May 18, 2012

Foul play suspected in death of British AIDS expert

May 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

Hilary Hudges Augustin

CASTRIES, St Lucia – Questions are being raised about the death of an Englishwoman who relocated to St Lucia with her Rastafarian husband.

Hilary Hughes-Augustin, an expert on AIDS, died in a St Lucia hospital two weeks after she was admitted for the treatment of undisclosed injuries.

The 50-year-old woman’s death was initially believed to be a “sudden accident”, but police told Britain’s Mail on Sunday that it was now the subject of a “possible murder” investigation after a post-mortem examination raised suspicions of foul play.

According to the report, Hughes-Augustin’s devastated father Barry Hughes, a professor of civil engineering at Birmingham University, said he was waiting for news from the police following his daughter’s death earlier this month.

“There’s not much we can say at the moment. We may know more in a few days,” he told the newspaper.

Police initially said Hughes-Augustin, who styled her hair in dreadlocks after marrying a local Rastafarian understood to be Cleus Augustin, had been the victim of a tragic accident.

But, according to the Mail report, Sergeant Emmanuel, acting inspector in charge of the criminal investigation division of the Royal St Lucia Police, said: “What was thought to be an accident could now turn into a murder investigation.”

“The evidence warrants a full criminal investigation. We need to establish the merit of this case and have not ruled out this being a murder as opposed to an accident, as was originally thought,” the officer reportedly said.

A doctor at the hospital where Hughes-Augustin was treated said a post-¬mortem examination concluded that her death “was not sudden” as police had said, the Mail report continued.

The Mail also noted that Hughes-Augustin had petitioned for divorce against her husband in April last year. She was seeking to have the marriage dissolved on the grounds that it had lasted less than five years.

Police were quoted as saying that Hughes-Augustin and her husband bought a small house in the rural north-west of the island.  Officers paid her a visit after she complained of being defrauded in a land transaction. “She wanted to press charges, but there was ¬insufficient evidence,” said police, according to the report.

The late Hilary Hughes-Augustin was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and attended King’s High School for Girls, a £10,000-a-year day school in Warwick. She later graduated from the University of York.

During her career as an expert on AIDS and sexual health, she worked around the world advising major non-profit organisations and served as director of an international development company.

She previously worked in health care in Eastern Europe, the United States and Switzerland. In October 2009 she started her own company, Hughes Consulting, from the Caribbean, specialising in advising on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Caribbean 360 News

Filed Under: News, Regional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Dominica observes World Telecommunication Day

May 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

ICT Minister Ambrose George

World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17th of May since 1969, marking the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.

In order to bring into focus the importance of ICT and the wide range of issues related to the Information Society, in November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare 17th May as World Information Society Day.

Since then we commemorate a combined World Telecommunications and Information Society Day.

The Commonwealth of Dominica, as a member of the ITU, joins in solidarity with the rest of the world in celebrating such an auspicious day – a day that holds significance, not only in its historical context but one that celebrates the successes and benefits of telecommunications and ICT in our socio-economic and cultural development and through stimulating dialogue, consultation and discussion, provides a platform for envisaging the vision of sustainable development through ICT in an eco-friendly world.

The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

The theme for this year’s commemoration, “Women and Girls in ICT”, aims to ensure that women and girls here in Dominica and the world over, can progress as equals and can succeed as equals.

This year’s theme is on the heels of celebrating “Girls in ICT DAY” on the 26th of April this year and from hereon annually, on the fourth Thursday of April.

In my address on that day I highlighted the dearth of professional women in ICT and the need to enthuse and encourage our girls into avenues of ICT training in various fields that are necessary for our development.

Moreover, this fits into Dominica’s wider international embrace that Gender equality is a basic human right enshrined in the UN Charter, and it is one of the main objectives of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Goal 3 – Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women.

Today, and indeed throughout this week, provides us with opportunities to have stimulating reflection and exchanges of ideas on the theme “Women and Girls in ICT”. It provides a unique platform for discussing the various aspects of the theme with all partners in society.

It also affords for formulating a perspective which reflects national discussions on the issues underlying the theme that will assist in guiding our long-term policy in ICT, in education curriculum and career development.

As we all are aware, Education lies at the very core of Dominica’s national development efforts. Establishing an innovative, entrepreneurial and technically smart workforce will be essential in Dominica achieving its long term growth, diversification and development goals.

ICT can be a most effective tool in transforming education and creating new skills across the entire population. It can allow our children to learn in fresh and innovative ways; discovering new knowledge, developing new abilities, stretching the imagination and encouraging collaboration.

It can radically change the traditional classroom experience for children and teachers, and greatly improve and streamline educational administration.

The reach and versatility of ICT can also assist in developing new skills and careers for those outside the formal educational system; with distance and online learning providing greater flexibility for those who are working, or not in full-time education. It is for this reason we have encouraged schools to participate in commemorating today in various ways.

Considering that our education system is already providing equal opportunities for both boys and girls the important task for us is to stimulate that burning desire for girls to embrace all fields of ICT as possible career options and to cast aside the stereo-typical notion that exists that it is too complex or that it is a field for the Geeks – the nerd and Techy guy.

One way is for our women who have succeeded in ICTs to have direct and constant interaction with our female population so that they can see and appreciate the outcomes of such pursuits and the lifelong fulfillment that can be derived both for one’s self and for the common good of society.

My Ministry, the Ministry of Information, Telecommunications & Constituency Empowerment, is collaborating with various institutions as The National Council of Women and the Bureau of Gender Affairs through live TV Panel discussions and other radio and television programmes.

My ministry has also urged some of our telecommunications companies and institutions to hold an open day for girls in particular to highlight the influence of ICT in their daily operations.

We have also sought the assistance and participation of a few of our more successful ICT Women: Lucia Stedman of BTC, Avril Coipel of AID Bank, Veronne Nicholas of the Dominica State College, and Jermaine Jean Pierre of the ICT Unit in the Ministry of Establishment.

I am of the firm belief that Dominica in the next few years will have a more balanced ICT Sector.

I premise this on the fact that with greater awareness in the last few years more women and girls in Dominica are gravitating towards ICT and ICT related fields. We also have greater scholarship offerings in ICT related fields. And with consideration now being given to an establishment of the ICT Centre of Excellence will open up avenues for training that will usher a new set of opportunities for our girls and women wanting to pursue careers in ICT or ICT enabled endeavors.

Let me state clearly that ICT has permeated every career, from agriculture to medicine, from agronomy to aviation, from accounting to finance, from architecture to law – you will not escape it.

Therefore I urge you to seriously contemplate on the changes that are taking place around you and adapt, improvise, overcome and succeed.

I wish all Women and girls, and indeed everyone in Dominica a wonderful World Telecommunication and Information Society Day!!

Filed Under: News

Petite Soufriere man on $40,000 bail for possession of Cannabis

May 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

Cannabis plants. Photo credit: Wikipedia.com

Petite Soufriere resident Sebastian Nicholas has been granted bail in the sum of $40,000.00 by Magistrate Candia Carette-George for possession of Cannabis.

Nicholas appeared before the magistrate’s court on Thursday morning on two drug related offences; possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis exceeding 15 grams on May 15th, 2012.

The drug was estimated at a street value of $23,600.00 by police prosecutor Innocent Toussaint.

The defendant who pleaded not guilty to both charges choose to have his matter heard in the magistrate’s court.

He was granted bail in the sum of $40,000.00 with his cousin Jean Laurent as his surety.

As part of his bail conditions he is to report to the Castle Bruce police station every Wednesday between 6:00 am and 6:00pm.

The matter is set for hearing on November 7th, 2012 at Castle Bruce.

Dominica Vibes News

Filed Under: Local, News

Dominica government working towards a ‘tobacco free society’

May 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

Photo credit: free-extras.com

The Ministry of Health is in the process of preparing a draft legislation to eliminate the use of tobacco in public places in an effort to “provide a tobacco free society”.

That’s according to Health Minister Julius Timothy who addressed members of the media at a chronic non-communicable disease press conference on Wednesday.

“The draft legislation has already been prepared; it’s just a matter of fine tuning it and handing it over to Legal Affairs. Government is committed to reducing the smoking of tobacco and to eliminate it in public places”.

He said there are persons who do not believe that marijuana has the same effects as tobacco.

“Our statistics on marijuana is not very good at all although the drug is illegal. I want the population of Dominica to be very clear, marijuana is not a substitute for tobacco because that seems to be a concept these days, but marijuana is just as bad as or worse than tobacco”.

According to Timothy a survey which was conducted in 2011 revealed that “Dominica in terms of the youth and tobacco use, we were probably the lowest in the Caribbean, but in terms of the youth and marijuana use, we were the highest in the Caribbean and that’s not good”.

If the legislation is endorsed by Legal Affairs it then goes to Cabinet for approval.

World No tobacco Day will be observed on May 31st, 2012.

Dominica Vibes News

Filed Under: Local, News

Montserrat on path to self sustainability, says premier

May 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

Premier Reuben Meade. Photo credit: gov.ms

BRADES, Montserrat (GIU) — Premier Reuben Meade says his administration continues to deliver the goods to put Montserrat on the path to self sustainability.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Meade said the government of Montserrat has satisfied all the conditions established for the approval of the single programming document with the European Union, which he signed on Tuesday along with Ambassador Valeriano Diaz, head of delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

The EU will give Montserrat EC$55.9 million under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) programme towards its capital development programme.

“It is the culmination of discussions and negotiations with the EU, which was finally agreed in February 2012 during our most recent visit to Brussels. The funds have been allocated to the Port Development Project and Little Bay Development. The total allocation is 15.6 million Euros to be disbursed in three tranches. In order to facilitate the draw down one of the targets to be met is the signing of a construction contract for the port project by mid June of 2013.

“The financial review by the IMF in 2011, the peer reviews conducted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, the commitments to financial reforms to include prudent fiscal management and public sector reform are key components of the conditions.

“This [Movement for Change and Prosperity] MCAP led government will continue to show commitment in delivering the goods for the people of Montserrat who continue to exercise restraint as the international community continues to show confidence in our management of the economy,” the statement read.

The premier extended his appreciation on behalf of the Legislative Assembly and the people of Montserrat “to the team of dedicated and hard working public servants, the entire EU delegation in Barbados, the Commissioners in Brussels, our Montserrat UK Office, Department for International Development (DfID), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) for working with us in reaching this stage in agreeing to this single programme document which provides approval of this budget support programme.”

On May 1, 2012 the premier signed a memorandum of understanding with the DfID which sets out an agreement between his administration and DfID which has, among other things, “immediately triggered funding support for the first phase of the geothermal project which has been at the fore of national discussions for the past several years.”

“To this end we are in the process of establishing a geothermal unit, preparing the terms of reference for expert staff, and the tender document for the drilling operation. It must be remembered that this is phase one, the drilling of production wells and the testing. The second phase which is the establishment of the power plant will be discussed once we have proven the resource. Again, this MCAP administration is delivering the projects which will lead to sustainable development of Montserrat thus creating employment and income opportunities for many in the not too distant future,” his statement read.

The premier also released for public viewing the full MOU signed with DfID, which lays out a series of reforms that the government of Montserrat must adhere to within set targets to be in compliance and receive additional capital development funds.

By Nerissa Golden
Caribbean News Now

Filed Under: News, Regional

Health Ministry adopts new model to improve care of people with CNCD’s

May 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

The Ministry of health is hoping to adopt a Chronic Care Model Project as part of its campaign in addressing chronic non-communicable diseases or CNCD’s in Dominica.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is providing technical support to the island in implementing this project.

On Wednesday May 16, 2012 the Health Promotion Unit and the PAHO staged a one day workshop which provided health care providers with current information on CNCD’S and how they could improve the quality of care provided to people with CNCD’s.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Helen Royer described the workshop as useful.

“It is important to note that self management and empowerment of people with chronic diseases are the key factors for success in service development.”

Royer stressed however that in order for patients to play their role health care providers must constantly provide basic information about their disease.

The Health official noted that promoting the development of self monitoring skills and encouraging members of the health team, family, friends and community members is important.

She said this will assist in allowing patients to feel confident in the self monitoring and self management process.

The Ministry of Health is hoping that with the adoption of this Chronic care model it will better serve people with CNCD’S especially those with disabilities to facilitate their integration into the community and to empower them to become more responsible.

The Government of Dominica through its Health Ministry has taken active efforts in development of community based care services through the primary care health system for people with chronic problems.

Recently the Ministry of health launched its CNCD policy draft and commenced work on the strategic Plan for CNCD’s which seeks to give special attention to many of the components highlighted in this chronic care model project.

Helen Royer said “by adopting this model, Dominica will be joining countries around the world that have already initiated this project and will be consistent with the International standards that have been set”.

“This will provide Dominicans with a chronic care passport which will assist in keeping track of health problems and taking the necessary actions to address them…Royer said.

The Health official emphasized that while much has been achieved there still remains much more to be done to maintain high standards for care in Dominica.

Wednesday’s workshop was facilitated by Advisor on Chronic Disease and Mental Health at PAHO Dr.Tomo Kanda who will work with Dominica on this project for the next eighteen months.

Last year five countries in the Caribbean including Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St.Lucia and Anguilla conducted a similar project.

By: Tarnia Green
Government Information Service

Filed Under: Local, News

St Lucia Delegation Heads for Taiwan

May 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

President Ma Ying-jeou

A St Lucian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Philip Pierre is heading to Taiwan for the inauguration ceremony of President Ma Ying-jeou.

Ma was elected to a second term following his victory in the January 2012 national elections.

The St Lucian delegation includes Infrastructure Minister Philip Pierre, Youth Development Minister Shawn Edward, Education Minister Dr Robert Lewis and Health Minister Alvina Reynolds.

The ruling St Lucia Labour Party, which ousted former Prime Minister Stephenson King’s United People’s Party in the country’s November 2011 election, had indicated during the campaign that they might return the country to diplomatic relations with China.

St Lucia severed its ties with China in 2007.

The delegation left St Lucia Wednesday and will return to the country May 23.

St Kitts is also sending a delegation

Carib Journal

Filed Under: Local, News

Precious metals worth potentially $20 billion found in Haiti

May 16, 2012 Leave a Comment

Buried treasure could be as good as gold for the disaster-ravaged country.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Wednesday May 16, 2012 –Disaster-ravaged Haiti may finally have found the crock of gold at the end of the rainbow – and it has been there all along, buried right beneath the beleaguered people’s feet.

A treasure trove of gold, silver and copper is hidden in the country’s hills, and the discovery may turn out to be as good as gold at relieving centuries of poverty-related ills.

Exploratory drilling conducted in the past year has found precious metals worth potentially US$20 billion deep below the ridges in the country’s northeastern mountains. A mining company is now drilling around the clock to determine how to extract them.

Workers are poised to start mining the other side of this seam in neighbouring Dominican Republic later this year in one of the world’s largest gold deposits: 23 million ounces worth about US$40billion.

The Haitian government’s annual budget is US$1 billion, more than half provided by foreign assistance.

The largest single source of foreign investment, US$2 billion, came from Haitians working abroad last year.

Locally produced mining wealth could pay for roads, schools, clean water and sewage systems for the nation’s ten million people, most of whom live on as little as US$1.25 a day.

“If the mining companies are honest and if Haiti has a good government, then here is a way for this country to move forward,” said Bureau of Mines Director Dieuseul Anglade.

In a parking lot outside Anglade’s office, more than 100 families have been living in tents since the earthquake. “The gold in the mountains belongs to the people of Haiti,” he said, “and they need it.”

Until now, few Haitians have known about this buried treasure. Mining camps are unmarked, and the work is being done miles up dirt roads near remote villages, on the opposite side of the country from the capital.

But U.S. and Canadian investors have spent more than US$30 million in recent years on everything from exploratory drilling to camps for workers, new roads, offices and laboratory studies of samples.

Actual mining could be under way in five years.

Bon chance, Haiti.

Caribbean 360 News

Filed Under: News, Regional

Barbadian family and attorney conduct own investigation into fatal police shooting!

May 16, 2012 Leave a Comment

Lawyer and social activist David Comissiong pleaded for anyone who might have seen or heard anything related to the matter on the night of Tuesday April 03 to contact him.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday May 16, 2012 – In a landmark move in Barbados, a bereaved family and an attorney-at-law are conducting their own investigation into the death of a man fatally shot by a police officer.

In a public announcement, lawyer and social activist David Comissiong and the mother of 27-year-old Jamar Maynard, shot by police on April 3, said they no longer had confidence in the Royal Barbados Police Force investigating its officers, since no such case had ever led to an officer standing trial.

They also reported the evidence was clear that Maynard had been shot from behind, which was enough to demand that the shooter account for his or her action in court.

Accompanied by Maynard’s mother Deborah Maynard and Marguerita Maloney, mother of I’Akobi Maloney, who died following an incident involving police four years ago, Comissiong told the media that an independent investigation seemed prudent.

“Faced with a situation of the Royal Barbados Police Force investigating itself, we felt it prudent that Jamar’s family should seek to carry out their own independent investigation, and so we have taken it upon ourselves to try to ferret out eyewitnesses and to get statements from persons who might have seen anything related to the shooting of Jamar,” he said.

The attorney pleaded for anyone who might have seen or heard anything related to the matter on the night of Tuesday April 03 to contact him.

“We are appealing to you to make contact with us, come in to see me at my law office on Crumpton Street and give us a statement.  We assure you that any statement given will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and will be sent directly to the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.

Stating that Maynard had been shot in his upper arm and had run from the scene, Comissiong said so far he had interviewed two eyewitnesses who said the man was shot while running away.

“We also witnessed the autopsy and I can tell you that the wound I saw on Jamar Maynard’s body suggests that he was shot from the rear,” he added.

“We are of the opinion that once there is sufficient evidence to suggest that Jamar Maynard was shot while he was running away, that the person who did that shooting should be called upon to account for his or her actions before a judge and jury in a court of law,” Comissiong continued.

“Our police force is a small and intimate institution where everybody knows everybody else.  So that clearly is not the most healthy situation, and I’m not seeking to cast aspersions on the persons running the Jamar Maynard investigation.  I’m not personalizing it.

“I’m simply saying the system that obtains of having the police investigate themselves is flawed,” said Comissiong, an attorney for over two decades.

Caribbean 360 News

Filed Under: News, Regional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

AID Bank on a drive to reduce non-performing loan portfolio

May 16, 2012 2 Comments

Martin Charles

The Dominica Agricultural Industrial and Development Bank (AID Bank) is aggressively pursuing efforts to address the level of delinquency within its Loan Portfolio through the implementation of a number of strategies.

That’s according to newly appointed Chairman of the AID Bank Martin Charles.

Mr.Charles who took up his official appointment last month says the bank has a mandate to be a catalyst and leader in financing investment in Dominica. Charles says these developments will be compromised if funds owed to the bank are not repaid.

“Over the years the AID Bank has informed the general public that there are persons who have borrowed monies from the AID Bank, they are in a position to pay but yet still they are not paying their loans and as a result our non performing portfolio rose to a substantial amount.”

At the end of the last financial year 2010-2011 loans in the non-performing category totalled 19.91 million E.C dollars.

The newly appointed Chairman of the AID bank says strategies have been and will continue to be implemented by the bank to reduce this trend.

“Our five year strategic plan addresses the non-performing portfolio. If you look at our last financial report we were able reduce that portfolio significantly because of the strategies that we were able to put in place to deal with our non performing portfolio”.

Charles is however optimistic that defaulters will come forward and make good on their promise to pay AID Bank.

“We are not totally satisfied with where we are right now. We believe that much more can be done and will be done. All I am asking is that persons who are delinquent take a decision to make good on their promise and pay AID Bank its monies”.

Mr. Charles cautioned that the non-payment of monies will affect the Bank’s ability to finance projects in the productive sector, which is instrumental in sustaining investment, creating jobs, and increasing foreign exchange earnings.

By: Tarnia Green
Government Information Service

Filed Under: Local, News
« Older Posts