Financial Investment and Consultancy Services Ltd (FICS) is the newest full service licensed broker dealer on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE), having been awarded our license from the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC) at the end of April this year; by that we mean that FICS can now trade in securities, such as Government Bonds, Treasury Bills, Corporate Bonds and shares of companies that are listed on the ECSE. Financial Investment and Consultancy Services Ltd (FICS) as you know, an indigenous non-bank financial institution specializing in the provision of investment packages and loans, is now a regional player in the bond and equities markets by the fact that we are licensed by the ECSRC to trade in securities on the ECSE.
Today, FICS is celebrating its first major success as a broker dealer, having been awarded lead broker for the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank (ECHMB) EC$49.56 Million in 3 year bonds. The bond was oversubscribed by EC$32 million and using a competitive uniform price auction methodology, managed to close at an interest rate of 4.72%. FICS entered bids of over EC$50 Million on behalf of our clients not just in St Lucia, but for investors in the region , both OECS and outside. Minimum investments for the bonds were EC$5,000 and such investment options serve as good diversification avenues for investors who want to diversify out of traditional savings or more so to maximize their return on their investment.
This is an important milestone for us, as we strive towards expanding our reach, and more importantly expanding our offerings to our clients, by making available the full suite of financial and investment services under one shop.
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Every year, one event uplifts the Mas, flipping the script for a more elegant take on the cultural festival that is carnival. The annual National Carnival Queen Pageant, presented by the National Carnival Queen Committee and the Saint Lucia Carnival Stakeholders Committee of the Cultural Development Foundation, is a formal night out that showcases the poise, talent and intelligence of Saint Lucian women.
This year, eight (8) young ladies from around the island will vie for the carnival crown and the many opportunities that this pageant presents.
Contestants received their sashes at a short ceremony at Sandals Grande on Sunday, July 3, naming Miss Super J IGA – Consuelo Dupal, Miss LUCELEC – Sherry Etienne, Miss Digicel – Roxanne Didier Nicholas, Miss Cultural Community – Tara Edward, Miss Castries Community – Nicole St. Croix, Miss Baron Foods – Bernadin St. Rose, Miss St Lu Metals & Plastic Manufacturers – Trudy Mathurin and Miss Gros Islet Community – Jenita Joseph.
Last year’s pageant, won by Red Unlimited’s Louise Victor, drew scores of supporters and highlighted the continued rise in the level of professionalism of the event. This year’s show is expected to deliver to a standard that challenges the pre-conceptions of participants and loyal fans of the annual pageant, while providing an exciting evening of entertainment for all.
Contestants and their chaperones are hard at work fine-tuning their talents and are expected to thrill patrons with a variety of quality performances on the night of Saturday July 9th.
The National Carnival Queen Pageant will be staged from 8:00 p.m. at the National Cultural Centre.
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The OECS Secretariat and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support ongoing and planned collaboration between the two organisations on population related issues.
The primary purpose of the agreement is to strengthen the coordination of technical assistance to support the dissemination of information from OECS Member States, particularly from their ongoing population and housing censuses, the strengthening of reproductive health services within OECS countries, including services for young people, and raising awareness of and providing services to victims of gender-based violence.
Sean Curtis Mathurin at the OECS Secretariat says these coordinated efforts are expected to contribute to the harmonization of the targeted programmes at the OECS level: “The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for mutual collaboration and exchange of information relating to the organization of events and activities in line with the areas identified. As well, the Memorandum of Under-standing will strengthen coordination of those events and activities in order to maximize impact and avoid unnecessary duplication.”
The MOU recognises the specific linkages between the mandates of the respective organisations and is designed to further strengthen those ties through collaboration on population programmes, including demographic data collection and analysis, reproductive health, and gender.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the OECS Secretariat and the UNFPA provides a broad framework for cooperation, and serves as a basis for future collaboration and reinforce-ment of joint initiatives in response to priority needs.
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Aedes is a genus of mosquito found originally in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world. In Saint Lucia at least two species of the Aedes mosquito have been identified i.e. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Aedes aegypti is the principal vector of diseases such as dengue fever, which if complicated can lead to Dengue Heamorrhagic Fever.
Currently outbreak levels of the disease are being reported in Saint Lucia. Worldwide the World Health Organization estimates that 2.5 billion people are at risk from dengue fever.
As a member of the Class Insecta, all mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis. Therefore the Aedes aegypti mosquito goes through four stages in its life cycle: the egg, larva, pupae and the adult stage.
The duration of the life cycle varies based on environmental conditions; however the development from egg to adult may take from 10 to 21 days. Only the female mosquito bites humans; this is necessary to obtain blood to fertilize its eggs. The eggs are laid slightly on the inner wet wall walls of containers with non-flowing water at the rate of approximately 100-200 per batch.
Eggs hatch into larva which can be seen as wrigglers in clear, non flowing water. Larva requires oxygen which they obtain by projecting their breathing tube to the water surface. The larva pass through four instars (stages) and develop into the pupae.
Pupae do not feed and develop into adult mosquitoes. Following their emergence adult mosquito mate and seek a blood meal from a warm blooded animal, possibly man.
The vector transmits dengue fever when it feeds on a person who is suffering from dengue fever and becomes infected. Thereafter, when the infected mosquito feeds on a healthy person it can transmit dengue viruses to that person.
Aedes aegypti is known as a domesticated mosquito as it lives primarily in and around homes where dark places are provided for harborage and a suitable medium is provided for laying of eggs. The mosquito is active primarily during the daytime and is particularly active at dusk and dawn.
Householders can take the following actions to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito:
1. Examine in and around your house to ensure that there are potential breeding areas such as flower vases, water drums, water tanks, used tyres, and other containers with clear non-flowing water.
2. Place screens on windows; keep doors closed at dusk and dawn.
3. Use mosquito repellents or wear a long sleeve shirt and long pants if outdoors.
4. Use bed nets especially for children who are likely to be asleep during the day.
5. Use aerosol pesticides when there is an infestation indoors; pay attention to directions for use.
*Fight the Aedes aegypti mosquito and prevent dengue fever.
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The 2011 Taiwan & ICDF scholarship Award Ceremony will be held at Union Orchid Garden at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 13th July, 2011. 17 successful candidates and their parents, together with important government officials, have been invited to the event by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
After intense competition from more than 100 applicants, 17 outstanding St. Lucian students have been awarded full scholarships to pursue their advanced studies in Taiwan this year. The name list of the scholarship awardees is as following:
Taiwan Scholarship
Name of Awardee, Constituency, Study Interest
1. Sabrina Sayers - Gros Islet - International Trade and Management
2. Magdalene Neptune - Choiseul - Accounts and Financial
3. Aisha Tara Atherly - Gros Islet - International Trade and Management
4. Greg Linus Michel - Castries North - Agronomy
5. Rovin Feviere - Choiseul - Economics and International Business
6. Haydn Isidore - Gros Islet - Information Technology
7. Cornil Modeste - Vieux Fort - International Politics and Economy
8. Leandra Lena Pinel - Vieux Fort - Medical Administration
ICDF Scholarship
Name of Awardee, Constituency, University, Study Programme
1. Stephie Janna Smith - Gros-Islet - National Pingtung University of Science and Technology - Undergraduate Program in Tropical Agriculture
2. Danley Medouze - Vieux Fort South - National Pingtung University of Science and Technology - Undergraduate Program in Tropical Agriculture
3. Trevor Sheldon Hunt - Castries South - National Tsing Hua University - International Master program in Information Systems and Applications
4. Elizabeth Henry - Castries East - National Taiwan Normal University - Graduate Institute of International Human Resource Development
5. Cheryl Delice - Gros-Islet - National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science - International Health and Nursing Administration Undergraduate Programme
6. Deja louisanne John - Castries North - Ming Chuan University Undergraduate Program in International Trade and Management
7 - Milton Allan Felix - Castries South - Ming Chuan University - Undergraduate Program in International Trade and Management
Mandarin Enrichment Scholarship
1. Cleisha-Bernis Springer - Castries East - Fu-Jen University - Mandarin
2. Vernon Frederick - Gros Islet - Fu-Jen University - Mandarin
Taiwan, with the population of 23 million people, is the world’s 16th largest trading nation. In 2010, its foreign trade volume reached US$ 550 billion and the economic growth rate was 10.5%. It is a well developed industrialized country and has outstanding achievements in hi-tech, agriculture, health, foreign trade, education, e-government and service sector. Take the hi-tech industry for example, in the first quarter of 2011, Taiwan’s HTC smart phones took the largest market share of 23% in the US, surpassed their main competitors, iphones of Apple.
As a result, Taiwan provides an ideal environment for foreign students to pursue their advanced studies in the above-mentioned areas. Taiwan has provided scholarships to St. Lucia since 2007. Three St. Lucia students got master degrees and returned to this country last year. Currently, 31 St. Lucian students are studying in Taiwan. They have chosen different fields and are doing well.
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The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards [SLBS] is soliciting feedback from the public on a series of standards to be adopted as Saint Lucia National Standards. The standards are DNS 90 - Energy Efficiency of Fluorescent Lamps for Domestic and Similar Purposes - Labelling and Measurement Methods, DNS 91 - Energy Efficiency of Incandescent Lamps for Domestic and Similar Purposes- Labelling and Measurement Methods and SLNS/ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social responsibility.
This is a necessary step in the standards development process to ensure that the standards, once implemented, reflect the views and input of a wide cross section of the public, in particular the industry which will be immediately impacted by the application of the standard.
The standards aimed at the electrical products industry address labeling and sets out parameters for the types of information that is to be provided on labels. This information relates to the efficiency of fluorescent and incandescent lamps that are intended for domestic use and similar purposes. These standards also prescribe the test conditions and methods of measurement to verify the accuracy of parameters declared on efficiency labels.
The standards support efforts that would allow for the verification of claims made about efficiency. They also give the consumer the confidence about the quality of the information provided and enable more informed decision making when purchasing lamps.
The adoption of these standards in Saint Lucia forms part of a long term global energy conservation drive that has been influenced by the growing demand for crude oil to fuel the world economy, as well as the runaway cost of energy. Of immediate global concern are the negative impacts on our environment, since our consumption habits directly impact climate change and the efforts that can be made towards achieving environmental sustainability.
Globally, the impact of human activity on the environment has caused more attention to be paid not only to standards which give an economic edge but also to the development and adoption of a series of “tugging at the heart strings” standards that have become popular in the standards community. One such standard is SLNS/ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social responsibility, which is also being circulated for public comment in Saint Lucia.
This standard underpins the notion that businesses should be accountable to the society in which they operate. Therefore, it sets the framework for businesses to report on their social and environmental impacts.
The public comment stage for these standards is aimed at capturing the comments of stakeholders and the general public in order to identify and address areas of concern and to ensure that consensus on the contents of these standards is achieved before adoption.
The public comment process includes the circulation of the standards and increased public awareness programmes. The Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards [SLBS] hopes to host town hall and stakeholder focus meetings, and implement radio and TV programmes as part of the public awareness phase leading up to the adoption of these standards.
Persons wishing to peruse and comment on any of the standards can access them on the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards [SLBS] website, www.slbs.org.lc, through all national public libraries, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of, Commerce, Industry and Consumer Affairs, the Government Documentation Centre, the St. Lucia National Archives, or the offices of the SLBS. The deadline for receipt of comments is 30 September 2011.
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As the countdown continues towards the 2011 General Elections, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) is getting itself ready to resume the mantle of leadership in the country. On Sunday, July 3, 2011, the Party held a “Retreat on the Economy” which was aimed at generating consensus on ideas for the SLP Manifesto and finalising a blueprint for Labour’s next term in Government.
All of the Party’s seventeen (17) Candidates participated in the retreat which was facilitated by a select group under the Chairmanship of Dr. Vaughan Lewis. Several Labour candidates made lead presentations which underlined the readiness and competence of Team Labour 2011, to rescue the Saint Lucian economy from its current stagnated state.
1st Deputy Leader Philip J. Pierre, led on “Financial Policy and Debt, Tourism and Investment”, while 2nd Deputy Leader Alva Baptiste, led on “Physical Development Planning and Air Transport Policy.” Gros Islet Candidate Emma Hippolyte, was the lead presenter on “Economic Governance and Social Partners” (together with Dr. Vaughan Lewis), as well as on “Universal Health Care – A National Investment in our People.” Castries North Candidate Dr. Ubaldus Raymond, made the lead presentation on “The Economic Situation and Prospects Since 2006,” Castries South MP, Dr. Robert Lewis, was the lead presenter on “New Initiatives in Education to Stimulate Productivity;”while Vieux Fort North MP, Moses Jn. Baptiste, presented the lead paper on “Redirecting Our Agricultural Base for Contributing to Growth.”
Other presentations by non-candidate experts included “Energy and Water Efficiency;” “Investment and Appropriate Innovation in ICT,” and “The New Economic Paradigm for Youth, Sports, Culture & the Creative Industries.” There was lively and healthy discussion on all the presentations. Candidates came away from the retreat confident that the Saint Lucia Labour Party is readily positioned to retrieve the Saint Lucian economy from the abyss of fiscal stagnation into which it had plummeted under the Stephenson King administration.
The Saint Lucia Labour Party assures all Saint Lucians that its 2011 Elections Manifesto will reflect a set of rational proposals to rescue them from their current despair and pain. In the meantime Saint Lucians should feel free to view Labour’s emerging policies under the “Where we Stand” section of our website at www.stlucialabourparty.org.
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By Andrew Sealy
Government, CDF and Boots
You can do the right thing for the wrong reason and you can also do the wrong thing in the sincere belief that you are right. Both of these scenarios can land you in very hot water, leaving no decent way of escape. As far as everyone is concerned, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) is the legal entity entrusted with the production and management of carnival in St. Lucia. This year, Government has fired the CDF and appointed a new committee to run carnival. This development could have proceeded smoothly but for one small hurdle. Government has waited until the 11th. hour to effect this change. Then, to add insult to injury the change came right after the CDF had gone through the rigours of unveiling its carnival plans. Is that mere coincidence?
Such last minute interventions can lead to chaos, especially when so many people are involved. Not being a carnival person, I cannot comment on the effectiveness or lack thereof of the CDF plans, but I wonder if government was trying to win friends and influence people by that move. Another unfortunate aspect is that this move smacks of utter disrespect for the CDF and its chairman Boots Samuel. The man has announced his committee’s programme on air, only to hear that the plans are unceremoniously scrapped without even a warning. This is no way to treat an employee. If government believes that the CDF is incompetent, few will find fault in putting a new group in charge, but the CDF should be accorded the respect of being told that it is being fired. That is proper procedure and can prevent a lot of bad blood and speculation. Trifling with people’s feelings is never in anybody’s best interest.
Other major questions centre around the effectiveness of the CDF. If Boots and his group were deemed incompetent, when was that reality discovered? Was government asleep at the wheel? Does the CDF have to report annually on its performance? When is this report due? And who has to assess the situation? These and related questions need to be answered in order to heal any wounds inflicted.
The other problem with this situation is that everything now has to be rushed. The new plans were announced so late that everybody was caught off guard, and stakeholders now have to return to the drawing board. A new head with new plans and new dates generally bring chaos, and if this year’s activity is disorganized, we have asked for it to be so.
Quagmire of Geopolitical Manipulation
Anyone who classifies Jamaica as a failed state will be entering a quagmire of geopolitical manipulation which will certainly cause rifts in the foreign policy of many nations. True, Jamaica has some serious problems, including a debilitating crime rate, but it will be very difficult to get consensus on such a classification for the second largest CARICOM state. Within this region, the only country which readily qualifies for such a designation is Haiti because for decades no government, elected or selected has been able to bring peace and stability to the first black ruled nation in this hemisphere.
The Crisis States Research Centre, a grouping within the Development Studies Institute (DESTIN) of the London School of Economics, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) defines a “failed state” as a condition of “state collapse” – i.e., a state that can no longer perform its basic security and development functions and that has no effective control over its territory and borders. A failed state can therefore be described as one that can no longer reproduce or maintain the conditions for its own existence; and chaos has taken over as a norm.
This term is used in very contradictory or prejudiced ways by some of the more developed countries for geopolitical reasons. For example, Libya is now considered a failed state by NATO and some African countries, yet Syria which is guilty of similar and worse atrocities against its own people has not yet even been considered for the list. There is also a tendency to label a “poorly performing” state as “failed” – a label which is not always accepted by all; and Jamaica might be considered in this bracket. The opposite of a “failed state” is an “enduring state” and the absolute dividing line between these two conditions is often a blur. Even in a state which some might classify as failed, one might find some enduring elements of the state, such as basic services and local state organisations, continuing to exist.
Since 2005 the United States think-tank Fund for Peace and the magazine Foreign Policy, have been publishing an annual index called the Failed States Index. The list only assesses sovereign states which are membership of the United Nations. Some territories like Taiwan, Western Sahara, Northern Cyprus, and Kosovo, are excluded because their political status and UN membership are not ratified by international law. Jamaica has so far not made the list, and it will take a lot of chaos there to make it qualify.
Eating Raw
Science now claims that eating raw food has many health benefits, especially when that food is organically grown. Man has come to believe that food cannot be grown without the use o dangerous fertilizers and pesticides, fearing that the natural growth process will not be able to provide enough food for the growing world population. However, some farmers have proven otherwise by a return to the Biblical method of planting and harvesting. The truth is that industrial farming has become a major profiteering business with huge stakes and many lobbyists who go out of their way to propagandise farming methods which generate lots of money in the short term without caring about later consequences.
All of this aside, the typical raw food diets contain lower levels of harmful substances such as trans fats, saturated fats and cholesterol, and higher levels of healthful ones such as fiber and potassium. Eating raw foods thus contribute to reduced risks for deadly diseases such as cancer and diabetes. What’s more, heat changes the chemical structure of food, producing free radicals and other substances which are toxic to our bodies; sometimes they even cause cancer. Dr Paul Kouchakoff, an MD, has suggested in his research that eating cooked food evoked a pathological response from the human body, in the form of increased immune response via the production of more white blood cells. This suggests that the body is treating cooked food as foreign invaders, perhaps even poisons, if this doctor and others like him are correct.
St. Lucians have joined the bandwagon and produce vegetables with large amounts of chemical substances which are harmful to the body. We are in effect feeding ourselves products which destroy our health over time, and which will end up costing us lots of money in attempts to regain our health. The real problem with these foods is that they are treated with chemicals too close to harvest time so the poisons are strong in them when we buy them. If the chemicals are used a few months before harvest, they might have enough time to pass out of the food before we eat them, but fast money is the important factor there.
In such a case, whether you cook or eat them raw does not make much of a difference because the chemicals will be still there. Washing them will not help very much because the chemicals are absorbed into the tissues of the plant or fruit. However, raw vegetables are generally better for you than the cooked ones. Blanching or steaming is highly recommended over cooking.
Summer Olympic Games
St. Lucia has participated in the Summer Olympic Games since 1996 and the closest we came to touching a medal was with the performance of Lavern Spencer in Beijing for the 2008 games. It appears that a lack of experience and maybe confidence prevented our star high jumper from going all the way to the medal podium. That was truly a huge occasion for the shy and unassuming athlete from Babonneau, and we are hoping that her recent successes in Europe and the USA will bolster her confidence and create the hunger for her to push hard enough for a medal.
We also have a male high jumper who has qualified for the London Games next year, and while he has not carved a name for himself as Lavern has, the mere fact that he will be at the Games presents another opening for St. Lucia to medal. One never knows with these events. It simply boils down to performance on the given day, and the degree of hunger exhibited by the athletes.
Although St. Lucia has sent athletes to the last four Olympic Games, we have not really been able to build an Olympic consciousness to get the nation really excited and motivated to stand behind the athletes. We have more or less attempted a series of piece meal approaches which have fizzled immediately after each event; and then we have to struggle to rebuild some momentum. Success does not come this way. The nation must begin to develop a sustained drive to excellence in performances and voluntary services if we want to see more world class performances from our athletes.
We also need to develop a keen sense of national pride, so that not only our athletes, but those who help them to prepare for events will all be motivated to reach the top, see the national flag lifted high and hear the national anthem being played in various capitals of the world. The Olympic programme has to be birthed here in St. Lucia with a creditable youth programme designed to produce a continuous crop of athletes and officials with lofty ideals and moral standing. The two must go together, or else, all our efforts will be in vain.
So with London around the corner, it might be late for some of our athletes to reach the qualifying marks, but we can still gather enough resources to help our qualifiers and those who are on the verge of qualifying to reach their best efforts. Quality human and other resources are necessary to produce Olympic athletes.
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Saint Lucians are encouraged to become multilingual. Following the signing of the linguistic pact between Saint Lucia and the International Organization for the Francophone (O.E.F) in October of 2010 - The Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO, the local coordinating organization for this project, is finalizing plans for the implementation of the provisions of the pact. Secretary General - Marcia Symphorien says essentially the objective of the pack is to promote the use of French Language in Saint Lucia.
“In terms of the components of the programme it entails two major activities: one is the promotion of French within the schools system. The second major objective is teaching of French for international relations; this is very important we think because we have a number of heads of departments, a number of government officials who go out and who have the opportunity to engage in discussions that could perhaps be very beneficial to Saint Lucia but again because of the language barrier are sometimes restricted in what they can discuss and what they can negotiate for the country.”
Within the linguistic pact there are also provisions for Saint Lucian citizens who do fit into the brackets of the school system or the public service, to be exposed to the French Language.
“The third component involves making resource material in French accessible to the general public. And what we are hoping to do is to establish resource areas within the libraries throughout Saint Lucia so persons who want to access materials in French can do so very readily. And the final component involves teaching of French to persons who are working within the Tourism Industry. We recognize that of course having foreign language competencies is particularly important for those persons.”
Funding for the programme will be provided jointly by the International Organization for the Francophone (O.E.F) and the Government of Saint Lucia.
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The Ministry of the Public Service will soon integrate Information, Communication Technology (ICT), into all aspects of its operations in an attempt to increase efficiency and service delivery to the public. Minister for the Public Service Hon. Lenard Montoute made that revelation during his address marking Public Service day 2011.
“To gain a strategic competitive advantage in the global knowledge-based economy, we must empower our citizens by increasing access to Information and Communication Technologies and harness it for development. With the recently completed National ICT policy and Sectoral Strategy which focuses on several sectors of our society such as Education, Agriculture, Health, Tourism, Government including National Security, Community Development and Social Services, Business and ICT Infrastructure, we can have the platform for developing literacy levels and learning skills, increased employment opportunities, facilitate information exchange, provide better health services, and enhance of business practices and productivity.”
He says, making ICT work for sustainable human development requires policies and legislation that are responsive to the needs of our people, especially the poor and less fortunate.
“The enabling legislation to facilitate this development has been recently approved by Parliament and includes the Computer Misuse Act, Electronic Transactions Act and the Privacy and Data Protection Act. These laws will ensure that all citizens and businesses both local and abroad, who wish to conduct e-Business in Saint Lucia are protected and have legal recourse if their rights are infringed.” Minister Montoute says, the importance of these initiatives lies within the context of establishing a modern public service which meets the needs of all citizens.
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Parliamentary Representative for Vieux-Fort North Hon. Moses “MUSA” Jn. Baptiste launched a community-wide awareness campaign about the apparent Dengue outbreak and the many collapsed roadways in the constituency that he represents.
The campaign began on Tuesday July 5th in the community of Aupicon and Pierrot and will continue with other communities.
The activity will take the form of house-to-house visits by the parliamentary representative. He will be joined by members of his constituency group and other community members.
Information sheets on the Dengue will be distributed to every single household in Vieux-Fort North and residents will be encouraged to join a constituency-wide clean-up campaign which will be organized soon in collaboration with the ministry of health.
According to Mr. Jn. Baptiste all groups in the constituency are being encouraged to organize clean-up exercises within small areas.
The Parliamen-tary Representative pledges full support to the health professionals and workers who are trying hard to raise the awareness of Dengue all around St. Lucia.
Meanwhile the communities within the constituency of Vieux-Fort North are in danger of being land-locked in the event of heavy rains. The Parliamen-tary Representative reports, that major sections of the access roads into Vieux-Fort North, are either in a state of collapse or under water and impassable ,during heavy rains. The situation has worsened after TOMAS. De mailly at Belle Vue, Aupicon, Vigee, La-Retriate at Grace and Joyeaux, all access roads into Vieux-Fort North are severely damaged or impassable during rains.
According to the parliamentary Rep. the situation has the potential of creating a major human disaster in Vieux-Fort North and so a meeting of all community leaders is being planned to address this issue and to put a plan in place with the guidance of NEMO and the emergency services. The constituency cannot continue to wait for the Ministry of works while the lives of residents are in danger!
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St. Lucian swimmers brought home one Bronze medal, set three St. Lucia National Records and one Age Group Record at the conclusion of the 27th Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico,
Siona Huxley captured her first CCCAN medal in swimming a 1:07.80 in the finals of the 15-17 year 100m backstroke. Siona had earlier placed first in the preliminaries with a time of 1:08.70.
Runako Daniel set a new National Record in the 100M Back Final with a time of 1:03.55 to place 7th in that Finals and another National Record in the 100M Fly with a 1:00.41 to place 11th overall.
He also set one Age Group Record in the Boys 15-17 with a 27.18 where he place 11th in the field of swimmers
These records are in addition to Jordan Augier setting the new National Record of 29.01 when he placed 5th in finals of boys 15-17 50M Backstroke.
The team was accompanied by Coach Jamie Peterkin and Manager Joyce Huxley
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Prime Minister Stephenson King presided over a special meeting of the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC) on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011. The Prime Minister chaired the meeting in his capacity as chairman of the thirty five (35) member body that provides an overall coordinating framework for disaster management on the island. The meeting which was held at the NIC Conference Room provided an opportunity for the chairpersons of all national committees, statutory agencies, utilities, enforcement agencies and authorities as well as all Permanent Secretaries to engage in an exercise which will allow for an evaluation of the state of preparedness in relation to the current hurricane season and disaster management altogether.
The meeting provided an opportunity to identify any shortcomings, special needs or adjustments which need to be made to ensure a state of maximum preparedness and efficiency in responding to any eventuality by way of natural disasters which our nation may be subjected to over the ensuing months.
The National Emergency Management Advisory Committee is a broad stakeholder comprising of representative of key statutory agencies, the police and fire service, chairpersons of fourteen (14) key national committees and Permanent Secretaries of all Government Ministries.
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It may not be a known fact but a crucial aspect to our development, is the improvement and enhancement of our human capital base.
For this reason, the Ministry of Public Service has and continues to invest heavily in various in-house training programmes aimed at providing the requisite skills to enhance performance on the job.
“We recognize that improving competencies of public officers is necessary for the achievement of an efficient and effective public service. To date, several training programmes have been undertaken, such as “Leadership Development & Coaching”, “Performance Management”, “Communication Skills/Report Writing”, “Professional Ethics”, “Orientation for New Entrants into the Public Service”, “e-Laws for e-Government Enablement”, and “Interpersonal Skills” to name a few.”
In addition, public officers are provided with many opportunities for long-term training through scholarship awards, study leave and tuition refund programmes.
“The Government recognizes that the youth of today will be the future leaders of tomorrow. They can play a more significant role in the achievement of national development goals. We need, therefore, to provide opportunities for their development: opportunities for them to use their creativity, develop their leadership skills and in so doing, influence policy decisions in the public service.”
Minister Montoute says measures are being put in place to enhance the existing facilities in the public service designed to further engage the youth. Among existing initiatives are the Summer Employment Programme, Work-Attachment Programme and the Cadetship Programme.
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The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), like most other citizens of Saint Lucia, was shocked at the boldness and recklessness with which Attorney General Rudolph “Doddy” Francis, the Government’s chief legal advisor, made his now infamous statement that: “There is no room for good boys in politics.”
The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) is now even more disturbed by the latest incident which demonstrates the determination of members of the United Workers Party (UWP) government to stamp its “bad boys” image in the politics of Saint Lucia.
The Labour Party is aware that at approximately 5:30pm on Friday, 1 July 2011, traffic officers issued a ticket to Castries Central MP Richard Frederick whose vehicle licence number 9900 was illegally parked on the right side of Jeremie Street, facing west. In addition to the fact that the MP’s vehicle was parked in a “No Parking” area, both its right wheels were situated along the side walk.
While the officer was writing up the ticket he was approached by UWP operative Gregory “Smoking Joe” Joseph who attempted to grab the ticket book from the officer. Though he was warned about his behaviour, and within sight of Richard Frederick, Mr. Joseph continued with his attempts at preventing the officer from executing his lawful duties. The officer thereafter affixed the ticket to the vehicle’s windscreen at which point Mr. Joseph grabbed and tore it in the presence of the police all the while berating the officer for “giving his boss a ticket.” He then attempted to restrain Mr. Joseph who assaulted the officer. Finally, and with the assistance of a second officer, Mr. Joseph was arrested.
While Mr. Joseph was being processed at the police station, a Deputy Police Commissioner instructed a superintendent of police to ensure that Mr. Joseph was immediately released. The superintendent in turn telephoned the traffic department advising that he had been instructed to have the prisoner released without charge. Mr. Joseph who had defaced government property, resisted arrest, assaulted and injured an officer was released without charge on the instructions of the Deputy Police Commissioner. Meanwhile the injured officer had to be attended to at Victoria Hospital.
The Saint Lucia Labour Party calls on the Commissioner of Police, Vernon Francois, to immediately clear the air on whether he condones the behaviour of his Deputy and what steps will be taken to have the deputy disciplined.
The Saint Lucia Labour Party also calls on Internal Security Minister, Guy Mayers, to condemn the actions of Minister Frederick who has a history of breaching traffic laws while using his vehicles. Just recently, the Crusader published a photograph of the minister’s vehicle illegally parked outside of Burger King on Jeremie Street. On Sundays, the Minister’s vehicle is often illegally parked along the Cathedral’s sidewalk and last Friday even after the officer issued the ticket and his operative was arrested, Mr. Frederick kept his vehicle illegally parked for a further few hours. Are Richard Frederick and the UWP above the law? Should we expect the disappearance of the charges as is typical of cases connected to members of this government?
The Saint Lucia Labour Party awaits the decision of the Commissioner of Police in this matter where an officer who was properly and lawfully executing his duties was injured in the line of that duty while his Deputy Commissioner of Police who should be assisting his officers in the maintenance of law and order, instead orders the release of the man who injured the officer.
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Following a successful staging of calypso semi-finals on Sunday July 3, 2011, eight calypsonians have been chosen to compete against reigning calypso monarch Invader for the 2011 calypso crown. The semi-final competition at the National Cultural Centre featured eighteen calypsonians from five of the six tents participating this year, namely: Soca Village (Walleigh; TC Brown, Robbie; Supersweet; Lady K; Ti-Carro), NG Soca via Soca Village(Nikki D), Black & White Ambassadors (Morgie; Bingo; Jynx; Educator), Chairman’s Reserve Take Over Tent (Saralee; Herb Black), De Soca-Lypso Revue (Blaze) and South Calypso Tent (Menelle; Nintus; Animator; Duval).
The show ran quite efficiently, despite being the first ever to feature two backing bands, ending hours earlier than anticipated. The semi-final was separated into two sets with Caribbean Connections and the All Star Band backing eight and ten calypsonians respectively in each set.
Following judges deliberations, the results were audited and announced immediately by The Saint Lucia Carnival Stakeholders Committee to waiting tent officials.
The results are as follows:
Black & White Ambassadors: Morgie - Oswin Joseph, Bingo - Fitzroy Leon, Educator - Protus Auguste
NG Soca: Niki D - Nicole David competing with Soca Village
Soca Village: Walliegh - Wulstan Alfred, TC Brown - Linus Cadette
South: Menell - Menell Delice, Nintus - Nintus Magre, Animator - Cornelia Jacob
Calypso Monarch finals will be staged on Sunday July 17, 2011 at 8:00 pm at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
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By Frank Girard
The Government of Saint Lucia has acquired a multi-million-dollar shareholding of the St. Lucia Banana Corporation (SLBC) in WINFRESH - the rebranded Windward Islands Banana Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO) amounting to Twenty Six Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Six Thousand Dollars ($26,266,000.00). The cheque presentation was made to SLBC’s liquidators, Omar Davis and Claude Griffith on Thursday afternoon in the Office of the Prime Minister. However, further negotiations will continue for the sale of the 177 acres Ranju Farms at the Mabouya Valley and the SLBC Building in Castries.
The new shares of the SLBC which is in Voluntary Liquidation has been placed in a new company – Saint Lucia Agricultural Holding Company, which will be responsible for managing the acquired assets of the SLBC aimed at protecting the interest of the agricultural community and Saint Lucia in general. There was a high-level ministerial delegation at the Cheque-Handing-Over-Ceremony, including the former SLBC Chairman, Patrick Joseph.
According to Liquidator, Omar Davis: “SLBC shareholders are expected to collect most of the proceeds of this historic sale while the balance would go towards the payment of all the liabilities of SLBC as of Tuesday, July 5th, 2011. From that date each SLBC shareholder/farmer will receive a pay-out of $5,000.”
Minister for Agriculture, Lands, fisheries and Forestry, Ezechiel Joseph, outlined the background to the sale of SLBC shares. He pointed out : “A Shareholders Meeting was convened in Mon Repos at which my Permanent Secretary and myself were in attendance. Having been given a deadline for the sale of SLBC shares dated June 30th, 2011 the Cabinet of Ministers agreed to purchase the SLBC shares in WINFRESH. The Cabinet also agreed to set-up the Saint Lucia Agricultural Holding Company to manage the Ranju Farms and other assets of the SLBC.”
Minister Ezechiel Joseph also disclosed that the “money had been deposited into the SLBC Bank Account as of June 30th, 2011” noting in particular, that “the pay-out value of the SLBC shares is the exclusive decision of the SLBC and not the Government of Saint Lucia as alleged in certain circles.” He hopes the holding Company will grow from strength-to-strength.
Minister Ezechiel Joseph also said, that the Ranju Farms were still in the process of negotiations with SLBC Liquidators and that a Valuation Report has been undertaken. He also had high praise for WINFRESH which has pledged its support for agricultural diversification by broadening its involvement and to market a wider variety of agricultural produce from Saint Lucia.
Former SLBC Chairman, Patrick Joseph, who attended the “historic” Cheque-Presentation-Ceremony thanked the government ministers and the SLBC shareholders, while looking back at the formation and operation of the SLBC which came into being in 1998.
Reportedly, the acquisition of the SLBC shares in WINFRESH will position the Government and Saint Lucia strategically to benefit from the growth of the company. WINFRESH has been engaged in an aggressive programme to broaden its commodity-base beyond bananas and to reposition itself as an agri-business enterprise.
Also present at Thursday’s Cheque-Presentation-Ceremony were Cabinet Secretary, Cosmos Richardson, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Guy Mayers and Minister for Communications, Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Guy Joseph.
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PORT OF SPAIN - (CARICOM Secretariat, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Within the next three weeks the Region should know who will be the next Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General.
CARICOM Chairman, the Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas told journalists at the closing ceremony and press conference of the 32nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, in St. Kitts and Nevis on Monday that the Community was closer to the appointment of the Caribbean region’s top civil servant.
Dr. Denzil Douglas who is also the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis announced that interviews of five short-listed candidates by the Bureau of Heads were scheduled for the next two weeks, and that following those interviews, an appointment would be announced “in short order.”
The post of Secretary-General became vacant when Sir Edwin Carrington - the longest serving Secretary-General - retired on 31 December 2010, having served in that capacity for 18 years. Since then the Deputy Secretary-General Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite has been acting.
In the wake of this announcement, Ambassador Applewhaite seized the opportunity to tell journalists that she was not vying for the top post, and expressed her profound gratitude to the staff of the CARICOM Secretariat for the sterling support and commitment during the past six months.
She added that she was looking forward to the completion of the review of the Secretariat which would define clearly its goals and direction, thus making it even more viable.
Ambassador Applewhaite will however continue in the acting capacity until the new Secretary-General is appointed.
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The Ministry of Health was the recipient of a donation of medical equipment and general supplies from the International Medical Corps.
Funding for the purchase was made possible by donations from International Medical Corps and the Hess Oil Corporation. Both donors contributed US$500,000 each towards the effort.
Hon. Dr. Keith Mondesir, Minister of Health, expressed his gratitude to the donors, for coming to the aid of the medical facilities that experienced substantial loss during the passage of Hurricane Tomas.
“I want to say that this is such a beautiful gift to an island that was devastated by Hurricane Tomas. It did a lot of damage to all our facilities -especially our medical facilities. A lot of the stuff we had on storage got wet. Indeed, we have to say a special thank you to the donors. In EC we have a gift of $2.7 million.”
In making the presentation, Ms. Kimberly Mathurin, Program Director at International Medical Corps said the International Medical Corps, established in 1984, is a humanitarian non-profit organization operating out of 75 countries on four continents.
“Our team is fully St. Lucian. We’re really proud to be here to assist since Hurricane Tomas to donate US $500,000 worth of supplies from our donor, Hess. We’ve also matched with Hess’ donation.
“We’re donating all this with the hope that it will benefit all Saint Lucians. We look forward to continued partnership with the Ministry of Health and the government of Saint Lucia.”
International Medical Corps mandate is to provide relief by delivering vital medical services, to those impacted by war, natural disaster, and disease.
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Public education on the tenets of intellectual property rights was the focus of a workshop held here recently. The 3 day workshop was jointly organized by the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Properties, Desma Charles explained the rationale for the public sensitization campaign.
“We have realized that intellectual property is not an area that many persons are aware of, so the reason for this mission was really to set in motion an awareness campaign to build an awareness among Saint Lucians and really to gain an understanding and an appreciation for the work of inventors, creators and entrepreneurs.”
In addition to Private Sector participation, Public Officials and the Cabinet of Ministers received information from the (WHY - PO) consultant on Intellectual Property rights. According to Charles, intellectual property embraces every aspect of our lives.
“Intellectual property refers to creation of the human mind and how these creations can be applied in the commercial world. Under Intellectual Property we refer to two broad categories: Industrial Property which covers trade marks, patents, industrial design, geographical indications, and it also covers copyright and related rights; which refers to the work artist, musicians, poets, authors, writers, and entrepreneurs.
The Ministry of Justice and the World Intellectual Property Organization hope that the recently held 3 day public sensitization exercise will encourage people to respect the intellectual property rights of others.
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As part of an emerging policy of engagement, Prime Minister Stephenson King l on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 met with the leadership of two national civil society organizations. The meetings which were held in the Office of the Prime Minister involved the leadership of the National Consumer Association (NCA) and the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari (ICAR).
These meetings were among the first undertaken under a policy in which the Prime Minister seeks to hold introductory meetings with newly elected executives of national Non Governmental and Civil Society Organizations.
During the first meeting with the National Consumer Association executive, the Prime Minister gave an undertaking to provide the Association with an annual subvention of EC$25,000.00 and to explore the possibility of a secondment arrangement to allow for the allocating a suitable public officer to the NCA. As a gesture of support for the NCA and a form of motivation for its recruitment drive, Prime Minister King formalized his application for membership of the Association.
The second meeting held with the executive of the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari covered a number of agenda items, including: The UN designation of this Year as the Year of the African Descendants, a Policy to allow discretionary time off for Rastafarians within the Public Service to Observe Days of Significance to the community, Financial Support to ICAR and the matter of Decriminalization of Marijuana among other matters.
Based on the discussion that ensued a number of conclusions were arrived at. The following are of note:
* The Prime Minister mandated the establishment of a Cabinet appointed Committee to be convened by ICAR to formulate a programme for commemoration of the “Year of the African Descendant.
* The Prime Minister agreed to explore the possibility of providing agricultural lands to the ICAR for the purpose of engaging in organic farming enterprise.
* The Prime Minister agreed to provide ICAR with a grant towards financing various projects including office rental for a period of six (6) months, commemoration of Marcus Garvey Day and a Saint Lucia Reggae Festival, etc.
* The Prime Minister agreed to look into the establishment of a policy that would allow Rastafarian members of the public service to be given discretionary time off to enable them to observe days of significance to the community.
* On the matter of decriminalization of Marijuana, Prime King suggested that Government would be prepared to facilitate the commissioning of a review exercise and a process of national dialogue that would help to inform Government policy.
It is the intention of the Prime Minister to continue to accommodate such meetings as part of an overall approach that would help to forge better relationships and appreciation between national civil society organizations and Government. Such an approach will certainly help to foster greater partnership and sensitivity regarding specific concerns and the overall national development agenda.
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The Saint Lucia Labour Party has listened and observed developments relating to the incident of Friday 1st July involving the assault of a Police Officer by well known UWP operative Gregory “Smoking Joe” Joseph, while the officer was dispensing his duty by placing a parking ticket on a vehicle owned by Castries Central MP, Richard Frederick.
The SLP commends acting Commissioner, Vernon Francois for his reassurance that persons in high places will not dictate how the Police execute their duties and that “Smoking Joe” will be rearrested for his offence.
However the SLP believes that the Commissioner has a duty also to remove all doubt from the public mind about what information or motivation would have led a Deputy Commissioner of Police to release a person arrested for, among other things, an assault on a junior police officer working under his command, without a detailed and thorough investigation; particularly when the officer had to be treated for injuries at Victoria Hospital. The Commissioner’s statement that his senior officer was acting on the information which he had at the time is sadly inadequate and tantamount to short-changing the public.
The SLP states further that it categorically rejects Richard Frederick’s attempt to suggest that he was not aware that he was in a no parking zone. The SLP contends that Mr. Frederick is the MP for Castries Central; he is a regular on Jeremie Street where the incident took place; he is an ex-police officer and a lawyer by profession so he well knows that his excuse is unacceptable. The SLP calls on Mr. Frederick to explain whether he is also unaware that positioning part of his vehicle on a sidewalk is also a traffic offence.
The SLP notes further that the Castries Central MP suggested that his vehicle may have been a target because of political stickers displayed on it. It is unfortunate that as a member of the Legislature of the Country, Mr. Frederick is always so quick to impute political motive to actions taken by public servants in the execution of their legitimate duties. The public would recall similar accusations levelled by Mr. Frederick against the Comptroller of Customs, in the matter of the seizure of his vehicles by the Customs Department. The SLP hopes that the Police Officer is not dealt with, in the same manner as the Comptroller of Customs.
The SLP believes that this is a matter which demands the intervention of the Prime Minister but the Party holds little hope that Prime Minister King would depart from his customary silence to help lay the public’s mind to rest on this latest disturbing case connected to a member of his Government.
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The Ministry of Social Transformation, Youth and Sports is in the process of finalizing plans for this year’s hosting of Youth Parliament scheduled for July.
The annual event seeks to provide youth between the ages of 14 to 35 with insight into the decision making processes of government by having them engage in a mock parliamentary debate.
In addition, it provides them with the opportunity to have pertinent youth issues brought to the national Parliament and the nation’s consciousness.
Prospective candidates must participate in a selection process that includes the submission of a completed nomination form. Interested persons were asked to submit all nominations on or before Tuesday 05 July.
For more information, contact the Department of Youth and Sports at 468- 5410 or 468-5402.
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The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) believes that revelations contained in a letter written to Commissioner Vernon Francois by Richard Frederick should be a cause of great concern to Mr Francois as well as the public in general. The letter dated 5th July, 2011lodges a complaint against Special Police Constable (SPC) 267 Roberts who is identified as the policeman who was assaulted while attaching a traffic ticket to Richard Frederick’s vehicle registration number 9900, on Friday 1st July 2011. The assailant has been identified as a United Workers Party (UWP) operative and close political associate of Richard Frederick.
The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) notes that in his letter Mr. Frederick refers to two encounters with SPC Roberts previous to the 1st July incident which he (Mr. Frederick) claims is an indication that he was being targeted by the police constable. In both instances the policeman in question, who may or may not have been Officer Roberts, was executing legitimate police duties. In one case Mr. Frederick’s common-law wife was stopped for an enquiry about the possibility that the vehicle she was driving carried a registration number which may have been sighted on another vehicle. In the second instance Mr. Frederick was given a traffic ticket for parking illegally on Chisel Street. By Mr. Frederick’s own account it is reasonable to conclude that he had developed an unpleasant perception of the young policeman before last Friday’s incident.
The SLP is convinced that Mr. Frederick’s statement that he had not witnessed the incident between “Smoking Joe” and SPC Roberts carried on Monday 4th July played on the RCI midday newscast cannot be believed based on detailed accounts contained in his own letter and quoted as follows: “There were vehicles in front and behind me. The Officer passed every vehicle, stood up to the front of my vehicle at an open stance, fixed his shades and proceeded to write the ticket. Angel Brouet’s vehicle was parked there and was surpassed when he came to mine to get the attention of the extremely large crowd socializing along the street. All one needs to write a ticket is the vehicle’s number. But his stance in front of the vehicle with a conspicuous sticker to the front, which by itself was already attracting attention given the fact that it referred to the leader of the opposition, was clearly an intention to “show off” authority.”
The SLP calls on Mr. Frederick to explain why he followed in such detail the actions of the traffic officer leading to the writing of the ticket but denies viewing the altercation with “Smoking Joe” which started while the ticket was being written and which continued after it was placed on his vehicle. The SLP believes that it is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Frederick, as a lawmaker, could have intervened to restrain his political associate, “Smoking Joe”, but chose not to.
It is the view of the SLP that this development is alarming and should remind all Saint Lucians of the countless violations of law and order by members of the Stephenson King Administration over the last five years. The SLP laments that Prime Minister King is yet to make a statement to relieve public concerns and to disassociate himself from such a disturbing trend.
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The second annual Piton Soca Starz crowned a new winner last Friday July 1 in the person of 22 year old Sergia Charles of Ti Rocher, Micoud. The finals of the competition which started on April 27, ended with a bang on Friday where a large crowd witnessed ten finalists vying for the title and giving very good and entertaining performances.
The Piton Soca Starz finalists included five ladies this year; Liza (who had a prior engagement and was an eventual no-show), Soca Pepper, Crystalyn, Blackberry and the winner Sergia. The other finalists were Soca Bandit, Lime Juice, J Buds, Shakir “Afro” Lubin, Kernil “Maniac” Gaston and Nervin “Mighty” Romnis. Each performer for the finals was required to perform two songs, a song of their choice in round one and in the second round a performance with an esta-blished Soca performer here. They were scored in the areas of Intonation, Rhythm, Range, Articulation, Vocal Quality, Performance and Crowd support, by a panel of five judges.
Sergia in her first round performed “Push it back” penned by Q pid with much crowd support. In her second round she complimented Teddyson John on his “Anyhow” interacting with the former Groovy Monarch and showcasing much versatility in the process. In second place was Soca Bandit of Laborie who gave a strong performance in the second round with Ricky T stirring up the crowd into a frenzy to “Mad Ting.” Third place winner J Budz of Soufriere performed “Bend Down” in round one and “Glo Koko” with Mongstar in round two. Kernil “Maniac” Gaston also delivered one of the best original songs on the night “Carnival Fever,” and performed with Pringles in the second round.
A number of the Piton Soca Starz finalists this year performed their original material including the popular Soca Pepper with “How is me,” Mighty with “Custom wine,” Afro with “Mad, sick, head gone,” and Maniac.
The Piton Soca Starz final was hosted by Nicole “Niki” David with Matrix as the back up band. The judges on the evening were Gaius Harry of WLBL, promoter and event coordinator Veil Tobiere, producer Courtney Louis, music producer and artiste manager Ian Sanchez and chief judge Toni Nicholas.
The winner of the 2011 PITON Soca Starz will receive a cash prize of EC$3,000 a recording contract for a song, the production of a music video, Piton Products and the opportunity to perform at Piton Sponsored events for Carnival 2k11 and Piton events in general throughout the year. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the second and third place winners. The top three winners will also receive packages from Karib Cable who was a sponsor of this year’s event. The company will offer the winner a triple play gift certificate with 3 months free service and a double play gift certificate and free service for two months to the second place. The third place will receive a one month free service package for Cable TV, Landline or Internet from Karib cable.
Piton Soca Starz, conceptualized by WLBL in 2010 is open to Nationals of Saint Lucia 18 and over and seeks to develop the next aspiring Soca star here and to add a new dimension to Saint Lucia’s carnival. Germaine Serieux Brand Manager of Piton Beer expressed deep satisfaction following the finals last Friday. “I am overwhelmed and tremendously satisfied with this year’s event in general and the finals in particular,” Serieux says. “I think this year the artistes we had went all out to give us a good product, we had great support everywhere we went around the island this year so I must say a special thanks to all the fans, the performers, the Soca artistes, the band, the Kareoke team, our hosts and judges, the sponsors and my WLBL team who helped make this event yet another success for Piton Beer, San nou memn, the official beer for Lucian Carnival,” Serieux ended by saying.
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Island-Wide Restaurant Promotion July through September
Saint Lucia announces a new “Summerlicious” promotion featuring reduced prix fixe lunch and dinner summer menus in restaurants island-wide. Much like Restaurant Week in the US, Summerlicious includes two course lunch and three course dinner menus ranging in prices from US$20.00 to US$55.00. Unlike Restaurant Week however, Summerlicious will be available to diners for three months from July 1 to September 30, 2011. In addition, all meals include a high-quality signature cocktail made with Saint Lucia’s award winning Chairman’s Reserve Rum. Summerlicious is headed by the Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association (SLHTA) and will feature 21 participating restaurant and hotel partners.
“Summerlicious is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase Saint Lucia’s wide variety of delectable cuisine from our diverse heritage. Saint Lucian dishes are infused with Creole, French, English and African flavors, making Saint Lucia a truly desirable culinary destination” said Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
For more information on Summerlicious, visit www.saintlucianow.com or call 1-758-452-5978. Participating restaurants include: Big Chef Steakhouse, Buzz, Charthouse Restaurant, Coal Pot Restaurant, Delirius, Spice of India, The Edge Restaurant & Sushi Bar, The Fire Grill Lounge & Bar, Ti Banane.
Restaurants located at the following hotels Auberge Seraphine, Bay Gardens Beach Resort Trios restaurant and Hi Tide restaurant, Bay Gardens Hotel, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, Cap Maison, Cotton Bay Village, Hummingbird Beach Resort, Royal by rex resorts and St. Lucian by rex resorts, The Landings, Village Inn & Spa, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa.
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The European Union Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs met with CARICOM leaders on 2 July to discuss a series of political and cooperation issues.
Mr. Piebalgs and the regional leaders met within the margins of the 32nd regular meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The encounter marked a new phase in further enhancing Caribbean-EU relations.
Development cooperation has picked up significantly, the CARIFORUM/EU Economic Partnership Agreement is being implemented and both Sides are working together on a Joint Caribbean/EU Strategy to lay the groundwork for a more mature relationship which will encompass political dialogue and development cooperation.
Regional integration and related issues and, in addition, a series of specific themes related to trade, climate change and environment, crime and security and implementation of ongoing and planned programmes were also addressed.
During the visit of the EU Development Commissioner, agreements for disbursement of budget support to Jamaica and for a 7.9 million Euro programme to support the Climate Change Agenda of the region were signed. The Commissioner also engaged in a series of bilateral meetings.
The Caribbean and the European Union reaffirmed their determination to further enhance their longstanding relationship and cooperation.
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The new President of the St. Lucia Civil Service Cooperative Credit Union (SLCSCCU), Edmund Regis, says he intends “to introduce new and meaningful changes, to take the credit union to its next level of development.”
Mr. Regis, General Manager of the National Printing Corporation, says hi election to lead the island’s largest credit union during its 50th anniversary “is a momentous opportunity to start the credit union’s next 50 years and I will be working with my fellow directors, the administration and, most of all, the members, to take the St. Lucia Civil Service Cooperative Credit Union (SLCSCCU) through to the next level of changes necessary to better serve our members and place ourselves on a much better footing.”
A former Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister who also served wit the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Ministry of Planning, has been at his current post at the government-owned national printer for the past eight years.
Regis, who served on the previous Board of Directors of the Credit Union, was elected by fellow elected directors following the SLCSCCU’s recent 30th Annual General Meeting in Castries.
The AGM was addressed by Prime Minister Stephenson King and former President of the World Council of Credit Unions Melvin Edwards.
Regis replaced former Agriculture Ministry official Henry Lubin, who did not seek re-election.
Agosta Degazon, a senior Finance Ministry official, retained his position as Vice President.
Former Comptroller of Customs Matthew Lafeuille retained his position as Company Secretary, while Deputy Comptroller of Inland Revenue Adria Sonson retained her position as Treasurer.
Other board members include: Director of Audit Averil James Bonnette, Attorney Michael St. Catherine, NIPRO Human Resource Specialist Helen Richards, Ministry of Commerce Marketing Specialist Junia Emmanuelle and Sylvestre Dickson of the Inland Revenue Department.
The SLCSCCU, with up-to-date assets of over $144 million, is the third strongest credit union in the OECS and ranks among then top five with Barbados included.
Registered in 1961, it observes its 50th anniversary this year, ahead of the observance of 2012 as the International Cooperative Credit Union Year.
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The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, through the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation (IVCC) house of ALBA, hosted a cultural education session sponsored by three Latin American embassies in St. Lucia for teachers of Spanish Language.
Also supported by the embassies of Cuba and Mexico in St. Lucia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture, the recent activity concluded an initiative that served to impart the improvement of language teaching and to help participants develop their knowledge of each country.
The activity, held ahead of the celebration of Venezuela’s Bicentennial Independence Anniversary on July 5th, took place at IVCC (located on the John Compton Highway) over three consecutive Saturdays, in the form of several country presentations by the various embassies.
Each embassy’s presentation made participating Spanish teachers aware of some aspects of their territory, including culture, gastronomy, history, and tourism. They local teachers were also delighted to sample a traditional Venezuelan dish, the arepa. The cultural activity was attended by some 17 teachers from various schools in different districts across the Island, including Vieux Fort and Soufriere.
Ambassador Eduardo Barranco Hernández and his delegation took the opportunity to share with participants various aspects of Venezuelan life, such as its history and highlights of the Bicentennial of its independence.
They embassy representatives also disseminated touristic brochures and expressed the importance of these sites and tourism for the country and made a presentation of their colorful culture and folklore.
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“Pre Carnival Kids Jump Up 2011”
Just Us Kids Jr. Carnival Band in its effort to promote Jr. Carnival 2011 will be hosting its third annual Tribute to Sponsors Parade for kids on Saturday 9th July from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the city of Castries. Just us Kids Junior Carnival Band whose’ aim is to foster participation and help develop the rebuilding of Junior Carnival, have recognized that greater attention to our most prized national festival, carnival has become a festival for mainly adults and the kids who are also the future of the mas are left on the ways side to a down played under promoted Jr. Carnival ever year.
As a result Just Us Kids Jr. Carnival Band has created this imitative to encourage youth participation including the kids who cannot afford to play in a costume band an opportunity to Jump
The kids will assemble at the William Peter Boulevard Near Churches Chicken, the parade will make around in the boulevard, then make a left on to Laborie St, then a right to Jeremy St., then a right on Paynier St. then a right on to Micoud St., then a right on to Laborie St. left into the Boulevard, left on to Laborie St, Right on to Jeremy St, and left to the John Compton Highway to end at the Vigie Sports Complex Car Park
Just Us Kids have also partnered with the Solid Waste Management Authority for Junior Carnival 2011 in attempt to promote the idea of keeping the city clean whiles parading the streets, hoping that the other bands including the adult bands to take a page from this initiative
Just Us Kids Tribute to Sponsors Parade 2011 will feature the Main Partners of the band on Saturday giving a day of full publicity acknowledging their support to the Band and Junior Carnival. This year an estimated number of 400 kids will participate in the parade. Interested kids who want to be part can register at the Ave Maria School today Friday and tomorrow Morning at the School
Be Part of this experience as Just Us Kids Jr. Carnival Band Present Its Pre Carnival Jump.
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The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Family Affairs, National Mobilization, Human Service and Gender relations has revamped its Community Mental Health Programme. Assistant Community Principal Nursing Officer, Juliette Joseph, says the programme has many benefits including cost savings to the country.
“I am proud to report that the program has recommenced. We are hoping that this program will improve mental wellness in Saint Lucia. In addition we are looking forward to decreasing not only admission but readmission at the wellness centre. We are also hoping that the cost of operation at the mental institution will be decreased as well.’’ Joseph says it is the ministry’s intention to extend the program throughout the island.
Presently the ministry of health is engaged in staff training.
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Take Over Tent: Ricky T - Mad Ting, Ambi - Matey You, Damaze - Ting Ting, Alpha - Road Ready
Soca Village Int’l: Orion - Feeling It
De Revue: Pepper - How Is Me, G I Joe - Re-Ke-Tek
NG Soca: T J - Mash It Up, Superman HD - More Mash Up, Sir Lancelot - Soca Riot, Ilahman - Vex - Sedale - Nah Stop Wining - Platinum George - Mad Man, Crocadile - Sit Dong, Private Six - Wasted, Mysterio - Wine Your Waist, Mongstar - Monster Energy, Zionomi - Untangler, Mantius - Ti Kwa
DJ HP will defend his party monarch crown on Saturday July 16, 2011 at 8:00 pm at the Beseausejour Cricket Grounds.
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Huge Quantity of Marijuana Destroyed on Plantation at Aux-Leon
On Friday the 1st of July, 2011, police officers attached to the Richfond Police Station in collaboration with members of the Drug Unit, conducted a drug eradication exercise on a plantation at Aux-Leon, Dennery, where a quantity of approximately six thousand and five hundred (6500) fully grown marijuana plants were destroyed. No one was arrested during the operation.
In the meantime, the officers of both Dennery and Richfond police Station, would like to commend residents of Dennery and the surrounding communities including visitors, for their co-operation with police during the carnival activities at Dennery which was held on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of July, 2011.
According to police, there were no reports of violence or any criminal activity during the celebration, neither was anyone arrested for any infraction.
Two More Charges for Balata Youth
Police have charged 17-year-old, Terhanz St.Marie, alias “Madmax” of Balata, Castries, for the attempted murder of Denzel Rose of La Clery, Castries and Dillan Alphonse, also of La Clery.
The incident occurred about 4:00pm, on Friday the 17th of June, 2011, at the Reclamation Ground, near the Babonneau Bus Station, in the vicinity of the Castries Market, where St.Marie allegedly stabbed 40-year-old, Desmond Rose of La Clery, during an altercation. Desmond Rose was later pronounced dead on the scene. His son Denzel Rose and another youth, Dillan Alphonse were also stabbed multiple times during the altercation.
Terhanz St.Marie appeared in court on Friday the 1sy of July, 2011, with reference to the abovementioned charges, where the case was adjourned to the 7th 0f October, 2011 for sufficiency hearing
Marijuana Destroyed on Plantation at Soufriere
The Soufriere police conducted a drug eradication exercise on Sunday the 3rd of July, 2011, on a plantation in the hills at Sulphur Springs, Soufriere, where a total of two thousand, one hundred and twenty (2120) fully grown marijuana plants were destroyed.
No one was arrested during the exercise.
Babonneau Youth Charged for Samaans Park Murder
Police have charged 21-year-old, Derick Pierre of Girard Cacoa, Babonneau, quarter of Castries, for the murder of 19-year-old, Neil Timaitre of Boguis, Babonneau. Pierre appeared in court on Wednesday the 6th of July, 2011, where he was remanded at the Bordelais Correctional Facility until the 13th of July, 2011, when he reappears for sufficiency hearing.
The incident occurred about 8:00pm, on Sunday the 26th of June, 2011, while Derick Pierre attended the Wet Fete activity at Samaans Park located at Choc Bay, quarter of Gros -Islet, when he got involved in an altercation which resulted in him being stabbed in the chest. He was taken to the Victoria Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
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The Rotaract Club of St. Lucia conducted a “Handing over ceremony” at the Entrepot Human resource Centre, Castries on Thursday 7 July, 2011.
Rotaract, the youth arm of the Rotary, is an international community service organization for young men & women aged 18-30, that fosters leadership through community service.
The handing over ceremony marks the introduction of the new executive for July 2011 to June 2012.
At the ceremony the executive gave details of the community service projects they intend to execute including a national spelling bee for 5th graders, partnering with the Donator School for restorative works in class rooms as well as a mentorship programme with students.
The club also hopes to embark on an antiviolence seminar aimed at young persons in secondary schools along with smaller projects that aid the community.
The incoming President Tzarmallah Haynes has indicated that, “The new year poses a challenge as more and more young people are not interested in volunteerism and serving the community. However, it is a challenge that the incoming executive takes on board as we reexamine and rethink our strategies of fostering young professionals who are committed to improving St. Lucia even if it’s in a small way”.
Rotaract is the perfect alternative to lure young adults away from engaging in nefarious activities and provide them an avenue to contribute positively to their community and assisting the elderly and less fortunate. Rotaract clubs organize a variety of service projects and professional & leadership development activities worldwide given that there are more than 7000 Rotaract Clubs in about 155 countries.
The Central Library serves as home to the Rotaract Club of St. Lucia where regular meetings are hosted there on Thursdays at 6:30pm.
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CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank is continuing its recognition of outstanding academic performance among St. Lucia’s students with the award of a laptop to Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School’s Most Academic Student.
The award was presented during the Secondary School’s graduation ceremony on July 6th.
CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has been actively involved in enriching the lives of St. Lucia’s youth through a number of initiatives. The gift of the laptop, follows on the heels of a number of contributions towards the purchase of trophies for students graduating from various secondary schools on island, throughout the months of June and July.
The trophies are in support of well deserved accolades for commendable performance. These include Most Outstanding Male Athlete at the Ciceron Secondary School, Most Outstanding Academic Student at the Vide Boutielle Secondary School, Marigot Secondary School and the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School.
Mauricia Thomas Francis, CIBC FCIB Country Head said, “We are proud of the accomplishments of all the graduating students. Our trophies and laptop signify a job well done and lets students know that there is reward for hard work, perseverance and a positive well-rounded attitude toward school. We wish our students all the best in their future endeavours.”
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