Caribbean Times 42nd Issue - 23rd November 2016

Wednesday 23rd November 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 9
cont’d from pg 8
Commonwealth staff, appear
to contradict her denial. The
Sun tabloid said Scotland
had received a “public dressing
down” over the matter
from Conservative British
Prime Minister Theresa May
while on a recent visit to India
which reportedly has threatened
to cut Commonwealth
funding because of concerns
related to spending and the
overall direction of the organization.
“We believe [the Commonwealth]
does need to
operate as effectively and efficiently
as possible,” Prime
Minister May said. “That
means there does need to be
reform of the secretariat. For
Baroness Scotland, of course
she needs to respond to the
allegations that have been
made.
She will be judged on
how she delivers on that need
for reform for the Commonwealth
secretariat to be operating
effectively and efficiently.”
Scotland’s office has
blamed the furore on “false,
misleading and distorted allegations
and outright lies by
a profoundly disaffected individual”.
The whistleblower,
an ex-Commonwealth
official identified as Ram
Venuprasad, raised concerns
over “procurement, transparency
and use of public funds”.
Since taking office, Scotland
has also been accused
of giving lucrative jobs to a
few political friends and using
£45,000 to visit Rio for
this past summer’s Olympic
Games. She said the Rio visit
was primarily to open a Commonwealth
sports ministers
meeting and meet officials.
The British media are suggesting
the latest revelations
will increase pressure on
Scotland to quit the £160,000
a year post.
Reacting to the developments,
Antigua and Barbuda’s
Prime Minister Gaston
Browne was reported as saying
the reports were an embarrassment
for the region.
His government had proposed
veteran diplomat Sir
Ron Sanders for the top Commonwealth
post but withdrew
his candidature after it failed
to attract sufficient regional
support. Antigua and Barbuda
then threw its support behind
Scotland.
Browne reportedly said
that instead of bringing benefits
to the Caribbean, Scotland
had brought shame. In
apparent reference to Sir Ron,
he also said the election of “a
real Caribbean citizen of great
competence and experience
was missed because of insularity,
a culture of non-cooperation
and hate of our own”.
We wonder what are
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s
thoughts on the issue.
We also wonder what informed
the his Government’s
decision to go with Scotland
instead of Sanders, as the reasons
were never made public.
We can only wonder because
of the Stuart Government’s
policy of maintaining a deafening
silence on most issues.
Given the damaging allegations
which have emerged
against its preferred candidate,
Bay Street (the office
of Prime Minister Freundel
Stuart) surely ought to be
concerned. (Reprinted from
Barbados Today)
Government of Antigua and Barbuda
Ministry of Tourism, Economic Development,
Investment and Energy
Vacancy Notice
Date: 10 th November, 2016
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons
to fill the vacant non-established position of Tourism Community
Relations Officer within the Ministry of Tourism,
Economic Development, Investment and Energy.
Key Functions:
a) To coordinate activities and to help improve communication
among the Government Communities, non-Governmental
Organizations and Private sector.
b) To build tourism-community relationships
c) To communicate directly with communities on all Government
related projects that will be of great benefit to communities.
d) To assist community groups to source funding and applications
for external donor funding for the development of
community projects.
e) To assist in drafting a Community- based Tourism
Strategy and Policy.
f) To develop and promote community tourism enterprises
and activities in order to attract visitors and produce significant
economic benefits for residents.
g) To work closely with residents and businesses in a local
community to support the local economy of an area.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership Skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
A BSc in Management or related field
An attractive remuneration package is being offered.
Applications along with two references and certified copies
of documents pertaining to qualifications should be addressed
to:
The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment
and Energy
Government Office Complex
Queen Elizabeth Highway
St. John’s
Antigua
Applications should be submitted to the Ministry on or before
3 rd December, 2016.