THE VINCENTIAN PDF-02-05-2025 FOR WEB

DOUGLAS ADDRESSES CONCERNS

Assurances are given that work continues unabated on the Project which now has an August deadline for completion.

by: KENVILLE HORRNE

THE COMPLETE SECTION

ADJACENT to the Quay Wall at the new Kingstown Port is expected to experience a collapse, resulting in an increased visibility of water during the rectification process.

Speaking on the Issue at hand programme om WE FM last Sunday, Lenski Douglas, Project Co-ordinator for the on the Kingstown Port Modernisation Project, disclosed that during the early phase of construction of the port, excessive reclamation material was placed in the harbour before the quay wall, making it difficult to impossible for vessels to berth.

As such, therefore, the surplus material on the exterior had to be removed to achieve sufficient depth for the vessels to dock.

In addition to the material that was originally dumped outside the quay, according to Douglas, it was discovered that materials were being lost from the land side.

“When we investigated, we realised that what occurred is that between each king pile, there’s a sheet pile. And they typically do what you call clutch together. What has happened is that those clutches, for one reason or another, would have separated; 30% of the clutches would have

Lenski Douglas, Project Coordinator for the Kingstown Port Modernisation Project, gave an extended explanation of the current challenges and assured that the Port as it was, was not being compromised.

separated. The material, therefore, is being lost through those separations,” Douglas explained. He assured, though, that while material was being lost, the structural stability of the project was not being compromised.

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ECSC Acting Chief Justice retires

MAY 05, 2025, WILL MARK THEanniversary of the appointment of Justice Mario Michel as Acting Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC). Significantly, that date will also mark his retirement as Acting Chief Justice and as Justice of Appeal.

The announcement of Justice Michel’s retirement came during a Special Sitting of the ECSC on Friday 25th April, 2025, to bid farewell to Justice Michel.

A St. Lucian national, Justice Michel took up the acting role as Chief Justice in May 2024, succeeding Dame Janice M. Pereira, who served as Chief Justice for over a decade.

Justice Michel’s appointment was slated to expire on Jan. 19, 2026 but he told the special sitting of the ECSC last Friday, “I decided to retire from my substantive office as a justice of appeal and consequently as acting chief justice, as of May 5, 2025, which is the anniversary of my appointment as acting chief justice,”

He also said then, “I am hoping that my retirement will help to clear the path to a unanimous decision of the OECS heads of government on a permanent appointment to the office of Chief Justice,” Michel’s career in the ECSC spans over 16 years beginning in 2009: including time as an acting High Court judge 2009, (Anguilla and Grenada); a resident High Court judge (Antigua and Barbuda), Justice of Appeal and Acting Chief Justice.

His career has provided the opportunity to serve in the three branches of government, i.e. legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

In May 1997, Mario Michel was elected as the Parliamentary Representative of Gros Islet and was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education. In December 2001 he was re-elected as the Parliamentary Representative of Gros Islet and re-appointed Minister for Education. He announced his retirement from active politics after declining to contest the election of 2006.

In what was his final appeal,

Justice Michel expressed the hope that the incoming Chief Justice would continue the public education programme initiated by the ECSC.

Despite the optimism for the future, Michel’s retirement marks the end of a tenure that some, like his lifelong friend, King’s Counsel Dexter Theodore, believe was cut short. Theodore lamented the lack of unanimous consent from regional leaders for Michel’s elevation to chief justice, calling the system that allows politicians to influence such appointments “flawed,” and called for reform. He praised Justice Michel’s independence and the impact of his judgments, which he said have significantly shaped the legal landscape of the region. (Source: CNW, St. Lucia Voice)

St. Vincent & the Grenadines NATIONAL ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMMITTEE

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Chairman: Edmond Jackson Ministry of Finance, 2nd Floor Administrative Complex, Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tel: 457 1343 Fax: 457 2568

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NAMLC Clarifies Misrepresentation on St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ AML/CFT Framework

Justice Mario Michel retires from the ECSC after 16 years of service, first as a High Court Judge then as a Justice of Appeal.

Dexter Theodore KC, thinks it’s time for reform as per the criteria for appointing the Chief Justice of the ECDC.

V News 3

Richmond.

Contuined from front page

“THAT’S WHY YOU SEE THE MATERIALbeing lost, not the structural stability or otherwise.”

In order to rectify this, it could well mean that a section adjacent to the Quay Wall must be collapsed, which would result in an increased visibility of water during the rectification process.

With all the work that is necessary to rectify the problem, and this includes welding plates from one pile to the other and excavation of sections of the interior, cavities will be crated in the process between the sheet pile and the welded plate and holes in the surface, which you would then have to be filled.

Douglas said the welding was being done by certified divers from a UK company with vast experience.

Filling the cavities with concrete is

necessary to restore the retention capability of the quay wall, Douglas explained, adding, “and while you cannot control the initial loss of material through the declutching, as you do the repairs and excavate, one would expect additional loss.

“So, the public will see photos appearing to be worse. But what they see as being worse, for us it’s actually the fix being applied.”

Adding further to quelling the fears the public might have, Douglas mused “A picture is worth a thousand words, and what the current picture shows is more than just holes. It shows the fact that the area remains stable because you have the equipment, the container workspace, you see platforms, and you see activity being done. You see vehicles driving along, and that would not be done if it were an unsafe, uncontrolled, erratic type of operation.”

Special housing for murder accused Douglas addresses concerns

A SEPARATE FACILITY ONthe compound of the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre (MHRC) will be constructed to house a mentally unstable man charged with multiple murders, and who has, from

all reports, been declared criminally insane.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, while speaking on radio on April 23.

Concerns were raised by members of staff of the MHRC and the public after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Sejilla McDowall announced that the state had decided to discontinue a 20year-old murder charge against Webster Woodley, and that he will be housed at the mental health facility in Glen.

“First of all, people said that because the person has a mental health problem, they heard we put him in a mental home as they say, and the staff was understandably worried,” Gonsalves said.

“But what we have decided to do, on advice, is that there is enough room that we can build a separate facility and put in all the bars and everything and so on,

Music Academy gets donation

TROPICAL SHIPPING CONTINUES to demonstrate its commitment to supporting music education and youth development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Its most recent demonstration in this regard came on April 11 when it donated USD $1,000.00 to Hero’s Pantastic Music Academy.

The presentation was made at the culmination of the Academy’s Kids Easter Programme, an initiative that engages children in

music, creativity, and cultural enrichment during the Easter break.

Hero’s Pantastic Music Academy, founded by veteran pan arranger and musical director Kingsley “Hero” Roberts, is a steelpan music school in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Hero” brings over 40 years of experience in steelpan music to the academy, making it a significant institution for nurturing musical talent and preserving the cultural heritage of steel pan music in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Launched in 2020, the academy focuses on teaching steelpan from early childhood through adulthood, offering

both practical and theoretical instruction. It operates in approximately 11 early childhood centers and schools across the country, integrating music education into their curricula.

“Tropical Shipping remains committed to investing in the communities we serve,” said Maxine Howard, Sales Manager at Tropical Shipping. “We are proud to support Hero’s Pantastic Music Academy in their mission to empower the next generation through music.”

with cameras and real tight security and a fence within the compound,” the Prime Minister continued.

It is anticipated that Woodley will be guarded by security personnel from a private security firm, Dr. Gonsalves disclosed, with at least one of them being armed at any time.

“It’s a very expensive proposition here, extremely expensive proposition,” Gonsalves said.

Webster Woodley had a murder charge laid against him some 20 years ago, discontinued by the FPP.

He explained that the cost of having at least four security officers operating on a shift system 24 hours a day, amounts to about EC$50,000 per month.

“I’m talking just for security, people may say well why you don’t put the police; why you don’t put the prison officers — well he’s no longer a prisoner,” he said.

According to Gonsalves, Cabinet was provided with a full report, and discussions were held involving officials including the Superintendent of Prisons and personnel from the mental health department.

The Public Service Union (PSU) also became involved, Dr. Gonsalves said with officials from the trade union expressing concern for the safety of its members, and whether there was any uncertainty about the completion date of the facility to house Woodley, who was expected to be released on April 17.

Dr. Gonsalves said that the PSU’s President, Elroy Boucher, was given the assurance that everything would be in place and that the facility will be an extension of the mental health centre and will have mental health personnel and private security present.

An oral presentation was made to the staff at the MHRC, Dr. Gonsalves has said.

The Prime Minister added that the arrangements were being made to house Woodley, but while he was making those preparations they could not be implemented immediately until he received a report from the psychiatrist who had assessed him. (DD)

The Port Project is now using material – pictured - from the controversial quarry at

Students who participated in the Academy’s Kids Easter Programme.

A special facility will be constructed on the compound of the MHRC to house Webster Woodley.

(from left) Kingsley “Hero” RobertsFounder/Director of Hero’s Pantastic Music Academy; Maxine Howard, Sales Manager of Tropical Shipping; Kerwin Hinson, Sales Representative of Tropical Shipping.

Coach charged with wounding referee Magistrate concerned about witness

SENIORMagistrate

Tammika McKenzie has expressed the need to put measures in place to protect a certain witness in an ammunition possession matter.

She made the assertion during a sitting of the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Monday.

The matter involved a Clare Valley residentTralist Roberts - who has been charged with possession of one round of 9 mm ammunition without a license, in connection with an incident on April 26 at Clare Valley.

not guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Elron Lewis, a 35-year-old Sports Administrator of Troumaca.

from the Court to leave the country.

Roberts pleaded not guilty and while Prosecutor Aliston Stapleton had no objection to bail, he requested suitable surety and asked that the accused have no contact with a certain witness, whom he identified.

When the Magistrate inquired as to the reason for the Prosecutor’s request, Stapleton said that the witness had made a report to the Questelles Police Station against the accused.

At this point, the Senior Magistrate told the Prosecutor that things need to be put in place to protect that witness.

Stapleton agreed with the Magistrate.

Roberts, in response to questions from the Magistrate, said that the witness was his relative and lived about 15 feet from him.

Roberts was granted $500 with one surety and the Magistrate ordered that he has no contact with the witness in question, and that he finds somewhere else to live at this point.

No bail for assault

On April 25, 2025, police arrested and charged Androus Maloney, a 35-year-old carpenter of Paget Farm, with the offences of Assault Bodily Harm and Damage to Property.

Investigations revealed that Maloney allegedly assaulted a 27-year-old waitress of the same address by beating her about the body with his hands, causing actual bodily harm.

He was also charged with damaging, without lawful excuse, one (1) wooden door valued at $450.00 ECC and one (1) 4x4 PVC window valued at $750.00 ECC, total value $1,200.00 ECC, the property of the 27-year-old resident, by boxing and kicking them.

The offences were committed in Paget Farm, Bequia, on March 29, 2025.

Maloney appeared before the Bequia Magistrate Court on Monday, April 28, 2025 and pleaded guilty to both offences, providing an explanation.

After considering his explanation, the Magistrate accepted the guilty plea for the charge of Damage to Property but entered a not guilty plea for the charge of Assault Bodily Harm.

He was granted bail in the sum of $2,000.00 ECC, with one surety. Additionally, he was ordered not to have any contact with the complainant, except to communicate via WhatsApp for matters concerning their children.

The matters were adjourned to August 29, 2025.

Stories: HAYDN HUGGINS

KEON PETERS, a 38-yearold football coach and school teacher, appeared in Court on Tuesday on a wounding charge, in connection with an incident that occurred at a football match at Victoria Park, on February 18, 2025.

Standing before Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, Peters pleaded

Prosecutor Shamrock Pierre did not object to bail but requested a suitable surety. He indicated that the Prosecution intends to call four witnesses.

Peters was granted $2,000 bail with one surety on condition that he has no contact with the virtual complainant and report to the Central Police Station every Thursday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. He will also have to seek permission

The Magistrate ordered that the Prosecution disclose all witness statements and relevant material of the case by May 24. A case management hearing has been set for October 22, and a trial date for January 13, 2026.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7:55 p.m. on the date in question. Lewis was the referee, while Peters was the coach of the team Awesome FC, which was involved in the game.

Lewis reportedly received an injury after

Questelles man remanded on ammo charge

A QUESTELLESman was remanded on an ammunition charge, but granted bail on a charge of issuing threats to shoot.

The fore-mentioned transpired at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The man, Darious Williams, has been charged with on January 7, 2025, at Questelles, in circumstances likely to cause a breach of the peace, made used of threatening language to Vanbron James of Questelles, to wit, “I got some shots for you with your name write up on it, and I will shoot you”.

Williams, in response to questions from the Magistrate, said James was his cousin and they lived in the same yard.

Williams is also charged with that on April 26, 2025, at Questelles, had in his possession three rounds of 12-gauge ammunition without a license.

He was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to both charges when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie on Monday.

Prosecutor Aliston Stapleton did not object to bail for both charges.

On the charge of issuing threats, Stapleton said the Prosecution intends to call three

witnesses, and asked the Court to impose reporting conditions as a condition for bail.

In relation to the charge of possession of the bullets, Stapleton asked that the matter be adjourned and transferred to the Serious Offenses Court.

But the Magistrate said that while Williams is presumed innocent until proven guilty, she did not take lightly the fact that the defendant appeared in Court on a charge of issuing threats to shoot someone, in addition to a charge of ammunition possession.

As a result, she remanded Williams until Wednesday, April 30 for bail review on the ammunition charge.

On the charge of issuing threats to shoot, she granted Williams $1,800 bail with one surety with reporting conditions, and ordered that he has no contact with the virtual complainant, or continue to live on the same compound with him at this point.

She ordered that the Prosecution disclose all witness statements and other relevant material of the case by May 28. A case management hearing is set for June 26, and a trial date for September 9.

being struck on the left side of his face with an object during the halftime break, after an altercation that started on the field following the issuing of a red card to Peters.

Lewis made a report to the police and an investigation was carried out, which led to Peters being arrested and charged.

There have been other reports of violent incidents erupting at football matches here in recent times, triggering concerns among the sporting fraternity.

Daughter, g’daughter beaten: Man charged

A RILLAN HILLman will appear at the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court next Thursday, May 6, on charges of assaulting his daughter and granddaughter causing them bodily harm.

The daughter, 27, and granddaughter, 7, were reportedly beaten with his hands, cutlass and hammer at his home at Rillan Hill on April 16, 2024.

Matthew Primus pleaded guilty to both charges when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday. However, when the facts were read, Primus, who was unrepresented, did not agree with the Prosecution’s version, and sought to give his version.

As a result, the Magistrate entered a not guilty plea for him. However, because McKenzie had heard the facts, she transferred the matter to the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court to be tried by another Magistrate.

Keon Peters has trial date set for January 2026.

Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie recognised the need to protect a witness.

Views

Managing Director: Desiree Richards

Editor: Cyprian Neehall

Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129

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Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

Violence should be no surprise

TO SAY THAT THE2025 Easter weekend was two-faced is perhaps to provoke the ire of the apologists in our midst.

But if the truth be told, our nation was split right down the middle with the Grenadines throwing up that side of ourselves that we give over to sports, entertainment and frolicking of one sort or the other; and mainland St. Vincent being the arena for another round of shooting deaths during the holiest period in our Christian calendar. One of those shooting was so moving, the victim was caught in the throngs of mourning the passing of a relative.

Yes, amidst all the fun and frolic, we made time for acts of gratuitous and deadly violence. There seemed to be no logic to the ‘notion’ that the carnival-type activities in which we now involve ourselves year-round, help the populace to “let off steam”, thereby avoiding tendencies to be aggressive, violent to others.

And the thing is that the murders are only one end — albeit the extreme end — of a spectrum of violence that begins from child beatings, through robberies, assaults, rapes, and domestic violence.

We are reminded of Thomas Hobbes In his ‘Epistle Dedicatory of De Cive’, when he used the phrase “man to man is a wolf” to illustrate the brutish, anarchical and violent condition of man in a time prior to the establishment of a civilised state. Are we retrogressing to that state of “man to man is a wolf” even with all the advancement we say we have made as a nation? Are we, if we don’t take stock of where we really are in terms of our relationship with one another, not nearing if we are not already in a moral abyss inhabited by wolves?

It is time for us to ask ourselves what is the root of these depravities, these demonstrations of violence and aggression. It is time we stop holding on to the musing of those who appeal to our “emotions’ every five years.

Given what human behaviour is there is no clear-cut answer but since what plagues us is so pervasive, it suggest that the causes are structural, rather than individual; and that the reasons go beyond the usual class

labels we assign to ourselves, since the perpetrators of the horrors span class, even though there are those who would want that we think otherwise and confine the behaviour to a certain ‘marginalised’ class.

But what we must accept is that violence is a phenomenon that encompasses all Vincentians.

We must concede as we endeavour to get to the root of this sickness, that St. Vincent and the Grenadines, like the rest of the Caribbean archipelago, was spawned in violence when it was colonised by Europeans who, from the outset, assessed that the Indigenous Peoples were not “civilised”, and it was justifiable to exterminate them.

Are we to doubt the sociologists who advance the view that “symbiotic violence inflicted on our First Peoples, by pronouncing definitively that they had no culture or made no contribution to human knowledge, has become structurally entrenched in all operations of our state, society, and individual psyches”?

But it doesn’t end there. The violence was further entrenched with the introduction of Africans as slaves, as chattel — property on which violence could be inflicted akin to that inflicted on animals. This infliction of violence had an effect on the culture of slaves and their descendants and contrary to what Franz Fanon might have articulated that slavery damaged the psyches of both master and slave, he and we must admit that while the master moved on , the latter was left to “free themselves” with the tools/institutions of the master.

The ‘indentureds’ who were brought to replace the ex-slaves, were corralled in a regime of “discipline and punishment”, which turned the violent control mechanisms inwards and outwards.

That’s not all. Take the Police Force, which is supposed to ensure our safety. Has it not taken on an air of ultimate sanction that it can do what it likes in pursuit of a redefined goal? Too many of its members see the public as targets for graft and violence.

When all is said and done, why would we be surprised that we are increasingly violent?

LAST WEEK, I entered the discussion about Citizenship by Investment. As you can see, I am at a fascinating intersection, grappling with the ULP and NDP’s contrasting positions. Well, this week, I want to propose a bold alternative perspective on citizenship. I am proposing a dynamic investment programme that focuses our approach in a new direction.

First and foremost, I firmly believe that no one should be handed citizenship simply by depositing a few dollars into our treasury. The NDP version of Citizenship by Investment is a misnomer. In my world, investments must be channeled into specific, job-creating projects that energize our economy– not just funneled into consolidated funds for the government to offset its indiscretions. To truly earn a pathway to citizenship, investors must fulfill additional essential criteria, including maintaining a minimum residency period.

Imagine a dynamic foreign investment programme designed for global investors yet open to our talented and financially stable Vincentians in the diaspora. Before we embark on this journey, it’s crucial to establish a robust set of regulations to prevent corruption. This initiative shouldn’t just focus on attracting new businesses but also include exciting opportunities to retain and expand existing ones. Let’s start this conversation and pave the way to a vibrant economic future.

Today, I will try to lay out some age-old arguments for and against providing business inventive programms. I will not get into any additional arguments about “Citizenship by Investment” because, as stated earlier, we can find a way to do this without compromising our nation.

Business attraction with cash and noncash incentives is a worldwide practice. It is a valuable and effective way to grow our economy. This programme is even popular in the USA, with a twist. No, I am not talking about the recent $5 million “Gold Card” programme being offered by the current administration. As a city manager, I negotiated many business incentive projects to encourage local businesses to expand and move their businesses into our city and state. The key to a successful business incentive programme is to tailor it to minimize the incentives we pay and maximize our people’s benefits. Some will say we must take an investment approach to using incentives. We must quantify the cost and benefits of every project. At no time should the incentives paid exceed the benefits received by the community. Although incentives can be used in all types of business attraction deals, the

attempt to get foreign investment is where we can tailor a citizenship programme. Foreign investment can take various forms: foreign interests take equity positions in locally owned firms, and foreign investors acquire real estate and establish a new local and regional operating center. A local firm aggressively seeks foreign capital with incentives that may include a path to citizenship.

Providing incentives, especially to foreign investors, can be controversial, overly analyzed, and criticized. Opponents of this idea may argue that companies and investors interested in the well-being of SVG should do so without receiving an incentive. Business attraction and new investors do not work like that in a competitive world. Others will argue once incentives are made available to one company, we will always have to do it. The benefits to the communities for this incentive could be used for social, educational, and other programs. The worst is that those who receive incentives are not held accountable for the promised jobs and other economic growth once the incentives are received. A failure to perform/deliver on the benefits promised for the incentive given will require some way for us to call back any incentive given.

As an incentive advocate, I believe new businesses generate additional tax revenue, create jobs, and increase the GDP. They also create spin-off businesses, thus expanding employment and, by extension, the economy. Business incentives amount to a lasting investment in the country, like some of our most expensive infrastructure projects; the return on investment makes the risk worth taking.

If you’re searching for the crown jewel of incentivized business development projects between the private sector and the government, look no further than the remarkable ECGC. The journey began with the East Caribbean Flour Mills (ECFM), which started operations in December 1977. Fast forward to today, and this powerhouse employs around 175 talented individuals and has spread its influence across numerous islands. While it’s true that citizenship wasn’t part of the deal back then, what if it was? Would that have made the venture any less worthy?

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A glaring absence!!!

I WRITE TO EXPRESSmy concern and disappointment regarding the absence of key government officials, including the Honourable Prime Minister, at two significant events that have recently impacted our nation.

Firstly, the passing of Mrs. Leila E. Greaves, the matriarch of the Greaves family, marked by the loss of a pillar of our community. The Greaves family has long been a corner stone of our economy, employing hundreds of Vincentians through their supermarkets and distillery which produces world class rum.

Despite their immense contributions to the development of St.

Vincent and the Grenadines, not a single member of the government attended Mrs. Greaves’ funeral. In stark contrast, members of the opposition, including their leader, were present and paid fitting tributes, recognising the family’s invaluable role in our nation’s progress.

Secondly, the death of Former Parliamentarian Allan Cruickshank was another moment that called for unity and respect. While members of the State apparatus were present, the absence of the Prime Minister was glaring. This absence has led many to speculate whether it was due to unresolved tensions over

Mr. Cruickshank’s prior sufferings by withholding his pension, albeit temporarily, or a conveniently arranged overseas trip. Such actions, or lack thereof, raise questions about the priorities and sensitivities of our leadership.

These instances suggest a troubling pattern. Is it becoming a norm for the Prime Minister to arrange overseas trips to avoid attending major functions? The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are watching closely, and they deserve answers.

Leadership is not just about policies and governance; it is also about showing up,

Long Live Cuba

IF ANYBODYamong us ever thought that we should change our policy regarding Cuba just to satisfy Mr. Trump, then we should look for that person and ‘banish’ him or her to Mr. Trump’s paradise.

Then again, we might not be able to get a visa for that person to enter the USA, so we are going to have to put up with him or her.

In my opinion, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is right and I fully support him for standing up to Mr.

Trump. Not because Mr. Trump is the President of the all-powerful USA that he can tell us what to do. I wonder if Mr. Trump would help us the way Cuba has helped us over the years — with medical personnel, scholarships, help with the airport and more. We must not allow anyone to interfere in the friendships we have developed, especially when those friendships are to our benefit.

By the way, I wonder if our government is thinking about

PEOPLE ARE ASKING:

* Is the Prime Minister waiting until the Independence parade to announce the date for general election?

* Are there anymore criminally insane inmates currently incarcerated in our prisons?

* With all this borrowing that the government intends to do during the remainder of the year, are they not increasing the Debt to GSP ratio and therefore making it harder on generations to come?

* Is government the sole provider of funds for the Basic Needs Trust Fund now that USAid funds have either stopped or not far away from stopping?

* Is the NDP hoping that revenue from their proposed Citizenship by Investment programme will make up for revenue lost when they decrease the rate of the VAT, if they form government?

* Is there a Rental Control Board or Commission that advises on rental rates for homes in SVG? If there is not, don’t you think it is time we get one since landlords feel they can charge whatever they feel like?

especially during moments that matter to the people.

I urge our leaders to reflect on these actions and prioritise the values of respect, unity and acknowledgement of those who contribute to our nation’s fabric.

Eric Samuel

introducing visas for US nationals to enter our country. I don’t think this is a good idea since we depend on Americans for a lot of the dollars we make from tourism.

Whatever the case, I stand with the people of Cuba. Long live the

Cuban Revolution and Long Live the friendship between Cuba and SVG. Neil.

A Grassroots Man

MORE LETTERS ON PAGE 10

We live in the same place

THANKS FOR REMINDING USthat we are in the crazy season. Some think that the crazy season is the Carnival Season with all those onebeat soca songs and misbehaviour by our womenfolk especially. It is not. The crazy season is like you say, Mr. Editor, the period of the election campaign. Some people call it the silly season but it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other and as my friend in NY would say, same difference!!

But the point I want to make this week, Mr. Editor, is that whether it is the crazy season or the silly season, when the PM rings the bell and we all head out to “dutty we finger” with that red ink, and the Supervisor of Elections comes on radio and say this party has won the election, the season “done just like dat”.

After that is “kicksing in parliament” and that Mr. Editor, is a whole different set of craziness.

And what I really want to say is that at the end of the day, after we conduct ourselves in a disrespectful manner and drag people’s names through the mud, when all is said and done, we have to live in the same place.

We are having such a hard time and there are many who are suffering in the land, and in the outside world, especially in the USA, things are not going to get any better under Mr. Trump. So, when the dye is cast and the chips fall how they fall, we must be prepared to do what is necessary to survive and help others along the way.

How we pray that the parties will see the need to focus on making our lives better. The Government must accept that they don’t have all the answers, and the Opposition must accept that they are not just there to oppose for opposing sake. Yes, Mr. Editor, when all the red ink is washed away, we all have to live in the same place.

Charles, Edinboro

A look back on our Garifuna Empire

AS WE EMBRACEthe end of the reign of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, it is a good time to reflect on our Garifuna (cassava eating people) Empire as to where we are today.

Before the Spanish, French and British we had a stabilized government. We had to militarily resist the British until captured and exited to Balliceaux. No matter how much they (especially Ralph Gonsalves) dance on the exploits of the Garifuna people, the reality is that we are a people formed from the intermarriages of African and Amerindian, who they called Caribs. After the exile to Balliceaux and banishment to Central America most of our people adopted the ways of the Roman Catholic Church.

But we had our own Afrocentric religious order which was

outlawed under the 1912 October 1st Shakerism Prohibition Ordinance, and the 1917 Shouterism Prohibition Ordinance in Trinidad and Tobago.

The late George McIntosh became a voice for the repealing of the Shakerism Prohibition Ordinance in the 1930s but it was the late E.T. Joshua who came on the political frontline in the 1950s, who stopped the police from arresting the “Converteds”, and in 1965 the Ordinance was repealed.

Apart from that, the Afrocentric religious faith was registered under the marriage Ordinance as the Christian Pilgrim Faith on the 22nd May 1951. If there was to be given a public holiday to any indigenous faith, it should be the Christian Pilgrim Faith that was registered in the month of May 1951 and not the

Spiritual Baptists who came about from Trinidad in 1978.

Christian Pilgrim Faith is also registered in England. Now, Joshua took political leadership as the first Afrocentric Chief Minister in the 1950s. Then the late R.M. Cato, the first premier in 1969, the late J. F. Mitchell second premier 1972-74. Cato was the first prime minister 1979-84. J.F. Mitchell was second prime minister 19842000 with Arnhim Eustace for six months as the third prime

minister and Ralph Gonsalves, the longest reigning prime minister from 2001 to 2025. He is currently seeking another five years that will take him to the age of 84. History will tell. The upcoming general elections may be a surprise for the Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the New Democratic Party (NDP). Always remember before the Spanish, French, British and now the Portuguese we had a very civilized Garifuna Empire.

Christian Democrat

Deceit, lies, emptiness of NDP and its fellow-travellers

Editor’s Note: The following is an extract from a much longer article that , because of its length, could not be accommodated i this issue of THE VINCENTIAN.

The drivel of breaking “Ralph’s spell”

SOME PROMINENT grumpy old men in the NDP and assorted fellow-travellers, in their failure to understand the rational basis of the public’s support for Comrade Ralph, the ULP, and their people-centred vision, philosophy, policies, and programmes, scour the dustbin of their minds for a thesis on which to hang a convenient theory of explanation.

Disregarding the facts of the monumental achievements of the ULP and its path to sustainable development, disregarding the totality of the real condition of vastly improved lives, living, and production in SVG, these leaders in the NDP and their pathetic fellow-travellers have fooled themselves into believing that Ralph and the ULP have “cast a spell on the people and it must be broken.” Has anyone ever heard of such nonsense that passes for analysis by those puny minds? This drivel is insulting to every Vincentian.

Everyone of sober mind and modest intellect knows that “a spell” is a kind of bewitching, charm, or enchantment that constitutes a magic or “obeah” intended to trigger or engender an enduring magical or other worldly effect on a person or persons. Pray tell, what is the nature of the “spell” of Ralph and the ULP which induces or prompts a magical or supernatural submission of the people to them? Of course, there is no such “spell”, only love for, and devotion to, the people by Ralph and the ULP, as demonstrated in, among other things, the beneficial policies and programmes for the people over the last 24 years; these facts do not lie! We remember that in 2001, at a post-election public meeting, the NDP spokespersons asserted from the platform that the ULP won because Ralph “work obeah pon the people.” The current thesis of Ralph’s “spell” is an updated version of this folly.

Let us cut to the chase

By the time of the next general elections, Lorraine Friday, Leader of the NDP, will be 66 years old. The four Prime Ministers of SVG thus far (Cato, Mitchell, Eustace, Ralph) were first elected to that office in their early 50s; Friday, lazy, weak, and unimaginative to the core, is already in retirement mode; as Leader of the Opposition, Friday has been abysmally poor; moreover, he treasures his voluntarily-acquired Canadian citizenship over his Vincentian birthcitizenship. Can anybody seriously see Friday as a Prime Minister especially in these challenging times? NO! He is an absolute fake who tries unsuccessfully to mimic Comrade Ralph. Why go for the fake when the genuine article is available?

St. Clair Leacock and Daniel Cummings are in their early 70s; they have never held a ministerial office. Given their “wildness” of speech and behaviour in, and out of Parliament, both of them are unconvincing ministerial material; each has a bundle of disqualifying weaknesses and limitations for ministerial office. And can anyone see Terrance

Ollivierre, Nature Stephenson, Fitz Bramble, Israel Bruce, and Shevern John, for different reasons, truly capable of handling a Ministry, particularly with weak and lazy Friday as leader, and the grumpy old men, Leacock and Cummings in the wings as ministerial first-timers. The other declared candidates for the NDP are very underwhelming; they talk pure rubbish.

Moreover, the NDP is internallydivided and its centre cannot hold. There is so much internal bickering in the NDP; it has spilled over into the public space. Contrast this to the unity and political stability of the ULP.

So, let us cut to the chase: After a quarter century in opposition the NDP has yet to show that it is fit to govern. For most of the NDP’s leadership, the next elections are the metaphoric “last train to San Fernando”. Their political careers will end in disarray and failure! Thus, their desperation!

Funding of the NDP campaign

The foreign entities which want to sell our Vincentian citizenship and passport are funding massively the NDP election campaign. Among these entities are firms from mainland China are also putting their money on the NDP to break with Taiwan and embrace mainland China; in the mix, too, are those financed by some dreamers from India who also are in the passport racket. In a nutshell that is the plan to sell out SVG.

The financiers are also funding anti-Ralph and anti-ULP newspapers (including those online), radio stations, and commentators, and any chancer, barman, or cook who turns to anti-Ralph political activism. They are all singing for their supper: Chinese take-away and Indian food, from overseas. These foreign financiers, who are entirely unworthy and rapacious, are antithetical to our country’s interests, and are the ones who are engaged in vote buying, “influence” peddling, and corruption, inclusive of the corruption of our democracy. They want to sell passports as fast as they can; the hangers-on locally are salivating to thief as fast as they can; speed for all of them is essential. Contemptuously, they see our noble people as “voting cattle”. They are so wrong.

And they will be defeated again by the ULP.

Cockeyed view of the reality

In the telling of the NDP and its fellow-travellers, the reality of the huge socio-economic and good governance accomplishments of the ULP government are ignored, downplayed, or dismissed, and an alternative reality of damnation and doomsday is invented. But the people know the truth. And the people trust Ralph and the ULP far more than they will ever trust the terrible lot in the NDP and their dishonest, hypocritical fellow-travellers.

We in the ULP look forward eagerly to the next general elections. We are the victory: ULP wins, the people win!

ULP failed Vincentians - NDP to the rescue

“Anytime a government resorts to blaming the Opposition for its failure to deliver on their mandate and their responsibilities to the people, it is a clear sign that they have accepted that they have outlived their usefulness.” Dr Keith Rowley, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

The views expressed by Dr. Keith Rowley has resonated profoundly with the current state of affairs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government. Having been in power for twenty-four years, the ULP has increasingly resorted to blaming the New Democratic Party (NDP) for its shortcomings and failures. Instead of focusing on delivering meaningful solutions to the challenges which faced Vincentians, the ULP seems trapped in a cycle of finger-pointing.

For instance, the ULP government has consistently pointed fingers at the NDP, attributing the country’s high unemployment rate to its policies. However, a closer examination reveals a compelling narrative. When the ULP gained power in 2001, they reported a staggering 40% unemployment rate among the youth–a figure that remains consistent today at 40%.

The current unemployment crisis underscores a monumental failure of the ULP government in addressing the pressing issue in the country. Despite numerous promises and initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth and creating job opportunities, the unemployment figures reveal a lack of effective strategy. It is evident that the government has not responded to this unemployment crisis after twenty-four years in power. This failure not only impacts individuals and their families who are left without work but also threatens the overall economic stability of the country.

During the general elections campaign of 2001, the ULP emphasized what it characterized as an alarming rate of poverty in the country. The shelved Poverty Report of 2018 revealed a troubling reality that the poverty rates surged dramatically, climbing from 30.2% of the population in 2008 to 36.1% a decade later. The proportion of individuals living in extreme poverty, or indigence, escalated sharply from 2.9% to 11.3% during the same timeframe. These stark statistics underscore a worrying trend, indicating that the socio-economic conditions in the country have indeed deteriorated since the ULP first came to power in 2001. Yet, the ULP government continues to blame the NDP for this sad state of affair.

Further, in parliamentary sessions, when members of the Opposition pose legitimate questions to the government, the response often shifts towards a direct blame at the previous administration, the NDP. Regardless of the question asked, government officials frequently begin their answers with phrases like “prior to 2001, the NDP did this” or “the NDP failed to do that,” deflecting responsibility for current issues onto their predecessors. This pattern of answers reveals a reluctance to acknowledge any shortcomings in the government’s own actions and a consistent refusal to admit failures in project execution or broken promises.

The agriculture sector has suffered significantly under the ULP government. Agriculture was once the backbone of our nation It provided livelihoods and sustenance for countless families. However, under the current administration, we have witnessed a drastic decline, with agriculture’s contribution to the Gross Domestic

Product plummeting to a mere 6%, a staggering decrease from its previous share of over 20% under the NDP. Do you know that the ULP is shifting the blame, suggesting they inherited this troubling situation.

It is clear that the ULP has exhausted its mandate and is no longer capable of governing St Vincent and the Grenadines. Their failure to champion their own achievements, instead deflecting blame to the NDP, highlights a distinct lack of vision. It is evident that fresh leadership is needed to manage the affairs of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The way forward

Dr. Godwin Friday and the NDP are ready to lead St. Vincent and the Grenadines into a new era. We have an exceptional team of dedicated individuals who bring a wealth of experience and innovative ideas to the table. Our comprehensive plan addresses the needs of all Vincentians. We are committed to fostering robust economic growth and provide opportunities for all Vincentians by developing the four pillars of the economy: agriculture, tourism, the blue economy and the new economy. In developing the blue economy, we will partner with established global experts in the fishing industry which will present a unique opportunity to develop a thriving fishing industry that can contribute significantly to economic growth. By doing so, we will develop a high-quality fishing industry for local and international markets while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. To support this initiative, we propose the introduction of a new fleet of fishing boats through public-private partnerships, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated and maximizing investment potential.

We will utilize the technology, such as fish finders and Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our fishing practices. This comprehensive approach will not only improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk but also promote sustainable practices that protect our marine ecosystems.

Also, to drive sustainable economic growth and development, it is essential to establish and adequately fund a National Development Bank. This institution would serve as a catalyst for investment and innovation, providing low-interest loans and grants to entrepreneurs and businesses dedicated to critical areas of the economy.

To strengthen the skills and competencies of the youth, we will establish a National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre of Excellence. This premier institution would serve as a hub for innovation and training which will provide high-quality programs tailored to meet the evolving demands of the job market.

The NDP is ready to revitalize our economy and enhance the quality of life for every citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. After twenty-four years of the ULP in power, it is clear that most people are meeting it extremely hard. Life has become increasingly challenging. It’s time for a change. It’s time for the NDP. Let’s Get It Done!

Views V A sense of entitlement

(First published in the 15th March 2019 issue of THE VINCENTIAN newspaper).

“Man is not, by nature, deserving of all that he wants. When we think that we are automatically entitled to something, that is when we start walking all over others to get it.” Christopher James Gilbert (born May 29, 1987), better known by his pseudonym Criss Jami, is an American poet, essayist, existentialist philosopher, songwriter, and the creator/designer of Killosopher Apparel.

THE URGE to write this essay emerged after observing an individual who appeared to have concluded that his “privileged position” gave him the right to be rude and disrespectful to someone deemed to be his “subordinate”.

Although not a psychologist, this writer has often concluded that such behaviours tend to reflect some form of inferiority complex. Individuals who behave like this often incorrectly assume that by pulling other persons down (and/or by embarrassing them) they elevate themselves. In their own way, they expose their lowliness when they attempt to exert their superiority in such a deprived manner; seeking to bask in an ego mirage through what they consider to be a sense of entitlement.

The search for a quotation to be used to introduce this essay unearthed numerous powerful and compelling statements from renowned philosophers, educators, and politicians. In addition to providing powerful food for thought, the search highlighted the fact that the article’s focus could be varied. We can readily consider a number of settings that could result in an individual creating and sustaining a sense of entitlement. For example, we could reflect on that individual who assumes that they have obtained a privileged position because of the pigmentation of their skin, their nationality, academic achievements, school/university attended, religion, political affiliation, profession, family name, and so on. It can become so relatively easy (and dangerous) to assume that such demarcations justify our feeling better than, or superior to, another. We are reminded that all of these are very fragile and will not necessarily sustain our perceived privileged position. There is nothing fundamentally wrong about feeling good about ourselves (as a result of the afore-mentioned) or about our accomplishments. However, we should avoid being intoxicated by the thoughts that these make us better than someone who does not belong to that particular “tribe”.

Our seeking to gain the respect and admiration of others should be based on who we are (deep down inside). This should be based on our character and the skills and abilities that we possess. It should not be based on our heritage. The 16th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) said it so well when he noted, “You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.” This sentence, penned so many years ago, reminds us of the importance of carving out and sustaining our destiny based on who we are, what we have, and what we can achieve, rather than relying on some external force or influence to do so on our behalf. While those “external

influencing agents” can create a conduit to success, we need to focus more directly on being an individual of worth as we seek to grow and sustain a positive influence.

That sense of entitlement can plague individuals, communities, and societies. Unfortunately, too many leaders in business, government, society, and the church appear to perpetuate these “entitlement behaviours”. If the truth be told, many of these individuals magnify the differences among people in an effort to create and expand their own sense of self-worth and power. This is especially so in instances where charisma and the “garb of words” are evident. Many are intoxicated by their own sense of entitlement and proceed to contaminate followers. Some of these individuals, infected with the sense of entitlement, can be influenced to inflict great pain on others.

Consider Adolf Hitler’s influence as he fanned the flame of prejudice among his Arian race. He and his Nazi Party members concluded that they were entitled to rule the world. He created a mindset among his followers that led them to believe that their ethnicity (not their character) entitled them to rule. He skilfully indoctrinated the youth of his day knowing that “He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future.” There is no wonder that other dictators around the world, in pursuit of the quest for relentless power, skilfully design and implement programmes of indoctrination. Many of their followers, fuelled by a sense of entitlement, have created heinous crimes against society. We see examples on the African continent, in the Middle East, and in many countries in the Western Hemisphere. In western societies it is more subtle — but be assured that it exists. We see it portrayed in aspects of fake news and numerous character assassinations of those individuals with views that oppose their own. How sad, how unfortunate, that the jaundiced views generated by a sense of entitlement can create a conflagration that destroys so many valuable fabrics of our society; leaving charred remains of individuals who could play a major role in adding value to our societal structures. There is an antidote for those individuals infected with the sense of entitlement. Individuals, groups, and societies plagued with this “disease” can experience release. Using the medical analogy, we can get a dose of humility and general love for humanity. Therein lies the solution.

Dr. Steve Maraboli, a Behavioural Scientist who specialises in Motivational Psychology and the Peak Performance Mindset, cautions us that, “When we replace a sense of service and gratitude with a sense of entitlement and expectation, we quickly see the demise of our relationships, society, and economy.” That sense of service and gratitude, that true love for humanity, will go a long way towards exorcising the daemon (demon) that often manifests itself in those possessed by a sense of entitlement.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail com

Transparency and development

PLAIN TALK has repeatedly said that the worst development in postindependence St Vincent and the Grenadines is the triumph of the Unity Labour Party and the New Democratic Party as our country’s most important socialising organisations/institutions.

We have witnessed the steady and unfortunate erosion of the influence and authority of schools, the church and elders. Unless some of us commit to engaging in conscious work to bring balance back into our discourse our efforts at national development will be hampered and or retarded for years to come.

Too many policies and projects get mired in the fog of narrow, hyperpartisan discourse, with this side or the other blinding supporting a given position with no thought of reason, compromise or concern for the state of the nation. All too often, willful ignorance is the glue that holds most of those who go to the airways to offer their views and opinions. We will have hell to pay if things don’t change soon.

Pick any issue in modern Vincentian life, and the point becomes clear as day. The problem at the ‘modern’ port is trending, so let’s start there.

‘I listened to the expert, Lenski and in my opinion, he was very honest and straightforward in his presentation. He was saying that he recognised a problem and stated that they are in the process of solving it. Who else are we to listen to if not the expert?’

This was a comment on my Facebook page under a Travis Harry post about the damaged port. Oh, such a cogent and honest comment. But it presupposes something and misses some elementary truths. I have never questioned Lenski Douglas’ honesty, training, experience, or commitment to his craft. But there is a problem–neither the port management nor the government announced that there was a problem. Had Travis not taken the pictures, the problem would have remained shrouded in secrecy.

Moreover, do we ever learn? Were we not told to trust and follow the experts during the covid plandemic? If only we had the stats on all those who mindlessly followed the experts and now regret taking the toxic jab.

In 2022, the government contracted with Aecon, a Canadian construction company, to build the EC$700 million port. No feasibility or environmental study was conducted, sustainability was not mentioned, and no projections were offered as to what our nation intended to export as we embarked on the most expensive developmental project since the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

The government rationale for the new port was that the old deep-water harbour built over 60 years ago had outlived its usefulness and that the Campden Park port, which Gonsalves derisively labelled as ‘Mickey Mouse’, was not fit for purpose.

Add to the mix the sad reality that an import bill that runs into the billions and a food bill comprising mostly unhealthy processed foods that tops a billion dollars.

And then this: a disclosure from a Caribbean Development Bank study that our country could have easily and sustainably survived with a US$20 million rehabilitation of the Kingstown Harbour.

Further to the sad state of affairs is the damning expose last month that there is big trouble at the ‘modern’ port which Aecon, a supposedly reputable company with continent spanning building experience, is

building. A significant portion of the sand at the port had leaked out of the dammed area, leaving a vast lake. There’s a treasure trove of issues worthy of discussion. Is this money well spent? How could such an experienced company deliver such faulty construction? Why was the problem kept as a closely guarded secret? What are the feasibility, sustainability, merits, and demerits of the CDB study? Who is paying for the repair work? Suppose the leakage had occurred a few days after the May completion date, when Aecon had officially turned over the project to our government.

These important issues are buried under heated rhetoric between the major contending parties. Our newspapers, especially the ‘Star,’ are reduced to being an obedient voice for the government rather than honouring their role as guardians of the nation’s interests. Three weeks ago, the Vincentian, in a front-page story, completely disregarded the problem at the port and compared queries and questions about the leakage to ‘scaremongering’, similar to what occurred during the airport construction at Argyle. No official mentioned the issue of cost overrun, which could go into the millions.

Travis Harry, the courageous and intelligent patriot who broke the story regarding the difficulties at the port, has been savagely attacked for fearlessly carrying out his civic duty. They want to ‘live light and weigh heavy.’ For them, Citizens must mindlessly line up behind them rather than protect and defend the nation’s interests.

Clearly, the governing elite and its leader have a God complex. They can do nothing wrong except that, in the eyes of the people, the emperor has no clothes. Does anyone believe that the Fish complex built at Owia at a cost of EC$35 million was money well spent? Can our state managers take credit for the deplorable conditions at our schools, with Thomas Saunders Secondary and the Girls’ High Schools forced to function in temporary quarters while the schools remain in a permanent state of disrepair?

Would the unhealthy mould condition at the Ministry of Health have gained attention and remediation had it not been for the advocacy of the Public Service Union? The main courthouse in Kingstown has been closed, thus negatively impacting the course of justice, partly because of a mould problem. Should these not be major concerns in a society serious about its democracy?

Prime Minister Gonsalves announced that his government is borrowing another US$93 million. Most brazen is his uncaring announcement that the loan, EC$245 million, has no specific developmental purpose. Ominously looming is the 2025 elections. Would this money be squandered in an attempt to assist the ULP’s electoral chances? Should there not be a robust debate in which the government is asked to account for all it is doing? Should all responses be wrapped in partisan verbiage?

No modern society can advance without a strong and educated civic society. Citizens must reject our country’s dominant tendency to politicise everything and anything and demand wholesome and meaningful answers.

Prince CharlesÊ Prayer

FOR YEARSPrince Charles might have prayed, “Lord give me Faith and Patience.” Trapped in an apparent loveless arranged marriage to Princess Diana, he wondered, “how would he escape?” Apparently forced to abandon his true love, Kamala Parker Boyles, he had to endure the situation in which he found himself. Diana’s accidental death, though tragic and sad, released him to the arms of his lover, Kamela.

The old Catholic Faith would not have allowed him to re-marry but the

more liberal Anglicans saw no problems with it. Thus, he was able to maintain his Faith and avoid a constitutional crisis.

He found himself in the dilemma of having to wait for a very long time to ascend the throne. His beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth 11, lived to a very old age. His aspirations to be King necessitated the death of the Queen but it took so long that Prince Charles had himself grown old and is grappling with cancer.

While King Charles 111 has a mainly ceremonial role, the affairs of government were left to the younger and more able Prime ministers of the United Kingdom.

Miles away in another realm of the kingdom called St. Vincent and the Grenadines where King Charles 111 and his interests are represented by Governor General Dame Susan Dougan.

She could have easily exchanged roles with the country’s Prime Minister who turns 80 next year.

The former avowed communist apparently now embraces the Catholic Faith and apparently has no plans of retiring. He apparently orchestrated and frustrated the patience of many party ‘Faithfuls’ in his almost quarter of a century “reign.” Initially he had said that two terms (10 years) were sufficient to accomplish his mission, but it has become clear that the old man wants to remain despite all the failing indicators. Undoubtedly, he is wearing out the patience of the citizens who have put up with: (1) high crime rate; (2) low productivity; (3) abject poverty; (4) failed Education Revolution (25% CSEC pass rate), with many students leaving school without a skill and ill-prepared to access further studies; (5) noise pollution in minivans; (6) increased human trafficking and teenage prostitution; (7) high unemployment; (8) $600 million port washing away and inadequate maintenance of public properties; (9) lack of meritocracy; (10)

poorly maintained road network; (11) Debt to GDP ratio in excess of 100%; (12) meagre and scarce resources used to prosecute citizens, the latest being the Vaccine Mandate Case before the Privy Council.

Some believe that past party aspirants could have made a difference but were never given the chance. These include Renee Baptiste, Ken Boyea, Sir Louis Straker, Stanley John, Girlyn Miguel, Montgomery Daniel, Saboto Caesar, Camilo Gonsalves and Jomo Thomas.

Since it appears that the old man has absolutely no confidence in any of his men to run this country, the people would have no choice but to engage the services of Dr. Godwin Friday and his team of competent men and women. Like King Charles III, these are full of Faith and have exercised patience in waiting all these years, and are fully prepared to restore good governance to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in answer to the prayers of the people.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD

The crazy season

AS A SENIORcitizen, I have seen the good, the bad and the indifferent from Adult Suffrage to Independence. Through that period, I made as

much use of the education opportunities that were available, became a qualified teacher, and served the children of this country

form well over forty years.

I say all of that to say that I feel I am entitled to have a say in how my country is governed to comment on what passes as good behaviour.

Your Editorial of last week, Mr. Editor, spoke about the crazy season, i.e. the political campaign. As always, that period has never been an exact period and it will never be until we decide on a fixed date for election.

I understand where you are coming from when you speak of dirty politics and campaign promises as being part of the craziness and I want, in particular, to focus just a bit on those promises.

If we are to make an informed decision as far as for whom we should cast our vote, it is important that we take a serious look at the promises the parties make.

Already we have heard one party promising to reduce VAT. All well and good but how is that party hoping to make up for the shortfall in government revenue.

Then there is the promise of handout for the citizens, whether it be houses or cash, with no string attached making our people ever more dependent on others rather than encouraging them to develop a sense of responsibility, like knowing what it is to work for what you have. So young people will sit and wait for the handout.

And that’s not all. We will forever colour our politics with craziness, for instead of putting an end to it as the elections winner is announced, we take another level of craziness into our parliament, and these days even into our courts.

When are we going to recognise that we owe it to our young people to teach them a sense of value in the things we have done and the things we can do, and not that we are better off if we can keep the next man down.

We will never advance as a people unless we stop this craziness.

Retired Teacher

T&T 2025 Elections: UNC crushes PNM

KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESAR,73, who was prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 20102015, remains the only woman to have ever led the twin-island Caribbean nation.

And she will have a second chance to do so after she led her United National Congress (UNC) party to an overwhelming victory in the April 28 general elections in that country.

In a statement on April 29, the T&T Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) said, “Based on the preliminary count, the UNC has emerged as the leading party in the parliamentary elections, securing 26 of the 41 constituencies. The People’s National Movement (PNM) secured 13, and the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) secured 2.”

This information, the EBC said, was obtained from a preliminary tabulation and verification of results from the election.

The Commission said further that it was undertaking general recounts, as per a request by the UNC, in the Arouca/Lopinot, Malabar/Mausica and San Fernando East constituencies, three constituencies won by the PNM according to the preliminary count.

The ECB said that a total of 1,153,850 citizens were registered to votes across 41 constituencies. It also said on Tuesday, that the voter turnout was approximately 54%, with 617, 712 votes cast.

This translated, preliminarily, to 334,874 votes for the UNC, 220,180 for the PNM, and 21,010, the third highest number but no seats, for the Patriotic Front (PF)l led by Mickela Panday, daughter of former prime minister Basdeo Panday.

This meant that the PNM lost 102,090 votes in this election compared to 2020, while the UNC gained 25,686 votes having contested only in Trinidad.

Tobago People’s Party (TPP), which won the two seats in Tobago, totalled, preliminarily, 13,857 votes.

There were five other parties which contested the 2025 general elections. Together they counted 23, 953 votes in their favour. Of those, two — the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) and the Congress of the People - formed part of a UNC-led Coalition of Interest. The PEP attracted 9.379 votes and the COP 6.481.

There were, reportedly, 1,908 rejected ballots.

Victory Speech – Incoming PM

The UNC victory, according to the Trinidad Guardian, “marks a remarkable comeback for PersadBissesar.”

In her victory speech to crowds of cheering supporters late on Monday, PersadBissesar pledged to deliver on election promises, declaring that the people of Trinidad and Tobago who have toiled

and kept the faith deserve better.

She said, as reported by the Trinidad Guardian: “This victory is for the senior citizens to keep their pensions. This victory is for public servants to get their rightful salary increases. This victory is to reopen the children’s hospital. This victory is to reopen Petrotrin. This victory is to once again give laptops to our children. This victory is to create over 50,000 jobs. And so, the victory is yours.”

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said after years of listening to citizens and taking note of their wants, needs, hopes and desires, the UNC had fought a clean campaign focused on policies, plans and programmes.

“You have an elected, a people-centred government for the people, by the people, and with the people, so let me, permit me again to say thank you; thank you, let us rejoice and celebrate this day in our history. This has been a tremendous blessing, and once again I thank you, Trinidad and Tobago,” she added.

She cautioned, though: “We have a lot of work ahead of us…. It is now that the real work starts,” and she committed to work so that, “no one will be left behind; no one will be left behind, because when UNC wins, everybody wins.”

Outgoing leader

Dr. Keith Rowley, political leader of the incumbent People’s National Movement (PNM), in the company of Prime Minister r Stuart Young, on Monday around 10:15pm, conceded defeat on behalf of the PNM.

“Tonight is not a good night for the PNM, but it might be a good night for Trinidad and Tobago,” he told local media, lauding the organization of the election and the turnout.

While the ECB had not yet declared any preliminary count, Dr. Rowley admitted “It was clear at this time that we have lost the election… surprisingly, we have not done very well in the general elections.

He said the PNM will begin today to rebuild in anticipation of the next general elections and that the party will fulfil its role as the parliamentary opposition.

Dr. Keith Rowley resigned

As is the

in the

as Prime Minister and handed over the reins of government to Stuart Young from March 17. In so doing, Stuart Young’s tenure lasted a mere 44 days, making him the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago with the shortest tenure.

Kamal Persad Bissesar was expected to be worn inn yesterday, May 1. This will make her Trinidad

and Tobago’s ninth prime minister and only the third to serve two terms, the others being Dr. Eric Williams and Patrick Manning. She becomes only the third non-PNM prime minister, the others being A.N.R. Robinson of the National Alliance for Reconstruction and Basdeo Panday of the UNC. (Sources:

T&T Newsday, Guardian, Express, TTEBC)

Kamla Persad-Bissesar delivering her victory speech before thousands of parity supporters gather at the UNC’s headquarters in Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas.

PNM political leader Dr. Keith Rowley (2nd from left), conceding defeat in the Aril 28 general elections in the company of Prime Minister Stuart Young (left), campaign manager Rohan Sinanan and Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyene.

Jearleen John, UNC deputy political leaser, is credited with having ignited the UNC campaign to the point of attracting non-traditional supporters to her party.

custom

Caribbean, supporters of the victorious party (UNC in this case) took to the streets in wild celebration.

10% Tariffs no real economic threat

BECAUSESt. Vincent and the Grenadines does not export a lot of goods to the United States, the baseline 10 percent tariff imposed on all imports into that country will not have a direct impact on the local economy.

So said Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves while responding to a question posed by Fitzgerald Bramble, Opposition Parliamentarian and Parliamentary Representative for East Kingstown in the House of Assembly on April 28.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to regulate imports, with the imposition of tariffs. This was to rectify what were the trade practices that contributed to large

US trade deficits with the world. The tariffs came into effect on April 5. Bramble asked about how the tariffs would affect the local economy and the government’s plan to cushion the impact.

But Gonsalves explained that based on the data provided, over the last 10 years St. Vincent and the Grenadines exports to the US averaged 0.32 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

Exports increased steadily from about $2 million in 2015 to $18.4 million in 2022. However, according to Gonsalves that number fell to $11 million in 2023 and half of that in 2024.

“The declines in 2023 and 2024 were principally due to a reduction in the export of conch, lobster and some other seafood according to the stats,” Gonsalves explained.

He further explained that if one looked at the 10 percent tariff on such a small value of goods, then one will find that there is not going to be a direct impact across the economy.

“It may well have (an impact) in relation to the particular items which you’re exporting, and the particular exporters may have a challenge, maybe, maybe not depending on the type of commodity,” Gonsalves said.

A negative impact could arise in relation to price of commodities that either originate in the US, or passing through with the proposed tariffs to be imposed on shipping companies using Chinese-built ships in their fleet. That issue is currently on pause, but Gonsalves said that it would make things very difficult for us here.

Another impact according to the prime minister is the possibility of a recession internally in the US accompanied by an increase in the price of goods.

“If that happens, that could have a knock-on effect on us, for instance

with tourists because they have less money to spend. We’ll have to look for markets elsewhere,” he explained.

Finally, Gonsalves said that the proposed tariffs could potentially impact us negatively in terms of safety and security.

He reasoned that a country like Trinidad and Tobago who in 2024 exported $2.7 billion in goods and with the knock-on effects, there may be more people leaving that country

including criminals which could then have an impact on us.

What was a bigger issue was how much we import from the US,

Gonsalves posited. He said that in 2024, this country imported US$135 million worth of goods. (DD)

President Donald Trump has used his executive authority to impose retaliatory measures against those countries he deems to be “taking advantage” of the USA.

SVG could be spared any negative economic impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves gave an overview of what the USA imposed tariffs held in store for SVG.

Energy Mas Band enters the fray

AFTER MAKING guest appearances for the last two years, as stipulated by The

Carnival Bands Incorporated (CBI) the official body that represents masquerade bands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Energy Mas Band is ready to debut as full-fledged competitors in the masquerade component of Vincymas.

The band will do so with a presentation entitled ‘Soca in the Mas’.

The general public and particular potential masqueraders and those who were part of the band’s outings in 2023 AND 2024, will get this Saturday, May 3, 2025, a full view of the five adult and two children sections that comprise the 2025 presentation, when the band stages its official launch at the Sion Hill Intersection.

The Band’s base is located opposite Randy’s Mini-Mart on Tyrell Street, Kingstown.

Five sections

The five adult sections are Rumist, Carnival Jumbie, Sexy Girl, Turn Me On and Teaser, with Loving Can’t Done and I am Soca assigned to the children.

Bandleader- Norman Quashie, whose title and concept for the band was given the artistic translation by Jadiel Foster, a young Vincentian designer, is excited about the production.

“After struggling for two years on our own, not being

able to be judged, am anxious with that expectation that we can now enter the competition this year and show what we have. I want to say to our masqueraders and others, look forward to the Energy Mas Band because we plan to give our best come this year’s Carnival”, Quashie projected.

Costumes for the ‘Soca in the Mas’ presentation are priced at $#225.00 for children and $450.00 for adults.

Quashie urged on mas lovers to get registered (with the band) so that they can be part of a special presentation for Vincymas 2025, “aa the Energy Mas Band seeks to leave a positive mark on the festivities.

Vincymas 2025 is set for June 24 to July 9, with the official launch on May 10, at the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport Tarmac.

The pre-show starts at 6PM with the main acts scheduled to commence at 8pm. Contrary to what might have been “making the rounds’, there will be no charge for entrance to the launch.

Vincymas launch in New York is set for May 10, at the

Regional High School located at 475 E 57th St., Brooklyn.

Nazareth

The section Turn Me On is typically for the females.

The section Rumist caters to the adult males.

Norman Quashie, leader of the Energy Mas Band, is looking with much expectation to the band’s debut into competition for mas bands.

Adriana drowned - autopsy reveals: Father rejects findings

THINGS WENT from bad to worse on Monday evening, in Georgetown, Guyana, as fiery protests broke out across the South American country, following the Post Mortem Examination (PME) report that 11-year-old Adriana Younge died by drowning.

The day started with scores of Guyanese peacefully protesting outside the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) awaiting the results. But by midday, things began heating up and intensified once the PME report was released, with reports of looting, vandalism of businesses and the burning of vehicles.

Kaieteur News reported that videos surfaced of looting taking place. ‘One of them showed individuals looting a Chinese supermarket… persons trying to break into the City Mall. Reports also surfaced of looters also invading Burger King.

Police ranks fired rubber pellets as protestors resisted by returning bricks, glass bottles and other debris in their direction.

Adrianna drowned

Subrian Younge, the father of 11year-old Ariana Younge whose lifeless body he pulled from the Double Day Hotel pool on April 24, made it emphatically clear that he rejected the findings of an independent, four-hour long Post Mortem Examination (PME) conducted on Adriana’s body on Monday.

According to that PME report, the 11year-old died from drowning. It ruled out theories of forcible drowning or any other means of killing, followed by disposal of the body in water.

This was later confirmed by the family’s lawyer, Darren Wade.

The PME, witnessed by the lawyer and a local doctor, Caleb Mc Cloggan, was conducted by the threemember pathology team

comprising of: Dr Glenn A. Rudner from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York: Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, the government-appointed international pathologist from Barbados; and Dr. Gary L. Collins, Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Delaware, who Adriana’s family chose to represent their interests.

Prior to the child’s Post Mortem, which commenced around 12:30 p.m, a series of scans, including X-rays and a full-body CT was conducted to assess fractures and other injuries, including internal bleeding, Wade informed.

Things not determined

In his update to the media, Wade noted: no bones were discovered broken in the child’s body; no determination was made in relation to where she drowned; and no determination as to whether she drowned in tap water or pool water.

As for the decolouration on the body and reports of cotton wool being observed in the child’s nostrils, after her lifeless body was pulled from the pool, Wade reported that as for the former, this was ruled to be consistent with water damage, and as for the former, the pathologists made no such discovery when the body was examined.

In the meantime, the relatives of the deceased child continue to press the government of Guyana for an

independent and impartial investigation but there has been no effort yet to meet this specific request.

Wade stressed, as per the Kaieteur News report, “I believe it is critical at this point in time for the family and for the entire country that the state acts, that the President doesn’t just talk and that he delivers based on that promise.”

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

The death of Adrinana Younge, 11 years old, threw Guyana into a tailspin of protests, riots, looting and a general national disturbance that pitted the police against civilians.

Leisure V

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)

You will learn a great deal from people with different cultural backgrounds. You need a break from your daily routine. You will have excellent ideas for changing or renovating your home. They won't get away with it.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)

Unpredictable events will disrupt your routine. Involvement in financial schemes will be followed by losses. Any renovation or decorating to your home should include the whole family. You can make favorable real estate offers this week.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

You can make a difference if you're willing to stand up and be counted. You will not impress others by being foolishly generous. Take time to reevaluate your motives regarding friendships. You can come up with ways of earning extra cash.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

Children may be less than honest with you. Think before you act. Unforeseen circumstances will disrupt your daily routine. Your personal partner may be less than willing to accommodate you this week. You will get along well in social situations.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)

Stress may cause minor health ailments. Be courteous if you wish to avoid major delays. Do not get into uncertain financial deals. It's time to get yourself back on track.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)

Look out for those wanting to push you into a disagreement. Stay calm and focus on things that will help you understand the situation better. Emotional situations could bring out your stubborn nature. Try to slow down, and take another look.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)

Travel will be on your mind; however, be careful and proceed with caution as minor accidents will cause delays. Try to stay calm, and whatever you do, don't nag. Resist any idle chatter. Be extra careful with your valuables; loss and theft are evident this week.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

Your health may suffer if you don't control your present situation. You need more space for the whole family. You may find yourself changing plans for some form of entertainment. Uncertainty regarding your mate may emerge; reevaluate what you see in each other.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)

Don't turn down offers that include sports activities or children. You can win points if you present your ideas this week. Take whatever time you can to get to know each other all over again. You like to stay busy and now is your chance to do just that.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)

You will be in the mood for entertainment. You need to sit back and enjoy. Education may be the answer. Problems with peers is apparent.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)

Try to be fair in your dealings with acquaintances. Travel should be on your agenda. Focus on what's important rather than spreading yourself too thin and accomplishing little. You should be traveling to that exotic destination you've been dreaming about.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)

Don't overload your plate. You need to be inspired and have your spirits lifted. Be sure to get involved in selfimprovement programs that will bring you in contact with interesting people. However, be careful with luggage; it may be re-routed.

ACROSS

1.Mexican treat 5. Last-yr. students

8. Woods’s org.

11. Love (Ital.)

13. Ingest

14. Young’s opposite 15. Thumper’s deer friend

16. Twittered 18. __ makes right

20. Relaxes 21. Dress

23. Fuel economy stat

24. Chewbacca pal Solo

25. Source of poi

27. Ordinances

31. “Big Daddy” Burl

33. Went quickly

34. Send forth

35. “__ Mia”

36. Did laps

38. Clean air gp.

39. Stool pigeon

41. “Public Enemy” star

43. Young pigeon

46. Was able 47. John __ Galbraith

49. Milk’s category

52. Clock numeral

53. __ certain degree (2 wds.)

54. “Sesame Street” regular

55. Perch

56. JFK, to Joe 57. Quiche ingredients

DOWN

1.Diet Coke’s kin

2. Medical gp.

3. Opposite of a “royal”

4. Space path

5. Religious group

6. Fan’s cry

7. Saturate 8. Boston __ 9. Elation 10. Uses a plus sign

12. VIII

17. National bird

19. William Randolph _ 21. “Vogue” adjective 22. Vesuvius’s output 23. Where Prince Rainier governed 26. Like fresh peas 28. Correcting 29. Rub lightly 30. Linger

32. Clinging wrap

37. Bea Arthur show

40. Instigates

42. Harsh light

43. Enjoys Aspen

44. Famed ocean liner, for short 45. __ pricing 46. “Supercop” star Jackie 48. Exceedingly 50. Set up 51. Affirmative

Fed up just doing giveaways

ACCORDINGto Desmond ‘Dez’ Morris, Co-founder of the Touch Masters Football Club, “We are fed up doing giveaways due to the fact that there are no Youth Football Leagues in SVG.”

Morris’ strong, no-holdsbarred comment came even as he was handing over football gears to up to 150 children and young persons who had gathered at the Sion Hill Playing Field last weekend.

Morris disclosed, “The giveaway started in 2023, and we have conducted over 22 giveaways to date. We are fed up doing giveaways due to the fact that there are no Youth Football Leagues in SVG. There are tournaments we need invest in, like an all-Island Youth League which runs for ¾ of the year uninterrupted.”

Another round of giveaways at the Sion Hill Playing Field.

In explaining the objective of the giveaways, he listed: to honor a promise to the donor in actually donating the shoes directly to the players; to encourage and equip young players with a good pair of shoes; to motivate young football players to practise on their own; to have young footballers have a fun-filled day; and to begin to cultivate a culture of team building, discipline, respect and manners.

The former national player observed, “The young players are not playing enough football to catch up with the rest of the world. Our players are starting practice at 5:30, not 4:30/5:00 pm. That means there is not enough actual training time. If you are not training for the same duration as a game, [it] means you lack fitness. In the real game, training time plus actual play plus clearly defined curriculum equal success. They need a league to play to learn the game. To understand the life lessons you get from playing a team sport.”

As a road map, Morris suggested:

“Hopefully, the progression is: shoes, youth league, formation of a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Youth football Association (SVGYFA), to have discussions with sponsors, Minister of Sports, SVG Football Federation (SVGFF) towards organizing an allisland youth league ages 10-18 in the Spring 2026. Slogan: Play Football All the Time, Stay out of Crime.”

He identified the need for a clear pathway to success: Grassroots, recreation, fundamental football, primary school football, secondary school football, club football, college/university.

Desmond Morris did not ride the fact that there has to be an organized, complementary action to all the giveaways.

“That’s how much Football we need to play,” Morris stressed.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Roxann Williams – history maker

be a chair umpire by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) from the Caribbeans point of view.

She did so when she officiated at the 2025 Billie Jean King by Gainbridge Group 1 Americas, which concluded in Mexico, April 12.

This is a huge accomplishment for Williams and the region on a hold, as it supports the ITF’s advancement of women in coaching and umpiring, by granting opportunities and bridging the gender gap across all levels.

THE VINCENTIAN extends heartiest congratulations to Roxann on her recent accomplishments, wishing her every success as she pursues her chosen path.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Roxann Williams, back to camera, giving pre-match instructions before calling a match at the Billy Jean King Cup in Mexico.

Quashie wins Rapid Chess title

TRUMAN QUASHIE EMERGEDthe champion of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chess Federation’s Rapid Tournament.

He topped the standings when the tournament was held last Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Xpert Computer Centre Conference Room.

Williams

the

Quashie tallied 5 points after five rounds of competition. Second was

Terrence Latchman on 4 points, while Oris Robinson docked in third on 3 points.

Also registering 3 points each were Vanburn Harry and Ronnia DurhamBalcombe, who finished in that order.

National junior players Carlos Veira and Arianna Balcombe placed fifth and seventh, respectively.

The other participants were Rodney Grant, Taien

Harry, Zion Grant, Orisia Robinson and Krislin Harry.

Directed by Brian Cottle, the Rapid Tournament allowed 30 minutes for each player to complete their matches.

Given the success and interest shown in last Sunday’s tournament, Cottle revealed that a Blitz Tournament will be convened soonest.

VINCENTIAN ROXANN WILLIAMS has written herself into the tennis history books of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

became

first Vincentian and Caribbean person to be selected to

Truman Quashie was a resounding winner of the Rapid Chess Tournament.

Roxann Williams at the 2025 Billie Jean King by Gainbridge Group 1 Americas, in Mexico.

SchoolsÊ Volleyball titles go north

The George Stephens Senior Secondary and the Georgetown Secondary, won the Female and Male titles respectively of

the 2025 schools Volleyball Championships.

The two institutions, both from the North Central Windward area, copped the winners’ trophies and gold medals, when the finals were played last Tuesday, April, 29, at the Girls’ High School hard court.

George Stephens registered a 2-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-11) over the Bethel High School, while Georgetown had a 2-0 (25-19, 25-23) triumph over the St. Vincent Grammar School.

The finalists emerged from the semi-finals played on Friday, April 26, also at the Girls’ High School venue.

George Stephens on their way to the female final, beat Georgetown, 27-25, 20-25, 25-15, while Bethel overcame St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, 2325, 25-1, 25-12,

In the male semis, Georgetown overcame Thomas Saunders, 25-10, 2512 and the Grammar School beat

SOSVG launches Walking Challenge

FOR THE NEXTsix weeks, members of Special Olympics SVG (SOSVG), will spearhead a Healthy Athletes Walking Challenge.

The Challenge geared at promoting health, inclusion, and community engagement, will “challenge” participants to make 10,000 steps per day, Monday to Thursday.

A walk from the Schools for Children with Special Needs at Fernside, around Kingstown on those four days, will bring together the participants, as they endeavour to achieve their daily walking goals of 10,000 footsteps.

An official launch took place last Saturday, April 26, 2025, with a symbolic Walk from Frenches House to the Cruise Ship Terminal and back.

Sezevra Joseph, National Director of Special Olympics, at last Saturday’s launch informed, “The Walking Challenge is part of our 2025 Healthy Athletes initiative, aiming to empower individuals with intellectual

disabilities through wellness programmes and community participation. This is all part of raising awareness of Special Olympics”.

Joseph said that the Special Olympians have been given a smart watch to monitor their steps, a jersey as well as a water bottle, to carry out the challenge.

And to broaden the initiative and engage the community, Joseph indicated, “We are going to ask the public to join us. They may not necessarily walk with us on afternoons but they will walk and make 10,000 footsteps”,

Joseph revealed that apart from completing the minimum number of footsteps, participants will interact with the organisation’s Facebook page.

“To interact with the page, you take a picture of your steps and you post, saying, ‘I did it’”, Joseph emphasised.

George Stephens, 2519, 25-19.

Georgetown Females went on to take the third place, beating St. Joseph’s Convent 25-17, 25-22, and in the Male category, George Stephens overcame Thomas Saunders 25-17, 25-18.

Taking the MVP of the female final was Maxianna Dublin of the George Stephens Secondary and the MVP of the male final was Damari Fredericks of Georgetown Secondary.

The Championships were used to assist in the selection of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines team to this year’s

Shevern John T10 closes

BYERA LINKERSand Warriors 11 respectively, are the male and female champions of the Shevern John’s T10 tournament, the finals of which were played at the Owia Playing Field last Sunday, April 27.

Warriors 11 beat Family and Friends in the finals. Scores: Warriors 11, 78 from 9 overs; Family and Friends, 77.

Byrea Linker beat Owia Strikers. Scores: Owia 45, Byera 46.

As far as individual awards were concerned, among the males, Romano Pierre was the highest rungetter, Antonio Barker the highest wicket-taker.

Among the females, Shannel did the double by being the top scorer and the highest wicket-taker.

The Most Disciplined team among the males was Greggs Young Stars, and Passionate Girls was similarly adjudged for the females.

The most improved team was Young Blazers

I.B.A. ALLEN

Warriors 11 female champions.

Shannel McKiemost runs and most wickets for the females.

Windward Islands Schools’ Games set to be hosted here in July.

George Stephens – female champions.

Georgetown Secondary – male champions.

Players of the finals - Maxianna Dublin and Damari Fredericks.

Some of the participating walkers at Last Saturday’s Launch of the Challenge.

Byera Linkers - male champions.

T20 Blaze for SVG

The Caribbean’s second women’s cricket showdown of the year, the 2025 T20 Blaze Women’s Regional Cricket Tournament, will be played at the recently refurbished and modernized Arnos vale Playing Field St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A release from Cricket West Indies Inc. said that the tournament, from May 01 to 12, will feature a daily triple-header, with matches starting at 10:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.

CWI’s President, Dr. Kishore Shallow, expressed his excitement, saying:

“Following a successful Vincy Premier League, it’s great to see the cricket action continue in St. Vincent–this time with competitive women’s cricket taking center stage. Playing under the lights at Arnos Vale adds a vibrant atmosphere, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting series featuring some of the best female talent in the region.”

These kinds of opportunities are important as we continue to build momentum and provide consistent platforms for players to grow and perform.”

Defending champions Jamaica, who

Veerasammy Permaul - left arm orthodox spinner - the leading wicket-taker in West Indian FirstClass cricketing tournaments.

Windwards coach confident

WALTER EMMANUEL, head coach of the Windward Islands female cricket team, is confident of the team’s chances in the upcoming Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze tournament, to be held at the Arnos Vale playing field from May 1st to 11th, 2025.

The Windward Islands team held a training camp here ahead of the tournament, with Emmanuel describing the camp as very significant.

”Since we are from four different countries it is always a good thing to get all of the players together in one country,” Emmanuel said, adding that it made

CWI’s President, Dr. Kishore Shallow; anticipates that the 2025 T20 Blaze Tournament will be an exciting series buoyed by an already pumped up Vincentian cricketing public.

dominated last year’s tournament with a flawless five-game sweep, are fired up and ready to go all out to retain their title.

They will face fierce competition from powerhouse squads Barbados, Guyana, newly crowned Super50 champions Trinidad and Tobago, the Leeward Islands, and the home team, the Windward Islands, in what promises to be an explosive tournament.

Cricket West Indies said, ‘The 2025 T20 Blaze comes at a pivotal moment in women’s cricket. Following the West Indies Women’s white-ball series with Bangladesh in January, an inspiring Super50 tournament in February, and a heartbreaking near-miss at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers in

Pakistan in April–where they fell agonizingly short on net run rate–this tournament represents a chance for redemption.”

Defending Champions Jamaica have already warned that they will not go down without a fightT20 Blaze for SVG.

With high-profile white-ball series away to England and at home against South Africa on the horizon, the T20 Blaze serves as another launching pad in the renewed pursuit of international glory.

All matches will be streamed live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel, with live scorecards and ball-by-ball commentary available on the WindiesCricket.com Match Centre. (Source: windiescricket com)

Ball-tampering goes to High Court

GUYANESE cricketers Veerasammy

Permaul and Kevlon Anderson have approached the High Court of Guyana in a bid to clear their names following an incident during the recent Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day Tournament fixture between Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, played at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad. This application was filed by Attorney-at-law Arudranauth Gossai.

The match effectively served as the tournament final with the championship title at stake, with Guyana eventually being declared Champions of CWI 4-Day Regional

sense to gather in SVG, the host of the tournament.

“What we are hoping to achieve is the togetherness, get to know each other, materialize our game plan, and work as a team towards one common goal which is to win the tournament,” Emmanuel explained.

Cricket.

However, events on and off the field have cast a cloud over what should have been a celebration of West Indies cricket.

Both Permaul and Anderson were charged under the CWI Code of Conduct with ball-tempering, but since then and the players’ acceptance of fines levelled on them, documents filed in the High Court alleged the players were pressured into accepting a guilty plea by the Trinidadian Match Referee, Mr. Michael Ragoonath.

They were reportedly given two options: Plead guilty and accept a fine

The camp entailed two practice matches and after these, the head coach said, “It is more of the mindset… we have to believe in ourselves more, and the

basics, we need to apply the basics, it is a T20 format but it is still cricket, so we have to apply the basics, and if we can maintain that there is no reason why we can’t succeed.”

Three players, Afy Fletcher, Zadia James and

Jennilla Glasgow, will miss the camp while on duty with the West Indies in Pakistan. Coach is looking forward to them joining the team and “enhancing our chances to win the tournament.”

I.B.A. ALLEN

or insist on a hearing/trial and the Referee will impose a fine of 100 per cent of the match fee and a ban.

Kelvon Anderson - a right-handed top order batsman, represented the West Indies under-19 cricket team.

In the face of the options, the two players formed the opinion that they had no choice but to plead guilty to the charge, despite previously submitting written denial to the Referee, and in the case of Permaul, maintaining his innocence at the hearing. Anderson was not afforded a hearing.

This lack of due process and the absence of a fair and transparent hearing is deeply troubling, said the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), which went on to say that it considers the actions of the match officials (which includes the on-field umpires) “to be unprofessional, unethical, and a serious breach of procedural fairness..”

In light of these events, both players have taken the step of seeking justice through the High Court, aiming to restore their reputations and ensure such incidents do not recur.

The GCB said that it “stands firmly in support of justice, fair play, and the rights of its players, and will continue to advocate for good governance, transparency and accountability at all levels of the sport.” (Source: Guyana Media)

The Windward Islands Female team in training ahead of the tournament.

New GHS and TSSS set for 2026

From Backpage

A decision followed to have a design of a more functional building, while the Norma Keizer Building was completed as detailed in the first contract.

In the meantime, work on other sections of the school was done, including the installation of a new roof and new windows.

The original plan for the new Grimble Hall, Gonsalves explained, was too elaborate and beyond the cost purviews of the original project.

“Beautiful as it was, it was not something that the government could afford to build,” Gonsalves admitted.

A New TSSS

In relation to the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS), Gonsalves explained that renovation work was initially scheduled to begin in 2023, but a pre-tender structural inspection revealed that the existing building was not sound.

Based on that assessment, a decision was made to demolish the existing structure and construct a new and complete school; one that would enhance and expand the facility to better meet the needs of a modern student population, Gonsalves told parliament.

This triggered a comprehensive consultant selection process.

And while the selected design consultant had some internal challenges, the final tender package is expected to be received by the end of the week, or the first week in May, which will then be reviewed for approval by the relevant stakeholders.

All things being equal, demolition is expected to commence and be completed so as to allow construction to begin in September 2025. With a projected construction period of 12 to 15 months, the estimated completion time is November 2026, Gonsalves said.

Government neglects maintenance

From Backpage

He reasoned that this was so because the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which was passed in 2017, has not been enforced and therefore there is no protection for the workers.

“Because if it was enforced, even in 2018, the government would be mandated by that Act to ensure that the buildings are safe,” he said.

The government has demonstrated a lack of care for the workers, Boucher said, and therefore, the buildings are left to deteriorate.

Mould was a serious thing that can negatively impact the lungs and ought to be taken seriously by any state authority, he stressed.

“It must be taken seriously and all we ask of the government [is] to take the safety of workers’ health, their health and safety

seriously,” the PSU President said.

Boucher referenced that during the COVID19 pandemic when the vaccine mandate was implemented, it was touted as the government caring for its workers.

“The phrase was, ‘it’s a duty to care’, well if you think it’s a duty to care by forcing people to take a vaccine, now where is that duty to care?”

He reiterated the point that if the buildings were maintained regularly

under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the problems would not exist.

“Workers are the most important assets that any country has… take them away and the whole public service will fall apart...and your duty is to care for their health in a very serious and meaningful way, not by taking away their rights, but by ensuring at least the buildings that they work in are safe to occupy,” Boucher emphasized.

AI REAL ESTATE

NEW GHS AND TSSS SET FOR 2026

CONSTRUCTIONwork on the newly designed Grimble Hall at the Girls’ High School is scheduled to commence in June this year.

And according to Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, the project is expected to last 12 months and will be completed by May 2026.

In response to a question by Opposition Parliamentarian,

Fitzgerald Bramble in Parliament on April 28, Gonsalves explained that the architectural and engineering designs had been finalized, and the tendering process for the selection of a contractor had already been completed.

The project is currently awaiting clearance from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to award the works contract as part of the procurement process, Gonsalves said.

Once obtained, the approval of the

Central Procurement Board will be sought, and the work will commence after the contract agreement is signed.

Gonsalves explained that the initial contract was for the rehabilitation of the GHS, including the extension of Grimble Hall and the refurbishment of the Norma Keizer Building, which would not have entailed any demolition works but extension of the existing structure.

“However, following commencement,

it was determined that the proposed extension of Grimble Hall was not feasible as the 100-year-old structure’s masonry block was not structurally sound to withstand the renovation works, and most of the wooden elements which made up the interior were severely damaged or rotting,” the finance minister said.

Continued on Page 23

GOVERNMENT NEGLECTS MAINTENANCE

ELROY BOUCHER, President of the SVG Public Service Union (PSU), has accused the government of not properly maintaining the buildings housing various ministries and departments. Boucher, who was at the time speaking during a ‘sit out’ on April 22 by employees at the Ministry of Education, who had taken such action to highlight a mould problem at the workplace, said that the problem was not just at the Ministry of Education.

Elroy Boucher, President of the PSU, has fingered the government for neglecting to implement an ongoing maintenance programme for buildings occupied by public servants.

According to Boucher, there were similar problems at other governmental departments and referred in this regard to the Public Health Department, the outpatient clinic in Kingstown (which had since been resolved) and at the Fisheries Department.

The situation at Fisheries was so severe that workers there were still unable to go back into the building in Kingstown, Boucher said.

“The question one should ask (is), why all of these buildings, government buildings that are housed in the public service are in such deplorable conditions, such that they are serious impact on the health of the workers themselves?” he told THE VINCENTIAN.

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The Fisheries Department which also houses the Kingstown Fish Market (in the Background) has been cited as having a serious mould problem.

Grimble Hall is to be demolished, and a new structure will adorn an otherwise renovated Girls’ High School.

The Thomas Saunders Secondary school will be demolished to make way for a new and expanded facility.