Enquiry chairman remembers dead divers with compassion, sorrow

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

The five divers employed by a private company hired by Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd to do maintenance work on a 30-inch pipeline in one of the last photos taken at Pointe-a-Pierre on February 25. From left are Christopher Boodram, who survived,
Kazim Ali, Yuseph Henry, Rishi Nagassar and Fyzal Kurban.

A moment of silence was observed for the four divers who died in the Paria tragedy at the formal opening of the commission of enquiry (CoE) on Wednesday.

Commission chairman Jerome Lynch, QC, said it was right that they should be remembered with sorrow and compassion.

“Not just them, but their families and friends who grieve for them. I would ask you to please join with me and observe a minute of silence as a mark of respect for those men who have died and for those whose lives have been changed forever,” the Jamaican jurist asked those in attendance.

On behalf of himself and fellow commissioner subsea specialist Gregory Wilson, he expressed “our heartfelt sadness and suffering and despair caused by this loss of life.

“We are acutely aware these men were fathers and sons, brothers and cousins, friends and colleagues and breadwinners and confidants who provided joy to many.”

While noting that the enquiry cannot bring back Fyzal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Kazim Ali Jr and Yusuf Henry, he said it “can and it will provide answers to the inevitable questions of how a tragedy of this kind could occur in today’s society.”

Lynch said he was shocked.

“Such an incident in a modern country, used to dealing with the extraction of oil and gas and the maintenance of machinery necessary to effect such extraction, is both surprising and tragic in the 21st century.”

He noted that “194 days ago, four men died when something happened that caused them to be sucked into a 30-inch pipeline stretching across the seabed from berth six to berth five.

“The facts are undoubtedly tragic,” he said pledging to get to the truth, leaving no stone unturned to get there.

Lynch has set hearings for November 21-25, December 5-8, December 12-15, and as a contingency, January 9-13, 2023, although he said hopefully that January hearing would not be necessary.

He said a draft report should be completed by Easter.

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Emiten, nuevamente, una advertencia de calor para algunos pueblos de Puerto Rico

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

El Servicio Nacional de Meteorología en San Juan (SNM) emitió, nuevamente, una advertencia de calor que estará en efecto desde las 10 AM hasta las 4 PM. El flujo de vientos del Sur resultará en índices de calor cerca de los 105-110 grados Fahrenheit.   

Además, el viento estará del Sur entre 10 a 15 mph con ráfagas más fuertes y variación en brisa marina. Las temperaturas máximas estarán cerca de los medios 80s a los bajos 90s a través de áreas bajas y en los altos 70s a medios 80s a través de áreas más altas.

Por otra parte, para hoy se esperan cielos nublados con aguaceros pasajeros a través de sectores costeros del Sur de Puerto Rico y aguas locales durante horas de la mañana. Luego, en horas de la tarde, la humedad disponible con los efectos locales y diurnos resultará en el desarrollo de aguaceros, primero a través de la Cordillera Central, desplazándose a través de la costa Norte de Puerto Rico.

Dada las condiciones, se esperan inundaciones urbanas y de pequeños riachuelos, al igual que inundaciones repentinas y deslizamientos en áreas donde los suelos ya se encuentren saturados. 

A través de las aguas regionales, el viento estará desde el Sur a alrededor de 15 nudos. El oleaje estará generalmente en 5 pies o menos. Existe un riesgo moderado de corrientes marinas a través de las costas Norte, Este y Suroeste de Puerto Rico, al igual que Culebra.

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Identifican a mujer cuyo cuerpo fue hallado en estado de descomposición en residencial de Cataño

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

Las autoridades lograron identificar como Exmelinda Navarro, de 58 años, a la mujer cuyo cuerpo fue encontrado en estado de descomposición en el residencial Juan Matos en Cataño.

De acuerdo a la información preliminar, el cadáver, que fue localizado en el dormitorio de un apartamento del Edificio 72, al momento no presentaba signos de violencia. En estos momentos, las autoridades no descartan que la fémina haya muerto debido a una posible sobredosis. El cuerpo fue identificado por familiares de Navarro.

La agente Natasha Pérez, adscrita al distrito de Cataño, y la fiscal Rosalyn García Pastrana, se hicieron cargo de la investigación.  

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“Siempre tenemos que tener opciones”, dice secretaria de la gobernación sobre posibilidad de cambiar a LUMA

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

La secretaria de la gobernación, Noelia García, expresó en RADIO ISLA que “siempre tenemos que tener opciones” ante la posibilidad de cambiar a LUMA Energy.

“Siempre tenemos que estar vigilantes para que lo que no tenga los resultados que son los que espera Puerto Rico, tenga otras alternativas”, dijo García. 

Esto, luego de que se le preguntó múltiples veces si el gobierno está buscando posibles alternativas para reemplazar a la empresa que administra los sistemas de transmisión y distribución de energía de Puerto Rico. 

Pendientes a RADIO ISLA para más información.  

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Clientenan di FUNARI a disfruta di un dia di inolvidabel

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Diario

ORANJESTAD (AAN):  Manera ya ta conoci den nos comunidad, Stichting FUNARI,

ta un entidad cu un trayectoria cu mas di 45 aña, den planificacion y ehecucion di proyecto y programa nan pa tur esnan discapacita na Aruba, pero cu kier desaroya nan mes pa por hiba un bida mas independiente. Esaki ta un grupo cu mester di tur debido atencion y cu danki na e programa nan cual ta wordo diseña strategicamente, a logra cu hopi ta esnan cu por a hasi un diferencia cu nan talento of conocemento, cual den pasado nan no tabata kere ta posibel.

            Adicional di e tipo di programa nan diario cu e FUNARI tin disponibel na nan Centro na Savaneta, e Stichting ta organiza tambe diferente programa nan social, cual ta sirbi pa stimula e cliente nan pa participa of sali y experencia actividadnan diferente, pero cu tin alavez un balor agrega na nan desaroyo psicologico como tambe fisico.

            Recientemente, un total di 12 cliente di Funari hunto cu e coordinadora di Funari, Sra. Brenda Rasmijn y un grupo di voluntario, a disfruta di un dia sumamente placentero na Mangel Halto. Esaki tabata posibel, danki pa e cooperacion di e team Cuerpo di Bombero.

            Nan a duna un tremendo cooperacion pa duna asistencia na e cliente nan cu tabata den rol stoel of cu dificultad pa move, pa nan tambe por a forma parti di e dia aki. E sonrisa nan proyecta mediante e relato fotografico sigur ta confirma esaki. Un aspecto di suma importancia cu nos mester tene na cuenta ta, cu cualkier actividad diferente di locual e cliente nan ta custumbra pa hasi, ta un estimulo y terapia pa nan por hasi ehercicio tanto fisico y mental cu sigur ta contribui pa nan desaroya nan mes y reconoce nan potential pa surpasa cualkier miedo of inseguridad cu nan por tin. Pa nan sorpresa, Sr. Louis Wernet, un voluntario di Funari a bin celebra su hacimento di aña cu e grupo pa asina hasi e dia ainda mas special pa e cliente nan.

            E grupo di cliente a disfruta di nos lama na un localidad di Aruba cu hopi biaha, ta dificil pa nan por tin acceso na dje. Danki na e bon coordinacion y cooperacion di e team di Funari cu a organiza e evento aki como tambe e cooperacion duna door di voluntario nan y Cuerpo di Bombero, tur cliente a disfruta di un dia diferente y inolvidabel.

            Na final di dia, e cliente nan a wordo transporta bek na nan hogar. E logra principal pa tanto e Bestuur como e team di FUNARI ta, cu tur cliente a disfruta di un actividad exitoso pero cu a duna nan alavez e satisfaction y confirmacion cu nan limitacion no ta un motibo pa cual nan no por hiba un bida yena di momento nan di alegria, mescos cu cualkier otro habitante den nos comunidad.







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E sabor amargo di un avestruz cu lo tabata come placa

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Diario

Corte di Husticia y e ruta di un  araña riba terenonan di Aruba

*E impresion fastioso cu pa bira miyonario mester ta politico 

ORANJESTAD (AAN) — Uno di e factornan cu a tene nos mas ocupa for di 2018 ta, e trabounan pa decifra tur informacion financiero di Aruba cu tabata parce di tabata scondi tras di un cielo di fantasia cu a spart for di otro.

Palabra por bisa hopi pero cifra ta papia un palabra cla, sigur si tene cuenta cu na Aruba ley ta dicidi riba e uzo di placa di Pueblo di Aruba.

Ayera mientras Benny Sevinger tabata haci su entrada na Corte di Husticia, uno di e epocanan mas asombroso den nos historia, tabata culmina den acusacionnan di Husticia contra Benny Sevinger y cantidad di otro acusado.

Asombroso, pasobra ta increibel con e Gobierno di cual Benny Sevinger tabata parti di 2009 te 2017, a hunga cu placa y interes di Aruba manera tanto rapport ta sugeri.

Nos ta tene duro na e rapport Bo Aruba cu cantidad di proyecto cu semper lo keda rondona pa misterio mescos cu e cantidad di “contratistanan chikito” den ehecucion di cierto proyectonan, cu ta manera fantasma den mondo politico scur.

Reglanan cu mester a garantisa pa Pueblo por a controla con 1.6 Biyon a wordo entrega na proyecto apto pa tur wega politico cu hende por inventa, a wordo kibra.

1.6 Biyon mester tabata parti di e placa di Pueblo cu a lora sin ningun control debido den creacion di un debe nacional y weganan politico cu Citgo, cu tambe a exigi un capital pa atende cu generalnan y comandantenan Venezolano.

No tabata ningun sorpresa cu den e caso di Husticia contra Benny Sevinger, placa lo a hunga un papel importante.

Mientras Benny Sevinger tabata na caminda pa Sala di Corte ayera, nos tabata prepara pa scucha cuanto placa segun acusacionnan lo a lora den loke por considera compra y benta ilegal di terenonan di Aruba.

Diferente articulo riba e proceso legal den Corte lo splica e acusacionnan di Huez. Nos kier para keto na e realidad mas grandi cu ta bini dilanti den otro caso di politiconan acusa di corupcion, di abuso di nan puesto.

Na e momentonan aki, manera rapportnan hasta na Hulanda y Merca ta trece dilanti, hamber y pobresa creciente ta un problema serio. E cantidad di hende pober mundialmente ta crece debi na aumento di prijs y henter e situacion mundial.

Si scucha loke a bini dilanti ayera den Corte, e impresion ta wordo crea, cu pa come bolo y steak hende mester bira politico.

Den otro articulo lo papia di e donacionnan cu ta bay pa partidonan politico cu segun por comprende di un acusado por lo menos, ta politico cu ta inspira pa haya placa pa e por haya voto.

Nos a keda atras cu e sabor amargo di un avestruz cu lo tabata come placa segun acusacionnan legal y hasta nos ta puntra nos mes cu ta pasobra avestruz ta come placa, e ta hinca su cabez den santo pa hende no mira su boca.

Ayera ora Benny Sevinger tabata yega e edificio di Corte di Husticia, e garantia cu democracia mester brinda den eleccionnan liber, a cuminsa tembla.

Kico lo pasa cu e confiansa di Pueblo den su sistema democratico mientras e caso contra Benny Sevinger como acusado principal, ta desaroya?

Con placa realmente por lora den mundo politico, cu ta kita oportunidad di e pober cu no por come y ta habri caminda pa hende golos cu ta uza loke ta di Pueblo pa nan bira Miyonario?

Paso pa paso nos ta sigui e araña cu lo ta biba den un cas cu corupcion lo a comberti den algo mas cu un cas!

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Pakico Gabinete Mike Eman a haya un Aanwijzing y KB na 2014?

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Diario

MEP: — ORANJESTAD (AAN): Durante e periodo di gobernacion di Gabinete Mike Eman di 2010 pa 2017

Aruba a conoce e gobierno di mas malo den su historia. Gabinete Eman a hiba un maneho financiero desastroso creando deficitnan astronomico y cu a hiba gobierno na un Aanwijzing y KB na 2014.

Hecho ta cu te ainda ningun hende por saca afo pakico Gabinete Eman mester a endeuda e pais di e forma drastico y cruel aki, ya cu na nan yegada den gobierno nan a hereda 970 miyon florin cu Gabinete Oduber a laga atras na final di 2009. Alavez no tabatin ningun necesidad pa crece nos debe nacional barbaramente ya durante e periodo ey NO tabatin pandemia ni crisis financiero mundial ni prijsnan astronomico di petroleo y gasolin! 

Deficitnan 2010-2014

Deficitnan na 2010 di 188.6 mln, 2011: 325.2 mln, 2012: 443.3 mln, 2013: 332.8 mln y 2014: 405.8 mln. Den total 1.7 Biyon florin extra na nos debe nacional den apenas 5 aña.

E resultado di e maneho financiero desastroso y di e Megadebe tabata un Aanwijzing y KB implementa riba Gabinete Mike Eman dia 11 juli 2014 y cual a conduci tambe na entrada di Comision di Supervision Financiero CAFT pa Aruba na mei 2015. Siguramente esaki tabata un traicion imperdonabel di nos autonomia financiero cometi pa Mike Eman y su partido AVP. 

Deficitnan 2020-2023

Deficitnan na 2020 di 1028.8 mln, 2021: 585 mln, 2022: 148.2 mln y 2023: 25 mln.

Gabinete Evelyn Wever Croes – despues di a logra un surplus di 4 miyon florin na 2019 – di dia pa anochi a ser confronta na maart 2020 cu un pandemia devastador y cu a ruina nos economia y finansas publico dramaticamente. Logicamente e pandemia a trece cune cu e deficit na 2020 a crece grandemente, sinembargo esaki a reduci drasticamente na 2021 y 2022 y lo sigui reduci na 2023 y e añanan siguiente. Hecho ta cu Aruba tabata e pais mas afecta na mundo, caminda e entradanan di gobierno a cay cu 834 miyon florin den 3 aña sigui. 

Mas reto pa e gobierno actual

Tur esaki mientras cu te ainda nos ta cosechando e efectonan negativo di e guera di Rusia y Ucraina cu inflacion dramatico y prijsnan di crudo nunca visto. Y no mester lubida cu desde 2018 e gobierno actual a haya su mes ta paga pa e proyectonan PPP pa un suma di 85 miyon florin pa aña y durante 30 aña largo y tambe e 253 miyon florin na pago di interes riba nos Megadebe causa grandemente pa e locura di Mike Eman y su partido AVP. 

Ta p’esey partido MEP ta condena e forma con partidonan politico di oposicion ultimamente ta crea panico innecesario den pueblo bisando cu e gobierno actual lo haya un Aanwijzing y KB. E cifranan di deficit ta papia pa nan mes caminda tur hende mes por mira e diferencia di e deficitnan crea durante Gabinete Eman sin cu tabatin un pandemia y e deficitnan crea durante Gabinete Wever Croes cu un pandemia devastador cu a afecta tur hende den e comunidad aki, incluso nos opositornan. Pues ban bolbe bek na realidad y hunto traha pa progreso di e pais aki.


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Sistema electoral ta tene AVP responsabel pa araña

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Diario

Benny no por tabata Ministro of den Parlamento sin lista politico

*Benny a bira Ministro a base di participacion di AVP na eleccion

*E responsabilidad di partido politico den e caso Avestruz analisa 

ORANJESTAD (AAN) — Awe un caso penal historico ta haya su inicio. Otro caso den cual directamente un politico ta envolvi. Un politico den funcion den Parlamento y acusa di a abusa di su participacion den pasado den Gobierno di Aruba.

Na momento cu Benny Sevinger presenta den Corte di Husticia, ta e representante oficial di partido AVP ta presenta dilanti Huez.

Pa por comprende e realidad di presentacion di un Ministro como acusado den Corte di Husticia, mester tene na consideracion e sistema electoral di Aruba cu no conoce persona como participante na eleccion pero partido cu ta presenta nan candidatonan pa Pueblo dicidi kende lo goberna e pais.

Benny Sevinger no por a participa na eleccion y presenta awe como Miembro di Parlamento dilanti Corte di Husticia como ciudadano Benny Sevinger.

Poniendo un banda e cantidad di voto cu el a haya of no haya, e base di eleccion di Aruba ta dicidi cu ta AVP a participa na eleccion y cu ta como parti di e lista di AVP, Benny Sevinger a haya oportunidad pa awe ta Miembro di  Parlamento.

E hecho cu Benny Sevinger ta wordo huzga pa loke el a haci of no a haci durante e tempo cu e tabata Ministro encarga entre otro cu terenonan di Aruba, cu segun acusacion a bira negoshi, ta nifica cu awe Partido AVP den persona di Benny Sevinger ta dilanti Huez.

Segun Leynan di Aruba, e sistema democratico pa alcansa un Gobierno di Pueblo, ta bira realidad pa medio di partidonan politico.

Na momento cu Benny Sevinger a bira Miembro di Gobierno di Mike Eman, e tabata representante di e partido AVP cu a dicidi cu su persona lo a dirigi asuntonan di tereno pa Aruba.

Ta AVP a haya e votonan necesario pa por a forma e Gobiernonan di Mike Eman, cu tabata tin Benny Sevinger como Ministro participante di un Gobierno.

E sistema electoral di Aruba ta entrega na un partido e decision, kende e ta presenta como su candidatonan na Pueblo di Aruba ya cu den eleccion Pueblo no por vota pa un persona sin cu e ta riba lista di un partido.

Ta partidonan ta carga candidatonan pa bira Miembro di Parlamento y asina tambe gobernantenan di Aruba, cu ta keda responsabilidad directo di e partido politico, como vehiculo pa un persona segun Leynan di Aruba, participa na eleccion.

Awe caso Avestruz ta papia directamente di e responsabilidad grandi di un partido politico den observacion y guia di e trabou cu politiconan tanto den Parlamento como den Gobierno ta haci den su nomber.

Na e momentonan aki AVP no ta lucha solamente pa Benny Sevinger, cu autoridad criminal si por persigui personalmente, wordo declara inocente den Corte.

E partido cu ta representa segun ley directamente den e persona di Benny Sevinger como Miembro di Parlamento y como Gobernante den pasado, sigur ta haya un mancha atrobe si Benny Sevinger resulta culpabel pasobra e partido a haci posibel pa Benny a participa na tur eleccion y haya funcion.

Democracia ta nifica representacion di Pueblo den Parlamento y Gobierno, na cual na Aruba solamente pa medio di un partido Pueblo por dicidi.

E partido mester vigila tur accion di su representante den Parlamento y den Gobierno, pa cual e ta keda directamente responsabel.

Pa un persona subi lista di un partido, generalmente ta investiga un persona y ta sigui pasonan di un persona, cu ta haya penalty y ta wordo saca for di e partido si e no comporta su mes.

Den e caso aki sigur hopi pregunta tocante e partido AVP ta wordo lanza debi na e hecho cu parti importante di e otro acusadonan ta conoci den fila di AVP mientras e lider di AVP, Mike Eman, a profila su mes como uno di e personanan mas cerca di Benny Sevinger tanto den politica como den bida personal.

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CABINET Notes Of Wednesday, September 7 2022

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room
Hurst

HURST REPORTS ON CABINET Of Wednesday, September 7 2022

The Cabinet commenced its meeting at about 10:45 am with customary prayers by a Minister of Religion; all members present, except one who chose the virtual means because of his absence from the State. The meeting ended at 5:00 pm, or nearly six hours later; the time was characterized by robust debate, intelligent decision-making, and wide consensus.

The Cabinet invited Rai Benjaminson of outstanding cricketer Winston Benjamin–who was a silver medalist in the last Olympics and the World Championships (in the 400 meter hurdles race)to its meeting today. Although he competed on the USA’s team, Rai Benjamin was socialized, and schooled in Antigua; he is a graduate of the Antigua Grammar School before migrating to the USA. The Prime Minister invited the Olympian medalist and his family to meet with Cabinet to congratulate him for his success, to confirm his appointment as an Antigua and Barbuda cultural/sporting Ambassador, and to be a strong advocate for other Antigua and Barbuda athletes seeking opportunities abroad. Rai Benjamin confirmed that he was more than happy to play those roles and provided the Cabinet members a list of deficiencies that would have to be cured if the Antigua and Barbuda athletes were to be able to make it to the very top. They included an increased number of coaches, additional tracks that meet the same standard as YASCO, and more track meets, both regional and international. The Cabinet proposed more intense Parish-based clubs to foster greater competition. He noted that success is often determined 90% by the psyche, and a very small percentage that can be buttressed by better equipment and more practice.
The Cabinet also invitedone of Rai’s coaching experts from the United States to attend its meeting and to consider him for turning out more successful athletes. The international coaching expert believes that the best coaching begins at childhood and continues through adulthood. In fact, coaches can gain certification and can also find places in the United States and elsewhere, once they are recognized as having high achievement results. The Minister of Sports confirmed that proper training and exposure will bring global attention to Antigua and Barbuda, once the investment is made at an athlete’s early age; Antigua and Barbuda is at that stage at this moment. The Sports Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are scheduled to meet with the Antigua and Barbuda coaches to develop a program to identify talent at an early age and to upgrade our talent.
The Cabinet questioned the Minister of Health on theSLBMC Emergency Room challenge, where those residents who go there for treatment must seemingly wait for a very long time to receive attention. The Minister of Health explained that it is not uncommon for personnel assigned to the Emergency Room to call-in sick and, therefore, to reduce the number of personnel available to treat the sick. He also explained that many patients who show up at the emergency room are really in need of “urgent care” and not “emergency care”. He said that the Director of the SLBMC surveyed a number of patients who sought treatment at the Emergency Room (E.R.) in a fixed period; the diagnosis offered by the doctors concluded that less than 50% of the patients were of real “emergencies”, but in need of “urgent care”. The Sir Lester Bird Medical Center is therefore planning to increase the number of doctors and nurses assigned to thhe Emergency Room and to quickly determine which patients fall into which of the two groups and to treat them accordingly.
The Cabinet repeated its determination to reduce the cost of gasoline by $1.05 XCD beginning today,Wednesday, lowering the amounts to be paid by drivers. Further adjustments are to be made, all are to reflect the degree to which prices on the spot market decrease. An examination of the history of price decreases and price increases between 2004-2014 show that changes were made 17 times, the highest being $16.45 per gallon; and, the lowest being $12.15 per gallon in early 2004.
The Cabinet reiterated that taxes on flour havebeen eliminated in order to keep the cost of bread at a very low and stable price. One of the important sources of calories has been the bread consumed by the Antigua and Barbuda people; however, bread is a major contributor to NCDs when eaten in high quantities. Cabinet advises against the over consumption of this product.
The Cabinet has agreed to reintroduce a GunAmnesty that will last until the end of the year 2022. Illegal firearms can be turned over to any police station in exchange for which a sum of money is to be offered. The object is to take illegal guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals. The start of the program will soon be announced.

iii. Cabinet members have been informed by scrutineers that an unusually high number of electors have been transferring their registration into the Constituency of St. Peters. The Cabinet will launch an investigation, and the candidate will prosecute “claims and objections” of those who have untruthfully and unlawfully transferred their registration to that constituency while remaining resident in another.

The Fort James Reverse Osmosis plant is operational providing 500,000 gallons of potable water daily, adding to the daily supply of 7million gallons. A formal turn-over of the plant will take place on Friday 9th September. The increase water pressure has caused older pipes and valves to spring leaks; APUA will work on repairing the ruptured pipes. Residents in nearby communities have reported an increase in water supply around the clock, and applaud the APUA.
The Cabinet has received additional requests for STEM Cells operators to apply their trade in Antigua and Barbuda. The country is becoming known as the STEMCell capital of the region, since many wealthy clients favour coming to Antigua because of the well-known capabilities of the doctors that are administering the STEM treatment, and the beauty of the island.
The Cabinet is considering making changes to the law governing the burial of persons who died of a communicable diseases,such as COVID. The existing law requires burial within 24 hours of death and no funeral. The amended law will allow for seven (7) days before burial could take place and also an open casket for a very short period of time; no touching of the body is to be allowed.
The Cabinet has agreed to assist the national footballer whose throat cancer willlikely not allow him to speak ever again.
The Minister of Lands and Housing announced that 12 homes out of a planned 600 homes,at Olivers, have been completed. All the homes in phase 1 of the project have already been assigned to new homeowners. Over 6000 applications were submitted for this housing project. More homes are to be constructed but there is a shortage of skilled building professionals who have reportedly moved on to join the PLH project in Barbuda. A skill-shortage is being experienced in the booming construction industry.

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Enquiry chairman remembers dead divers with compassion,sorrow

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

The five divers employed by a private company hired by Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd to do maintenance work on a 30-inch pipeline in one of the last photos taken at Pointe-a-Pierre on February 25. From left are Christopher Boodram, who survived,
Kazim Ali, Yuseph Henry, Rishi Nagassar and Fyzal Kurban.

A moment of silence was observed for the four divers who died in the Paria tragedy at the formal opening of the commission of enquiry (CoE) on Wednesday.

Commission chairman, Jerome Lynch, QC, said it is right that they should be remembered with sorrow and compassion.

“Not just them, but their families and friends who grieve for them. I would ask you to please join with me and observe a minute of silence as a mark of respect for those men who have died and for those whose lives have been changed forever,” the Jamaica jurist asked those in attendance.

On behalf of himself and fellow commissioner including subsea specialist Gregory Wilson, he expressed, “our heartfelt sadness and suffering and despair caused by this loss of life.

“We are acutely aware these men were fathers and sons, brothers and cousins, friends and colleagues and breadwinners and confidants who provided joy to many.”

While noting that the enquiry cannot bring back Fyzal Kurban, Rishi Nagassar, Kazim Ali Jr and Yusuf Henry, “it can and it will provide answers to the inevitable questions of how a tragedy of this kind could occur in today’s society.”

Lynch said that he was shocked by the incident.

“Such an incident in a modern country, used to dealing with the extraction of oil and gas and the maintenance of machinery necessary to effect such extraction, is both surprising and tragic in the 21st century.”

He noted that, “194 days ago, four men died when something happened that caused them to be sucked into a 30-inch pipeline stretching across the seabed from berth six to berth five.

“The facts are undoubtedly tragic,” he said pledging to get to the truth, leaving no stone unturned to get there.

Lynch has set hearings for November 21-25, December 5-8, December 12-15, and as a contingent, January 9-13, 2023, although he said hopefully that January hearing would not be necessary.

He said a draft report should be completed by Easter.

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