Caribbean Times 75th Issue

Informative, reliable, enriching! 

Friday 13th January 2017 A n t i g u a a n d B a r b u d a 

Vol.8 No.75 $2.00 

CONCERNS RAISED OVER 

By Everton Barnes 

Concerns have been 

raised over the conditions 

of the Antigua Recreation 

Grounds (ARG), the nation’s 

most popular sporting and 

cultural venue. 

Reports reaching Caribbean 

Times state that when 

organizers went to the ARG 

to begin preparations for last 

weekend’s One Nation Concert 

hosted by the Antigua 

and Barbuda Festivals Commission, 

they were alarmed 

at the dirty and unkempt 

state of the facility, including 

grounds, playfield and the 

stands. 

The reports have reached 

the ears of Sports Minister 

E.P. Chet Greene who said 

that he has also witnessed 

first-hand the conditions 

of the grounds, and that he 

was taken aback given the 

fact that the government had 

spent a large sum of money 

to upgrade the ARG ahead of 

last year’s carnival festivities. 

“I was shown around the 

facility where I saw clearly 

“DIRTINESS” OF ARG 

ants’ nests on the playfield as 

well as bird droppings on the 

seats and railings of the Sir 

Vivian Richards Stand. The 

government spent money to 

improve the bathrooms at the 

ARG, but now they are in an 

awful state,” the minister reported. 

Greene said the Antigua 

Football Association are the 

current custodians of the 

ARG but that it is clear that 

the sporting body is doing 

‘very little’ to upkeep the 

much-loved sporting facilities. 

He lamented that if the 

association doesn’t become 

active in the upkeep of the 

cont’d on pg 3

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

Friday 13th January 2017 

Minister Nicholas is confident that all is 

in place for Telecommunications Bill 

By Joanna Paris 

Minister with responsibility 

for Telecommunications, 

the Honourable Melford 

Nicholas, has assured 

that the right ingredients are 

now in place for the full debate 

and eventual passage of 

the Telecommunications Bill 

which will be tabled before 

the House shortly. 

While speaking to mem- 

Editor’s Note 

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The Director of Public Works and the 

Manager of the Government Repair Shop 

on Factory Road held discussions with Cabinet 

on Wednesday regarding the next steps 

in the highly anticipated National Road Rehabilitation 

Programme. 

According to Government’s Spokesperson, 

Ambassador Lionel “Max” Hurst, the 

Director provided details of the planning for 

the British-aid road program that is scheduled 

to begin in a few weeks. 

“The Friars Hill Highway, from Langfords 

to just past the Cemetery, will be the 

first of the roadways to be upgraded utilizing 

a portion of the grant of £13.9 million 

Pounds. In the assessment of the participants, 

the ability of Antigua and Barbuda to 

meet all the deadlines set by the British Government 

is being considered as remarkable”, 

explained Ambassador Hurst. 

bers of the press during the 

post cabinet briefing on 

Thursday, Minister Nicholas 

expressed that all of the prior 

concerns have been taken 

into account and adequately 

addressed. 

He reiterated that the 

pending legislation will 

surely transform the country’s 

telecommunications 

landscape. 

“I am 100% satisfied 

now that we have completed 

all of the work, so upon the 

resumption of the legislative 

agenda, I will push for the 

first, second and third readings 

of the bill, so that we 

can get as quickly as possible 

to the process of the implementation 

of the National 

Telecommunications Commission. 

As we know, it will 

bring into being the regulations, 

which will allow us to 

accelerate the move towards 

that type of modality in the 

market”, Minister Nicholas 

expounded. 

He added that the Telecommunications 

Bill will 

have tremendous benefits 

and increase the level of 

telecommunications in the 

market. 

It will also assist greatly 

in changing a number of scenarios 

that currently exist in 

Antigua and Barbuda. 

Policy holders also believe 

that the legislation will 

also enhance the competitiveness 

of the sector. 

Concerns were also put 

to rest about how the rapidly 

approaching bill would 

address issues of consumer 

protection against the current 

poor service endured by 

customers of providers on 

island, with Minister Nicholas 

confirming that the legislation 

will seek to provide 

at least 90% assurance that 

providers will have to provide 

what their customers 

are paying with the understanding 

that there can be 

issues within reason. 

Update on Road Rehabilitation 

Programme 2017 and vehicular repairs 

He said that if the deadlines were not 

met, the grant would have been withdrawn. 

Ambassador Hurst said that the officials 

who were responsible for ensuring that the 

necessary requirements were in place were 

applauded by the Cabinet for a job well done. 

In their discussions with the decision-making 

body, the Director and the 

Manager also answered questions relating 

to the Public Works’ ownership of machines, 

which is critical to the roadbuilding. 

The Manager of the Government Repair 

Shop also reported that big machines, to 

include a scarifier, have been repaired. He 

added that a new scarifier, with additional 

functions, may also be purchased. 

He also told the body that five damaged 

ambulances and other Government-owned 

vehicles, previously involved in accidents 

have been repaired and the ambulances were 

returned to the Emergency Services.

Friday 13th January 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3 

cont’d from pg 1 

ARG that he anticipates that 

the government is going to 

have to foot another huge bill 

to ready the facilities for the 

grand 60th anniversary of 

Carnival this year. 

The minister also complained 

that he had to take 

matters into his hand to have 

the Governor General’s Box 

at the ARG prepared to allow 

the head of state the opportunity 

to host his guests for the 

concert. 

Neither AFA President, 

Everton Gonsalves nor General 

Secretary, Gordon Banks 

Derrick could be reached for 

comments. 

English Harbour man recaptured and discharged with warning 

By Renio Abbott 

28-year old Akeem Scott 

of English Harbour who was 

remanded at Her Majesty 

Prison on Tuesday re-appeared 

before Chief Magistrate 

Walsh yesterday morning 

charged with Escaping 

Lawful Custody. 

The prosecutor read the 

facts which stated that officers 

from the Criminal 

Investigations Department 

were responding to a report 

of wounding in the vicinity 

of Bargain Centre Supermarket 

and upon arrival saw 

the defendant. 

One of the officers identified 

himself to him, advised 

him that he was making 

inquiries into a report of 

wounding, and considered 

him to be a suspect. 

While the officer attempted 

to place him into 

the unmarked police vehicle, 

the accused ran towards 

the direction of Courts Ltd. 

A search was executed and 

the accused was later found 

in the English Harbour and 

was then charged. 

Wounding case set 

for May Assizes 

By Renio Abbott 

Kathlyn Abel of Cedar Grove, who wounded Marsha 

Knowles on 5th August, 2015 appeared before Chief Magistrate 

Walsh yesterday and will have to answer to her charge 

before a Judge and Jury in the 2017 May Assizes at the High 

Court of Justice due to the severity of the injuries sustained 

by the victim. 

Abel was summoned in November of 2016 after both 

parties got into a physical fight during which the accused 

got the upper hand, wounding the virtual complainant. She 

was subsequently charged with wounding with Intent to do 

grievous bodily harm. 

The Defendant was represented 

by Lawyer Daniels 

who stated that his client just 

got paid and went to a certain 

bar in the area and he yes indeed 

had a little too much to 

drink, squandering his pay 

cheque. Daniels further stated 

that his client thought the 

police was a masked man. 

Magistrate Walsh warned 

the defendant not to let it 

happen again; he was reprimanded 

and discharge.



PMS opens new slaughterhouse 

By Justin Peters 

The Princess Margaret 

School has had one the most 

vibrant Agricultural Science 

programs in Antigua and 

Barbuda for decades. One of 

the facets of the comprehensive 

double-award program 

has been the poultry program 

which trains students 

in the rearing of both broilers 

and layers for the production 

and sale of eggs and whole 

chicken as a part of the CXC 

curriculum. 

Yesterday, a newly built 

slaughterhouse, which 

marks a significant improvement 

in the process of culling 

the birds for sale on the 

local market was used for 

the first time. 

The building was 

equipped with several sinks 

and countertops to facilitate 

the plucking of multiple 

birds simultaneously, a stove 

for heating the water to scald 

the birds for plucking and 

a state of the art electronic 

plucker which makes the 

process of de-feathering the 

birds easier, thus requiring 

minimal human input to remove 

the bulk of the feathers. 

Speaking to Gayle Emanuel, 

head of the Agricultural 

Science Department at the 

Princess Margaret School 

explained that the new building 

was constructed by the 

Eastern Caribbean Management 

Group and will be used 

to facilitate the slaughtering 

of 100 birds per school 

term. She indicated that the 

poultry was sold to parents 

primarily, but are available 

for anyone who wishes to 

purchase one. 

The head of department 

demonstrated the process of 

gutting the birds to a group 

of excited students. 

The program also yields 

at least one case of eggs 

per week, which are sold at 

the First Choice Supermarket. 

The eggs are packaged 

with the school’s logo on 

the front. She indicated that 

the eggs sell very quickly, 

although it will take the buyin 

of stakeholders to see the 

same success with the placement 

of broilers in the supermarkets 

who are hesitant 

because they indicate that it 

is much cheaper to import 

chicken than to sell locally 

produced poultry. 

PMS will also welcome 

students from other secondary 

schools from around the 

island to make use of the 

new slaughterhouse facility.


Police probe crash landing in Barbuda 

The Police and the Fire Department 

are currently investigating a 

Crash landing of a single engine aircraft 

on the sister isle of Barbuda on 

Thursday. 

It was reported that a red and white 

“Cherokee Warrior,” single engine 

aircraft with registration #N8862F, 

from St. Barth crash landed in Barbuda 

around 9:40 am on Thursday. 

The aircraft which was captained 

by 25yrs old Christopher Greaux of 

St. Barth, left St Barth around 6:08 

am to Antigua. 


Minister of Public Works 

and Housing, the Hon. Eustace 

“Teco” Lake’s health 

continues to improve after 

he was hospitalized at the 

Mount St. John’s Medical 

Centre (MSJMC) last 

Wednesday. 

That is the latest report 

coming from the Cabinet of 

Antigua and Barbuda, who 

was given an update on their 

colleague. 

Speaking during the post 

cabinet press briefing on 

Thursday, Minister of Information, 

Broadcasting and 

Telecommunications, the 

Hon. Melford Nicholas, reported 

that Minister Lake’s 

blood pressure is near normal. 

“The report that we have 

is that he will continue to 

improve, one will expect 

that he will be ambulant in 

a day or two, which means 

be on his feet as his strength 

is restored. He continues to 

follow the doctor’s orders 

and the instructions of the 

other professionals that is 

that he should do the minimal 

in expanding his energy”, 

Minister Nicholas explained. 

The Cabinet has also 

been assured by the Minister 

of Health, the Hon. Molwyn 

Joseph, that Minister Lake’s 

doctors have given him a 

very fair chance of return to 


Former community activist, the late Cornelia 

Michael, will be afforded an official 

funeral. 

Michael passed away at her home on the 

3rd of January at the age of 74 after a period 

of illness. 

Government’s Spokesperson, Ambassador 

Lionel “Max” Hurst said that during 

its weekly meeting on Wednesday, Cabinet 

agreed that Michael was indeed worthy of 

the honour. 

“the Cabinet agreed that Cornelia Michael, 

an advocate for the elderly for many 

years, will be afforded an official funeral. 

his pre-crisis stage. 

Lake’s condition has 

been described as “chronic 

and not acute”. 

Minister Nicholas said 

that confidence is further 

expressed in the country’s 

health care system as Minister 

Lake has voiced his satisfaction 

with the level of care 

that he has received so far. 

“This underlines the 

importance of the Mount 

Three passengers were onboard 

to include 29yrs-old Jimmy Greaux, 

27yrs-old Marcel DE LaMotte, and 

27yrs-old Mathias Aubin all of St. 

Barth. 

The aircraft arrived in Antigua at 

the V.C. Bird International Airport 

around 7:48 am, and then left to Barbuda 

around 9:07 am. 

It is alleged that at the time of 

landing in Barbuda, the pilot fell 

some 14ft short of the runway, which 

caused the Nose Wheel of the aircraft 

to collide with the edge of the concrete 

runway strip. 

The impact dislodged the front 

landing gear; forcing the aircraft to 

veer off to left of the strip, where it 

came to a halt. 

All four men walked away from 

the incident without injuries. The 

incident forced airport authorities to 

close the airport. 

No major damage was reportedly 

done to the runaway, and normal operations 

are expected to resume. Further 

investigations are ongoing into 

the matter. 

Minister Lake’s health is improving 

St. John’s Medical Centre. 

Some persons are of the 

view that the hospital is not 

capable of responding to a 

crisis situation but not only 

are the doctors and health 

care professionals at MS- 

JMC capable but also the 

capacity of the institution 

is bringing a greater degree 

of confidence to the type of 

health care that can be administered”, 

he said. 

Official funeral for Cornelia Michael 

The Cabinet authorized the Ministry of Social 

Transformation to commence the planning 

in collaboration with the family of the 

outstanding Antigua and Barbuda citizen”, 

he said. 

Michael has been described by many as 

being a caring, loving and determined individual 

who was always willing to give back 

to the community in whatever way possible. 

She is renowned for working with a programme 

specifically designed to celebrate 

persons who have attained the milestone of 

100 years. 

The funeral service is scheduled to take 

place on the 19th of January.



Wishing Well Inc. Foundation expands sponsorship 

of Hands across the Sea schools library programme 

The Wishing Well Foundation has 

expanded the donations to the library / 

literacy initiative called ‘Hands across 

the Sea’ (‘Hands’) by adding 4 new 

schools to its donations programme 

bringing the total of schools that it (co) 

sponsors to 6. 

These 4 new schools are the Villa 

Primary School, the Jennings Primary 

School, the Glanvilles Secondary 

School and the Newfield/Bethesda 

Primary School. The Willikies Primary 

School and the Five Island Primary 

School are currently being sponsored 

by hotels that are part of the Foundation. 

The Villa Primary School was the recent 

recipient of close to 200 children’s 

books valued over ECD 4,700 with the 

official handing over ceremony taking 

place earlier this week. All students 

and teachers were on hand for the interactive 

presentation at the school lead 

by Principal Mrs. Sandra Boney-Felix 

and her team of teachers. The Epicurean 

Fine Foods & Pharmacy is the sole 

sponsor for the ‘Hands’ programme at 

the Villa Primary School. 

“Literacy of the nation is close to our 

heart and we are very proud to be part 

Mrs. Harriet Linskey of Hands across the Sea, Principal Mrs. Sandra Boney-Felix, Mr. 

Michael Friend Store Manager of the Epicurean, Ms. Anna-Maria Joseph of Elite Island 

Resorts are flanked by teachers and students showcasing some of the new books that 

were donated to the library of the Villa Primary School. 

of the tireless activities of the husband 

and wife team behind Hands across the 

Sea that has been shipping new and donated 

books to the schools of Antigua & 

Barbuda for the last 7 years in collaboration 

with the Ministry of Education. 

“It was a logical decision to support 

this primary school and we are very 

impressed with the library, the student 

engagement, the books and the library 

teachers’ team.” Michael Friend, Store 

Manager Epicurean Friars Hill Road. 

“The overall Wishing Well Inc. 

sponsorship contributed to the purchase 

and shipping of the books is valued 

close to EC$42,000 for the academic 

year 2016/2017. We want to ensure that 

not only do we support this worthy programme 

with resources, but also that we 

continue to build our partnership with 

the schools within the communities that 

our hotels operate in. 

“What is special about our set up 

with this programme is that staff members 

who have children at the various 

schools are part of the long term upkeep 

and support of the programme.” Anna-Maria 

Joseph, Executive Assistant 

Elite Island Resorts. 

Wishing Well Inc. is a charity registered 

in Antigua. It was founded by 

two of the island’s hotels (St. James’s 

Club Antigua and The Verandah Resort 

& Spa) and focuses on assisting deserving 

children and the adults throughout 

Antigua & Barbuda and the Caribbean 

region on a whole.


The end of ‘wet foot-dry foot’ 

– parting gift for whom? 

Tomas Regalado, the Mayor of Miami 

– long a hot bed for Cuban exiles 

– has described as a “parting gift” the 

decision of the waning Obama administration 

to end the US ‘wet foot-dry 

foot’ policy toward Cubans seeking entry 

to the US. The question is: a parting 

gift to whom? 

President Obama announced the 

decision on January 11 in a three-paragraph 

statement on Cuban Immigration 

Policy. 

Regalado believes the decision is 

a parting gift to Raul Castro, the Cuban 

President, with whom Barack 

Obama worked last year to establish 

diplomatic relations between their two 

countries after more than five decades 

of tension and hostility. But, in reality, 

the decision is more a parting gift 

to the United States – one in keeping 

with the policies on immigration that 

President-elect Donald Trump pledged, 

during the Presidential election campaign, 

to put in place. 

The gift to the US is that it will no 

longer be taking in, without question, 

any number or type of Cubans who 

manage to land on US soil. Over the 

years since 1995, when President Bill 

Clinton put the ‘wet foot-dry’ policy 

in place, hundreds of thousands of Cubans 

have jumped into in anything that 

could float in order to reach US shores 

in the certainty that once they got there, 

they would become US citizens within 

a year. That persistent migration of a 

large numbers of people has put a strain 

on the US to absorb them. 

The strain was worse before Clinton 

established the policy. Prior to 1995, 

Cubans on boats at sea were pickedup 

by American vessels and carried to 

the US where they were immediately 

given residence. In the previous year, 

over 35,000 Cubans were taken off 

rafts and brought to U.S. shores. It was 

in response to that strain that Clinton 

introduced the policy that stopped automatic 

entry for Cubans who did not 

actually reach US soil. 

In four years since October 2012, 

more than 118,000 Cubans landed 

at ports of entry along the US border. 

During the 2016 budget year, 

which ended in September, Homeland 

Security reports that more than 41,500 

people came through the southern 

border. Another 7,000-people arrived 

between October and November. 

And, it is not the US alone for whom 

this migration caused problems. In recent 

months Cubans trying to get to 

the US have travelled through at least 

eight countries - Ecuador, Colombia, 

Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, 

Guatemala and Mexico. These 

countries have been under pressure to 

handle the migrants gathered at their 

borders. If the decision to end the ‘wet 

foot-dry foot’ policy is a “parting gift” 

by Obama, it is far more a gift to the US 

and the beleaguered countries struggling 

to cope with the migrants than it 

is to Raul Castro. 

The US will no longer have to deal 

with the arrival of unpredictable numbers 

of Cuban immigrants who turn up 

with full entitlement to the benefits of 

residence and citizenship paid for by 

US taxpayers. 

In the case of Castro, his government 

will now have to manage a population 

whose needs have to be satisfied. 

The ease on the government’s 

resources that was provided by those 

who left for the US is no more. This 

is hardly a ‘parting gift’ to Castro; it is 

By Sir Ronald Sanders 

more in the nature of a poisoned chalice. 

It is true that the Cuban government 

has complained repeatedly that the ‘wet 

foot-dry-foot’ policy has encouraged 

gifted professionals to leave, depriving 

the country of their skills, but is also 

true that many who left were unskilled 

labourers. 

More tellingly for the Castro government 

is that the end of the policy 

will remove the embarrassment of people 

risking their lives to leave Cuba – a 

blot on the reputation of the government 

which rightly boasts that it has 

an enviable record in education and 

health. Not surprisingly, simultaneously 

with President Obama’s announcement, 

the Cuban government also proclaimed 

the policy change calling it “an 

important step” in resolving illegal migration 

and bringing to an end “special 

treatment” for those fleeing illegally. 

Cuban detractors in the US – more 

particularly the Cuban-American community 

– claim that Cubans seek to flee 

Cuba because of political oppression 

cont’d on pg 8



The newly renovated Center for Persons 

with Disabilities seeks to further 

empower persons who attend the facility 


and persecution. In fact, while that 

claim might apply to some politically 

active persons, the reality is that, 

like many other refugees from around 

the world, Cubans have been leaving 

to find better economic opportunities. 

And, the US has offered itself as 

a magnet for such opportunities ever 

since it started the economic embargo 

on Cuba. Indeed, had it not been for the 

five-decade long embargo, Cuba might 

Director of the Centre for People 

Living with Disabilities, Mike 

Calliste 

After months of operating 

from their new location, 

it is now official, the 

National Vocational and 

Rehabilitation Centre for 

People Living with Disabilities 

was officially commissioned 

during a brief ceremony 

today (Thursday). 

With dozens in attendance, 

including Acting 

Permanent Secretary in the 

Ministry of Health and the 

Environment Joan Carrott, 

Pastor Everton Piggott of 

the Old Road Pentecostal 

Church dedicated the 

compound and pronounced 

blessings on the edifice, 

staff and those who attend 

the centre on a daily basis. 

Pastor Piggott reminded 

them that each person is 

special and that they must 

use their special talents to 

the best of their ability. 

Mike Calliste, who is 

the Director at the Centre, 

said that the occasion has 

given him a sense of pride 

and joy. 

“I am feeling overwhelmed, 

feeling really 

satisfied with the fact that 

we finally have a home that 

we can now do the work 

have been better developed today and 

its economy much stronger. With a 

stronger economy – integrated into the 

global network and having to respond 

to the demands of liberalisation and 

competition – the tight political hold on 

the country might have loosened. 

In any event, the end of the ‘wet 

foot-dry foot’ policy is a further step in 

the normalisation of relations between 

the US and Cuba. That is a good thing 

for both countries, notwithstanding the 

that we were hired to do”, 

Calliste said. 

Apart from the dedication 

ceremony, the event 

also saw the unveiling 

of a portrait in honour of 

Former Director, Emelda 

Wade-Carbon, who passed 

away in late 2016. 

Carbon, who has been 

with the Centre since its 

inception in 1984, played a 

pivotal role in making the 

new vocational and rehabilitation 

home for the discont’d 

on pg 9 

anger and rancour that will be loudly 

vocalised in the coming days and 

weeks by the Cuban-American community. 

It is also a good thing for the 

Caribbean region which would benefit 

from the easing of tension between the 

US and Cuba and the economic opportunities 

that could flow from it. 

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed 

in this Op-ed are those of the 

author and do not necessarily reflect 

the views of Caribbean Times.



abled a reality. 

Calliste spoke highly of 

his predecessor and noted 

that she showed true grit 

right up until her last moments. 

He said the occasion 

was a bitter sweet moment 

for him. 

“Mrs. Carbon has been 

in it from the get go right 

up to the time of her death. 

It’s been a lot of work for 

her, trying to get the building 

refurbished, there have 

been a lot of problems, the 

building had to be closed 

down for over two years, 

trying to get resources, trying 

to do a lot of things. 

“When the building was 

finally completed she was 

so sick that she couldn’t 

occupy the building. She 

died before the building 

was open so she never experienced 

the results of her 

hard work, so today was 

bitter sweet”, Calliste noted. 

When asked about the 

next step for the Centre, 

Calliste said that the plan 

has always been to advance 

and improve the lives of 

each and every disabled 

person who attends the facility. 

“Well we will advance; 

more improvements. We 

believe that the government 

has given us a task to 

do and we are going to do 

it. 

“Our job at the centre 

is to train; to place. They 

come in and they work 

hard, they learn the job and 

we put them out and give 

them job experience so that 

they can have independent 

living. 

“That is what we are 

about here; we want them 

to learn how to survive on 

their own, not just to depend 

on us but to depend 

on themselves because they 

are human beings, they are 

very valuable like anyone 

else and that’s what we are 

going to do this year”, Calliste 

added. 

Those in attendance 

at today’s brief ceremony 

were also entertained with 

a poem and a unique musical 

piece with the use of a 

hair comb. 

After being founded in 

1984, the National Vocational 

and Rehabilitation 

Centre for People Living 

with Disabilities was first 

housed in Gunthropes before 

moving to Frys Hill 

Road next to the Lion’s 

Den. Its last stop is its current 

location on Factory 

Road. 

Over forty individuals 

are currently enrolled at the 

Centre.



CARICOM to reaffirm US relations 


The Caribbean Community (CAR- 

ICOM) is seeking ways to consolidate 

and reaffirm its relationship with the 

United States as the new Trump Administration 

is set to take office in eight 

days’ time. 

This is one of the outcomes of this 

week’s meeting of the CARICOM’s 

Community Council of Ministers held 

in Guyana. 

The Council, the second highest 

decision making body within the 

CARICOM grouping, heard from the 

CARICOM Secretariat that the Caribbean 

ambassadors based in Washington 

have already been meeting on the issue 

to arrive at a consensus to submit to the 

CARICOM Heads for discussion and 

possible ratification. 

“It was proposed that a thoughtful 

piece should be prepared in light of 

the new political developments in the 

United States, and to some extent, the 


The Antigua and Barbuda 

government is planning a 

series of events to mark the 

country’s role in the formation 

of the Caribbean Free 

Trade Area (CARIFTA), 

which is the forerunner to 

what is today the Caribbean 

Community (CARICOM). 

It was the late Father of 

the Nation, Sir Vere Bird, 

who invited his colleagues, 

the late Errol Barrow of Barbados, 

and the late Forbes 

Burnham of Guyana, to join 

him at Dickenson Bay where 

the agreement establishing 

CARIFTA was signed. 

European Union. 

“We were advised that the USbased 

ambassadors have already put 

together some perspectives on a likely 

approach for the leaders to consider,” 

Antigua and Barbuda’s representative 

at the meeting Ambassador, Dr. Clarence 

Henry reported. 

Dr. Henry said the ambassadors 

will continue their preparatory work 

and have the document ready for the 

head’s consideration at their Intercession 

Meeting in February. 

He reported that the Community 

Council held a very ‘constructive engagement’ 

on the matter. 

“All of us, provided our own perspective 

in terms of the future relations 

with the U.S with respect to President-elect, 

Donald Trump, and if there 

ought to be new perspectives going forward,” 

Dr. Henry stated. 

According to Ambassador Dr. 

Henry, the meeting agreed that CAR- 

The ceremony took place 

in December of 1965 and 

came out of the ashes of 

the failed attempt at regionalism, 

the West Indies Federation, 

which came to an 

abrupt end in 1962. 

Government spokesman, 

Lionel Max Hurst said Cabinet 

has agreed to celebrate 

the 50th anniversary of 

CARIFTA. 

The three “B’s” as they 

are often referred to in this 

context, however, after signing 

the agreement, left the 

door open for other Caribbean 

territories to join. It would 

later expand into CARICOM 

in the early 1970’s. 

“In 1965, the three colonies 

decided to help each 

other and WIOC by eliminating 

duties and tariffs on 

goods from their countries 

that crossed the border into 

any of the others’. It gave 

rise to CARICOM on July 4, 

1973. 

“Antigua and Barbuda 

did not sign the Treaty establishing 

CARICOM until 

1974, and only after the 

ABLP leaders sent their envoys 

to Trinidad to inform 

Prime Minister Eric Williams 

and the other leaders, 

that when returned to power, 

the ABLP administration 

would sign on to CAR- 

ICOM-US relations should continue 

to be very strong, positive and that the 

region must continue to stress its particular 

area, the Caribbean. 

“The Caribbean area is one that is 

important to the US and we have historically 

enjoyed good relations with 

the United States. It was generally accepted 

that such relations will continue 

into the future, into the new Trump 

Presidency,” he reported. 

He stated that the documentation 

coming from the ambassadors in the 

US will form the basis of the position 

paper to be discussed by CARICOM 

heads. 

The Community Council also issued 

a statement welcoming the passage 

of the US-Caribbean Strategic 

Engagement Act by the US Congress 

on December 6, 2016. The act calls for 

‘a new long-term strategy to strengthen 

ties between the United States and the 

Caribbean’. 

Activities planned to mark CARIFTA milestone 

ICOM,” Hurst recalled. 

He said Cabinet noted 

that the 50th Anniversary 

has passed without significant 

notice, in Antigua and 

Barbuda. 

Consequently, he added, 

a Conference on CARIFTA 

and Its Consequences Over 

50 Years will be organized 

by the Festivals Commission 

with the object of highlighting 

Antigua and Barbuda’s 

historic role in regional collaboration. 

Representatives 

of Barbados and Guyana, 

and other CARICOM states 

will be invited to join the 

symposium and other celebratory 

events.


Thursday’s Sudoku Solution 

S U D O K U 

CROSSWORD 

Across 

1. Seckel alternative 

5. Churchill Downs event 

9. Isn’t serious 

14. Gilels or Jannings 

15. Daredevil Knievel 

16. Master of ceremonies 

17. Jacques of ‘’Mon Oncle’’ 

18. Breakfast for singer 

Moore? 

20. Haughty response 

22. Strike back 

23. Unspecified power 

24. Nursery denizens 

26. Eighteen-wheeler 

28. Row producer 

29. Bilateral or reversible 

34. Como --- usted? 

37. Field of study 

39. In abeyance 

40. Space shot segment 

42. Look-alikes 

44. Performance space 

45. State vehemently 

47. Small needle case 

48. Sequential list of events 

50. Boater’s blade 

52. Popular ‘20s auto 

53. Compact carrier 

57. Writer Umberto or system 

header 

60. Former Barbary state 

62. Planet’s path 

64. Haymakers from Vinton? 

67. Roof’s overhang 

68. Audibly censor 

69. Ersatz butter 

70. On the Mediterranean 

71. Oleg’s concern 

72. It can be good, bad or 

breaking 

73. Paneled rooms, typically 

Down 

1. Quinellas, e.g. 

2. Mideast native 

3. Kind of campus protest 

4. Closet item for actor Robertson? 

5. Deep sleep state 

6. Manage to avoid 

7. Holm of ‘’All About Eve’’ 

8. Napoleon’s isle while in 

exile 

9. Toss overboard 

10. Funnyman Philips 

11. Glance over 

12. Measure of skill 

13. Brother of Abel 

19. Prefix meaning ‘’highest’’ 

21. --- Schwarz (toy company) 

25. Word with miss or sighted 

27. Moola for actress Rogers? 

30. Soft or silver attachment 

31. Go easy on the calories 

32. Natural shade 

33. Lucy’s mate 

34. While lead-in 

35. Son of Ramses I 

36. Cardinals or Orioles 

38. Jack of Tom Clancy novels 

41. Telegraphy trademark 

43. Laundry chore 

46. Means of transport 

49. Written promises 

51. Brouhaha 

54. Out of kilter 

55. Lower in public estimation 

56. Established fact 

57. Fades out 

58. Corral youngster 

59. Follow orders 

61. When all hands meet 

63. Some social events 

65. Sound unit equal to 10 

decibels 

66. Mayday relative



Today’s weather forecast 

Antigua and Barbuda 

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. 

High - 79ºF 

Low - 73ºF 

Wind: North 12 mph 

Sunrise 6.39 am; Sunset 5.52 pm 

Thursday’s Crossword Solution 

HOROSCOPE 

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 

19). So many instances prove 

that in life, it doesn’t matter 

how intelligent you are: What 

matters most is how prepared 

you are. That big brain of yours 

notwithstanding, get ready today 

and you’ll succeed tomorrow. 

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 

18). When you love and are 

loved, it makes everything a little 

easier. You feel like you can 

choose what to get emotionally 

invested in. The perspective 

you come from is one of involved 

detachment. 

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). 

You don’t always turn up your 

power to high voltage, because 

it’s not the level that’s needed 

much of the time, and you don’t 

want to exhibit bad taste. However, 

you can afford to amp it 

up somewhat today. 

ARIES (March 21-April 19). 

You feel stalled in some respects, 

but it’s not your fault; 

it’s the destination. The goal 

is off. Change what you want 

from the situation, and you’ll 

find that the road is totally clear. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). 

The people who you’d categorize 

as “fun” are the same ones 

who tend to find something 

new in a familiar situation. It’s 

one of the reasons that you’ll 

be looking for the novelty in 

something you do nearly every 

day. 

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If 

no one can give you self-confidence, 

then no one can take it 

away, either. There are, however, 

those who foster an atmosphere 

where such a thing can 

grow. They should be your first 

choice for company. 

CANCER (June 22-July 22). 

Everything doesn’t have to be 

big and spectacular to be pleasing 

to you. Simple pleasures 

will be even more satisfying 

now, as you effortlessly settle 

into them. 

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Making 

small talk is a ubiquitous 

feature of your professional 

standing and your busy social 

life, though not one that you 

always feel prepared for. Pick 

your topics before you leave 

the house, and you’ll win at 

conversation. 

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). 

You’re interesting in so many 

ways. Don’t be in a rush to reveal 

them all up front. There’s 

an art to impressing people and 

getting them intrigued — rather 

than impressing with the effect 

of making people jealous and 

resentful. 

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Absurdity 

is a tone that intellectuals, 

artists and humorists like 

you can pull off beautifully. 

By the way, if you don’t think 

of yourself in these terms, it’s 

about time you started to, because 

it’s definitely part of who 

you are. 

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). 

You can go through the day’s 

challenges hoping not to crash, 

but you’ll only be shortchanging 

yourself. Instead, go into 

them anticipating the opportunity 

to take a running leap into 

the sky and soar. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 

21). Ask an OK question; have 

an OK time. Ask a better question; 

have a better time. Ask the 

question; hold on for a conversational 

loop-the-loop that no 

one was expecting and none 

will soon forget.


All eligible persons in Barbuda are being urged to register immediately 

in light of the upcoming Barbuda Council elections, 

which are slated to be held in late March. The cut-off date for 

names to appear on the Register for Elections is January 31. All 

registration in Barbuda takes place at the Handicraft Centre. For 

more information, please call 562-4191 or visit our Facebook 

Page at Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission. 

The Medical Benefits Scheme wishes to advise all its’ beneficiaries 

that the Browne’s Avenue Pharmacy is now open to 

serve you. Enjoy quick service including pick-up & drop off 

services and spacious parking. Opening hours are MON – FRI 

8 AM- 3 PM. Special extend hours on 12th – 23rd of December 

& 3rd -13th JANUARY 2017: 7AM – 4 PM. Have a 

healthy and happy holiday from the Medical Benefits Scheme. 

ABSSB CONTRIBUTION RATE INCREASE 

The Antigua & Barbuda Social Security Board (ABSSB) wishes 

to advise ALL Employers that in accordance with the amended 

Regulations for Collection of Contributions No. 60 of 2016, the 

contribution rate will increase by 2%, as of February 1st, 2017. 

Therefore, the new contribution rates are as follows: 

Private Sector employees pay 5%; Private Sector employers pay 

7% 

Public Sector employees pay 4%; Public Sector employers pay 7% 

Self-employed contribution remains at 10%. 

United strikes again while 

Bullets try to slow down 

Parham this weekend 

By Marver Woodley 

Wadadli Events Services 

All Saints United F.C continued 

to prove their worth 

and head the tables in the 

Antigua and Barbuda Football 

Association’s First Division 

after defeating Lion 

Hill FC in yesterday’s round 

of matches. 

United defeated Lion 

Hill in a gracious 5-nil 

trashing from beginning to 

end. 

Joel Jacobs was the first 

to bring the heat for Swetes 

in the first 2 minutes of 

play and teammate Xavon 

Browne followed closely 

in the 20h minute along 

with Juwan Roberts, Shalon 

Knight, Craig Parker in the 

46th, 66th and 74th respectively. 

Five Islands FC brought 

the heat next as they defeated 

Freemansville S.C 

1-nil. The lone goal for Five 

Islands was made successfully 

in the 50th minute by 

Yakira Hughes. 

The final game of the day 

however ended in a 1-1 draw 

for Ottos Ranger and Ashton 

Villa. Kyii Ireland early 

strike in the 37th minute for 

Rangers was not enough as 

Garfield Gonsalves went all 

out to ensure Villa did not 

leave empty handed in the 

85th minute of the game. 

Meanwhile two games 

will kick off tomorrow afternoon 

one of which a First 

Division matchup between 

Fort Road FC and Hill Top 

FC. The other game will be 

in the Second Division, as 

Golden Grove FC travels to 

5 P’s Wadadli FC. 

Hours later the Primier 

Division weekend games 

will kick off with the first 

match up on Saturday will 

see Fitzroy’s Rewinding 

Pigotts Bullets take on leaders 

Asot Arcade Parham at 

5:00pm while two hours later 

bottom seated Ace Trucking 

& Heavy Duty Equipment 

Glanvilles try their 

luck against Cool & Smooth 

Empire F.C. 

Sunday’s triple header 

will give Flow Old Road a 

chance to move into the top 

thee bracket when they go 

up against Sugar Ridge SAP 

while the second encounter 

will feature Sandals INET 

IMOBILE Grenades go 

up against Harney Motors 

Tryum. 

The final match of the 

day will show case the two 

second standing teams, being 

the second best and 

the second to last team on 

the score boards, Cool & 

Smooth-AC Delco Glenns 

Pet Paradise Hoppers and 

Liberta S.C respectively, go 

head to head for a chance of 

moving up he scoreboards.


Friday 13th January 2017


Shiv, Crandon strike warm-up fifties 

Fifties from Tagenarine Chanderpaul 

and Royston Crandon and a four-wicket 

haul from left-arm spinner Gudakesh 

Motie spearheaded Singh’s X1 

to an upset 49-run victory yesterday at 

Providence in the first practice match 

in preparation for the Regional Super50 

which bowls off on January 24 in Barbados. 

Chanderpaul (56), Crandon (52) and 

Vishaul Singh (40) led Singh’s X1 to 259 

all out in 49.5 overs as left-arm spinner 

Veerasammy Permaul (3-47), off-spinner 

Steven Jacobs (2-31) and leg-spinner 

Devendra Bishoo (2-49) were the 

main wicket-takers for Leon Johnson’s 

X1, who were dismissed for 210 from 

46.4 overs. 

A responsible 46 from the Skipper, 

an aggressive 40 from Assad Fudadin 

and well constructed 44 from Chris 

Barnwell failed to save their team from 

defeat as Motie finished with 4-35 from 

10 overs. 

In sunny conditions on a slow track, 

Rajendra Chandrika, one of six players 

with Test experience in the Jaguars unit, 

made a 46-ball 32 decorated with four 

boundaries before he was trapped LBW 

By Carlena Knight 

Preparations are underway 

as our Under 20 Benna boys 

get set to contest the 2017 

Under 20 Men’s CONCA- 

CAF Championship Finals at 

to Jacobs. 

Jacobs, in his first match since recovering 

from a back injury, struck in the 

16th over to break the 72-run opening 

stand between Chandrika and Tagenarine 

Chanderpaul. 

Chanderpaul Hemraj attempted to 

loft Jacobs over cover and was caught 

for 26 from 31 balls with a couple of 

fours. Without addition to the score, Jonathon 

Foo, back in National colours for 

the first since 2011, was run out without 

facing a ball as two wickets tumbled in 

the same over to leave the score on 100- 

3. 

Singh and Chanderpaul added 40 for 

the fourth wicket before Chanderpaul, 

who reached his 50 from 71 balls with 

three fours and a six, got himself bogged 

down and ran past a googlie from Bishoo 

and was stumped by Anthony Bramble, 

who enjoyed a good day with the gloves. 

Chanderpaul’s 56 lasted 83 balls and his 

demise left to score on 140-4. 

Singh, who faced 51balls, danced 

into Bishoo and dumped him for six 

which was his only boundary before he 

was bowled by the Test spinner at 175-5 

in the 38th over. 

the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa 

Stadium in Costa Rica, next 

month. Antigua Barbuda were 

drafted into Group A alongside 

Mexico, Honduras and 

Canada. 

The team which is in its 

third week of preparation is 

expected to feature 10 overseas 

based players who joining 

with the local players will 

give a boost to the potential 

Clare Hall SDA to host Volleyball fun night 

By Carlena Knight 

The Clare Hall Seventh-day Adventist 

Church in conjunction with the Adventist 

Youth Council will host a Volleyball Fun Night 

at the YMCA Sports complex starting at 7:30 

p.m., this Saturday. 

Four teams will battle it out from churches 

across the island to include: Villa, New Bethel, 

All Saints and hosts, Clare Hall. This event 

will serve as a stepping stone as the hosts look 

forward to expand the one day tournament to 

a league following that of the Inter-Church 

Cricket League which has been running for 

over two years. All proceeds of the one day 

tournament will go towards funding of youth 

in attending Camp Impact Barbados 2017. 

Crandon galloped to 50 from 42 

balls with two fours and two sixes and 

along with Sherfane Rutherford took the 

score to 215 before Rutherford (15) was 

stumped off Permaul who also removed 

Crandon (52) and Clinton Pestano (0) 

in the space of two runs to leave to the 

score on 243-8. 

Chris Barnwell got rid of Shepherd 

(12) while Motie (12) was run out with 

one ball to go in the innings. 

Hetymer started in a hurry and 

smashed Shepherd for two fours and 

a six in the first over while Fudadin 

stroked Eon Hooper, who opened the 

bowling, for a boundary past cover. 

Hetymer (15) retired hurt at 23 without 

loss and Johnson and Fudadin took 

charge with the usually subdued Fudadin 

playing with refreshing positivity, 

being especially severe on Hooper. 

He hit the off-spinner magnificently 

to the cover boundary before lofting him 

over extra cover and back over his head 

for sixes. 

Fudadin slapped Pestano for two glorious 

fours in the same over, while Johnson 

leaned into Keon Joseph and cover 

drove him for four. (Kaieteur News) 

Preparations underway ahead of CONCACAF U20 

and possibility of moving forward 

in the event. 

According to Technical 

Director, Rolston ‘Debu’ Williams, 

‘three or four of the 

overseas based players are actually 

Antiguans who attend 

school in England with six 

players from England’. 

Williams, Head Coach of 

Asot’s Arcade Parham F.C. 

also gave wind of the final 

prep stating that the final team 

will be announced later this 

month who will contest the 

finals.



Narine fails to stop record Hurricanes 

Services 

Employment 

TENNIS!! TENNIS!! Looking for FUN activity for your 

son or daughter? Halcyon is the place to be this Saturday, 

January 14, 2017 and every Saturday afterwards - ages 3 

and up. Also accepting adults in the afternoon. For more 

information contact #774-7331 

Vacancy for Supervisor at The Furniture Gallery, Airport 

Road. 462 4952/1452. Candidate needs to be flexible & 

available to work Saturdays. Apply in person with documentation. 

West Indies Twenty20 star spinner Sunil Narine 

MELBOURNE, Australia 

– A disruptive spell 

from West Indies Twenty20 

star spinner Sunil Narine 

for Melbourne Renegades 

was upstaged by a 

maiden Twenty20 hundred 

from Ben McDermott that 

set up a thrilling, record 

two-wicket victory for 

the Hobart Hurricanes in 

a high-scoring Big Bash 

League match on Thursday. 

Narine was the most 

successful bowler for the 

Renegades, grabbing three 

for 27 from four overs, but 

the 22-year-ikd McDermott 

smashed eight fours and 

nine sixes in 114 from 52 

balls to put the Hurricanes 

firmly on course for a target 

of 223 at the Docklands 

Stadium and the highest 

successful run chase in the 

tournament’s history. 

Before Narine trapped 

him lbw in the 16th over, 

McDermott, son of Australian 

fast bowling legend 

Craig McDermott, shared 

151 for the third wicket 

with Australia international 

George Bailey, after 

the Hurricanes endured a 

shaky start. 

Narine again intervened, 

when he had Beau Webster 

caught at deep mid-wicket 

for a second-ball duck and 

Bailey caught at long-on 

for 59 from 42 balls in the 

space of three deliveries in 

the penultimate over, leaving 

the Hurricanes needing 

16 from the final over. 

Narine was again involved, 

when his direct hit 

at the striker’s end from 

third man saw Cameron 

Boyce run out off the second 

delivery. 

But Sri Lanka medium-fast 

bowler Thisara 

Perera, entrusted with the 

final over, conceded 13 

from the next three balls, 

including three wides, before 

England international 

Stuart Broad got a single 

from a leading edge to midoff 

to take the Hurricanes 

over the finish line. 

Earlier, Australia international 

Aaron Finch hit 

the top score of 63 from 

40 balls and Netherlands 

international Tom Cooper 

supported with an unbeaten 

53 from 24 balls, as the 

Renegades posted 222 for 

four from their allocation 

of 20 overs, after they were 

put in to bat in the 24th 

match of the tournament. 

The total took the Renegades 

10 past the previous 

highest score in the BBL, 

made by the Hurricanes 

against Brisbane Heat in 

four Decembers ago, but 

McDermott, whose six 

count was the same total 

for the home team during 

their innings, propelled the 

visitors to a memorable 

victory. 

The result meant that the 

Hurricanes now have six 

points – but they are fifth 

in the tournament standings 

behind the Melbourne 

Stars, due to net run rate. 

The Renegades are one of 

three teams on four points 

in the bottom half of the table 

– but they are sixth, due 

to net run rate. 

The League continues 

on Saturday with a derby at 

the Sydney Cricket Ground 

between the Sydney Thunder 

and Sydney Sixers, 

whose squad includes incumbent 

West Indies T20 

captain Carlos Brathwaite, 

a replacement for injured 

West Indies teammate Andre 

Russell. 

Narine and the Renegades 

return to action this 

coming Monday at the 

Adelaide Oval, when they 

face hosts Adelaide Strikers, 

whose line-up includes 

West Indies T20 star Kieron 

Pollard and Barbados-born 

England all-rounder Christopher 

Jordan. (CMC)

Caribbean Times 75th Issue

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