标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Immigration Department of Antigua and Barbuda is set to organize a community engagement session tailored for the Hispanic community on Friday, October 24, at 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre, offering an interactive platform to discuss residency and citizenship procedures in the country. Chief Immigration Officer Ms. Katrina Yearwood, alongside other senior immigration officials, will lead the presentations, providing detailed guidance and addressing queries from participants. The Hon. Sir Steadroy Benjamin, Attorney General and Minister responsible for Immigration, will also deliver a speech, highlighting the government’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and maintaining open communication with all resident communities. This initiative is a joint effort between the Embassy and Consulate of the Dominican Republic and the Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department, designed to enhance bilateral relations and improve awareness of immigration processes within the Hispanic community.

In a bid to bolster sustainable landscaping and plant care practices, the National Parks Authority and Grounds Department recently hosted a comprehensive gardening and landscaping training workshop. This initiative, conducted in partnership with the Plant Protection Unit and the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, took place on October 21 and 22, 2023. To ensure maximum participation, the workshop was repeated on the second day to accommodate different employee groups.

The training was spearheaded by Mrs. Camellia Wallace-Tonge and Mr. Sebastian Cochrane from the Forestry Department, alongside Mr. Jahmol Colbourne of the Plant Protection Unit. Mrs. Wallace-Tonge led sessions on botanical and propagation techniques, emphasizing plant taxonomy, identification, and the critical role of species selection in landscaping. Mr. Cochrane provided hands-on demonstrations of grafting and air layering, essential methods for enhancing plant survival and reproduction.

Mr. Colbourne’s segment focused on pest and disease management, addressing common plant pests, invasive species, and practical control strategies. He stressed the importance of prioritizing natural pesticides, biological controls, and pest trapping over chemical solutions, which can harm beneficial insects like ladybugs. Participants were also trained in the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize chemical exposure and mitigate long-term health risks.

Additional discussions explored the cost-effectiveness of organic versus synthetic fertilizers, with organic options proving more sustainable by improving soil health and supporting multiple crop cycles. The training also highlighted the importance of cleanliness and monitoring to prevent pest spread, recommending immediate removal and burning of severely infected plants to curb disease transmission.

This collaborative effort underscores a broader commitment to enhancing landscape management practices across government departments while fostering inter-agency cooperation and environmental stewardship.

The debate over reparations for slavery continues to spark intense discussions globally. Dr. Lenworth W. Johnson, a prominent advocate and member of the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission (ABRSC), argues that reparations are not only a moral imperative but also a practical and achievable solution to address the atrocities committed during the transatlantic slave trade. While many view reparations as an unattainable dream, Dr. Johnson challenges this perspective by highlighting historical precedents where other groups have received compensation for injustices. Examples include Germany’s payments to Israel for the Holocaust, the US’s reparations to Japanese Americans, and settlements with Native American tribes and Indigenous peoples in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These cases demonstrate that reparations are not unprecedented. The Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) has proposed a comprehensive framework focusing on developmental initiatives rather than direct cash payments. These include formal apologies, cultural rehabilitation, public health improvements, education, and debt cancellation. Critics argue that slavery was legal at the time and that descendants of enslavers should not bear responsibility for historical crimes. However, Dr. Johnson counters that slavery, particularly chattel slavery, was never legal under international law and that its legacy continues to affect descendants today. He also emphasizes that calls for reparations have persisted since emancipation, with movements like the Haitian Revolution and Pan-Africanism advocating for justice. The global momentum for reparations is growing, as evidenced by recent international conferences and UN resolutions. Dr. Johnson remains optimistic that justice will prevail, asserting that reparations are not just a moral obligation but a necessary step toward reconciliation and healing.

The Census Office of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a nationwide appeal for residents to actively participate and cooperate as the 2025 National Population and Housing Census enters a critical phase. Over recent weeks, trained enumerators have been conducting door-to-door visits across the islands to gather essential data. This information will play a pivotal role in shaping national policies, guiding development strategies, and informing decisions in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. To ensure transparency and security, all census workers are equipped with official identification, including a Census ID badge, a branded vest, a government-issued authorization letter, and a digital tablet for data collection. Residents are assured that all collected data will remain strictly confidential and will be used solely for statistical purposes, in compliance with the Statistics Act of Antigua and Barbuda. The Census Office has also provided contact numbers for residents to verify the identity of enumerators if needed. The census process will continue over the coming months, with preliminary results expected to be released in early 2026. The Census Office expressed gratitude for the public’s ongoing support in this vital national initiative.

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has heightened its vigilance as it probes into escalating reports of electricity theft across the region. This illicit activity, which involves unauthorized connections and meter tampering, has been identified as a significant contributor to financial losses and operational inefficiencies within the utility sector. APUA officials have underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that such practices not only undermine the integrity of the power grid but also pose severe safety risks to the public. In response, the authority has deployed advanced monitoring technologies and initiated a series of public awareness campaigns to deter potential offenders. Legal repercussions for those found guilty of electricity theft are expected to be stringent, with fines and potential imprisonment on the table. The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over the economic and infrastructural impact of these illegal activities, which have been exacerbated by rising energy costs and strained resources. APUA has urged citizens to report any suspicious activities, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring a fair and sustainable energy distribution system.