Trinidad government to create 30,000 new jobs
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is projecting an expanding economy that will see a massive increase in jobs by 2020.
“With the pace we intend to drive the economy at over the coming six years, we project the creation of over 30,000 new, well-paying jobs,” she told a breakfast meeting with the Trinidad and Tobago business community on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said the short and long-term prospects for the country are a far cry, “from a position of decline and instability in 2010″.
She said for that reason, this is the opportune time for more dialogue between the governing politicians and the business community. “It is now that our discussions [should be] on how Government can further work to provide an enabling business environment and a better platform for your growth, expansion and entry into new sectors.”
Contending that the business environment has improved tremendously in the past four years, she said, “Our economy is expected to maintain a positive momentum into 2014 with growth of 2.9 per cent forecasted in 2014, and up to 3.2 per cent in 2015″.
“We are now in a position of stability and growth, with projections of even stronger performance as we proceed into 2015 and beyond.”
“Today our nation’s exports and foreign direct investment are at their highest levels than at any other time in history.”
Grenada pleased with revenue from new taxes
The Grenada government says the increase in taxes under the three-year “home grown” structural adjustment programme, has resulted in a “reasonable” increase in revenue collection.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who administration is awaiting word from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week on whether it will provide financial support to the island, said that the taxes have seen a reasonable increase in revenue collection.
He said as a result, the EC$18 million monthly operating deficit has been cut by almost half and that “the signs are looking optimistic. The gap is being closed.
“It was EC$18 million, it is now down to EC$10 million; so almost half the gap has been closed,” Mitchell said, noting however that some of the taxes have not yet been implemented and will become effective from 2015.
The Haitian Revolution: What can we in TCI learn from it?
With the Haitian Flay Day celebrations having recently ended here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and worldwide, it has made me reflect on the Haitian Revolution and what could be learnt from it for us here in the TCI today. First, let me state that I have the utmost respect for the spirit and pride of the people of Haiti and their heritage. What they have done in the history of the western hemisphere, what they have gone and what they continue to go through is unparalleled. Think about it, the first Black Republic of the world! The United States of America as a nation is only a couple of decades older than Haiti. Haiti won its independence in an armed struggle from the colonial power of France during a time period of imperial power when monarchs and emperors ruled. The main difference between the USA and Haitian Revolutions is who led it.
So Haiti wins independence from France on the battlefield and rather than being embraced by the new republic to the north, the U.S.A. colluded with France and other European powers to isolate Haiti for over 20 years, with France eventually imposing a 150 million gold francs debt on Haiti for the cost of land, livestock, and value of lost slaves in exchange for French recognition of its independence. As a young nation, Haiti now had to find ways to pay France back, though it was just trying to find its way as a new country. Does this seem familiar? Had they not agreed to the pay back the debt, the worldwide trade embargo on Haitian goods would have continued and they would not be recognized as a Republic, resulting in stagnant economic growth. To boot, one of its’ greatest leaders, Toussaint L’Ouverture, was deceived by the French towards the end of the revolution and later killed while in prison at Fort-de-Joux in the Jura region of France. Still with me? Again, systematic obstacles put in their way. Remember the old adage, strike the Sheppard and the sheep will scatter. Does this not sound rather familiar?
Some might argue, well, that happened over 200 years ago and the world has changed so much. To this I say, the world may have become more globalized, however, history is in an all-time state of repeating itself in obvious and less-than obvious ways. That said, if we look at Caribbean countries’ independence history, you will see the influence of geo-political interference in our affairs pre and post-independence. England and the USA backed Forbes Burnham the capitalist, over Cheddi Jagan the communist, in Guyana and ensured that Burnham would be the first Prime Minister of Guyana. US President Ronald Reagan sent troops into Grenada to squash the revolution lead by Maurice Bishop who favored communism. Reagan again backed the Capitalist Edward Seaga over the sitting Prime Minister Michael Manley who professed Democratic Socialism as the best way towards equality in Jamaica. One can surmise that this was too close to communism for Reagan’s liking. Also take note of Cuba and Fidel Castro. I am not even going to discuss the countless African Leaders like Patrice Lamumba and many others who have tried to move their countries towards independence but were killed over the philosophies and ideologies they held and or shared. Some say the same has happened to our only national hero, JAGS McCartney; that he died in vain trying to free our people with a view of making the TCI a great nation. Nevertheless, the main difference today is that the character of our leaders is assassinated. A person cannot lead if they do not have the trust of the people whom they wish to lead. It is improbable.
So what are the lessons from that brief history lesson? One, Haiti was systematically targeted to fail. They took over 100 plus years to pay off the debt. Also, they had to be made to be seen as a failure so that other colonies did not try to rebel on mass. This for the most part - largely worked owing to the fact that other colonial countries did not start seeking to gain their independence until over 150 years later. I can’t think about a worst time for a country to go into independence with the conditions Haiti had to endure. So a desire for independence in the TCI is more real and viable than many think. Some may say but what we have gone through in the TCI cannot compare to what Haiti has gone through. To that I say that is the whole point. I am sure that the fore fathers on the Haitian Nation would still take their chances with independence even if they knew ahead of time what was in their future. So if they would, why not us? Why not learn from the mistakes of the countries around us and do better? We merely have to have that resolute determination and spirit to plan and fight for it. And the burning desire and belief that it will be ours. At the very least any national conversation should start with us at a minimum striving to have the level of autonomy as Bermuda.
Remember the older adage ‘he who pays the piper calls the tunes’; let us imagine what Haiti could have been without being isolated and saddled with such a debt from the very outset. The equivalent of $150 million gold francs in 1825 would be in the neighborhood of several hundred billion dollars if not more today. Imagine what the TCI will be once we remove this British Loan Guarantee and are able to chart our own economic course once more. Also, we must be mindful that the Haitian Revolution was a 13-year struggle and not an overnight affair.
The moral to this story is that great feats can be accomplished by a people who have an unbreakable spirit. With all that the people of Haiti have endured over two centuries, it is hard to find a prouder people in the Caribbean Diaspora, if not the world. I’m sure Jamaicans may have something to say about this, but I digress. The point is not to confuse lack of pride with doing whatever it takes to survive and make a way for you and your family. This includes going to another “Man’s” country and doing jobs that he would not himself do.
None of this is to down play the roles of Bad Caribbean Leaders over the years, but to say you may be a Queen in your game of Chess but just a Pawn in someone else’s.
Stay Blessed,
Jamell Robinson
THE PDM’S OFFICIAL POSITION AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF PAYROLL TAX
-
As the Minister has admitted that there are alternative revenue measures. We should be absolutely satisfied that any tax being considered is absolutely necessary.
-
That the introduction of taxes in this climate is counter - productive to what the Government is trying to achieve in raising revenue. There are signs of recovery in the economy and we believe that the Government must be careful not to negatively impact this rebound by its decisions.
-
That it will negatively impact already over taxed businesses sending some out of business while increasing the underground business world. A number of Business Licenses are being surrendered and many are not certain that it can pay the hiked rates in Licenses even after the Government has extended its payment by two further months. Unfortunately this is perhaps still not helpful as the Summer months are the slowest months for most businesses in these Islands.
-
That it is not the broadest base possible and seeks to tax a very small pool of residents.
-
That the tax is labour intensive and very difficult to police.
-
That the concept of employers being included in payroll tax and benefits are philosophically wrong.
-
That the Bill has conflict of interest issues. There are areas exempted who rate can be quantified and areas included such as rents which can prove challenging to quantify.
-
That the Government has not demonstrated that it is serious or wants to collect its arrears. Even now, the Government has no accurate Arrears List.
-
That the Government has failed to address measures to cut expenditure in the healthcare area. Its sluggish approach to conducting Audits that moves the cost overrun from TCIG to Interhealth is a major cause for concern. Any major fiscal strategy must include the reduction in healthcare costs.
-
That the Government has failed to present a sound Inward Investment Strategy and Plan which includes clear rules, simpler processes and aggressive marketing.
-
That the rate will increase as soon the Government sees that it does not yield as much as it intends and with the proposed plan to get rid of revenue for Business License rates pre their attack on them will spell loss in millions of dollars.
-
That this Bill creates a powerful Authority that we believe will not be able to manage this new tax and equally a powerful Minister who will have wide powers.
-
That many loop holes will be found and especially in areas that are already difficult to police with persons avoiding temporary work permits by traveling here on Visitor’s Visa. Sec 5(2) exempts persons for low monthly hours and those who ordinarily reside overseas and does not work for 4 consecutive weeks a year.
-
That this is in fact an Income Tax and will alter the landscape of TCI and how we market it. We further believe that a change from our no direct taxation status cannot be decided upon “willy nilly” and especially in the absence of laying all of the alternatives on the Table.
-
That the creation of taxes and the approach to tax our way out of a financial mess is seriously flawed and is a lazy approach void of innovation and the widest possible consultation. The PM of France in 2011 admitted that austerity measures do not work in these type economic climates.
-
That there must real efforts to seek ways to stimulate the economy and encourage spending and not to take away spending power.
-
It will again affect negatively the cost of living as a result in an increase in overhead expenses for businesses that survive. This increase in operating business will be passed down to the consumer.
-
That the people’s wishes ought to matter.
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 2
TSUAK1
BULLETIN
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 2
NWS NATIONAL TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK
113 PM AKDT MON JUN 23 2014
UPDATES IN THIS MESSAGE INCLUDE A REVISED MAGNITUDE.
UPDATES IN THIS MESSAGE INCLUDE MODIFIED ALERT AREAS.
...THE TSUNAMI WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...
...A TSUNAMI ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT...
WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/WATCHES - UPDATED
-------------------------------------
TSUNAMI WARNING IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM NIKOLSKI ALASKA TO ATTU
ALASKA
TSUNAMI ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM UNIMAK PASS ALASKA /WHICH
IS LOCATED 80 MILES NE OF UNALASKA/ TO NIKOLSKI ALASKA
* FOR OTHER US AND CANADIAN PACIFIC COASTS IN NORTH AMERICA -
THE LEVEL OF TSUNAMI DANGER IS BEING EVALUATED. FURTHER
INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES.
IMPACTS FOR TSUNAMI WARNING AREAS
---------------------------------
* WIDESPREAD DANGEROUS COASTAL FLOODING ACCOMPANIED BY POWERFUL
CURRENTS ARE POSSIBLE AND MAY CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER
TSUNAMI ARRIVAL.
* THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
IMPACTS FOR TSUNAMI ADVISORY AREAS
----------------------------------
* A TSUNAMI CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG CURRENTS OR WAVES DANGEROUS
TO PERSONS IN OR VERY NEAR THE WATER IS EXPECTED.
* CURRENTS MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO SWIMMERS... BOATS... AND COASTAL
STRUCTURES AND MAY CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER THE TSUNAMI
ARRIVAL.
* THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS - UPDATED
-----------------------------
* IF YOU ARE IN A WARNING AREA - MOVE INLAND TO HIGHER GROUND.
* IF YOU ARE IN AN ADVISORY AREA - MOVE OFF THE BEACH AND OUT OF
HARBORS AND MARINAS. WIDESPREAD INUNDATION OF LAND IS NOT
EXPECTED FOR ADVISORY AREAS.
* BE ALERT TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS.
* DO NOT GO TO THE COAST TO OBSERVE THE TSUNAMI.
* DO NOT RETURN TO THE COAST UNTIL LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS
INDICATE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.
FORECASTS AND/OR OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI ACTIVITY
-------------------------------------------------
FORECAST
START OF
SITE OF TSUNAMI
---- ----------
* ALASKA
SHEMYA 1324 AKDT JUN 23
ADAK 1334 AKDT JUN 23
UNALASKA 1443 AKDT JUN 23
SAINT PAUL 1504 AKDT JUN 23
PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS - UPDATED
-------------------------------------------
* MAGNITUDE 8.0
* ORIGIN TIME 1253 AKDT JUN 23 2014
1353 PDT JUN 23 2014
2053 UTC JUN 23 2014
* COORDINATES 51.8 NORTH 178.7 EAST
* DEPTH 68 MILES
* LOCATION 25 MILES NW OF AMCHITKA ALASKA
195 MILES W OF ADAK ALASKA
NEXT UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 1
TSUAK1
BULLETIN
PUBLIC TSUNAMI MESSAGE NUMBER 1
NWS NATIONAL TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK
1257 PM AKDT MON JUN 23 2014
...A TSUNAMI WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT...
WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/WATCHES
---------------------------
TSUNAMI WARNING IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE COASTAL AREAS OF ALASKA FROM NIKOLSKI ALASKA TO ATTU
ALASKA
* FOR OTHER US AND CANADIAN PACIFIC COASTS IN NORTH AMERICA -
THE LEVEL OF TSUNAMI DANGER IS BEING EVALUATED. FURTHER
INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES.
PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
---------------------------------
* MAGNITUDE 7.1
* ORIGIN TIME 1253 AKDT JUN 23 2014
1353 PDT JUN 23 2014
2053 UTC JUN 23 2014
* COORDINATES 51.9 NORTH 178.8 EAST
* DEPTH 58 MILES
* LOCATION 30 MILES NW OF AMCHITKA ALASKA
195 MILES W OF ADAK ALASKA
IMPACTS FOR TSUNAMI WARNING AREAS
---------------------------------
* WIDESPREAD DANGEROUS COASTAL FLOODING ACCOMPANIED BY POWERFUL
CURRENTS ARE POSSIBLE AND MAY CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AFTER
TSUNAMI ARRIVAL.
* THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
-------------------
* IF YOU ARE IN A WARNING AREA - MOVE INLAND TO HIGHER GROUND.
* BE ALERT TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS.
* DO NOT GO TO THE COAST TO OBSERVE THE TSUNAMI.
* DO NOT RETURN TO THE COAST UNTIL LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS
INDICATE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.
FORECASTS AND/OR OBSERVATIONS OF TSUNAMI ACTIVITY
-------------------------------------------------
FORECAST
START OF
SITE OF TSUNAMI
---- ----------
* ALASKA
SHEMYA 1336 AKDT JUN 23
ADAK 1349 AKDT JUN 23
SAINT PAUL 1517 AKDT JUN 23
NEXT UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Antigua to eliminate work permit fees for CARICOM nationals
Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that his newly sworn-in Cabinet will eliminate work permit fees for CARICOM nationals.
In his inaugural address on Wednesday, which was observed as OECS Day, Mr Browne said his campaign promise would be fulfilled.
“It was suggested that we were dangling a carrot before the Caribbean brothers and sisters when we promised we would eliminate worker permit fees for CARICOM nationals. Well, there’s no need for any sort of dangling this evening”.
“Nevertheless, I announce this evening, OECS Day, that effective 26th June, 2014, no work permit fees shall be collected from CARICOM nationals who are being offered, duly advertised, and processed employment opportunities here in Antigua and Barbuda,” Mr Browne said.
He emphasized that his Labour Party administration “will deliver and I say to you tonight, promise made, promise kept”.
The CARICOM member states are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
PM Skerrit addresses installation of ABLP cabinet
It was a celebration like none ever seen in Antigua and Barbuda, since the twin island state attained political independence in 1981.
Shortly after 4p.m. on Wednesday, the official Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda (ABLP) was installed amidst much pomp and ceremony, and its officers given their instruments of appointment. The ABLP one week ago, emerged victorious following highly anticipated and strongly contested campaigning leading up to general elections (June 12). In what has been described as an overwhelming defeat against the former United Progressive Party (UPP) administration – which led the country for 10 years – the ABLP secured 14 of the 17 constituency seats, with the three losing candidates having lost by very slim margins.
Former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who retained the position of Member of Parliament for his constituency, St. John’s Rural West, conceded defeat well before midnight election day, after the fifth candidate for the ABLP was declared. A very sombre political leader of the UPP, in offering brief remarks at the time, gave the assurance that he would work with the new administration for the benefit of Antigua and Barbuda.
In a show of support, Prime Minister Browne and his team were accompanied by regional Caribbean colleagues: Prime Minister the Hon Roosevelt Skerritt of Dominica, Prime Minister the Hon Dr. Keith Mitchell of Grenada and the Hon Dr. Denzel Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In offering remarks on behalf of his country, Prime Minister Skerritt spoke glowingly of Prime Minister Browne, describing him as a young, dynamic man.
Ministry of Education addresses challenges at Clement Howell High
The physical plant at Clement Howell High School and indeed all of our schools are of a serious concern, so says the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sport & Libraries. The department said that it is for this reason that they are addressing these issues as much as possible within the severely restricted resources that they have.
The ongoing maintenance issues at the Clement Howell High School will be addressed during the Summer Works Program, as is done at all Turks & Caicos Islands Government managed educational facilities.
The Public Works Department, a department within the Ministry of Government Support Services has a schedule of all the works needed to upgrade the current building/infrastructure at CHHS and this will be done over the next two years. It should also be noted that, the new bathroom blocks are under construction and have been during this school year. By the time the new school year commences there will be a new perimeter fence surrounding the compound.
The Ministry also stated that all users of the CHHS facility including students, staff, parents and guardians would be well aware of the canteen facilities under construction by their partners at Beaches (Turks & Caicos) Resort and Spa, who have joined in to help alleviate some of the problems at that campus.
The commitment by our Government to build a second Secondary School compound in Providenciales will have a direct impact on CHHS as the numbers become more manageable, but also would allow for a holistic approach to tackling the needed repairs in stages.
Speaking to further challenges, the Ministry stated that, sadly the management of the school is also challenged by unruly behavior of some students who continue to be destructive and are not minded to treat the school property with respect.
Most of the maintenance issues come from students who refuse to adhere to rules and who continually destroy items on the compound and in classrooms, which were repaired prior to any start of the new school year. This is an ongoing complaint from the Public Works Department that is routinely called to the Compound to make repairs on the same destroyed property time after time.
In light of the increased levels of indiscipline in our schools, the Government will introduce a Zero Tolerance Policy. This policy will address behaviors that are deemed destructive and that jeopardize the health and safety of all users of the Compounds. Parents will be minded to note that their child could be sent home or suspended if they are found to be wilfully destroying school property on a continuous basis.
Addressing the continued destruction of property on our compounds needs the commitment and involvement of not only the Government but must include teachers, principals, parents, media houses and the community at large added the Ministry.
We have to work together and help stop the destruction of our already aged and worn facilities. A school is a facility of learning and a community resource and should be treated as such.
Integrity Commission announces June 30th as deadline for Declarations
The Integrity Commission (the Commission) wishes to again remind Specified Persons in Public Life that the deadline for filing their Section 25 Declarations is June 30, 2014.
During the recent public education sessions held throughout the inhabited islands, the Commission provided sufficient opportunities for Specified Persons in Public Life to collect blank Declarations Forms. The Commission has subsequently e-mailed these Declaration Forms to these persons. lf you have not yet collected a blank form, you are strongly advised to do so IMMEDIATELY.
These Forms may be collected from the Office of the Commission at Franklyn Missick's Building, Church Folly Road, in Grand Turk between the hours of gam to 4.30pm Monday through Thursday and up to 4pm on Fridays. These Forms can also be e-mailed to you on your request.
The Commission has also concluded the following arrangements to receive completed Declaration Forms directly from Specified Persons in Public Life.
Grand Turk: Specified Persons in Public Life who reside in Grand Turk should submit their completed Declaration Forms personally at the Commission Office in Grand Turk on or before 4:30 pm on Monday June 30,2014.
Family islands The Compliance Officers, will be on hand in the family islands to personally receive the completed Declarations Forms on the following dates and venues:
North Caicos on Friday, June 27, 2OL4 at 10:00 am-2:00pm at the DC's Office; in South Caicos on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10:00am- 2:00pm at the DC's Office and in Providenciales, on Monday June 30 to Wed July 2, 2014 between 10:00am and 4:00pm at the DECR Environmental Centre.
Director of the TCI Integrity Commission, Eugene Otuonye told our newsroom that failure, without reasonable cause, to file Declaration is a criminal offence, punishable with imprisonment for 1 year or fine of $15000 or both, in addition, the Commission is obligated to publish the fact of such failure in the Gazette.