分类： Society

Police today conducted mobile patrols across several neighborhoods including All Saints, Liberta, Freemans Village, Grays Farm, Ottos, Radio Range, St. Johnstons Village, St. Johns City, Villa, Point, Sea View Farm, Piggotts, Cassada Gardens, and Clarehall.

The patrol, held this week focused particularly on the City area, where law enforcement officers engaged with the public, conducting searches for prohibited items.

During these operations, a number of individuals were searched, resulting in the confiscation of several weapons, including knives and scissors.

Renovation work has begun on the historic Deluxe Cinema in St John’s as the government moves to transform the venue into a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Facility, officials have confirmed.

Education Minister Daryll Matthew, speaking on the Browne and Browne radio programme, said the upgrades are part of wider efforts to expand the country’s creative industries.

The development is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise post-secondary education and create formal pathways for careers in the arts and cultural sectors.

🎥 Watch the accompanying video below:

Workers repave a section of the main road in Jennings as part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving road safety and pedestrian access.

The Ministry of Agriculture officially launched its 2025 Internship Programme on Monday 30th June, welcoming a young cohort of interns during an opening ceremony held at the Point Wharf Fisheries Complex Conference Room.

The programme, which runs for one month, offer participants hands-on exposure across key departments within the Ministry and in other related areas, including Extension, Fisheries, Veterinary & Livestock, Communications, Agro-processing, Beekeeping and Aquaponics/Hydroponics.

The ceremony opened with a prayer led by Mrs. Carol-Faye Bynoe-George/Head of the Communications Unit and the MOA Internship Coordinator. Additionally, messages were delivered from Honourable Minister Anthony Smith jr., and Mr. Gregory Bailey/ Director of Agriculture because they both were unable to attend due to other duties overseas. Later, she delivered the vote of thanks, encouraging interns to view the experience not just as a placement, but as an opportunity to shape their professional journey.

Mrs. Nicolette Francis, Education Officer for Agricultural Science at the Ministry of Education, delivered brief remarks. She urged interns to remain curious, professional, and proactive. “Agriculture is evolving,” she said, “and you are stepping into a space where your contribution can matter.”

This internship is designed to give serious Agricultural Science students meaningful field experience, deepen their understanding of the agricultural sector, and introduce them to the real-world demands of public service.

Present were fifteen interns which consisted of nine females and six males ages ranging from 15 – 20years old. The combination included young persons from Antigua Girls High School, Antigua Grammar School, Clare Hall Secondary School, Irene B Williams Secondary School. Jennings Secondary School, Princess Margaret Secondary School, Sir McChesney George Secondary School, Sir Novelle Richards Academy and a former student of the Christ the King High School who is currently pursuing a degree in Agricultural Economics.

Fresh energy meets fertile ground — and the season of learning has begun.

The Rotary Club of Antigua on Saturday completed another transition phase in the leadership of the Club.

In a symbolic Handover ceremony, which took place at the Tradewinds Hotel on Saturday 28th July 2025, the body celebrated the achievements of the Rotary Year 2024-2025 with the handover of leadership from outgoing President Sherrie-Ann Brazier to incoming President Elisa Graham.

Ahead of the official pinning and awards, Guest Speaker, Senator Kiz Johnson, made a thought-provoking presentation on the fitting topic “The Power of Service”, where she emphasized that “serving others sometimes builds the very bridges that you or your loved ones may need to cross one day”, thus explaining the significance of selfless service in keep with the Club’s motto “Service Above Self”.

In her parting words to the outgoing leadership team and her motivational welcome to the incoming board, Senator Johnson expressed, “Service to humanity is the best work of life.

To the outgoing leadership, thank you for your incredible service. To the incoming team, best wishes as you take up the mantle and continue the journey”.

In her farewell address as the Club’s outgoing President, Sherrie-Ann Brazier, reflected on the feats in Rotary’s areas of focus during the 2024-2025 Rotary year and thanked the outgoing Board of Directors and Rotarians for their support.

She also extended well wishes to incoming President Elisa and board for the new Rotary Year.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to every member who brought their magic. Your service, enthusiasm, and dedication have demonstrated that Rotary’s true magic lies in our collective effort to serve humanity.

As we turn the page to a new chapter, I am energized by our theme for 2025/26—”Unite for Good.” When we come together with purpose and passion, we create a magic that transforms lives and communities.

I leave you with this thought: the true magic of Rotary lies not just in what we do, but in who we are – people committed to making a difference, united in purpose, and inspired by service”, she posited.

Another highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of Rotarians who went above and beyond and exemplified hard work and dedication throughout the Rotary Year.

The award for Director of the Year went to Previous Assistant Governor, Previous President and Service Projects Director- Paul Ryan, who also received the inaugural “The Seat Never Empty Award” in memory of late Rotarian Wilden Gardener.

Rotarian of the Year Award was awarded to outgoing Secretary, Jo-Anne Scotland -Gilkes.

With a new leadership team in place, the Rotary Club of Antigua is set to build on its successes and overall impact in the community through this year’s guiding principle: Unite for Good as coined by Rotary International.

In her first official address, incoming President Elisa expressed thanks to family, friends and the Club for the opportunity to lead the organization for the next year.

She outlined that the message “Unite for Good” captures the heart of the Club’s mission—to bring together individuals from all walks of life to make a positive and lasting difference.

“We are embarking on an exciting journey as we continue to build upon the strong foundation of the previous leadership of the Rotary Club of Antigua.

As President, it is my hope to strengthen our current projects, lead impactful initiatives, expand our reach, and increase the visibility of our Club.

In a world filled with challenges, Rotary remains a beacon of hope. “Unite for Good” is not just a slogan—it is a movement.

Whether we are eradicating disease, supporting education, addressing hunger, or helping communities in need, our collective impact is powerful and far-reaching”.

She noted that this year, there will be increased focused on growing the Club while keeping members engaged, continue efforts to support the global eradication of Polio through the Rotary Foundation, launch targeted projects focused on mentorship, literacy, education, and life skills—especially for vulnerable youth-with intent to renovate the National Youth Intervention Centre, , enhance and develop new partnerships for scholarship opportunities through the Club’s relationship with the University of the West indies, Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) and the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education (ABICE).

The Club will also continue its legacy projects to include: Education Through Technology, its Sewing Project (active in 12 sewing centres across the island) and its Meals on Wheels initiative.

President Elisa emphasized the importance of the public’s support of the Club’s annual fundraiser- this year Colours of the Wild Wild West, which plays a significant role in financing impactful projects and donations to the community annually.

This year the event will take place at the Coolidge Cricket Grounds on Saturday 19th July 2025 from 8pm -2am.

President Elisa then administered the oath of office to her new board of directors, namely: Immediate Past President Sherrie-Ann Brazier; President Elect Anastasia Wilson; Vice President Vanetta Rodgers; Secretary Nikki Laville Benjamin; Treasurer Kadesh Bailey; Rotary Foundation Director Evangeline Allen; Membership Chair Samoya Kirby; Club Administrator Linda Watkins; Service Projects Director Paul Ryan; Youth Services Director Rosanne Emmanuel; Public Image Chair Sherwyn Greenidge; and Training Officer Denise Armstrong.

Rotary International’s motto of “Service Above Self” will remain at the heart of every initiative, and the newly appointed Board is determined to create lasting change for future generations.

Port workers in Antigua and Barbuda marked a historic milestone on Monday as both bargaining units convened jointly under the sole representation of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) for the first time.

The gathering at Freedom Hall brought together administrative staff, equipment operators, mechanics, security personnel, and longshoremen, all rallying behind a unified cause.

Addressing the packed hall, ABWU Deputy General Secretary Chester Hughes declared: “One port, one mission, one union!”

A key focus of the meeting was the union’s stance on the ongoing use of contract workers for positions traditionally held by permanent staff. The ABWU’s negotiating team, also present at the meeting, pledged to prioritise this issue in upcoming talks.

The union said it intends to challenge the practice and push for stronger employment standards across the port.

Marcus Garvey, the well known Jamaican born political activist, once echoed the sentiments that ” A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin & culture is like a tree without roots.

The statement is very profound and in my view it relates with our young people residing in our communities who seems to have very little knowledge of the history of the community they live in.

Perhaps, I will conclude that it is no fault of theirs because we, the older ones, should be blamed for the failure of putting in place a platform, so that the historical data of our legends / icons and the metamorphosis of the community are preserved and be passed on to the younger generation.

Interestingly, our communities comprise of several alcoholics, drug addicts, amputees and persons who may be presently be viewed as insignificant, are seen traversing the streets of the community but surprisingly, they are not known and given the respect for the outstanding contributions they once made to the communities they lived in and by extension, the country they had represent.

It is extremely sad to see that throughout the length & breadth of Antigua, there are no libraries erected or social media portals constructed in either community, to highlight & keep alive as to who these people are, and the contribution they’ve made to their beloved community.

I think the time is now that our community groups should begin to be conscientious of their community’s history and hence, construct a library or a Social media platform to host and showcase these outstanding persons whose life stories can be utilized to inspire and educate the masses, especially the younger ones.

There is no doubt, communities like Gray’s Green, Point & Villa, Bolans, Pares, Liberta, just to name a few have produced some extremely outstanding persons in sports, politics, academics and culture and would have some rich history behind them.

Although, the life styles for these people may have deteriorated, the respect & acknowledgement should always be there for them. An edifice or a Social media page to host their bio & photo will certainly keep their contribution alive.

Alex

Restoration work on the Buckleys water storage tank is nearing completion after being out of service for about five years due to erosion and deterioration of its floor.

Utilities Minister, the Honourable Melford Nicholas, visited the site on Monday and confirmed that the first stage of restoration is complete, with full completion expected within weeks.

“This tank had a capacity of about 660,000 imperial gallons of water. One of the communities that is going to benefit immediately when this tank goes back into service would be the St Paul’s community,” Minister Nicholas said.

Acting Water Business Unit Manager Jason Peters explained that restoring the tank will ease pressure on the network.

“What we will do is fill this tank and then it will be gravity-fed, so you would not necessarily need pumping to move water in various directions,” Peters said. “That will create less stress on the network, particularly the Buckleys Main Road, where we are also going to be doing some repiping.”

A magnetic crawler will be used for sandblasting the tank as part of APUA’s collaboration with Ethos Steel Engineering. Peters noted that the team is committed to meeting the Minister’s call for high standards.

“In all the interviews with the Minister, he has been very clear and sharp that he doesn’t want to cut corners in the repairs of these assets,” Peters said. “In response, we are committed to bringing top-notch technology.”

APUA will soon conduct vacuum testing on the tank’s seams to ensure there are no leaks before applying a protective paint.

“Just to assure the public, while we say we’re going to paint it, the paint is merely to protect the metal,” Peters explained. “There is certainly no risk of contamination or any health hazards. The coating is simply to protect the tank surfaces and prolong its life.”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of July.

Minister with responsibility for ICTs, Utilities and Energy, the Hon. Melford Nicholas, inspected the construction site the reverse osmosis plant at the Ivan Rodriguez Water Plant, a vital project aimed at significantly boosting the island’s water production capacity.This facility, a collaborative effort between the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) and the Seven Seas Water Group, is being erected at Barnacle Point.The centerpiece of the project is a state-of-the-art reverse osmosis plant, poised to augment the daily water output substantially. The plant is projected to generate an additional 2 million imperial gallons of water each day, offering a much-needed solution to the persistent water shortage issues.

During the Minister’s visit, System Management Specialist at APUA’s Business Management Unit and Project Manager Sean Peters comprehensively explained the plant’s intricate operational mechanisms, with a particular focus on the high-pressure motor pumps that are integral to the reverse osmosis process.

He meticulously detailed the journey of the seawater, from its initial intake to the sophisticated filtration procedures designed to remove impurities and sediment.The project has also taken into account the harsh coastal environment, with the crucial connection being strategically relocated underground to mitigate the corrosive effects of the salty air and prolong the lifespan of the infrastructure. Sean asserts that most of the equipment is weather-resistant.

Acting Water Manager Jason “Basu” Peters offered insights into the project’s timeline and progress. He acknowledged that the construction schedule had experienced some setbacks due to inclement weather, and cement supply issues.

However, he reassured that with the 28 tradesmen, including some from APUA, significant milestones were on the horizon, with the casting of the processing unit and the floor foundations anticipated to take place within the coming weeks.Minister Nicholas emphasized the importance of operational efficiency, remote management, and automation in the transfer of best practices.Addressing the plant’s power requirements, Jason Peters highlighted the installation of two on-site transformers, which will collectively provide approximately 2 megawatts of power to sustain the plant’s operations.

In the realm of contingency planning, Jason Peters addressed the crucial aspect of backup power. He clarified that the current design does not incorporate a built-in backup power system directly at the Ivan Rodriguez plant.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that proactive discussions are actively underway to strategically deploy generators at key power plant locations across the island.This strategic placement of generators is intended to ensure uninterrupted water production, even in scenarios where the main power grid experiences disruptions.Furthermore, Jason Peters noted that while the Crabbes plant doesn’t necessitate a generator due to its central role as an electricity hub, the Fort James and Ffreys plants are under consideration for generator installations.

This measure is aimed at safeguarding water production from disruptions, especially during major storm events.The new Seven Seas Reverse Osmosis Plant is being developed over a 12-year built-own-transfer agreement between APUA and Seven Seas.