Caribbean Times 59th Issue - Monday 19th December 2016

Informative, reliable, enriching! 

Monday 19th December 2016 A n t i g u a a n d B a r b u d a 

Vol.8 No.59 $2.00 

THREE CAUGHT IN 

POLICE DRUG BUST 

Story on Page 2 

Mark Brown 

Lalumba Benjamin 

Tanya Anna-Kay Smiley

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

Monday 19th December 2016 

Three caught in police drug bust 

The Police arrested and Jointly 

charged 29yrs-old Lalumba Benjamin, 

31yrs-old Mark Brown and 29yrs-old 

Tanya Anna-Kay Smiley all of George 

Street with Possession of 17.8 grams of 

Cannabis; Possession of Cannabis with 

intent to sell; Possession of 8.7 grams of 

By Everton Barnes 

There is growing optimism 

in government circles 

that 2017 will be a bumper 

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year for Antigua and Barbuda 

with several of the proposed 

tourism development projects 

set to get started. 

And according to a highly 

placed government source the 

optimism is based on the fact 

that the detailed environmental 

impact study that each of 

the projects had to submit… 

have either been approved or 

are nearing the point for final 

approval. 

“We anticipate that 2017 

will be a very successful year 

as several of the projects that 

were to start in 2016 will likely 

start in the year. 

“These projects were delayed 

due to the complexity 

and assessment that form part 

of the Environmental Impact 

cocaine and Possession of Cocaine with 

intent to sell. 

On Thursday, Narcotics Police Officers 

executed a Search Warrant on the 

George Street property and found 23 Ziploc 

bags containing a quantity of Cannabis, 

35 small transparent plastics containing 

Crack Cocaine, and 18 small plastics 

with Cocaine Powder. An undisclosed 

sum of EC, US and Jamaican currencies 

were seized during the search. All three 

people were arrested and taken into police 

custody. The items seized were taken 

the police station. 

2017 to be a bumper year for nation 

Assessment study,” the source 

revealed. 

The source said with the 

approval in hand, the developers 

are expected to proceed 

with some haste to get 

their varying projects off the 

ground to full implementation. 

The source identified a 

number of the projects as; 

YIDA, Callaloo Cay, Valley 

Church, where the government 

is part owner, Royalton 

near the Royal Antiguan 

Hotel, Marriot’s Autograph 

Collection development at 

Yeptons, and the two major 

projects earmarked for Barbuda, 

the Peace, Love and Happiness 

resort and the Paradise 

Found resort development. 

The source said the start of 

these projects will have a tremendous 

impact on the local 

economy with anticipated increases 

in employment, sales 

of construction materials and 

even increased government 

revenues. 

As these projects come 

to fruition, the source further 

anticipates continued benefits 

for the economy through employment 

and the spinoffs for 

the ancillary industries such 

as restaurants, entertainment 

and wholesaling.

Monday 19th December 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3 

Cabinet announces important dates 


The Cabinet has announced the dates 

for several important events for which it 

wants to have public participation. 

The dates and events are detailed in 

the Cabinet report presented by Cabinet 

spokesman, Lionel Max Hurst. He said 

there will be no meeting of the Cabinet 

this week and the final session for 2016 

takes place on Wednesday December 

28. 

However, according to Hurst this 

meeting will not be the normal gathering 

of the country’s highest executive body, 

but one where members will report to 

the people of Antigua and Barbuda. 

“On Wednesday, December 28, 

2016, commencing at 10:00 a.m., the 

Cabinet will present its annual report to 

the nation in a live call-in program where 

listeners of ABS and other radio stations 

will be free to question the members of 

Cabinet live,” the spokesman reported. 

Following that session, the Cabinet 

will take a month-long break; returning 

on January 28, 2017. 

The government will also follow-through 

on a call from Prime Minister, 

Gaston Browne, for a National Day 

of Prayer. This will take place on Sunday 

January 1, 2017, at the St. John’s Pentecostal 

House of Restoration on Lauchland 

Benjamin Drive, commencing at 

10:00 a.m. Members of the government 

will attend the regular morning worship 

and it is inviting all who can to attend. 

The following day, there will be the 

inaugural staging of the Prime Minister’s 

One-Nation Concert that will seek 

to bring the multiplicity of nationalities 

living in the country together as one. 

“Antiguans and Barbudans, Chinese, 

Dominicans. Dominicanos, Guyanese, 

Vincentians, Middle Easterners, Americans, 

Brits, in fact all national and 

non-national groups are urged to come 

together, from 12:00 mid-day until late 

that special New Year’s Day; the venue 

and the line-up will be announced later,” 

Hurst stated. 

The government is also announcing 

that a dedication of the new classrooms, 

constructed to ease the overcrowding in 

five schools, will take place in early January 

2017, following the delivery of all 

furniture. 

Hurst has announced that the Throne 

Speech will likely be on January 9, 2017 

following by the Budget Speech, tentatively 

set for January 20, 2017.



Hughes to take baton in Senate 

By Renio Abbott 

Senator Chester Hughes 

will be sworn in at Senate to 

replace Jacquie Quinn today 

at The House of Parliament 

to start debating. 

Hughes received his Instrument 

as Senator from 

the Governor General at the 

Government House on Friday, 

16th December 2016. 

Hughes will take over from 

Senator Jacquie Quinn due 

to her Medical Condition. 

By Joanna Paris 

Preparations are being made for the 

launch of the new biometrics passports. 

Last week professionals from the 

Passport Office, including the Permanent 

Secretary met with cabinet to address 

the production of the new e-passports 

that will be tamper-proof because 

they are to contain a special computer 

chip. 

Minister of Information, Broadcasting 

and Telecommunications the Hon. 

Melford Nicholas, said that the meeting 

NATURALIZATION 

NOTICE 

Notice is hereby given 

that Joseph Eid of Radio 

Range, St. John’s Antigua, 

is applying to the Minister 

for Naturalization 

and that any person who 

knows any reason why 

Naturalization should not 

be granted should send a 

written and signed statement 

of the fact to the Permanent 

Secretary, Ministry 

of External Affairs 

Speaking with Caribbean 

Times, Hughes explained 

that the Leader of the Opposition, 

Harrold Lovell has 

selected a number of persons 

to be Caretakers throughout 

Constituencies in Antigua 

and Barbuda which, presently 

are without any representatives. 

He went on to 

say that once no one else is 

interested for that Constituency 

when the party is ready 

for their convention the 


The new terminal at V.C Bird International 

Airport has received glowing reviews from 

one of the world’s most recognized air carriers. 

Tourism officials and by extension the 

government of Antigua and Barbuda are basking 

in the recent commendation from non-other 

than American Airlines. 

Last week, Cabinet received a letter of 

commendation from the airline rating the airport 

“as one of the best in this hemisphere, 

American Airlines has commended the Government 

and the Airport authorities for the 

magnificent terminal, the services it offers, 

Senator Chester Hughes 

Caretaker will automatically 

become the representative. 

Jacqui Quinn 

Biometric passport to be produced early next year 

was very productive. 

“We are at the final stages, we have 

approved the proofs and that would 

mean now that the final stage of our 

biometric passport will be going into 

production and we anticipate that very 

early in the New Year, although the 

initial timeline set was January, there 

could be a slight delay based on certain 

modifications that we have asked for”, 

he stated. He told the press that the 

passport will have a number of security 

features. 

The new passports will have information 

on the chip that can be read 

only by a special machine and cannot 

be altered by criminals. 

He further indicated that there will 

be a grace period for holders of older 

machine readable passports which 

could be as long as 3 years, before a 

mandatory replacement is required. 

The producers of the computerized 

document are a Canadian firm known 

as CBN (Canadian Bank Note Company). 

More positive reviews for new airport terminal 

and the comforts which the carrier’s customers 

have reported experiencing at V.C. Bird 

International Airport”, the letter indicated. 

Speaking at the post cabinet press briefing 

on Friday, Minister of Information, Broadcasting 

and Telecommunications, the Hon. Melford 

Nicholas, said that this is yet another significant 

accomplishment in the tourism sector. 

“It is important for us as part of our tourism 

sector and also it is important that a global 

carrier like American Airlines has put the airport 

in the top draw of services”, he said. 

The Cabinet has thanked the carrier and 

continues to encourage the airport authorities 

to keep the standards exceedingly high.


Government moves to protect locals 


The Government of Antigua and Barbuda 

has acted to protect the interests of 

local investors who are facing the wrath 

of a French multinational corporation. 

A government statement issued overnight 

reported that the French firm, RU- 

BIS—that purchased Texaco’s interests 

in fuel bunkering, aviation fuel and service 

stations in Antigua and other Caribbean 

jurisdictions—had been attempting 

to secure an increase in the per-gallon 

margin that the supplier receives from 

wholesaling operations in Antigua; however, 

only the Government can authorize 

an increase. The request for the increase 

was made to the Gaston Browne administration 

in December 2014, six months 

following the change of government. 


Health officials are calling 

on food handlers and vendors 

to adhere to the food safety 

and preparation guidelines as 

they ply their trade this season. 

Chief Health Inspector, 

Lionel Michael, in a recent interview 

on Against the Backdrop 

hosted on state media, 

indicated that the Christmas 

is a time when a number of 

persons spend a considerable 

amount of time out of their 

homes and thus buy a lot of 

their meals on the road or 

from restaurants. 

He therefore urged consumers 

and vendors alike to 

be generally careful. Michael 

added that the food handlers 

have been trained in this regard. 

The statement noted that having had 

its request for an increase denied, RUBIS 

has seemingly decided that it would wish 

to operate at least one retail gasoline/diesel 

station, by giving the operator of several 

decades a Notice To Quit and to turn 

over the keys to its property by December 

31, 2016. 

According to the government statement…the 

Prime Minister has written to 

RUBIS, following a decision by Cabinet 

of last Thursday, December 15, 2016, 

indicating that the Petroleum Industry 

(Encouragement) Act CAP 327 gives the 

Cabinet the right to forbid wholesalers of 

certain petroleum products from becoming 

retailers of those products. RUBIS 

has therefore been advised that it cannot 

become a retailer of gasoline and diesel 

while it remains a wholesaler. 


Two principles of a telecom firm who are 

seeking to sell Pay phone services to the Her 

Majesty’s Prison, for the use of persons that 

are incarcerated. The cabinet would have to 

change the current policy that bans phone use 

behind the wall thus allowing the prison inmates 

the opportunity to have access to the pay 

phone services on the basis of good behaviour 

while serving their sentences. 

The system was first launched in Barbados, 

and will now enter contractual arrangements 

“At this time of the year 

when a lot of people re eating 

out and buying food, we want 

people to be prepared and take 

special precaution in preventing 

food borne diseases even 

beyond Christmas and so 

what we have done throughout 

the year is to host training 

programmes for the food handlers 

in preparation for these 

busy times and just in general 

normal operations”, he explained. 

Michael said that over 

2500 persons who are engaged 

in food preparation 

and handling. The individuals 

received training in personal 

hygiene, the separation of 

The letter reads: “The Cabinet considers 

the serving of a Notice-To-Quit 

on a RUBIS gasoline and diesel retailer 

as a hostile and dangerous act, designed 

to undermine and frustrate the public 

policy initiative that the Government 

is pursuing. That act will be forcefully 

resisted by this administration. The 

RUBIS is strongly advised to revisit its 

choice of tools and actions, and to resist 

the temptation to harm a small national 

entrepreneur while in search of larger 

profits,” the Prime Minister wrote. 

The RUBIS retailer has also been 

brought before the Court by the retailer, a 

local newspaper has reported, seeking an 

injunction to prevent its forced eviction 

from the premises. The Ministry of Legal 

Affairs is also willing to file an amicus 

curiae brief in support of the retailer. 

Health officials encourage food handlers to adhere to guidelines 

raw foods and cooked foods 

and the use of clean water in 

preparation. 

He noted that refresher 

courses will take place every 

two years. 

He also encouraged vendors 

to have their licenses in 

their possession for presentation 

upon inspection. 

Pay phones proposed for prisoners 

with St. Kitts. St. Vincent, Dominica, the Dominican 

Republic and Grenada. It will provide 

the same service and the cost will be the same 

as their regular customers. It was further reported 

that illegal cell phones use was declined 

by more than 80% in Barbados when the system 

was introduced 

Attorney General Steadroy Cutie Benjamin 

will set regulations to allow this incentive to be 

utilized by the Prison Warden to help improve 

the management of the inmates and the Prison 

by way of the planned incentive.



Zaeke Forde is first recipient of the EDU FI MD 

Sir Rodney Williams Scholarship in Medicine 


The first recipient of the EDU FI 

MD Sir Rodney Williams Scholarship 

in Medicine has been announced. 

Zaeke Forde of Glanvilles Village 

was presented with the first check for 

US$20,000.00 during a short ceremony 

at Government House of Friday. 

He is presently pursuing a course in 

Medicine at the University of the West 

Indies in Trinidad and Tobago which 

will run for a total of 5 years. 


The Home and Garden 

Festival, which falls under 

the Ministry of Social Transformation 

and Human Resource 

Development, will 

not take place in 2017. 

Speaking during the 

2016 awards ceremony for 

the Home and Gardens Festival 

held at the Precision 

Centre last Thursday, Director 

of the Community Development 

Division, Brenda 

Thomas –Odlum, explained 


The St. Pauls Community Synergies 

along with the Culture Department celebrated 

2 days of community togetherness, on the 

14 & 17th December 2016 respectively. 

The representative for the constituency, 

the Honourable E.P Chet Greene was present 

at the occasion. Greene was thrilled at 

the overwhelming level of attendance and 

the community participation. 

Arlene Weste, the director of the Synergies 

group explained to Caribbean Times 

that the St. Pauls Christmas Explosion first 

Speaking to Caribbean Times, 

Zaeke expressed how grateful and 

humbled he was to have been considered 

for such an honour. 

No Home and Garden Competition in 2017 

the break in 2017will give 

participants and organizers 

time to regroup. 

She also outlined plans to 

make several changes to the 

competition. 

“We are also looking at 

changing the time of year 

for the competition so that 

we can capture the gardens 

when they are in full bloom 

because that too is a cause 

for concern since sometimes 

the judging is done before. 

We will not be having a 

competition in 2017 but the 

festival will remain”, she explained. 

The time, she indicated, 

will be used to foster dialogue 

and hold consultations 

on ways to further improve 

the competition. 

“We will be having two 

consultations, one which 

will be early in February and 

the other one will be held 

later down in the year”, she 

added. 

The aim is to ensure that 

St. Paul’s community celebrates 

started in 2015, making this the second year 

of the annual celebration. 

On Wednesday, the community kicked 

things off with a Lighting Ceremony, from 

the Cobbs Cross Corner, Tamarind Tree Corner 

at Horseford Hill, Roman Hill, ending up 

at the YASOSO corner where the Lighting of 

the Christmas tree took place. 

On Saturday, a street concert with several 

community performances, including wellknown 

local entertainers. The concert concluded 

with the Revo Band bringing down 

the curtains. 

when the 10th anniversary 

of the festival is celebrated 

in 2018, the potential participants 

will be satisfied with 

the changes made. 

Minister of Social Transformation, 

the Hon. Samantha 

Marshall, also gave her 

support for the year off, 

which she noted will allow 

persons to re-energize. 

She also encouraged 

the regular participants in 

the competition to form a 

non-profit organization. 

“I would venture to throw 

out one recommendation 

that should be considered 

as to whether or not there 

should be a non- profit organization 

formed by those 

persons who regularly participate 

in this programme”, 

she urged. 

The competition is 

geared towards enhancing 

community and civic pride, 

as well as encouraging persons 

to take part in a healthy 

and creative activity right at 

home.


Epicurean partners with 

Taste Teas and Adele 

School for Special Children 


In efforts to give students 

with disabilities more visibility 

and to generate more 

awareness about the issues 

affecting persons with special 

needs, the Adele School for 

Special Children and Taste 

Teas Nachos has partnered 

with the Epicurean Supermarket, 

where the students 

are able to interact with the 

public while selling tasty teas 

and juices along with other 

bubbly treats. 

The group has been at 

the Epicurean Supermarket 

since October, with the sales 

of the numerous Natural Teas 

items. 

This provides a platform 

for the students to hone their 

business, sales-and customer 

service skills while allowing 

the general public to interface 

with them directly. 

Speaking to Caribbean 

Times about the project, Vice 

President of Corporate Affairs, 

Sascha Mercer, indicated 

that the Epicurean Supermarket 

and by extension its 

group of companies would 

like to start the conversation 

of what can be done by employers 

for the students once 

they leave schools such as 

that of the Adele. 

She noted that since interacting 

with the teacher, 

principal and students at 

Adele earlier this year, “we 

how now employed a few of 

the students for the holiday 

season. This will allow all 

involved to review the work 

experience and hopefully 

plan for more in the future. 

At minimum, the students 

went for an interview and 

had to enroll in the statutory 

bodies for employment. We 

are very excited about this 

and it really give the students 

time to interact with the community 

as well. This is just a 

stepping stone for us and we 

do encourage the rest of the 

business community to aim 

to get these students engaged 

so that there is something 

that they can look forward to 

when they leave the school”, 

she explained. 

Owner of Taste Teas 

Nachos and Special Needs 

Educator also at the Adele 

School, is very happy that she 

is able to assist the students 

in the further development of 

pertinent life skills. 

“When the students finish 

from the Adele School here 

is not necessarily any opportunity 

for hem and I recently 

started my own company 

selling teas and also local 

juices and bubble tea and UI 

thought of a way of giving 

these students opportunities. 

So what we have created is 

a vocational experience for 

them so it is a twofold experience. 

They get to participate 

in business in a real way”, 

she said. 

The school’s Vocational 

Teacher, Jacqueline Butler, 

also gave her full support for 

the initiative. 

“It is important for us to 

give them a chance so they 

can take the next step and 

hey can be open to opportunities”, 

she noted. 

All parties involved have 

also given their appreciation 

to the Minister for Social 

Transformation and Human 

Resource Development, the 

Hon. Samantha Marshall for 

her unwavering support. 

NOTICE 

TO: HIS WORSHIP 

THE LICENSING 

MAGISTRATE 

MAGISTRATES COURT 

TO: THE 

MAGISTRATE FOR 

DISTRICT “A” 

HIGH STREET 

ST.JOHN’S 

ANTIGUA 

TO: THE 

COMMISSIONER 

POLICE 

POLICE 

HEADQUARTERS 

AMERICAN ROAD 

ST.JOHN’S 

ANTIGUA 

OF 

WE, MARCO GUG- 

LIELMO and GEORGINA 

ROUNDS of Jolly Harbour, 

St John’s, Antigua trading 

as RHUM QUAY TRAD- 

ING a company duly incorporated 

under the laws of 

Antigua and Barbuda with 

registered office at Unit 4A, 

Redcliffe Quay, St John’s, 

Antigua DO HEREBY 

GIVE YOU NOTICE that it 

is the company’s intention 

to apply at the next sitting 

of the Licensing Court to 

be held at the Magistrate’s 

Court, St. John’s, Antigua 

on the 5th day of January 

2017 next ensuing for a 

Bottle License pursuant to 

section 11 (3) of the Licensing 

(Intoxicating Liquor) 

Act, Cap. 249 of the Laws 

of Antigua and Barbuda 

1992 Revised Edition for 

premises known as “RHUM 

QUAY TRADING” situated 

at Unit 4A, Redcliffe Quay, 

St John’s, Antigua. 

Dated the 15th day of December 

2016. 

Andrea C. Roberts 

ROBERTS & CO 

Attorneys at Law



More road repair on the way 


The Ministry of Public Works continues 

to pay keen attention to repairing 

roads across the island. 

According to Government’s 

Spokesperson, Ambassador Lionel 

“Max” Hurst, the Director of Public 

Works, Lucien Hanley has reported 

to Cabinet that the highly anticipated 

repair work on the Seaview Farm / 

Lightfoot Roadway has begun. 

It has been noted that hundreds of 

vehicles traverse that roadway daily, 

and its state of disrepair has impeded 

the flow of traffic. 

Hanley has noted that the Antigua 

Public Utilities Authority (APUA) 

started changing the leaking pipes that 

seriously undermined sections of the 

roadway, damaging the surface significantly 

in various places. 

“The work to repair and replace 

the cast iron pipes and to resurface the 

broken parts of the roadway above the 

pipes will likely be completed before 

Christmas”, the Director said. 

Meanwhile, other roadways that 

have deteriorated but had been partially 

prepared by having built drains and 

gutters to encase the unfinished road 

surfaces will be completed. 

Public Works also has 105 workers 

doing the roadwork, completing the 

concrete roads, and patching the potholes. 

Several areas continue to receive 

the attention of Public Works. They 

include Golden Grove, Freeman Ville 

Main Road, Bolans, John Hughes, Turtle 

Bay and the challenging roadway 

just outside the Extreme Gym near 

Marble Hill. 

Ambassador Hurst has indicated 

that “the untruthful claim by the UPP 

Caretaker Candidate for All Saints 

West, made on Observer Radio on 

Wednesday, December 14 2016, that 

he intervened with the Public Works 

in order to get PWD to fix the road in 

Montrula, was debunked by the Director”. 

The Government’s Spokesperson, 

noted that the Director said that he 

travels on the road daily and recognized 

the severe state of disrepair that 

it was in, and acted to have it fixed. 

The elected representative, the Hon. 

Michael Browne, also made appeals to 

the Director to repair that roadway. He 

debunked any claim by the UPP political 

operative to take credit for the repairs 

undertaken by the PWD.

Monday 19th December 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 9



U.S. Embassy makes sonation to 

Regional Security Systems Air Wing 

MIAMI, FL – December 

16, 2016 – Garfield (Garry) 

Sinclair was today announced 

as President, Caribbean for 

Cable & Wireless Communications 

(“C&W” or “The 

Company”). The position has 

responsibility for operations 

in 15 territories across the 

region, including C&W’s Jamaica, 

Trinidad and Barbados 

markets. 

John Reid, CEO of C&W 

who was recently confirmed 

as top executive of the region-leading 

full service operator, 

said: “Our business is 

entering a new phase of its 

development and evolution, 

and I am excited about the 

expertise, experience and passion 

for customers that Garry 

brings to what is a critical 

role.” 

On December 14, the United States 

Embassy, through its Office of International 

Narcotics and Law Enforcement 

Affairs (INL), delivered a donation of 

approximately USD$650,000 worth 

ofspare parts for the Regional Security 

System’s (RSS) Air Wing’s two C-26A 

maritime patrol aircraft. This spare parts 

package complements the USD$11.25 

million refurbishment and upgrade of 

the aircraft recently completed by the 

Governments of the United Statesand 

Canada. 

U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the 

Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS Linda 

Taglialatela said of the donation, “These 

spare parts will keep the RSS Air Wing’s 

two maritime patrol aircraftflying for 

years to come, facilitating their life-sav- 

From left to right: Executive Director, RSS, 

Grantley Watson ; INL Director, U.S. Embassy 

Bridgetown, Drew Blakeney; RSS Air 

Wing Commander, Captain George Harris; 

and C-26A Refurbishment Program Manager 

of the INL Air Wing, Rob Carlson. 

ing search-and-rescue missions, as well 

as their interdiction of cocaine traffickers 

in regional waters. 

“This donation is another tangible 

demonstration of the confidence we 

have in our outstanding partnersat the 

As head of the Caribbean, 

Sinclair will be responsible 

for the strategic execution, 

financial performance and 

reputation of the Caribbean 

business, developing the 

Company’s growth opportunities, 

in particular triple-play, 

mobile data and fixed-mobile 

convergence, as well as capturing 

the growing demand 

for business-to-business services. 

Sinclair, a Jamaica national, 

is uniquely qualified to lead 

the Caribbean business given 

his twenty years’ experience 

in developing growth opportunities 

and transformation in 

organizations across the region. 

In his role as President 

and COO of investment bank 

Dehring Bunting & Golding, 

Garry grew a start-up business 

to be key player in the Caribbean 

financial services industry. 

More recently, for the past 

seven years as CEO of Cable 

& Wireless Jamaica he has 

successfully led the operation’s 

transformation, growing 

the mobile subscriber base 

from two hundred thousand to 

almost one million customers, 

as well as leading the Company’s 

800+ employees through 

the integration of the Columbus 

and C&W businesses to 

become the country’s leading 

converged telecoms operator. 

In addition, his range of 

Board appointments including 

financial institutions, 

youth empowerment and the 

Jamaica Football Federation 

demonstrates Sinclair’s leadership 

experience and passion 

for Caribbean development, 

Executive Director, RSS, Grantley Watson, 

and INL Director, U.S. Embassy Bridgetown, 

Drew Blakeney shake hands after the 

donation of the spare parts for the RSS’ Air 

Wing’s patrol aircraft. 

RSS, and underscores the commitment 

of the United States Government to a 

safer and more secure Eastern Caribbean. 

” 

The United States donated the two 

aircraft to the RSS in the late 1990s. 

Garfield Sinclair appointed head of caribbean for C&W 

qualities key to C&W’s development 

and growth across the 

Caribbean. 

“I am honored to lead our 

Caribbean business into the 

next chapter of its development. 

I look forward to working 

with our 3,300 employees 

across the region as we look to 

seize the opportunity to develop 

our products and services, 

continue the transformation of 

our operations, and lead the 

region in innovation and quality 

of customer experience”, 

said Sinclair. 

Sinclair’s appointment 

will take effect on January 1, 

2017; in addition he will continue 

to oversee C&W’s Jamaica 

business directly until 

the appointment of new leadership 

for that operation later 

in the New Year.


Remarks by President Raúl Castro Ruz during a national 

act in solidarity with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 

Dear compañero Nicolás Maduro, 

President of the Bolivarian Republic of 

Venezuela; 

Venezuelan compañeros and compañeras; 

Representatives of ALBA-TCP sister 

nations and all other Latin American 

and Caribbean States; 

Compatriots: 

I will be very brief, like the majority 

of my speeches tend to be, also in this 

case not to strain my voice which, as 

you will note, is slightly affected and, 

nonetheless, there still remains much 

to discuss (Applause). I was saying that 

there still remains much to discuss and 

fight for in this country (Applause), 

which could see my voice become permanently 

hoarse. 

The recent history of Our America 

summons us here today to commemorate 

various events: 

The 22nd anniversary of the first 

encounter between Comandante Hugo 

Chávez Frías and Comandante en Jefe 

Fidel Castro Ruz; the starting point of 

an infinite friendship and loyalty between 

the Cuban Revolution and Bolivarian 

Revolution. 

Sixteen years since the signing 

of the Comprehensive Cooperation 

Agreement between Cuba and Venezuela, 

which established the bases of an 

economic, commercial and cooperation 

relationship, which has brought great 

benefits and human experiences to both 

peoples. 

We are also celebrating the 12th anniversary 

of the creation, in Havana, of 

what was first the Alternative and later 

became the Bolivarian Alliance for 

the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ 

Trade Agreement; a new form of organization 

to coordinate and promote the 

cooperation and development of member 

states. 

We can highlight significant and eloquent 

results from these experiences: 

Four countries have been freed of 

illiteracy and have made progress in 

providing their people with education, 

which constitutes the starting point for 

all great revolutionary transformations 

in any society. 

Millions of Latin Americans have 

received free health services and over 

one million seven hundred thousand 

have had their eyesight restored. 

A new, just, and complementary 

type of trade, free of protectionisms, 

began to unfold. 

In an act of altruism, Venezuela 

created solidary trade and cooperation 

mechanisms to share part of its 

oil wealth and promote integrationist 

socio-economic changes in the region, 

without which many countries would 

not have been able to withstand the international 

crisis. 

It is imperative today, to call on 

the peoples of Latin America and the 

Caribbean to stand in solidarity with 

this Bolivarian, anti-imperialist and 

immensely generous Venezuela – to 

whom we are so grateful – currently 

the victim of a great siege and unprecedented 

hostility by forces historically 

An earthquake of 6.1 magnitude 

struck Sunday in Peru near the border 

with Brazil but no damage was reported, 

the government said. 

The quake hit 60 miles southeast of 

the town of Esperanza at a depth of 550 

kilometers, the Geophysical Institute of 

Peru said. 

Deeper quakes like this one tend to 

opposed to progress in our region. 

Supporting Venezuela, at a time of 

attacks by the oligarchy, imperialism 

and neoliberalism, also means fighting 

for full Latin American and Caribbean 

emancipation and integration. 

Working in solidarity with Venezuela 

means being aware of what could 

happen in this hemisphere if those looking 

to reconquer the immense riches of 

this country and promote hate and conflict, 

at the expense of free determination 

and peace, to which Heads of State 

of the region pledged, here in Havana 

in 2014, by signing the Proclamation of 

Latin America and the Caribbean as a 

Zone of Peace; were to prevail. 

Solidarity, shared ideas and joint action 

are what the peoples of Our America 

need right now, in this time of difficulties 

and growing challenges. 

Fidel and Chávez set the goals, the 

ideas, and showed the way with their 

enduring example. It is down to all of 

us to turn their legacy into the invincible 

trench from which to defend the 

American Homeland (Applause). 

Martí said: “Let Venezuela call on 

me to serve her: I am her son.” On this 

memorable occasion we Cubans reaffirm: 

Venezuela, we are your children! 

Thank you very much (Applause). 

6.1 magnitude earthquake 

shakes Peru, no injuries reported 

cause less damage than ones that hit 

closer to the surface of the earth. 

Civil defense authorities said that 

so far no injuries or damage had been 

reported, the state news agency Andina 

said. 

Esperanza, with a population of 

4,500, is on the banks of the Purus River 

and close to the border with Brazil.



Friday’s Sudoku Solution 

S U D O K U 

CROSSWORD 

Across 

1. Water whirl 

5. Move slightly 

9. Homer Simpson’s wife 

14. Bait 

15. Ocean current 

16. Frighten 

17. Walked leisurely 

19. Summarize 

20. Graceful tree 

21. Space 

22. Friendliest 

23. Something left out 

25. 007, e.g. 

26. Pale color 

29. Close 

31. Oodles (2 wds.) 

32. Curvy letters 

35. Iridescent gem 

39. Had on 

40. Tax mo. 

41. Mexican treat 

42. ____-do-well 

43. Wood strips 

45. Singer ____ Turner 

46. Groups 

48. Uncorked 

50. Debt memo 

53. Used logic 

56. Accident 

58. Ain’t, correctly 

59. MGM lion 

62. Pseudonym 

63. Forefathers 

65. Kind 

66. Beat it! 

67. Demonic 

68. Double-____ sword 

69. Towel inscription 

70. Art ____ 

Down 

1. Different 

2. Twofold 

3. Percussion instrument 

4. Craving 

5. Antiseptic 

6. Becomes weary 

7. Thoughts 

8. Apple color 

9. Yacht spot 

10. Actor ____ Guinness 

11. Speed contests 

12. Take hold of 

13. Unoccupied 

18. Domesticated 

22. Nays 

23. Aquatic mammals 

24. Motionless 

26. Chess piece 

27. Sunburn remedy 

28. Painful 

30. Decomposed 

33. Mexican sauce 

34. Mineral spring 

36. Physical discomfort 

37. Pimples 

38. Heavy burden 

43. Dance move 

44. 14-line poems 

47. Wiped clean 

49. Cherished animals 

50. Likeness 

51. Greased 

52. Utilizing 

54. From that time 

55. Academy Award 

57. Hound’s prey 

59. Adoration 

60. Singer ____ Clapton 

61. Nordic capital 

63. Fire remains 

64. Baseball’s ____ Williams


Today’s weather forecast 

Antigua and Barbuda 

Rain showers, with winds 

diminishing later in the day. 

High - 81ºF 

Low - 74ºF 

Wind: East North East 20 mph 

Sunrise 6.30 am; Sunset 5.38 pm 

Friday’s Crossword Solution 

HOROSCOPE 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22- 

Dec. 21). Maybe there won’t 

be time to do all of the fabulous 

fun ideas you’re thinking 

about, but you’ll accomplish 

what must be done and a few 

extras and count this day as 

fantastically productive. 

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 

19). You’re in the mood to 

go all out for the people you 

love, and they’re in the mood 

to take everything you have 

to give with deep appreciation, 

so it should all work out. 

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 

18). When you blow up a 

person’s phone, the person 

will be very happy. You bring 

good news, fun, affection. 

Your communication is 100 

percent sweetness. 

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). 

If it doesn’t work out, it’s not 

something to be ashamed of. 

Take it in stride. Accept life’s 

process. You’re learning, and 

so are they. Keep your attitude 

upbeat and eventually 

you’ll get the result you’re 

looking for. 

your life who really seem to 

bring the fun. Those are the 

ones to honor now. It’s pretty 

easy; all you have to do 

is reach out in that complimentary 

way you always do. 

CANCER (June 22-July 22). 

Your exemplary behavior will 

contribute to the formality 

of a situation, masking your 

completely irreverent mental 

process. The ones who know 

you best will see it in the 

twinkle of your eye. 

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Hurt 

feelings are a big deal now, 

and they’ll take a really long 

time to mend. So why risk 

it? There’s a good chance 

that nothing is worth arguing 

over. When you don’t agree 

with a loved one, get up and 

take a walk. 

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). 

When in doubt, always give 

your friend the best stuff, go 

the extra mile for your loved 

one and put in way more time 

than you think is needed, and 

then enjoy the regret-free 

zone. 

ARIES (March 21-April 19). 

It’s nice to be important, but 

it’s more important to be nice. 

The one who stands too close, 

interrupts often and talks 

loudly will need your forgiveness 

and understanding. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). 

Make your life user-friendly. 

There are enough inconveniences 

in daily living as it 

is. Anything you can do to 

set yourself up for an easier 

experience will be a key element 

of your success formula. 

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). 

There are certain people in 

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). 

Complicated isn’t cool. Bigger 

isn’t better. More violent 

isn’t more effective. Moving 

in the direction of simplicity, 

humility and modesty takes 

courage, and it will be richly 

rewarded in every way that 

matters. 

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). 

The omens suggest that in 

this day, you will be unconcerned 

with anything other 

than getting the job done. 

Your dedication and singular 

focus will effect change 

and inspire those around you 

while you’re at it.



Youth Premier League to kick off in January 

By Carlena Knight 

A Youth Premier league is set to kick 

off in January and will feature a number 

of the country’s top players. The event 

will be hosted by the Villa Lions Soccer 

Academy and will run from January 18th 

– March 18th across the country. 

“It’s time we have a competitive 

youth program which would push our 

players. There’s not much improvement 

that can be done if our players go into the 

event knowing they will win. With that 

thought in mind this league came about 

and will adapt a similar format to that of 

The Helping Hand Foundation 

in collaboration with 

Senator Colin James will be 

hosting the Grassroot Sports 

Academy Development 

Camp from Monday 19th – 

Friday 23rd December, 2016 

at the Old Road Sports Complex 

and the Old Road Playing 

Field from 10 am – 12 pm. 

The foundation has taken 

a keen interest in the development 

of the youths in 

Antigua and Barbuda and 

the camp is to help mold our 

upcoming and future athletes, 

who will be able to represent 

their country at a high level in 

sports. 

The sporting events that 

the children would be involved 

with are cricket, basketball, 

tennis, track & field 

and netball. 

Coaches from around the 

schools in Antigua and Barbuda 

would be conducting the 

various sporting events. 

the ABFA Premier league”, stated Chief 

Organizer, Sowerby Gomes. 

A number of the top youth clubs are 

expected to compete to include Young 

Lions, Rangers, Fundamentals, North 

Coast, Pigotts, Swalings, New Generation 

and Golden Grove. 

Helping Hand Foundation hosts Sports Development Camp 

Transportation will be 

provided at 9:00am from the 

All Saints Cross Road and the 

East Bus Station. 

For further information 

call 562-6224/7 or 770-6055. 

AGS make historic run 

By Carlena Knight 

The Antigua Grammar School Under 17 boys team have 

wrapped a historic season in the Ministry of Sports Interschool 

Football League, last Thursday. After defeating Princess Margaret, 

1-0, AGS finished the season undefeated 10 game streak 

without conceding a single goal throughout. The Semper Virens 

amassed a perfect 30 points. 

Coach of the team and also the Antigua Barbuda Football 

Association Technical Director, Rolston ‘Debo’ Williams had 

nothing but positive remarks and praise to his players who ‘exercised 

true understanding for the game’ and were ‘motivated 

and focused on reaching their goal set’. 

STOP LOOK TWICE 

SAVE A LIFE


Kamar Thomas repeats victory, 

Abbie Davis wins in Iron Krew 2 

Kamar Thomas emerged 

the overall winner in the Digicel 

Iron Krew 2 in Barbuda 

on Saturday, following up his 

2015 victory to make it two 

wins from two. Abbie Davis 

meanwhile won the overall 

women’s category. 

The 13.1-mile hike/run 

along the 14-mile Low Bay 

was forcibly shortened on 

Saturday as a prediction of 

hurricane type seas on Sunday 

necessitated a same day 

ferry return for the Antiguan 

contingent, and thus too short 

a time span to complete the 

entire intended trek. 

The day started with lunch 

at the Fisheries Complex as 

Blue Halo Site Manager Robin 

Ramdeen gave a talk on 

Blue Halo Barbuda, which 

she revealed is planning to 

expand to Antigua. 

Ferried across the 

Codrington Lagoon from the 

Fisheries Complex through 

support from chief sponsors 

Blue Halo and the Barbuda 

Council, the hikers got started 

at the Outback restaurant 

and the runners at the closed 

Lighthouse Bay, giving a 

roughly 10-kilometer and 

15-kilometer challenge respectively, 

down from the 

intended 21-kilometer (13.1 

mile) challenge which had 

been due to start by Billy 

Point above sponsors Barbuda 

Belle Hotel. 

Jermaine ‘Goofy’ Brann 

and Arthur ‘Mosai’ Mussington 

were Thomas’ chief challenges 

coming in second and 

third overall in the longer run. 

Shaynie Van Beek meanwhile 

came in side by side 

with the overall female winner 

Abbie Davis. 

In the shorter run category 

Jerome Henry came in first, 

followed by Curvel George 

and Wayne Henry in second 

and third respectively. 

Prince Frank won the Barbudan 

run category followed 

by Devin Jeffrey in second. 

In the hiking category 

Graeme Swatton came in first 

with his sister Zoe Swatton 

winning the female hike category. 

Maxine and Jamila 

Gregory came in second and 

third respectively in the women’s 

hike. 

In the kid’s category, it 

was Taneika and Devin as 

first girl and boy. 

The awards, including 

cash prizes and medals, were 

handed out by Barbuda Affairs 

Minister Arthur Nibbs, 

who gave a warm welcome 

to the team and encouraged 

athletes to return for more 

events. DJ Flush meanwhile 

provided the entertainment 

for a brief afterparty at Martello 

Tower. 

The non-profit event was 

aimed at bringing Barbudans 

and Antiguans together in an 

event to promote healthy lifestyles 

and environmental sustainability. 

It was sponsored by Digicel, 

Blue Halo, the Barbuda 

Council, Barbuda Belle, 

Coco Point Barbuda, Tropical 

Adventures, Island Provision 

(Aquafina), Lucozade (Tony 

Armstrong), Ambassador 

Daven Joseph, former Attorney 

General Justin Simon, 

Dr Philmore Benjamin, the 

Education Ministry, Barbuda 

Fisheries, Barbuda National 

Parks, Island Mantra, 

Code Hut Solutions, Carlton 

Broody and the 5AM Hikers. 

The event was organized 

by Cordova ‘Popeye’ Simon, 

Wayne Henry, Jimmy Joseph, 

Lily Schofield and Maverick 

Weathered with assistance 

from Veneta Burton, David 

Shaw, Peter Cuffy, Lueanda 

Ambris, Orlando Morris, Ira 

Fabian, Tessa Webber, Doug 

Beazer, Kelly Burton, Keith 

Harris, Roy Morris, Sue 

Sharp, Phil Matich, Debbie 

Jeffrey, Alice David, George 

Jeffrey, Mackenzie Frank, 

Lyris Tracey and Michael Joseph.



Pakistan’s terrific chase ends 40 short 

BRISBANE - During the 

rain delay that ensured day 

four would stretch well into 

the Brisbane night, highlights 

of the 1999 Hobart Test were 

aired. Play resumed before 

Adam Gilchrist and Justin 

Langer were shown completing 

their fabled chase, but by 

stumps a magnificent Asad 

Shafiq innings was allowing 

Pakistan to dream of an even 

greater feat. 

To achieve 490 to win 

would comfortably be the 

biggest chase of all time, more 

remarkable still for the fact 

that Pakistan were shot out 

for 142 in the first innings. Yet 

Shafiq, Mohammad Amir and 

then Wahab Riaz played with 

such confidence on a friendly 

Gabba pitch that Australia’s 

captain Steven Smith will 

sleep fitfully tonight. 

It was Smith who dropped 

Shafiq late in the evening, 

before the umpires allowed 

Australia to take the extra half 

hour to try to claim the result 

on the fourth night. But tired 

bowlers and a wearing ball 

ensured the eight overs were 

largely fruitful for Pakistan, 

until Jackson Bird found an 

edge from Wahab in the final 

over of the day. While Smith 

clung on this time, his gambit 

had cost 51 runs. 

The hosts were visibly frustrated 

by Pakistan’s rearguard, 

which began with Azhar Ali 

and Younis Khan and then 

was sustained after dinner by 

the polished Shafiq, Amir, 

who played with rare skill for 

the second time in the match, 

and the jittery but ultimately 

powerful Wahab. Yasir Shah, 

Matthew Wade and Matt Renshaw react in dismay at as a chance 

goes amiss. 

who played out the final over, 

was no slouch either. 

Mitchell Starc had words 

with Amir at various points, 

and there were plenty of grimaces 

to be seen in the field as 

Australia were made to bowl 

throughout the day and night, 

lengthened by more than an 

hour by a rain delay either side 

of the tea break. Starc, Bird 

and Nathan Lyon all bowled 

strong spells at various times, 

while Josh Hazlewood was 

particularly stingy until Amir 

and Shafiq capitalised on 

some looser stuff in the final 

session. 

Azhar and Younis, the 

overnight Pakistan batsmen, 

had shown good sense and 

plenty of determination to 

take their partnership to 91 

without giving a chance before 

tea. Starc and Hazlewood 

could not initially find 

the right length to trouble the 

batsmen as they had done earlier 

in the match, while Bird 

and Lyon were also unable to 

break through. 

The vital wicket arrived 

in the second session, when 

Starc fired a bouncer towards 

Azhar’s armpit, forcing the 

batsman into a reflexive 

glance that took enough of the 

shoulder of the bat for Matthew 

Wade to complete the 

catch. 

Misbah-ul-Haq was seldom 

comfortable during his 

stay, and his feet were in a 

muddle when he touched a 

ball from Bird to the keeper. 

Younis had previously 

made a hundred at the Gabba, 

for South Australia in a 

Sheffield Shield match in 

2008. His duel with Lyon was 

a fascinating one, with the 

batsman trying to assert himself 

but having to deal with 

more pace and bounce than 

had been the case when Lyon 

struggled against Pakistan in 

the UAE in 2014. 

After numerous deliveries 

had taken the inside half 

of Younis’ bat, he elected to 

try a reverse sweep, but was 

only able to flip it up and into 

Smith’s hands at slip via bat 

and body. 

Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed 

showed attacking intent in the 

lead-up to the dinner interval, 

and on resumption Sarfraz 

was reprieved when Smith 

spilled an edge from a Hazlewood 

away swinger. Smith’s 

annoyance at the miss was 

clear, but he only had to wait 

another five runs from Sarfraz 

before Starc burst through 

the wicketkeeper’s forward 

stroke with a hint of inswing. 

Australia celebrated that 

wicket as though it was the 

harbinger of a fourth-night 

finish, but instead Amir and 

Shafiq combined for a stand 

of 92 that not only made 

Smith’s men wait but also 

whittled down the target at a 

dramatic rate. 

Amir’s fluency was such 

that it seemed strange he did 

not possess a Test half-century, 

and it was the search for 

the final two runs to get one 

that appeared to affect his 

concentration - an edge behind 

off Bird soon followed. 

Wahab looked far less 

comfortable to begin with, 

but he was able to endure as 

Shafiq forged on, and together 

they tore into the Australian 

bowlers when Smith took the 

extra half hour. 

In doing so, 

Shafiq demonstrated a 

soundness of technique and 

positivity of mindset that 

Pakistan can take plenty from 

moving into the Boxing Day 

Test, even if his effort turned 

out to be in a losing cause. 

(ESPNcricinfo)

Caribbean Times 59th Issue - Monday 19th December 2016

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