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.
TCIG CONGRATULATES NEWLY APPOINTED CIVIL SERVANTS
The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing was pleased to hear of the recent appointments to the Civil Service, as announced by the Deputy Governor’s Office on Tuesday June 17, 2014, in which some twelve, deserving Turks and Caicos Islanders were successfully awarded placement in middle to senior management roles within the Government.
“I would like to congratulate the persons who have successfully received job placement with the Civil Service most recently and throughout the past year and half of elected Government under the Progressive National Party Administration. It has always been my Government’s vision to not only strengthen the Civil Service with hard-working, capable employees, but also to create job opportunities and ensure that our young people are recognized as valuable contributors, and given the opportunity to advance to management roles within the service through proper, fair, transparent and strategic succession planning.
“I expect that as a community, that we will support our young people in their new roles and encourage others to continue to strive for advancement in their careers, whether within the public service, as employees of the private sector, or as entrepreneurs, because it is through their success that we as a country will also be successful. We will continue to work with the Office of the Deputy Governor, who is responsible for the public service, to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are afforded the opportunity for professional development, employment and promotion to senior levels within the service, ” said Premier Ewing at the time of announcement.
Resource availability was the source of cry for many Government Departments in recent years especially during the period under the Interim Administration and time of global economic downturn, but despite financial constraints, and with continual improvement in the economy, the current Government has facilitated some sixty-some job placements in critical areas, since coming to office in November 2012, and will be facilitating even more employment in critical areas as the financial position of the government improves, thereby ensuring the advancement of an effective and efficient Civil Service.
Turks and Caicos Motoring Club –Strong Finish in Barbados
The Turks and Caicos name has once again gained attention in the world of competitive motorsports as Paul Horton and Stan Hartling took their "H Racing" teams to compete in the Sol Rally Barbados event earlier this month.
Sol Rally Barbados is the Caribbean's biggest international motor sport event that celebrated its 25th year this season.
The rally consisted of approximately 100 teams from over 30 countries across the globe. Over the three days of competition, the event attracted an estimated 20,000 dedicated spectators who lined the roadside in a carnival style atmosphere to catch the action as some of the finest prepared rally cars available screamed by.
Competitors include several WRC class professionals including well-known Paul Bird, Rodger Duckworth, Jeffery Panton and many more.
The Turks and Caicos Motoring Club covered two competitive classes this year. Paul Horton and co-driver Kris Yearwood competed in Super Modified 7 with his well-prepared classic Ford Escort Mk 1, while Stan Hartling with co-driver Andy Proudfoot competed in Super Modified 12 in a BMW M3.
Both teams placed strongly with Horton finishing in second place in his SM 7 division and Hartling coming fourth overall in the SM 12 group.
Hartling and Horton remain very committed to one day seeing competitive motor sports being hosted in the Turks and Caicos Islands. "We hope that over time we can show the government the positive impact that this sport has had on other Caribbean islands and how it benefits not only the government, but the youth and people of the Islands", stated Hartling.
Horton has had discussions with FIA officials in trying to establish the parameters for getting a long term plan for a phased facility that may start with youth based motorsports and then expand. "We want to try and promote a safe venue for the youth on the island to become involved in racing and motorsports that gives them an outlet and helps them become future competitors we can mentor."
Horton and Hartling also extended thanks and appreciation for those that traveled to Barbados this year to support and cheer on the Turks and Caicos team.
The motoring club's next events will include Horton's team competing in August for the Summer Nights Rally event in Barbados. The Event is 12 Special Stages, consisting of six during the day and six at night. Hartling is preparing his Super Charged Lotus Exige to compete in Canada this September in the five day endurance rally know as Targa Newfoundland.
Provo Water Company receives International accreditation for Water Lab
Provo Water Company today announced to RTC News that they have formally received international accreditation under ISO Standard 17025, placing their laboratory as the first testing laboratory in the Nation to receive this accreditation and the first Water Utility in the Carribean region with an accredited lab.
According to Sherry Bell Parker, It took 3 years to complete this process, she added that there are 3 other labs in the Caribbean that has been recognized & accredited. These include Jamaica & the Cayman Islands.
The accreditation demonstrates the extent of their commitment to providing a safe and reliable water source for the community. The management added that this also confirms that we are committed to providing the highest quality testing services available to the Turks & Caicos islands.
Ministry of Education on GSAT
The Minister of Education today released the results of the 2014 Grade Six Achievement Test for the Turks & Caicos Islands.
This year 411 students wrote the GSAT examinations, where three hundred and forty seven (347) will be eligible to move into High Schools across the Territory.
Sixty Four(64) students will not be moving on to High School at this stage and will have to repeat the GSAT according to the Ministry. The education department noted that these students did not attain the 50% pass mark and is still under the age of 13.
The Ministry congratulated all the teachers, principals, parents and students who successfully wrote the Grade Six Achievement Test. Congratulations were also extended to the schools fielding the top three students that include, Richmond Hill Primary and Precious Treasures.
Congratulations also goes out to the other schools who fielded top ten students including, Oseta Jolly Primary School, Shining Stars Preparatory, Best Institute, Charles Hubert James Primary and Ona Glinton Primary School.
Deputy Premier & Minister of Education, Hon. Akierra M D Missick after receiving the results sent her heart felt congratulations to all the Grade Six Students who participated in the GSAT exams, the Minister comforted those students who did not attain the pass mark, “ do not be discouraged but just see this result as a speed bump in the road to your success. Many more speed bumps will come, but it is how they are overcome that matters.”
TCI reports additional cases of chikungunya
The Ministry of Health and Human Services has received confirmation of an additional four positive cases of chikungunya.
This brings the total number of positive cases for the TCI to six. In addition, the Ministry of Health is also closely monitoring dengue fever cases as a number have recently been reported. These individuals will be followed up according to established protocols and procedures.
Chikungunya is a viral illness, which is spread by the bite of an infected Ae-des aegypti mosquito. Chikungunya was first identified in the Caribbean region in December 2013 in St Martin and has subsequently spread to affect 18 countries in the Caribbean. The disease has progressively spread across the region through close trade and travel links between the Caribbean islands and has even resulted in imported cases being identified in Florida.
Symptoms of chikungunya appear between four and seven days after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito and include fever, joint pain, rashes, headache, nausea and fatigue. Symptoms can last for a few days however joint pain may persist for much longer. See your health care provider if you develop these symptoms. Severe cases of chikungunya requiring hospitalisation are rare. There is no specific medicine to treat chikungunya virus infection or disease.
The Ministry of Health is continuing activities to prevent further spread of these illnesses through public education and enhanced vector control activities throughout the TCI. To protect yourself and your family, the Ministry of Health and Human Services advises persons in the TCI to take the following precautions:
1. Check around buildings for anything that could hold water, inspect your home and yard weekly
2. Turn containers over or cover them
3. Get rid of or cover old tires
4. Properly dispose of all garbage/refuse
5. Cover boats, children’s pools, etc.
6. Clean rain gutters and make sure they are flowing properly
7. Check screens for holes
8. Tightly cover water drums and rain barrels
9. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
10. Apply insect repellents on exposed skin liberally (e.g. repellants containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535)
11. Use mosquito nets at night
12. Use air conditioning when indoors or secure all doors and windows with screens
13. Call the Environmental Health Department to treat large bodies of stagnant water on or around your property.
American Airlines cuts flights to Venezuela
American Airlines says it is cutting almost 80% of its flights to Venezuela from next month.
From July 2, American will operate only 10 flights per week instead of the current 48.
The move comes as part of a continuing dispute over the repatriation of revenue due to tight currency controls in the oil-rich country.
A number of airlines have already suspended or reduced the number of flights to Venezuela.
"Since we are owed a substantial outstanding amount ($750m, £442m to March 2014) and have been unable to reach resolution on the debt, we will significantly reduce our flights to the country after 1 July," the airline said in a statement.
American said it would only fly to Venezuela from Miami, suspending its flights from New York, Dallas and Puerto Rico.
Tight foreign currency controls make it difficult for foreign airlines to repatriate money from ticket sales in Venezuela.
The authorities have restricted access to dollars and want to make them more expensive to purchase, which may lead to losses for companies that are still waiting for cash from as far back as 2012.
The International Air Transport Association (Iata) estimates Venezuela is delaying payment of $4bn.
American Airlines is the largest foreign carrier serving Venezuela.