet decision regarding the amount 

of money fire victims can receive from the 

treasury. 

“The old Cabinet decision makes provisions 

to pay up to $5,000 for a family of five. 

But through this new update, fire victims 

will be entitled to as much as $5-thousand 

per person depending on the extent of the 

fire damage,” he revealed. 

the domestic workers themselves 

want to be organised 

as a bargaining unit,” Stephen 

stated. 

According to the union 

official getting the domestic 

workers to come together 

has been quite a challenge, 

however, the union 

embarked on an aggressive 

public relations programme 

to encourage the workers to 

attend. 

“We did a number of radio 

interviews and this was 

followed up with a flyer and 

we also encouraged those 

who attended the first meeting 

to tell and friend and to 

bring along someone new,” 

she stated. 

Stephen said the aim is 

to organise the workers in a 

similar manner as workers in 

the hotel industry and to set 

standards that will govern 

this sector. 

“There’s nothing in place 

for when a domestic worker 

reaches age 60 and we want 

to ensure that they become 

part of a retirement plan. 

These are some of the things 

that we want to see put in 

place on behalf of domestic 

workers,” she added. 

She outlined a number 

of steps that have to be put 

in place before the domestic 

workers are fully unionised. 

“We first have to ratify 

the International Labour Organisation’s 

Convention # 

More help for victims of fire 

He said the minister overseeing this development 

will be asked to make the determination 

of how much money is paid out by 

using his/her judgment. 

Hurst admits that the recent spate of fires 

that has left two people dead and several 

others homeless had an impact on the decision 

by the Cabinet at this time. 

He said the Cabinet is also aware that the 

Fire Chief has reported that many homes in 

Antigua and Barbuda are without the necessary 

devises that will save both lives and 

property. The government has already been 

on record announcing that it is in the process 

of acquiring 25-thousand smoke detectors to 

be distributed freely across the country. 

189 which lays out in clear 

terms a commitment to ensure 

decent work for all 

domestic workers,” she explained. 

Among other things the 

Convention Preamble states 

“Recognizing the significant 

contribution of domestic 

workers to the global economy, 

which includes increasing 

paid job opportunities 

for women and men workers 

with family responsibilities, 

greater scope for caring for 

ageing populations, children 

and persons with a disability, 

and substantial income 

transfers within and between 

countries, and 

Considering that domestic 

work continues to be 

undervalued and invisible 

and is mainly carried out 

by women and girls, many 

of whom are migrants or 

members of disadvantaged 

communities and who are 

particularly vulnerable to 

discrimination in respect of 

conditions of employment 

and of work, and to other 

abuses of human rights”.


Cooks man to stand trial for grievous bodily harm 

By Alecia McPherson 

Alvin Darroux aged 

46 of Cooks Development 

was arrested on September 

13th, 2015 after he allegedly 

struck 39-year old Wayne 

Bannis multiple times about 

the body with a stick. It is 

reported that on the day in 

By Alecia McPherson 

51-year old Nyron Bachelor of Grays 

Farm appeared yesterday at the St. John’s 

Magistrate’s’ Court having been charged for 

unlawful possession of firearm, and unlawful 

possession of ammunition. On August 

25th, Bachelor was nabbed by lawmen with 

an unlicensed .357 Magnum revolver. 

On the day mentioned at about 7:30 p.m., 

Constable Roberts and other officers were on 

mobile patrol in the Grays Farm area when 

they spotted the accused along with three 

other individuals on Buckley Street acting 

in a suspicious manner. A stop and search 

By Deborah A. Parker 

The men charged with 

the murder of a Liberta 

farmer had their matter 

committed to the January 

question, the two men who 

are neighbours, were allegedly 

arguing over ownership 

for a plot of land. The 

argument escalated into a 

fight during which both men 

caused injuries to each other. 

Both men were arrested 

and charged with 

2017 criminal assizes yesterday. 

Fingers pointed to Meryl 

Chiddick and Aubrey Joseph, 

after the lifeless body 

By Deborah A. Parker 

A young man was convicted of unlawful wounding 

when he appeared in District B before Magistrate Ngaio 

Emanuel, and had imposed on him a $1,400 bill. 

Steve Miller the offender, is said to have injured a man, 

with whom he had an altercation. The victim was forced 

to seek medical attention. For the offence, Miller was fined 

$1,000 - and ordered to pay $400 to the victim. Matters of 

this nature could land one in prison for up to two years. 

disorderly conduct; Bannis 

was further charged 

with ‹wounding’ after he 

reportedly struck Darroux 

twice to the head with 

a shovel. He was fined 

$600.00 forthwith when 

they first appeared in court 

October of last year. 

Man fined $13,000 for firearm, ammo 

was carried out on the men. While searching 

Bachelor, police found a crome Magnum revolver 

with black handle tucked in his pants 

waist. Further examination of the weapon revealed 

that it was loaded with five matching 

rounds. He was arrested and charged. 

Yesterday Bachelor pleaded guilty to 

both charges before Magistrate Clarke; he 

was fined $7,000.00EC forthwith for unlawful 

possession of firearm, In default he 

will serve eight months at HMP; and for 

unlawful possession of ammunition he was 

fined $5,000.00EC forthwith, in default six 

months at HMP. 

Accused murderers sent to High Court 

Offender gets 

$1,400 wounding bill 

of 53-year old Conroy Andrew 

was found on his farm, 

on November 10th, 2014. 

The village of Liberta 

was plunged into mourning 

after family members of the 

deceased launched a search 

for him, and returned with 

grim news. 

They would stumble 

upon his remains at about 

midmorning, with what appeared 

to have been a gunshot 

wound. 

Andrew, who was a popular 

and well-loved member 

of the said community 

was listed as murder victim 

number 14 for 2014. 

Darroux was subsequently 

arrested and charged 

with grievous bodily 

harm, after Bannis pressed 

charges alleging that he 

too was struck several 

times about the body with 

the broken shovel stick. 

It is reported that he sustained 

multiple injuries and 

was transported by EMS to 

the Mount St. John Medical 

Center. 

Darroux appeared 

yesterday at the St. John›s 

Magistrates Court and 

was committed to stand trial 

at January 2017 assizes at 

the High Court. 

IN THE HIGH COURT OF 

JUSTICE 

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 

( PROBATE ) 

A.D. 2016 

In the Estate of EUS- 

TACE GOLDBURN CO- 

CHRANE, deceased 

NOTICE IS HEREBY 

GIVEN that at the expiration 

of fourteen (14) days 

from the date of this Notice 

Application will be made by 

NEIL COCHRANE, son of 

the deceased, and one of the 

persons entitled to the estate, 

to the High Court of Justice 

for the Grant of Letters of 

Administration of the Estate 

EUSTACE GOLDBURN 

COCHRANE, deceased, 

who died on the 02nd day of 

August, 2016. 

DATED the 07th day of 

August, 2016. 

…………………………… 

LAKE & KENTISH 

Attorneys-at-Law for and on 

behalf of the Applicant.



Emergency responders forge closer 

ties in response to residential fires 

With the recent increase in residential 

fires and deaths that are associated with 

them, two of the country’s emergency responders 

have decided to form an even 

closer alliance in a bid to save more lives. 

Head of the Emergency Medical Services, 

Shawn Greenidge, announced that 

beginning this month, an ambulance will 

also be dispatched whenever the Fire Department 

is responding to a residential 

fire. He said that the move will be more 

effective as they won’t have to wait for 

the fire fighters to call from the actual 

scene of the blaze. 

“I had a meeting with the E911 dispatch 

supervisor, Mr. Ivor Luke and we 

came to an agreement that from now on, 

whenever there is a call for the fire service, 

an ambulance will be immediately 

dispatched as well. And dispatching the 

ambulance augers well in terms of the 

occupants of the building but we are also 

looking at the safety and wellbeing of the 

fire crew who are also vulnerable to the 

fire and smoke inhalation”, Greenidge 

The Ministry of Education, 

Science and Technology 

is responding to claims made 

by a parent that his daughter 

was “thrown out of primary 

school without notice.” 

An article appearing in the 

Daily Observer of Wednesday 

7 th September, 2016, headlined 

‘Six year old kicked out 

of school’, detailed the parent’s 

account that his child, a 

Five Islands Primary student 

was “expelled” after being 

labelled a “slow learner” by 

school authorities. The Ministry 

through its Director of 

Education Mr. Clare Browne, 

says no 6 six year-old child 

was expelled. The Director 

outlined that in order for a 

child to be expelled, a meeting 

must be held with executives 

of the Ministry, in accordance 

with the Education Act of Antigua 

and Barbuda 2008. It 

is only the Director who has 

the authority to do so, and no 

decision was taken in that regard. 


Science and Technology 

is reiterating that every child 

is entitled to an education. No 

child will be refused an education 

based on colour, race, 

mental illness, physical handicap 

or otherwise (Education 

Act Section. 29). 

Mr. Browne stated the 

parent of the 6 year-old was 

advised to return the student 

to Five Islands Primary, pending 

the outcome of a second 

assessment as per the request 

of her father. An initial evaluation 

was carried out and 

among the recommendations 

was that the pupil be transferred 

to a neighbouring primary 

school that has a special 

Head of the Emergency Medical Services, 

Shawn Greenidge, left, and Head of training, 

Morvin Fiedtkou. 

said. 

The EMS Department has also intensified 

its training programme for staff and 

a number of refresher courses are being 

organised. 

Head of training, Morvin Fiedtkou 

declared that starting this week, the division 

will embark on a number of sessions 

to remind the operators of the procedures 

that are paramount to carrying out their 

duties more effectively. 

“We here at EMS take these matters 

very seriously, our EMT’s are trained fully 

to deal with patients who receive burns 

but nonetheless we the management see 

it fit to do a refresher course again to 

remind the staff of the procedures and 

guidelines in treating burn patients because 

as you know what you were taught 

three years ago might be irrelevant today 

so we have gone ahead and acquire some 

new literature and now all fourteen members 

of staff will be refreshed and updated 

on any recent information”, Fiedtkou 

noted. 

Fiedtkou also said that the department 

is always looking for new information 

and new materials to make the department 

more efficient and modern. 

“I know the staff knows what they 

have been taught before; some have been 

taught five years ago and some three 

years but in this field our goal is also to 

keep current, the latest ideas, the latest 

guidelines, the latest research and testing 

our staff in the field and this is what evidence 

based practice is all about”, Fiedtkou 

concluded. 

Education Director responds to newspaper article 

programme and is staffed with 

special education teachers. 


Science and Technology is assuring 

the public that it makes 

every effort to ensure students 

succeed, and is mindful that 

everyone can learn though not 

at the same pace. 

As far as the Ministry is 

concerned, the issue was addressed 

and dialogue will 

continue with the parents of 

the student. However, from its 

end, discussions on a 6 yearold 

will not continue to play 

out in the public domain.


Group wants NCC to adopt level playing field 

The group opposing the 

march towards the Caribbean 

Court of Justice (CCJ) 

as Antigua and Barbuda’s 

final court of appeal, wants 

the National Coordinating 

Committee to adopt a ‘level 

playing field’ in its public 

education campaign. 

The call comes from 

former parliamentarian and 

now spokesman for the ‘No. 

Not Yet’ Group, Eleston 

Namba Adams who made 

the comment on the Observer 

PM show on Wednesday. 

He said there should be an 

even-handed approach and 

give the population information 

regarding the other side 

in the public education campaign. 

“You have to assist those 

who are educating the people 

on the other side because 

you are educating the people 

Inquest scheduled for 

suspected drowning 


An inquest is slated to take place today to probe into the 

death of an American visitor to the island who died from 

what is believed to have been a drowning. 

Police spokesman Senior Sergeant Frankie Thomas said 

the man – John Willis, 38 – arrived at the island on Monday 

and was a guest at the Coco Bay Resort. It was reported 

that he was socialising near the pool Tuesday night when he 

complained of feeling unwell. 

According to the reports sometime after the man was 

found submerged in the pool. He was fished from the water 

and several attempts were to resuscitate him but all were in 

vain. Thomas said the inquest will probe into the circumstances 

of his death and a post mortem will determine cause 

of death. Willis was accompanied by his girlfriend on the 

visit to Antigua. 

so that they can make an informed 

choice,” Adams stated. 

On the question of the 

court system, Adams said 

there is urgent need for improvements 

in the lower 

courts. He noted that many 

cases do not go beyond the 

magistrate’s court because 

litigants quite often cannot 

afford the costs involved. 

The No, Not Yet spokesman 

said the changes he is 

envisioning includes better 

salaries for magistrates and 

judges. “When we talk about 

influencing judges, anybody 

can be influenced but 

if we are paying our judges 

properly the likelihood of 

that happening is greatly reduced,” 

he stated. 

Chairman of the NCC, 

Amb. Dr. Clarence Henry 

disagreed with Adams’ assertions 

by informing that 

the NCC is providing both 

sides of the argument. He 

cited the website www. 

nationalcoordinatingcommittee.com, 

the inclusion 

of proponents of the Privy 

Council on its panels for 

town hall sessions, and has 

started to compile endorsements 

which will also be 

carried on the media. 

“I wish to remind Mr. 

Adams that he was also a 

part of a one-hour television 

programme and that he will 

also be involved in other 

activities. So the effort to 

educate the population will 

continue, and we encourage 

the public to visit to various 

websites as they seek 

out the relevant information 

for themselves and not solely 

reliant on any one entity 

for the facts. Self-education 

is another critical factor in 

a young nation’s development,” 

he remarked. 

Once again, The NCC 

Chairman challenged voters 

not to be persuaded by incorrect 

statements, but seek 

factual, credible insights 

into these distinguished institutions 

called the CCJ and 

the Privy Council. 

The NCC is currently finalizing 

the new date for the 

series if town hall meetings.


Thursday 8th September 2016


New Media showcases 

Food For Weapons and Light 

The work of seven contemporary 

Venezuelan artists examining power 

and violence and their relationship to 

the body - will open the trinidad+tobago 

film festival (ttff) New Media showcase, 

on Wednesday 21 September, 

from 7.00pm at the Big Black Box in 

Woodbrook. 

Curated by Venezuelan experimental 

filmmaker, Sandra Vivas, Food For 

Weapons questions the manipulation of 

power in Venezuela and the methods 

used to prevent protest and uprisings – 

control of food, medicines, water and 

the media. 

“The title Food For Weapons, refers 

not only to the food shortages and 

violence in Venezuela, but also to the 

fact that ideas can be seen as food. A 

reminder that hunger can be both a 

dangerous oppressor and the most dramatic 

motivator for ultimate liberation. 

Ideas can be both food for thought and 

weapons of change”, says Vivas. 

The exhibited work undermines established 

discourse through intimate 

narratives that are either taboo or simply 

ignored. According to Vivas, several of 

the artists have been politically perse- 

Image from Oblivion by Anna Rosa Rodriguez 

cuted for their work – some of which is day 24 September, at 9pm, also at Big 

deliberately shocking and only suitable Black Box. 

for a mature audience. The artists use North Eleven projection artists are 

their body as an instrument, recognizing 

it as a battleground where violence between visuals and how the audience 

especially interested in the interaction 

is often enacted through hunger, torture interact with them. Working with multiple 

technologies and interfaces ‘Light’ 

or menace, and seek to recreate it as a 

channel of liberation that is democratic is a live audio-visual performance that 

and universal. 

incorporates projection mapping & 

Food for Weapons will be followed murals, live digital graffiti & motion 

by a second New Media installation design, and live visuals. From lo-tech 

‘Light’ by North Eleven, on Satur- 

mediums such as string, paper, wire 

mesh and cardboard, to the latest audio-visual 

applications, and collaborations 

with fellow artists, illustrators, 

painters and musicians, North Eleven 

will transform the Big Black Box into 

a stunning canvass of mixed media artwork. 

North Eleven has been the ttff’s 

official technical partner since 2010, 

working extensively with the community 

development programme to bring 

free community cinema to numerous 

communities throughout Trinidad and 

Image from Selective Migration by Luis Poleo cont’d on pg 10



Statement from the OECS Commission on 

the observance of International Literacy Day 

Around the world the 

spotlight on literacy is 

brightening! That is in concert 

with the sharpening 

focus by the OECS Commission 

who joins major international 

agencies in promoting 

the value of literacy 

generally, and its specific 

role in poverty eradication 

and fostering egalitarian 

societies. 

The composite of financial 

contributions and advocacy 

by top-tier institutions 

like UNESCO, USAID and 

the Global Reading Network, 

among others, have 

given impetus to the drive 

to eradicate illiteracy. This 

year marks 50 years since 

UNESCO established September 

8 as International 

Literacy Day. 

Such efforts win the adoration 

of the entire world 

and are seen as creating a 

movement. Maya Angelou 

analogized it powerfully: 

cont’d from pg 9 

Tobago. For the past three years, they have 

generously provided technical sponsorship 

for the festival’s New Media programme. 

Big Black Box, located on 33 Murray 

Street, Woodbrook and managed by 3Canal, 

has evolved into ttff’s official venue partner 

for New Media this year; and will also be 

a ‘watering hole’ during the festival period, 

offering film fans a creative community 

space to relax after attending films and industry 

activities. 

For more information visit: ttfilmfestival. 

com 

The trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) 

“The elimination of illiteracy 

is as serious an issue as 

the abolition of slavery”. 

No one would deny the true 

liberation and empowerment 

that literacy brings. 

Some of these efforts 

have borne fruit to some 

degree. The UNESCO Institute 

for Statistics reported 

in September, 2015 

that 757 million adults (15 

years and older), including 

115 million youth (15 – 24 

years), cannot read or write 

a simple sentence. Roughly 

two-thirds of them (63%) 

are female. This represents 

an improvement over 2012 

when the number of illiterate 

adults was estimated to 

be 781 million. 

The OECS Commission 

is playing its part to support 

literacy improvement in the 

region. Last year, the Commission 

was able to secure 

an award of approximately 

$US 9 million to implement 

the Early Learners 

Programme (ELP), an intervention 

targeting reading 

development issues at 

the Grade K - 3 levels. 

The six independent 

Member States of the 

OECS are the beneficiaries 

of this award agreement. 

These States have undertaken 

several initiatives 

to address some of evident 

shortcoming in reading and 

writing. Data in 2015 from 

Antigua indicate that at key 

stage Grade 2 level, 61% of 

students read at or above 

grade level. 

In the previous year St. 

Kitts had recorded upwards 

of 90 % at the same grade. 

In 2015 in St. Lucia the 

overall performance at the 

Minimum Standards Examination 

in Grade 2 was 47. 

9. 

The ELP is expected to 

augment these efforts and 

achieve the goal: ‘Every 

celebrates films from and about the Caribbean 

and its diaspora, as well as from world 

cinema, through an annual festival and yearround 

screenings. 

In addition, the ttff seeks to facilitate the 

growth of Caribbean cinema by offering a 

wide-ranging industry programme and networking 

opportunities. 

The ttff is presented by Flow, given leading 

sponsorship by Trinidad and Tobago 

Film Company Ltd (FilmTT), and supporting 

sponsorship by RBC Royal Bank, The 

National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago, 

Embassy of the United States of America 

and the Tourism Development Company. 

learner succeeds’. 


celebrates and champions 

all these and other undertakings 

to address concerns 

about literacy. In this 

regard, the Commission 

joins all Member States, 

including Ministries of 

Education and educational 

institutions, members of 

the United Nations and the 

international community, 

in celebrating 2016 International 

Literacy Day under 

the theme ‘Reading the 

Past, Writing the Future’. 

Inherent in this theme is 

the understanding that literacy 

encapsulates more than 

just reading. Writing is another 

critical component, 

requiring great attention. 

The theme, moreover, 

suggests a concurrent reflection 

on what has been 

achieved, the road travelled, 

and active engagement 

on what lies ahead, 

what is still to be done and 

how to get there. International 

Literacy Day provides 

an ideal opportunity 

for that kind of reflection 

and commitment to continue 

taking active steps towards 

literacy for all. 


invites all within the 

Member States to share in 

celebrating literacy and 

the lifelong esteem that it 

brings to its bearers. Happy 

International Literacy Day, 

2016.


Wednesday’s Sudoku Solution 

S U D O K U 

CROSSWORD 

Across 

1. Word in a Ray Stevens song 

title 

5. Made Bond’s martini 

10. ‘’___ Good Men’’ 

14. Constellation with the star 

Vega 

15. ‘’Chicago Hope’’ Emmy 

winner 

16. City of seven hills 

17. Board game 

19. Killer whale 

20. Roof overhangs 

21. Substance found in flour 

23. Heavenly messenger 

26. Doesn’t go together 

27. Contents of some in-boxes 

28. Neighbor of New Brunswick 

29. Half of an ‘80s crime-fighting 

duo 

30. Pervasive qualities 

31. Planet in an old sitcom 

34. Some are indelible 

35. Villainous glare 

36. ‘’Let’s go!’’ 

37. ‘’___ Kapital’’ 

38. Softened, as tones 

39. More than see 

40. ‘’True Colors’’ singer 

42. Cinematic lady gangster 

43. Emulated Henry Clay Frick 

45. Pillaged 

46. Cu 

47. Gem State product, informally 

48. Canterlike gait 

49. Candid 

54. Knighted actor Guinness 

55. Like some interpretations 

56. Weapon with a blunted end 

57. Trade center 

58. Is wildly unstable 

59. ‘’It’s all the ___ to me’’ 

Down 

1. Vestment for the clergy 

2. Scandinavian rug 

3. Slow-pitch path 

4. Many people like their smell 

5. Works over a hot stove, e.g. 

6. ‘’Hill Street Blues’’ star 

7. Physics law 

8. Palindromic Midwestern 

tribe 

9. Shakespeare play, circa 

1605 

10. Build a fire under, say 

11. About to appear 

12. Roast figure 

13. Removes dependency 

18. In a high-spirited manner 

22. Castle basements, in some 

films 

23. Extremely cold 

24. Kitchen appliance brand 

25. Effusively friendly person 

26. Remedied 

28. Type of eye in a TV show 

title 

30. Chipped in chips 

32. One-time talker O’Donnell 

33. Poked with a patella 

35. Curtis Mayfield hit 

36. Unfortunate coal mine visitors 

38. She’s an inspiration 

39. Generic dog name 

41. Facet 

42. Suffuses 

43. Happy as ___ 

44. Do-re-mi 

45. 1969 Hoffman role 

47. ‘’Iliad’’ city 

50. Winning tic-tac-toe line 

51. Transcript stat 

52. Search for the right word, 

e.g. 

53. Elevator on a golf course?



HOROSCOPE 

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). 

You’re putting out a top-quality 

effort. Just know that you 

could be the sweetest peach in 

the world and there would still 

be a certain (albeit very small) 

percentage of the population 

who don’t prefer peaches. 

Never mind them! 

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). 

When you get your first right 

result, try for another and another 

so you can know and 

practice what it takes to succeed. 

The method is the true 

gold. The method is worth way 

more than the prize. 

Today’s weather forecast 

Antigua and Barbuda 

Mostly sunny skies during the 

morning hours will give way to occasional 

showers in the afternoon. 

High - 84ºF 

Low - 78ºF 

Wind: East North East 9 mph 

Sunrise 5.54 am; Sunset 6.14 pm 

Wednesday’s Crossword Solution 

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). 

You’ve a charm that inspires 

devotion in others, and at 

times this has actually frightened 

you; you don’t always 

want so much attention. However, 

right now, you could use 

some help. Work it! 

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). 

As for the people who aim for 

greatness and fall short again 

and again, they are the ones to 

watch, align with and partner 

with because that kind of courage 

will get it right eventually 

and win big. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 

21). You’ve come to a door. If 

you knock once or twice and 

no one lets you in, don’t walk 

away. Keep knocking until you 

get your answer. The world on 

the other side of the door will 

be worth it. 

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 

19). Sure, life can be unfair. 

However, it’s also possible 

that the idea of justice we have 

in our head isn’t as complete 

as the one the universe has in 

mind. Perhaps this thing unfolding 

before us is as perfect 

as it is complex. 

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 

18). Who has made a positive 

difference in your life and 

why? You will set a goal that 

is similar to one that this person 

has pursued, and you will 

soon possess some of the same 

qualities. 

ARIES (March 21-April 19). 

It gets old, this accommodation 

of life’s inconveniences 

and distractions. How you’ve 

longed for a day that includes 

nothing unnecessary or obligatory. 

This is it! Your day for 

straight-up business — finally. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). 

You feel like you couldn’t 

do the job without your special 

helper, and in some ways 

this is true. The job certainly 

wouldn’t get done in the same 

way without this person. Acknowledgement 

is in order. 

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). 

Give yourself time to reach 

your goals. Success trick: lower 

your expectations of what 

you’ll be able to accomplish 

in a day, but raise your expectations 

of what you’ll accomplish 

in 60 days. 

CANCER (June 22-July 22). 

The world may fall short of 

your vision today, but your focus 

on appreciating the reality 

you’re in will cause a change 

in your wants and needs. In the 

back of your mind and the center 

of your heart, a new vision 

is forming. 

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When 

you made up those rules to 

keep you on track, you were 

winging it — everyone is, in 

the beginning. Now you see 

that some of the restrictions 

were unnecessary. It’s safe for 

you to change the rules now.


Persons from the St. Paul's Community - (English Harbour, 

Cobbs Cross, Piccadilly, Liberta) who attend the LIberta 

Clinic for Medical services can now do so by means of a 

Courtesy Transportation provided by Parliamentary Representative 

- Hon. E.P Chet Greene. Persons who need this 

service can call 771-0323 or 774-6428 or leave your information 

at the Branch Office back of the Yasoso Bakery or 

at the Liberta Clinic. Services for the filling of prescription 

from the Medical Benefit Scheme Pharmacy - All Saints and 

other pharmacies are also available. 

The Hon. E.P. Chet Greene Member of Parliament for St. 

Pauls invites all residents to a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday 

8th September 7:30 p.m. at the Liberta School. Do come 

out and listen to his plans for moving the community forward 

as well as get a chance to air your views and concerns; 

and ask questions have a chance to speak with him one and 

one and have your concerns addressed. 

The Representative of St. John’s Rural North Hon. Min. 

Charles Fernandez announces branch meeting for the following 

days and venue: 

· Thursday, 8th September, 2016 @ 7:30pm @ Cedar 

Gove Primary School for residents of Cedar Grove and surrounding 

areas. 

· Monday, 12th September, 2016 @ 7:30pm @ Yorks 

Community Center for residents of Yorks and surrounding 

areas 

The National Vocational and Rehabilitation Center for Persons 

with Disabilities on Factory Road will be reopened on 

Monday 12th September 2016 at 8am. All concerned are 

asked to take note of this very important information and we 

look forward to a productive and exciting working relationship 

for 2016 and beyond. 

The National Parents Teachers Association will be holding 

an urgent meeting at the TN Kirnon Primary School on 

Thursday 8th September at 5pm. All Schools both Public 

and Private are please asked to send a representative either 

from the school’s PTA or from amongst the school staff to 

this meeting. 

Borel to compete in 

Diamond League Final 

and DécaNation this week 

Trinidad and Tobago’s 

Olympic Shotput Queen, 

Cleopatra Borel, is gearing 

up for a strong finish for her 

2016 Season. The 37 yearold 

Sportswoman of the Year 

is en route to Belgium, where 

she was selected to compete 

in the highly-contested Brussels 

Diamond League on 

Thursday 8th September. 

Held in the majestic Grand 

Place - the central square 

of Brussels - the Women’s 

Shot Put Finals promises to 

be an enchanting showdown 

among some of the best athletes 

in the world, especially 

coming out of the 2016 event 

at the Olympic Games in Rio 

de Janeiro, Brazil, where 

Borel created history for her 

country by placing 7th in the 

Final. Other heavy-hitting 

Olympic champions such as 

silver medalist Valerie Adams 

of New Zealand, and 

gold medalist Michelle Carter 

of the USA will be competing. 

Borel joins the ranks 

of decorated athletes on the 

roster to compete that evening, 

with her focus on keeping 

the momentum from her 

performance in August. “I’m 

really looking forward to getting 

back out there and giving 

a strong finish for the season. 

Getting over the Olympics 

“training hump” and looking 

forward to next season is 

very much on my mind, and 

during training, my coach 

(Ismael Lopez Mastrapa) re- 

Cleopatra Borel 

ally made that consistency 

the focus, coming into this 

Memorial Van Damme in 

Belgium.” 

Soon thereafter, Borel 

will then head to Marseille, 

France for the SEAT DécaNation, 

which she indicates 

will be her final competition 

for 2016. The event, 

which boasts eight nations 

competing in both classic and 

non-classic events of the decathlon 

program, will be held 

on Tuesday 13th September. 

Borel is pleased to mark the 

occasion as the lone female 

athlete representing Trinidad 

and Tobago in that elite competition. 

“For most of the athletes, 

the end of the season is within 

reach, and the Olympics 

is definitely still fresh on 

everyone’s mind. That will 

definitely show because we 

all want to do our best and 

hopefully medal. Everyone 

for the most part is still in top 

form, and between Belgium 

and France, it’s going to be 

a great two competitions for 

both the athletes and the fans 

to look forward to over the 

next week, and set the tone 

for the 2017 Season.”



Young Alzarri Joseph will make ODI 

debut just weeks after his Test debut 

By Vanroy Burnes 

Young Antigua & Barbuda, 

Leeward Islands and 

West Indies U-19 young 

fast bowling sensation Alzarri 

Joseph is set to make 

his ODI Debut just weeks 

after making his test debut. 

Joseph was included in 

the second test match between 

India and the West 

Indies in St. Lucia in August 

which the West Indies 

lost. However Sir Vivian 

Richards and legendary 

West Indies player who has 

been considered as the best 

batsman to have played the 

game said the young fast 

bowler must fully utilized. 

According to Sir Viv, 

he is of the view that Joseph 

was underused in his 

debut test against India in 

St. Lucia last month where 

he only bowled four overs 

on the second day when 

the West Indies had India in 

trouble. 

Joseph only 19 years old, 

is considered as the brightest 

fast bowling prospect in 

the region at this time and 

Sir Viv is hoping that this 

time around he will be fully 

utilized on this upcoming 

tour. 

Joseph and Barbados 

and West Indies opening 

batsman Kraigg Brathwaite 

has been critersized for his 

slow batting style has been 

called up by the West Indies 

selectors for the West Indies 

tour of Pakistan later this 

month as both is set to make 

their ODI Debut. 

The West Indies and Pakistan 

will play 3 ODI’S and 

three test matches which 

will run up to November 

3rd. Two of the ODI’S will 

be played in Sharjah and 

one in Abu Dhabi. 

Opportunity for Antigua 

to show they can go it 

alone says Benjamin 


Former Antigua, Leeward Islands and West Indies fast 

bowler Kenneth “Flipper” Benjamin said in Inaugural 

tri-Nation cricket series organized by the Antigua & Barbuda 

Cricket Association (ABCA) between Antigua & Barbuda, 

Jamaica and the Windward Islands is a testing time for 

the National team. 

The former West Indies pacer who the coach of the Antigua 

& Barbuda team for the tournament, said this is an opportunity 

for us to show the world that we can go it alone in 

regional cricket, a called that has been made time and time 

again since Antigua players always dominated the Leeward 

Islands team in terms of selections. 

Benjamin said in spite tournament is the shortest version 

of the game, the players will have to lift their game and put 

up good performances and make their mark, winning this 

tournament would even be a plus. He continued that the 

tournament will provide an avenue for local players to showcase 

their talents. 

The tournament will also serve as an exposure for young 

because there is so much T-20 Cricket playing and so much 

players involved, it will give other teams like Jamaica and 

the Windward Islands the opportunity to some of them and 

maybe consider them when the CPL comes around. 

The matches will be played from October 7th to 15th at 

the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The local cricket association 

has called up 21 players for training in preparation for 

the tournament.


Leeward Islands Hurricanes lose 

five players to West Indies duties 


The Leeward Islands Hurricanes will 

be without five key players for the start 

of the West Indies cricket Board 

Professional Cricket League (PCL) due 

to West Indies duties. 

All-Rounder Rahkeem Jimbo Cornwall, 

Jahmar Hamilton and Keiron Powell 

have been all selected for the West 

Indies A team to tour Sri Lanka later this 

year. 

Meanwhile, pacer Alzarri Joseph and 

West Indies Cricket 

Board’s chief executive Michael 

Muirhead will step 

down from his position after 

a four-year stint in the role. 

Muirhead’s contract was up 

for renewal on October 14, 

but he has opted to quit the 

WICB. Muirhead, who had 

replaced Ernest Hilaire the 

WICB CEO in 2012, said he 

had helped the board turn its 

finances around. 

“I came in at a time when 

the state of finances at the 

board were in deficit and in 

my brief tenure I have managed 

to turn around and will 

be leaving with a surplus,” 

Muirhead told ESPNcricinfo. 

With a banking and marketing 

background, Muirhead 

was focused on the numbers 

and the money element and 

worked in close association 

with WICB president Dave 

Cameron. 

Although Muirhead counts 

as having contributed to West 

Indies’ two World T20 wins, 

his tenure, along with Cameron’s, 

will be remembered for 

their run-ins with senior West 

Trinidadian Nicholas Pooran who was 

drafted by the Hurricanes have been included 

in the West Indies team to tour 

Pakistan later this month. 

In the meanwhile another Leeward 

Islands player Anguillan Moncin Hodge 

has been placed on standby. Head Coach 

of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes Reginald 

Benjamin, now in his second year 

with the team, was elated with the news 

of the selection of the players and noted 

that the Leeward Islands players must be 

Indies players over issues like 

the pay disputes and selection. 

A dispute related to payment 

structure between the players, 

the WICB and the West Indies 

Players’ Assocation resulted 

in the team pulling out of 

their tour of India in October 

2014. The board faced a crisis 

before this year’s World T20 

in India after the players appeared 

to collectively reject 

the contracts offered by the 

WICB due to what they perceived 

as “huge financial reductions”. 

Following West Indies’ 

title win, Darren Sammy 

and a few other senior players 

had criticised the WICB, and 

were reprimanded by the ICC 

after the tournament. 

Muirhead agreed the 

chasm between the board and 

the players has been always 

there, but the divide is steadily 

being bridged. He pointed 

out that when he entered the 

WICB, there was constant 

strife between the board and 

the West Indies Players Association 

(WIPA). 

“Before the two-match 

T20I series against India in 

Florida, WIPA and the WICB 

hosted a symposium where 

players and administrators 

met in an effort to resolve 

longstanding disputes. “A lot 

doing something good in the eyes of the 

selectors. 

However, Coach Reginald Benjamin 

said Orlando Peters was omitted from the 

Hurricanes team for this season, but is 

hopeful that he will make a return to the 

team at a later date. 

The West Indies Cricket Board PCL 

Competition will bowl off on November 

11th when the Leeward Islands Hurricanes 

will oppose the Barbados pride in 

their opening encounter. 

Muirhead to step down as WICB CEO 

of players were able to speak 

quite frankly. The lines of 

communication are now reopened,” 

Muirhead said. (ES- 

PNcricinfo)



Pakistan cruise to nine-wicket win 

OLD TRAFFORD - New captain, 

new Pakistan? It’s always dangerous to 

look too far ahead as far as their cricket 

is concerned, but after one night in 

Manchester Sarfraz Ahmed has a 100% 

record as T20 skipper. 

It can be difficult at the end of a long 

tour to lift for a one-off T20 - the Super 

Series, of course, had already been 

decided lest anyone forget - but, amid 

the most frenzied atmosphere of the 

tour, which was marred by late pitch 

invasions, Pakistan secured a thumping 

nine-wicket victory with a massive 31 

deliveries to spare. 

They produced their most vibrant 

bowling and fielding display of the 

limited-overs leg of the trip to restrict 

England, who fielded the side which 

played the World T20 final in April, to 

135 for 7: just 58 came off the final ten 

overs and only three boundaries were 

struck after the Powerplay. 

The chase was a canter. Neither 

Sharjeel Khan nor Khalid Latif needed 

to bother with much running, by the 

end of the fourth over they had equalled 

England’s paltry tally of 10 fours. Both 

reached their fifties with sixes, Sharjeel 

off 30 balls and Latif, who only flew in 

for this match, brought up his maiden 

half-century off 34 deliveries. 

With the ball Imad Wasim and Wahab 

Riaz, the latter smartly held back 

for the latter half of the innings as he 

bowled all his overs from the 11th onwards, 

produced the telling contributions. 

Imad, who bowled the first over 

then returned after the Powerplay (and 

a clonk on the head at point) did not 

concede a boundary and removed both 

England openers. Wahab generated 

fearsome speed, upwards of 95mph on 

occasion, mixed with smart changes of 

pace, to leave the middle order in a tangle. 

After a couple of early overs of assessing 

conditions, England initially 

made good progress as Jason Roy and 

Alex Hales took them to 53 without 

loss in the Powerplay. Then Roy was 

lbw trying to reverse sweep Imad and 

from there England almost went into 

reverse. Hales fell slog-sweeping at 

Imad, as he did at Lord’s, and next ball 

Joe Root uppercut Hasan Ali to third 

man. 

Jos Buttler, who missed the final 

two ODIs with a hamstring niggle, 

looked in the mood for a rebuilding 

job, but 9 off four balls became 16 off 

14 after two tight overs by Wahab and 

Hasan. He then carved the first delivery 

of Wahab’s second over to deep point. 

Neither Ben Stokes or Eoin Morgan 

could get going and the harder England 

tried to hit the ball the worse off they 

became. England’s batting depth came 

to their aid in the World T20, most notably 

against Afghanistan, but there 

was no late charge on this occasion. 

When David Willey clubbed Sohail 

Tanvir through the leg side it was 

the first boundary for 7.3 overs - and it 

would be the only one of the final 10 

overs, an extraordinary statistic whether 

you are looking at from an England 

or Pakistan perspective. 

Given England’s struggles to find 

the boundary after the first six overs, it 

felt a waste to see Liam Plunkett, who 

has shown this season he can clear the 

rope from the outset, only come in with 

three deliveries remaining and end up 

not facing a ball. 

Pakistan dealt exclusively in boundaries 

until the third ball of the third over 

when Latif, who had taken 20 off Chris 

Jordan’s first over, tapped a single off 

Plunkett. The bowler was so shocked, 

that two balls late he flung a bouncer 

for five wides down the leg side. 

After the fours came the sixes. Sharjeel 

deposited Stokes, playing his first 

T20I since the World T20 final, over 

long leg then twice took Adil Rashid 

over the leg-side boundary. Rashid, at 

least, had a modicum of revenge when 

another attempted smite down the 

ground was skied to cover. He should 

have had a second wicket, too, but Buttler 

missed a stumping chance off Babar 

Azam. It summed up England’s night, 

as their season ended with a whimper. 

(ESPNcricinfo)

Caribbean Times 88th Issue - Thursday 8th September 2016

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