Black Immigrant Daily News

A strategy to create jobs and rebuild the economy through investment and economic diversification, was the highest priority issue on the agenda at the United Progressive Party (UPP) Public Forum on Monday night.

Antiguan and Barbudan nationals in New York and surrounding areas, got a chance to engage with the members of the UPP team on the final leg of the Diaspora Roadshow throughout the US.

The theme of the initiative was “Partnership for Investment and Nation Building” as the UPP aims to create important linkages to advance its development goals for Antigua and Barbuda. UPP Political Leader Harold Lovell, was joined on the panel by Deputy Political Leader Jamale Pringle, Candidate for St. Mary’s North, Johnathan Joseph and Candidate for St. Phillip South, Sherfield Bowen.

In a frank discussion with scores of Antiguans and Barbudans, the panelists indicated that a number of investment opportunities would be crafted specifically for the Diaspora. Opposition Leader, Hon. Jamale Pringle, reiterated the importance of the Diaspora as a stakeholder group in supporting the development of the country.

“Apart from their traditional roles as boosters of our economy, our nationals in the Diaspora contribute significantly to achieving our national aspirations, beyond their financial contributions. We want to support your interests and rights and to strengthen your ties to the land of your birth or ancestry,” Pringle said.

Lovell announced that a UPP administration would establish a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and that the Consulate Office would be reinstalled to serve the needs of nationals in the North East region.

He also supported the rights of Diasporans to participate in the electoral process and made a commitment to help streamline the voter registration process.

“We will put the structures in place to facilitate the Diaspora in coming back home to vote and we will simplify the process so that they can take advantage of opportunities for investment or homeownership as well,” said Lovell. “When we are masters of our own destiny we strive to become ambassadors of our country, because we recognize that we are no longer doing it for other people but for ourselves.”

The panel responded to questions from the audience on a range of topics including the status of agricultural lands, the public accounts committee, the state of healthcare and education systems, child protection and social programmes. There was concern about infrastructural development in areas such as water, roads and affordable housing.

The Political Leader also highlighted some of the UPP’s major accomplishments while in office. He took the opportunity to refute false claims made by the ABLP two weeks ago at a New York town hall meeting, that the UPP had not secured any hotel investments during its tenure.

“In politics a certain amount of exaggeration might be expected, but it is mind blowing that the Gaston Browne administration would tell such outrageous lies when the evidence is there for all to see,” Lovell said.  Sandals Mediterranean Village, Hermitage Bay, Verandah, Sugar Ridge, Nonsuch Bay and 41 locally owned small properties were cited as properties constructed under the UPP administration.

The Political leader pointed out that while the UPP was proud of its record in tourism, there would be a shift to diversifying the economy by creating linkages between other sectors such as agriculture, culture, technology and education. He encouraged nationals from all disciplines, particularly those with expertise in the aforementioned areas to assist in nation building, by transferring the knowledge and skills that they have acquired.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

ECCB Celebrates 39 Years of Service to ECCU

4 October 2022, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis –

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is celebrating 39 years of maintaining the stability of the EC Currency and unwavering service to the governments and people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

The ECCB was established on 1 October 1983 as the monetary authority for: Anguilla,Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Bank’s primary objective is to maintain the stability of the EC currency and the integrity of the ECCU banking system.

As part of its mandate the ECCB also provides policy advice to its eight member governments and assists with promoting the economic development of its eight member countries.

To mark its 39th Anniversary, the management, staff, retirees and well-wishers of the ECCB joined the congregation at the Pentecostal Church of God, St Kitts, on 2 October for divine worship.

During his address at the service, the Governor of the ECCB, Timothy N. J. Antoine paid tribute to the founders, framers and all others who had contributed to the stability that the ECCB brings to the region.

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News

CRIME SCENE: Policemen and crime scene investigators enter the Krista Park gate community in Mayaro on Monday after other police officers shot dead four bandits who were caught at a house in the compound. Photo by Marvin Hamilton

Up to midday on Tuesday, police from the Eastern Division CID were still trying to identify four men who were shot and killed during a confrontation with police in Mayaro on Monday morning.

Reports were that the bandits tried to rob a businessman at his home.

During the robbery, police were called in and killed the bandits after a shootout.

Investigators said while they could not confirm the identities of the four men, they suspected the bandits may be from Morvant. One officer said they were liaising with officers in the North Eastern Division to confirm this.

He added that it was not uncommon for criminals from outside the Eastern Division to visit the area, commit crimes and return to their own communities to avoid arrest.

He said over the years criminals from Siparia, Princes Town and Moruga have visited the area to commit robberies and warned other criminals that they would be dealt with if found in the division.

“We have a zero-tolerance approach to any criminals we find.

“While we will continue to operate within the confines of the law, we want to remind criminals, no matter where they are from, that they can be apprehended, and if they act violently, they will respond appropriately within our police use-of-force policy.

“So we are prepared to meet force with force.”

One North Eastern Division officer said he had heard speculation the bandits were from Morvant, but was unable to confirm if this was true until fingerprint tracing was completed.

He said another option would be for relatives of the men to come forward and identify the bodies.

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