Government Information Service Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 7 - 2020

NEWSLETTER GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

ISSUE NO. 07

$7.2 MILLION ENHANCEMENT

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OF GRENADA SDA COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL PRINCESS ROYAL HOSPITAL UNDERGOING

SDA Students Turning Sod with Stakeholders at Mt. Rose SDA Comprehensive School

INSIDE

US$1.5 MILLION UPGRADE

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GOVERNMENT TO COLLECT $181M LESS IN REVENUE DUE TO COVID-19

PAGE IMPORT PERMIT NEEDED FOR IMPORTATION OF AGRICULTURAL 06 MATERIALS

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CRICKETERS EXCITED ABOUT INSTALLATION OF CRICKET NETS AT PROGRESS PARK

AND MUCH MORE...

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$7.2 MILLION ENHANCEMENT OF GRENADA SDA COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

Staff and students of Grenada Seventh Day Adventist Comprehensive School will soon benefit from a $7.2 million Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) funded project, which will add a multi-science block and new administrative wing, in addition to the refurbishment of existing school facilities.

After several years of waiting, staff, students, community members, other stakeholders and friends of the Grenada SDA Comprehensive School, in Mt. Rose, St. Patrick, witnessed the sod turning ceremony for this project on August 20, at the school compound. The project is part of the Grenada Education Enhancement Project (GEEP). The signed agreement between the CDB and the Government of Grenada, under the GEEP, has secured funding for nine schools to date.

Kimlyn De Coteau, Principal of the Grenada SDA Comprehensive School for the past seven years, said she is overwhelmed to see the project finally in progress.

She said, “Right now, our staff is scattered different points at the school. So, we are going to be getting administrative space.

The principal’s office will also be relocated.

The science lab, which is a multi-purpose – one little room/multi-purpose lab at the moment – we’re going to get two additional labs. So, that will give you a wider scope for science work to be done. We would also be given room, so that a subject like Clothing and Textiles can be brought on, so we will have curriculum expansion. So, it really gives us scope for a lot of development.”

Two temporary buildings will be added to the existing school building, for the relocation of classes, during the project.

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Hon. Moses is excited about the employment generation aspect of the project. She said “We are happy for this opportunity for employment for our people, in addition to the St. Patrick Road Project that is ongoing, to the Levera Hotel Project that is just unfolding.”

Hon. Emmalin Pierre, is pleased with the commencement of the project. She said despite the harsh and uncertain economic times, the Government of Grenada continues on its path of development.

The Parliamentary representative also said five acres of land close to the school were surveyed, for the establishment of a playing field, for use by that institution and that funding is currently being sought.

“We have committed, and we continue to commit to some 75 schools that are going to be touched through refurbishment and development between now and the end of the year and into the rest of 2021,” Hon. Pierre said, speaking at the sod turning ceremony.

Estherlyn Modeste, a Teacher at Grenada SDA Comprehensive for the past 30 years, said, “We’re thankful for the new infrastructure, firstly, because about two years ago we had the challenge with electricity. We were out of electricity for a while. So, we’ll be grateful. Secondly, we’ll have more space to accommodate more students, as well as have all the classes housed properly.”

Pastor Clinton Lewis, School Manager and President of Grenada Conference of Seventh Day Adventist Churches, said, “Some people believed that the school will never be built, but we were not of that persuasion. We had the faith and confidence that at the right time it will happen,” he said. “I must say that we’ve had a very wonderful partnership with the Government.”

Minister for Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information,

She noted that a number of schools currently being renovated, while the Grenada Christian Academy and the St. Andrews Anglican Primary will soon receive new schools and negotiations for the land, to be the site for the new Catholic Secondary School, are also in progress.

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PRINCESS ROYAL HOSPITAL UNDERGOING US$1.5 MILLION UPGRADE Carriacou’s main health facility, the Princess Royal Hospital, is currently receiving major upgrades as part of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) funded US $1.5 Million Smart Hospital Project, for the island.

The Smart Hospital Project warrants the installation of smart electrical appliances, new windows and doors, a fire alarm and detection system, disability access, lockers, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and roofing, making the facility disaster ready and water efficient.

PRINCESS ROYAL HOSPITAL

During a site visit by the Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government, Hon. Kindra Maturine - Stewart, she indicated that she is very impressed with the work done thus far and looks forward to improving the island’s hospital safety ratings.

machine, which is presently in storage at the Ministry of Health in Grenada.

Government has also been engaging an intended operator for the X-ray machine.

“This means, therefore, that as of January 2021, Princess Royal Hospital will be able Minister Stewart added that in addition to perform X-rays - something that has to the upgrades being done under the been missing from this facility for quite a Smart Hospital Project, the Government while. This is a step in the right direction of Grenada has purchased a new X-ray for our health care system on the island

and I know all of this will be well-received and appreciated, not only by me, but the entire island on a whole,” Minister Stewart stated.

The Smart Hospital Project is expected to be completed by December 2020, offering a modernized health facility to residents of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, by extension.

GOVERNMENT TO COLLECT $181M LESS IN REVENUE DUE TO COVID-19 The Government of Grenada will collect $181 million less in revenue than was previously projected the result of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the local economy.

initiatives must be implemented,” the Prime Minister said.

In an address to the nation on August 17, 2020, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, said faced with that reality, “Government has revised downwards, revenue initially proposed in the 2020 budget, given the estimated 40 percent or more in reduction, on average, in revenue collected by the Inland Revenue and Customs Departments and other areas of revenue generation.”

Prime Minister,

Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

He said 2020 expenditure must now be brought in line to reflect the current situation.

“This means that the budgets of most Ministries will have to be adjusted to deal with the reduction in revenue. In addition, measures such as streamlining discretionary recurrent expenditure, stricter man-power management and waste reduction

Dr. Mitchell assured that Government will place significant emphasis on aggressively implementing capital projects that are funded by external grants and loans, as part of plans to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

The Prime Minister also expressed concern that many seem oblivious to the dangers of COVID-19, continuing to break protocol, engaging in Carnival-like activities and assembling in large numbers without wearing their masks, even after Government went to Parliament to legislate for the removal of the two-day holiday that is usually carded for carnival.

He said even if it means the loss of some political support, Government will do what is in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of the citizens of this country.

HEALTH MATTERS

COVID-19 HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR URGES CITIZENS TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE

The Chairperson of the COVID-19 Health Advisory Committee, Dr. Bert Brathwaite, is warning that citizens need to be acutely on guard for any possible transmission of COVID-19, in light of the decision by many to assemble for Jab Jab, during the week of August 10.

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in physical contact. The wearing of masks is also another important issue to me. The two most important things for us to do is to continue the physical distancing and to continue wearing masks.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shawn Charles, says there is cause for concern During a press conference on August 17, due to the fact that people set aside all Brathwaite said people cannot afford protocols in the name of having fun. to take this virus lightly, simply because Grenada has succeeded in keeping the “We are waiting in anticipation to see what numbers down. will [be] the result of all that activity that occurred over the past week and a half or “If you’re having mass activities where so. We are hopeful that we do not suffer people are close, intermingling, that is a setback, as is being experienced in the a recipe for spread of the virus and what south. We saw the measures that are being we will appeal to individuals not to do implemented, as of today, in Trinidad. is to go and even have private parties, Trinidad is our neighbor and we are just because people can hide away and hoping for the best and at the same time have private parties in closed quarters, we are asking the public to be responsible and that actually has caused death of a in the decisions that they make, because number of people in the United States. I it doesn’t just affect you, it might affect remember early in the epidemic, quite a one of your loved ones. Persons need to few Grenadians died after going to a party understand that sometimes the decisions in New York - it was reported. So, it’s tough, that we take can have far reaching but we have to be prepared not to engage consequences.”

Dr. Bert Brathwaite

STRENGTHENING OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

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hile addressing members of the media during a news conference on Monday, the Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Shawn Charles, said the Ministry of Health continues to strengthen its protocols at all ports of entry, to avoid the importation of COVID-19 cases into Grenada.

Charles said, with Grenada’s phased opening of its borders to regional and international flights, there is a constant need to review the protocols in keeping with what is happening regionally and internationally.

He said, “The COVID situation is dynamic.

We are seeing how things are changing, both near and far, in further developed regions and even in our local region, we’re seeing some of our neighbours having small setbacks. We are hoping that they remain small setbacks in their efforts to respond to COVID and we are looking at what is happening there and adjusting our protocols, so that we do not enter into a similar situation.”

Numerous questions have been asked about the protocols in place for returning nationals and visitors from the various low, medium and high-risk zones.

Charles said low-risk zones are those where the number of infections, within the past fourteen days, are less than twenty per hundred thousand people; medium-risk includes between twenty and ninety cases per hundred thousand and high-risk have over ninety cases per hundred thousand.

He said, “For countries that are in low-risk category, all persons are required to have a negative PCR test to enter the State of Grenada and that test should be done no more than seven days before, but there is a small grouping that is exempt from this and that is what we call ‘the bubble’. This would include countries like Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia; St. Vincent. They’re currently exempt from this requirement.”

Dr. Shawn Charles

Charles also explained, saying that, “They’re requested to fill a number of forms, such as health declaration, waiver of liability, and public health locater forms. In the event that a public health official, on screening that person at port entry, determines that the person needs further testing, that person would have a PCR test done, and they will be required to stay in quarantine until we get the result.

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CANADA IN GRENADA’S LOW RISK TRAVEL CATEGORY

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO IN GRENADA’S MEDIUM RISK TRAVEL CATEGORY The public is hereby advised that in keeping with the Government’s protocol and continuous assessment of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health – Grenada, has taken the decision to place Trinidad and Tobago in its Medium Risk Travel Category/ Zone.

On Friday morning, health officials monitoring the situation in Trinidad and Tobago, told the (GIS) that due to the intensity of the unfolding COVID-19 outbreak in the twin-island republic, the Government of Grenada was advised to temporarily suspend the routine physical forms of merchant trading between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shawn Charles, told GIS, that this decision is in our best interest as the traffickers and operators are less likely to obtain a negative (PCR) test before boarding the cargo vessels to return to Grenada.

Dr. Charles, who empathizes with the merchants, said he understands the effect such a decision can have on our traffickers and operators of cargo vessels. He reiterated that the decision was not an easy one to take, but priority had to be given to the greater good of the country and its citizens.

The decision, which was carefully analyzed by local health authorities, is based on the fact that Trinidad and Tobago have had around 39 cases per 100,000 population in the last 14 days. Countries in the medium risk category are those that have between 20 – 60 cases per 100,000 population, therefore, health officials felt that in keeping with our local protocols this change has become necessary.

This means that returning nationals and visitors from Trinidad and Tobago are expected to present a negative PCR test result, taken no more than seven days before travel to Grenada, and are required to be quarantined upon arrival for a period of 10 days. The first 48 hours of their quarantine would be spent in a Governmentapproved facility, pending the result of the (PCR) test.

Passengers coming from the medium risk category/zone will be quarantined in a Government-approved facility at their own expense, until the test result is available and shows negative. All passengers will be required to present a completed health declaration form, a waiver of liability agreement form and a public health locator form upon arrival.

This advice is being kept under constant review. Travel disruption is still possible and national control measures may be brought in with little notice, therefore all concerned are encouraged to continue to check our travel guidance and advisories.

The Ministry of Health advises and encourages citizens to adhere to all COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols, and to continue the practice of hand and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.

The public is hereby advised that after careful consideration and analysis of the current threat and risk of COVID-19 transmission in the Commonwealth of Canada, the Ministry of Health, Grenada has taken the decision to place Canada in its Low Risk Travel Category/Zone.

The decision is based on the fact that Canada has had around 14 cases per 100,000 population in the last 14 days. Countries in the low risk category are those that have less than 20 cases per 100,000 population, therefore, health officials felt that in keeping with our local protocols this change has become necessary.

This means that returning nationals and visitors from Canada are expected to present a negative PCR test result, taken no more than seven days before travel to Grenada, but are not required to be quarantined upon arrival. All passengers will be required to present a completed health declaration form, a waiver of liability agreement form and a public health locator form upon arrival.

In the event that it is thought necessary to do a PCR Test on arrival, the passenger will be quarantined in a Government approved facility until the result is available and shows negative.

This advice is being kept under constant review. Travel disruption is still possible and national control measures may be brought in with little notice, therefore all concerned are encouraged to continue to check our travel guidance and advisories.

The Ministry of Health advises and encourages citizens to adhere to all COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols and to continue the practice of hand and respiratory hygiene/ cough etiquette.

AGRICULTURE CORNER

IMPORT PERMIT NEEDED FOR IMPORTATION OF AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS

The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is reminding the general public of the importance of obtaining an import permit, before proceeding to bring agricultural seeds and materials into the country.

This is in keeping with the Plant Protection Act, which states that “no person shall import or offer for importation any plant, plant product… except under the authority of a permit issued by the Minister.”

The Plant Quarantine Department, under the Pest Management Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, is tasked with keeping out anything that threatens the viability of agriculture in Grenada, with pests being high on the list.

Pest Management Officer, Thaddeus Peters, said it is mandatory that the proper procedures be followed, to ensure that the objective of the department is met.

“You need to do an application via the Asycuda Word System, which is a platform at the Customs Division. So, there is the Plant Licensing Module that you can apply to, using the services of a Customs Broker, or persons who can do it on their own, can proceed to do so. Once the application comes through, it is determined if the product is something that does not pose a great risk and once it does not, then it will be approved and the conditions will be stated,” he explained.

Plants and planting material are pathways for the introduction of pests and diseases, hence, it is advised that all recommendations from the Plant Quarantine Department must be adhered to.

“Seeds,” he said, “can carry viruses; pathogens. They can carry things like bacteria and so on and plants, itself, can carry insects; nematodes.

There are various pests and diseases. So, the aim - it is an international standard that does it. To move plant and plant products from country to country, you need to have that sort of regulation,” he added.

Pink Mealybug, Black Sigatoka, and Moko Disease are all pests and diseases that came into the country on some plant or planting material.

Peters said it has been challenging over the years, trying to manage the spread of these diseases.

“Pest Management is not just about a Unit or Department; it is about stakeholders taking responsibility for what they have on their farm or in their back yard. We can give advice. In certain cases, we actually give direct assistance, but it is impossible to treat or manage pests on everybody’s holdings. It is a collective responsibility and people have different approaches to managing, but, at the end of the day, it is not just about the agriculture. You can have esthetics being damaged. So, it is important that we be conscious of the risk. Whenever we import, it comes with a risk of introduction of something different,” he said.

In preventing the penetration of Grenada’s borders by foreign pests, Peters stated that cruise and cargo vessels that release anything of an agricultural nature are also regulated.

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AGRICULTURE CORNER

MEET THE FARMER –

SHAQUILLE HILLAIRE Shaquille Hillaire has been involved in livestock since his teenage years, learning how to care for his animals from his elders.

“I grew up in Mirabeau. My dad was a farmer. My uncles and other relatives had animals, so I was always around animals,” he said.

Hillaire, who resides in Woodford, St. John, owns over thirty animals: goats, sheep and cattle.

“When I wake up on mornings, I would check to see if all my animals are okay. Then, I will put them out to get some feeding, or bring the feeding to them,” he said, explaining his daily routine as a farmer.

Being a Livestock rearing Farmer comes with many challenges. He explained some of the problems he is faced with.

MEET ERWIN HENRY, CHIEF ANALYTICAL CHEMIST

Erwin Henry is the Government Chemist who carries out research in relation to Agriculture.

He oversees the operations of the Produce Chemist Lab. The functions of the Chemist Produce Lab are as follows: -Product development and agro-processing -Laboratory & analytical testing -Training in agro-processing -Provision of consultancy and technical advice Henry has been employed at the Produce Chemist Lab since 2003 and became the Chief Analytic Chemist in 2009.

GCNA NUTMOSS POTTING MIX

IS AVAILABLE

“I have two significant problems: being affected by stray dogs and accessing veterinary services,” he said. “There was a particular time I got one of the animals with lice. It was tough to control. I often find that my animals are anemic also. Last week, three of my animals were attacked by dogs, I lost three of them and others were injured,” Hillaire continued.

GCNA Nutmoss Potting Mix is now available at the following locations: 1.

LL Ramdhanny - Grenville 2.

PJ & L - Grenville 3.

Renwick and Thompson – The Carenage 4.

CARDI Office - Westerhall 5.

Grenada Co-operative Nutmeg Association (GCNA) - St. George’s and Grenville

This 26-year-old farmer said to keep his animals healthy there are a variety of techniques that he uses. He admitted that they included rotation of feed and regular deworming.

PLANTING DAYS IN AUGUST

While this is just a hobby for him, he has plans to expand his craft in the next five years.

“I want to take this to a business level.

August 23 to 24:

I want to focus on building my flock. Then, I would aspire to get into using my goats for meat, milk, cheese, burger patties and sausages,” Hillaire said.

If you are interested in purchasing from him, please call: (473) 458-6487 or (473) 533-2164 Things to note about Shaquille: • He has been in livestock farming since in his teens.

• He wants to upscale to reach the business level.

• He takes care of his animals.

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AUGUST 2020:

Plant seedbeds. Plant peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and other above ground crops. It is extra good for leafy vegetables.

August 25 – 26:

Do clearing and plowing, but no planting.

August 27 – 28:

This is a good time to plant above ground crops.

CARIBBEAN WOMEN COUNT: THE ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS DATA HUB LAUNCHED

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Grenada now has an online platform where statistical information on Violence against women and girls can be accessed, following the launch of Caribbean Women Count: The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Data Hub on August 18.

Absence of adequate data can hinder progress in creating informed and effective policies.

Therefore, in a bid to provide relevant data, National Prevalence Surveys on Gender-Based Violence were conducted in five CARICOM countries, namely Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and Grenada.

These studies were done with the support of the UN Women Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, Governments, stakeholders and a number of developmental partners.

With the aim of making the survey data more accessible, Caribbean Women Count: The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Data Hub, a web-based platform, was developed to illustrate information on the prevalence of the different forms of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence in all five pilot countries.

Dr. The Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada receives the Grenada Women’s Health and Life Experiences Study Report from Elaine Henry McQueen, Senior Programme Officer - Ministry of Social Development.

Delivering the feature address and signaling the Official Launch of the new portal, Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell, stated that while efforts are being made to curb abuse of women and girls, we must not ignore the fact that young men and boys are also being affected.

“While we talk about violence and the initiative I mentioned before is noble, the fact is in our present world of the liberalization of sexual orientation, the fact is the problems are immerging about what is occurring for young boys. You’re probably not seeing it yet emanating as major issues, but there are in fact and I know it is occurring in our own countries and some of our young boys are being abused by those who are supposed to know better. Some of us walk around with jacket and tie and doing things that destroys the young men and young girls of our society,” he said.

Admin Interim Head of Office, UN Women Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, Tonni-Ann Brodber, speaks to the significance of Gender

statistics.

She said, “The work towards ending violence against women and girls, one of the worst scourges of gender inequality, is that the root of UN Women’s mandate to support countries in achieving the sustainable development goals through gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Government of Grenada and Civil Society has developed and implemented many successful initiatives to end violence against women and girls. However, sometimes it seems as though the boundaries keep moving. Perhaps it’s because we’ve never had the data and statistics to the two defined boundaries. Gender statistics are critical to ensuring the targeted impact and sustainability of all initiatives.”

Minister for Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment, Hon. Delma Thomas, highlighted some statistics from the report, which she says are very alarming.

“The results of the study shows that in their lifetime twenty-nine percent of all women in Grenada has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. Thirty percent has experienced emotional abuse by an intimate partner. Twentythree percent has experienced at least one form of sexual violence by someone who is not an intimate partner. Twenty-one percent experienced sexual abuse while they were children and twenty-seven percent experienced sexual harassment. Ladies and gentlemen, these are staggering figures. While the figures showing rates during the last year are less dramatic, with emotional violence topping the list at ten percent, this reality demands our attention and our collective action.”

The launch of the Hub was held in conjunction with the launch of the Grenada Women’s Health and Life Experiences Study, 2018 Report.

The online portal went live on August 19.

PORTION OF LABORIE ROAD TO BE CLOSED FOR ONE MONTH

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Emergency work, which forms part of the $48.6 million Feeder Road Project awarded to Hanover Construction Company Limited, will commence on a section of the La Borie road that feeds into Hope Vale, St. George, during the week of August 24.

On August 18, Minister for Infrastructure Development, Hon. Gregory Bowen, along with Senior Project Manager of Hanover Construction Company Ltd., Peter Copplestone, visited the work site to review the scope of works.

Hon. Bowen said the road has been deteriorating for some time and the decision was taken by his ministry, in collaboration with the traffic department of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), to close that section of the road to facilitate the construction work.

Minister Bowen said the commencement of work will be welcomed by the community. He explained that even before Hanover Construction Company Ltd. commenced actual construction, the dangers that lurk at that particular section of Hon. Gregory Bowen and Peter Copplestone

the road caused it to be barricaded for some time, but as the culvert underneath continued to deteriorate it had to be closed.

Bowen said contractors will work begin on Saturday August 22 and that work will continue for one month, causing the road to be closed to vehicular traffic, as equipment is brought on-site. Coppertone said given good weather and a skillful work force it will take approximately three weeks to execute the job. He noted that a retaining wall will also be constructed, along with the culvert and that workers will be hired from within the community. Detour signs will be placed at appropriate areas to direct traffic through Morne Jaloux and Morne Delice, while work is in progress.

The Infrastructure Minister said the closure should not be seen as an inconvenience to motorists who traverse the area, but as a means of securing the site for the execution of the job and the safety of those who will be employed there.

YOUNG CRICKETERS EXCITED ABOUT INSTALLATION OF CRICKET NETS AT PROGRESS PARK

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Several young cricketers have applauded the initiative of the four sitting Members of Parliament, in St. Andrew, for the installation of two cricket nets at the Progress Park.

Jevon Andrew, who played cricket at the underfifteen level for Grenada and is now training with the St. Andrew under-nineteen squad, said the reality of having cricket nets installed at Progress Park is truly a welcomed initiative.

Jevon said he believes the installation is timely and important, as it now significantly reduces the financial cost of having to travel to the National Cricket Stadium in St. George. The St. Andrew under-nineteen cricketer said the installation of the nets is going to assist them in match preparedness, an advantage that he said St. David and St. George had. To date, he said most of their practice sessions are held on the grass, which at times is not suitable as it leads to knocking up in the nets.

Jevon said the cricketers are excited and have plans to utilize the nets once they are completed. He explained that the nets will undoubtedly help to encourage more cricketers to commit to training, whether it be U-15, U-19 U-23 or men’s team. Jevon also believes that St. Andrew will now a greater force to reckon with in the game of cricket. The young cricketer said the MPs, along with the Ministry of Sports, need to be applauded for the initiative, as it will play a pivotal role in the future development of cricketers in the ‘big parish’.

Fifteen-year-old Jerel Jeremiah, an all-rounder

Cricket Nets Being Installed at Progress Park

in the game of cricket, also spoke of the importance of the installation of the cricket nets. He said having the option to practice on the field and in the nets and being able to obtain pitch practice is very important. Jerel, who is aspiring to one day be part of the West Indies Cricket Team, said even though one does a lot of technical work and works on the physics of the game, it is very important that one is able to combine all the areas to execute the ultimate goal, to be able to develop and execute different shots in the game.

Jerel believes that once the nets are in place for use, it will definitely take the game to a different level and this will be seen in the quality of tournaments in which the cricketers participate.

The work left to be completed on the two cricket nets includes the placing of matting on the concrete and the spreading of the turf.

RGPF TO IMPLEMENT MORE STRATEGIES TO KEEP GRENADA SAFE According to Acting Commissioner of Police, Edvin Martin, the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has recorded a five percent reduction in criminal activities between 2015 and 2019.

Martin made that announcement during a recent meeting with Prime Minister and Minister for National security, Dr. Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, and senior officials of the RGPF. He said while it is always welcoming news to see a reduction in the statistics for crime, there are other issues like road fatalities and property crimes that are still of concern. Commissioner Martin added the plan going forward is to firm up and implement certain strategies to help curb these problems.

“The challenge before us is significant and therefore we as leaders of the RGPF have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that we appreciate the challenges of this environment and make sure that we are ready to give the leadership that is required to the members of this force, to ensure that we continue to keep Grenada safe. Notwithstanding this, Prime Minister, I would make the bold statement to say that as a force and as a nation, we continue to do well.”

Commissioner Martin said, with the support of

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each member of the RGPF and by following the plans implemented, he is confident that they can address the issues in a professional manner.

“As it relates to this year and as it relates to the incidents of homicides, colleague officers, I believe that if we adapt the right attitudes, revisit our strategies and adjust our planning we can turn the tides of these incidents, before the end of the year. We do not need to make the narrative of two homicides a month a reality.”

“We must turn this tide around in the interest of ensuring the safety and security of our people. So, I am deeply encouraged, ladies and gentlemen, that we do have the capacity and there is no question that we also do have the support of a Government in this regard.”

Edvin Martin

Acting Commissioner of Police

For help with domestic violence issues in Grenada, individuals may call the Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment, and ask to speak with a representative at Gender Based Violence Unit, using their HELPLINE: (473) 440-4787, or the main office number: (473) 440-2269.