FRIDAY, FEBRUARY
04, 2022
VOLUME 116, No.05
Soldier charged Page 4
www.thevincentian.com
Vincymas is on Page 2
YRM turns 27 Page 12
EC$1.50
Gov’t should facilitate Page 14
Stabbing death Page 24
The new community in Lowmans Leeward that will become home to former residents of Rose Place.
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves (left), assists Naomi Patterson, a soon-to-be-resident, with the cutting of the ribbon to signify the handing over of the Units.
by KENVILLE HORNE A NEW COMMUNITY in Lowmans Leeward consisting of 47 housing units and offering a picturesque view of the Campden Park Industrial Estate on one side and Lowmans Bay on the other, is soon to become the home of a number of residents from Rose Place, Kingstown. The residents are from those households who have had to be relocated in order to accommodate the Kingstown Port Expansion and Modernization Project. Continued on Page 3.
Right: A former resident of Rose Place received his ‘letter of confirmation’ of ownership from Minister of Housing Orando Brewster (right).
Above: Lenski Douglas, Assistant Project Manager of the Port Modernisation Project, gave a comprehensive overview of the Housing component of the project.
V
2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
Vincymas
CDC rolls out Vincymas programme evolution of Vincy music over the past 40 plus years of Vincymas. The venue will be the cruise ship terminal. The much anticipated Ragga Soca and Soca Monarch finals will be held on Saturday, July 2- at Victoria Park. Numbers will be restricted as the regulations allow. Programme Sunday, July 3 will feature a three-in-one A Launch Party on event in which patrons Friday, June 24 will be treated to the featuring the “Heavy Calypso Monarch and hitters” kick starts the Pan finals, and a mas return of Vincymas display at Victoria activities after a hiatus Park. of two years. Traditional J’Ouvert A Junior Carnival activities are set for display is carded for Monday, July 4 in the June 25 at Victoria Park. area of the St. Vincent Sunday, 26 June will Grammar School. feature semi-finals of As for the T-shirt and Calypso, Ragga Soca and paint bands, the CDC Soca in a single all-day has proposed a bubble event, on the grounds of party — in an enclosed the old Emerald Valley venue - for them to do Resort and Casino in the their painting. Penniston Valley. On Tuesday, July 5 Friday, July 1 will be costumed bands the night of EVO, a show will parade in front of which showcases the the judges along the
2022. Adams made the disclosure last Tuesday at Victoria Park, Kingstown, following Prime Minister Ralph Gonslaves’ announcement on Radio on Sunday, that the COVID-19 vaccination rate would determine the size of the festival.
Ricardo Adams, Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), outlining the programme of activities for Vincymas 2022. CHAIRMAN OF THE CARNIVAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CDC)Ricardo Adams even as he made it plain that everything was “subject to change,” and of the need to be guided by Health and Police requirements, rolled out a programme of activities from June 24 to July 5, 2022, to mark Vincymas
northern end of the runaway of the old E.T Joshua Airport, and then return to their bubbles.
A carnival shop The Chairman announced the opening of a Shop at Victoria Park, which will facilitate smaller bands with procuring material in country, thus avoiding costs for overseas travel to purchase material. That outlet will also provide souvenirs and cultural artefacts. Tourism and Culture Minister Carlos James commended the CDC for their initiatives and noted the value of the festival, not just in propping up the economic base but as an avenue for cultural creativity. James emphasised the need for “safety” in the exercise and for everyone to conform to
the requirements. (WKA)
See more on Page 13.
The Vincymas 2022 promotional poster was on display at the press conference.
V
lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 3.
News 3 State owned company to manage ports
Below: PM Dr.Ralph Gonsalves spoke of a new management structure for port operations here and assured that he had secured the requisite funding for the new port.
by KENVILLE HORNE A NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE will be put in place to manage the operations of seaports here, following the completion of the Modern Port Project in Kingstown. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, as he delivered the feature address at the handing over ceremony of the new houses in Lowmans Leeward Bay on Monday 31st, January. Dr. Gonslaves noted that there was a need to make the port authority different. “We can’t run the Port Authority with the system we have there. So I made the suggestion and that suggestion has been accepted by the financiers,” Gonsalves revealed. “We will establish a wholly own state company to run the port with quality management of an international level, and there will be the port authority existing to deal with the regulation of port because there is more than one port in the country. So just like how you have a management for Argyle International Airport, but you have a regulatory agency for civil aviation, is the same way we will address that,” said the Prime Minister. As it stands, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA) is responsible for the operation and administration of the Port of
Kingstown, the nearby Campden Park Container Port (CPCP) and the Cruise and Ferry Terminal. The ports of entry in Bequia, Mustique, Union island and Canouan also come under the jurisdiction of the SVGPA. Featured speaker Prime Minister Gonsalves said the Port Modernization Project is the ‘second largest capital project in the history of the country, after the Argyle International Airport. He referenced that the idea of a modern port was highlighted in the Unity Labour Party’s 2015 manifesto. “The port in Kingstown is about 60 years and falling apart while the one at Campden Park is too small,” Gonslaves declared. According to Gonsalves the government will has successfully negotiated a loan of US$100 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and secured approximately US$35 million grant from the United Kingdom Infrastructure Fund towards the Port Project. Initial figures estimated the project to cost around US$130 million, however, the two top bidders returned with a figure closer to US$200 million. “It means therefore that we had a gap of US$62 million because we had just over 100 million from CDB ….. plus the US$35 million…. and as you know
they say the comrade love to beg ….. and I went., ah had three possible sources to raise the 62 million from and I raise the 62 million from one source. I ain’t telling yo the source yet,” said Gonsalves while stating that he had informed the CDB and the UK
of the source. The Kingstown Port Expansion and Modernization Project include the construction of a new cargo port, and associated roadworks to improve access and traffic flow.
Relocation of Rose Place residents begins The units comprise a mixture of one (320 sq. ft) and two-bedroom (500 sq. Last Monday 31st January ft) duplexes, along with stand-alone witnessed the official handing over of three bedroom (725 sq. ft) structures. the units to the residents. All units have: bathroom, bedroom, Among those present at the event an open kitchen and sitting room, were: Prime Minister, Ralph verandah, tiled shower, internal Gonsalves; Lenski Douglas, Assistant plumbing and electrical connection. Project Manager of the Port “Some affected residents had a Modernisation Project; Minister of house/shop unit in Rose Place. Airports and Sea Ports, Senator Julian Partially elevated structures Francis; Minister of Housing, Orando strategically placed on site were built Brewster; resident British to allow for future expansion and Commissioner, Steve Moore; and Vice continued operation of their President of Operations at the businesses,” Douglas noted. Caribbean Development Bank, Isaac A paved road can be accessed Solomon. throughout the site and the project Addressing the ceremony, Douglas manager made known that preselected said, “What we’re here witnessing structures on site were built for those today, this afternoon, is the with physical challenges. substantial completion of the Focus will now shift to addressing construction component of the the shops operating on the Rose Place resettlement project, which was beachfront, followed by the fisher folks designed to resettle residents of Rose in the community and the storage unit Place who lived on the beachfront, on owners, Douglas said. or before March 30 of 2019.” The keys to the houses were not He pointed out that the cost handed over at Monday’s ceremony; associated with this component of the however letters were given to the soonproject was initially estimated at 4.47 to-be occupants. “These letters confirm million, but by the time it is completed the offer of the lot which the project the total expenditure will be 4.8 affected resident would have selected million Eastern Caribbean dollars. on Wednesday last. It details the Continued from Frontpage.
procedure that we will follow to have the utilities ….. connected. We also have to sign an occupancy agreement for the structure. Once those are completed then, the resident will receive his key and can then relocate over to Lowmans. We anticipate that this process would take up to at least the end of March of this year,” Douglas told Monday’s gathering. “These structures represent improved living conditions by far, compared to living on the beach; having to listen to pounding waves especially when there is a bad weather advisory. Much improve sanitation conditions and privacy as well. This construction project also provided much needed employment, directly and indirectly for over 210 suppliers. Providing a necessary employment relief at such a critical time,” declared Douglas. He said that after the ceremony the transition to the residents occupying the new units will begin. The distribution of the units was done on a random selection basis as agreed to by the resdients. This event took place on Wednesday 26th January at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall.
In his address, Dr. Gonsalves traced the record of his government as it related to housing construction. He said that his government had built houses in Fitz Hughes, Petit Bordel, Peter’s Hope, Cumberland, Hope, Green Hill, Brighton, Diamond, San Souci, Colonarie, Byera, Caratal, Langley Park, Noel, Lowmans, and Clare Valley. “We have built over 2,000 lowincome houses. Then we have built hundreds of Lives to Live. We have repaired hundreds of homes, we have given out millions of dollars of building material,” boosted the Prime Minister. Resident British Commissioner, Steve Moore conveyed the United Kingdom (UK) happiness with being a partner in the project. He said that the UK remains committed to supporting a more resilient, prosperous, inclusive and safe Caribbean and, therefore, feels proud to support the project which will help SVG better withstand an economic shock and transform the lives of its people. Vincentian Isaac Solomon, Vice President of Operation at CDB said that the bank was happy to be a partner and looked forward to the completion of the project.
V DPP appeals Soldier to face Magistrate’s Judge and Jury decision 4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
Court
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (DPP) has appealed the Stories by Preliminary Inquiry (PI) the Chief Magistrate decision of Chief Magistrate HAYDN HUGGINS at the Serious Offences found him guilty at the Rechanne Browne, to Court, Chief Magistrate conclusion of a trial, of discharge former Ministry of JUST THREE DAYS after Rechanne Browne ruled having a .45 pistol National Mobilization Vincentian born British on Monday, that there without a license. employees Denville Thomas soldier Keithron Mills was was enough evidence for Evidence revealed that and Learie Johnson, on sentenced to two years Phillips to stand a High police, acting on charges of defrauding and and eight months for Court trial. information that persons stealing from the nation’s possession of a .45 pistol Five witnesses occupying a Suzuki jeep Above: Learie Public Assistance Fund, four without a license at testified for the were discharging Johnson years ago. Georgetown on January 2, prosecution at the PI, firearms, arrested Mills And the DPP Sejilla 2022, his colleague- Keri including the virtual after stopping the vehicle Below: Denville McDowall has served notices Phillips has been complainant Istah Mack. at Georgetown. Thomas of appeal on the parties committed to stand trial in Evidence was also Mills was at the time involved. the High Court for heard from Cyprian the only occupant of the Thomas and Johnson, who attempted murder. Mack, the uncle of the vehicle, and a search were charged with obtaining Phillips who was Keri Phillips will face a virtual complainant, and uncovered the firearm property by deception, enlisted in the British charge of attempted Corporal Colin Stay, the under the driver’s seat. making and using false Army before his recent lead investigator into the But Phillips and Mills murder. instruments, theft, and conflict with the law matter. were not the only conspiracy to commit theft, charge at a trial on here, was committed to Attorney Duane Vincentian born British were cleared of all charges January 2, after the stand trial for the Daniel represented soldiers holidaying here at the Preliminary Inquiry attempted murder of Phillips while Prosecutor who ran afoul of the law. complainant failed to (PI) on December 28, 2021, Chester Cottage resident Renrick Cato appeared Brentley Butler, who was show up. after the Chief Magistrate All these soldiers are Istah Mack, who was for the Crown. charged with unlawfully ruled that there was not shot four times during an Phillips’ colleague discharging a firearm at from Chester Cottage, enough evidence at that Georgetown and were incident at Chester Keithron Mills was 17-year-old Emi stage, to commit them to represented in court by Cottage on December 26, sentenced to two years Balcombe of Langley stand trial at the High Court. attorney Duane Daniel. 2021. and eight months, Park on December 24, The ruling came following a no case submission Following a Friday, January 28, after was cleared of that by attorney Grant Connell who represented Johnson. Thomas was unrepresented. The DPP has appealed: that the learned Chief Magistrate erred when she ruled that relation to the decision of the Director of ‘Life Certificate Form’ for public there was no case to answer for assistance recipients, addressed to the Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal Denville Thomas and Learie Permanent Secretary (PS) of National Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne’s Johnson; in circumstances Mobilization with a voter’s number on it. where only part of the evidence decision on December 28, 2021, to This form must be filed out and certified discharge former National Mobilization was challenged in the no case by individuals which include, police of a employees Denville Thomas and Learie submission,; and where certain rank, lawyers, Justices of the Johnson, at the Preliminary Inquiry otherwise, the case did not fall Peace, ministers of religion, senior civil (PI), on charges of defrauding and within either limb of Galbraith. servants, doctors, members of stealing from the nation’s Public Galbraith is the case law parliament or notary public, who certify Assistance Fund four years ago. which is used to guide the that the person-applicant is alive, where “I sympathize with the Prime court on the criteria as to when they reside, which constituency, or Minister, to having to find $millions a no case submission should be which school, if applicable.” monthly to run the country and have upheld or overruled. Connell added that the gender of the people delegated to do certain jobs, and The other grounds of appeal applicant, recipient status, and type of they are not fulfilling their obligations, are that the decision of the assistance which is requested are also adding pressure. I hope he addresses it learned Chief Magistrate to discharge both Thomas and stated. soon, because it affects all tax payers, Johnson of all charged is “So firstly, simply check who signed and as the good book of Matthew says, unsupported in law, and by the these documents, who they were ‘…the poor you will always have with evidence led, and that the you, ’” Connell who represented Johnson submitted to, or if the document exists learned Chief Magistrate did at all. That is the first thing to set off declared. not properly give consideration “I can see the objectives if the Appeal the alarm that there is an issue to be to the evidential value of thee Court will give clarity on the issue, well, addressed,” the defense lawyer stated. electronically recorded “If the Prime Minister gets a we will see. The appeal is novel and the interviews of both Thomas and learning process has no boundaries. The transcript of this case, he would see for Johnson, though these were himself, and being a criminal defense Appeal Court can adjust a sentence, tendered, and this was quash or uphold a conviction, or order a lawyer, maybe not as sharp as 30 years Grant Connell, the only defence lawyer retrial. At the PI, there was no sentence, ago, but dissecting the Prosecution’s unreasonable. involved in the original case against In his no case submission, case would be easy. Albeit a post no conviction, nor was it a trial,” the two employees of the Ministry of Connell had argued that there mortem, he would see how the system is lawyer added. Mobilisation, has a solution to the was no evidence to show that being operated, and if it allowed for the Connell said that the problem is problems that might be plaguing the Johnson created a false rats to eat the cheese. Common sense beyond appeal, and called for Public Assistance Programme. instrument, and that the would dictate that if one sees a rat run fundamental changes to the entire prosecution failed to show the across your foot, there is no need to set Public Assistance procedure. “It’s DEFENSE LAWYER GRANT nexus between the monies bait again, you just stamp it and kick it CONNELL has called on Prime Minister archaic,” he opined. taken from the defendants out, matter fixed as the late Sister Pat “The question as to how so many Dr. Ralph Gonsalves to get rid of the bad when they were arrested, and used to say. If the system is losing names of deceased individuals are still what was allegedly handed eggs in the operation of the Public money that way, maybe that’s what he on the relief list that is sent to the over as public assistance Assistance System. has to do, identify the rats and kick registry is no mystery. It is easily payments by authorized Connell was speaking to THE them out of the system,” Connell urged. traceable. There is a document called individuals. VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, in
“Kick them out,” lawyer tells PM
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 5.
News
CariWay: Changing the Tourism outlook
for his reward last Monday. He received US $5,000 at that ceremony held at the Coreas Hazels Central Office in Kingstown. The young man noted the Cenus Hinds (right) accepts his changed reward as a first leg winner of the surface of the Goddard Enterprises Ltd 100th tourism Anniversary Entrepreneur Award, product from Kevin Dickson, Country altered by the Lead, Coreas Hazells Inc, pandemic dynamics. He CENUS HINDS IS A noted that “tourism Vincentian with a around the world has penchant for technology. changed because of the His upbringing, work pandemic,” and is experience and life style moving towards altering have been digitally the “framework of how oriented, so to speak. His newest venture is tours and experiences are offered.” called CariWay. It Once you have a VR “provides a convenient headset, computer or online experience smartphone you can booking platform for the experience a country Caribbean to enable before you reach that community tourism spot, or experience a where anyone would be scene without being able to offer tours on there, Hinds suggested. line.” Hinds has the And CariWay was opportunity of advancing adjudged a first leg in the competition. His is winner of the Goddard one of ten businesses Enterprises Ltd 100th that will be judged again Anniversary in October 2022, at Entrepreneur Award. which point three will Hinds outlined the concepts of the business each receive US$12,500. A winner will be venture at the ceremony
evaluated from those three finalists in 2023, and given a final cash injection of UE$25,000. Speaking at the award function, Kevin Dickson, Country Lead, Coreas Hazells Inc, challenged Hinds to do his best. Dickson has been attached as one of Hinds’ mentors and assured Hinds that “we are here to help you. We want you to win,” Dickson declared. Dickson is envisioning Hinds and his CariWay network becoming a “partner with Coreas.” Hinds is also benefitting from the experience of Joel Providence, the man who Dickson replaced. Providence noted Hinds experience in related areas and disclosed of his plans of working with an airline company which he thinks will enhance opportunities for CariWay. Providence, connecting to the ceremony by Zoom, outlined that CariWay’s overall budget is US$112,000, and he hoped that the funding could be realised “step by step.” (WKA)
Strengthening the Mexican connection
L-R): Michelle KingCampbell and Joel Providence seal the hand over of the publications. THE NATIONAL Library in Kingstown added 21 Spanish publications written by Mexican authors, to their shelves last Friday. Michelle KingCampbell, Director National Public Library, Archives, and Documentation Services, outlined that the package will “aid in the continued expansion of the library’s foreign language collection.”
The books are expected to enhance the skills of students, graduates from universities and serve the Spanish-speaking residents here. The National Library is moving with the times and the Director is projecting towards upgrading her services to cater for the current affairs enthusiasts, to include as well as those following the Facebook platform. The books, including ‘El laberinto de la Soledad’ written by Octavio Paz, ‘Tiene la noche un arbol’ by Guadalupe Duenas, ‘cronicas de amor, de historia y de guerra’ by Guillermo Prieto and Jose Valades, were handed over by Mexican Honorary Consulate in
Kingstown, Joel Providence. Providence sketched the increasing links between the two countries marked by recent gifts of ventilators and vaccines to the health services, as well as support with construction of the Argyle International Airport and the Spring Village Bridge. As far as Providence was concerned, this was a “small step,” but one that “reflects the commitment of the Mexican government to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” Providence agreed that the publications will serve as resource material for students at all levels. He is encouraging persons to apply for Mexican scholarships which are accessible. (WKA)
V
6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Editorial
What is so nice that you have to say it twice IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN or grandchildren, then you might have watched a few cartoon movies with them. A grandfather tells the tale of a time when his grandchildren came to visit. They declared that the movie Madagascar was their favorite, and the grandfather, poor fellow, had to sit and watch it at least 5-10 times during the week that the ‘grands’ visited. So much so, the grandfather could relate that he found a favourite scene in the movie … a scene that involved a male hippopotamus. According to the grandfather, this hippopotamus thought he was “the stuff,” and he came strutting out of the water with his chest all puffed out. He walked past a female hippo, and he stopped and looked at her up and down for a minute. Then he said, “My name is Moto Moto, a name so nice that you have to say it twice.” It’s a funny thing, but that image is wont to pop into the mind when you read or reflect on 4:4 from St. Paul to the Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he felt the need to repeat himself. He told them to rejoice, so he said it again … to make sure that this was emphasized. Rejoicing — being thankful — ALWAYS! There is the kicker! Rejoicing means to have great joy or jubilation. Always means always! Joy is not the same as happiness, joy comes from the soul. You can still have joy even if you aren’t happy… provided you have a soul. That seems kind of weird, but there is a simple difference. Happiness is fleeting and can be determined by outside factors, while joy is internal and spiritual. But, always means in all things
and in all occasions. How can we rejoice or have an internal feeling of contentment when the external world around us is going crazy? I think that the other keywords in this verse are, “in the Lord.” When facing a heartbreaking experience, happiness and thankfulness are probably not our first responses, but they should be. Thanking the Lord when we feel scared might be the furthest from your mind. Remembering to thank Him for giving us the strength to weather the storm and knowing in our hearts that HE is in control can trigger our joy. Tears may still flow, but knowing that the Lord is in control can give us peace and comfort. Our prayer must be that the Lord will instill in us the ability to rejoice in Him. Pray that “rejoicing in HIM” will become the first response, not the last. Somewhere, sometime in one’s sojourn though the worldly challenges of life, it should be learned that spending the time to do something right, avoids the need to do it twice. In time, we would come to appreciate the truthfulness of that sentiment. There is the story of an employee who wasn’t too motivated to do the job right (or maybe he didn’t know what it meant to really do the job right). As can well be expected, that employee not only had to do the job twice, but he needed help to get the job finished. The question is whether or not there is only one right way to do something, or one right way of saying something so that it makes its impact. One thing is certain: doing it the wrong way or saying something and knowing it falls flat in front of you, means you probably have to do it or say it twice.
Leaving a relationship HOW YOU LEAVE A RELATIONSHIP says a lot about what you thought of me. How you leave a relationship says more about you than the things did while we were together. No, no, no, this is not the relationship advice section. You still have to go to Dear George for that. I feel it's essential but unfortunate that I have to say this aloud. Having been a member of the CIBC bank for over fifty years, I must say how disappointed I am with the service, especially since the conversation of a possible sale/merger late last year. Quite honestly, the decision to sell out the twenty thousand customers does not surprise me. One could have seen it coming for a few years now. The level of service has steadily detonated over the years. For example, for two years now, I have been trying to get the folks at the bank to change my mailing address to no avail. This is not to mention all of the other little things (rules) that are annoying, to say the least, like once in the bank customers are asked to take off their hats. I supposed this is to help them identify the persons inside the bank if their behavior is somehow illegal. They will look at the CCTV and quickly identify the wrongdoers. Now, mind you, we must wear a full face mask. On a more serious note, since the sale was announced, the number of tellers serving the public daily was reduced to two, the small pop-up tent that provided some shade while we waited outside was removed. The ATMs in the lobby often flash a sign "out of paper," thus unable to give the customers a receipt for their transaction. It is as if you are trying to create an illusion of a busy, thriving business. Or is it that our government and the Canadian owners have already settled on a price tag and just have not told us about it as yet. While this behaviour is not entirely surprising, it is still disappointing and reminded me of a few human and business etiquettes worth repeating. 1. How you behave when you win is just as important as when you lose. 2. Treating your customers with respect and dignity does not cost you that much more.
3. The value of your assets for sale includes your goodwill, and until the transaction is closed, you need us. While standing in line, I heard a few customers say they would move their accounts before the sale. 4. Since you are only going out of business in a few Eastern Caribbean islands, you cannot be sure where or if we meet again. Now, my opinion on your sale. I hope the sale price was not finalized already and will not be until the closing date. I recognize that the actual price paid will be the value of the intangible and the book value assets. And let's not forget that because intangible assets aren't always easily valued, you can expect a certain phantom percentage of the bank's value will include my loyalty to the brand. At this point, Mr. Finance Minister, the only value to be assigned to my goodwill is zero dollars. While a part of me is proud that a local indigenous bank can now take over the assets of an international bank, the twiceremoved Barclays Bank, I am a little concerned. I am not fooled. The BOSVG is not buying because we are loaded with cash to invest or that you are a good catch; they are buying because you were selling to anyone willing to relieve you of "deadwood." You are losing market share and are marginally profitable by your investors' standards. And to recapture your once-prominent place in the market, you needed to invest in new technology and upgrade your product. Time will tell if this was a good buy for the government and the people of SVG. I am slightly concerned that our government is taking a more significant share of the nation's economy and another 20,000 personal and commercial bank accounts. I will not pass judgment on the government's decision other than to state the obvious. It is never a good idea for anyone to have all our eggs in one basket.
V
lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 7.
Views
The global impact of fuel price
THE FUEL PRICE HAS A GLOBAL IMPACT economically. Almost every item is impacted and
prices of the commodity rise as fuel price rise. Therefore, when fuel price goes up it does not only
affect the vehicle owners but everyone, for almost all items are produced using fuel. As a result, a rise in the fuel price will mean a rise in production cost which is then passed on to the consumers. While everyone is affected by the rising cost of fuel, there are some sectors of the work force who are feeling it much MINISTER OF dairy farm, and sooooo more than others: some FINANCE CAMILLO many other civil servants and GONSALVES says that productive infrastructura workers employed by the government of St. l projects that will give other institutions and Vincent and the good paying jobs and businesses. It is Grenadines plans to generate income and commendable the help construct two hotels in business. given to fisherfolks and Diamond and Mt. Tourism is a farmers and I trust it is Wynne. haphazard business and appreciated. However, Another pie in the sky tourists are fickle when were these persons with idea!! A waste of it comes to taste. We the exception of those money!! Hotels don’t cannot compete with any farmers who would have suffered immense attract tourists; your of the big guns in the damage from the volcanic natural and unique western world - Mexico, eruption, really impacted topography does. Cuba, Dominican negatively as much as US$50 million could Republic, Puerto Rico, the working class? The build a modern canning Jamaica, Panama, same can be asked of the plant for fruits, Belize, Costa Rica. fisherfolks, for while vegetables, milk, coconut their cost of materials water, fund a modern SW
Another pie in the sky idea
Will we be able to trust our lawyers? WOULD IT NOT BE REGRETTABLE, if conscientious patriotic citizens, endeavoring to make a sincere contribution towards the correcting of the socioeconomic malaise into which our country has sunk over the last several decades, were to feel driven to seek legal support from outside of the state, because our local lawyers were deemed not trustworthy? Considering the number of lawyers in the society, they might be well advised to assert themselves, to demonstrate that they are worthy of the trust of the people, as we face this period, where we so clearly need to take strong measures towards the retrieval of justice, peace, honour and dignity in our society. This is indeed an imperious burden, if we are to honour our responsibility, to fashion a platform which will provide for the next
generations a reasonable chance to prosper. The agony of the injustice to Marcus De Freitas, Bigger Biggs Samuel, Yuggie Farrell, Dr. Murray and others, clearly exhibits the arrogance of our administrators, against which the population seems to be overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, despite the fact that a significant percentage of our scholars are legal practitioners. But they seem impotent to address the many instances, where the rights of law-abiding citizens have been violated by our administrators with impunity. The underlying reason for this seeming lack of spirit, this ineffectuality in the face of the rampant disdain for the welfare of citizens, may well have origin in the fact, that the leader of our government Ralph Gonsalves who has
enjoyed the privilege of the authority in the state, for that last twenty-one years, is himself a lawyer. It is not ironic that there could be traceable in our land, evidence of blatant injustice, at a time when we have been lauding ourselves for being the smallest state ever to have secured a seat on the Security Council of the United Nations. The WORLD BODY that attempts to address the agonies of the distressed people globally! We Vincentians have to be vigilant, so that we do not allow the dust and fumes stirred up by the “WORLD BOSS” and his blind mas, whose mouths are now full to blur our visions. We have to be careful, injustice is the prominent driver of societal upheaval. Can the lawyers help? Leroy Providence 1st Feb, 2022
and equipments will go up and their production cost rise, they naturally would pass on the cost to the consumers. Added to that, they would have received assistance of $500 monthly to aid in their production, while the civil servants and other workers received none, but are expected to bear the cost of the rise in commodity at the supermarket and else where. It is to be expected that businesses would naturally raise the price of their items and service to help cushion the rise in cost of purchasing the items. When they raise their item it is passed on
to the consumers who in the end feel it. Having said that, these civil servants and other workers are feeling the squeeze for their take home pay is reduced since they have to spend more for clothing, food and other necessities, while still have to pay for transportation. Those who have vehicles, their expenses to get to and from work go up for they have to pay more for gas, and service parts are to be added with the already rising cost of clothing and food. These are indeed difficult times, and so discipline ought to be exercised in how monies
are spent. Consideration ought to be given for an immediate reduction of customs duty on auto parts and vehicles. After all they the workers contribute like others significantly to the economy and production. Let us hope for better in the coming months. Kennard King 4857324
From metaverse to the street SO, WE HAVE MOVED rather quickly from staging Vincy Mas in the ‘metaverse’ and have brought it back to the street, or the real world so to speak. Sorry for the Minister of Culture who was all pumped up about Vincy Mas being the first carnival to be staged in the metaverse, which, by the way, the majority of people have not the slightest idea of what it is. As always, we take our carnival lead from Trinidad which will allow for a scaled down
festival this year. Our Prime Minister has said that “he” will allow the carnival if we can get to a 70-75% rate of vaccination. That may be what he thinks is the ideal thing but it is no way the Prime Minister will stop the carnival after he said we will have it, 70% or no 70%. He knows the political fallout if he changes his mind. I am not happy with the decision to have a carnival. The way I see it, our carnival will not be a carnival without all the big fetes. And that’s
where the danger lies. These fetes are potentially the big spreaders of the coronavirus. Are we going to regret the decision to have carnival if there is a surge after the festival closes just like what happened in 2021 after the Nine Mornings Festival of 2020? Let us be careful about what we might think is best for us. Remember, when man jumps up all he is developing is his legs. Steve Hall
Is the Pandemic over? PRESCHOOLS, PRIMARY SCHOOLS, Secondary Schools, churches, and business places have been successfully operating. This signals a return to normal to the extent that Carnival would most likely take place in July this year. Factors contributing to this include: 1. Good ventilation 2. Mask wearing 3. Hand washing or sanitizing 4. Mouth washing 5. Use of Ginger, Saffron, citrus, tamarind 6. Vaccination 7. Use of available drugs reputed to be effective 8. Frequent Sea baths
9. Exposure to sunlight and fresh air 10. Use of vitamins (natural in foods and in supplements) 11. Social Distancing. The major factor however, may be the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants to many persons who have contracted these viruses and recovered, giving them Superior Immunity. Based on these, perhaps more that 75% of our population possess some form of immunity to the COVID-19 virus. A representative sample of the population can be tested for antibodies to confirm this. Anthony Stewart, PhD
V
8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
The housing revolution touches rose place residents
Ministry of Education lacks creativity and foresight (Pt.2)
Introduction
(Excerpts of the Hon. Terrance Ollivierre’s Budget Presentation)
SINCE COMING INTO OFFICE IN 2001, the comrade Ralph-led ULP administration has implemented a number of policies that have changed the sectors concerned, in a way that’s most appropriately described as revolutionary. It is therefore no cliché to hear mention of the “education revolution” that has transformed our society, broadening the middle class and creating real opportunities for the children of the poor and the working class, or the “health revolution”, expanding community health services through the building of polyclinics and upgrading health facilities around the country. This week however, the focus is on the “housing revolution” with its many aspects, all coming together to create vibrant communities with proud homeowners, most of whom have benefitted directly from one aspect or the other of the government’s policy. Most of these housing communities are as a result of the construction of low and middle income houses, but other communities have come about from the necessary action of relocating individuals whose houses were damaged by disaster. There is, however, a third category, those whose relocation are as a result of a government project, an example of which is the community in Harmony Hall that came about from relocation of residents from Argyle to accommodate the construction of the international airport. The residents of the newest housing community in this country, collected their keys to their houses on Monday January 31, 2022 at a handing over ceremony befitting the occasion. This is indeed a remarkable gesture by the government, to ensure that the construction of the modern port, a necessary project to national development, didn’t at the same time cause unnecessary hardship for residents of Rose Place, through displacement. This project is an opportunity for those residents who occupied less than adequate accommodations in Rose Place to live in a community that upholds their human decency and their nobility as Vincentians.
Lifting the Housing Standard of Relocated Residents The current housing situation of many of the Rose Place residents is less than ideal, both in terms of the physical conditions of the structures inhabited by some as well as sanitary and other conditions that exist. To refer to some of the structures that some residents lived in as houses, would be a bit of a stretch since they were actually make-shift shacks, put together to provide temporary shelter for the individual and/or his family. Poor sanitary conditions relating to sewage and refuse disposal, no or poor drainage, and the absence of some basic amenities describe accurately the conditions of many of the residents affected by the construction of the modern port. To be clear, while the general term “residents of Rose Place” is being used to refer to the individuals being relocated, the area in question is limited mainly to the beachfront and not all of Rose Place. The individuals are those who live on the bay in an informal settlement and therefore were unable to benefit from the formal provision of amenities of road, light and water. This should give a much better idea of the reality
Repeaters and Dropouts
that exists currently at the area in question and offer an appreciation for the efforts made in ensuring that the relocation provides an improvement in the living conditions. An assessment of the homes on the bay to determine the value resulted in an overall value for the homes and their contents at approximately $250,000. It would not be difficult to determine the average value of each, by dividing that total by the number of individuals or families (49) who are being relocated to Lowman’s Bay. The new community in Lowman’s Bay that would now be home for the relocated residents has all the amenities that were absent or inadequate at the Rose Place location. The houses constructed included single room duplexes, two room duplexes and three bedroom single houses that cater to the needs of either the individual or the family that will take possession of them. The road infrastructure, proper drainage and well defined layout of the housing community contrasts starkly with what the residents would leave behind. This housing project is estimated to cost in excess of EC$ 4.8 Million and is being financed by the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is the recognisable truth, that the ULP administration, led by Comrade Ralph, respects the dignity and nobility of our citizens and remains dedicated to alleviating poverty, and lifting the living standards of all Vincentians, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised among us. No doubt these 49 individuals and families will feel the pride that comes with homeownership offered to them by the caring and people-focused ULP administration. Very soon, residents above the dry river, would have their opportunity to benefit from this housing revolution when they receive their keys to brand new homes, but for now, we celebrate with the soon to be relocated residents of the beach front in Rose Place.
Conclusion History would record the contrasting responses to the housing needs of the working poor of this country by the ULP administration that has built hundreds of no-income homes for our most vulnerable citizens, and NDP administration that built zero houses during its 17 years in office. The attempts by their spokespersons and leaders at revising history in order to paint a more favourable picture of their efforts are embarrassingly futile. The truth remains, that no other administration has done more for housing in the history of this country than the ULP, by offering title to land at significantly reduced prices, providing 100% mortgages through the government owned NCB/BOSVG to public servants, police, nurses and teachers and by building hundreds of low and middle income houses. The government recognises the importance of homeownership and will continue to expand the housing revolution to ensure that more Vincentians experience the joy and pride that comes with homeownership.
THE TREND CONTINUES IN St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as it relates to repeaters and dropouts. Among the Member States of the OECS, St. Vincent and the Grenadines records the highest percentage for repeaters and dropouts especially at the secondary level. Dropout rates are higher at the secondary level, especially at Form 3. We must note that male repeaters and dropouts throughout the education system are significantly higher than females. The percentage of students exiting the system at such an early age is cause for much concern. I cannot understand why in this day and age, at this time of our development and a much touted ‘Educational Revolution’, why students are dropping out of school, even at the primary level. Addressing these problems will require both immediate actions and long term strategies, including direct interventions for the high risks students as well as plans to help restore foundational learning skills for those who had no access to the online learning platforms. The Education Act specifies conditions under which students are excused from school. It also makes provision for School Attendance Officer, (2 currently employed) whose responsibility is to enforce compulsory school attendance in respect to children of compulsory age within the district to which they are appointed. Why then is there such a high rate of school dropouts through the education system? All students must be given the opportunity to finish school, especially their secondary education. Without a doubt, secondary education is considered to be pivotal in any education system. The Canouan Secondary School is a success story we must continue to highlight and appreciate. Credit must be given to the people of Canouan for their perseverance and tenacity, the Developers and all who assisted in making the dream a reality. Today, the population of the school stands at one hundred (100) students from Forms 1 to 4, who are gifted with diverse abilities as they pursue and develop their capabilities under the guidance of their teachers and parents. Oh what a fantastic feeling! Some of these students may have otherwise dropped out of school because of the difficulties they faced to access education away from home, if they were not afforded such opportunities on the island of Canouan. We must re-think the education system. This is critical to developing a skills agenda, having every child develop a skill. At the Canouan Secondary School, as with any other secondary schools, it is the NDP’s hope to see programs implemented that cater to the offering of CVQ’s and NVQ’s certification that’s linked to on- the-job training. At Canouan, there is a huge opportunity to cater to such skills development by co-operating and working with the developments on the island — the resort and the marina providing our young people to compete for skilled jobs that other nationalities have filled. All that is required is for the Ministry of Education to provide the approved standards for the appropriate curriculum and equipping the school with the required resources and training of teachers for the delivery of these
programs. This in no doubt will also provide an excellent opportunity for skills training and certification for outof-school youths and life-long learning among adults learners. Mayreau Inclusion Our people are our most precious resource and the NDP knows that our children are the future of our nation. Over the past twelve (12) years, I have been requesting funding be provided to aid the transportation cost for students and teachers travelling from Mayreau to Union Island to access and deliver education. The Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Airport, Seaport, Grenadines Affairs and local Government, Julian Francis, stated during the debate of the Estimates that funds are available under Rental of Assets for Mayreau students’ transformation fees to access secondary education at Union Island. Again, I hope this is not an empty promise. I know of many youths who dropped out and were not afforded the opportunity to complete their secondary school education would have relished this intervention. What a big difference it would have made in the lives of those young people!
Absenteeism at CSEC and CAPE The percentage of students exiting the system without any certification or with less than five (5) subjects should also be of cause for concern. The statistics for St. Vincent and the Grenadines indicated that in 2019, 15.5% of males and 29.3% of females achieved five (5) CSEC subjects including English and Mathematics. It is important to know the statistics for the following years. I wish to congratulate our students at CSEC and CAPE who despite all circumstances performed creditably. However, I wish to deal with an important issue as raised by the Caribbean Examination Council — CXC. It was reported that a number of students across the Caribbean were absent from last year’s (2021) sitting of the CSEC and CAPE examinations even though they were registered for those examinations and did not defer to another sitting. CXC has also reported that absenteeism via electronic testing or Etesting is on the rise. In its report after the 2021 results, the Caribbean Examination Council cited challenges experienced with internet access, power outages and the incorrect version of the secure browser were part of the problems experienced. CAPE had recorded the highest level of absenteeism in the last four years. Approximately 8.3% of students did not turn up for the exams in June/July; compared to four (4%) in 2020. There was also a high level of absenteeism among CSEC students 11.23% in the region, compared to only 5.3 % last year. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, there was a total of 814 non-attendance for subjects at CSEC Examination 2021, with English A and Mathematics mostly affected. Is it that our students faced challenges with internet access which resulted in them being unprepared, hence, their nonattendance?
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 9.
Views
Relationships matter
Where have all the progressives gone?
“Students respond well to teachers they know, believe in them, care about them, but also who teach in a matter that elicits a more active approach to learning, rather than just sitting and listening.” - Pedro A. Noguera (born 1959) - Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education.
THIRTY-THREE MONTHS after this piece was first published, the question in the caption is more important now than ever before. Progressives have offered no leadership during the covid pandemic. Here’s why. Mandela is to Obama, as Obama is to Gonsalves… We don’t mean that each is of equal stature deserving of universal acclaim. On the contrary, none has attained godlike status, placing them above criticism or beyond interrogation. Sadly, however, one stands on hazardous terrain if the tried and tested journalistic tool kit - who, what, when, where, why and how is directed at either man or his work. A year before Mandela’s death in 2013, Lukhona Mnguni, in a piece entitled ‘Mandela’s Legacy is a Threat’ wrote: ‘It is difficult to disagree with or criticise the legacy of Nelson Mandela without opening up yourself to all kinds of insults. The minute people detect that ‘oh that’s anti-Mandela; they often lose all rationality and go on the insulting tirade.’ As Lukhono correctly points out: ‘There was a fundamental difference between the freedom fighter Mandela and Mandela, President of South Africa. The Mandela who went to Robben Island (radical, pro-black, non-racialism advocate) is different to the Mandela who was sworn in as the first black president (a pacifist, half pro-black, reconciliation proponent). ‘What Mandela preached in 1994 going forward was reconciliation, without focusing on the real causes of racism in South Africa? You cannot focus on reconciling the oppressor and the oppressed without dealing with the cause of oppression, which is segregation to alienate one race from living equally with the other race… ‘The bridge (i.e. Mandela) that was meant to transit South Africa from a painful and horrendous past to a prosperous future, was not wellequipped to handle the traffic of complexities. As a result, Mandela became narrowly focused on reconciliation of the ‘elite’ through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. ‘What project did Mandela start to bring about reconciliation of the ordinary masses? What closure did the black masses, forced to live in slums and rural places; in destitution and economic deprivation, get? That project remains deferred, and people refer you to Mandela’s legacy when you bring it up. ‘It is for this reason that I cannot celebrate Mandela’s legacy. I can only acknowledge it. Racism is not dead in this country, and it is not about to die because we were hastily arranged to non-existent integration. Black people were forced to forgive white people, who never showed remorse, nor asked for forgiveness.’ Few have stomach for such piercing analysis. And so it has been with Barrack Obama. To question anything, Obama invited the wrath of black people and the white liberal establishment. To say people of colour got a bad deal by Obama was to lack knowledge, be jealous, and underestimate the power of racism. The vast majority of Black people, especially those who ought to know better, attempted to crucify anyone who placed Obama’s policies and legacy under the microscope. Dr Cornel West, progressive activist and intellectual, has felt the full brunt of these attacks. He keeps on fighting for a people-centred praxis. Referencing President Obama, Dr West made this critically important point: ‘We called Bush a war criminal for forty-five drones, and they killed some innocent folk. And Obama ends up with
IT IS USUALLY QUITE INTERESTING to converse with experienced professionals and to listen to their tales in relation to who may have propelled them to pursue the discipline they selected. In so many instances, such individuals reveal that their quest toward a particular profession was the result of a teacher who ignited their interest in the specific area. For example, it is not surprising to hear an engineer share insights in relation to how her primary school teacher challenged her to excel at mathematics and/or the sciences. Once the passion was ignited there was no turning back. The fields of astrology, medicine, architecture, and mechanical engineering (to mention a few) then appeared possible. Teachers have the ability to awaken such passions in their students. It is truly amazing to observe how readily a failing history student can mentally and emotionally regroup to become an outstanding student of history when destiny results in his being exposed to a history teacher who is passionate about the subject matter. Teachers make a difference. The relationships teachers have with their students can encourage a lacklustre student to exRelationships in the workplace also matter. Business leaders and managers know this to be true. Those who demonstrate genuine care and concern for their employees soon observe how readily their direct reports (note that this writer avoided the word “subordinates”) go above and beyond the call of duty to satisfy internal and external customers. Relationships that revolve around genuine care and concern, mutual respect, and appreciation, go a long way towards making the individual feel cared for and cherished. These are the workplaces where persons feel a sense of excitement as they enter the premises. They want to be there. They are ready and willing to contribute to the efforts to meet and surpass the enterprise’s goals and objectives. Relationships matter. Some describe life as a “singleplayer game”. Those who do so advocate that we, to a large extent, determine our future. The individual choices that we make influence our destiny. And while there is some truth to this, we must understand and appreciate that we are not solitary beings. Interacting with others determine the extent of the joy that we extract from life. Hermits are lonely, miserable, individuals. The recluse, of all persons, must most certainly be unhappy. Relationships matter. Our joy, our happiness, our successes are intertwined with others. We all depend on others for our physical, emotional, and spiritual survival. We all need to have others around to support us when we fail/fall and to rejoice with us when we experience successes. When everything is stripped away, the quality of our relationships influences the extent and duration of our joy and sense of wellbeing. We feel good
around people that we like … and that we know like us. That sense of acceptance helps to cement relationships. Scientific research confirms that our external environment heavily influences our internal state. Our moods and our mental health influence every aspect of our life. These include how we feel about ourselves and how we perceive our relationships with others. It is known that there is a strong relationship between good mental health and good physical health. The converse is also true. For example, persons who suffer from depression and other mental and/or emotional health issues are likely to experience sleeping disorders, digestive disorders, seem lethargic, and appear to be more prone to heart disease and other health challenges. Based on the foregoing, we each need to challenge ourselves to exert more effort and energy to build and maintain more healthy relationships in our homes, schools, workplaces, churches, sport clubs, and neighbourhoods. Sometimes we rob ourselves of richer, more rewarding, life experiences by allowing relationships to shrivel, shrink, and die. There are often seemingly simple things that we can do to keep our relationships healthy. Taking better care of self is as good a place as any to start. We need to keep our minds and moods in optimal shape. Regular exercise, healthy diets, keeping hydrated, and engaging in stress reduction techniques like medication can keep us focused and more mentally alert. We owe it to ourselves (and those dear to us) to reduce or avoid depression and anxiety as we seek to improve the quality of our lives and the lives of those close to us. It is not beyond any of us to move in the direction of implementing the corrective actions emerging in the preceding paragraph. We often know what to do and how to do it, but may lack the desire, the motivation, to make the commitment. Therein lies the challenge — creating and sustaining the desire to make the necessary positive changes to improve our lives and the relationships that often foster the happiness that we seek. The relationship that we have with self and the relationship that we nurture with others can influence how we feel and who we are. Believing in self and in others can greatly influence who we are and who we become. We add value to relationships in our homes, neighbourhoods, schools, and workplaces. We inspire others by who we are and who we expect others to be. Wherever the relationships abound we have the ability to be winds beneath another’s wings as they become winds in our sails. Together, rich relationships benefit all participants. Relationships matter. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
547 drone strikes that killed innocent folks. Well, those are war crimes too. To say that was to pit you against 98 percent of the black community… You know, our hero can’t be a war criminal. ‘Come on, brother West, you’ve really gone too far. You call him a black mascot of Wall Street, that was crazy. Nope, he’s been fighting Wall Street.’ I say, what are y’all talking about? What evidence you got? How many Wall Street executives went to jail? You’ve got folks wrapped in all of these different lies to protect him.’ A similar disease has stricken Vincentian progressives. The year 2001 has been canonised. It was, is and remains our watershed moment. Our nation had arrived. Nothing remains to be discovered. High unemployment and stubborn poverty levels are not worthy of mention. The exploitation of workers and the sexploitation of our women are rationalised. To warn against the fire sale of our lands and caution against specific deals, especially with foreigners, are taken as opposition to foreign direct investment. Nothing better could be done with agriculture; the education revolution has neither kinks nor blemishes, and our tourism policy is beyond reproach. Our democracy has been perfected. The tyranny of a razor-thin majority is celebrated as a masterstroke of a political genius. Parliamentary conventions, traditions and practices are scoffed and trampled. Our leader is the last of the best. We have triumphantly come to the end of history. In our formative years, the progressive leadership encouraged cadres to question everything, speak fiercely, truthfully and honestly. Today, critical thought has lost its meaning, relevance and vitality. Woe be onto thee who question the power motives of a leader who bans protest and arrest demonstrators on a whim. In these times, ‘Progressives’ argue that any objective assessment of reality, except the dull drumbeat of governmental successes, is a reckless adventure that aids the derailment of a people-centred process. The new litmus test is not where you stand regarding political hygiene and economic justice but your alignment with the power elite. All progressives know that the unchallenged official propaganda of ‘paradise on earth’ was insufficient to prevent reversals in the Soviet Union, Eastern Bloc socialist countries, Angola, China, Grenada, Libya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Consequently, any attempt to iconise any leader or canonise any process, no matter how revolutionary or progressive, is inherently reactionary. Any such plan kills off the kind of mental agility needed to address the complexities of the 21 century. Such practices hoodwink the people and set them up to time certain disappointment. Where have the progressives gone? Their support for the assault on our people’s rights during the pandemic proves yet again that they have suspended their critical faculties. Some have lost their way and become exhausted. Ideological and political confusion sapped the fighting spirit of others while the honeycomb of power seduces another bunch. Our salvation lies with the training of the next generation of change agents as we struggle to regain our voice.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
V
10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
SVG - 43 years of independence⁄ but no progress made ACCORDING TO THE LEADER of SVG Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, SVG has had 43 years of independence from the United Kingdom, but the country has made no real progress. SVG is still connected to the UK at the umbilical cord, as the ULP government is still begging the UK for financial and other assistance. The economy is in utter shambles and very weak, and more importantly, there is no real progress in education. Still, many children do not finish primary school, and some of those that do are functionally illiterate. Instead of building our own first university in SVG, the ULP regime just built a jail in North Leeward. The jail has many young people in there who cannot read and write. These youths are the Gonsalves generation — children born and bred under an incompetent Gonsalves
government that has failed them, and whose life veered inexorably toward poverty and crime. Haiti was very boastful in 1965 when it opened an international airport telling the world that it would be rich and prosperous. Today, Haiti is much poorer than in 1965. Similarly, the incompetent ULP regime was beating their chest that the Argyle airport will make SVG rich and prosperous. The truth is the Argyle airport costs more than it actually makes and it can barely pay its light bill. The Argyle airport is a white elephant and a significant loss of opportunity for SVG. It is wrong and extremely short-sighted to refer to Argyle Airport as progress for our country. Poverty, crime and unemployment are still very high and there is absolutely no sign of these problems decreasing.
The highly incompetent ULP Regime has been unable to produce a fiscal surplus in their annual Budget Estimates. They are always begging and borrowing to stay financially afloat. Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, who spent three years full time at Oxford Brookes University, England, reading for his BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and Economics, very strongly contends that SVG is worse off under the ULP and NDP Regimes than prior to independence in 1979. Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal was living in Singapore from 1963 to 1965 with his wife and three children when Singapore became independent from the United Kingdom. The great Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew built four universities and five polytechnics and focused on building a knowledgebased economy. Today, Singapore is a World Bank
success story with one of the highest standards of living in the world and very low levels of poverty, crime and unemployment. Under the ULP Regime, SVG has one of the worst standards of living in the world and very high levels of poverty, crime and unemployment. SVG is in its worst economic condition in living memory. We urgently need a change in government. We very strongly contend that only a Green Government with a knowledgebased economy can lift SVG out of poverty and financial instability. Now that we are independent of the UK, we must cut the umbilical cord and learn to stand on our own two feet. We must strengthen our economy and stop begging the UK for financial and other assistance.
Acute Referral – Improving our medical facilities recent news of the revived and revised plans to finance the proposed Acute IT WAS WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT Referral Hospital (ARH) at Arnos and anticipation that I welcomed the Vale. This news also came on the heels by G E M Saunders
of a recent brief personal stay at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) that afforded me a rare opportunity to experience a firsthand perspective of the medical profession including the minutiae and challenges involved in the delivery of tertiary health care. There is every indication that this new ARH project will be a multifaceted one requiring the input of several diverse and connected professionals and stakeholders. I recall many years ago, the importance of this kind of consultation when I collaborated with Dr Garraway on the development of his Maryfield Hospital. Similarly, broader and deeper collaborative efforts will be expected to continue to eventually inform the project’s development and implementation, including its post completion operation and maintenance plans. In this regard, it must also be clear to all that this new hospital will not be self-sustaining and its systems, plant, equipment and buildings will have to be carefully planned, selected, financed, maintained and renewed over the operating life of the facility. There should be no penny pinching’ or noncommitted management as there will be an important need to attract, recruit, train and retain a dedicated and skilled workforce if this facility is to achieve all of its objectives. While the focus is now centered on tweaking designs, financing, project management and the construction of this important project, it is not too early to begin the process of sensitization, including an elucidation of the project’s stated goals and objectives. This would necessarily include managing expectations, where the public, who will be the main beneficiaries, must begin to understand the true benefits of this undertaking and how exactly such a modern and novel facility will operate in conjunction with the other existing medical facilities. For any referral hospital and
system to work at their best, coordination between participating facilities must be formalized and referral procedures agreed. Additionally, will the hierarchy of healthcare facilities in SVG be necessarily altered with the ARH being the new apex? Where will the Georgetown Modern Medical facility fit? In such an altered structure, there will have to be a clear understanding and acceptance of protocols among and between initiating and receiving facilities and a strict commitment by all participants to adhere to established protocols and referral discipline. Finally, there has to be an enduring commitment by Government to financing and sustaining the operations of the completed facility and this has to be seen as the most important critical success factor. Sometimes, project completion is misinterpreted as being construction completion and the commencement of operation. This is far from the truth and in such instances the project logical framework matrix may well have unfortunately been prepared only to secure financing and not as a blueprint for monitoring and achieving objectives. Given the high profile of this project and the stated commitment of both the World Bank and the GoSVG, we do not expect this to be the case with this Acute Referral Hospital. It is also heartening to know that the GoSVG has embarked on laying what is a central plank of our development on the way to significantly improving the quality of life for this and future generations.
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 11.
News
NY pays tribute to Debra Bobb
Debra Karen Bobb (1954 - 2021). telecommunications giant Verizon until her death, as a jovial, free-giving, loving, caring, devoted, committed, selfless and patriotic person, RELATIVES, FRIENDS AND among other superlatives. Vincentian community leaders “I come here with a very joined the Caribbean community heavy heart,” said Stephen in New York Friday evening in Gabriel, Bobb’s eldest brother, paying their last respects to before reading Ecclesiastes Debra Bobb, a former national 3:1-11, “To everything there is netball star in St. Vincent and a season…” the Grenadines and founding “It’s been very hard,” he member of the United Vincie added. “I’ll try my best.” Cultural Group of Brooklyn Before singing the Lord’s (UVCGB), who died suddenly at Prayer, Erlene Williams-King, her home in East New York in a member of the BrooklynBrooklyn on Sun., Dec. 26. She based Council of St. Vincent was 57. and the Grenadines In tributes after tributes, Organizations, U.SA., Inc. mourners remembered Bobb, (COSAGO), said she knew who worked for 22 Bobb “very, very well”, uninterrupted years at recalling that they once Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT
travelled to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where Bobb loaned her an evening gown to wear in order for Williams-King to perform at a concert since her luggage was delayed because of air transportation issues. Aunt Esme Bynoe said she was Bobb’s “baby nurse,” “My heart is very, very broken,” she told mourners. “The last time I saw her was 2019. Tonight, I’m here but not here. People, when people dead (die), bawl (laughter).” Ashley DeShong, another brother, said he was shocked when he learned about her sister’s passing, adding that politics was a major topic in their discussions. “The battle lines were always drawn on many topics,” he said. “We shared a father together — different mother — but we shared one thing in common, love.” Nephew Codi Bobb said Bobb’s words and memories “resound” in his mind. “Aunty Debbie, you gave until it hurts,” he said. “You were a woman of action.” William Tinglin, a family friend, described Bobb as “funny, kind, selfless, giver, bossy and attentive.” “Debbie was a true example of what it is to give,” he said. “You live a life of memorable moments.”
St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ United States Consul General Howie Prince told the family that memories of Bobb will “be running all over your minds for a very long time,” using partial words from 2 Timothy: “She has fought a good fight…” COSAGO President Laverne McDowald-Thompson said Bobb was a former representative for UVCGB and the Brooklyn-based Girls High School Alumnae, Inc. on the Council. “Debbie had helped the organization to grow,” she said, reading a poem, captioned “Her Journey Has Just Began.” Jamaican Sharon Spencer, a former coach for the Explorers Netball Club in Brooklyn, said she first met Bobb on the netball court in Brooklyn 28 years ago. “Debbie was skillful, knowledgeable of the game but also tricky,” she said. “One of her characteristics was her willingness to take on the challenge. “Debbie had high ideals,” she added. “Anything she took on, she will give 150 percent, but also very stubborn. You had to see these guys on the court.”
Who was Debra Bobb Debra Karen Bobb was born on Thursday, Oct. 22, 1964, in Vermont, South Leeward, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to the late Alister O’Neil Irish-Bobb, also known as “Leon”, and Rosemarie Bobb. Bobb and her siblings were raised by their maternal grandmother, the late Caryl Ernestine Wiseman, affectionately called “Miss Carol,” in Campden Park, South Leeward, who became guardian of their household. Rosemarie Bobb, a nurse at the then Kingstown General and Georgetown Hospitals, migrated to the United States in 1972. Bobb’s father had migrated to the United Kingdom. In her eulogy, Pastor Morris said losing Bobb is “difficult, but we refused to ask God, because he knows
everything. “For us, as a family, it’s never going to be replaced,” she said. “He called her home (crying). “Debbie, our hero,” Dr. Morris added. “She was my greatest supporter. Debbie believed in family. For my family, we’re going to get through this.” Dr. Morris said Bobb “loved netball and became very good at it, which earned her a place on the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Netball Team and played at the Center and Wing Attack positions.” She said she, Bobb and youngest sister, Dailene, often jogged from Campden Park to the Nutricia Netball Center in Kingstown to get to netball training on time. Dr. Morris said Bobb played on the GHS Netball team (School), the Ricks’ Superstars team (Club), the Nyabhingi team (Village) and the SVG National team. Dr. Morris said Bobb graduated from the St. Vincent Girls’ High School and began working at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as a part-time employee. Not very long after, she secured employment at the St. Vincent Children’s Wear as an accounts clerk, where she worked until her migration to the United States in 1990 to join her mother. Dr. Morris said Bobb worked as a nanny, postal worker and retailer at Macy’s Department Store before securing employment at Verizon as an administrative assistant, “where she worked for the last 22 years up to the time of her demise. “Debbie worked assiduously and exhibited excellent work ethics, personally and professionally,” Dr. Morris said. “She was punctual, completed her tasks on time and had a professional attitude. “She was committed, dedicated, focused and strived to achieve upward mobility,” she added. “Debbie knew how to work independently but was also a great team player and always worked hard to produce quality work.” Members of the UVCGB, of which Bobb was “instrumental” in forming, according to Dr. Morris, gave Bobb a rousing send-off with the heart-wrenching “In the Arms of Sweet Deliverance.” Bobb was interred at Pinelawn Cemetery in Farmingdale, Suffolk County, Long Is.
V Youlou Radio Movement turns 27 12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
News
January 22, 2022 marked the 27th anniversary of the Rainbow Radio League (RRL), now the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM), a community service, volunteer organization with a special emphasis on emergency communications and mass casualty management. The organization was launched from the summit of Mt. St. Andrews on January 22, 1995 when five radio operators announced to the world that the RRL was launched. On that Sunday morning, right after the announcement was made, there was a shower of rain and right after a perfectly beautiful rainbow adorned the western skies, as though to usher in this country’s most active amateur radio organization. In 2020 when the RRL turned 25, a decision was made to rebrand and change the organisation’s name to Youlou Radio Movement, reconnecting with our indigenous roots. Radio amateurs in Dominica have already named their organization after that country’s original name, Waitikubuli Amateur Radio Association (WARA). The YRM is already contemplating another change to Youlou
As part of its 27th anniversary, members of the YRM visited with and presented tokens of appreciation to senior amateur radio operators Martin Barnard (foreground 2nd from right) and his wife Mary (centre back row).
Sean Patterson (left) sharing his memories of that eventual day in 1995 when the Rainbow Radio League (RRL), now the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) was launched. as Honorary Members of the YRM.
dubbed “Operation X”, which involved an exchange of radio Recognizing support amateurs from Grenada, for an open air afternoon Amateur Radio St. Lucia, Dominica and celebration. The Association (YARA) a The following day, a SVG. (See “Operation celebration menu change also being much smaller group X” SVG on YouTube.) included the national considered by radio visited the most senior The couple also made a dish and conch souse and radio amateurs in SVG, amateurs in Grenada catamaran available to and St. Lucia. Grenada the breezy conditions Mary — J88AM and the YRM to conduct a made the outing even is proposing the name Martin Barnard - J88AA. training exercise on more pleasurable. Camerhonge Amateur They were presented Savan Island in the The small gathering Radio Association with an award in Grenadines. heard Sean Patterson — (CARA) and St. Luciaappreciation of the In expressing his J88CU, one of the Hewanorra Amateur assistance they have gratitude for the token, original five (founders) Radio Association given to the RRL/YRM Martin said, “It is not so recall the trek up St. (HARA). over the years. much the value of the Andrews, more than For four consecutive gift, but the thought that Celebrating 27 years 2000 feet high, with an years, and in went into it that 85 pound battery, radio collaboration with Paul mattered most.” On Saturday, January equipment and tent. Gravel of SVGAIR, they An awards ceremony 22, 2022 about 20 The event also made a charter aircraft was planned since RRL/YRM members and featured two visiting available free of cost, December 2020 as the their immediate families radio amateurs Ira while SOL provided the highlight of the YRM’s converged at the Fort Harris — VP2EIH from fuel for the aircraft, so 25th anniversary, but Charlotte Gardens, Anguilla and Donald that the YRM could was cancelled due to the where they had a perfect Howe - 9Z4FV from conduct a field exercise Covid outbreak. view of Mt. St. Andrews, Trinidad - being inducted
With the easing of global and local Covidrelated restrictions and without letting down its guard, the YRM plans to keep its members sharp and focused and, towards this end, will be conducting several POTA (Parks on the air) and SOTA (Summits on the air) activities this year, the first one from Fort Charlotte to coincide with its 27th anniversary. The next activity will be a SOTA event from Fort Duvernette. The YRM intends to stage these activities every two to three months during 2022. Both articles contributed by: Donald De Riggs.
YRM stages second “Sota” event
YRM members who participated in the second SOTA mounted on Rock Fort. FORT DUVERNETTE, ‘AKA’ ROCK FORT, affords one of the best views of St. Vincent and the northern Grenadines, and it is safe to conclude that
this was Paramount Chief Chatoyer’s favorite spot to smoke his ‘peace pipe’, having been the former owner of a larger nearby islet, that is
today called ‘Young island’, after a British governor bearing that surname. Some history books say Chatoyer exchanged Young Island for a white horse; others just say it was an impressive stallion. But a horse by a different name or colour is still a horse ….and that is now history. Rock Fort was the location for the YRM’s second Summits on the Air (SOTA) activity, during its 27th anniversary month. SOTA is conducted by local ham radio operators as well as Hams operators around the world. These activities give radio operators the opportunity to operate from remote locations using emergency power and antennas. On this occasion, and operating with only 15 watts, contact was made with other radio amateurs in
Guyana, Carriacou, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad, using both VHF and HF radios. Similar to SOTA, is POTA, or Parks on the Air, where similar activities are conducted, but which afford a little more space for better antennas and is more conducive for older Hams to participate. These activities also allow radio operators to explore little known parts of their country as well as get to know each other better and work together since skills that are essential when responding to natural or man made
Making contact with HAMS in neighbouring territories from the summit of Rock Fort. disasters. The YRM also intends to stage several POTA and SOTA events from the various parks is SVG during 2022. All of these activities are designed to train the younger radio operators with message handling skills as Continued on Page 13.
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 13.
News
SVG Ships Medicinal Cannabis to Germany
Staff of Caribbean Cannabis Company Ltd./Medicinal with 12 crates containing Medicinal Cannabis for shipment to Germany. ST. VINCENT AND THE Present at the Argyle GRENADINES (SVG) has become International Airport (AIA) to the first country in the Eastern observe the departure of the Caribbean to export medicinal shipment were the Minister of cannabis. Agriculture Saboto Caesar, On Tuesday 18th January, Staff of the Medicinal 2022, 110 pounds of dried Cannabis Authority (MCA), cannabis flower left SVG for and officials of the exporting Germany. company, Caribbean Cannabis
YRM stages second “Sota” event Continued from Page 12. well as being able to set up and operate emergency equipment under less than ideal circumstances. According to the Director of the YRM, Don De Riggs — J88CD, both SOTA events to mark our 27th anniversary were successful. However, there are a few observations that need to be highlighted. Visitors to our heritage and tourism sites MUST always bring garbage bags to collect any solid waste generated. At the Fort Charlotte Gardens, the area was clean, except for the outside parking lot where garbage is thrown indiscriminately over the embankment. The situation at Rock Fort is unacceptable with broken beer and rum bottles, and discarded KFC boxes among other litter around the picnic shed. To compound the situation, rats abound on Rock Fort, especially in the areas where the litter is thrown. As a prime heritage tourism location this is also unacceptable. How would you feel travelling thousands of miles to enjoy our natural beauty, or a casual visit by a local, and end up a victim of leptospirosis? This too is unacceptable! It is our COLLECTIVE DUTY to keep our country including our recreational sites clean. It is also the duty of the Ministry of Tourism and National Trust to hire persons to clean these sites so as to maintain their pristine condition. Rock Fort is also a prime location for professional wedding photographers. Many local visitors would bring snacks and beverages while enjoying the ambience of Rock Fort and would invariably leave their bags at the gazebo while exploring the historical ruins on the little islet, only to return and meet a hole in their snack bag and sandwiches partly eaten by rats. We saw too many of them! Five at one time in an area just vacated by some picknickers. The eradication or control of these rodents must be done sooner than later, as we don’t want to be ‘blacklisted’ as a country where you can contract ‘lepto’ through a casual visit by just sitting or leaning on a wall sprayed with rat urine. That apart, Fort Duvernette affords one of the best views anywhere in SVG. Let’s keep that reality a memorable experience.
Company Ltd., trading as Medicinal. Lauding the activity as historic, Minister Caesar stated that “today is a proud day for all of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”. He said that our unique volcanic soil, hardworking traditional cultivators, significant investment in science, technology as well as training, and comprehensive legislative framework have created an environment that is ideal for a Modern Medicinal Wellness Industry to blossom. The Minister of Agriculture took the opportunity to encourage member states of the Caribbean to collaborate in order to maximize the benefits of this lucrative industry. CEO of the MCA, Dr. Jerrol Thompson, stated that the export followed approval by the Cabinet of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the issuance of an Export Certificate to Caribbean Cannabis Company Ltd on January 5, 2022. The granting of the Export Certificate followed the issuance of a corresponding Import Certificate by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, both of which are necessary for medicinal cannabis product to enter Germany, Dr. Thompson said. Highlighting the importance
The official party that witnessed the departure of the Marijuana via a One Caribbean Barbados Ltd. aircraft. of quality and safety, Technology Specialist at the MCA, Dr. Jean-Saville Cummings, stated that an assessment of the biochemical profile of the cannabis material, captured in the form of a Certificate of Analysis, also formed a critical part of the requirements to export. He added that the recent operationalization of the Analytical Service Provider Facility in Rivulet was crucial in this regard. Expressing gratitude for the support provided by key stakeholders, Chief Operating
Officer at the MCA, Mr. Terral Mapp, listed the Argyle International Airport, the Customs and Excise Department, Invest SVG, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance, among other agencies, as being integral in the export process. Further shipments are anticipated as the Caribbean Cannabis Company Ltd. and other licensed producers expand their operations in 2022 and beyond, Mr. Mapp added.
Metaverse will not replace physical Carnival EVEN AS THE CARNIVAL DEVELOPMENT Corporation (CDC) rolled out a ‘real’ programme of activities for Vincymas 2022, there is still a plan to stage a representation of the annual Carnival in the Metaverse. This indication has come from Minister of Culture Carlos James who, will addressing a CDC press conference last Tuesday, said that Vincymas in the Metaverse was “meant to be an additional platform for creatives to earn an income,” and that it “will not replace the physical enjoyment of Carnival.” The Minister admitted that since his earlier announcement regarding Carnival in the Metaverse, there has been some misunderstanding
Minister of Culture Carlos James detailing plans for ‘Carnival in the Metaverse’ to members of the media.
surrounding the conversation. And towards addressing these concerns, James said local artist Calvert Jones will be appointed as an advisor to both the ministry and the Carnival Development Corporation, to inform on an approach to embark on developing a platform to facilitate exporting St Vincent and the Grenadines’ culture, Vincymas and other aspects, globally through the technology using the Metaverse. James says: “It is not to replace our existing traditions and existing Vincymas, but to have an additional platform where our creatives can earn an income by exporting their
talent around the world.” He says organisations like the Organization of American States (OAS), Meta ( which is owned by Facebook), a telecommunications company headquartered regionally, as well as persons in the diaspora in Canada, North America and Europe and locally in the Caribbean, have said St Vincent is on the edge leading the way in this, and this country is encouraged by this support has it moves to become the first country to stage Carnival on the Metaverse.
V
14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
Regional
GovÊt should facilitate, not be in business GOVERNMENT’S ROLE is to facilitate business, not to be in business. This is the advice extended by Anthony N Sabga III, the group chief executive officer of the ANSA McAL, Trinidad and Tobago. According to Sabga, it is well known that government ownership of private companies has been notorious for lowering productivity, wasting resources, and distorting competition–often as a result of unclear objectives, political interference, lack of discipline, and poor transparency. And he noted that the
World Bank has concluded that in emerging markets, a banking sector dominated by state-owned firms poses a threat to economic development and stability–as preferential lending and patronage creates market distortions and chases away private competitors. “Government,” Sabga said, “should be a self-proclaimed reluctant shareholder and pledge to manage their ownership commercially. They should also insist that they seek to sell their holdings as soon as possible to capable private investors, for a competitive market value, at a
profit or at a minimal loss to the public purse. Proficient ownership should result in value creation and taxable rewards.” He said as the first step to success, Government must establish a baseline for evaluating their performance as owners. “They should clearly state the objectives for their holdings to maximise sustainable value for the taxpayer, maintain financial stability, and promote competition,” he said. Sabga said industries such as banking, rum manufacture and port management are not the natural domain of Government. “The ongoing ownership of
these businesses is a considerable distraction from the Government’s material work to ensure the safety, security, and health of a nation. Where they have controlling interest, I think a formal timetable of divestment should be developed. After that, publish regular updates on their progress at least twice a year,” he said. “It is well accepted that corruption discourages investment, limits economic growth, and alters the composition of government spending, often to the detriment of future economic growth. Our antiquated governance systems need to be upgraded to ensure our sustainability as a country,” Sabga said. It was announced on Tuesday that T&T scored 41
Anthony N Sabga III, group chief executive officer of the ANSA McAL, one of the leading trans-Caribbean corporations, had some pointed advice for government. out of 100 on the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. It has been ranked 82 out of 180 countries. (Source: Trinidad Guardian)
UPP to pay LIAT severance bill THE OPPOSITION UNITED PROGRESSIVE PARTY (UPP) in Antigua and Barbuda is giving former Left: Leader Harold Lovell told a UPP rally that his party will honour in full all severance payments to former LIAT workers. (Credit: Loop News)
LIAT workers across the region what they are calling a “solemn promise”, that all their severance will be paid under a UPP Government. “The United Progressive Party is giving you a solemn undertaking that the matter of your severance and your entitlements will be paid and we will treat it as a priority,” UPP Leader Harold Lovell told his first political rally recently. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has offered former LIAT workers only in Antigua and Barbuda a one-time compassionate offer of fifty percent of their severance to be paid in cash and bonds. But Lovell said “this is not a matter of compassion. This is a matter of a moral, legal and spiritual obligation to the workers of LIAT”. He said a UPP government will pay these workers through “negotiation, consultation and compromise with you, the workers and your union representatives; we will get this
outstanding matter resolved once and for all.” Lovell added, “These are your entitlements; this is what you work for and this is what you deserve.” However, Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party leader, PM Browne has said that Lovell is fooling former LIAT workers with the severance promise, and has called on the UPP leader to stop making promises to former LIAT workers that he knows he cannot afford to keep. The cash strapped airline took a nose dive in 2020 during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Owned by a handful of Caribbean shareholder governments, LIAT 1974 Ltd had provided crucial regional connectivity for decades but folded when the Covid pandemic exacerbated its longstanding financial woes. A new downsized incarnation of the carrier has been operating a reduced schedule with a limited workforce since November 2020. (Source: Dominica News Online)
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 15.
News
Melisizwe Brothers – keeping in touch
MARC, SETH AND ZACERY James, the musical group of youthful brothers known as the Melisizwe Brothers, have taken to Social Media to keep in touch with their fans. Social Media followers — primarily on the FaceBook and YouTube platforms have been getting ‘Treats’ from the young musical group, as they perform live to fans the world over, commencing at 6pm on Sundays. THE VINCENTIAN caught the Sunday Jan 23rd performance in midstream. There, the young Musicians were accepting requests for popular songs, inclusive of difficult Stevie Wonder songs like “Love’s in need of love” and “Ribbons in the sky”, and rendering them flawlessly
These songs were led by Zachery, the youngest of the trio, on bass and vocals. This part time contributor to THE VINCENTIAN, himself an accomplished bassist, was floored by Zach’s ability to master the two, as bass lines themselves can be considered a melody, therefore the ability to master both at the same time is no easy feat. Quite fittingly THE VINCENTIAN, beaming with national pride, requested Alston Becket Cyrus’s “St. Vincent I Love you”, which was executed as expertly and expertly can be,
Sunshine Basketball Academy donates to schools
Students of the Fancy Primary School and representatives of the Sunshine Basketball Academy at the handover of the school supplies. Twenty-nine students in the North Windward were the recipients of backpacks filled with school supplies. The donations came courtesy the Sunshine Basketball Academy and earlier this week, were handed over to graduating classes of the Fancy Government School, and the Tourama/Overland and Dickson Primary Schools. The items were part of a donation by Mrs. Diana Moore, one of the Academy’s members based in Canada. Ms. Moore had facilitated the shipment of two barrels of items which included mainly school items, such as notebooks, exercise books, crayons, pens, pencils, folders, scissors and 29 back packs. This was the Sunshine Basketball Academy’s first visit to the North
Windward area since the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in April 2021, and coordinator Wayne Williams said he was pleased to see things seemingly getting back into place. He, however, recognized that persons in the area continued to be in need of assistance, particularly children, and thanked the principals and teachers as well as Senator Shevern John for helping with logistics, as well as Vasha Adams and Horaito Skeete for assisting with the packing and facilitation of the handover. Boxes of additional items were also handed over to the principals of the schools for distributing as they would see fit. (SG)
barring a few lyrical challenges. The group also encouraged viewers to send stars as the funds derived from the “Stars Fundraising Drive” is used to purchase Musical Instruments for distribution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The World Famous Canadian Trio of Vincentian
parentage explained they chose the name Melisizwe [South African) The Melisizwe Brothers - (l-r) Seth, Zacary and Marc – keep in touch with their fans because it means ‘leaders through live performances on social media. of the future’. a name with a great meaning “Whenever you want to do and a powerful meaning,” something you always look for Seth said. (CD)
16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 17.
V
18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Sex for rent trap Dear George,
I OWE HOUSE RENT FOR the past 2 years but my landlord has not collected from me because I let him get away with flirting with me and touching me here and there. Recently, he told me his wife was putting pressure on him to make me pay up. He even went as far as to give me money to pay here and there to make it look as though I’m paying. I told him I did not have the money to pay the back rent. He is now demanding that I sleep with him 7 days a week and he will give me receipts that state I’ve paid him up to 6 months
rent in advance. I made him give me the receipts which he did but still refused to sleep with him. He started threatening me and I’m now feeling very uncomfortable and unsafe. What do you suggest I do?
and unpredictable actions? I suggest that you begin to put a plan in place to take care of the rent arrears and demonstrate to your Emotional landlord that you are serious about settling Dear Emotional, your debt. Let it be all business from here You are playing a very onwards and take special dangerous game and care not to mix business should put an end to it with pleasure. It is your immediately. Yes, you responsibility to make are legally sound if you your rent top priority are called upon to and with a bit more provide proof of rent discipline in your part, payment for the next six you should find it easier months, but is that to turn the rental tide. worth exposing yourself to your landlord’s wrath George
More is not merrier Dear George, SINCE THE ONSET OF Covid I have not been the same person. I do not have the energy I used to have and have not been as sexually active as I used to. My husband has been trying different things to get me going but I am just going through the motions. The last thing my husband suggested to me was to let me live out my fantasy, which is to let him watch me go at it with another man, whom he would choose. When he told me that I was shocked and refused to believe he would actually do it. My husband did not only chose the man but his wife also agreed to join in the action. After we all had a
whale of a time I jokingly told the couple to feel free to drop by anytime. They have been doing so for the past two months. I love the way this man makes me feel and I am drawn to him more than my husband. His wife is just an added bonus. I am afraid that I am not feeling anything for my husband in anyway shape or form. I need excitement and he is not cutting it. How do I handle this without causing any disturbance in my marriage?
marital flame burning. That said, care has to be taken not to cross certain boundaries or engage in activities that would threaten your relationship. Introducing a 3rd party and even a 4th party to your union is a recipe for disaster and may just provide short lived excitement. It wouldn’t hurt for you to see a therapist who can help you understand the reasons for your lack of interest as it relates to your husband and matters of the bedroom. Learning new and healthy ways to reignite Bored wife the flame in your marriage is the way to Dear Bored wife, go. Depending on 3rd and 4th parties to keep It is not a bad idea for your marriage alive is couples to discuss and not worth it. find ways to spruce George things up to keep that
Vengeance… NO answer! Dear George,
Cheated
The anger and rage you feel are justifiable. However, violence is not the answer. Your husband allowed your best friend to penetrate the borders of your marriage and venting your anger on her is pointless. She saw an opening and just made the best use of it. The best revenge you can take at this point is to do a complete selfassessment and come up with a counter action plan to meet these challenges head on. You will do well to speak to someone who can help you manoeuvre through this barrage of trying moments. Your children would be forever grateful to you for adopting an approach that would benefit you and them in the longer term.
Dear Cheated,
George
THE RAGE I AM FEELING right now is consuming me and I have a feeling that it won’t be long before I explode. My best friend stole my husband from me and is flaunting it in my face every day. I have been sent home from my job due to me not being vaccinated. I have four children who look to me for everything and now I am in no position to give them anything. I am giving thought more and more to taking vengeance on those who have wronged me. Frankly, I do not care what happens in the end. I am not a super human and I do have a breaking point.
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will be too quick to point your finger at your mate. Trips should be your choice. A change in position could be better than you thought. This will not be the day to have minor surgery. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You may find yourself in a predicament with family members. Be aware of any deception on the part of those you deal with. Romance can surface if you get into some of those fitness programs you've been putting off. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can make money if you are careful not to let it trickle through your fingers. Your confidence is growing and advancement is apparent. Look into projects that you feel would con tribute something to your appearance. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your concern with older family members and those less fortunate than yourself will only add to your attractiveness. You can expect insincere gestures of friendliness this week. You'll only hurt your lover if you don't. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) This week will be hectic. Try not to use emotional blackmail; it will only make matters worse. You may be in an extremely passionate mood this week. Romance could develop through social activities or short trips. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Think before you act. Unforeseen circumstances will disrupt your daily routine. Don't offer to pay for others. You may be uncertain about some of your coworkers and your boss. Changes in your domestic situation will prove to be favorable in the long run.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can form new partnerships, but don't move too quickly; things may not be as they appear. Depression may result if you don't get to do things your own way. Travel will be most enticing. Consider a cruise. Go directly to the source if you want to know exactly what's been going on. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Try to curb your bad habits. People who try to persuade you to do things their way will annoy you. Don't lend to people who have given you negative vibes. Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Use your energy wisely. Social events will lead to a strong and stable relationship. You need a change of pace. Things are looking up. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Uncertainty about your relationship is prevalent. You should be able to get a lot done. You could make extra cash through creative hobbies. Be professional, and you will advance much more quickly. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Partnerships will be favorable and contracts can be signed. Disharmony will result in a lowered vitality. Stress may result in minor illness. You must be careful not to trust just anyone. Travel will lead you in new directions. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You must make them stand on their own two feet regardless of how much you want to make things better for them. Don't give in too quickly. You are best to put in some overtime rather than get involved in family gatherings. You will have excellent ideas and you should be able to help your partner get ahead.
ACROSS 1. Sandwich bar 5. Stove fuel 8. Shacks 12. Still 13. Substance in a seam 14. Kind of account 15. Realizes 16. Arsenal inventory 18. Unheard-of 20. Photog’s request 23. Like Dylan Thomas and Tom Jones 27. Director the early pioneers travelled 31. Facts 32. Belonging to something 33. Ben-Hur, for one 35. Altoids holders 36. Family problem 38. Lasting 40. Trample 42. Evaluates 43. Round-the-clock 47. Be reluctant 50. ___ Bear 54. Blinkers 55. Order member 56. Some performers’ problems 57. Fist-pumper’s cry 58. Magazine revenue source 59. Bloodshot, terra cotta
9. Tea server 10. Road material 11. Arch 17. Row 19. Kind of conference 20. Fleet 21. Rhythm 22. Put out 24. Famous quarter 25. Olfactory offense 26. Puts up, as DOWN artwork 28. Pint contents, 1. Room with an easy chair perhaps 2. First lady 29. Governed 3. Sanction 30. Movie format 4. Dig 34. Mark’s 5. Grad wear follower 6. Locality 37. Breakfast item 7. Baseball feature 39. Many a hip8. Like some cobras
hop poet 41. Part of an e-mail address 44. Beloved family member 45. Gambler’s option 46. Poker pair 47. Attention grabber 48. Beauty is in
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 19.
the ___ of the beholder 49. Privateer’s domain 51. ID item 52. Take something out of its shell 53. The law, per Bumble
V
20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
CANOC Caribbean Games on course
AFTER MANY STOPS AND STARTS the inaugural Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) Caribbean Games, is closer to becoming a reality. The multi-discipline Games were first scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 but were shelved after concerns were raised over the risk of spreading the Swine Flu. Focus shifted to Guadeloupe as host in 2021. The threats of the coronavirus meant another postponement. However, General Secretary of CANOC- Keith Joseph, speaking on an Online Sports
Programme on Saturday, informed that all systems are on green for the staging of the Games in Guadeloupe, from 29th June to 3rd July. According to Joseph, the Games will usher in a new era in Caribbean sports, as the regions brace to host an event comprising seven disciplinesAthletics, 3 x 3 Basketball, Cycling, Futsal, Judo, Netball and Swimming, with participation expected from twenty-five countries from the Caribbean. Joseph assured that the Local Organising Committee(LOC) in
Guadeloupe, with support from CANOC, was on top of things. Facilities and ancillary facilities are ready and where they lack them, we are sourcing them and we feel confident that they will be available, Joseph assured. Of much encouragement is that, “The population in Guadeloupe is energised; the people in particular will be keen on being part of the sports … The governmental support is growing, it’s increasing and we think that private sector support will roll in as they become more and
more aware of the way the events are going,” Joseph related. Joseph is of the view that the long-awaited Games will serve as insights to what the region has to offer, especially in Athletics. “The fact that it is an Under-23 Tournament, it is the next generation of athletes … It is an opportunity for us to see some of the athletes who with the Olympics just two years away would be competing for their respective countries in their Olympic qualifiers”, he explained. Saturday’s online also
Keith Joseph, General Secretary of CANOC, is encouraged by the level of preparedness already in place in host country Guadeloupe. featured Julien Chipotel, Chair of the Local Organising Committee. The Games is expected to attract about 800 participants from 25 countries.
TASVG pilots KIA Programme “We filmed the various activities which will be sent to World Athletics for approval, and once this is done we expect to roll out the programme around the month of March”, Morgan projected. “When we launch, we want to use the persons with clubs… We want to target the persons from the Sports Department… They are the ones who will be going into the primary schools… They will get six weeks of activities and at the end of the six
weeks, we will have a festival, where we bring all the schools together and have a competition among them”, Morgan expanded. The KIA has been on the shelf for the better part of two years and Morgan, who is also the Director of Coaches and Camps for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), thinks that its reintroduction is opportune. “Children have missed almost two years of organized physical activities and we have to
Chester Morgan try to bring back that interest in them, and no better way to do so than by the Kids In Athletics Programme”, Morgan reasoned. The KIA Programme forms part of World Athletics’ Athletes Olympic Dividend (OAD).
Two students getting an insight of the High Jump. WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, St Vincent and the Grenadines will have a revised set of activities which will make up the Kids In Athletics (KIA) Programme. A piloting of some of the activities was done last Saturday morning at the Barrouallie Secondary School, and involved children between the ages of 6 and 12, from the communities of Layou and Barrouallie. The session was
conducted by Chester Morgan, Technical Director of Team Athletics SVG, who is also the lead person for the promotion of the KIA Programme here. He was assisted by some national athletes as well as students who are writing Physical Education at the CSEC Level. Ensuring that all aspects of Run, Jump and Throw were done, eighteen activities held the interests of the enthusiastic budding
athletes. Morgan disclosed that all the activities were geared at a specific event in Track and Field and have been modified from what obtained previously. “We want to make it fun for the children and at the same time teach them the basic skills needed for some of the events”, Morgan explained. Outlining the process, Morgan said that the next step is for the approval of the activities.
Participants engaged in hop and skip activities.
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 21.
Sports
De Roche stuns Dublin
Akeil De Roche took the title in the first Assessment Tournament for the year.
EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD AKEIL De Roche created an upset when he defeated number one seed Damion Dublin in the semifinals, before going on to beat Michel Creese to take the tile in the SVG Table Tennis Association First Assessment Tournament for the year. Played at the Table Tennis Center West St. George Secondary School on Saturday 29th January 2022, De Roche outclassed Dublin 3 games to luv, 11/6, 11/7, 11/7, and bounced pass Creese by a similar margin, 11/7 11/9
11/7. In fact, De Roche played unbeaten having dispensed with Mikael Hazelwood 8/11 11/5 11/6, in the quarterfinals. The Tournament created history when it featured for the very first time, a female competing against the males up to the quarterfinal stage, when leading national female player Leah Cumberbatch went under to Michel Creese, 11/9 11/9.
The next tournament will be a female-only event on the 26th of February 2022. The SVG Table Tennis would be selecting junior players for national trials in preparation for the Caribbean Junior Championships slated for the Dominican Republic in May. I.B.A.ALLEN
Bailey and Durrant off to winning starts ZEFAL BAILEY POWERED his way to the top of the Elite Category, while Peter Durrant continued his reign in the Masters Category, as the first Cycling road race for 2022 took place last Sunday. Bailey’s winning time was 1: 20.40.11 for a 25.2mile event. Second to Bailey was Marlon Antrobus in 1: 22:13.38. Completing the Zefal Bailey (right) receiving his cash podium trio was prize from Amber Glasgow. Max Alvis. He Asroy Brereton (left), Nelson Mc Lean (right). clocked 1: 22.40.28. Brereton taking the Meanwhile, Durrant demonstrated second race. from the ET Joshua Airport tarmac his prowess among the Masters as he Cyclists will return to the road on to Belmont, and on Sunday 13th stopped the others in their track in a Saturday 12th February for a Sprint February for a 20-mile Road Race. Peter Durrant 19.5 mile ride, winning comfortably in a time of 1:01.34.46. Trailing Durrant to the end line at Argyle Hill was Steve Ollivierre, whose clocking was VASHA ADAMS WILL LEAD some matches against the competing 1:02.6.58. a 12-member national netball national male team and have countries in the Martin Bollers ensured that team to compete in the OECS seen signs of improvement in tournament. he was in the mix, as his ECCB Netball Tournament to the passes and positioning so Barbados will 1:06.27.55 placed him third. be held in Dominica 12th I am quite satisfied but we participate as a Two other riders completed always strive to improve,” guest entrant. the respective distances - Lucky February - 18th February 2022. Adams said. The team reads: Antrobus in the Elite did 1: Adams, who also served as Adams is confident that her Vasha Adams 28.22.26 and Carlos Rivas in the coach of the team, believes team can return home this (captain), MaryMasters segment, returned a that opportunity and her year with the championship Ann Frederick time of 1:16.16.88. current role as captain put trophy, having finished second (vice-captain), The race got going in Stubbs. her in good stead to impact in the last tournament. Shelissa Davis, From there, cyclists rode to positively on the players, She said, “We were beaten Niressa Delpesche, Bridgetown, Biabou and back to especially the younger ones. by Grenada in the finals in Rosannia Argyle. Elite cyclists did two She is impressed with the 2019 and while St Lucia have Stephens, Shania laps, while the Masters did one. proved to reckon with, we are Pompey, Joseann Sunday’s race was sponsored commitment and attitude shown by the ladies during not taking any team lightly. Antoine, by Premium Products. their preparation. We will be also looking to Kaywanna But the 2022 St Vincent and “The training has been improve our ranking as we Charles, Jeneise the Grenadines Cycling Union’s going good where we started use this tournament as Lowe, Kyila Miller, calendar got going on Saturday focusing more on tactical preparation for the World Zanel James and at the decommissioned ET sessions along with fitness, as qualifies in October from Zanique Vincent. Joshua Airport tarmac, as the Vasha Adams, captain of the SVG which the top three will Coach: Onile BMX cyclists took the spotlight. we get closer to the National Netball team, has high advance.” Cockburn, Engaged in two races, the raw tournament. We have expectations of the squad. increased our training days SVG is joined by St Lucia, Manager: Doris talents of the cyclists came to because I believe we need Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis McIntosh, Physiotherapist: the fore. Taking race one was I.B.A.ALLEN more time. We introduced and Antigua and Barbuda as Javid Marksman. Nelson Mc Lean, with Asroy
Adams to lead SVG Netball Team
V
22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
Looking ahead SCHOOLS SPORTS HAVE BEEN gradually unfolding in most institutions as the possibility of a heightened athletic season looms. That comes with a thawing out of the COVID-19 iceberg that has appeared not even as far as the Arctic Circle. The spill over from the object will have some impact on the coastline, so residents in low lying areas will have to be on guard for the effects. So while we continue to work out today’s mode of survival, we have to put something in place to cater for the other day. And that’s the way it has to be. Don’t be alarmed if you find yourself having to resort to methods labelled as traditional. This is the age when everything is going virtual, so it is normal to see serious competitions being played out in an empty stadium, and there is no loss for the player as it relates to income. In fact this is indeed the new normal. Perhaps later this year there will be a Sports Award ceremony, to compensate for the absence over the previous two years. It will be appropriate to bring that period under review, so that outstanding performances achieved can be acknowledged, and the due rewards made. We have to cherish the value of our youthful citizenry. It is the reservoir which provides the platform for their existence. Those of us who have experienced the phases of the ages, can share the adventure. That depends on how willing one is to accept the condensation of the gift of life. The West Indies oozed out of their quarantine in India enough to get used to the conditions for three One Day Internationals which seem to open to adjustments. The West Indians are in the same hotel, albeit different floors, with their hosts. So when reports of members of the Indian contingent tested positive for COVID-19, that raised eyebrows and perhaps injected a tinge of hesitancy among the visitors. India is keen on salvaging pride having come up short against South Africa. Teams like to use the West Indies as their ladder up the ranks when they fall. But there is the reverse probability. Once adjusted, the Windies only have to keep the comradery that emerged in the midst of signs to disrupt the momentum they managed after the Irish debacle. There is the human factor in sport. There is dignity in labour, and sports have become a breadbasket for many quarters where poverty was part of life. A menu of sporting and academic prowess is the ideal ingredient for health and success. It’s up to the individual to ensure that their mixture reflects the gratitude your potential realised because you followed your instincts and fulfilled the purpose you are made for.
USA females win historic T20 Series
Victorious USA Under-19 Female Team.
Windward Islands Under-19 team. THE UNITED STATES of America the historic inaugural 4-match (USA) Under-19 female cricket team series. beat the Windward Islands UnderPlayed at the by 3 runs in the 19 female team to take honours in final game of a four-match series,
to win their inaugural cricket series of the St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Arnos Vale playing field last week. The USA went into the final game played at the Zadia James Arnos vale Playing Field on MVP for the Friday, leading Windward Islands Under2-1 lead and 19 with 147 needing a win the capture the runs and 4 wickets. series. They did so by successfully defending a total of 119 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs. Disha Dhingra led the batting with 27 while Pooja Ganesh chipped in with Snighda Paul MVP for the USA 23. Captain Under-19 team Zadia James with 5 wickets with her left arm spin,, was the pick of the Windward Islands bowlers with figures of 2 for 15. In reply the Windward Islands once again depended heavily on their captain whose top score of 46 took them within a whisker of victory - 116 for 3 from their 20 overs. I.B.A.ALLEN
USA U-19 cricketer makes donation YOUNG FEMALE CRICKETERS here was the recipients of some much needed gears, courtesy Trisha Bhima, a member of the USA Under19 Female Cricket Team that last weekend completed a 4-match series against their Windward Islands counterparts, has made her generosity felt before she departed these shores. The young lady donated a quantity of cricket gear for use among young female cricketers who might find it difficult to procure their own gears. Bhima explained that she is the founder and President of the Cricket Gear Donation Drive in her school - Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, California. She and her classmates began the drive to support under-privileged girls involved in cricket in the USA. “In America we do waste a lot of equipment, so I decided it will
be good to collect it and give it to who really needs it. Knowing we were coming to St Vincent and the Grenadines for this T20 series we felt it was fitting to make such a donation,” Bhima said. The presentation was made during the T20 Trisha Bhima, Founder and President Cricket Donation Drive, presents gears to Cleton Barnet. four-match series to that we have going on right now Cleton Barnet - Committee Member of the Friends of Female where we are training young girls. We have about 30 young Cricket, which is committed to girls and definitely this comes as assist female cricketers in SVG. a very timely donation and we Barnet said, “I want to thank really appreciate it.” you very much for this donation…. We have a session I.B.A.ALLEN
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022. 23.
Classifieds WANTED EXPERIENCED GARDENER Tel: 492-0310
DEREK MARLON CAMBRIDGE Tuesday, 1st February, 2022 Grace Community Baptist Church Kingstown Park Viewing: 9:00 a.m. Service: 10:00 a.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery ALPHRED GREGG a.k.a. Bynoe Saturday, 29th January, 2022 Church of God Worldwide Mission Fitz Hughes Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Fitz Hughes Cemetery
AMOS ADOLPHUS TYRIL Tuesday, 1st February, 2022 6W -RKQ¶V Anglican Church Belair Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Belair Cemetery WINSTON ADOLPHUS MCCOY a.k.a. Babsie Saturday, 29th January, 2022 Wesleyan Holiness Church Buccument Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Penniston Cemetery
RUPERT STANLEY MCDONALD HEPBURN Saturday, 29th January, 2022 Unity Baptist Church Chateaubelair Viewing: 9:30 am Service: 10:00 am Interment: Fitz Hughes Cemetery
AUDREY BEULAH HARRY Sunday, 30th January, 2022 6W 3HWHU¶V 6SLULWXDO %DSWLVW &KXUFK Dasent Cottage Viewing: 9:30 a.m. Service: 10:30 a.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
AI REAL ESTATE Rivulet 11,229 sq.ft @ $11.00 p.s.f. - $123,519.00 - BB800 Layou 9,367 sq.ft @ $10.00 p.s.f. - $93,670.00 - BB283 Union Island 79,497 sq.ft @ $6.50 p.s.f. - $516,730.50 - BB903 Queens Drive 7,523 sq.ft @ $9.50 sq.ft. - $71,468.50 - BB160 (784)- 457-2087/(718)-807-4376 office (784)-493-9431/(784)-533-0431 whatsappcell donp@vincysurf.com
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04,
2022
VOLUME 116, No.05
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
TWO CHARGED IN STABBING DEATH
competence of the police at the Calliaqua Police ONE MAN HAS BEEN Station, who are dealing charged with murder, and with the matter. another with manslaughter Stapleton, who was in connection with last unrepresented, was Saturday’s stabbing death granted $30,000 bail of 27-year-old Kevin with one surety, with George of Diamond. reporting conditions, Tearon James, 21, of and ordered to Diamonds, has been surrender his travel charged with George’s documents. Stop notices murder, but up to press will be placed at all time Wednesday, James ports of entry and exit, was still a patient at the and he is not to leave Milton Cato Memorial the state without the Hospital, reportedly as a permission of the result of the same Serious Offences Court, Lesroy Stapleton has been charged incident. or a higher court. with manslaughter in connection with THE VINCENTIAN He will return to Kevin George’s death is listed as the third homicide for 2022. the death of Kevin George. understands that James court on March 10. (FB Photo) is in as stable condition. Meanwhile, James’ plead to the George’s death stems Milton Cato Memorial adjourned to February On the other hand, lawyer Duane Daniel charge of murder, which from a stabbing incident Hospital, but was 10. When he appears in Lesron Stapleton, also of told the court on is also indictable, and an at Diamond around charged on Monday court on that date, he Diamond, who has been Tuesday that James was midday last Saturday. night. His matter was would not be required to offence for which bail is charged with still a patient at the not usually granted. manslaughter in connection with the matter, made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious by KENVILLE HORNE Williams and Pascal Westfield, On further inspection Offences Court on both of Chateaubelair, were he recognized that it was Tuesday. He was not POLICE HERE SAID THAT treated for injuries at the his friend Sigmund. “Man required to plead, as investigations are ongoing into Chateaubelair Hospital and I just start to cry because manslaughter is an the circumstances surrounding discharged the same day. is me partner and I feel indictable charge. a fatal accident that occurred A friend of the deceased real sad. We use to Prosecutor Renrick on Friday, January 28, 2022 described what he came upon always be in touch,” the Cato objected to bail at along the Cumberland Public that evening as tragic. man admitted. this stage, noting that Road. The friend, name withheld The friend told the investigations were Dead is Sigmund Sharpe, a upon request, told THE VINCENTIAN that a day ongoing. He expressed 49-year-old former sailor VINCENTIAN that he was after the accident he the view that if turned carpenter/mason of heading to Barrouallie from spoke to the female Stapleton was granted Calliaqua/Chateaubelair. North Leeward on the evening passenger who was bail at this stage, he According to a police report, of the accident. injured in the incident could hinder or obstruct at about 6:05 pm Sharpe was “When me a come down and she disclosed that the investigations. Cato driving motor vehicle RY-737 a Coulls Hill towards money Sharpe had in his requested a week Red Suzuki SX4, owned by Cumberland me see a vehicle position at the time of following which the issue Hannah Hamilton of Queens like it heading towards my the accident, was unaccounted Sigmund Sharpe died when of bail will be reviewed. Drive, along the Cumberland the vehicle he was driving ran direction. When I reach closer for. But the Chief public road, when he allegedly to the playing field me notice off the road in Cumberland. Vanessa Sharpe, a sister of Magistrate contended lost control of the vehicle and it the vehicle done stop and when the deceased, said that she was that the incident mother had three other ran off the road. me reach to the vehicle, me see saddened by her brother’s occurred on January 29, children, all who are currently Sharpe is said to have died the man hanging from the passing. and in her view, the residing overseas. on the spot, succumbing to the driver door with he head mash In a telephone interview police had enough time Veronica expressed that she injuries he received to his head. up on the concrete and he legs with the VINCENTIAN, she to complete their was unsure as to where to turn He was pronounced dead by still inside the car,” the man said that Sigmund was her investigations. She to get support to bury her the District Medical Officer. said. older brother and that her acknowledged the brother. Passengers Natakie by HAYDN HUGGINS
CUMBERLAND ACCIDENT CLAIMS ONE LIFE
Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;
Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.