THE VINCENTIAN PDF-05-08-22

FRIDAY, AUGUST 05,

2022

VOLUME 116, No.31

Loud music culprit Page 4

www.thevincentian.com

LIAT to be liquidated Page 5

Stalwart Educator passes Page 13

EC$1.50

Ralphs want unity Page 15

McCoy’s stunner Page 28

CONMAN DAVID AMES FOUND GUILTY have Ames return to answer the charges laid against him in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and to honour outstanding payments to workers, the prosecution withdrew the charges in 2018, opting so to do instead of having the court dismiss the charges.

The Buccament Bay Resort is now the site of ongoing construction of a Beaches Resort, part of the chain of resorts owned Skipping SVG – New and operated by Sandals Resorts.

Development The Resort was sold to Sandals for a sum of for US$17.5 million Ames was known to after government had officially Vincentians as a former chairman acquired the property in 2020. of Harlequin Property (SVG) developers, owners of the Governments endorsed Buccament Bay Resort. He was developments also head of Harlequin Management Services South East In presenting its case, the Limited (HMSSE).

Serious Fraud Office, UK, said He fled this country by boat Ames convinced, in fact duped under the dark of night, and some more than 8,000 people to invest alleged “protection”, in June 2016. in the Harlequin Group — This was two days after he was promoted as a hotel and resort summoned to appear in a development venture endorsed by Magistrate Court to answer to a celebrities, and politicians, charge of evading value added including the Prime Ministers of tax, income tax and customs Barbados, St. Lucia and St. duties to the tune of EC$8.3 Vincent and the Grenadines, million. where the Company said it had He had also left massive entered into agreements for arrears on public utilities and construction of resorts. outstanding salaries, wages and In fact, Harlequin boasted of other benefits to workers, not to agreements to construct resorts in mention bills not honoured with those three islands territories in private sector suppliers. addition to the Dominican Following on Ames absconding, Republic and Brazil. All taken, the the Resort was effectively closed total value of these ventures was

by December 2016. put at £1.4 billion.

And what appeared to be halfhearted, unsuccessful attempts to Continue on page 3 DAVID AMES, 70, OF BRITISH STOCK but said to be a naturalized citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was on Wednesday, found guilty on two counts of fraud by abuse of position, at Southwark Crown Court, England.

Ames did not give evidence and was supported throughout the nine-week trial by his wife Carol Ann.

Former double-glazing salesman David Ames, 70, (pictured at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, pocketed millions by duping savers and pensioners to buy properties ‘off plan’, including investing in the Buccament Bay Resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . 3.

News 3

ÂWe can test for monkeypoxÊ Dr. Roger Duncan, Chief Medical Officer, assured that SVG had the wherewithal to test for/identify the monkeypoc virus. monkeypox activity.”

He was clear that, “The first pillar of this is to have access to safe, reliable sustainable testing for monkeypox. And again, based on Dr. Alisha Bonadie, District Medical everything we were doing for COVIDOfficer, gave a detailed account of the 19, we were able to access the ability symptoms of the disease. to test. I am really pleased.” He spreads to the hands, then the feet and reported that, in his conversations Chief Laboratory Technologist, Mr. on to other body parts.”

Elliot Samuel, he was confident that, The question then is, would the Ministry of Health be able to correctly “...we are currently capable to do approximately 400 monkeypox tests inidentify these signs and symptoms as country today, which means that if The Monkeypox disease is noticeable by a rash that spreads to the hands, the monkeypox virus? samples are collected today, that they among other surfaces on the body.

In response to this concern, Chief could be processed in 24 hours and Medical Officer Dr. Roger Duncan,

By Gloriah... held on Tuesday 2nd August, District we’ll have a result.” addressing the Symposium, assured Medical Officer, Dr. Alisha Bonadie, He stressed the importance of the that the health services had the AS PER INFORMATION FROM THE described signs and symptoms as: ability to test in-country as the impact capacity to adequately conduct such Ministry of Health, Wellness and the extreme exhaustion; fevers ...over 101 on the healthcare system, on tests, and is currently increasing Environment, there has been, to date, no degrees Fahrenheit; intense headaches surveillance to prevent an outbreak of individual, community and population confirmed case of the contagious rated as ten-out-of-ten and not relieved health will be minimized. Winning the monkeypox virus here in St. Vincent and with painkillers; backaches and muscle the disease. battle against monkeypox, he believed He shared, “We’re expected to, again the Grenadines. aches, myalgia, chills, swollen lymph meant early identification and on recommendations form the WHO, The World Health Organization nodes, and most importantly is the containment. and the Director General, to increase (WHO) has declared Monkeypx a rash. She described the rash as: “One The symposium reiterated the point our surveillance activities and first Public Health Emergency of to three days after the onset of a fever, that Vincentians must remain alert for and foremost this relates to our ability International concern. persons present with a very distinct the signs and symptoms of the to be able to quickly detect any Speaking at a Health Symposium rash, which is first on the face then monkeypox virus.

Conman David Ames found guilty deposits of those he had duped into investing. Instead, the investments were spent on agents and slick advertising featuring sport personalities, the Daily Mail reported.

The ‘investors’ had no idea, the Mail added, that Ames was running a “massive con from a warehouse in Basildon, Essex,” which investigations pursued by the Serious Fraud Office, later uncovered.

Million-dollar con The con, as disclosed to the Court, is said to have amounted to some £226 million but this figure was later increased to £398 David Ames was able to convince football pundit Andy Townsend (right)to join million.

And even as he roped in the in his advertising campaign which lured unsuspecting British senior citizens into investing in his projects. investments of unsuspecting pensioners and other senior Continued from front page citizens in the UK, knowing that the scheme was going to collapse, Ames continued to sell properties.

AMES’ IDEA, THE SERIOUS FRAUD Office He did not even have planning permission for land advanced, was to build holiday homes with the

he never owned, the prosecution laid before the court.

The UK Court heard that around 9000 units were sold but only 200 were ever built at Buccament.

Prosecutor Michael Bowens, the Daily Mail reported, had told the jury that the “fraud was committed by David Ames, inducing investors to enter into contracts for the purchase of those offplan properties. … He gave them nothing in return; they lost all their money.”

And when Ames was interviewed by police twice, initially in 2013 and then in 2015, he denied he had in any way acted dishonestly and in fact, declared that he had always put the interest of the investors first. He continued to promote the Harlequin business model as a viable enterprise.

Meanwhile, Ames continued to receive overt support from the government in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for his Buccament Bay Resort, with local authorities referring to it as the government flagship tourism project.

Davis Ames is to be sentenced on a date to be fixed by the Southwark Crown Court.

Sitting judge, Christopher Hehir said, “There will inevitably be a lengthy prison sentence.

(Source: Daily Mail Online)

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4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

DPP lauds police performance

The DPP gave kudos to the lawmen while delivering remarks at the closing ceremony of the High Court Criminal Assizes, July 22, 2022.

“The Police Force is not what it was, it has been enhanced. They (Police) are experts, and many times they are not paid for their expertise but they must be recognized,” the DPP said.

Stories HAYDN She noted that there are not only HUGGINS several trained lawyers in the RSVGPF, but also trained DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) professionals in other areas of crime Sejilla McDowall has lauded the Royal St. fighting, as well as those directly Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force involved in providing that level of (RSVGPF) for their level of security to keep the country safe. professionalism and expertise.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Sejilla McDowall made special mention of the work of the Criminal Records Office.

Female officers are just as competent as their male counterparts, the DPP stressed.

McDowall also lauded the team of police officers from the Criminal Records Office (CRO) who work diligently to ensure that witnesses come to Court.

The DPP pointed out that these officers would go into the communities, even without vehicle, and find the witnesses wherever they are. She looks forward to the day when they would be provided with a vehicle to do the work.

The DPP recognized the void left by

and highlighted the outstanding role of recently retired Sergeant Rudolf Bartholomew, who headed that team for several years.

The CRO officers, all decked in blue, were asked to stand, and the DPP pointed in their direction, and said, “This is the level of professionalism I am talking about”.

Justice Brian Cottle also lauded the CRO High Court team for their role, particularly in ensuring that witnesses are present.

“Without the witnesses there can be no justice,” Justice Cottle reminded the sitting.

Man convicted for violating Noise Act Fugitive fined after short-lived dash TWENTY-three-year-old Aaron Miller of Layou was last week fined $750, following his short-lived escape from the Layou Police Station last week.

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett ordered that Miller pay the fine by August 31, or go to prison for six months.

Miller, who had appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 29, pleaded guilty to escaping lawful custody from the Layou Police Station on July 20.

The Court heard that Miller was in custody in connection with another offence, around 4:55 p.m. when asked, and was allowed to use the washroom. Having used the facility, he was taken to station office. He then asked for a phone call and as the police were trying to help him, he jumped over the steps, ran across the road towards the beach. The police gave chase but was unable to apprehend him. He was captured the following day around 11:45 a.m. He was cautioned, interviewed, gave a statement, and was arrested and charged.

Responding to questions from the Senior Magistrate, Miller said he went to a secondary school which he did not attend regularly and dropped out in Form 1. Currently he was working as a minibus conductor.

“What plans you have for yourself?” the Magistrate asked the youngster, who replied, “Work and buy me own van.”

When the Magistrate asked, “How long will that be?” Miller replied, “It would not take long.”

Miller said he worked for $350 per week, plus tea, breakfast and dinner.

“Most of the defendants who escape police custody are caught within 24 hours,” the Magistrate told him.

“St. Vincent is a small place. Where you going to run to? Where were you running to go?” the Magistrate asked him.

Miller said he made the dash because the police corporal at the Layou Police Station dislikes him.

“Once you escape lawful custody, it is a prison sentence, that already in my mind,” Burnett stated, but added, “so if I am to impose a fine you will be able to pay it, because you are gainfully employed?”

Miller replied in the affirmative.

The Magistrate then imposed the financial penalty.

Miller was also charged with assault, causing bodily harm and burglary. He pleaded not guilty to those and was granted $2,500 bail with one surety. He appeared at the Layou Magistrate’s Court last Friday.

A CLEAR message was sent last Friday to persons who play loud music, so as to cause disturbance to other persons.

The signal came when Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett, sitting at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, convicted and fined Brian Jack for violating the Noise Control Act. Jack was fined $200 after being found guilty of operating a loud speaker at a volume, so that the noise emitted such as to cause disturbance to Alana Delpleche of Campden Park, contrary to Section 20 (1) of the Noise Control Act, Chapter 389 of the Laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines revised edition 2009.

The offence was committed on January 28, 2022.

Jack, a watchman, was ordered to pay the fine by August 15 or go to jail for one month. The Court also ordered the seizure of the musical set which caused the disturbance.

The trial started and ended early last week at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, but the Senior Magistrate, being aware that it was not usual for cases of this nature to come before the Court, adjourned his decision to Friday, July 29, so that he could read the Noise Control Act again.

The Court heard, during the

trial, that police officers from the Questelles Police Station went to an area called Plan in Campden Park after receiving a complaint from Alana Delpleche of the playing of loud music in the area.

Constable Kezlan Pope, in his evidence, told the Court that he received the report via telephone around 7:30pm, on January 28.

“On arrival at the scene, about 40 to 50 yards from the defendant’s home I heard loud music and realized it was coming from the defendant’s home.”

PC Pope added that when Corporal Adrian Forde asked Jack why he was playing his music in that manner, he said he was enjoying himself because of his wife’s death about a year ago.

Pope said that when Forde asked Jack if the police ever spoke to him before in relation to the loud music, he replied in the affirmative, but when he was asked, “How many times”, he did not answer.

Corporal Forde also testified in relation to the matter. However, while Pope said that Jack did not answer when Corporal Forde asked him how many times the police had spoken to him before, Forde, in his evidence, recalled that Jack said he could not remember.

The Court also heard evidence

from the complainant, Alana Delpleche.

In her closing submissions, Prosecutor Curlene Samuel said, “You heard the evidence from Delpleche who was living close to the defendant. She closed her doors, closed her windows, and the noise was still affecting her.

“When the police officers reached, they were about 40 or 50 ft. away from the house, and they were still hearing the music. He (Jack) admitted that he was playing the music, and it was not the first time, and according to Miss Delpleche, it was not the first time.”

But attorney Jomo Thomas who represented Jack said he did not think there was sufficient evidence that Jack violated the Noise Control Act. “She (Delpleche) called the police. She did not go over there to tell him (Jack) to turn his music down.

“Mr. Jack told the police that “I lost my wife, and I am enjoying myself.”

Thomas noted that PC Pope, in his evidence, told the Court Jack did not answer when the police asked him how many times before the police spoke to him about loud music, while Corporal Forde, in his evidence, said Jack said he could not remember.

Teen ordered to remain indoors SEVENTEEN-year-old Nain Thomas, facing charges of firearm and ammunition possession, will have to remain indoors between 7pm and 6am daily, as part of his bail conditions.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne imposed the dust to dawn curfew at the request of Prosecutor Renrick Cato, when Thomas appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday to have a date set for the hearing of his matter.

The teenager, a resident of Diamond, has been charged with possession of a homemade firearm and one round of .9mm ammunition, without licenses.

Thomas had initially appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s

Court last week in connection with the matter as the Serious Offences Court, which usually hears firearms and ammunition related matters, was not sitting.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges, and Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett granted the youngster $5,000 bail with one surety, on condition that he report to the Stubbs Police Station every Tuesday between 6am and 6pm.

He then adjourned and transferred the matter to the Serious Offences Court.

Thomas maintained his not guilty plea during his appearance at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, and a trial date was set for August 29. He was unrepresented.

Prosecutor Cato raised the issue disclosure to the defendant of witness statements and other relevant material to the case.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne then told Thomas that if he retains a lawyer, he must relay that information to the Court, so that his lawyer could get the necessary paper work to prepare his case. However, if he is unable to retain a lawyer, disclosure would have to be made to him.

In relation to the curfew, the Chief Magistrate told the youngster, “If you are found outside your home during these hours (7pm to 6am), your bail will be revoked and you will remain in custody until your matter is heard”.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 5.

Regional

LIAT (1974) Ltd. to be liquidated JUST TWO or so days after the newly elected government in Grenada made a commitment to support LIAT (1974) Ltd. or any new entity that might arise out of the still undecided situation regarding the airline, there was confirmation that LIAT (1974) Ltd was now officially going to be liquidated.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed on Wednesday 3rd August, that the four major shareholders of LIAT 1974 - Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — had taken a collective decision to liquidate the embattled regional carrier.

The decision was taken when all major shareholders of the cashstrapped regional carrier met virtually to discuss the future of the airline on Tuesday.

But even as he announced the decision to officially liquidate the airline, Prime Minister Browne told reporters that LIAT is considered by

the Heads of the Shareholder Governments as a public good, a social good “that contributes significantly to regional connectivity and makes a net positive economic contribution to regional economies.”

And pointing for the first time at what could be deemed as getting closer to something definitive, Browne said national commitments were given in support of a new, efficient and expanded LIAT 2020, “to satisfy the immediate regional travel demand.”

PM Browne said further that those present at the meeting also agreed to engage the services of an aviation consultancy firm, to develop a longterm plan to ensure the sustainability of LIAT, to mean a new LIAT, and the provision of affordable air transportation.

All of the talk of liquidation and retaining the services of a consultant, and amidst mounting pressure from former employees, there was no

Reference was made to LIAT 2020, a new entity, giving the impression that the Heads of the major shareholder governments might already have something up their sleeve. indication that the Heads even considered the matter of outstanding payments to former employees of LIAT. According to the Prime Minister of It was left to Prime Minister Gaston St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua Ralph Gonsalves, in a statement where LIAT (1974) Ltd. was attributed to him in June 2020, leaves, headquartered, to make the LIAT indebtedness to its former announcement of LIAT’s official employees for severance and holiday liquidation. payments could well run to EC$94 million. insolvent and that it did not have any PM Gonsalves is reported to have assets to pay anybody anything. said at that time that LIAT was (Source: Barbados Today)

Grenada commits to LIAT, old or new NEWLY elected Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, has made a public declaration of support for the revitalization of the embattled regional airline LIAT. PM Mitchell’s declaration came a day or two prior to Antigua’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s announcement of August 3, that the four major shareholder governments of LIAT had eventually decided to officially to liquidate the old entity LIAt (1974) Ltd. Prior to making his declaration, PM Mitchell said during an interview with Good Morning Saint

Lucia late last week, “It’s difficult for me to see why our previous administration did not see the need to support LIAT. I mean, now that we don’t have it, I think we really understand the crucial role that LIAT played in regional travel, regional integration, fostering closer ties, and economic and cultural development, certainly within the OECS.” He went on to commit his government to doing all that “we can to support LIAT or any other version of LIAT that can provide the services that we so desperately need for regional travel.”

LIAT was forced to temporarily shutter operations back in 2020, but this did not deter PM Browne PM Browne from campaigning for a return of the airline in some shape or fashion.

He has been lobbying LIAT’s fellow shareholder governments — Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines — to support his vision to restructure the airline and keep it flying, rather than to liquidate it.

Just last month, the government revealed that a proposal is on the table for LIAT’s expansion, with several operational changes

American Airlines enjoy subsidized flight schedules into the Maurice Bishop Int’l Airport in Grenada.

intended to make the carrier more efficient.

These include applying minimum revenue guarantees, maintaining a reduced fleet of aircraft, and keeping “salaries, wages and other emoluments” low.

It is this proposal that has perhaps caught the eye of Pm Mitchell in Grenada who expressed the view that those plans could form part of the wider subregional discussions on air transport which, according to him, could come to fruition in a matter of months.

“I’m happy to indicate that, in fact, while in St Lucia [recently], OECS Heads would have had a caucus and we recommitted to redoubling our efforts to address the issue of regional air transportation.

“We have a follow-up call with the Caribbean Development Bank for the second of August, and so we really are hoping that by the end of the year, we can come to our citizens with concrete proposals as to how we intend to address this issue,” Mitchell said.

The 43-year-old lawyer-turned-politician also voiced his willingness to reduce the cost of air travel into his country — a move that

He is seen on most occasions wearing a smile, but Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada was not smiling or joking when he committed his country to support the revitalization of LIAT or some new entity. could inspire countries similarly dependent on tourism, particularly in the context of a vulnerable international market.

“In the case of Grenada, we subsidise international travel. We subsidise American Airlines, we subsidise British Airways to come to Grenada, and so I make bold by saying I have no hesitation in subsidising regional air travel to and from Grenada.

“It’s very important to us as a people, as we try and build our Caribbean civilization, [and] it’s very important to our tourism in Grenada,” the PM added.

As Mitchell mentioned, regional leaders were scheduled to meet with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) yesterday, to further talks on the way forward for regional transportation.

(Source: Antigua Observer.com)

6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

V My best history lesson ever!

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 7.

Community

Dr. Adrian Fraser was his usual informative self.

I MADE it my business to attend the Emancipation Day activity organized by the NDP West Kingstown constituency group as local historian Dr. Adrian Fraser was carded to speak, therefore I could not miss this opportunity to hear some real history, from a humble Doctor of History. And what an exciting and revealing exposition it turned out to be.

Daniel Cummings, MP for West Kingstown could not help remarking how fluent and fluid Dr. Fraser was during his delivery, no script in his hand.

Dr. Fraser noted that one of the outstanding features in our history is the role of women in the liberation struggle, with Nelly Ebou from Mayreau leading the struggle there.

She was so pissed off with the humiliation, sexploitation, physical torture and abuse that she and other women ended up killing the slave master on that island. The story does not end there. Nelly was rounded up and hanged on Mayreau, and the other women as her accomplices were brought to St. Vincent and executed

Try to get the ball in the opening in the portrait.

there.

Sharing the opening batting position in sharing our history was our own firebrand lawyer, Jomo Thomas.

Jomo was equally fluid and spoke with deep conviction about reparations owed to descendants of Afrikans who were kidnapped from their homeland, Afrika, many of them talented and skilled, and forcefully sent to the Caribbean and North America to work on plantations as slaves. He emphasized that Emancipation was not an event in history, but an on going process that we all have to pursue and be part of. Jomo was adamant that we must press for reparations, and I fully agree with him.

This was a history class ‘par excellence’ and I hope a recording was made of these two sterling contributions for posterity. This little piece does not really do justice to the amount of facts given and its relevance to the struggle today in seeking a better life for Vincentians as a whole.

The Emancipation Day activity was also twinned with a Fun Day, the outstanding attraction being a ‘hit me in my mouth’ game, where a picture of the comrade was pelted with tennis balls. When I shared the joke with

some ULP supporters, they said if they has come to listen to the lectures, they would have also taken a shot just for the fun of it. Those that missed the mouth hit him on his nose, eye, and on the same spot where he took a pebble recently. Not sure what the prizes were for those persons who knocked his mouth out.

Several local dishes were also on sale, with other activities including punch boards and face painting.

Despite the fact that the event was organized by the NDP, it was open to the public, an opportunity for all, irrespective of political affiliation, to hear some real interesting and factual history.

Contributed by Donald De Riggs

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8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 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

On being a politician CAN A CITIZEN WHO IS AWARE of his place in society ever be apolitical?

Should an editor be apolitical?

Sometimes we try our best to be apolitical, to be uninterested and distance ourselves from politics.

We try our very best to restrain ourselves from becoming involved in politics but we give in to our feelings when we see that many of our politicians are wont to ruin our lives, turning brother against brother. This will cause even the laziest of bears to some out of hibernation to see what’s wrong and maybe do something about it.

Some would say that in an ideal world politics and politicians ought to be guided by the fundamental principle of commitment to work effortlessly for the realization of the public interest, of the common good, and to work to ensure that the goods of the earth are equally distributed, not to be horded or distributed along lines of nepotism, favouritism and cronyism.

The question is: Are we convinced that our politcians are so committed?

Sadly, what is more often exposed as the ‘virtues’ of politics and politicians is the heralding of campaigns that perpetuate tendencies bent on manipulating if not misinforming, and bent on creating public fear, all with the aim of securing a seat in parliament and hopefully government.

And when they do get into parliament and worse government, politicians are wont to become obsessed with greed that becomes, for those who form government, the driving force behind how they govern the country.

Others have given clear indication of wanting to hang on to power so as to have access to privileges and fame.

So, lest we forget, when politicians say and do things that hurt and harm the people for their personal gain, and we have heard and seen many examples of this, this is greed of the worst kind.

Why would any politician, especially one who sits in government, describe a group as “singing for their supper” or, they have to “eat ah food?” And why

would any Prime Minister berate a journalist who is part of the Fourth Estate, the only remaining effective democratic institution in the country?

Greed for power is harmful.

Unrestrained greed in an individual can lead to callousness, arrogance and even megalomania.

A person dominated by this greed will often ignore the harm their actions can cause others.

And then there is the issue of politician corruption, what some refer to as government corruption.

It is instructive as we reflect on that, that we recall Mohandas Gandhi’s warning that there are enough resources to meet human needs, but not enough to meet human greed.

These times of economic challenges if not hardship is as good a time as any for politicians to lead by example and from the front.

Are our politicians committed to the common good that they would lead simple lives so as to teach the public to be content with less and discourage consumerism and excess?

It might be asking too much, but our politicians should take a leaf from the book of former president Jose Mujica of Uruguay, the man known as the poorest president in the world; the president who shunned the luxurious house that the Uruguayan state provided for its leaders and lived on his wife’s farmhouse; the president who donated 90 per cent of his monthly salary to charity.

He it was who said he didn’t feel poor. He said poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle and always want more and more. Politicians’ lifestyles, he warned, was too removed from those of their electorate.

There is hard evidence that political corruption is rampant in the world and we must not think that we are immune.

It is defined as the use of power by government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain.

It is for us to discern whether this practice is part of our political culture.

Why do we do that?

OF COURSE, THE ABOVE IS a somewhat rhetorical question. This time, my questions are directed to those elected to represent us in Parliament.

I started this article some time ago, and as you can tell, some of my concerns are no longer the week’s flavor. Here goes.

On one of my morning walks some time ago, I listened to the debate in Parliament about the quarry planned for the Richmond area. The Opposition brought a motion to the floor to stop the project until all questions related to the project were answered. This was some months ago. Since then, the company has been proceeding with the establishment of the quarry. I still have a few questions of my own, and since the Opposition does not seem to be interested anymore, I will ask them.

Did the Government have the right to agree to a lease of “Crown Lands” without approval from Parliament? Why was the Opposition harping on the fact that it was not included in the annual budget? Why should it have been, Dr. Friday? Please tell us why you think so.

To my knowledge, the project does not have any public funding, therefore, no need (for it) to be included in the budget.

How many farmers were displaced by this project? We know how much the Government paid to the “farmers affected”. Did they all have current leases on the lands in question? I am only asking because some old estate/Crown Lands are being farmed without current leases. And why should we be paying them anything if they were not active leases? Did the Government withhold any past due amounts for unpaid leases?

Did the Government put together a cross-departmental team to develop reporting/monitoring protocols for the activities of the quarry as promised? How will the Government decide how much money to pay those involved in harvesting Tri-Tri from the river? What is the baseline volume of Tri-Tri caught from this location?

On a more current issue, why is the PM involved in the case of a missing freezer loan to a community shelter? I ask not because I think the person who lost the freezer is not important, but certainly, this is something that could be handled at a much lower level of our

government bureaucracy. I cannot even understand why a Permanent Secretary should be involved in this matter. The level of incompetence that our government tolerates is unbelievable.

Where are the police when we need them?

Another issue: Why do we have competing PMs talking out of “school” on the current status of LIAT? As if not to be outdone by our PM Dr. Gonsalves, Hon Gaston Brown is now talking about his vision for the new LIAT when it is resurrected from the fire he and the other governments started. I thought the underlying objective of the destruction was to justify ditching the nonviable sister island routes and breaking up the workers Union. As for me, I am still hoping that all workers will be paid what is due to them, and the reconstructed LIAT will operate an economically viable transportation service free from government interference.

Now, let’s think about this latest announcement by the Hon. PM. Brown out loud. While it will be great for us to have an air transportation connection to West Africa, why do you think it will be economically feasible? How would a transatlantic airline work if we couldn’t make a sub-region air transportation airline work?

From a business standpoint, what is the demand for travel, and what is the plan to market our islands and vice versa? I may not be as rooted in this topic as the Honorable Prime Minister, so please tell me that the market study was done. Do we have thousands of Caribbean natives ready to travel to Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, etc.? No one asked me, but please sign me up for the flight to Ghana.

Better yet, PM Brown, please tell me how many Antiguans want to visit Dominica, St. Vincent, or Grenada. How about working on building a regional transportation system that brings us together? The sooner we accept that inter-island travel is more important than the almighty dollar and the cultural benefits of this exchange are worth waving or lowering landing fees and other travel taxes, the more successful a regional airline will be.

Horatio

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 9.

Views

Steep leadership learning curve

RECOGNIZING our own mortality and life cycle seem to evade us and we do not make adequate plans for succession. Every community has examples of very successful businesses that closed when the owner dies. Many of the abandoned and ruined houses are products of inadequate succession planning. Even political parties do not seem to get succession planning right. It appears that many young people never learned to be responsible and are not able to continue their parent’s legacy.

Here in Union Island my grandparents were ship builders and owners. Ship building and trading by sea are no longer practised in the family. Vessels used to be owned and operated by the Mitchells and Wilsons. The children have not been able to inherit and continue that business. A number of shops too, no longer have association with the original family names.

Some Law firms have been able to pass on the business to their children. The practice of medicine has not been very successful in this regard and many doctors operate as sole traders. We mourn the loss of the Botanic Hospital and the adjoining Museum.

In politics we look at the transition from Eric Williams to George Chambers, to Patrick Manning, to Keith Rowley. Apparently, the old veterans did not seem to know when it was time to go. Vere Bird of Antigua, Herbert Blaize of Grenada, Tom Adams of Barbados, Michael Manley of Jamaica, Edward Seaga of Jamaica, St. Vincent’s Milton Cato, E.T. Joshua, and James Mitchell all overstayed their time and did not plan their succession well.

The more things change, the more they remain the same and we are again uncertain about the succession of leadership in our country? Will there be sufficient time for the new leader to gain the trust of the people?

Anthony Stewart, PhD

People are asking⁄⁄. * Why does it seem that each occasion that we see Senator Shevern John visiting with people in her constituency, she is accompanied by the NDP Leader and other NDP members? Isn’t it time that she is left to fend for herself? * Why go through all this rigmarole to say that (Covid-19) dismissed teachers can (re)apply for their teaching jobs, and not say out front that it means they are starting over their service if they are lucky to be hired, and therefore, will forego all the benefits they might have accumulated before they were dismissed? * How come the NEMO Director said that the Water Tanks stored at Ottley Hall are for distribution to farmers (we take it to mean free of charge since they were donated as relief items) but some farmers have had to seek assistance to buy the tanks from that same supply? Somebody fooling somebody or what?? * Would those farmers who purchased tanks have their money reimbursed? * What’s really going on at the Kingstown Fish Market between the fishermen and the vendors?

Anybody else notice that you can hardly get fish to buy at that Market, especially ‘big’ fish? * Are the Rainforest people buying so much of the fish our fishermen catch and exporting it that there is hardly any left for the local market? * Is there the making of a banking monopoly here in SVG? RBTT, NCB, CIBC gone, who is next?

Tribute to Oba RICHARD Oba Jacobs was my cousin and we became very close in the last 8 years of his life.

Oba migrated to the USA in the mid-sixties and I moved around the islands with my parents, Cecie and Noel Venner, so we were out of touch with each other for quite some time.

Oba used his time in the United States of America to build his academic foundation and sharpen his intellect with issues affecting the black community in that country, the Caribbean and the African

continent. He studied revolutionary leaders such as Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Fidel Castro and others. He recognized that Education was an important tool to help the masses to improve their circumstances.

Oba always had books at his house for all who wanted to advance themselves. He was always willing and ready to help others whether he knew them or not. He loved football and trained many youngsters in this sport.

I wish to thank Karen,

aka Tootie, Ziko, Moroand, Crystal for always being there for him and not forgetting Monica, Michelle and Bev. Thanks to the Rastafarian community and Ras Bones for a wonderful funeral service.

On behalf of my brothers Kaeron, Geoffrey, John and Dwight’s family, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Dafina, Wilma and his children, his sister Kenlyn Jacobs Alves

George, and brother Laurent, and the Adams family. He was a free spirit. Rise In Power Oba. Joffre Venner

Obed McCoy is the man FIRST and foremost, allow me Mr. Editor to extend congratulations to our son of the soil — Obed McCoy — for his recordbreaking performance against the Indians, in the second T20 of the current tour by those gentlemen from the Asian sub-continent.

It was just a matter of time before Obed did something spectacular and he chose a current force in world cricket to do it against, all the more reason for him and this country to feel proud.

When some time ago I said that we should get rid of all those old and tried men like Gayle and Bravo, I also said that we needed to put faith in our young players, give them a stretch and allow them to find their places in world cricket.

Now we seem to be heading in that direction with the appointment of two young captains, Kraigg Brathwaite and Nicholas Pooran, and must prepare ourselves for some up and maybe more downs in the immediate future.

Obed’s feat must now be seen and accepted as proof that we can do great things; that we have the cricketing talent to rise again, only if those legends and all those players of the past and commentators would give the youngster the chance they deserve.

Big up to Obed and the West Indies team for showing that they can

match the best there is Dottin. She was the one remaining spark in West on the cricket field.

I am behind these Indies Women’s cricket young West Indian team, matching the best players all the way. players in the world, tit And by the way, it is for tat. with a heavy heart that I Thanks to Dottin for bid farewell to Deandra all the joy she brought to

West Indies Women’s Cricket and for being the magnet that drew many men to the women’s game.

Charles, Edinboro

Food prices killing we Mr. Editor, it seems like the price for everything gone up in SVG. People talk about how the gas price high but I wonder how many of them realise that food prices like they going up every day. Just the other day I paid a certain sum for a pack of margarine only to go back a weeks or so later to see that if I wanted the same product I now had to pay $1.50 more.

The food retailers — supermarkets, shops are overdoing it. They are killing us. I understand that there are factors over which we

might not have any control, but for Christ sake, these retailers must have a heart. Why can’t they have a conscious and be satisfied with smaller profits.

My shopping list is not shorter simply because I cannot buy some things that I used to and because I cannot risk buying the same quantity I used to. It used to be two tins of corned beef now is one tin, and I’m talking about the small tins.

The calypsonian sang about having to “Eat Bread and Butter”. If

that fellow were to visit the supermarkets he would have to think about something else other that butter. The price for butter gone too high for even poor people to buy.

Something has to be done about these prices.

The government talks about how they are for the working people and so forth. It is time they put more than mouth into doing something to truly help poor and working people, like easing the burden at the supermarkets and shops.

Claude

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10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

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Strengthening our party, building Unity Labour Party’s Convention and its our nation Autocratic Leader Introduction The Unity Labour Party (ULP) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines held its 25th annual convention on Sunday 31st July 2022, at the Campden Park Secondary School.

On a Sunday morning that was characterised by torrential rainfall and the residual effects of the overnight passage of a weather system, the outlook for the hosting of a successful convention seemed questionable. This convention was billed as the mother of all conventions, as it would determine the direction of our great party over the next 3 years, leading up to the General Elections in 2025. The theme “strengthening our party-building our nation” was appropriately chosen for this year’s convention to reflect the focus of the leadership of the ULP in ensuring that our organisation is well equipped to tackle the challenges to governance in this country today and in the future. The clear message coming out from the leadership of our party is that attention must be paid to the continued strengthening of this great party, its organs, with continuous emphasis on recruitment of young people, professionals, Vincentians from every strata of our society, while banking on the experience and wisdom of long-serving comrades who have fought the good fight with our party to keep the ULP in government.

What was absolutely clear to all comrades who braved the weather to attend the 25th annual convention, was that the excellent leadership, not just of our party, but of our country is paramount in maintaining the stability that we enjoy as Vincentians even as the world is experiencing significant turmoil and upheaval. This does not suggest that we here in SVG are, or have been immune to the impacts of the global inflation and rising prices, but rather that the policies of our government have served to offer significant relief to our citizens even as we try to cope with these various challenges. It is against this backdrop that our 25th annual convention was held, and the results were everything one could have hoped for and more.

Leadership that unifies and strengthens At last Sunday’s convention, the party elected officers to fill 4 senior positions of the ULP; the Chairman, deputy chairman, political leader and deputy political leader. Each of these four positions received a single nomination to fill that position, a clear sign of the faith and trust reposed in the leadership of the party. Comrade Snagg was reelected as Chairman, Comrade Curtis elected as deputy chairman, Comrade Gomery elected as deputy political leader and our beloved Comrade Ralph returned as political leader. It must be emphasised that Comrade Ralph has led this great party since being elected as political leader in 1998, and continues to serve the ULP and this country with dedication, commitment and and sound judgement, always putting the wishes and interests of Vincentians first. Over the last 23 plus years of his leadership of this great party, 21 years as Prime Minister of this

country, we have seen and benefitted from the many policies implemented by our ULP government.

Consequently, we remain fully confident in his ability to lead. The wisdom of Comrade Ralph, has prompted him to begin the discussion of transition in leadership and this transition has taken on a practical dimension with the inclusion of young, vibrant dimension who are now members of cabinet, guided by the experience of the more seasoned comrades Ralph and Gomery.

Sunday’s convention was a clear and unequivocal statement of the continued faith in the leadership of Comrade Ralph to continue to manage the transition that has began and will culminate in the selection of a leader appropriately prepared and ready for the challenges to governance of our Small Island Development State.

Young, intelligent and capable individuals continue to grow and develop, honing their skills as the representatives of the people and managers of our economy under the wise leadership of comrade Ralph.

This speaks well for the continued growth of the ULP and our comrades remain confident in the fact that the leadership of our party will rest in good hands, once the transition is completed. It was an exciting, powerful demonstration of unity and strength at Campden Park on Sunday as the comrades sang and fellowshipped, lifting up the hands of our comrade leader, in full support and endorsement of his re-election and continued leadership. Anyone watching the live stream of our ULP convention saw a powerful display on a strong, vibrant party, united under our current leadership and fully in support of the managed-transition currently taking place. The ability of our comrade to be a force of unity, bringing together our comrades of different generations to adopt a common goal and single purpose, remains an amazing accomplishment that no other leader in contemporary Caribbean politics has been able to replicate. At the end of our convention, our comrades left the venue energised, with a sense of purpose, unified behind the leadership of our party and ready to take the message of the ULP forward, as the only party capable of managing the affairs of SVG.

Conclusion Even as we celebrate the success of our 25th annual convention, we remain mindful that complacency is the enemy of progress, hence we continue to work to ensure our party continues to grow from strength to strength. The only political party that is equipped to take SVG forward is this ULP as we have the leadership that has and continues to lead our economic development and social transformation in the building of that modern, competitive, many-sided, post-colonial economy, that is at once local, national, regional and global.

The rank and file of the ULP stands with our leadership and congratulate them on managing a successful 25th annual convention.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ political beliefs and deep rooted philosophy have been influenced by authoritarian and socialist leaders. In the 1970s, former Prime Minister, the late Robert Milton Cato, labelled him a communist and a dictator.

As a result, he was unable to win a seat in the elections that he contested with political organisations that he formed. It was not until he joined the Labour Party, that he won the North Central Windward constituency. At the recently held Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) convention, Vincentians heard from the real dictator.

At the convention, he took the time to list the ULP’s aims and objectives as they are in the party’s constitution, and stressed on the objective which states that, ‘members should refrain from making public statements contrary to the declared principles and policies of the party’. He gave them a stern warning not to criticize the party. He didn’t say what the penalty was if any member or supporter criticizes the party. One can only imagine what the penalty would be.

So, a member or supporter cannot criticize publicly, cannot criticize privately nor criticize at the convention. What does that tell us?

However, more and more members and supporters of the ULP have begun to make profound public statements against their leader. They are dissatisfied with what is taking place in their party and the country. They have had enough of Dr. Gonsalves and the ULP. They have now begun to see the victimization, corruption, nepotism, and the lack of accountability of the ULP government.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) welcomes such individuals with open arms. We have a big tent. We have a country to build, and we need all the support where necessary.

It is the mass movement of supporters away from the ULP to the NDP that Dr. Gonsalves has recognized and cannot accept. So, he attacked the NGO’s in the country and cursed what he described as imperialism at the convention. But, he sucks up to imperialism when it suits him. The British grant financing to the port project in Kingstown is 27.7 million pound sterling. Is that imperialist funding? Further, his vain attack on the president of the NDP, Dr. Godwin Friday, is only making him (Dr. Friday) more popular. Dr. Friday is the people’s choice.

Vincentians must not be fooled by Dr. Gonsalves and the number of projects that he outlined at the convention. For twenty-one (21) years, he has been talking about constructing a hospital, he has not delivered it. What benefits are there for the poor and working class in a new parliament building? His hotel projects seem to be never ending.

Dr. Gonsalves did not mention how he is going to ease the burden of the exorbitant gasoline price for Vincentians. He did not state what measures he would put in place to reduce the high cost of living. He did not say how the thousands of young bright Vincentians who are at home for years and are unemployed would get a job. He did not say one word

about our agricultural sector and the plans to revive it. He did not mention a word on the cost of electricity and what he would do to reduce the high fuel surcharge, and how he is going to solve the crime situation in the country. His main concern is his obsession with power, while most Vincentians suffer.

The disunity in the ULP continues.

The cracks are widening. Persons are leaving the ULP every day. And, Dr. Gonsalves does not have the time and the strength to govern St. Vincent and the Grenadines and settle dispute among the three warring factions in the ULP.

The NDP has a better way We have a clear plan and the determination to build a better St. Vincent and the Grenadines for our future. For too long, a lack of economic opportunities has seen many of our people leave for opportunities in Canada, United Kingdom, USA, St. Kitts and other countries. Many are lost to our islands and never return. A strong economy and good infrastructure will bring foreign investment and increased wages for all Vincentians.

We will pay special attention to our health sector. We will also construct a new hospital in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We will ensure it is certified as a training school as well.

The NDP will also oversee the roll-out of a National Health Insurance Scheme. We will also introduce a Patient Travel Subsidy to help patients get to important appointments, and upgrade or construct new community health clinics.

Our fisherfolk and farmers have been neglected and have not been able to make a good living. We will reinvigorate our fishing sector — creating a separate Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Conservation to give this vital industry the attention it deserves. We will help finance new boats and equipment for our fisherfolk through our National Development Bank. We won’t dictate to fisherfolk what they need; instead we will work with them to get them the right equipment to succeed.

Our plan also includes fixing and building new feeder roads so our farmers can be more productive. We will also finance new equipment to make their job easier, and to make them more productive so that farming is more appealing to younger people.

We will ensure that there are real markets in place for their produce. So that when you put in a crop and wait months for it to bear, you will have somewhere to sell it at a fair price. We want our farmers to be farmers, focusing on what they do best and earn a decent living so they can build homes, send their children to school and save for retirement. The NDP has the programmes and policies to get St. Vincent and the Grenadines working.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 11.

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Reinstate dismissed workers without conditions.

Fear

“F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.” - Zig Ziglar (1926-2012) — American author, salesman, and motivational speaker ZIG ZIGLER WAS RESPECTED AND admired by many who read his books, listened to his audiocassettes and CDs, and/or viewed his video recordings. This writer collected and listened to many of his audiocassettes four decades ago. They had proven to be quite inspirational then. They provided lots of “food for thought” and seemed to encourage listeners to make the impossible possible – to develop and sustain a winning attitude. So much depends on how we view our challenges/obstacles as we go through life. So often, the perspective that we have would determine whether we see “obstacles” as challenges to overcome or interpret them to be hindrances that we are unable to surmount. Understandably, some of life’s situations generate a tremendous amount of stress that, in turn, can create and sustain some degree of anxiety and fear. Zig Ziglar provides us with two useful interpretations for the acronym FEAR – ‘Forget Everything And Run’, or ‘Face Everything And Rise’. It is often a matter of perspective – influenced by our experiences and our observations of how we and/or others may have handled similar situations.

However, there is yet another acronym for this “powerful” fourletter word — “Future Events Appearing Real”. Sometimes our anticipation of events could generate a tremendous amount of worry. For example, a pregnant mother may be understandably anxious in relation to whether she would have an uncomplicated delivery; a student may be fearful of an examination that may determine her prospects for a scholarship or a good job; a farmer may worry in relation to pending weather or market conditions; an aging, ill patient may dread receiving the results of a laboratory test that was commissioned after he experienced a pain in his groin; the list goes on.

Not knowing what the future holds could generate tremendous anxiety and fear. However, our experiences remind us that it often happens that the situations do not turn out to be as bad/traumatic as we previously anticipated. It is precisely because of this that we should consider preparing to face the challenge … and rise.

There are several passages in the Bible that refer to fear. Many of these can guide us through life and prepare us to proactively engage in fortifying our “mental and spiritual muscles” to face these and to lay the foundation for successful outcomes.

We should consider that, in addition to the fears that seem to traumatise us, there is also “healthy fear”. The Old Testament book of Proverbs reminds us that, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:9-10). Such reverence for our Almighty God invites us to do what is right; to live righteous lives. The fear of God is critical in

the pursuit of true wisdom. In this context, “fear” is related to “respect”. Individuals who fear God, respect God, will constantly focus on thinking, saying, and doing what is right. In this regard, we abhor evil and constantly seek to avoid it.

Charles Bridges (1794-1869) the famous preacher and theologian in the Church of England, commented that, “the fear of the Lord is that affectionate reverence by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father’s law.”

Such “healthy fear” of God builds strong characters and communities.

The thirty-one (31) chapters in the Old Testament book of Proverbs is replete with useful guidance to fear God as efforts are made to obtain wisdom and knowledge. It therefore behoves all of us, and especially our youth, to regularly extract the pearls of wisdom and the jewels of knowledge that reside there. Persons who regularly read God’s word and meditate on (and adhere to) His commandments testify of the immense joy and peace that is generated from such practices. A healthy fear of God will repel the injurious fears, worries, and doubts that life’s circumstances too often provide. Life’s various challenges and disappointments can so often entice individuals to become unduly preoccupied with fear, anxiety, and despair. Similar situations appear to be insignificant and non-threatening to those persons who place their trust in the God who promises to be our shield and buckler. There is no need to fear when God is near.

If we were to categorize fears, it would probably be true/accurate to say that the fear of death is one of the most traumatic of all fears.

Individuals who anticipate that they are nearing death (i.e., they are far advanced in age, they are experiencing loss of body functions, or have received a medical diagnosis to confirm death to be likely within a specified time) will understandably be fearful as they contemplate how their loved ones are likely to cope with life situations once they die. In some cases, they may be fearful of death if they envision that there is life after death and that they have not prepared for eternity. However, individuals who have trusted in the saving power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour will have no cause to be fearful of death. Such individuals, even if/when plagued with excruciating pain, can be at peace knowing that they will spend eternity in heaven with Him. There is a peace, comfort, and contentment when an individual, regardless of the evil that they may have been engaged in, can trust in God’s saving power, His grace, and His mercy. There is nothing to fear when God is near.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com

ANY OBJECTIVE LOOK AT our postindependence history will record PM Gonsalves as the most anti-union, vindictive and oppressive leader since Robert Milton Cato. No other leader has tried to bend the citizens’ will as Gonsalves. None has been as spiteful, angry, crass and disruptive of the lives of Vincentians as our current prime minister.

Gonsalves’ announcement of the new Covid policy relating to unvaccinated dismissed teachers would be laughable if they were not so deadly serious.

Responding to the collapse of his Covid policies, which saw him dismiss or caused to be dismissed hundreds of workers in the public and private sector, Gonsalves laid down new conditions for the possible rehiring of the dismissed teachers.

‘I want to make it plain that this is not reinstatement of teachers. This is not a question of an automatic reinstatement of teachers because to say it is an automatic reinstatement of teachers would be to suggest that the teachers were not legally, constitutionally out of their jobs because they did not choose to take the vaccine and follow the requirement.’……

‘And clearly, they expressed an interest in employment as teachers.

Those who had not followed the requirement and, therefore, had abandoned their jobs under the law, they would be required to follow the conditions, including periodic testing,’ Gonsalves said.

Even though science has proven Gonsalves wrong, his pride cannot allow him to concede and reinstate all the public employees he so callously and illegally dismissed. As Justice Peter Jamadar of the Caribbean Court of Justice has said, ‘there is rule by law and the rule of law.’

Yes, there is a law, 28 of 2021. But that law is not written in stone. The regime of Milton Cato passed draconian legislation to curtail trade union activity and assault the right to free expression and association in 1981. When the people rose up in righteous indignation in what history recorded as the ‘kill the bills struggle’, PM Cato shelved the bills. The bills died a natural death.

Gonsalves knows this history. He was involved in this struggle to save our democracy. So why is Gonsalves being so pigheaded?

All of the evidence is now in. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. Vaccination does not prevent anyone from contracting or spreading the Covid-19 virus. In fact, a body of evidence shows that vaccinated people have a higher viral load and are far more likely to contract and spread the virus. Evidence from Canada, Israel and the UK offer irrefutable proof that vaccinated and boosted persons are more likely to be hospitalised and die from Covid. Yet, this devil of a man puts conditions on the reinstatement of our long-suffering workers. After all, both PM Gonsalves and President Biden, two of the most medicated leaders on planet earth, have recently contracted the virus.

The cynical actions of our prime minister are further exposed as his new policy of testing, masking, and social distancing comes less than a month after the government allowed for a fullblown carnival celebration under the festive theme ‘tings nice agen’.

Thousands of Vincentians paraded through the streets in joyous celebration after the break in festivities caused by the global pandemic. There was no demand for testing masking or social distancing.

How then could Gonsalves square his policy with recent government action?

How does this policy stand up to known scientific knowledge and understanding of the virus? It does not. The hard truth is that Gonsalves does not want to be proven wrong. He remains convinced that he is the only font from which all knowledge flows.

Gonsalves is intent on further dismantling and destroying the trade union movement in our country. Having bought off the leadership of the National Workers Movement and the Commercial Technical and Allied Workers Union (read Noel Jackson and Burns Bonadie), he wants to take the fight out of the Teachers Union and the Public Service Union. He tells workers to disregard the union leadership and accept his splitting and divisive policies.

And even then, he does not offer them any guarantees. He wants the dismissed workers to reapply to be rehired, to place them on contract, and offer them an unsecured future, unlike the security of tenure they enjoyed before he dismissed them in December 2021.

Why do young and enlightened parliamentarians like Saboto Caesar, Camillo Gonsalves, Keisal Peters and Carlos James allow Gonsalves to wreck their future political chances? Why would they associate themselves with these policies, which clearly fly in the face of common sense? Why do trained medical professionals like Simone Keiser-Beache and Roger Duncan allow Gonsalves to declare this nonsensical but politically charged policy under their names?

Gonsalves is responding to political pressure. He is well aware that his party failed to win the majority vote in the 2020 election. After five terms, his hold on power is tenuous at best.

Therefore, he is trying to find ways to win favours with the dismissed workers, their families and supporters by appearing to be generous, caring and compassionate. The best policy would be to reinstate the workers with all rights and benefits they held before they were dismissed. But he can’t bring himself to admit that he was wrong. He cannot stomach the reality that neither the facts of science of Covid-19 nor the vaccines are with him.

Gonsalves also knows that the constitutionality of his Covid mandate will be decided at trial on November 29, 2022. He knows that his chances of prevailing at trial are slim to none. He is making no concessions to the workers.

He knows the court will compel him to reinstate the workers with all of their benefits. But his vindictive nature does not allow him to climb down from his high horse of power. The people must ensure that he comes down. It is left for him to pray that he does not injure himself in the impending fall.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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12. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

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SVG must stop producing electricity from diesel

monopoly on the producing/generation of electricity, so that Vincentians could LEADER of SVG Green Party, Warrant households’ finances. The fuel South River’s hydro unit and two new set up electricity-producing companies.

Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), surcharge is impoverishing hydro units below the current South In order to help the growth of MSc, MBA, makes a strong call for SVG households. rivers hydro unit.

Vincentian companies producing to stop producing electricity from diesel The money wasted on paying the Fellow Vincentians, when you look electricity from renewable energy and and use renewable energy instead. fuel surcharge could be used by at our rivers, you’ll see millions of private households wanting to install The fuel surcharge in our electricity households to buy food, school books, gallons of water running into the sea renewable energy equipment at their bills is ridiculously high and for many clothes, etc. every day. What a waste that this homes, all taxes and customs duties on households, the fuel surcharge is The sad thing is, the very same water is not producing cheap renewable energy products and parts higher than the charge for energy electricity we use, could be totally electricity. The ULP regime is so should be abolished immediately. used. For example, in a recent produced by renewable energy — wind, grossly incompetent in the way they A Green government would cut the (month’s) bill for one household, the solar, hydro — and then there would be are producing electricity with (oil) price of electricity by 50%. The first fuel surcharge was 59% of the total no need to charge households a fuel diesel and draining households 200 KWh used each month would be electricity bill. See below. surcharge at all. In the household financially with the high cost of the free. If we stop producing electricity Energy charge = $62.50 electricity bill above, the total current fuel surcharge. from oil and produce it ourselves from Fuel Surcharge = $90.74 charges would only be $62.50.

A Green government would abolish safe renewable energy, then there will Total current charges = $153.24 Imagine what that household could the fuel surcharge and replace oil with be much more money circulating in the It is crazy that most of the do with that $90.74 instead! renewable energy, making electricity SVG economy. The renewable energy electricity bills for many households is In terms of renewable energy, SVG virtually free. Electricity produced by industry will create employment too. not for the electricity the household has a very big volume of water on the solar, wind and hydro will be cheaper.

It is ridiculous that in our electricity has used. This high fuel surcharge is South River’s river that can operate We would ensure that every household bills, the fuel surcharge is higher than not only a waste of households’ money, five hydro-electric units competentlyhas access to mains electricity. the charge for the electricity we but it is also a substantial drain on two new hydro units above the current We would also abolish the VINLEC actually use.

The Gods of Politics Mad AS I WALKED among the sons of men, I met an intriguing personality named Mandy; he was quiet as a lamb but was never afraid to voice his opinion.

Mandy told me, “Boy, as a citizen of this country, you have a civic duty and responsibility to hold the demagogues accountable regardless of which political party is in office.”

He cautioned me not to get distracted by sweet talkers and propagandists. Even if people want to label you

a leftist, you have to expose the low-down dirty acts of politicians.

In a compelling voice, he told me I must not ignore the practices of nepotism or impartiality; that I must speak the truth and let my voice be heard.”

After giving me this sound warning, I began to scrutinize Bandy, the technocrat.

Bandy, the technocrat Bandy was once a voice that championed the rights of the poor.

Before he became a renowned technocrat, he used to accuse John-toe the mulatto, saying he was a wicked, notorious thief!

To gain the people’s trust, confidence, and approval, Bandy assured them that he would do far better than John-toe, who came from a hierarchical stock and whose ancestors came from Scotland.

In the land of the poverty-stricken, Bandy, the opportunistic fraud, stood on the frontline and led a protest,

rousers from making commentary on radio and television. Bandy has them under heavy, heavy manners. Even the police claiming John-toe was and the legislators… visionless and Bandy has them in the incompetent. Little did palms of his hands. Even the people know that too, the clergy, who were Bandy would become a supposed to rebuke the bandit, dictator, and sinners from wrongs, tyrant. crimes, and corruption, Bandy was able to The rebel manipulate them. Even Before Bandy became the media has to seek leader of his country, he lawyers’ consultation was an agitator and rebel before releasing their stories to the public, who incited his stooges fearing lawsuits and and puppets to riot and imprisonment. Hmm, block roads. Oh yes, he Bandy is a serious made a boisterous call dictator! for justice!

So Bandy led a rebellion and became the Birds of a feather country’s leader. High When I saw the extent and exalted on his of corruption in the land, throne, he became I asked, how could obsessed with power, forgetting that it took the preachers condone the criminal behavior of orchestration and collaboration of rebels for politicians? How could him to cease power. And the preachers and their congregation condone the he is unaware that it gluttonous parasites? take an insurrection to Why do they think that knock regimes out of unscrupulous politicians office.

However, Mandy, the are always right? Why wise, mystical sage, said can’t they see politicians as vile, demonic if people only knew the creatures? Why don’t the virtue and power they possess, they would have clergy condemn politicians for lying in politicians bowing at and out of season to their knees. attain power and glory?

On this note, it is hard Heavy manners for me to listen to certain preachers.

Once Bandy got the opportunity to govern his Break down the barriers country, he arrested rebels and silenced the With confusion and voice of critics and tribalism at a peak, dissidents, saying all Mandy shouted, “Time to they wanted to do was create disturbances. The break down the barriers of segregation; gutter rebels became afraid to politics is tearing us speak. apart,” and declared Oh, my God, Bandy that Bandy and Johnhas banned the rabble-

toe’s political party was guilty of divide and rule, manipulation, and deception.

Yes, judgment has been handed down on Bandy and company by a nonpartisan judge…. guilty as charged!

When I look at how politics is running in Bandy’s country, it makes me wonder if wickedness will reign forever.

Liberated people As liberated people, we must uproot the bad weed from the good seeds. Nepotism, “isms, and schism” have been going on far too long under every political regime that has governed our country.

Yes, I remember Mandy told me that the villain politicians are not godly men and I must not be afraid to speak about mortal men. He revealed to me that people in Bandy’s country are ridiculously trivial and silly; they lack the maturity to reason politically without becoming enemies.

People are behaving like politicians are saints; they are agents of Lucifer.

Yes, I vowed to Mandy that I would carry out his mandate of speaking the truth, cause it what it will. As long as the Almighty gives me words of utterance, I would keep the fire burning and hitting Lucifer in the rear.

Carden A. Michael

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 13.

People

Stalwart Educator Grace Eustace passes St. Vincent and the Grenadines has lost one of its stalwart educators, Ms. Grace Eustace. Ms. Eustace died quietly at her home in Mesopotamia last evening, August 3, at around 6pm. She was 82 years old.

Ms. Eustace was the longstanding principal of the Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia

(EHSM). She started out as a teacher at that school at its inception in 1963. Subsequently, she rose to the office of principal which she occupied until her retirement in 2007.

The EHSM was founded by Ms. Eustace’s illustrious father, Dr. John Parmenas Eustace.

Dr. Eustace is expected

The Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia was far less picturesque when Grace Eustace opened its doors in 1963, but it was founded with deep commitment and purpose to serve.

to be named a National Hero of St. Vincent and the Grenadines because of his contribution to the education and spiritual development of this nation.

Ms. Eustace built on her father’s legacy and made a profound positive impact on the education and life chances of thousands of Vincentians in her own right.

She presided over the growth and expansion of the EHSM. Current principal of EHSM, Mr. Curtis Greaves, said in an interview that “SVG owes a debt of gratitude to Ms. Grace Eustace.”

Mr. Greaves lauded Ms. Eustace for her “deep interest in the education and welfare of children and the way she embedded Christian values in the curriculum.”

Prominent Attorneyat-Law, Theodore Browne, paid tribute to Grace Eustace in the following terms: “I fondly recall my days teaching at the EHSM with Ms. Grace Eustace. We were the only 2 teachers at the school when it was started in 1963. Ms. Eustace was a very good teacher of Mathematics, Spanish and Religious Education. She was a disciplined person and provided a good example by the chastity of her life to the boys and girls at the school.

Ms. Eustace was not only a “say-so” Christian.

She was a “do-so” Christian. She promoted the best interest of the school at every opportunity and during her tenure the school produced many

Grace Eustace dedicated her life in selfless service to mankind to which her father, Dr. J.P. Eustace, also dedicated his life. distinguished students.”

There has been an outpouring of heartfelt online tributes to Ms. Eustace from past students since news broke of her death. She is

celebrated for the role she played in creating a local education system that left no one behind.

(Source; ANN SVG News)

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14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Basil continues scholarship awards Basil Charles (centre back) with 2022 scholarship and bursary recipients of the Basil Charles Education Foundation. (Photo compliments: St. Vincent Times)

establishment of the Foundation, urged the awardees to “take the scholarships seriously,” and to make the best use of the opportunity to build a platform for themselves.

“We are going to help you as much as possible,” Charles promised.

He traced efforts to assist youngsters with their education and is proud that the first recipient of his efforts to help youngsters is now attached to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. That person is Rosberth Humphrey.

Humphrey’s scholarship came in 1982, before the setting up of the Basil Charles Educational Foundation.

Charles took the opportunity to thank the musicians who year in year out perform at the Mustique Blues Festival, which Charles pioneered in 1996 and hosted at his own world famous Basil’s Bar on Mustique.

The Blues Festival has grown a hundredfold, boasting not only repeat performances by internationally acclaimed artistes, but attracting a new cadre of Blues artiste, all of who have contributed to the Festival becoming an internationally reknowned.

That Festival has provided much of the financing for the work of the Foundation and Charles assured Scholarship holders that they are taken care of for, “the Mustique Blues Festival is getting better.”

Students under the Basil Charles Educational Foundation Sandy Bay Secondary students umbrella affected by the volcanic introducing themselves via 2-way radio. eruption of April 2021, received mattresses and food vouchers during their displacement.

Principals and class teachers for their Charles, meanwhile, is on the exceptional support, cooperation and search for two persons who have participation. gone through the programme to sit on the Foundation’s Board.

Contributed by: Donald De Riggs (WKA)

THE NUMBER OF VINCENTIAN STUDENTS benefitting from the Basil Charles Educational Foundation has increased by ten.

Last Tuesday, five of them received the first tranche of a $1500 annual assistance to take care of their secondary education.

They were: Jade Williams - Pamelus Burke Primary; Ciana Nelson - Dubois Government; Curtley Peters - Belair Primary; Claron Jr. Campbell - New Grounds Primary; and Jordel Stowe - Bequia Anglican Primary.

The handing over took place at Cobblestone Restaurant In capital city Kingstown.

Bursaries worth $600 each went out to: Kayleah Beach and Cyril Prescott - Kingstown Preparatory; Nathaniel Medica - New Grounds; Cornelius Reece Barroaullie Anglican Primary’ and Fredel SmallFitz Hughes Government.

Basil Charles, the driving force behind the

YRM assists another science summer program IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP students occupied during their vacation with activities that can eventually lead them to their vocation, the Science Department in the Ministry of Education has organized a series of training sessions, one of them in the area of communications, as part of its Basic Survival Skills Club Summer Programe.

Many persons use a cell phone and do not understand the process that involves speech transforming into a digital signal, then transmitted wirelessly to the nearest cell tower, then via other cell towers to the destination number dialed, which can be another phone locally or overseas. This complex process happens at the speed of light, which is the same speed at which radio signals travel … 186,000 miles per second.

This lesson was an introduction to wireless radio. That much detail (ad referenced) did not go into the intricate details of the cell phone system, as the lesson was more focused on the practical application of communications and in particular the use of 2-way radio. As a result, the participants were taught the phonetic alphabet and thereafter used two-way radios (transceivers) to introduce themselves spelling their names phonetically, which turned out to be the highlight of the training session.

Coordinating the Science summer activities is team leader Juanita HunteKing EO Science, ably assisted by Asif Dover, Rosmund Griffith, Kenral Daniel, Karen Burgin, Shermaine Barnwell, Chivaughn Hooper, Renson Humphrey, Ashanna Jack, Nikisha Primus, Shermina Williams-Bushay and Rochelle Kennedy.

The two classes on the introduction to wireless communications on Thursday, July 28, 2022 were conducted by YRM Director, Donald De Riggs. And the two schools involved on this occasion

Georgetown Primary School students using UHF transceivers included the Georgetown Government School and the Sandy Bay Secondary School.

De Riggs wishes to thank all

Library helps children discover and unleash OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS, including this week, 69 participants of the Children Library’s Annual Programme (CLAP) were involved in a progamme aimed at guiding them to ”discover and unleash” their potential.

Dubbed ‘CLAP for Fun’ - the revamped initiative is in its 10th year, but is part of the overall Children’s Library Programme which began in 1986.

The programme returned after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Michelle KingCoordinator Donna Mason-McClean explained that the participants were engaged in cultural and Campbell, Director of sporting activities, exposed to social skills so as to Libraries, spoke help them make friends, connected with young Coordinator of the Children Library’s entrepreneurs to help them become business savvy of how parents Annual Programme Donna Mason-McClean and reading sessions to enhance their reading skills can enhance their engage the children in a singalong. children’s interest and encourage them to continue reading.

At the opening ceremony held on the 19th July, in reading.

Director of Libraries Michelle King-Campbell said this year they aimed to unleash the genius of the children Towards this end, the Library Director encouraged parents and guardians to visit the library with their from 5-12 years, while helping them to discover their children. interests.

She advised, “Reacquaint yourself with reading, read King-Campbell said that it was essential to develop the out aloud everyday with your child. Help your child unique traits of children as they explore a variety of choose books that interest them. Give children the tools to subject matters. discover and unleash their abilities. See what other She noted that the abilities of children can be programmes and services the library has to offer to enroll strengthened through the involvement of parents. your child.” (SG)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 15.

Politics

De Comrade calls for unity

The party faithful turned out to show their solidarity with leader and party.

DR RALPH GONSALVES, LEADER OF THE Unity Labour Party is calling for supporters to rally under the party’s banner. He stressed the need for unity at the party’s 25th National Convention staged at the Campden Park Secondary School last Sunday, July 31.

He urged the Convention to “follow the decisions of the party” and he encouraged them to focus on the “enemy.”

“Unity has to be strong,” the party leader exclaimed.

He is banking on achievements of the ULP be so great that “the only way we can be defeated is if we are not united.”

Gonsalves implored the party faithful to “commit yourself to the party’s decisions.”

He urged followers and party executives to be “self-disciplined,” and warned them not to be reckless and lazy.

The ULP leader boasted that there is “no corruption in the ULP” and encouraged party followers to avoid selfishness.

He is happy to have led the ULP for 24 years. He revelled in his success at the polls. He is confident that “we will win a sixth consecutive general elections.”

He thinks that his links with the Vincentian people and his struggles for regional integration will act in his favour.

Of particular concern to him is the building of new Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, ready to lead the party into another houses for persons affected general elections, called on the membership and by the volcanic eruptions of supported to rally around their party April 2021.

Money secured from the Noticeably absent from the 2022 Convention was Volcano Eruption Emergency the party’s livewire and chief whip, General Project (VEEP) will assist with Secretary Julian Francis. recovery efforts, he assured.

According to the information received, Francis The construction of the Acute was still in Barbados recuperating from a stroke he Referral Hospital is expected to be had suffered Sunday 24th July. boosted today Friday August 5 Dr. Gonsalves had announced previous to Sunday with negotiations for financing. that, in respect of Francis and the tireless role he That venture is estimated to cost has played and will continue to play as party $200M, and Gonsalves cites it as general secretary, the theme of the Convention had the “anchor” for the new city at Arnos Vale. been modified from “Building our party, “We have one chance to get it right,” the party strengthening our nation”, to include ‘Uplifting leader said.

Julian”.

He listed other pillars of development and And with the question of transition of the disclosed: “We are transforming this country before leadership of the party having been addressed by your very eyes.” He confessed that some persons are Gonsalves before Sunday’s Convention, it was a falling through cracks, and advised that “a good foregone conclusion, he having accepted so to do, listening government is in power.” that Dr. Gonsalves was endorsed for another term The party leader urged supporters not to lose as leader of the Party. faith and allow frustration to get the better of them.

Montgomery Daniel will continue He expressed as Deputy Leader. (WKA) confidence in the quality of leadership in the ULP “for the next ten years,” as he referenced the current crop of parliamentarians.

He is aware of all conditions and cites, “If I die, quality leadership will come forward.”

He outlined that he will be party leader “for another two years at least,” and promised to be at the helm “as long as you want me to.”

As usual, the ULP Convention was a picture of organisation.

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16. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

Prince gets MechanicsÊ farewell take your departure from the office, we wish you God’s grace, and hope you will communicate to your The Brooklyn, New York-based replacement the relationship Independent United Order of your office and our Mechanics (IUOM), Friendly organization has, so that it Society of North, Central & can continue,” Jones added.

South America, Islands of the “We pray that our Heavenly Seas and the Entire Western Father will continue to bless Hemisphere, Inc. Saturday night you with good health, so that bade farewell to outgoing St. you will enjoy your new Vincent and the Grenadines endeavor.”

Consul General to the United Among other members of States- Howie Prince. the Executive Committee of “I would like to extend our IUOM’s Grand Council who deepest gratitude to you for attended the reception were: the outstanding relationship Executive Grand Secretary exhibited with your office and Cecilio Leacock; Executive our organization during your Grand Treasurer Casper tenure as Consul General,” Edwards; Executive Grand IUOM’s Executive Grand Trustee Ricardo Hazlewood; Deputy Master Glenver Jones, Executive Grand Tyler speaking on behalf of Most Francisco Bethune, Sr.; and Worshipful Grand Master Community Liaison Hyacinth Errol G. Collins, told a Robinson-Goldson. reception for Prince at IUOM’s Vincentian-born Edwards headquarters on 65-67 presented a plaque to Prince Putnam Ave., Bedfordon behalf of Most Worshipful Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Grand Master Collins.

“Now that you are about to Prince expressed profound

by NELSON A. KING US CORRESONDENT naking@verizon.net

gratitude to the IUOM, stating that the relationship they developed, over the years, was “a pleasant one.”

“I enjoyed your friendship, your camaraderie, your genuineness, and the fact that you see fit to put on this dinner just in my honor speaks volume,” he told the reception. “I’m very appreciative, and I’m not going to forget you. As I go into the twilight, so to speak, I’ll remember you.”

Prince’s relationship with the IUOM dates back to 2018, when he was invited by then Most Worshipful Grand Master Walter L. Benjamin to be the guest speaker at the annual luncheon at Sereco’s Catering Hall in Brooklyn.

“Your motto speaks of friendship, truth and love to all mankind. So, as outsiders, we can appreciate that, above all, you strive to be your brothers’ keeper,” said Prince at the time, speaking on the topic, “The Impact of

Fraternities on Society.”

“Prudence, benevolence and a sense of fair play demand that you extend yourself in a more visible and efficacious way to others around you in the society in which you live,” he added.

In 2019, IUOM’s leadership changed at the International Triennial Convention in Panama, when Collins replaced Benjamin.

“However, the relationship forged between the (St. Vincent and the Grenadines New York) Consulate and the organization continued to remain strong,” RobinsonGoldson told THE

VINCENTIAN, noting that IUOM contributed monetarily to St. Vincent and the Grenadines volcanic relief, by handing over a cheque to Prince, after the explosive eruptions of La Soufriere Volcano in 2020.

Robinson-Goldson described Prince as a “people person”, adding: “This has been a pleasant encounter, and I wish him well in his retirement.”

Prince has been replaced with popular soca artiste Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, a former sales manager of the state-owned National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

V Students off to the Isle of Man

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 17.

News

“ISLE OF MAN HERE WE COME!” were the excited and joyous sentiments echoed by twelve (12) students of the Community College who left SVG on Sunday 31st July on Virgin Atlantic Airways for London, and then onto the Isle of Man, to participate in the inaugural session of the Isle of Man – St. Vincent and the Grenadines Education Programme (‘ISEP’).

ISEP is a newly registered charity in the Isle of Man comprising a small group of volunteers of both island States, set up to provide scholarships and travel grants to Vincentian students.

From August 1st through August 20th, the students and two (2) teachers (as chaperones) are in the Isle of Man for an inspiring mix of classroom sessions, field trips, and other activities, which will expose them to another culture, with an emphasis on heritage, environmental sustainability and practical life skills.

A field trip stop-over in London to visit historical sites is scheduled as part of the programme.

Starting in 2023, ISEP will fund two annual boarding scholarships for the two final years of school at King William’s College, leading to the International Baccalaureate qualification.

ISEP arose out of the positive links which were developed over the past decade between the Isle of Man and SVG through the Small Countries Financial Management Programme (SCFMP) (www.scfmc.com ), another Isle of Man registered charity, which offers an annual capacity building executive programme in the Isle of Man and at the Oxford University, England, to senior officials in small countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. Thus far, 16 senior officials from SVG have participated in this fully sponsored programme and SVG has been commended for its consistently high quality of participation.

Prof. Timothy Cullen, MBE, is the founder of the SCFMP and the Small Countries Financial Management Centre, and the founder of the Oxford University programme on Negotiations. He is presently a director of the SCFMC, together with Vincentian, Sharda Bollers, an attorney at law, former executive director of the FSA, IFSA and the FIU, and SVG’s participant in the inaugural SCFMP. Prof. Cullen is the founder of ISEP and Mrs. Bollers its co-founder.

Prof. Cullen was especially moved by the plight of SVG when the country was disrupted by the devastating volcanic eruptions of April 2021, while simultaneously dealing with the Covid pandemic, an outbreak of Dengue Fever and the effects of Hurricane Elsa. He found the impact on education to be particularly striking as schools were damaged or turned into evacuation shelters, and studies were curtailed for thousands. This inspired him to spearhead the establishment of

ISEP, assisted in SVG by Mrs. Bollers and Mrs. Lavinia Gunn, MBA, also a Vincentian citizen, a hospitality trainer and former business entrepreneur. Mrs. Gunn is a director and trustee of ISEP and has a significant track record with charitable causes.

ISEP’s five Isle of Man Students and Chaperones gathered at the AIA on August 01 for their departure to the UK. trustees and two SVG trustees either attended (or taught at) King William’s or the Buchan and/or are involved with the management of the SCFMP. Additionally, a few key persons also provided voluntary support locally and in the Isle of Man to assist with getting ISEP 2022 of the ground.

ISEP was immediately strongly welcomed and endorsed by the Hon. Prime Minister of SVG Arrival at Heathrow Int’l Airport, England, on their way to the Isle of Man. and the Hon. Minister of Education, together with other relevant agencies. Her Excellency, Dame Susan Dougan, SVG’s GovernorGeneral and His Excellency, General Sir John Lorimer, Lt. Governor of the Isle of Man have graciously agreed to be co-patrons of ISEP. The student participants in ISEP 2022 are (females) Tiffanie Chapman, Arianna Jardine, Jeshari Munroe, Emma Rouse, Victoria Stewart and Teyana Williams and (males) Darius Da Souza, Niston Douglas, Ramiro Georges, Myles Hamilton and Aturo Parsons. The Chaperones are Ms. Stacy Balcombe, a senior lecturer at the Community College and Ms. Kimsha Williams, a businesswoman (designer, KMK Fashion), trained medical physicist and teacher, having her own online school, ‘Learning for Living.’

Both Students and Chaperones were selected through a transparent application and selection process, comprising (i) a publicly available application form together with relevant information about the programme in an ‘Invitation to Apply’ document, (ii) standard criteria for short-listing applicants; and (iii) standard and objective interview and evaluation processes. It is very likely that ISEP 2022 would have lasting positive impact on their lives. Indeed, ISEP embodies the theme of the “Art of the Possible,” which propounds that the opportunities are endless for young people, no matter what their personal circumstances may be.

ISEP presents a unique educational opportunity for young Vincentians, which will, at the same time, strengthen links between the island nations of the Isle of Man and SVG and open valuable opportunities to the world at large for the country’s youth.

(Issued by: ISEP SVG Trustees)

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18. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

News

World Banker lauds Vincentian spirit ELAD SHENFELD IS A SENIOR Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank. He lives in the USA, closer to his work base, but his original home is Israel.

Shenfeld is impressed by the Vincentian spirit of resilience, togetherness and social solidarity. The World Bank official noted that “no loan can build resilience,” but he is pleased that the money to help with

the recovery have been arranged.

Negotiations with Vincentian Finance Minister led to the formation of a Volcano Eruption Emergency Project (VEEP).

It is financed by the World Bank through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of US$ 40M, and co-financed by the Europeanfunded Caribbean Regional Resilience Building Facility to the worth of $2M.

Shenfeld notes the recovery process spread across five Ministries and cites the project as “flexible and innovative.”

The World Bank official looked at the speed at which the venture was approved which spurred it to the Vice Presidency award at the financial institution, eclipsing 69 other nominations.

Shenfeld praised VEEP for “impact, integrity and teamwork in addressing immediate needs supporting families, assisting with agriculture, response and readiness.”

Shenfeld’s comments came at the launch of the VEEP at the National Insurance Services last week Thursday, July 28.

Shenfeld shared the platform with Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves and Interim Project Coordinator Roxanne John.

Operation run till 2026 which will see “… restoration of critical support services.”

Finance Minister Gonsalves

Elad Shenfeld - senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank thanked the World Bank and is happy that action is taking place.

Shenfeld’s was commended for his presentation by Prime Minister Dr ralph Gonsalves when he delivered the feature address. He expressed gratitude for the loan and pointed to the need for money to build houses for Vincentians. According to the Prime Minister “housing is a big problem we are trying to solve.”

Director of Economic Planning Recardo Frederick welcomed the delegates to the event and Interim Project Coordinator of VEEP Roxanne John is satisfied that the venture has been realised. (WKA)

MCT, BRAGSA to construct houses FORTY-ONE HOUSEHOLDS FROM beyond the Rabacca River who experienced damage to the extent that they have nothing to return to after the volcanic eruption wrought havoc on their homes, can look to being re-housed through a joint effort of the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) and the Building, Roads, and General Services Authority (BRAGSA). Most of the housing stock in Sandy Bay suffered from effects of the volcanic eruption.

With the MCT being the source of funding and BRAGSA undertaking the through the donations from Mustique Homeowners, Guests and Friends of construction, 41 units are to be Mustique, in immediate response to provided — some 1-bedroom, some 2the eruption of La Soufrière on 9th bedroom and 3-bedroom.

The houses, to be constructed from April 2021. These funds were earmarked to assist those residents in concrete blocks and reinforced the Red and Orange Zones who were concrete, complete with all finishing, will be built according to local building most severely impacted.

Other projects completed under the codes and hurricane and earthquake Mustique VERF includes: grocery resistance guidelines boxes and water to over 5,000 According to a release from the evacuees; distribution of Relief MCT, the project — 41 houses — is Supplies to over 14,000 villagers in 28 estimated to cost EC$4,024,050 and will be undertaken on lands provided Villages; Heavy Duty Cleaning Equipment to BRAGSA, NEMO, AIA by the Government of St. Vincent & the Grenadines at sites in Sandy Bay and Kingstown Town Board; Shower Facilities in 12 School Shelters and and Orange Hill.

750 Farmers Tool Kits provided to The houses are earmarked for families whose homes were located in small farmers in the Red & Orange Zones the pathway of the river that runs Total costs of all Mustique VERF through Sandy Bay and on areas that projects to date, including the current were impacted by lahars and flooding.

Relocation Housing Project, is EC$7.4 This project falls under the million. (Source: MCT) Mustique Volcano Emergency Relief Funds (VERF), which was initiated

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022.19.

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20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Business

FHL records third quarter profits THE CHAIRMAN of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL), Vincent Pereira, announced today a profit attributable to its equity holders of US$171.5 million for the nine-months ended June 30, 2022. This is an increase of US$16.4 million or 10.6% over the US$155.1 million reported in Vincent Pereira, Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL), was pleased to announce what he described as ‘a modest improvement’ over the corresponding period a year ago.

the corresponding period of the last financial year.

In announcing the results Mr. Pereira said, “Our performance for this period of 2022 reflects a modest improvement over our core pre-Covid 2019 third quarter performance, by US$0.94 million or 0.6%. During the third quarter of the Group’s Fiscal year all the countries where we operate continued the relaxation of Covid related protocols which positively impacted the tourism dependent areas, where economic activity continues to improve steadily.

The Group also benefitted from rising interest rates on US dollar denominated securities in some of our operations. These positive impacts were somewhat dampened by continued supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures resulting from the Russia/Ukraine war.”

He went on to say, “Total assets

stood at US$16.9 billion at June 30, 2022, an increase of US$0.7 billion or 4.3% over the total assets at June 2021. This increase was funded by growth in customer deposits across our subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands, Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, and Barbados. Amid continued economic uncertainty, the Group remains focused on cost management, improving the experiences of our clients and staff through increased investment in our digital offerings and continuing to provide a safe working environment for our teams.”

Mr. Pereira concluded, “I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to every member of the Republic Team as it is their commitment everyday to serve our clients and communities with excellence that has enabled this outcome for the RFHL Group.”

(Submitted by RBTT Trinidad)

Students at the JP Eustace Memorial Secondary School join CEO at Digicel SVG Ltd- Mrs. Brenda Barbour-Charles (2nd from left) and Acting Principal – Mr. Earl Cruickshank (2nd from right) at the handover.

Digicel donates to JP Eustace Memorial School Digicel, purported to be St.Vincent and the Grenadine’s Best Mobile Coverage and Fastest Internet provider, announced on Friday 29th July, 2022, that it had given support to the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) and Information Technology Department at the Dr. J.P. Eustace Memorial Secondary School (DJPEMSS).

At a brief ceremony last Friday, acting Principal of the DJPEMSS Mr. Earl Cruickshank, expressed his gratitude on receiving a contribution of laptops and portable Wi-Fi devices, which will also be used to aid students in the preparation of their School Based Assignments (SBAs).

Digicel’s support to the school came at a time when the company recently realigned its core messaging to offering ‘More’ to customers all across the country, giving Vincentians more

of the digital and telecommunication experiences that they want.

Chief Executive Officer at Digicel SVG Ltd, Brenda Barbour-Charles commented that “Digicel remains an advocate for education, youth development and technological advancement across St.Vincent and the Grenadines, giving more opportunities to all.”

Digicel customers all across the country can also enjoy daily rewards plus a chance to win their share of $20,000 this Summer, when they activate any Prime Bundle, Pay their Postpaid bill in full and on time, sign up for Digicel+ or Switch to Digicel.

With its Better Together brand, Digicel is making a promise of simply more to customers and communities, and its 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make that a powerful reality day in, day out.

(Contributed by Digicel SVG)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 21.

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22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

I never cheated

Dear George, SOME people in this country are so wicked and heartless that sometimes I wish I wasn’t born here.

Just imagine, my neighbour told my girlfriend that I entertain women, including my ex-girlfriend, at my house whenever she is not around.

What is troubling to me is my girlfriend believes the nonsense. She packed whatever belongings she had at my house and left. She would not as much as answer a call from me.

George, there is never a time that I had another woman at my house. I know one day the truth would surface and I would be vindicated.

One Day, One day Dear One Day, One Day,

Truth has a way of finding its way to the top despite efforts to suppress it.

If your girlfriend is gullible enough to believe your neighbours over you then it shows the level of confidence and trust she had in you. She should always give you the benefit of the doubt.

You may never be able to change the way your neighbours think but you can consider relocation which might be an option that would bring you much needed peace of mind.

George

George, I need help!!!!! compensate the people my son stole from.

Added to all this, a GEORGE, YOU better woman is harassing me hurry up and come back about being with her home. I am indebted to you; you always had the man. The man I’m time to listen to me. You seeing presently has sworn to me that I am even went as far as the only woman in his saving my son from life. going to jail after you To be honest, my head explained his situation to is all muddled up and I the relevant people.

Now, I am in over my am having sleepless head with problems. My nights. Who can I go talk to? I get the first daughter is pregnant for a man who impression that nobody wants to hear my sad I am hearing has AIDS, and my son (the one you story and that in itself is very sad. know about) is back breaking into people’s houses. He really needs Running on Empty help but it seems as though everybody I talk Dear Running on Empty, to just wants him to be You are certainly locked up.

For four months now I dealing with a lot and I do understand your have not been able to frustration. pay my rent. I had to The best approach for use the money to

Dear George,

you to take right now is to tackle the most urgent need/problem first. It is very important to do something about the house rent seeing that you need to be housed while addressing the other problems.

Do not attempt to handle all of this on your own. Talk to someone, that way you can be helped to chart the best approach to each issue and be guided to the best solution.

The issue with the woman accusing you of being with her man needs to be addressed by you confronting him about it.

Addressing one issue at a time is the way to go to prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed.

George

Fear of sex and childbirth and once that is what you really want, then it should not matter what others say to you otherwise.

I AM a 31-year-old virgin. I remain What I would advise is, be aware of that way because of two reasons: I keep hearing that sex is very painful the pros and cons of your stance. You the first time around and childbirth is do not want to be in a situation where even worse. I rather remain as I am you regret not having children.

Finding and being with the right man than go through those experiences. is a huge step in the right direction.

However, there is this awesome Do not make the sexual experiences of guy who keeps begging me to marry others your own. You and your him but that’s a no go for me. My partner will cross that bridge when friends tell me there is something you get to it. wrong with my thinking but that’s As far as childbirth goes, there are them.

Do do you think I would regret this options that are available to let you have a different experience than the down the road? one you are imagining. Visit the Planned Parenthood Association and Standing my Ground talk to someone there. You may think differently thereafter.

Dear Standing my Ground,

Dear George,

You are entitled to your position

George

Horoscope

ARIES (MAR. 21- APRIL 20) Sudden good fortune will help you cover your debts. An older member of your family may have left you with a pressing situation. Dream a little this week. Some of the best opportunities will crop up if you keep an open mind.

LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Visit friends or relatives who have been confirmed. Take the time to close deals that have been up in the air. You can bet that someone in a higher position is watching to see how busy you are. Good day for romance.

TAURUS (APR. 21- MAY 21) You will be able to talk to your lover about future goals and perhaps make plans for the two of you to take a vacation. You can enjoy doing things that include children. Focus on forming business partnerships.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Opportunities for new partnerships will develop through the organizations you encounter. Too much talk might lead to hassles. You may find that lectures or travel will be highly successful. Get help to finish a project if you need it.

GEMINI (MAY 22-JUNE 21) Peers may not be on your side. You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors. You can pick up information that will give you an edge. Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Don’t make accusations unless you are completely sure that you are correct. You will attract potential lovers, but be sure that they’re unattached. You may want to take a serious look at your goals and objectives.

CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22) Your home environment may be volatile if precautions aren’t taken. You will be able to catch up on overdue paper work.

Make sure that you take time to remember those you love.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) Don’t give up what you have until you can be certain just what it is you’re getting.

Travel for business or pleasure. You will be extremely receptive to new and progressive methods at work.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Knowledge can be acquired if you listen.

Use your own ideas to further your interests. Use your quick wit to win points and friends. Try not to donate to organizations if you can hardly afford to take care of yourself.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 21.- FEB. 19) You may find that you’re being used. Get together with friends and catch up on reading and letter writing. You will have to watch out for minor health problems related to stress.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Snap out of it. Moves or the possibility of having someone different living with you may be difficult at first. Take time to help children with projects that may be too hard for them to do on their own.

PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Tempers may flare if you haven’t been completely honest about your intentions or your whereabouts. Avoid any over indulgences. Take care of your own responsibilities before you help others.

Nothing can be resolved if you don’t want to talk about it.

ACROSS 1. Org. for Annika Sorenstam 5. There’s nothing ___ 10. Voucher 14. Pitching stats 15. Gen Rommel 16. Wine, prefix 17. No similarities 20. Olympic swimwear 21. Bowl material 22. Early craft 24. Stun gun 25. Superpower until 1991 29. Pin holder 33. Energy source 35. Reed or Summer 37. Mythical monster 40. Zero, for sure 43. Suitable 44. Italian province 45. Combat zone 46. Pro sports gp.

47. Pretentious one 48. Inaccurate 53. Track 56. Sale benefit 60. Mournful compositions 65. The best kind of trip?

67. Builder’s need 68. “Same here” 69. Hess who was a dame 70. ___ the time in the world 71. Showbiz twin Mary-Kate or Ashley 72. Make an effort to find DOWN 1. Zooming device 2. Play thing 3. Frontline home defense 4. Tennis great, Arthur 5. Andrea Bocelli, for one 6. Grp. 7. Go for a dip 8. Article for Mozart 9. Abbr. on a business letter 10. Pause 11. Chrysler engines

12. All ____ 13. Copier need 18. Crete’s highest mountain 19. Meal starter 23. Anchors 25. Annapolis sch.

26. ___ at nothing 27. Paving stone 28. Word of support 30. Dots on a map 31. Let go, for Shakespeare 32. One ___ million 34. Prefix indication wrong action 36. Words between “one day” and “time” 37. Chef’s need 38. Marriage destination 39. Grouchy crustacean?

41. Actress, Long

42. Hosp. units 48. Modify to new conditions 49. Pop music’s ___ Vanilli 50. Eastern belief 51. Great view 52. White or Red follower 54. Small theater in ancient Greece

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 23.

55. Grunts 57. Beehive, e.g.

58. Diamond of note 59. Explosives 61. Tach readings 62. Marvin of Motown 63. Dublin country 64. Neb. Neighbor 66. Genevieve, e.g

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24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Swimmers record personal bests at Commonwealth Games ALL SIX SWIMMERS WHO represented St Vincent and Grenadines at the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, were able to attain personal bests, in at least one event.

Topping the list was Jamie Joachim. She recorded personal bests in the 200m Backstroke, the 50m Backstroke, the 100m Backstroke, as well as the 50m Freestyle.

Joachim’s time of 1:12.40 in the 200m Backstroke was not only her personal best in the event, but reset the St Vincent and the Grenadines Girls’ 13 to 14 record. The previous record stood 1:12.49 and was held by her elder sister- Shne Joachim.

Jamie Joachim’s new personal marks are: 50m Backstroke - 30.90s down from 32.21s; 100m Backstroke 1:12.40 and the 50m Freestyle 30.90s.

Tia Gun Munro’s best in the 50m Freestyle was reduced from 30.64s to 28.84s. while her new mark in the

Members of the SVG Commonwealth contingent, readying for last Thursday’s Opening Ceremony.

50m Breaststroke is 37.24s, down from 40.35s.

Abigail De Shong’s best in the 50m Freestyle has been reset to 29.37s, while her 50m Backstroke has come down to 37.42s from her entry time of 39.65s, and in the 50m Butterfly, her best has become 30.20s.

Among the male swimmers, Shane Cadogan broke the sub 30s barrier in the 50m Backstroke, clocking 29.89s to achieve his personal best and set the new national record.

Meanwhile, Kenale Alleyne’s new personal best in the 50m Backstroke is

29.81s, with his best in the 100m Swim Team: From left- Kyle Dougan ( Coach), Jamie Freestyle, now Joachim, Shane Cadogan, Abigail De Shong, Tia Gun standing at Munro, Kenale Alleyne, Simone France( Manager/ 54.80s.

Chaperone).

And, Bryson George’s new concludes on Sunday when Zefal personal best in the 50m Butterfly is Bailey contests the Cycling Road Race.

27.44s, with his 50m Backstroke best St Vincent and the Grenadines is lowered to 31.35s. being represented by 21 athletes and Apart from Swimming, St. Vincent 12 officials. and the Grenadines has competed in The 2022 Commonwealth Games Squash, Table Tennis, Track and Field opened on Thursday, 28th July at and Cycling.

Jackson Stadium and concludes at the The Vincentians’ participation same venue, next Monday, 8th August.

North Leeward softball opens

Action in one of the opening matches in the 2022 North Leeward Softball Tournament at the opening of the games last Saturday.

THE 2022 EDITION OF THE North Leeward Softball Cricket Tournament bowled off in speculate fashion at the Chateaubelair Playing Field last Saturday.

Carrying the branded name of the DMG Furniture Softball Cricket Tournaments, six male and six female teams are registered to do battle.

The Female Division features United Survivors, Ball Burners, Upsetters, Golden Girls, Beach Front and Spring.

Police, Rose Bank, Spring, Troumaca, Chateaubelair and Fitz Hughes will field male teams.

The competitions will be played simultaneously.

The two opening matches featured female encounters with United Survivors and Upsetters registering wins.

United Survivors defeated Ball Burners by 13 runs.

Scores: Ball Burners 98 for 3 from 15 - Zavien Stephen 32, Danella Crease 22 not out.

Cordel Jack 2 for 16; United Clotilda Hooper – Survivors 111 for 5 Player of the from 15 — Jannillea Match from Glasgow 25, Cordel Upsetters.

Jack 22, Daneilla Crease 2 for 22.

Upsetters beat Golden Girls by 4 wickets. Scores: Golden Girls 163 for 4 from 20 overs - Shernett Herbert 38.

Natifa Walters 37, Nakieta Nash 30, Paula Robertson 24, Clotilda Hooper 23, Cassandra John 2 for 22.

Matches in the Tournament will be

Jannillea Glasgow – Player of the Match for United Survivor. played at the Chateaulair, Fitz Hughes, Petit Bordel and Spring playing fields.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Sports Division impacting the Youth THE SPORTS DIVISION, through its ongoing Media Youth Training Programme, continue in its aim to touch Participants being taken through some the “young exercises in cricket and football. minds” of this country in a positive fashion, through the use of a variety of sporting disciplines.

Khalil Cato, Coordination of the Programme, said it is intended to reach as many Khalil Cato, Coordinator, young people as possible. is optimistic that the “The Media Youth Programme will achieve Training Programme is its objectives. geared towards keeping the youth in St. Vincent North Windward, inclusive and the Grenadines active of the Marriaqua Valley.” and involved in some sort Participants are of sport discipline, so they involved in football, can maintain their level of cricket, athletics, netball fitness and their level of and the fundamentals of activities,” Cato basketball and swimming. elaborated.

“I believe the number of He explained further, programmes earmarked “There are approximately will give the Division 16 programmes throughout enough opportunity to the country, covering the achieve their objective,” entire nation, ranging from Cato said.

North Leeward down to Union Islands and back to I.B.A. ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 25.

Sports

SVG in U14 CFU Challenge Shield St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Under-14 male footballers head to the Dominican Republic to be part of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series, from 13th to 21st August.

The Vincentian lads are drawn in Group Two of Tier II alongside Barbados, Dominica and French Guiana.

Group One of Tier II comprises Bermuda, Guyana, St. Martin and Trinidad and Tobago, and Group One Cayman Islands, Grenada, Martinique, and St. Lucia, lodged in Group Three.

Group Four consists of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands and the US Virgin Islands.

The winner of each group advances to the semi-finals.

Outlining the processes of preparing the St. Vincent and the Grenadines team for the Challenge Series, Director of Technical Matters- Theon Gordon told the VINCENTIAN, “What we did at first was to identify prospective players from the Under-13 Football Festival we had recently.”

He further explained, “The players

Prospective U-14 male footballers on show at the Brighton Playing Field recently. then began to train in their respective take about 22/23 players. zones, training two days per week, The players will be in a camp fineculminating with inter- zone practice tuning their skills before heading out matches.” to the Dominican Republic”.

Gordon noted that players’ St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ performances were graded from the best showing thus far in the Challenge practice matches with the view of Series was a Group A top placing back filtering through the best. in 2018, when it was staged in St. As it relates to the final travelling Kitts and Nevis. unit, Gordon revealed, “We plan to

Vincy Ballers take Youth Cup title St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Vincy Ballers defeated a St. Lucia Select XI , 2-1 in the final played on August 01 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia, to claim the Free Kick Youth Cup title.

Vincy Ballers’ goals came from Denzel Bascombe and Bishon Richards.

The Vincentians played unbeaten in the competition.

They drew 0-0 with Lil

Haiti; hammered Real Betis TT — 8-0; blew away Harlem United — 61; and drew 3-3 against St Lucia Select XI. In the semi-finals, Vincy Ballers beat Trincity Nationals 2-1 to advance to Monday’s Final.

At Monday’s Closing Ceremony, Vincentian Josh Stowe was named Goalkeeper of the Competition, with his teammate Bishon Richards taking the MVP award.

The 18-member team of male Under-19 footballers was coached

by Alnif Williams and managed by Shadel Cyrus.

The full Vincy Ballers team read: Josh Stowe and Samir Bristol (Goal keepers); Defenders Raysean Mathias, Figo Thomas, K’ranje Alexander, Keshuan Alexander, Tavonte Forde and Duvani Williams; Midfielders Bishon Richards, Kirtney Franklyn, Jequan

Barrouallie Football League kicks off FOURTEEN (14) teams will compete in the 2022 Edition of the Carib/Bank of SVG/Barrouallie Sports Association Football Competition which kicked off at the Keartons Playing Field last Sunday.

In the matches to mark the official opening, Hill View beat Adorie 2-1 in a Junior Division match, while a North Leeward Eleven edged a Barrouallie Eleven 1-nil in a senior contest. The teams will be contesting in two groups.

The teams on show this year are: Hill View, Predators, Keartons United, 3Yards, Jam Down, Youngsterz FC, Owia United,

Not many eyes on the ball in action between Barrouallie and North Leeward in the senior division.

Buccament, Legends, 1998 Hillside Rollerz, Spring Village, Reccos, Unlimited Youths and Adorie.

The Competition is scheduled to conclude at the end of September.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Adams, Shemron Phillips, Enroy Edwards, Jamary Davis and Cordel Dallaway; Strikers — Denzel Bascombe, Steven Pierre and Joeval Morgan.

The Free Kick Youth Cup was designed to offer the players from the region an opportunity to showcase their skills in the full view of USA college coaches.

Vincy Ballers’ starting XI at last Monday’s final versus St. Lucia Select XI.

SVGFF joins FIFA – TDS THE SVG Football Federation is one of twenty (20) nations in the region to join the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS).

This innovative Theon Gordon – programme was DVGFF Technical launched in Director of Football February 2022 Matters. and provides tailor-made assistance to member associations to help identify and support talented players, by providing comprehensive development to the football structure to support their transition to highperformance football.

The TDS aims for long-term strategic plans for youth development by offering training courses and educational material specific to youth development.

“We aim to use the resources we have to develop our Coaches, Referees, Players, and Administrators to retain and enhance the talent of our human resources through the assistance of FIFA,” SVGFF Director of Technical Matters, Mr. Theon Gordon shared.

As FIFA moves toward an increase in global competitiveness, member associations were invited to apply for this project. All applications will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure that the associations are ready and willing to participate.

Full implementation of the project will commence in 2023.

I.B.A. ALLEN

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26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

SPORT FEATURE

Soccer consideration KNOWLEDGEABLE spectators, on-lookers, passers-by, others as they take a look at young men and women playing a game of football, or simply involved in what is known as ‘sweating’, might wonder why the players don’t pass more often to the other players, who could have held possession and advance the game?

The answer could be, “He has to pass to his friend first and/or to the best player to make sure not to lose his/her friendship and to be sure of getting selected next time”.

Our players often lose the ball after two, three or four passes, then you hear, “hard luck!” This is the norm in SVG and no effort seems to be made to correct it. Is this so because correcting a player might cause more trouble?

I wish the Technical Director would consider and address this concern. To me it’s 5he result of a lack of organization. If players are so willing to play, practise and sweat, they should also be willing to learn. They only need someone knowledgeable to convince them and how to apply the principles of the game. Why not organize sessions on how to play to achieve the greatest benefits of the game, rather than simply allow scrimmages so that ‘when you get a pass’, you now have to wonder who to pass it to.

Usually teams in practice concentrate on one, two, three touches without emphasis being place on any given principle of the game. No wonder they are unable ‘to recognize’ these aspects.

The Director must convince the executive to have this ‘principle’ (concern) addressed. Before players actually get involved in playing (practicing), a decision could be taken to implement two or more principles such as ‘possession’, i.e. using ten or more continuous passes, preparing to attack which result in a goal as an incentive.

On another occasion, the principles of defending could be highlighted.

The moment practice starts one or more of these principles should be applied. Sadly, the practice sessions are not organized and are often riddled with finger-pointing and quarreling, making compliance with a principle difficult.

If the practice games are organized, players will position themselves to make continuous passes and prepare themselves as to where they could shoot from.

If the practice sessions involve two teams, the team without the ball will apply organized defensive principles such as close marking, covering, jockeying, delaying, balancing and depth. Players will become quicker in their approach to defending as they develop the skills of ‘reading the game’, speed of thought, and building relationship.

Organized football practice is not difficult to implement. What they learn during these practices is how the players are expected to perform when they represent club and country.

So, why not start practicing home in SVG, If this consideration can be relayed by authorities to players this year, by 2024 we will see improvement in both players and teams.

Another aspect which needs to be considered is club administrators and the relationship that governs managers, coaches and players. They must be interrelated.

Coaches, please form an association; it’s the way to development.

Rollit Walrond

The victorious Windwards Under-17 team.

Solomon stars in W’wards U17 title win VINCENTIAN fast bowler Solomon Bascombe took the most wickets in the Tournament, to help the Windward Islands become the 2022 Cricket West Indies Under-17 title holders.

Played in Trinidad and Tobago between Tuesday, 19 July to Wednesday, 28 July, Bascombe took ten wickets to be the Tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

Windwards captain and wicketkeeper, Grenadian Divonie Joseph, was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

He took five catches and effected two stumpings in a rain affected Tournament.

Divonie Rampertab Ramnauth of Guyana Joseph emerged as the most outstanding Player of the batsman. He amassed a total of 163 Tournament. runs which included an innings of

an unbeaten 104 against Trinidad and Tobago.

Nathan Sealy of Barbados was the Tournament’s only other century-maker, with an Solomon Bascombe even 100 against the took the most wickets.

Leeward islands.

Windward Islands finished on 17.8 points ahead of second placed Barbados with 14.8 points. Jamaica finished third on 14.2 points while Host Trinidad and Tobago finished fourth on the table, on 12 points. Guyana was fifth on 11.6 points and the Leeward, 8.8 points Bascombe, who plays for Victors One in the local Premier Division, is already looking forward to repeating his performance when he turns out for the Windwards Under-19’s in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Under-19 Tournament, to be held here from August 9-26.

Troumaca gets Table Tennis Camp LAST WEEK was the turn of the young people of Troumaca to grab an opportunity to be exposed to the rudiments of the sport of Table Tennis.

This, when the St. Vincent Table Tennis Association and the Vincy Table Tennis Foundation (VTTF) hosted a five-day camp in that North Leeward community.

Held at the Troumaca-Ontario Secondary School and conducted under the watchful eye of Camp Coodinator and Chief Instructor/Coach Romano Spencer, the camp attracted 24 participants - 18 males and 6 females.

In addition to the basics of the sport - racket grip, racket with ball control, table tennis movements, hand-eye coordination, concentration, multitasking, the rules of table tennis — participants were also involved in exercises that highlighted reflexes, body control, team work and social skills.

“I can definitely say from the feedback, and from my observation that the kids had fun.

They developed some of their natural skills, acquired some physical skills and their interest in Table Tennis grew tenfold,”

Some of the participants and coaches who were involved in the Troumaca Table Tennis camp.

Spencer said at the end of the through assistance of the VTTF, Camp. programmes will continue in Spencer was also of the view Fancy, under coach Clyornique that “..these camps will function Durrant, and in Troumaca under as a means of talent search and coach Leighton Adams. Both identification,” adding that they Durrant and Adams are certified will also serve as a means of Level I coaches. attracting “new people to the The Troumaca camp, like a sport which will be a big plus previous one held in Fancy, was since it will increase the players’ funded through the VTTF by the pool.”

UK Friends of the Mustique And recognizing that continuity Charitable Trust. is essential if growth is to be realized, Spencer disclosed that Stories: I.B.A. ALLEN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 05, 2022. 27.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 05,

2022

VOLUME 116, No.31

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

OBED McCOY

STUNS THE CRICKET WORLD

Obed McCoy celebrates one of his six wickets with a gesture of ‘be quiet, I’m not done yet’. (Source: india.postsen.com)

OBED CHRISTOPHER McCoy, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines–born, 6ft 3ins left-arm seamer, had the cricket world with its finger to its lips, when he produced the best bowling figures from a West Indian in a T20, to help the West Indies to a much-needed victory over India, in the second of a five-match series being played in the West Indies and the USA. McCoys’s 6-17 not only broke the record for the best figures by a West Indian in T20s, but his figures became, in the process, the seventh best all-time in T20 internationals.

It was also the first time a bowler has claimed a five-wicket haul in a T20 against India, leaving the cricket world in further awe.

After the Windies won the toss and opted to bowl on August 01, in the first of back to back T20s set to be played at Warner Park, St. Kitts, they made the perfect start as McCoy dismissed the in form and dangerous Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, for a golden duck.

Rohit scored a match-winning halfcentury in the first T20I at Brian Lara Stadium, but failed to make any impact in the second match. McCoy, on the other hand, went on to bag the Player of the Match award after he picked up a six-wicket haul and also bowled a maiden in his quota of four overs.

“It’s a great feeling coming up against a top team like India. They have a lot of T20 stars and they play great cricket all the time. I won’t say I have a favourite wicket, but I am happy that I got Rohit out because he made some runs in the previous innings he played.

“I think that put the rest of the batters under pressure losing him that early in the game,” McCoy was quoted as saying in the post-match press conference.

“Rohit’s wicket gave us the momentum. Extra bounce off the pitch really helped. It’s just about hitting the right areas and getting the batters to play where you want them to,” he added.

Earlier, during the post-match presentation ceremony, McCoy dedicated his stupendous spell of bowling to his sick mother.

“This motivates me to become a better player. So thankful for it,” McCoy was quoted as saying.

On the back of McCoy’s spell, West Indies beat India by five wickets in the second T20I and drew level in the fivematch series. While chasing 139, Brandon King’s half-century and Devon Thomas’s unbeaten 19-ball 31 took the Caribbean team over the finish line.

Sources: Crictoday, News 18 Cricket Next)

Former MP Jerry Scott suffers a stroke VETERAN politician and former New Democratic MP for South LeewardJeremiah Scott, affectionately known as ‘Jerry’, has suffered a stroke that, up to Thursday, had left him unable to walk and talk.

A great feeling Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;

Speaking on NICE Radio last Wednesday, current MP for the South Leeward Constituency- Nigel ‘Nature’ Stephenson, who replaced Scott as the NDP candidate for the constituency, confirmed that Scott had suffered the stroke on Saturday 23rd July.

Stephenson said he visited Scott that very Wednesday morning and he was resting peacefully.

“I know it is a piece of news that is going to be very heart-breaking to people, but the family doesn’t want anyone to be sorry,” he added.

He confirmed that Scott was unable to talk but he was able to give Jeremiah ‘Jerry’ Scott remained active in the South Leeward constituency. Here he is picture on one of his many visits to the homes of residents of that constituency.

indication of a response to “all of your commands,” Scott, Stephenson said, was “my political father.”

Jeremiah Scott was active in politics from 1979-2001. He is credited with bringing much infra-structural development to his constituency, and endeared himself to citizens across the state.

His impact on people had much to do with him serving as a Minister of Government throughout the New Democratic Party’s unbroken administration of 1984 and 2001.

He served as Minister of Housing, Labour and Community Development from1984 to1989; Minister of Communications and Works from 1989 to 1998; and Minister of Agriculture and Labour from 1998 to 2001. (KH)

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.