THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 28-07-23

CBI: GONSALVES HAS THE LAST

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves may not be laughing at the fallout his Caribbean colleague Heads might experience, but you can’t fault him for saying with a chuckle, “I told you so.”

LAUGH

Right: While the developed countries look with a vengeful eye on the Caribbean, many of them offer CBI programmes of their own.

THE SAYING THAT ‘HE WHO LAUGHS LAST LAUGHS BEST’may just be ringing true for Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

This, as it relates to Dr. Gonsalves’ take on the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.

The Prime Minister’s unrelenting resistance to appeals to introduce a CBI for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as a source of recurrent

revenue and foreign exchange, was in contrast to other colleague Caribbean countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Now, with the news that the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) are cracking down on countries that sell their passports, i.e.,

Continued on Page 3.

News 3

Cooling problems at AIA

PASSENGERS ARRIVING AND DEPARTING

the Argyle International Airport (AIA) were left sweating and angry as a result of heat trapped in the immigration and departure areas because of the lack of working air conditioning units.

In a video circulating on social media, passengers can be seen in the departure/immigration area fanning with makeshift fans, including passports, airline tickets. Some males could be seen with unbuttoned shirts all in an effort to find some comfort.

In a press release following the circulation of the video, the management of the AIA acknowledged that it was aware of the reports regarding unpleasant conditions relating to inadequate cooling in the passenger terminal building.

In fact, reports are that the ‘cooling system’ in many areas of the AIA have not been functioning.

“We are using this opportunity to extend a sincere apology to the

travelling public, staff and all stakeholders for the less than ideal conditions experienced while using the facilities,” the release said.

It noted that the final phase of the planned upgrade of the air conditioning system commenced on July 17, 2023 following an advisory, Airport Operational Bulletin, issued on July 14, 2023, and the estimated completion date for works is July 29, 2023.

Prior phases of the work on the AC systems included the Immigration Arrivals Hall, Baggage Claim and upstairs the International Departure Lounge. The authorities at the airport are assuring the travelers that some of the areas have been returned to normal operations and cooling, enabling the comfort of their service partners and inbound travelers, this after the replacement of eight (8) older defective

Olton conducts Garifuna Film Workshop

VINCENTIAN FILMMAKER, Akley Olton, was the major facilitator at a Garifuna Film Workshop that took place in Sambo Creek, Honduras, from the July 03 to July 10.

The workshop, which was organized by the Honduras Institute of Cinematography, included the participation of young people from La Ceiba and the Garifuna communities of Corozal and Sambo Creek.

Participants in the workshop were exposed to the rudiments of the filmmaking process, from the conception

of an idea to the distribution of a documentary film.

They also learned about the Garifuna culture and how they could use film to help preserve and share their knowledge and culture with the world.

According to Olton, the Garifuna Film Workshop was a huge step forward for the Garifuna community.

“The workshop helped to preserve their culture and empower their youth and I am hopeful that supporters will allow me to teach filmmaking to communities across the

condensers and appropriate technical work.

“We expect to complete and return normal cooling and comfort to the Departure Check-in area this weekend. By next weekend, normal cooling and comfort will return to Departures/Immigration, Pre-Board Screening, and in the area near Gates 4 and

5,” the released further stated. The Argyle International Airport was opened on the February 14th, 2017. (KH)

CBI: Gonsalves has the last laugh

Continued from Frontpage. that operate CBI programmes, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dr. Gonsalves’ position is all but justified.

In fact, as Dr. Gonsalves revels in his ‘foresight’, he told the Agency for Public Information (API) here, that he had ‘foreseen this as an unsustainable policy to earn revenue’ from the beginning.

“You can’t base your economic development on this. You can’t finance budget on these kinds of monies,” he told the API.

Caribbean and Central America, so that many Garifuna youths can experience cinema’s magic and use technology and creativity to help preserve their knowledge and culture for future generations,” Olton said on completion of the Workshop.

Towards this end, Olton is encouraged that the organizers of the workshop are committed to continuing to host more film workshops in the future, aimed at preserving Garifuna culture and empowering their youth.

Akley Olton is passionate about preserving and promoting the Garifuna culture. He is perhaps this country’s most celebrated filmmaker and in April of this year, became the first Vincentian to premier at the largest documentary festival in North America, i.e. the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. (KH)

Dr. Gonsalves was reacting to the situation related to the operation of CBI programmes on the heels of the news that the UK had removed Dominican passport holders from its list of visa-free countries.

The indication was that this action was predicated on the UK concern about ‘undesirable people gaining entry to British soil using their purchased citizenship’, obtained under the CBI programme operated by that country.

Further, the UK has given an ‘early warning’ that by the end of 2023, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis passport holders would also need a visa if they don’t end their CBI programmes.

The EU Commission plans to follow suit by removing those countries from the Schengen Visa waiver programme, which allows visafree travel to at least 27 European countries.

A recent meeting involving CBI Caribbean countries and EU officials in Brussels, Belgium to discuss the matter, concluded with one regional Head of Government telling PM Gonsalves that “it’s the end of the road,” and that the EU’s impending crackdown was stricter than the UK’s. PM Gonsalves noted that removing the CBI will significantly shock the countries that are members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

To cushion that shock, the ECCU countries have agreed to work together during a transition period “to help to lessen the burden of suffering,” according to Dr. Gonsalves.

According to the territories that offer the ‘facility’, revenue earned under their CBI programmes has played a critical role in restoring the infrastructure of the countries, thereby providing a significant boost to the economies. In the case of Dominica, the government has said that the funds for the construction of an international airport for that country will come primarily from funds raised through its CBI programme, and St. Kitts and Nevis have used some in support of educational institutions and medcial facilities and medical facilities.

Under the CBI programme, successful applicants are allowed to hold dual citizenship, and citizenship may be extended to family members, such as a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents.

Akley Olton (stooping front right) shares a photo op with elated participants in a recent Garifuna Film Workshop in which he was the primary facilitator.

Travellers using the AIA have had to endure ‘heated conditions’ caused by mal/non-functioning air condition units/systems. (Photo Credit: St. Vincent Times)

Attorney Grant Connell has once again highlighted the inconsistencies within the judicial system that disadvantage cannabis in SVG.

Ganja not the problem

Stories: HAYDN HUGGINS

AN OUTSPOKENlocal attorney thinks it’s unfortunate that four days after the shooting death of five men at Upper Kingstown, police have concentrated their efforts on raiding the home of a 77-year-old, seriously ill man, for marijuana.

Attorney Grant Connell’s comments came on Monday while mitigating on behalf of Samuel Barbour, also known as ‘Barbours’.

Barbour, a retired businessman, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to possession of 5,604 grams (12 pounds) of marijuana with intent to supply.

Barbour was arrested last Sunday after the marijuana was found at his home in Colonaire during an early morning combined action by the Narcotics Unit, Special Services Unit (SSU), and Rapid Response Unit (RRU). The operation was led by RRU officer, Inspector Nolan Dalaway, also known as ‘Grandpa’, considered to be one of this country’s better police officers.

Connell told the Court that Barbour was a 77year-old man with serious medical complications including prostate problems, hypertension, and arthritis, and he had brought his medication to Court with him.

“He (Barbour) cannot even stand on his feet,” Connell said, drawing the Court’s attention to the defendant seemingly struggling to keep standing while in the prisoner’s dock.

As a result, Presiding Magistrate John Ballah instructed the police to provide a chair for Barbour.

No show – Journalist’s matter adjourned

THE MATTERinvolving New Montrose resident, Tevin ‘Coolie’ Ollivierre, who is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding journalist, Lyf Compton, has been adjourned to October.

However, Magistrate John Ballah, sitting at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, might not have granted the adjournment had the defense been already served with the relevant documentation for the case.

When the matter was called on Monday, Prosecutor Corlene Samuel informed the Court that the defense had not yet received disclosure. But she added that the complainant, Lyf Compton, was also not available, having indicated that he had a serious appointment.

When the Magistrate asked the Prosecutor whether that appointment was with the doctor, Samuel said according to her information it was not with the doctor, but it was a serious meeting.

The Magistrate then told the Prosecutor that the only reason why he was granting the adjournment was because the defense had not yet received disclosure, and he made it clear that “the Court takes precedence.”

Compton was reportedly stabbed in his back during an incident at Paul’s Avenue on April 3.

Ollivierre, then unrepresented, pleaded not guilty when he initially appeared at the Serious Offences Court on May 29, and the matter was transferred to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

Ollivierre is on $3,500 bail with one surety on the condition that he has no contact with the complainant. He is now represented by attorney Roderick Jones.

Connell expressed dismay with the early morning raid of the elderly man’s home, especially in the wake of an escalation in serious crimes, including a series of homicides. He issued a call to, “find better use for the police.”

The lawyer acknowledged that marijuana was still illegal, but noted that it was not at the higher end of the scale.

“Look at the calibre police officer (Dalaway) they put to go into a 77-year-old man’s home at 4 o’clock in the morning, when, (four days before) you have persons driving into a dead end in the capital, and taking the lives of five men”, the lawyer lamented. He described Inspector Dalaway as a ‘top cop’ but hastened to add, “I am not saying that the others are not good”.

He pointed out that while Barbour was before the Court on a marijuana possession charge which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, persons could get a prescription and go to certain cafés where they could sit comfortably, and smoke four ‘spliffs’ legally for EC$60.

“There is nothing aggravating about cannabis in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Cannabis does not support a habit, it’s about survival,” Connell said, adding that persons are involved in the marijuana business to provide food and shelter, and to send their children to school.

“Cannabis ain’t going nowhere. It will grow on every grave. It will always be here. You throw a seed and it grows. It’s nature, it’s something from the Almighty,” he contended.

According to the lawyer, “Ganja has no value when you have it rotting in the hills, and people like him (Barbour) have to suffer.”

Connell said that in certain areas on the Leeward side, marijuana could be seen growing close to the road. He suggested that Barbour should have qualified for a traditional grower’s license, having spent several decades in the trenches.

Connell also called for the laws to be reviewed. He noted that in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the indecent assault of a child carries a maximum penalty of five years, and if the victim is an adult, it carries two years.

In comparison, the maximum penalty for marijuana possession is seven years in prison, which is the same maximum penalty for illegal possession of firearms, as well as cocaine possession.

The lawyer pointed that if you concentrate your efforts on sniffing out the ganja men, instead of searching for those who commit serious acts of violence, there will always be an escalation in crime.

Murder accused left in suspense

FORMERcivil servant Mitchel

‘Mitch’ Israel was left in suspense on Friday, July 21, when he learned that he will have to wait until August 4 for Justice Rickie Burnett to sum up the case, in which he is being tried for the January 30, 2020 murder of his wife, Arianna Taylor-Israel.

Following closing submissions on July 21 by attorney Richie Maitland who led the case for the Crown, and lawyer Dr. Linton Lewis who represented Israel, the matter was adjourned to August 4 for Justice Burnett’s summation, which is expected to be followed by the Jury’s deliberation and the verdict.

The adjournment was granted to accommodate the availability of all parties.

The trial started several weeks ago and heard evidence from 27 prosecution witnesses, including two eyewitnesses, Fidel Akers, at the time of the incident a student of the St. Vincent Grammar School, and Mohammed Dowers, then a student of the St. Martin’s Secondary School; David Leslie, a Forensic Firearm Examiner of Barbados; Dr. Karen Providence, Registrar of Psychiatry at the Mental Health Centre; and the Investigator, Sergeant Biorn Duncan of the Major Crime Unit (MCU).

Israel gave evidence from the dock and called four witnesses to support his case, including Forensic Pathologist, Professor Dr. Hubert Daisley of Trinidad and Tobago, and Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr. Dominic Nwokolo, a Nigerian-born citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.

Israel’s sister, Ann Marie Boatswain who resides in the United States, and Brenan Browne, a mechanic, also testified for the defense.

Leslie, Daisley, Nwokolo, and Boatswain, all testified via video link.

Taylor-Israel, a 44-year-old national of Cuba employed here as a nurse, died after reportedly being shot several times on the compound of the St. Martin’s Secondary School, shortly after 3 p.m. on January 30, 2020.

A 12-member-mixed Jury is hearing the matter.

Retired businessman fined for ganja

SAMUEL BARBOUR, a 77-yearold, seriously ill, retired businessman of Colonaire, has been allowed six months to pay the Court $2,400 for possession of 5,604 grams (12 pounds) of marijuana with intent to supply.

If Barbour fails to pay the fine, he would go to prison for six months.

Magistrate John Ballah handed down the penalty at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday after Barbour pleaded guilty to the charge.

In presenting the facts, Prosecutor Shamrock Pierre told the Court that around 5:30 a.m. last Sunday, acting on information, Inspector Nolan Dalaway of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) headed a party of officers from the RRU, Special Services Unit (SSU) and Narcotics Unit to execute a search warrant at Barbour’s home at Colonaire. On arrival, Inspector Dalaway knocked on the door, and shouted,

“Police!” Barbour answered and opened the door.

Dalaway identified himself and his colleagues as police officers, read the search warrant to Barbour, and requested a search. Barbour consented to the search and he and Zenrick Lewis, who was also met at the house, were both asked if they had anything illegal to declare. Lewis said no, but Barbour did not reply.

A search of the house uncovered two plastic bags of marijuana in a deep freeze. When cautioned, Barbour did not reply. The search continued and a white plastic bucket was found containing two wrapped parcels which, when cut open, revealed more marijuana. When cautioned, Barbour again did not reply.

Attorney Grant Connell who represented Barbour, told the Court in mitigation, that the offense should fall in category C, based on the quantity of marijuana involved. He, however,

pointed out that his client played a lesser role.

Connell asked the Court to consider his client’s age, and that Barbour suffered from several serious medical complications, including prostate problems, hypertension, and arthritis. He noted that Barbour had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Connell said that based on his instructions, a farmer had left the marijuana at the house for Barbour to hold for him.

The Magistrate agreed with Connell that the offense fell in category C, based on the quantity of marijuana, but he did not agree that Barbour played a lesser role. Ballah was of the view that Barbour’s role was significant. But the Magistrate said he was mindful of Barbour’s age, and illness, and therefore opted not to impose a custodial sentence. He Continued on Page 27.

Tevin Ollivierre

Murder accused Mitchell Israel awaits the judge’s summation and the jury’s deliberation.

VisitorÊs apartment broken into

ordeal.

Reeve said that she went to sleep around 11pm on July 25 and was woken up around 1am by some loud banging on her bedroom door.

Reeve reported that she had locked the front door of the apartment and her bedroom door.

“I heard some loud banging on my bedroom door, like somebody was kicking it hard or hitting it with a hammer or something,” she said.

happen because I knew the guy wanted to get into my room,” she said.

The police eventually arrived, and although a bit apprehensive, she ventured outside her bedroom saying that when she turned on the lights, she saw that the intruder(s) had broken a plate and she met a knife that had been moved from the kitchen on a chair in the living room.

She further noticed that the television that was hanging on the wall was also gone.

Nevertheless, despite her traumatizing experience, Reeve said that she hoped that she will be able to return for Vincy Mas in 2024.

A BRITISH TOURIST REMAINSfor the most part in high spirits despite having the apartment which she currently occupies broken into, during the early hours of the morning of July 26.

Although admitting to being afraid to sleep, Zoe Reeve said that she had arrived in St. Vincent at the beginning of the month. She came to take in some of the Carnival and explore some of the scenery, and had rented an apartment in Lodge Village, in Kingstown.

A three-minute video began circulating on social media on the morning of July 26 with Reeve giving an account of her

“It woke me up and I realized somebody must be inside my house, so I messaged some people I know in St. Vincent to see if any of them were awake and could help me,” Reeve continued.

Most of the people she contacted were asleep she said, but one individual responded, and she asked whether they could come over to where she was staying.

According to Reeve, the individual replied that they were unable to do so, but that they would contact the police.

During this time, she said that she was hearing noises and that she was held up in her room for over half an hour.

“I was in my room wondering what was going to

“Personally, I believe these things can happen anywhere so it’s not really a ‘Vincy thing’. People experience home break-ins all over the world,” she said.

“I feel like it’s unfortunate that lots of people have experienced similar things and lots of people don’t feel safe in their daily lives. I personally feel like these things are usually a result of poverty, poor mental health or a lack of opportunities, etc. so I believe these things won’t stop until the system we live in is improved.”

“I’m grateful that he didn’t get into my room and I’m also grateful for my friend who offered to come and pick me up and let me crash at their house for tonight,” Reeve said. (DD)

UN Rep Visits SVG Foreign Affairs

THIS COUNTRYcontinues to make links and strengthen ties with regional and international entities.

In this instance, the government facilitated a visit from new UNDP Resident Representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean- Ms. Limya Eltayeb, who made a courtesy call to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Keisal Peters.

In a tweet dated July 24 from the SVG Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, it said that the meeting provided an opportunity for the discussion of local challenges, priorities and the identification of areas for support. (SG)

Zoe Reeve did have the best of experiences as a visitor to SVG, but this will not deter her from visiting again.

Ms. Limya Eltayeb, UNDP Resident Representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean (right) and Keisal Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, exchange pleasantries.

Micro-loan programme launched

THESt. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Cooperative Credit Union (SVGPCCU) has partnered with the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) to launch a micro-loan programme. The official launch was held on July 25.

Owners of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) now have an avenue to access funding to further develop their business.

The programme allows for start-ups and existing businesses to access up to EC$10,000 to supplement working capital, to furnish their business, and to buy machinery and other needed equipment for the business.

Funding cannot be used to pay off other debts or to purchase real estate.

And while the SVGPCCU is making available the funding, the CED is offering training including financial

literacy and digital transformation workshops.

Afia Clarke, General Manager (Ag) of CED, said that a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed back in 2022 and that they were pleased to partner with the SVGPCCU in executing the micro loan programme.

“The initiative is a very timely one as small business are in recovery mode after experiencing several global and national crises over the last few years,” she said.

Clarke lauded the SVGPCCU for the initiative saying that one of the perennial complaints coming from small business owners is the difficulty they face in accessing financing.

“And so we want to commend the SVGPCCU for recognizing the importance of inclusive financing and launching this micro loan program,”

she added.

Ayana Samuel, General Manager of the SVGPCCU said that the initiative was introduced to assist the people of the nation and further develop the economy.

“We at the SVGPCCU recognize the need for funding these small/medium enterprises in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Samuel said at the launch.

“As a financial institution, we also

know the difficulties experienced by business owners/entrepreneurs to finance their business operations,” she continued.

The process includes completing an application form, from which the first cohort of 15 will be selected.

Individuals will be interviewed, and successful applicants must undergo one week’s training in various aspects of business management to improve their skills. (DD)

Influenza cases rising - Covid not gone

woes/travails of Covid19.

In response, the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment has confirmed that influenza cases have actually been on the rise after the culmination of the activities for carnival.

Late last week, Dr. Alisha Bonadie, District Medical Officer, confirmed the presence of the flu virus, while speaking on the Face-toFace programme aired on Radio NBC.

She identified the virus as Influenza B, noting that it was highly contagious.

by Gloriah...

OF LATE, many persons here have been complaining about what they say is a terrible flu, almost resembling the

She stated, “We’re definitely seeing a lot of cases coming to the clinics with cold, sore throat, fever ....”, and revealed that among other complaints cited were loss of appetite and body aches and pains.

Dr. Bonadie advised listeners that there is no cure for the flu.

There has never been and there never will be one because the virus is always replicating, always

changing its DNA, thereby making it extremely difficult to find a cure.

She recommended that persons could treat themselves by simply hydrating. “You would be surprised the amount of help water could do to your body,” she shared.

The District Medical Officer also addressed the Covid situation, making it clear that, “Covid isn’t going anywhere. It is here.

We’re in the postpandemic era so the public health authorities would have declared that the pandemic might have been over. But just like influenza A and influenza B it is now pretty much endemic.”

She cautioned that as we move past the carnival season where there was “.... mass gathering, post festival calm activities,” it is important to continue surveillance of Covid-19.

She warned that sensitivity to infection must still be heightened, especially for persons among high-risk groups, and advised persons not to abandon washing hands, using sanitizers, to avoid mass gatherings and insist on social distancing.

Testing for Covid-19, Dr. Boandie assured, continues.

Left to right - Keisha Phillips (CED), Ayana Samuel (GM SVGPCCU) and Afia Clarke (GM CED) at lat Tuesday’s launch of the Micro—Loan programme.

DMO Dr. Alisha Bonadie confirmed the presence of the virus which causes Influenza B and an increase in the number of cases of that ailment.

The National Newspaper of

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Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd.,

P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Politicians, the Economy and Crime A reason to celebrate

DEMOCRACYis as complicated as it is a messy affair.

In our milieu, democracy is characterized by a two-party system in which the political parties are led by individuals with strong personal views and personalities that they use to their advantage, and maybe to the advantage of their parties, but definitely, as our history proves, not necessarily to advance harmonious negotiation nor bipartisan action in the interest of the people.

Some of these leaders are so crafty, they adjust their styles to suit a given occasion.

It makes it difficult to accept that these public officers would look beyond their personal positions, curb their obsession with ensuring their place in history, and commit to safeguarding and promoting the interest of the entire citizenry.

It is not uncommon that our political leaders, especially those who serve as government, apportioned their time in favour of grandiose projects and public occasions aimed at self-aggrandisement, and not in favour of addressing the real criminal undercurrent that drives this country. We, therefore, have to level some of the blame at the feet of the politicians, for the carnage that recently clouded our landscape.

When a country as small as our is shaken and five males can be struck down in one swipe of automatic weaponry, we cannot excuse our political shortcomings for what has been wrought on us; for what has been plaguing this country for the last two decades; for the scourge of violent crime that translates into 42 homicides in 2022 and already (as of July 25) 35 in 2023.

In the midst of this spiraling crime there has not been one ounce of an effort to erase lines of political demarcation, and come together in a show of uniting the populace in an effort aimed at devising a plan of action to combat this crime wave.

Are we not aware of the realities of 1970s and 80s Jamaica when warring criminal gangs were put to “good” use by the ‘warring’ political parties of the day.

For those who would want to deny it, let us say up front: This country’s morale values are under threat. This, sadly, makes crime more, rather than less likely.

The most basic course of action as we move to tackle crime is to raise the question about the models we use for economic development. And the set of

morale values that we have and promote as a country and those that our economic model are likely to unearth.

No criminal justice system can on its own solve the problem of crime. As much as the current regime might boast about the increase in standards of living in SVG, there are still very deep-seated inequalities in this country and as long as these remain, there will always be crime. An economic model, even an economic recovery, if any one of these deepens these divisions/inequalities rather than lessen them, it will make the situation (crime) worse.

That is why those who would have lived through the 1970s and 1980s when the status quo here felt threatened by a rising black consciousness and an outpouring of acceptance of nontraditional political thought and systems, felt that the post ‘mass killing’ statements by our Prime Minister regrading ‘other forces’ at work, were full of platform rhetoric and bordered on creating paranoia. These disclosures were more frightening than calming.

Why did our Prime Minister with his utterance of some ‘foreign operatives’ on the ground and by insinuation (or is it innuendo) not to exclude the presence of a ‘foreign force’ that is deliberately bent on creating instability so as to reflect badly on his regime, sound like Prime Minister Cato, his nominee for national hero, who during his tenure was prone to identify phantom coups against his regime every Monday morning; and used this as an excuse to go after many of the progressives who are today comfortably in the arms of the prime minister.

And the revealing disclosures by the CoP about the nature and extent of police intelligence that could well have been used otherwise.

One is left to wonder whether with having failed to act differently on the intelligence at hand, the door is not left open to speculation about who pulls the strings of ‘authorised’ action in this country.

If it is that the criminal elements in this country were allowed to play out their intentions, regardless of the time it took them, some persons in this country have a lot to answer to the families of the victims of this criminal activity.

Is there more to come? Will those who are at the controls of the criminal system in this country vacate their positions to others? Better yet. We hope that they would instead opt to dismantle the criminal system, if at all they can.

IT IS SAID THAT “WE” (CARIBBEAN PEOPLE) do not need a particular reason to have a party or a celebration, but this year was memorable for me. In addition to a total return to life after the pandemic, we have CARICOM’s golden jubilee and the 50th Anniversary of Independence of The Bahamas.

First, allow me to express gratitude to all the leaders (Heads of Government) of the last fifty years in the region for what you did to keep CARICOM together. Even though, at times, I felt like some of you were working against the mission.

As we procced through another decade, I want to see us working on more freedom of movement among member nations. In a region with this many skilled workers, it is unexplainable why the default excuse by some governments for the delay in some of our critical infrastructure projects is the shortage of skilled labour. We need to find a way to allow for the free movement of workers in the region with less bureaucracy.

Over the years, I have found it difficult to explain why so many Chinese nationals were needed to work on “China-funded projects” in the region. The high number of Spanish-speaking citizens working on significant infrastructure projects in the area for companies based in the USA and Canada is also unexplainable. Let me be clear, I do not think these workers are making a mint or getting rich off of our governments. Some of these workers are paid slightly higher than the minimum wage in their country of origin and live in deplorable conditions, sometime similar to the migrant workers’ programme under which, these days, we send farm workers to Canada.

Can we resume work on an effective regional air transportation network? The reimagined LIAT should be a part of the solution, not the only answer.

When will we invite Cuba and the Dominican Republic to join us at the table? I do not have to spend much time explaining the value they can bring.

Then there is Haiti. When are we going to sit and work out a solution with the people of Haiti?

Everyone has been working on a solution for them for too long, not with them. When will we learn? We first need to develop a sense of respect for the Haitian people/nation. We must see them as equals. We must create a policy that is independent of the USA. We must be willing to admit that the US is a significant contributor to the problems in Haiti; therefore, we can no longer wait for them to clean up their mess.

As an aside, on a recent visit to The Bahamas by USA Vice President Harris, she announced an investment of over one billion dollars in the region. This pledge was no accident. I’ll say the US investment in the area today is actually a part of their China policy. Over half of the billiondollar investment in the region announced while she was visiting the Bahamas a few weeks ago is being spent in The Bahamas on an embassy building. Ironically this announcement came the same month The Bahamas was opening the final phase of a new cruise ship port funded by the Chinese to the tune of over four hundred million dollars.

This year’s next big celebration in the region was The Bahamian Independence celebrations. I am thoroughly impressed with the show put on by the Bahamian government to mark their fifth Independence Anniversary. I, however, could not help but notice that at no time during the last two months was the 50th anniversary of CARICOM mentioned. In fact, during the official ceremony, the CARICOM member nations present were simply referred to as other Caribbean countries represented. I must say that I think it was disrespectful of us all, except for Grenada, not to have a more significant presence (an elected government official) at this milestone event. Prime Minister Mitchell of Grenada was the only CARICOM leader present at the official ceremony on July 10th.

How could we continue to call for Caribbean unity when we can’t take a few moments to celebrate a significant milestone with one of our family of nations?

Horatio

Pension Fund

WORKINGpeople pay into a Pension Fund that they expect to retrieve upon retirement to sustain their living. The Fund is usually set up in such a way to ensure sustainability. Our Pension Fund is overseen by a pension board. The interest of the workers is paramount and investments of pension funds must be wise and secure. Workers should have adequate representation on the board as they are best placed to secure their own interest.

Since current workers are usually required to sustain retired workers, a robust economy with adequate growth will benefit the pension fund. Efficiency of collection of contributions has a positive impact on the Fund. If workers’ contribution is not paid in, the pensioner will receive less at retirement. If contributions are collected for all workers, there should be minimal need for poor relief as aBll would receive their own pension.

Several poor investment decisions are plagued the Fund. These include the purchase of real estate paying above market value. Since the Pension Fund is not in the real estate business, much losses were incurred; investment in hotel construction with little prospect of recovery in the near or medium terms. Accepting property in lieu of monies owed proved to be unwise. Investment in failed insurance companies were not necessarily bad but the promise of unusually high returns should have raised a red flag. Those responsible for keeping a guaranteed sum of money in this country in case of insurance failure must be held accountable.

For us to have confidence in the Fund, transparency and accountability to the workers are important. The actuarial reports for the previous years need to be made available. Demanding increased payments suddenly is unacceptable. We have to be assured that the funds are properly managed. If the investment portfolio is being mismanaged, increased payments would not fix that. We need to adhere to the guidelines espoused by Hon. Arnhim Eustace.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD

Agriculture non-progress

ASERIESof consultations are being executed with respect to the production of agricultural commodities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I attended the consultation held at Marriaqua Learning Resource Centre, Evesham, on Monday 26th June, 2023. The consultation was well attended, though it began very much late.

The programme as outlined by the presenters was: The Provision of Material and Training to Farmers for the Production of Specific Commodities and Fishing.

A first question was: The amount of money? A grant or a loan to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

It was a loan from the World Bank. A short comment here was, another opportunity to increase the national debt.

Two major concerns of many farmers were praedial larceny (stealing of agricultural crops) and roads. There was no mention of these but from the nature of the programme, these two concerns were not appropriate. Nevertheless, they are very important to farmers.

Farmers were then taken through

Farmers, lean on your own hoe-sticks

THEREis more than enough evidence to prompt the conclusion that this ULP government led by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has distinctly failed in the mission, as was declared in 2001, to advance the welfare of all the people of our land.

If they cannot concede that they have failed, then the conclusion is invited, that they are merely a bunch of frauds. Did they not say in 2001, that the NDP led by James Mitchell had abandoned the interests of the citizens of the country? Did they not promise then, that they were going to revive our agriculture, fix properly our feeder roads and revitalize our Banana Industry? Have we seen any evidence of a serious effort to effect these programmes? No!

To the contrary, they supervised the ultimate crippling of the Banana Growers’ Association. It must not be forgotten that the ECCB did not include agriculture in their big stimulation package in their response to the Global Economic Down-turn of 2008. And this ULP government endorsed that.

On behalf of the farming community of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I am here once again expressing my displeasure with the

the process of application to participate in the programme.

In the process, it was noted that the Cabinet has to examine each and every application. What a task for our Cabinet to get itself involved in! There was some objection by the gathering but the main presenter defended the case for Cabinet’s intervention.

The gathering was invited to participate in the programme and an application form was given to each member present. There was some degree or urgency; the project lasts one year only. Does St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ agriculture come to an end after one year?

This project will come to an end in one year’s time. We will not be informed of its success, neither will we be told of how much money was expended with respect to farming. Neither will we be told how much was spent on wages and salaries for the officials. Nevertheless, the country will have incurred an addition of US$10 million to our national debt.

Hugh Stewart

regional organizations which I had grown to believe had our best interests at heart. They said nothing! The CDB, UWI, FAO, IICA should have had the maturity to counsel the ECCB on that matter.

As it turned out all the sectors that the ECCB had targeted for this “bright” stimulation, every one of them, realized negative growth for three successive years afterward. Mission failed!

The result of these distinct failures by our own home-grown administrators is that our agriculture-based economy is crippled now. Those 30,000 jobs which were lost with the elimination of the Banana Industry have not yet been replaced. That is why we are in this economic stagnation today!

Our distinguished prime minister does not seem to mind any. He has seemingly been successful in using SVG as the flag-pole on which the pennants of his egotistic pursuits are held aloft to the world. Has he not declared himself to be “World Boss”?

Still fresh on my mind and very painful, is the treacherous “ass-assination” of our people by their own administrators, when fourteen years ago, Sir Dwight Venner the then governor of the ECCB declared, that our subregion could import food cheaper if we imported from “outside of the region”.

That approach has set the stage for what prevails today with regard to the food import bill.

Farmers, you have

had the painful experience over the last two decades that the promises of untrustworthy men are not to be relied on. The clock in the office of the Minister of Agriculture has not been working for some years now. So farmers, you better lean on your own hoe sticks. They will certainly prove to be more dependable than the perforated integrity of Untrustworthy Loquacious People (ULP).

LeRoy Providence

The Appointment of the Clerk of the House of Assembly

(Excerpts from the Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday’s, Press Statement)

IN JUNE 2023, Mrs. Deborah AlexanderCharles was appointed to the position of Clerk of the House of Assembly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The appointment has been condemned in many quarters for various reasons. Yet, the appointment remains in effect.

The appointment of Mrs. Deborah Charles is in blatant disregard for the established practice and the constitutional requirement of the position of Clerk. I raised the matter during the last sitting of the House of Assembly, held at Calliaqua on 13th July. There, I objected to Mrs. Charles’ appointment to the position of Clerk of the House, as not being a suitable person to hold that position given the nature of the position and her political activism on behalf of the governing ULP.

I also informed the House that I had written to the Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) stating my concerns and urging reconsideration of the decision to appoint her and the revoking of the appointment. The PSC is an independent body. I can’t tell them what to do, but as a concerned citizen, Member of Parliament and as Leader of the Opposition, I am entitled to raise my concerns and say what I think ought to be done. I would not be doing my duty in those roles if I stayed silent on the matter.

This is not a personal attack on Mrs. Charles as PM Gonsalves has tried to make it out to be, for e.g., in parliament two weeks ago. Why is this matter so important to all of us? We are a country of laws. Many people pay lip service to this requirement and frequently fail to act in a manner consistently with that sacred principle. Some of the worst offenders are in the present government.

First, it is important to note that the Clerk of the House of Assembly is a position required by the Constitution, the highest law of the land. Section 35 of the Constitution states that there “shall be a Clerk of the House”. It further states, “the office of the Clerk and the offices of the members of her staff shall be public offices.”

The appointment is done by the PSC and the holder of the office has a duty to be impartial in the performance of the duties of the office. To perform the duties appropriately the holder of this office must not only be impartial but must also appear to be so. The Clerk also has a critical role to play in one of the most important parliament acts under the Constitution, namely in the moving of a motion of No Confidence against the government.

When a motion of No Confidence is moved in the House, the Speaker is required to see that the House meets and disposes of the motion. If the Speaker does not do so within twentyone days, the Clerk has a duty to call a special meeting of the House at a time and place she says so that the motion could be debated and disposed

of. [See s.47 (2). Remember that a motion of no confidence in the government, if it is passed, could result in the end of the government. So, it is critically important that where the Speaker fails to bring it on to be disposed of, the Clerk would act in accordance with the law and have the motion debated. This is a constitutional duty.

We know from fairly recent experience in our Parliament, during the life of the ULP regime, how the government can misinterpret and disregard the Constitution and the Standing Orders so as to prevent a motion of No Confidence from being debated in Parliament. In such an important matter, we cannot have doubts about the impartiality and professionalism of the clerk; we cannot fear that political loyalty to the ruling party may impair her judgment and prevent her from doing her duty.

Debroah Charles is a political activist for the ULP! I use the present tense deliberately. We all know she was a candidate for the ULP up to the last elections, 2020. She ran against Daniel Cummings in West Kingstown twice and lost twice. She is still the caretaker for the ULP in that seat, as no replacement has been declared. She sat in Parliament on the government side as a senator leading up to the last elections, a mere two and a half years ago. Yet, last month she was appointed to be Clerk of the House. Could she not find a less sensitive and critical position to hold following her electoral failure and termination as Senator?

When I raised the objection in the House, the Speaker was quick to praise the clerk’s diligence and professionalism. Clearly, she did not give much consideration to the objections I had raised. Nor did the Prime Minister, for that matter, as he sought to diminish the significance of the concerns I raised.

Clearly, she has remained a partisan ULP activist even after her appointment as Clerk. This is shameful! Rubbing salt into the wound so to speak, for even after I raised the objection, Mrs. Charles has continued to flaunt her ULP credentials and partisanship on social media. It brings the office of clerk into disrepute and undermines the integrity of the House of Assembly.

Her appointment as Clerk and continued activism for her party, the ULP, have the potential to undermine how the House functions and thus weaken our democratic processes. How can members of the opposition go to her for assistance in that position when she continues to campaign for the ULP? It is not reasonable to expect us to disregard Mrs. Charles’ recent roles and continued political activism in the ULP and now see her as an impartial Public Officer. The appointment puts the House in a bad light by casting a shadow of political partisanship over the office. It will have a negative impact on the work of the Opposition in the House.

Advice to Young Professionals

“The foundation of a great professional career is personal integrity and honesty.” – Tom P. Muir – Canadian Advisor at DealMaker; former CFO at Maple Leaf Mills and Director at East Caribbean Group of Companies.

THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN REGION

there are multiple experienced professionals in the private and public sector who make themselves available to coach and mentor the new generation of professionals. Many sacrifice their time and other resources to do so through service club activities. Others engage in providing invaluable expert guidance on an individual basis. These experienced and accomplished individuals look for opportunities to contribute to the development of the next generation of professionals by sharing valuable insights in relation to best practices and how to avoid the pitfalls that may appear along their path to success.

There are multiple opportunities available for the development of the professional skills that fuel the growth and development along various career paths. However, moral and ethical moorings should accompany these. Academic credentials are not the sole determinants of securing a successful career. Moral and ethical considerations are of paramount importance. The young professional must never lose sight of this truth. To do so could ruin a promising career. Warren Buffett (born 1930), the American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist reminds us that, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

The young professional must understand that temptations will emerge to entice them to compromise their principles. This seems to be especially evident as they begin to be recognized for their skills and abilities. Temptations will come. However, they must determine long before the temptation appears that they will perform their tasks with honesty and decorum; that they will not yield to those who seek to have them compromise their principles.

Starting out as a young professional can be traumatic. It is normal to experience trepidation and to have reservations in relation to how well he/she is likely to perform. Many young professionals will testify of lacking confidence, motivation, and drive. However, they soon discover that the better they are prepared (i.e., planning and practicing good time management skills, going beyond the call of duty, etc.), the quicker they will generate the confidence to perform at their best. Mark Zuckerberg (born 1984) the American computer programmer, Internet entrepreneur, and cofounder and CEO of Facebook, noting that young professionals may get distracted and flustered when required to work on multiple assignments, suggests that, “If you do the things that are easier first, then you can actually make a lot of progress.”

Developing the habit of going beyond the call of duty and exerting more effort than is expected can propel the young professional’s career. Bill Gates (born 1955), the co-founder of Microsoft, highlights the benefits of working hard and testifies of his own commitment to doing so. He notes that, “I never took a day off in my twenties. Not one.”

Professor Eudine Barriteau, former Principal of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies,

provides valuable advice when she notes, “Do everything that is required of the job and more.” Such an attitude will serve the young professional well and place him/her on a trajectory to outstanding accomplishments and a great sense of satisfaction.

Some young professionals (and older ones too) become deflated when confronted with some aspect of failure. This may be especially so if others are unduly critical of their performance. However, there are so many successful individuals in business, government, politics, and society whose early experiences were saddled with failure. They retained their focus and developed the tenacity to pursue their noble dreams regardless of the obstacles and failures. Winston Churchill (18741965), who served at Britain’s Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955, encourages us when he notes that, “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” Hopefully the young professional will extract valuable education from the bouts of failure. This is much more easily accomplished when we discover something that we love and seek to do it better than everyone else and embrace the challenge of lifelong learning and always seeking to better our best efforts.

Young professionals must constantly work on creating and maintaining a focus on exerting their best efforts even when situations entice them to do otherwise (i.e., feeling mentally or physically tired, being bombarded by negative comments, individuals being unduly critical, etc.). Such an individual must develop the mental toughness to persist even when individuals and situations beckon them to compromise their standards and performance. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), the American architect, designer, educator, and writer captures this thought well when he noted that, “A professional is one who does his best work when he feels the least like working.”

Steve Jobs (1955-2011), the cofounder of Apple, provides some useful advice to encourage the young professional to avoid becoming distracted by external influences when he noted that, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Finally, it is advisable that the young professional learn to value relationships and networks early in his/her career. Having a good mentor and coach is most important. The experience and guidance of the wise will often prove invaluable. Such relationships are considered especially priceless at the commencement of the career journey but remain precious throughout.

Emancipation celebration reduced to Political Hustle

‘The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.’~Audre Lorde.

‘Instead of choosing leaders according to their rhetoric and promises, we need to choose leaders who mimic the same value system of you and I.’-

~Ndelika Mandela

NEXT TUESDAY, the people of our country, like the rest of our sisters and brothers across the English-speaking Caribbean, will celebrate the 189 anniversary since the British parliament passed legislation to end slavery. It is a significant milestone because we are children of the formally enslaved who, through their blood, sweat and tears, fought valiantly to bring an end to this horrific crime against humanity.

The scars of slavery: the African Holocaust remains and continues to impede our people’s advancement.

Beginning with the consciousnessraising Black power era of the 1960s and 70s, our people started celebrating events to mark significant dates like African Liberation Day in May and Emancipation Day in August. In recent times, Emancipation events have become a shadow of their former selves. With the conscious effort of the governing political elite to kill off independent civil society organisations, events marking these significant days became official gatherings dependent on government financing. Our drummers, poets, cultural artists and progressive activists continued to hold events, but not with the same purpose, people’s participation or effectiveness.

This year, the government decided it would continue to water down the significance of Emancipation Day by reducing the celebration to a fun day. CARICOM Day is now celebrated with Emancipation Day, thus taking from its relevance. Dubbed a ‘Celebration of Freedom and Unity’, the proposed event takes place at Victoria Park and will be headlined by a bevy of local and regional artists.

This is not the first Gonsalves assault on Emancipation Day. Four years ago, on Emancipation Day, August 1, 2019, he cynically named Susan Dougan as the new governorgeneral to replace the retiring Dr. Frederick Ballantyne. To declare a colonial representative as head of state on Emancipation Day was a slap in the face of our ancestors who fought against slavery, colonial oppression and exploitation.

This official event next Tuesday continues the insult. It not only trivialises an essential milestone in our people’s long march to freedom. It bastardises Emancipation Day by adding CARICOM Day under the guise of promoting Caribbean unity. The government fails to recognise or disregard the importance of keeping Emancipation Day sacrosanct.

To mark the 50th anniversary, the CARICOM Secretariat asked all regional governments to mark the milestone with an official holiday. Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana, and St Kitts acceded to the wish. Barbados announced it would mark the anniversary with an entire year of events.

Not so, Gonsalves. He opts for a fete, vainly hoping to desensitise the youth from the pressing social and economic problems and corruption that permeate every facet of Vincentian society.

Another point of note is this. September 15 marks ten years since the first Caribbean Reparations Conference was held here in SVG. Gonsalves deserves credit for steering CARICOM to champion the issue of reparations for Genocide, the TransAtlantic Slave Trade and Slavery. However, history may record this effort as political expediency rather than a deep-seated commitment to remedy the situation of people of African descent in the Caribbean. Gonsalves demonstrates no desire to help our people free themselves of mental slavery. In fact, he uses every opportunity to exploit our low cultural level and religious sensibilities.

Ten years ago, Gonsalves’ government announced an SVG Reparations Committee. Proof that he lacked commitment to the reparations cause can be gleaned from the fact in the Committee’s entire existence, he never budgeted a single cent for the Committee’s operations. He sabotaged the Committee’s right-to-return policy by claiming our exiled Garifuna brothers and sisters who live mainly in Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the United States will return to their ancestral homeland to take away ‘jobs and homes’ of Vincentians.

Following ten years of neglect of the local reparations movement, Gonsalves contracted to spend tens of thousands of dollars to bring Luciano and Jahmeil from Jamaica, Trinidadian soca dan Benjai and Grenada’s Jab Jab rhythm king, Tallpree.

What a monumental waste of resources! Consider the missed opportunity for consciousness-raising around the Genocide of our indigenous people, conquest, Trans-Atlantic Slave trade, slavery, colonialism and empire if, over the years, some of this money was allotted to the reparations committee.

But alas. Gonsalves and his clansmen are not interested in our people’s political and cultural upliftment. They want the people to remain ignorant and confused. They want the people to value loyalty to them over discipline and commitment to the nation.

It is a small wonder that Gonsalves speaks interchangeably about slaves or the enslavement of African bodies rather than the plight of enslaved African people. This is why, for all the rhetoric about slavery and reparations, African and Caribbean history are not compulsory subjects in our schools. It explains why important events like National Heroes Day, African Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day are reduced to political sideshows rather than cultural and political upliftment manifestations.

This is no celebration of Freedom and Unity. This so-called emancipation event is a political hustle by a leader intending to pimp the people for all the mileage he can muster. We hope the gambit fails. The youths must enjoy the free concert and keep Gonsalves and his clansmen in their political bull’s eye.

Justice delayed is justice denied

IAM AMONGseveral Vincentians awaiting the outcome of the appeal lodged with the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal by this government, with regard to a ruling handed down in favour of Teachers, Nurses, Police and other public servants who were unlawfully deprived of their jobs as a result of an iniquitous act

forcing government and public sector workers generally, to be injected with an ‘experimental’ treatment (for Covid-19) or lose their jobs.

By now, the entire world knows that the ‘vaccine’ was designed to make trillion$ for the pharmaceutical companies, while more than 6 million died as a

direct result of being subjects in the experiment, with both pharmaceutical companies and the governments administering the treatment free from liability from any injury, death or prolonged trauma caused by the ‘vaccine’. And the

deaths continue. For this year in Canada alone, up to the time of writing, over 30 commercial pilots have died as a direct result of ‘vaccine injuries’.

The whole thing is so unfair and injurious to those who were forced to take the ‘chook’ and even worse, they cannot sue big Pharma or Government.

So, what about the status of Teachers, Nurses, Police and other public sector workers, whose basic human rights were violated and who pursued legal action, got a just and fair judgment and now have to wait for eons to know their status. This is ridiculous and grossly unfair to these workers. Numerous Vincentians, including myself, are offended by the grave injustice currently meted out to those who stood their ground and refused to be jabbed. We are RIGHT and the government is WRONG!!! The Court has proved it, the verdict is as plain as day. The court judgment MUST be respected!

I keep saying this all the time: if the ULP was in Opposition, nothing like this could EVER have happened. But it shows how some people can change like a chameleon when they are in a position of authority

which is being abused. Bringing in Cuban nurses to replace nurses who refused to be jabbed was an abuse of diplomatic privilege. Yes, we need assistance in our healthcare system, but not under those circumstances. That act has demoralized our nurses, most of them losing confidence in the current administration.

There is so much going against this government over the last few years that needs serious redress. The volcano relief was poorly administered, with party affiliates/supporters getting preference over others who genuinely need assistance. The North Leeward quarry project, which is currently creating massive pollution

whenever it rains, is a project for which an environmental study has not yet been done and approved, and is a breach of protocol for projects of that nature, which the CDB needs to review.

These are some of the crucially important issues that must be dealt with, sooner than later. The appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal was lodged earlier this year. It is now almost the end of July and NOT a word from the legal department on the outcome of this ‘ultra vires’ matter. Justice delayed, is Justice DENIED. Like Nasio Fontaine sang, we crying out for “Justice”!

Donald De Riggs

Those affected by the vaccine mandate did not take the action against them lying down.

Overhaul governance structure of WI cricket

MIA MOTTLEY,Prime

Minister of Barbados, used the occasion of delivering the keynote address at the 22nd Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture, held at the Roy Marshall Teaching Complex at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Tuesday, July 25, to call for a complete overhaul of the current governance structure of West Indies cricket.

“We are playing the fool. I do not cast blame on any single person, but I am reaching out to an entire civilisation and its people,” she told her audience.

But it was in relation to the state of women’s cricket and the plight of women cricketers in the West Indies that she pronounced more exactly.

She called for equal pay for West Indies men’s and women’s cricket teams.

And to show her own government’s commitment and as though to encourage similar action in addressing the W.I. women’s cricket’s’ situation, Prime Minister Mottley cited her government’s initiative of removing the “awful discriminatory act where only the men who play for West Indies now benefit from duty-free cars in this country as well.”

She added: “Equal pay for equal work. And even if you say, as someone once told me, well you know there’s a lot more money in the men’s game, the truth is that the West Indies has already been relegated to two Tests and two or three ODIs so the money has already started to diminish, but the men are still paid here and the women are paid three to five times less.

“Indeed the women are paid less or let me put it another way, the men are paid more for a regional game than the women get for a nonregional game.”

And as for how the

region might position itself to afford ‘equal pay for equal work’, Mottley suggested devising creative marketing strategies that would enable Cricket West Indies to be better able to attract sponsorship, especially for women’s cricket in the region.

“But what bothers me is that because there has not been a similar club structure and a similar domestic structure to be able to get the best out of our girls, we are still not, therefore, dominating the game in a way that we could if we had a different approach to the development of girls’ cricket and women’s cricket at our national territory levels and not just as a team for cricket West Indies,” the Prime Minister said.

“We will not do well until we remove all vestiges of discrimination from this game in the same way that we must remove all vestiges of discrimination from our societies”, she contended.

Reference was made to the report of a 2015 Governance review Panel chaired by Professor Eudine Barriteau.

That report stated, inter alia, that while women cricketers are very committed to the game, their compensation packages are minimal, where ten senior players have ‘decent’ retainer contracts. The sharpest difference is at the regional level where the women receive an allowance of US $150.00 for two weeks.

In 2016, Cricket West Indies (CWI) women’s retainer contracts ranged between $1500 and $3000 a month while their male counterparts earned anywhere between $100,000 and $150,000 a year. (Source: Barbados Today)

Prime Minister

Mottley, in delivering the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial lecture, called for renewed focus on cricket’s role in uniting the Caribbean.

Basil Charles Foundation to the rescue

HE DOES NOT HIDE

THAThe did not finish school, in the formal way that most Vincentians know. But he has acquired a wealth of knowledge, and he is among this country’s most influential figures. His name echoes internationally, and he continues to shape trends.

Basil Charles hails from the South Windward district of Biabou. A Bar on the Grenadine Island of Mustique is the place that he has stamped his footprint.

Basil’s Bar has become internationally acclaimed and a Blues Festival converges on the Bar annually, bolstered by a slate of celebrities who take advantage of the tranquil Caribbean.

Basil is persistent in his quest to see that children who lack financial means get that breath of life that a formal education offers.

Last Tuesday morning, another seven students joined the Basil Charles Educational Foundation of scholarship recipients. This year’s awardees: Swiss Andrews, Jimelia Andrews, Mya Pierre,

Andrew Moore, Wyatt Thomas, Nathan Lavia and DeMari Thomas.

They start with $600 for the first term, and $450 for the others. The Foundation also takes care of meals, transport and (extra) lessons in Math and English.

Besides the scholarships, ten students are bursary awardees. They are: Angeli Joseph, Brody Warren,

Basil Charles, through the Basil Charles Educational Foundation, is committed to make quality education available to disadvantaged children.

Aneisha Richards, Amaree James, Rayshawn Jack, Qianu Ralph, Caeli George, Katlia Samuel, Raj Davis, and Keython Gaymes.

Charles is encouraging the recipients to “do good with it,” and notes that many who went through the package “have progressed.”

One such is Maraika Baptiste, a 2016 Basil Charles Educational Foundation

scholar. Her father played guitar at Basil Bar on occasions. She is “proud” of the Foundation. It made her journey smooth, taking care of needs, including a trip to Guadeloupe in 2019.

Baptiste praised the Foundation “for helping to make the future brighter for other students.”

Former scholarship awardee Kayla Bobb is

grateful for the help the Foundation has provided, taking care of her needs so that she did not have to worry while going to school.

Basil Charles Education Foundation “is dedicated to providing crucial scholarships and support to students.

“Our mission is to make quality education accessible to vulnerable children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” Charles outlines.

The Foundation’s outreach extends to Summer Programmes, with emphasis on science, technology, English and Math.

There are also aftersecondary-school activities and the Foundation has adopted 15 Pre-Schools, and donated 600 cots recent times. (WKA)

Some of the scholarship and bursary recipients with Basil Charles (right back row), former scholarship awardee (left) and a person from the Basil Charles Foundation (right front).

Elliot ÂMorieÊ Millington: Dead at 68

Sion Hill community had emerged and evolved into a national human resource on things football,” he told THE VINCENTIAN.

In 1974, Millington became the vice-captain of the first Under-20 team selected to participate in the inaugural Cable & Wireless Caribbean Football Youth tournament.

His captain then was Alexander “Pete” Morris, one of a family of three who would become footballers of national acclaim.

After making his senior national football team debut in 1976, Millington was elevated to captain in 1977 until 1988. After his playing days, he was appointed National Senior Team Coach in 1989 until 1992.

Impacting others

CORRESPONDENT naking@verizon.net

ELLIOT “MORIE” MILLINGTON, who skippered and coached the St. Vincent and the Grenadines national football (soccer) team and led the nation to second place in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) championship in 1979, died on Monday, Jul. 17, 2023. He was 68.

Millington’s older of two sons, Reinaldo Millington, 40, told THE VINCENTIAN that his father died at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan.

He said Millington who was on dialysis for kidney disease, had kidney transplantation last September.

“We’re coping, trying to hang in there and stay positive. But it’s painful. It’s definitely not easy,” Reinaldo admitted.

Millington was one of three brothers who represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines as national soccer players. The others were Kenwyn “Targie” and Oswald “Sheen” Millington.

Oswald told THE VINCENTIAN: “It hurts, but I know he was down.

“The only problem is my mother [Janet Millington, who lives in Mississauga, outside Toronto, Canada], who will be 99 on Oct. 27, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Day,” he said. “But she’s in good spirits. It’s [Millington’s death] is hurting her, but she’s in good spirits.

Early formation

Millington, who was also a

national soccer coach, was a plumber by profession. He grew up in Sion Hill, a popular village overlooking capital Kingstown.

He was the 6th of 10 children, including eight boys, of the prominent Sion Hill plumber, his father, the late Sydney Millington and mother, Janet Millington, currently residing in Canada with daughter Silma.

Millington received his elementary education at the Sion Hill Government School and his secondary education at the Emmanuel High School, Kingstown.

After leaving secondary school, he joined the family firm of plumbing.

After his father’s death, Millington, for many years, was employed at the Public Works Department.

“Then football [soccer] duties of one form or the other came calling,” said Frank Montgomery “Monty” Clarke, fellow Sion Hillian and former Counsellor at the St. Vincent Grenadines Embassy in Washington, D.C., in his tribute.

Traversing his football career

Like another iconic Sion Hillian, the late Lloyd “Manager” Lewis, whose service to cricket was renowned, Clarke said Millington’s duty to soccer “traversed several pathways — village-wise and nationally.”

“He was notorious for his football [soccer] exploits and easy-going style,” Clarke said of Millington.

“So, this iconic son of the

Honour bestowed

In April 2016, the Brooklynbased Friends of Sion Hill conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award on Millington.

He received a standing ovation before and after he was conferred with the award at the gala, black-tie, inaugural Award Ceremony and Dance at the Friends of Crown Heights Education Center in Brooklyn.

“This award is not just for sports [but as] a brother, father-figure,” said Osborne “Sheen” Millington in presenting his brother with the award. “Sheen” also represented the nation in football, in the mid-field and striking positions, from 197683, under Millington’s captaincy.

legend,” adding that Millington had “proven that good and great can reside in the same person.”

In introductory remarks, Colin Bramble told the sell-out patrons that, “without Morie’s influence, I would not have been a great soccer player, or the man I am today…. Morie, you’re a great role model to me and others alike.”

The Millington family settled in the Corona section of Queens, New York.

But before that, Millington had mentored an “innumerable amount of young footballers in Sion Hill and beyond,” according to Clarke.

“For the many years, he was at the helm of football in Sion Hill,” the former diplomat said. “Morie was a national treasure and a football standout of the Millingtons’ brood — an extract from a national sporting family from Sion Hill (football, cricket and netball).

“A phenomenon, Sion Hill residents of my generation and younger were privileged to have witnessed his work ethic, and be a part of, from the 2nd half of the 20th century,” he added. “There would always be the debate as to which of the brothers were the best at football, but we would defer that conversation for another time.

“He was a simple but serious and engaging individual, always willing to give advice to the youngsters — girl or boy, voluntarily or otherwise,” Clarke continued.

“Disappointments abound on top of Sion Hill,” he said. “Despite his pre-existing health challenges, the people were optimistically rooting for him.”

Friends and colleagues, especially those from Sion Hill, were always close to their idol Elliot “Morie” Millington (extreme left).

In accepting the honour, Millington said that when he joined Sion Hill’s Somerset B team in 1972, then the A team a year later, he vowed to change the long-held belief, in many quarters, that the “Village on the Hill” was only renowned for its track stars.

He complimented the Almighty “and everybody who surrounded me” for ensuring that the Sion Hill Football Club reached the pinnacle of the nation’s football and for captaining and coaching the national team.

“Yes, I was. I simply did the best I could ...Sion Hill has set the pace. I’m very happy for this award,” Millington added.

Showering praise

Venold Coombs, then president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, described Millington as “the epitome of grace, class, industry, dignity, discipline and commitment, who bestrode the football arena like a colossus.”

Earl “Caba” Bennett, current president of the Sion Hill Sports and Cultural Club, described Millington in the souvenir journal as “a living

In his tribute, then Sports Minister Cecil “Ces” McKie said Millington “distinguished himself as a midfield maestro, technically gifted and blessed with skills, with chest and head, and was referred to as one of the best headers of the ball in SVG.”

Besides his mother, Janet; sister, Silma and three other sisters; brothers, Oswald and Kenwyn; wife, Felicia; sons, Reinaldo and Shorne; daughters, Nichola and Tenisha; Millington is survived by siblings, in order of seniority: Irvin, Bonny “Knights”, Edgerton “Edge”, Bernard “Nardie”, Marva and Garfield “Gary”.

Funeral service will be held on Sat., Aug. 5 at Millington’s church home, Faith Deliverance Church of God, 5601 Flatlands Ave., Brooklyn, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Viewing will be from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Vincentian the Rev. Dr. Neithe Soleyn is the church’s pastor.

His body will be laid to rest the next day at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Queens, NY.

“As you can observe of the children, Morie is the first to strike out,” Clarke said. “So, we can say he died too soon.”

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING US

Elliot “Morie” Millington giving an acceptance speech after being conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award on Millington by the Friends of Sion Hill.

Elliot “Morie” Millington the football coach, keeping a watchful eye on his cares.

History Against Crime

AS THE CRIME WAVE CONTINUES to escalate in this country, I ask, who has the wisdom, knowledge, and guidance to save these broken children of African descent from destruction and lead them in the right direction? Who would be courageous enough to tell them they are black, beautiful, and proud? Who dares to tell disorderly children that unity and love are the answer to conquering war, strife, conflict, and antagonism? If politicians and preachers don’t have the will to do so, I will!

Making Black History A Priority

The Unity Labour Party (ULP) implemented an initiative they called ‘Pan Against Crime’. From my perspective, they could have implemented an initiative called ‘History Against Crime’. Looking at the scenario with a birds-eye view, this would have been the proper thing to do. However, I don’t think the Prime Minister would have allowed such a thing because he knows if the children of Africa were awakened from their slumber, he could not control, hoodwink or bamboozle their thought process. Politicians will find it appropriate to make all sorts of draconian laws to keep the people walking on a tightrope. They wouldn’t make black history a must but would instead prioritize high taxation, and encourage polarization, division, and practice victimization, making hardship a must.

History Is a Must

In history, one can find a multitude of different things, not least the value of life, brotherhood, and sisterhood; the value of trading, economics, and commerce. One can also find religion, identity, customs, norms, and morality, and tenets that create a nucleus of togetherness essential to maintain a stable society. History gives a sense of purpose for yourself, who you are, and the value of forming a strong, formidable family structure. History makes

you stand tall in the face of aggression and bigotry. It also boosts confidence, especially as the discovery that our ancestors are the creators of civilization.

Gangsterism In High Places

If politicians are acting like gangsters, how can the youth be expected to behave differently? How can the youth be expected to conduct themselves as decent moral citizens?

The politicians of this land are not in a position to make moral judgement. They need to reexamine themselves and do right. Look at how grown intellectual men are behaving in public. Just last year, the former Speaker of the House was in a brawl, a fist fight, with Jerrold Thompson, a former member of parliament.

Now, if our highly esteemed intellectuals act like anuses, how do you expect the not-sointellectually inclined to act?

Butting Heads

Those with ears have heard the expressions of thuggery and warmongering, and verbal aggression coming from the parliament. The utterances from that chamber sounds like those akin to ‘bad Johns’ and lowlife thugs dressed in clean attire.

For some time now, the Hon. Peacock and the Hon. Gonzie have been going at it as if they were in a head-on collision, but the

Speaker of the House was there to stop them from butting heads. We need people with level heads to run this country. The people of this country deserve good representation; they don’t need thugs, bad johns, and degenerates in the House of Parliament.

A Deficiency of History

Most definitively, a deficiency of knowledge of their history has diminished our youngsters to dogs! As a country of 90 percent blacks, the Government, through the Ministry of Education should make it

mandatory that children of African descent learn their history. As we know, black history could give the youth a perspective of themselves, of who they are. But no!! The politicians continue to use the tactics of divide and rule, and have us

fighting one another as bitter rivals. The bourgeoisie politicians of this country are not morally grounded to deny the little gangster of money and luxury, when they are obsessed with power, materialism and vanity.

By: Carden A. Michael

DIGICEL SVG gets prime 4D’summer

DIGICELis turning up the heat in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the summer by offering customers more value, more rewards, and more lifestyle choices.

Victor Kovacs, CEO of Digicel SVG said: “This year we are getting Prime 4 D’Summer; we’re giving rewards that are more practical for our customer’s lifestyles. At Digicel, we always act on our customers’ feedback and reward them for being part of the Digicel family, and that’s why we launched our NEW Prime Ultra Bundles last week. So, for summer, customers across St. Vincent and the Grenadines can look out for more from Digicel and Digicel+.”

Over the past 20 years, Digicel has invested millions to keep you connected to the people and things that you cherish the most. New and existing Digicel and Digicel+ customers can earn rewards this

summer by activating a 2 Day Prime Ultra Bundle or higher, switching to Digicel or by paying their Digicel+ bill in full.

Kovacs, continued: “We’re all about meeting customers where they are and giving them what they want.

Vincentians said they want more talk, more data, and more value, so we’ve come up with NEW Prime Ultra Bundles that have endless local calls on select plans, endless social media (Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter), data for Spotify, YouTube, TikTok & Netflix, new regional/international talk and more any-use data, starting as low as $5.50 with auto-renewal, giving customers more value for money with Digicel.”

In addition to giving more value, over the next few weeks, Digicel will also be popping up in communities across the country to give back to the

Tropical Shipping extends assistance to students

IN ANOTHERdisplay of commitment

to education and community outreach, Tropical Shipping on July 17th, 2023, awarded scholarships to five (5) deserving students, who successfully completed this year’s Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA).

A donation of USD$300.00 was awarded to each student to ease the financial burden and enable them to better pursue their secondary education.

At the presentation ceremony held at Tropical Shipping’s office in Kingstown, Ms. Howard, Sales Manager, said the gesture by her Company exemplifies the organization’s dedication to investing in the communities so that it avails educational opportunities for the youth. In so doing, the Company recognizes the crucial role education plays in transforming lives and creating a brighter future for individuals and society.

This year marks 60 years since

Tropical Shipping has been serving the Bahamas and Caribbean, with 30 years of business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Ministry of Education’s representative Mrs. Hannah Browne, also present at the ceremony, thanked Tropical Shipping for its generous donation which she avowed will offset much financial burden of the parents.

Addressing the students, Browne said the donation serves as a powerful affirmation of true corporate commitment and encouraged them to use it appropriately on their new journey toward educational excellence.

The parents of the recipients also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Tropical Shipping for the donations which would allow their students to pursue secondary level education by overcoming the struggle to purchase textbooks, uniforms and others school-related materials.

Tropical Shipping)

people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Customers can follow along as Digicel paints the town red via its social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Offering more rewards, Digicel Prepaid customers will have the

opportunity to win $5000 cash or a trip to a Caribbean destination of their choice weekly and Digicel+ Fibre internet customers will get the chance to win $1000 every week in summer. Get Prime 4 D’Summer with Digicel SVG.

(Source:

Lookout for the Digicel team as they pop up in communities across the country to give back to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

From left to right: Maxine Howard, Sales Manager Tropical Shipping; recipients Thaddeus Williams, Liam Ragguette, Raverco Mayers, Bethany Durham, and Senior Education Officer Primary Schools, Hannah Browne. (Missing from photo is Olivia Matthews.)

La Soufrière, our famous, beautiful, volcano, commonly referred to as just Soufrière, violently erupted April 9, 2021. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. The public was informed about the impending eruption. People who lived near the volcano were evacuated and housed in safe areas.

It was a solemn time for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Soufriere” sent a huge plume of ash into the air, which appeared to be about six miles high.

The plume was seen everywhere on the island. The emotional impact was great! It was felt by all.

The artists were presented with significant, fresh, organic material. The eruption stirred the imagination.

Artists paid attention and responded with great passion and vigour. They set forth to try to provide clues to the past and advanced questions about the future.

Artists constantly strive to touch us beyond the intellect, and reach down into society’s emotional core. They have the ability to provide us with the truth about the world seen through their eyes.

The Youlou Art Centre which is forever encouraging the visual arts in the community, seized on this

The Power of The Volcano August 01: CARICOM 50th Anniversary Celebration

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

will join the rest of the Caribbean in a grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

An event dubbed ‘One Family Concert’ will be held on August 01, Emancipation Day, at Victoria Park.

A release from the organizing Committee states that the event will commence at 2 pm, and promises to be a momentous occasion in celebration of five decades of regional integration, cooperation, and the collective journey towards freedom and unity among Caribbean nations.

The August 01 event, a display of Caribbean culture, will feature:

* Cultural Performances - with performances by international, regional and local performing artistes, dancers and musicians;

* Art and Craft Exhibition- showcasing traditional and contemporary Caribbean arts and crafts;

* Food and Cuisine — offering a taste of an array of authentic diverse Caribbean culinary delights;

* Commemorative Ceremony — paying tribute to and recognizing the contributions of the pioneers of CARICOM.

opportunity to encourage local visual artists to come forward to share and show their work on the 2021 eruption of the volcano, La Soufrière. It took some time to produce this show. Finally, the artwork by several local artists is ready to be seen.

It is with great excitement and pride that the Youlou Art Centre announces the opening of the volcano show, titled “The Power of The Volcano”. The show will open early August and run through to the end of February, 2024.

An Opening Reception is slated for Thursday, August 3, from 6 pm to 8

pm. During the reception finger foods will be served and drinks will be on sale.

We are encouraging you to attend this show. It is an

opportunity to show your support for the visual arts and artists.

The show is free and open to the public. (Source: YAC)

Admission to the event is free and families are encouraged to attend and partake in the festivities.

The Organsing Committee urges Vincentian to come together as one Caribbean family on Emancipation Day to celebrate the enduring spirit of freedom, resilience, and unity that binds us as a region.

(Submitted)

The 50th Anniversary of CARCOM will be marked by a ‘One Family Concert’ on Emancipation Day.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 20)

You may find yourself interested in more than one person. Property purchases should be on your mind. Secret affairs may be tempting. You will be able to contribute a great deal to organizations that you join.

TAURUS (APR. 21 - MAY 21)

Take time to listen to children and help them with projects that seem impossible to them. New relationships will surface through work-related events. Keep tabs on your spending.

GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21)

Travel will be favorable. You can gain knowledge from dealing with foreigners. A second chance will result in good work. Take some time out.

CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 22)

Residential moves will be favorable. Look into alternatives that would better suit both your needs. Do things that involve children. You can ask for favors but don’t take them for granted.

LEO (JULY 23 – AUG. 22)

Relationships will become stronger. You need to get away could lead you into greater debt. Your involvement with groups will raise your self-esteem.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 23)

Be careful signing important contracts this week. Female colleagues may be able to help you get the job done. Investments that deal with property will pay off but could cause conflict with some family members.

LIBRA (SEPT. 24 - OCT. 23)

Get into fitness programs to keep in shape. Your ambitious mood may not go over well with loved ones. Secret affairs will only lead to deception. You need to concentrate on solving existing problems.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22)

Try not to be so demonstrative. Talk to others about your plans. You can certainly gain popularity; however, don’t do it by paying for everyone else.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 - DEC. 21)

You should be trying to clear up legal contracts that have been pending. Your lack of interest in your partner is a problem. Get promises in writing or you will be disappointed.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 20)

Risky ventures may turn in your favor. Investments may not be as lucrative as you thought. Travel and learning should be on your agenda this week.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 - FEB. 19)

Problems on the home front might be a little disconcerting. Children may pose a problem if they don’t like suggestions. Do your job and don’t ask for favors.

PISCES (FEB. 20 - MAR. 20)

You may find travel to be most rewarding. Ask those in key positions to help you overcome the delays and support your concerns to move on.

ACROSS

1. Therapeutic baths

5. Company going public has one

8. Striped fish

12. Baked, in Bologna

14. Armstrong walked here

15. Grand slam foursome

16. Helpful plants

17. Wager

18. Article in “Der Spiegel”

19. US city

21. Ancient Roman city in England

22. Coup ___

24. Resting place

25. “What’ve you been ___?”

28. Render harmless

30. California university

33. Works, as a field

35. Beige

36. Swell place?

37. US city

41. Immigrant’s subj.

42. One-eighties

43. Fill with joy

44. Trademarks, abbr.

45. “Monty Python” alumnus John

48. Beauty products provider

49. Chill

50. Prefix with logical and economic

52. US city

54. Spanish city

58. High protein soy

59. Conceal

62. Typo

63. Prefix with plane

64. Some spaceships

65. John on a farm

66. Vegetarian’s no-no

67. Hot car

68. Lady of Lisbon

1. Fleece

DOWN

2. John Paul II, e.g.

3. Hadron’s

Junior CASA 2023 concludes

James, the other Under-19 player, along with Morgan.

Meanwhile, Barbados was crowned overall champions, winning both the Boys and Girls titles, with Guyana, the runners up in both categories.

The Barbadians tallied 35 points, ahead of Guyana’s 28 points and third place — Jamaica on 22 points.

HOST ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, with 9 points finished in seventh place in the overall standings, when the XXXIX National Lotteries Authority Caribbean Area Squash Association Junior Tournament ended here last Saturday, July 22.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines was seventh in both the Boys’ and Girls’ segments.

The stand-out performer for the Vincentian contingent was Jayden George who won the Boys Under-15 singles title.

George also teamed up with Jaydon Williams to finish third in the Boys Doubles, while Williams took bronze in the Boys Under-17.

The next best effort for

St. Vincent and the Grenadines came from Nadira Morgan. She took the Girls Under-19 plate.

The rest of the Vincentian team included Amiyah Bascombe, Ethan Webster and Za’mar Welcome Hannaway, who contested the Under-11 age group; while the Under-13 representatives included Caeli George, Savante Padmore and

Aiden De Freitas.

Apart from Jayden George, the other Under15 representatives were Zoe Martin, Natalia Olton and Naira-Skye John, Dru Samuel and De’ron Lewis.

Joining Jaydon Williams among the Under-17s were Ciara George, Kyle James and Oneil Sprott, with Devere

Placing fourth on 16 points was Bermuda, with Cayman Islands- sixth on 13 points, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago on 10 points.

The British Virgin Islands completed the table in eighth position overall with six points.

Barbados’ Sumairaa Suleman who won the Girls Under-19 title and teamed up with Eboni Artherley to win the Girls Doubles, walked away with the Dr. Cecil Cyrus award of Excellence.

And, Jace Jervis of the Cayman Islands received the Dr. Cecil Cyrus Award for Leadership and Excellence.

Roban strikes 800m gold again

HANDAL ROBAN,as expected, copped gold in the Under-23 men’s 800m at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) U18/ Under-23 championships last Sunday, July 23, in San Jose, Costa Rica.

His NACAC gold, won in a time of 1:47.43, followed his gold gained over the same distance at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador earlier this month.

Second was Sean Dolan of the USA, in 1:47.54 and Dominican -Denrick Luke was third in 1:47. 62.

Roban’s gold was the lone medal pouched by St

Vincent and the Grenadines, who was represented by five other athletes.

Keo Davis and AJ Delpesche finished sixth in the Under-18 male, 100 and 400m respectively.

Davis’ time in the final was 10.85 seconds, while Delpesche’s time in the one lap event was 51.03s.

Meanwhile, Amal Glasgow placed sixth in the Under-23 male 400m, with a 47.01 clocking.

Also placing sixth was national debutant- Earl Simmonds in the Male Under-23 100m.

Simmonds after posting a wind assisted 10.16 seconds in the semifinals, stopped the clock at 10.35s in the final.

Handal Roban has been one of this country most consistently successful Track and field Athlete on the regional and international circuits.

And, Uroy Ryan was fourth in the Under-23 men’s Long Jump, with a leap of 7.80m. St Vincent and the

All winners were rewarded at the Presentation and Closing Ceremony that took place at the La Vue Hotel, last Saturday.

The Junior CASA Tournament was returning to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the first time since it was last held in 1986.

Grenadines’ next outing is the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Archery

Assoc’ gets a home

MEMBERS

OF THE ARCHERY

ASSOCIATION of SVG have something about which they can celebrate. They now have a place to call “home”.

Through discussions with relevant government departments and personnel, the Association has been able to procure a parcel of land adjoining the Diamond Track Facility.

In welcoming the landmark opportunity for the sport, President of the Association- Sanjay Jiandani expressed gratitude to all who made it a reality.

“We are grateful to the government and the management of the track facility for their kind support and cooperation, and we look forward to now building our sport even further... The new facility will allow our Association to host larger events both locally and regionally,” Jiandani underscored.

Apart from the actually facility, Jiandani disclosed that his organisation has been afforded storage for their equipment.

“Other than the actual facility, the management of the Diamond Track Facility has graciously provided us with a storage container, along with access to the main center field for hosting of tournaments and other important archery events. Indeed, this is a shot in the arm for us,” a gleeful Jiandani expressed.

Prior to access to the Diamond facility, the archers temporarily operated at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in the vicinity of the media centre, before moving to the compound of the Dolphin Gymnastics and Health Academy Facility, located at the old Mustique Airways at Arnos Vale.

All thing being equal, the new facility will be fully operational early in the month of August, and Jiandani is hopeful that it will serve as a spring board for Archery.

“We invite the general public to give this sport a try. Anyone who is interested can contact us for information on how you can become an archer… You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram,” Jiandani related.

Archery is the newest sport to be introduced to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The (local) sport was formally inducted into World Archery in 2021.

Sanjay Jiandani (right) giving instructions to his daughter at a practice session at Arnos Vale.

Jayden George (left) and Jaydon Williams (right).

Right: Nadira Morgan

Sumairaa Suleman (left) accepting her award from Paul Cyrus.

Jace Jervis gets his award from Paul Cyrus.

Field events, hurdles can takeoff

FIELDSevents and hurdles have been less popular events in track and field in St. Vincent, but Kanhai Senior, a Level 5 Certified Coach specializing in the jumps and hurdles, is of the

view that once there are some good programmes in place with a good support system, the events can move to a next level.

Senior shared his observation during a break in

Playaz bÊball camp shoots off

IN FULFILLINGits mission to contribute in a real way to the development of basketball and especially, to grooming young players, the Playaz Youth Academy officially launched its 2023 Playaz Youth Basketball Academy Summer Camp, at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, earlier this week.

The Camp will run for two weeks and according to Orlando Ferguson, Director and Head Coach of the Academy, this year will see an increased number of younger participants than last year.

“This is really good because at a younger age it gives them more of an opportunity at the game, the earlier

his sessions at the ongoing ITDAT Academy Summer Camp, at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex.

“…. Some of the glamor events start getting over burden so people start to branch off into the field events…. I believe it will have more participation ……, especially the running ones such as the hurdles and the long jumps,” Senior said.

As for his assessment of those he has been working with, the senior coach shared, “They are willing kids, …it just needs some proper

planning, administration and supervision, ... it just needs to be organized well and deal with it from the grass root level … through primary and high school - because there are not much field athletes at the senior level.”

And if an athlete wants to reach the top, the coach’s advice is to believe in the process once you chose an event, Senior said, “They just need to choose an event and work at it and believe in the process, it is very important you believe in the process. If you don’t believe you won’t get the success…. There are competent persons here and have resources. ………, the talent is here, you just need to work on it and once you start from the grassroot level it is just the continuation that matters.”

Reine Browne, one of the female athletes involved in the camp, believes the hurdles can become popular. “It’s a good experience because it’s a different event and not much people do it. …. Once I continue to train hard, I believe I can do well, and maybe one day I will compete in the 100- and 400meters hurdles,” she said.

I.B.A. ALLEN

they start is better …,” Ferguson reasoned.

“The fundamentals of the game are important…: dribbling, passing, catching, and shooting,” the head Coach acknowledged, but he was quick to admit, “… we can’t squeeze the whole life time of basketball into two weeks. What we can do is to give them an idea of what they would do as they progress, not least being how to work together as a unit,” Ferguson told THE VINCENTIAN during the opening.

Apart from basketball, participants will be exposed to life skills and there will be focused sessions on ‘life behind bars and crime’, the Director said.

The need for an appreciation of a formal education does not escape the Academy.

“I tell the players think of education first then basketball. An NBA player’s career finishes at 37-38 so it is important that we push education first. For you to leave here to pursue basketball, your grades have to be good to enter a university or college so we push education first,” Ferguson emphasized.

Ferguson is forever grateful to all of the sponsors who have been on board and continue to support the

Marriaqua Football League gets going

THE2023 edition of the Marriaqua Football Association (MFA) Village Cup, got going last Sunday, July 23, at the Cane End Playing Field.

At stake for the competing teams are prize monies, trophies, as well as the obvious bragging rights. The firstplace winner

is assured $1500; second place- $1000 and third place$500.

Making a bid for the top prizes are defending champions Downstreet, Glenside, Greiggs, Richland Park, Cane End, Carriere and specially invited outfit, Walvaroo City from the Sion Hill community.

President of the MFAYosiah Dascent, in addressing the decrease in the number of participating teams, noted that the time frame was key.

“ We are keeping within the time frame as mandated by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football

Federation, that leagues are to be constituted by the end of August - early September, the latest,” Dascent related.

The MFA President added that because of the stipulation the format of the competition will be a round robin, with the four top teams after the preliminary round, advancing to the semi-finals.

And, already putting themselves in contention for a spot in the last four was Greiggs, who condemned reigning championsDownstreet to a 4-2 defeat, in Sunday’s opening salvo. Preceding that match up,

programme. He encourages others to come on board for the benefit of the youth.

The first Playaz Youth Basketball Academy Summer Camp was held in 2018.

I.B.A. ALLEN

was the formal Opening Ceremony, that heard brief remarks from MFA President - Yosiah Dascent; Parliamentary Representative for Marriaqua - Hon. St Clair Prince; Minister of the Public

Service, Consumer Affairs and Sports - Hon. Frederick Stephenson.

The league is expected to be completed during the last week of August.

Coach Kanhai Senior (left) demonstrating one of the requirement movements/techniques of the hurdles.

Reine Browne has her eyes set on pursuing the hurdles.

Activity on the court that marked the opening of the 2023 Playaz Youth Basketball Academy Summer Camp. Orlando Ferguson –Director and Head Coach of Playz Youth Academy.

Greiggs and Downstreet in battle last Sunday at the Cane End Playing Field.

MFA PresidentYosiah Dascent

Where is the love?

WEST INDIEScricket is at a crossroad. The players lack the capacity to adjust to situations. The pride has disappeared and we seem more concerned about appreciation for the opposition.

There is an admiration for the rivals. There is nothing wrong about respecting those you are facing, but it must not be to a level of condescending.

If I were Joshua DaSilva, my objective would have been to see the back of Virat Kohli rather than spurring him on to a century.

If DaSilva is so obsessed about a hundred, his mission should have been to get one against a vaunted Indian attack and embellish his resume.

In any event, what encouragement is given to your bowlers when your wicket keeper is ensuring that the batsman is in a comfort zone?

Cricketers have to leave personal and family preferences off the field. Cricket is about genuine contest.

Cultivation of that mentality of rising to the occasion has evaporated from West Indies cricket. The first sign of resistance we encounter, we panic and lose our nerve.

The local Cricket authorities will have to do something about the dearth of quality cricketers. There is a lull in Vincentian cricket. Perhaps matters have evolved so rapidly that time ran out on keeping matters in place.

Primary Cricket used to be an event of national interest. Adjustments ushered in the Under 15 cricket competition. That level of contest does not take place neither is there any emphasis on Under 17 or Under 19 cricket. That leaves a void so how can the next crop hone their skills?

There needs to be a spark in youth cricket. Club Cricket in St. Vincent and the Grenadiers is in need of serious revival. It is strange that with the proliferation of T/20 leagues, attempts to fit in with the trends are slow in coming.

The Cricket Association has to justify its existence and handle matters in a decisive manner. Things can’t be left to meander.

Serious coaching methods must become part of the training regime. The Cricket West Indies has to have systems in place to ensure the continuity of the sport. There are many boxes in the chart that must be ticked for West Indies cricket to ensure any sense of stability.

There is a type of mystique that goes on behind the closed doors of West Indies Cricket administration. The rancor that exists among the different territories render it difficult to unravel.

Whatever the concoctions, current president Kishore Shallow will have some explaining to do. His elevation to the top from a national setting, bore marks of genuine ambition to lift the sport. He has time to redeem himself. He will have to flex his authority to ensure that the situation in his homeland is taken care off.

He must find some ways of arresting the slide in regional cricket. Part of that mandate requires a solid foundation on the home front.

This has to be Shallow’s priority. After that, we can look forward to hearing more about preparations for staging the 2024 World Cup.

Barbados heads U19 points table

BARBADOSheads the points standing going into the third round of matches in the ongoing Cricket West Indies (CWI) Under19 Three-Day Championship, being played in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Barbadians were assured of their lead when they inflicted a crushing innings and 9 runs win over Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) within two days at Park Hill, in a second-round match played on the weekend.

Barbados, on the backs of Joshua Dorne, 91, Zion Brathwaite, 51, and Achilles Browne, 51, raced to 284; to which T&T replied with 165, Andrew Rambaran 39, Justin Jagessar 35, Rajeev Ramnath 31, Nathan Sealy 6 for 37.

Asked to follow on, T&T fared even worse crumbling for 110 under the weight of Sealey again, with 4 for 28, and Raneico Smith 4 for 25.

At Arnos Vale One, Guyana beat Windward Islands by 186 runs. Guyana showed little resistance to Tarrique Edwards, 5 for 4, and were humbled for 69 in their first innings. They fared much better the second time around with 265 for 9 declared: Mavendra Dindyal 77, Shamar Yearwood 64, Zeynul Ramsammy 59 not out. Edward was again the Windwards’ leading bowler with 6

for 93.

Windward Islands were utterly disastrous, with scores of 86 and 59 in their respective innings.

Jonathan Rampersaud, 5 for 18, and Aryan Persaud, 7 for 6, were the first and second innings destroyers respectively. The Jamaica—Leeward Islands match ended in a draw, though it threw up two century-makers. Malique Walsh, 147, and Jewel Andrew, 126, assured the Leeward a first innings total of 345. Jamaica, with leading scorers being Jordan Johnson, 97, and Justin Beckford,

Malique Walsh helped himself and the Leewards to a stroke-filled 147.

72, closed on 297; Walsh, 3 for 43.

Asked to follow on, Jamaica were 267 when play was calledAdrian Weir 60, Jordan Johnson 41, Beckford 39, Wilden Cornwall 3 for 36.

SVG U15 footballers prepare for Qualifiers

THIScountry’s National Under-15 Football Team is in their final stages of preparation ahead of the CONCACAF Under-15 Championships to be held in the Dominican Republic next month.

SVG will compete in Group J alongside French Guiana and the US Virgin Islands and are set to play against USVI on August 8th and French Guiana on August 9th.

Alfred Grant, head coach of the SVG U15 team, is pleased with the composition of the team but admits there is still some work to be done in certain areas.

He is convinced, though, that match preparation will allow his coaching staff to fine-tune the composition and tactical ability.

“We expect to play some matches against some local teams just to see the players in a match situation,” Grant said, adding that the coaching staff needed to

see the level of the guys so positioning can be sorted out as well as to address the physical readiness of the players, especially those who are not active in their communities.

The provisional Under-15 squad reads: Barack Barbour, Juari Chance, Zibeon Cunningham, Delanzo Dickson, Romel Dickson, Ozario Doyle, Qumani Forbes, Dinesh Grant, Cody Lavia, Tyler Lewis, Alexis Malcolm, Jordan McKenzie, Ceyon Nash, Joenaldo Payne, Amar Richardson, Eric Richardson, Jaymor Williams,

Glenrick Hazell, Janusz Bunyan, David Butler, Ethan Davis, Beau Hoyte, Daemar Michael, Damarion Peterson, Reon Cunningham, Janalson Charles, Ovan Compton, Shaquan Hooper and Thomas Lewis.

Alfred Grant, Head Coach thinks the team is well composed.

Stories: I.B.A. ALLEN

The Barbados Under-19 heads the points table at the end of two rounds of matches in the CWI U19 Chamnpionship.

Jewel Andrew joined his countryman Walsh with a century, 126, of his own.

Aryan Persaud took 7 for 6 in 10.4 overs to help keep the Windwards to two innings scores of less than 100.

Retired businessman fined for ganja

From Page 4/ found no aggravating factors of the offense, and in relation to the mitigating ones, he noted that the marijuana was not concealed or hidden in any sophisticated manner. In relation to the mitigating factors of the offender, Ballah noted that Barbour had no previous convictions. The defendant had also pleaded guilty at the first

available opportunity which earned him a onethird discount on his sentence.

The Magistrate arrived at the penalty after weighing the aggravating and mitigating factors and doing the mathematical calculations, in accordance with the sentencing guidelines.

Barbour was charged jointly with Zenrick Lewis, but Lewis pleaded not guilty to the charge,

and after the facts were accepted by the defense, the prosecutor indicated

that the prosecution was withdrawing the charge against Lewis.

COMMISSIONERof Police (CoP)

Colin John had much to say during a press conference last week Thursday, July 20.

Much was revealed as it related to circumstances and information surrounding the shooting deaths of five males in Kingstown, last week Wednesday, July 19.

In addition to reporting that the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) had cancelled all vacation and no-pay leave for officers until further notice, Commissioner John disclosed that this action became necessary as the police force had received intelligence “about possible reprisals,’ and it was a necessary action as the constabulary tried to prevent any possible reprisals following the killings as referenced.

CoP John went further and said that police intelligence suggested that some of the killings in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) were linked

and the majority of major crimes were committed by fewer than 100 people.

“…Based on our intel, these shootings, the majority of them, they are as a result of something that … happened since 2014, where some drug transaction went wrong and then persons who are friends then became foe and then it continued up to today,” the Commissioner said.

To show that the police were and are concerned about the repercussions of the 2014 incident as deduced from their intelligence, John shared, “So much so that some persons who were killed last night, we had spoken to them before and that … assisted in preserving their lives up to last night, based on proactive policing,” John said.

John said the RSVGPF was taking this shooting, these fatalities very seriously, as we do with every crime, especially serious crimes within St. Vincent Grenadines,” and

assured the country that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was “generally safe”.

Meanwhile, as investigations into the July 19, 2023 shootings in Kingstown that left five males dead continues apace, it is expected that the work of the local constabulary will be enhanced with the assistance of the Canadian Authorities and the Regional Security System (RSS).

This was disclosed by Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Ralph Gonsalves while speaking on WE FM radio last Sunday.

“I can report that the Regional Security System at a technical level will be providing some assistance–investigative assistance –along with the authorities in Canada,” Gonsalves said.

Meanwhile, as the country makes every effort to get to the bottom of the matter, as per a commitment by the Prime Minister, Acting Prime

POLICE ACTING ON INTELLIGENCE ÂOTHER FORCESÊ AT WORK, PM IMPLIES

PRIME MINISTERDr.

Ralph Gonsalves has added a whole new dimension to what he perceives to be the prevailing situation in the country post the shooting deaths of five males in Kingstown, on Wednesday 19th July.

Speaking with an API officer while at the tail end of a visit to Morocco, en route to London, Dr. Gonsalves sought to

broaden consideration of the state of affairs by saying that while he was not making “a direct connection” between the criminal elements and “foreign operatives” on the ground (a public reference he was making for the first time), he said this ‘likelihood was “not lost on me, given my knowledge of Caribbean history.”

In this regard, Prime

Minister Gonsalves pointed to the recent attacks on Cubans working in St. Vincent as a point of reference.

“I have watched some people move against the Cubans. There were on the ground not too long ago, political operatives from outside of St. Vincent and the Grenadines allied to certain forces in the country.” Dr. Gonsalves

declared.

He also factored in the recent destruction of property at the Brighton Salt Pond recreational site, a site developed and cared for by a private individual, but stopped short of making any real connection among the three incidents — attacks on the Cubans, destruction at Brighton and the shooting of five males on Wednesday,

19th July.

He was adamant, though, that other forces were at work in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in addition to the criminal elements.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves introduced publicly for the first time, the presence of ‘other forces’ on the ground.

Minister Montgomery Daniel informed during a press conference last week Thursday that the police and all border control officers have been placed on high alert.

Commissioner of Police, Colin John disclosed that the police investigations into the shooting deaths of five males in Kingstown, will be informed by (police) intelligence dated back to 2014.