PM addresses New York

by AntiguaSun

Antigua and Barbuda nationals living in the tri-state area of New York had the opportunity to hear from Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer last Saturday.

He was the featured speaker at a Town Hall meeting hosted by the country’s Consulate General at the Richard Green Middle School in the Bronx.

A brief presentation was made by Vere Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Union Bank of Antigua.

Attorney-General Justin Simon, QC was also a part of the evening’s panel. Simon noted recent developments on the legal front, in particular CSME and its effects and the proceedings related to Dato Tan Hock and Guiana Island.

Prime Minister Spencer after commending the organisers of the event, called for unity among nationals abroad as they continue to work for the betterment of Antigua and Barbuda.

To aid in this effort, PM Spencer announced the establishment of a desk within the Prime Minister’s Office which will deal directly with matters pertaining to the diaspora.

Spencer will also be working closely with the New York and Miami consulates to extend their jurisdictions in order to better serve nationals throughout North America.

The prime minister also shared information on a number of initiatives that he hopes will come on stream in 2008. These included direct airlift from New York to Antigua, making Mt. St. John Hospital fully operational and establishing polyclinics to provide broader healthcare for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

He also spoke of the newly formed Investment Authority and its role in creating more avenues for small business in the twin-island state. The prime minister detailed initiatives put in place to stem the rise in crime in Antigua and Barbuda.

PM Spencer also called for expatriates to persuade the United States to accept the WTO ruling. After a brief question and answer session, attendees were able to sample the tastes of Chef Murphy of Murphy & Co.