FRIDAY, APRIL 23,
2021
VOLUME 115, No.16
Two arrested in Red Zone Page 9
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
NY Mayor Soufrière gas reaches Africa donates to SVG Page 13 Page 10
THRILL SEEKER ARRESTED
Wave of homicides Page 20
Fishermen ordeal Page 20
BRAVE? NO! DOTISH? YES by GLORIAH…
FOR SOME TIME NOW, persons in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and right across the globe, for that matter, have been viewing video clips posted on YouTube of one calling himself ‘Lava Man.’ ‘Lava Man’, disregarding appeals from the Desron ‘Lava Professor Richard authorities, Man’ Rodriquez Robertson did not ascended the ‘braving’ the mince words when he La Soufriere heightened volcano during was moved to describe elements during Rodriquez’s both the his most recent escapades. effusive and climb to the explosive summit of the phases of the La Soufrière volcano. He volcano. even descended into the crater, albeit during the effusive phase. On an earlier climb, ‘Lava Man’, real name Desron Rodriquez, was dressed in a tuxedo with well-coiffed locks, and posed both on the crater floor juxtaposed against the new growing dome. Accompanied by photographers and videographers, he announced to the world that his presence in the volcano that day, January 14, was to do a photo shoot for his birthday. He quickly became the ‘talk of the town’ and could have thrown in his towel and still be remembered. He didn’t and by DAYLE DA SILVA a subsequent social media posted video, showed him at the summit a day before the first explosive DESRON RODRIGUEZ, the hiker eruptions of April 9. His video served to commonly referred to as ‘Lava Man’ corroborate what the volcanologist would and who became embroiled in announce, i.e. that the volcano was moving into controversy for his trips to the an explosive phase. summit of the La Soufrière volcano And that was far from the end of his escapade. during a period of explosive eruptions, was arrested on April 20. A video that followed the explosive eruptions with its plumes of ash that fell back on to the land, Continued on Page 3. showed him surveying what seemed like ‘his territory’, on the summit of La Soufrière. He or his accomplices also posted photos of Left: Desron ‘Lava Man’ himself kneeling in one shot and then pensively Rodriquez caught the attention of the public when viewing the scene in another. Neither photo was he posted pictures of himself a selfie. These were apparently from his most during a “birthday shoot” at recent climb, last Sunday, April 18. the La Soufrière volcano earlier this year. Continued on Page 3.
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2. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
News
UK, Canadian, US citizens leave by SHERON GARRAWAY JACQUELINE LEWIS and her Canadian grandson Nathan Doyle, whom she was accompanying to the USA for onwards travel to Canada, were the last of the 160 UK, Canadian and American citizens to have boarded the Royal Caribbean cruise liner – Celebrity Reflection – last Saturday , April 17, bound for Sint Maarten. The liner was made available by the US Government and the understanding was that the persons who chose to use the opportunity to leave, would be responsible for making onward connections from Sint Marteen. Maurice Lewis, Jacqueline’s husband, said it was a rush situation as they had to pack, get PCR tests, booking connecting flights (from Sint Maarten). The Lodge village resident said his family
took the opportunity offered since his grandson’s travel by air back to Canada was curtailed when the airport here was closed been due to the ash caused by the eruption of La Soufriere. As of Wednesday, there was no clear indication as to when it would reopen. Resident British Commissioner to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Steve Moore, was on hand at the cruise ship birth to see 10 UK passengers board. He confirmed that the opportunity had come at short notice, this after discussions between the British High Commission and the US Embassy, both located in Bridgetown, Barbados. Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN, Moore said other UK nationals are still here. Some, she said, are hoping that air travel will resume soon while others who are resident here don’t want
Persons making their way through the Cruise Ship terminal on their way to boarding the Royal Caribbean cruise liner. UK, Canadian and US Citizens leave SVG. to leave. He explained, “It’s a difficult time but they (those who left) are keen
to return here as well. One British national suffers from a medical condition and the ash fall could cause havoc with his respiratory function. Others just feel that they are in the way at this moment when there is so much work and recovery taking place. So they just want to give space to the Vincentians who are trying to recover.” A number of UK residents are in the Grenadines. Commissioner Moore said that his government has been coordinating
Steve Moore, Resident British Commissioner to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was on hand to ensure safe and easy passage for UK citizens. closely with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) which has been donors. helping to coordinate the Prior to the La response and the relief of Soufriere eruption, the UK government assisted with funding the operation of the helicopter used by for seismologists in their monitoring and surveillance of the volcano. The Commissioner, who has been resident here since August 2019, is hopeful that the country recovers as quickly and in time could re-build even better. He noted that the UK will continue to consider what can be done and recognized that the United Nations has launched an appeal fund.
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News 3 Flexibility in water system needed
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 3.
Garth Saunders, CEO-CWSA, wants to see some attention being paid to the national water system design so that it can offer greater flexibility.
THE COUNTRY’S WATER SYSTEM was expected to be back to full capacity and distribution by this weekend, Garth Saunders, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA), said. Saunders assured, during a radio update, that as of the day of the update - Wednesday 21st April — that members of his team were in the field identifying the areas that were still without water. As a result of the series of explosive eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano, which began on April 9, the national water system was thrown into disarray. The CWSA team was quick to restore sections of the system but given the extent of the damage and the threat of the volcanic ash to water sources and catchments, there were still communities reporting that water had not been restored. Most of those who remained without
water or had a rationed service were being fed via the Jennings storage facility. Saunders explained that this was as a result of the design of the system which he described as gravity spread (fed), so that even though the water was being sourced high in the forests, consumers were not able to get access to this water directly from the main line, because the pressure would be too high. Consumers therefore, are fed via sub-storage tanks which are in turn fed from the Jennings intake. Saunders further explained that there was a recent, additional strain on the Jennings system due to the increased number of consumers in particular areas, this because of the presence of evacuees. Getting the sub-storage tanks to the capacity that they ought to have been was challenging, the CEO said. “So, what was proposed was that
some work needed to be done in order that there may be a little more flexibility to the system to allow for a more direct supply from the main line. When there is an emergency, we should be a little more direct and targeted at that Jennings system,” the CWSA CEO said. For now, they had to wait for the gradual build-up in order that water is restored to the required capacity. Saunders also addressed the issue of some communities having water restored and others not, despite their proximity to each other, saying that this had to do with the pipeline distribution network. He explained that there were pressure zones throughout the network that demanded control in these areas, and this again came down to the engineering and design of the system. And toward making the system more efficient, Saunders said that he
Thrill seeker arrested Continued Frontpage. Commissioner of Police Colin John confirmed in a telephone interview with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, that Rodriguez had been detained by the police although up to the time of the interview he was yet to be charged. According to the COP, Rodriguez could be charged under the National Emergency and Disaster Management Act of 2006. Section 34 of the Act states: ‘On the declaration of a disaster alert or disaster, the Director, a member of the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force or any person acting under the authority of the Director, may, in order to limit the extent of the disaster, totally or partially prohibit or restrict public access, with or without vehicles, to any road or pathway within the State affected or likely to be affected by the disaster’. Section 38 states that a
Desron ‘Lava Man’ Rodriquez has also been accompanied by other persons on his trips to the Soufrière summit.
person commits an offence who with intent fails to comply with any prohibition or restriction imposed under Section 34; and penalties include a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both. Rodriquez’s last known trek to the summit of the volcano, as evidenced by a video circulated on social media, was on April 18,
the same day that there was another explosive eruption, at 4:49 p.m. Professor Richard Robertson, head of the delegation of scientists and other personnel charged with monitoring the activity at La Soufrière, commented on the issue saying that it was absolutely foolish for persons to venture to the volcano’s summit. (See accompanying article)
Rodriquez is known to be a frequent visitor to the La Soufrière volcano. He first came to the attention of the public when a video of him at the summit on the day before the first explosive eruption, was widely circulated on Facebook and moreso YouTube. Up to midday on Thursday, Rodriquez was still in police custody.
had already asked for assistance from the United Nations, and that he had spoken to members of the delegation that visited the country. Saunders informed that the storage capacity of the existing system had moved from 3.5 million to 5.8 million gallons. “But we need to investigate whether or not we can have more flexibility,” Saunders said, adding that the CWSA was now better prepared and knowledgeable to ride out another occasion such as the one recently experienced. (DD)
!BRAVE? NO! DOTISH? YES Continued Frontpage. This disregard for life and limb in the midst of grave danger agitated Professor Richard Robertson, lead scientist of the La Soufriere monitoring team. As far as the ‘bravery’ which has been ascribed to ‘Lava Man’, Professor Robertson responded sternly, saying, “Talk about bravery, to me somebody is brave when you are aware of the risk that you put yourself to, and because of your job or your need to contribute to society in a fundamental way, you still take the action that you need, to save your family or something like that. So, you’re aware of the risk. You know you could be killed or you know you could be hurt, but you still do it: that’s a brave person. “A brave person is not somebody who goes up to the mountain, who don’t understand the risk, putting themselves and their parties at risk and the people who might have to rescue them. That person is not brave. To me that person is just simply ‘dotish’!” That said, the Professor warned that the volcano was “still shaking…. After these breaks we tend to have an exclusive event. These explosions so far have not been as vigorous as when the eruption started. They still create eruption plumes. They still have tremendous potential to produce pyroclastic flows.”
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4. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Diaspora
Vincies rally for massive volcano relief call, because that’s what we do without hesitation, but the outpouring of support of our Caribbean brothers and sisters, and other countries, is VINCENTIANS and other Caribbean astounding,” she added. nationals in New York over the weekend “On behalf of SVG Relief USA, Inc., rallied around St. Vincent and the thanks to all who have contributed Grenadines in its plea for urgent aid, thus far, and thanks to our amid continuing explosive eruptions of volunteers,” Arthur continued. La Soufrière volcano. Lennox Joslyn — chairman of the Hundreds answered the call, Fundraising Committee of the bringing relief supplies and assisting Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent in the packing of boxes, barrels and and the Grenadines Organizations, crates, on Saturday and Sunday, at USA, Inc. (COSAGO), the umbrella the Friends of Crown Heights Vincentian group in the US, an Educational Center, 671 Prospect Pl., affiliate of SVG Relief USA, Inc. — also Brooklyn. told THE VINCENTIAN that he was “I got a little teary-eyed when I blown away by the outpouring of entered FOCH (Friends of Crown support. Heights),” Verna Arthur, chairperson “Tremendous turnout!” said Joslyn. of the Brooklyn-based SVG Relief “The strongest support that a Vincy USA, Inc., organizer of the massive committee in New York has seen over relief drive, told THE VINCENTIAN. the years.” “It was very heart-warming. New York City Public Advocate “It’s expected that Vincentians Jumaane Williams, the son of would respond to our country’s clarion Grenadian immigrants, and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, were also on hand. “We all have a responsibility to lift each other up in times of disaster…… . I urge my fellow Caribbeans, my fellow New Yorkers, to join me in helping to support the people Crates of water to be placed in container for shipping. of St. Vincent and the Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT
Gathering supplies at Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center.
Grenadines …., ” Williams said. The Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Progressive Organization of New York, Inc. (SPOONY), the New York arm of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also urged nationals to chip in in the massive relief effort. John said his group was expected to collect on Saturday toiletries, blankets, sheets, clothing and monetary donations at Café Omar, a lounge, on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, owned by Vincentian podiatrist Dr. Kendall Stewart. The Orlando-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Central Florida Organization (SVGCFO) organized a Volcano Relief Disaster Drive on Friday, April 16, and Saturday, April 17. According to public relations officer Lydia Daniel, the group is accepting cash donations, as well as food, bed sheets, towels, toiletries, mask, kids items (pampers, baby food, wipes), cough, flu, allergy medicine, cots, portable potties, blankets, and goggles, among other items. The Lions of District 20-K, which comprises clubs in Brooklyn and Queens, is also conducting a relief effort on behalf of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Second Vice District Governor Lion Ingrid Andrews-Campbell, a Vincentian national residing in Brooklyn, said the Lions will be donating non-perishable food,
SVG New York Consul General Howie Prince labeling a barrel at Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center. pampers, diabetic supplies, hygiene kits, hand sanitizers, gloves, toilet tissues, paper towels, cleaning supplies, masks and water, among other items. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ New York Consul General Howie Prince gave “a loud thank you to everyone for your various contributions to making last weekend’s mobilization efforts (at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center) a resounding success. … . Special thanks to SVG Relief USA, Inc., COSAGO and all individuals and groups for helping us. Special applause to (Brooklyn-based) SVGDRIP for rising to the occasion as our information clearing house.” Prince disclosed that a 40ft.container was filled from the weekend’s initiative, “which has been moved by Standard Shippers for onwards trans-shipment to SVG.” He said a second “40-footer” is now in place to be filled, and will be shipped, at no cost, by the Brooklynbased Square Deal Shippers and Movers. According to prince the supplies on hand at Friends of Crown Heights will fill two 40ft.-containers. Carl Munro, owner of Standard Caribbean Shippers in Brooklyn, has donated free shipping for a third container.
Nurses prepare a barrel, L-R: Candace Patterson-Beach, Dr. Olga Husbands, Chanelle Husbands (Olga’s daughter) and Deonne Crichton-Bailey.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 5.
Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Editorial
Evacuation: Yes... No...Yes...No THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CHALLENGES associated with the mass movement of people – whether it be organized migration or an evacuation occasioned by some unforeseen natural disaster. Even Moses had to face the challenge of providing food, water and shelter for those whom he led in one of history’s most significant mass, liberating movements of people. So, there must be some compassion if not commiseration held out for those who were charged with supervising the recent evacuation here; ensuring that those who chose to move were suitably accommodated and all arrangements put in place for their comfort — including meals. It is in fulfilling this responsibility that we might have faltered as we moved with haste to respond to the Evacuation Order, that some say should have come a lot earlier. It appears that notwithstanding the planning, the consultations and the expertise injected into and surrounding the grand evacuation plan, the fundamental was either ignored or taken for granted. Yes, there was no shortage of planning, i.e. WHAT to do — but there were too few if any who took the responsibility of logistics seriously or just didn’t know HOW to do the WHAT. Now this is not to cast accusing fingers of blame at one person or group of persons. It could well be that had those who were assigned the responsibility of marshalling the mechanics of the evacuation been allowed to work together, with the focus sharply on the people in need and not trying to avoid having those in higher authority castigate them, that we might have had more in our execution about which to be proud. Admittedly, an evacuation plan unfolded, albeit with hindering seams and hiccups here there and everywhere. But there is a simple axiom on which our efforts will be assessed: Once any of those who evacuated were left undone and unattended to for any inordinate length of time, we have to admit our failings. Think of the family of 18 persons — children included — from the bowels of the Red Zone in North Windward, who had to spend from 2pm to some ungodly hour in the night, nothing to eat, before what they were told was an assigned ‘transport’, arrived to eventually take them to their place of relocation. Think of that family who after having endured this protracted wait was locked in negotiations with an unscrupulous ‘landlady’, at that time in the night, about the rent for premises. Think about this family who had to endure a further period of real human need when registration with NEMO did not materialise within reasonable time into promised relief - food, water, mattresses and essential utensils. Thanks to a compassionate, Christian family, the family of 18 received much needed emergency relief and will now receive the benefits of what the State owes them. An Evacuation that fails to ensure that the displaced are the first beneficiaries of adequate relief, is inimical to a very basic instruction of our Christianity: ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! · “… When you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” Will we reflect on this when we sit in the air conditioned rooms of the relevant Ministries to consider how “well” if at all we came out of this period of crisis? We will look to praise ourselves, rightfully so, for the good we did. However, we must admit equally to where and how we faltered. Will another report be lodged somewhere in some Ministry and left to gather, God forbid, another fallout of La Soufrière ash?
Needed not a government of men, but of laws described as “dotish”, and for the Prime IN FACT, the ULP is Government of men, Minister to but a government of a one-man give the upadministration, Ralph Gonsalves, despite turned middle finger proudly to Opposition the legal gloss and democratic façade. members of the House. In 1998, the NDP Government barely This discourtesy shown to the Opposition, won in elections that were universally coupled with disobedience of rules and accepted as “free and fair”, but Gonsalves procedure and disrespect for Parliamentary and his clique bluntly refused to accept the niceties, have tended to justify the criticism verdict of the electorate. that the ULP behaves in Parliament like a Mike Brown, Ralph Gonsalves and bull in a china shop. Julian’s open contempt Vincent Beache vociferously declared that shown to the Tenders’ Board is only one they were still in control of the streets, if case in point. not the Government, and that they would Dr. Gonsalves’ approach to the court, render the country ungovernable until they appears diametrically opposed to the got the change they hankered after. And so hallowed tradition of the separation of was instituted the ‘road block revolution’, powers to which SVG subscribes. which was a period of total lawlessness and Before taking office as Prime Minister, bedlam. Dr. Gonsalves as head of the MNU had At the opening of the House, Sir Charles earlier raised objection to the appointment Antrobus, the Head of State, was unfairly of Brian Alleyne as judge in St. Vincent. dragged into the political mire and told that Alleyne’s offence had been as member of a he must bear the heat coming from the Dominican Political Party which was political kitchen he had entered. He was affiliated to a regional body with Son insulted, barracked and threatened by the Mitchell’s NDP! ULP supporters, with the connivance of On the other hand, as Prime Minister ULP leadership. Gonsalves successfully recommended as Beache, in his words of “Welcome” to the local DPP Colin Williams, who had served Speaker, Nowlyn Mc Dowall, descended to as PRO of the MNU, a component of the the most lurid ‘unparliamentary’ language. present ULP Government; a Senator in And so the ULP eventually got its second Parliament of that same Government; a bite of the cherry by short-circuiting the junior partner in Gonsalves’ legal chambers; democratic process, in a way, by force of and a nephew of Cato, the founding father arms. of Labour! The Head of State was kept by the new The appointment of Williams was made ULP Government, forgiven, and in fact against the better judgement of the local praised by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves Bar Association. The ULP had first to deal at his funeral which shortly followed! with an inherited DPP of Trinidadian Roger There was a new Speaker of the House, Gaspard. That DPP had a run -in with Hendrick Alexander, who simply presided Vincent Beache, Minister of National over the Sittings as they were a private Security, who wished to encroach on the meeting of Labourites. DPP’s sacred turf, only to be rebuffed with The Speaker, who in earlier times had the remark that there was only one DPP in been Labour Party General Secretary, then SVG. The day was saved by the timely a nominated senator in the House, had been termination of Gaspard’s tenure. challenged by Gonsalves who declared that Prime Minster Gonsalves got appointed “so trite has been his pronouncements that as Chairman of the Public Service one wonders whether a Senatorial Commission Cecil ‘Blazer’ Williams who appointment has ever been so misplaced”. unabashedly sported his ULP connections But as a ULP functionary after 2001, on his sleeves. Hendrick as Speaker seemed to fit the bill Blazer was at one time Deputy Leader of admirably in the PM’s estimation. the MNU which was founded by the Prime It followed that Parliament was often Minister, the editor of the Party’s mouth reduced to a Pappy-show. Generally, the piece “Unity”; twice a candidate for national Opposition NDP was given short shrift, elections on the Party’s ticket. down to the single day a year normally Quietly, Gonsalves has been able to reserved for Opposition business being secure men who are politically as well as eaten into by “Ministerial Statements”, personally beholden to him as holders of two which are given pride of place. of the most powerful posts under the ‘Unparliamentary’ language and constitution, which clearly suggested behaviour have become the order of the day. possession of their political independence as It is common to hear the Opposition leader a desired requirement. (An abridged version of THIS WEEK of May 10, 2017)
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6. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Letters
A lot of Reporters
THIS COUNTRY is now overrun by news reporters of one sort or the other: male and female, young and old, proper-speaking and not-so-properspeaking, some good looking others not so good looking, if you know what I mean. The birth of social media has made anyone with a phone a reporter. (Note that I say reporter and not journalist. We can’t go comparing these persons with their posting on Facebook to our journalists, who are committed to their profession and try to be professional about it. However, the truth is that we did not have to depend on our mainstream journalists to keep us up to date about happenings with the La Soufriere volcano, and the impact of the
eruption. In a way, this was good compared to 1979 when the only means of information was Radio 705, controlled by the Labour Party Government, led by the “Don’t Panic!” Milton Cato and who controlled what was relayed to the public. I remember Nelson King, who was a ‘stringer’ for Radio 705 back in those days, getting together with Mr. Ken Graham and broadcasting a report from North Leeward on a relay station that was set up in Richmond by the Montserrat-based Radio Antilles. Don’t think this was allowed but the need for first-hand information may have meant bending the rule a little bit, a chance both King and
Graham were prepared to take. I think Mr. King and Mr. Graham might have suffered for their patriotism and their strong belief that all Vincentians had a right to know what was going on in their own land. I dare say, this time around, there was no want of information; the only thing was what to believe some of the times. Regardless, I
would not have wanted it any other way. People have a right to know and if it meant using social media to do so, all the better. We got the good, the bad and the ugly, but we got a lot more than what we would have got if we relied on what was orchestrated by the PM. Trouble OH!!! Charles, Edinboro
Essentials in Managing Volcano Relief
RETURN TO NORMALCY should be initiated beginning with the areas least affected. All schools and public institutions and workplaces in the Grenadines should reopen immediately. Being mindful that we are still in a Pandemic, the relevant protocol should be followed: Social Distancing; Mask Wearing; Hand Washing; Vaccinating. Efforts should be made in the Green Zone Dawn Butler MP to reopen all schools and Labour MP for Brent Central businesses where www.DawnButler.org.uk | @DawnButlerBrent feasible. The policy House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA | 020 7219 8591 should be to use and fill shelters other than The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP Office of Dawn Butler schools first. An MP employment agency Prime Minister House of Commons should be set up 10 Downing Street Westminster specifically to find jobs London London for those in the shelters. SW1A 2AA W1A 0AA A survey of all the available skills and 15 April experiences would be 2021 useful. Available rentals of private homes should Dear Prime Minister, be explored. A flood of workers in the Green I wanted to write to you as I have been deeply saddened by the events Zone should boost unfolding in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. productivity. Undoubtedly, many As I am sure you will agree, it is heartbreaking to see what is happening and cleanup jobs should be my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected. This is a available as we try to devastating humanitarian crisis and I cannot begin to imagine what suffering remove ash from those affected are going through at this most difficult time. buildings everywhere. Every shelter should have personnel within its As a UN official has rightly said, the humanitarian crisis caused by these ranks who can be volcanic eruptions will last for a long time. Therefore, they must receive organized to take control sufficient humanitarian aid from the international community. of the management. They should be allowed Since the volcano first erupted a week ago on 9th April, I am aware that the to work along with the Government announced they had provided 200,000 pounds, via the Foreign, designated managers Commonwealth and Development Office to support the regional response, until they can function through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. on their own. As the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth of Nations, I am calling on you to Anthony Stewart, PhD take stronger action as this humanitarian crisis could last for months. I would be most grateful if you could outline any additional support you have provided thus far, and I call on you, as both the Prime Minister and Chair-inOffice of the Commonwealth of Nations, to increase support currently provided. These initial days and weeks are vital to providing the necessary support, establish a robust response and ensure a quicker recovery for the areas affected by this disaster. Thank you and I look forward to your response and I reserve the right to publish my letter. Warm regards,
Dawn Butler MP Labour Member of Parliament for Brent Central
POEM
We MUST Stand Strong Again Lord, where do I begin? How do people start a process of healing? Parents are begging, kids are crying, while others are constantly complaining. Our lovely island was so breathtaking, now, almost everywhere is so devastating. The luscious trees, the lovely beaches, the mountainous terrains, all covered in ash! La Soufriere, stagnant for years, decided to dump on us some dirty trash. She dances and prances like a horse on hind legs, “Father have mercy upon us,” the nation begs! Did she listen to our cries? No, too stubborn to hear. This will be for some, if not all, a memorable year. The mountain hikers, the street vendors, all suffer many losses, because of La Soufrie?re rages and its many resources. Will she stop spitting, dancing, and causing us to fear? Or will she go on prancing for the rest of the year? “Where is my home, mom, one child did ask?” “Gone with the wind, boy,” another franticly gasp. The fear in their eyes, a mother bravely speaks, “My son be humble, for my God is not weak. “One day, our homes will be rebuilt, so will our blessed Island. This God that I serve, is not like any man. Be wise my daughter, go with your friends and have some laughter. The rain will fall and wash away this trash, That La Soufrie?re dumped on us, she wants ah lash!” By Marcia M. Edwards Author, BBA
Editor’s Note: The above is published with the kind permission of the author, with the understanding that it shall not be reproduced in any other print medium, without her written consent.
* If the ULP government would now consider relocating the Modern Medical and Diagnostic Centre from Georgetown? * Why, in the first place, were all the schools in SVG not outfitted with water tanks? * Even though Lavaman is disregarding the sensible appeals from the authorities, is there someone waiting in the wings to document his daredevil adventures for a profit? * Can we get any lower than when we rob a water truck, like we did in Edinboro recently? * Why does it look like is only one side of the island suffered damage? What about the people on the Leeward?
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 7.
Views
The Harlem Renaissance and Guilty on all counts the Harlem Opera House
“ALL OVER HARLEM, negro boys and girls are growing into stunted maturity, trying desperately to find a place to stand; and the wonder is not that so many are ruined but that so many survive.” James A. Baldwin (1924-1987) – American novelist, essayist, playwright, and activist. THE WAY WE PERCEIVE OURSELVES quite often determines whether or not we strive to achieve a specific goal or perform a particular task. For example, teachers and parents of a child who concludes that he or she is unable to learn are likely to find great difficulty in motivating him or her to pursue academic excellence even when they, the parent or teacher, know that the child has the capacity to acquire the required knowledge or skill. So much depends on whether the individual has the right attitude or desire to accomplish the task. The solution to such a problem is for those in the individual’s immediate environment to intercept their thought patterns - to create and sustain a “can do” attitude. The Harlem Renaissance did just that for the citizens in this depressed (and often depressing) section of New York City, USA. The Harlem Renaissance (1918 — mid 1930s) was an intellectual and cultural revival of African American literature, art, music, dance, fashion, theatre, and politics. Some also referred to it as The New Negro Movement. It was an initiative designed to harness the thought patters of the Harlem negroes and to let them know that they were capable of achieving greatness in any field of endeavour that they wished to focus on; the negro is just as talented as any other race or ethnicity. Many of the African-Americans who resided in Harlem in the 1920s had migrated from the Jim Crow Deep South where blacks had been regularly insulted, lynched, and murdered. The Ku Klux Klan of 1871 was largely responsible for energizing segments of the racist white population in the south (where slavery was previously concentrated) to engage in dehumanizing acts of evil against the black ex-slaves and their descendants. The perpetrators of these injustices invariably went unpunished. The noble intentions of the passage of The Human Rights Act of 1875 did little to stem the plight of the blacks who lived and sought to work in the deep south. Harlem thus became the final destination of many of these blacks who were fleeing the openly racist conditions in the south. Several black writers from Africa and the Caribbean (e.g. Jamaican-born Marcus Garvey) were also known to influence the Harlem Renaissance. Together with local blacks (e.g. poet and writer Longston Hughes; author, playwright, and filmmaker Zora Neale Hurston; jazz maestro Louis Armstrong; and artist Aaron Douglas), they contributed to the re-birth of the African-American arts that flourished around the time of the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression — a period when it was imperative to keep hope alive. Harlem then evolved to become a focal point for blacks who were seeking work and an educated class that was energized and committed to make Harlem a centre of culture. A growing energized black middle class emerged. It was therefore not surprising that the honing of the multiple cultural talents ignited the imagination and aspiration of the residents who flocked to the Harlem Opera House (built in 1889) to display their multiple talents. The residents of Harlem were justly proud of the Harlem Opera House. It was the first theatre in the city. It
featured a wide and elegant staircase and balcony of polished Italian marble. Time and space will not allow this writer to showcase the many outstanding artistes who performed at this prestigious theatre over the years. However, it would be remiss of this writer if this essay were to omit to note that this venue hosted the 369th United States Infantry “Hell Fighters” Band when they returned to the USA after fighting in Europe during World War 1 (1914-1918). The 369th US Infantry Regiment, originally the 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment, is still held in reverence today. This battalion was comprised of approximately 3,000 African-American soldiers (many from Harlem) who fought valiantly in Europe during the World War. These fearless soldiers so impressed the citizens of France that the French government showed their love and appreciation for them by presenting the entire unit with the Croix de Guerre; its highest award for bravery. In addition, 170 members of the unit received medals of valour. However, in addition to the regiment’s outstanding contribution to the war efforts as a result of their bravery, the unit became well known for its contribution to music. It was their marching band that is credited for introducing jazz to Europe. It is therefore no wonder that their outstanding performances on and off the battlefields in Europe be celebrated at the Harlem Opera House on their return to the USA. The grand occasion was hosted by band leader Lieutenant James Reese Europe (1881-1919). There is no doubt that the Harlem Opera House played a major role is supporting many of the efforts created and sustained by the Harlem Renaissance. The poetry, music, dance, theatre, and fiction emerging from the Harlem Renaissance is unmistakable. The lyricism emerging from the popular blues and jazz music created and sustained an awareness of the ingenuity and brilliance of black America. The citizens of Harlem could be justly proud of their achievements in music, the arts, academia, and in business as a result of the renaissance. It provided a positive identity for a people who were suppressed and disenfranchised. The sense of accomplishment and the feeling of acceptance went a long way towards generating and sustaining a feeling of self-worth. It is no wonder that Harlem became the focal point for the meeting of the minds and the blending of the talents for African Americans of all social classes. Harlem emerged to be the home of many influential African American institutions such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association, and the National Urban League. The Harlem Renaissance and the Harlem Opera House spawned many positive role models and orgnisations that continue to inspire many individuals around the world. We are forever grateful to the many “world citizens” (not only residents of Harlem) whose commitment to the advancement of all peoples resulted in the creation of such invaluable institutions. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
THE GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS verdict delivered last Tuesday against Derik Chauvin, the racist murderer of George Floyd, has brought joy to the hearts of millions of people around the world. Pundits have shamelessly proclaimed that the American system of justice has prevailed. Don’t believe their lies. The guilty verdict is not proof that the system worked. The verdict proves that the system knows when to protect and preserve itself. The guilty verdict was an indictment of the American system of injustice. The glare of the entire world, the magnificent anti-racist, anti-white supremacist protests that rocked the USA through the summer of 2020, as well as the deep fear of the moneyed class that a not guilty verdict will not only result in an international shaming of America, but the potential for untold protest, civil disobedience and the attendant loss in life and property is what squeezed out this guilty verdict. This verdict took the glare of live footage of the lynching, and most importantly, a breach in the blue wall of silence which allowed top police brass and other top city and state officials taking the stand in a desperate effort to throw Chauvin to the angry, baying masses as a full-body sacrifice. If you think otherwise, you are yet to understand the inner workings of the American Just-us system. Consider this fact: minutes before the Chauvin guilty verdict, police in Ohio senselessly and unashamedly murdered a young black girl. His defence will be that it was a splitsecond decision intended to save the life of another. A warning shot could have been the decider without the loss of life and the continued pain and suffering in Black and Brown communities across America. But who cares about Black pain? Chris Cuomo, the CCN host, echoed what Black activists and mourning families across America have been saying forever. White America will only understand the horror of these almost daily traumatic experiences on Black people when police routinely kill young white children. Fortunately for white families, this will never happen because the system is not set up that way. A brief history will remind us that the racist American justice system bends, but it never breaks. In 1991, Rodney King was brutally assaulted by Los Angeles police. His torturers were found not guilty. Eleanor Bumpers, a 67-year-old grandmother, was brutally murdered in her own home by a racist police officer. Indicted and tried for second-degree murder, officer Stephen Sullivan was found not guilty. Remember Trayvon Martin! Philando Castile! There are countless others. Their killers were found not guilty. Police officers act with a high degree of impunity. They know their crimes against Black and Hispanic youth or against people who reside in poor communities will rarely if ever, be prosecuted. And if they ever come to trial, they are more than confident of an acquittal. But ever so often, the system of racist injustice is compelled to correct itself as if to convince the world that there is some semblance of justice in its inner workings. And so it offers up bodies. In 1997, it offered up Justin Volpe, the racist cop who brutally tortured Abner Louima and, in the process, raped him with a mop handle. He was sentenced to 30 years for that
crime. And now there is Chauvin. We have to wait eight weeks to know whether he will adequately be punished for the brutal murder of George Floyd. This is the context in which we need to view the conviction of Chauvin. One conviction does not change the system. As one perceptive observer noted, ‘were we not playing for such high stakes with the world’s cameras sharply focused on the US justice system, Chauvin would have walked free.’ Therefore, while Black people breathe just a little easier after the Chauvin verdict, they will make a fatal error to drop their guard. No one who truly understands the workings of the system could celebrate the conviction of Chauvin. Even though George Floyd was murdered in plain view and there was such overwhelming evidence against his killer, there was still a sense of collective doubt about whether he would be found guilty. The radical truth is that Derek Chauvin was not convicted; he was sacrificed. Sacrificed by a system that is the real culprit, a system that is desperate to deflect the worlds attention and focus from its inner workings. How many innocent black and Hispanic people were murdered by the police before the advent of new technology and the ubiquitous camera? How many more Eric Garner’s, Ahmaud Arberry’s, Michael Brown’s and Tamir Rice’s were there before the advent of Youtube? Let’s be clear. Derek Chauvin is not the problem. The real problem is the racist system that devalues black lives and does not pursue the perpetrators who take them. The problem is a racist system that maintains AfricanAmericans as 2nd class citizens who are only partially integrated into society. The problem is the racist media perpetuating racist stereotypes and tropes that have reduced the black reality to a caricature of criminality, violence and drugs - thus creating fear and paranoia amongst white Americans. The problem is a dominant society that has buried its head in the sand, refused to acknowledge that its system is broken and continues to admire its own distorted reflection in the shattered mirror that is the United States of America. The real problem is a system that has historically placed a low commodity and social value on black lives. A casual look at American reality lays bare the fact that the investigation and media reporting into the murder of a Black person are totally different to that of a White - thus, the United States, from its earliest beginnings, is not a society of equals. The police know this, and that’s why they enter Black and Brown neighbourhoods as an occupation force. This reality also explains why African Americans and Hispanics are seen and treated as the enemy to be destroyed. We can’t tinker with this system of injustice. Real change will only come when the system of white supremacy and racism is dismantled, and an equitable justice system based on the humanity of each person is built up in its place. Until then America will be found guilty on all counts. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
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8. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
Impose a windfall tax on Taiwan and super-rich of Mustique and Canouan
Enhancing Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and Sub-regional Organisations in Enhancing Confidence Building and Dialogue in Conflict Prevention and Resolution
NOW, MORE THAN EVER, is the time for the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan to start paying tax as Vincentians do. Our country has been devastated by the La Soufriere volcano eruption. Farmers need to be compensated for the loss of their crops and income, and families need to be compensated for damage to their properties. For decades, Vincentians have been subsiding the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan. It is the taxes of Vincentians that pay for the road and other services the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan use. Now, it is time to turn the tables. It is essential that a windfall tax is urgently imposed on the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan to help compensate farmers and families for loss of income and damages suffered. The cost for compensation could be over EC$200 million. The simplest and best way to raise this money is a windfall tax. The super-rich of Mustique and Canouan have been getting away with not paying their fair share of tax for too long. If they really care about our country and people, they would see that a windfall tax of EC$200 million to compensate our people is reasonable. It is only right and fair that the super-rich pay tax. Taiwan has been making billions of dollars every year from our fish licence and has not paid tax. We should also impose an EC$3 billion windfall tax on Taiwan immediately to aid the recovery of our country. Money received from the windfall tax could also be used to set up an SVG tuna fishing and canning industry. This industry will bring billions of dollars in revenue to the SVG Treasury and create thousands of new, long-term
THIS WEEK, we feature the statement made by Prime Minister, Dr. The Hon Ralph E. Gonsalves at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council held on Monday, April 19, 2021. The meeting which was organised by the current President of the Council, Vietnam, was convened to discuss the role of regional and sub-regional organisations in enhancing confidence building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution. Below is the statement in its entirety.
jobs. The longer it takes for our country to recover from the La Soufriere eruption, the more likely it is that the economy will collapse and thousands of jobs are lost. Rather than job losses, we need to focus immediately on job creation. A windfall tax on the superrich of Mustique and Canouan would help this. We must also immediately abolish the Mustique Act No. 48 of 2002, and other similar Acts that give customs duty and tax exemptions to foreigners. Any delay in doing this will increase the risk of an economic collapse in SVG. Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA says that windfall taxes are reasonable ways to raise money. The United Kingdom imposed a windfall tax on super-rich companies in the late 1990s. This windfall tax raised about £5 billion and was used to tackle long-term unemployment, as well as providing capital investment for schools and university. SVG needs a similar windfall tax to compensate our people and create jobs. To stop the economy collapsing, we must establish sustainable sources of revenue. We must impose a windfall tax of EC$200 million on the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan immediately, to help compensate farmers and families for loss of income and damages suffered as a result of the La Soufriere eruption.
Introduction
stability, build trust, and create an environment conducive to development. Indeed, any dispute that is likely to endanger international peace and security should first be addressed through these peaceful means, with the assistance and participation of relevant regional arrangements, as enshrined in the UN Charter. Mr. President, let us restate Thank you Mr. President, foundational principles: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Security is, at its very core, a thanks the briefers for their insightful collective endeavour that can only be comments; and we commend Vietnam achieved as parties build trust and for its leadership in initiating this stable relationships. In this regard, debate on the enhancing of lasting peace can never be imposed. It cooperation between the United must emerge organically from among Nations and regional/sub-regional all relevant stakeholders. organisations. This subject is of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines immediate relevance to my country in believes that regional arrangements, the context of a massive natural such as ASEAN, the African Union disaster against the backdrop of the (AU), and our very own Caribbean many-sided challenges of the COVID- Community (CARICOM) are often 19 pandemic and the predicted active better placed to support peace Atlantic hurricane season that begins processes than those entities that are in six weeks’ time. Please permit me far removed from the unique and a little latitude for a minute or two. specific histories, cultures, politics and Mr. President, for eleven days now material circumstances of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has development. been in the throes of a series of The Security Council is required explosive volcanic eruptions on the always to lend its full support and island of St. Vincent. As a encouragement to all regional consequence, nearly one-fifth of the mechanisms and refrain from any island’s population has had to be actions that may circumvent or evacuated to safer areas. A undermine the legitimate role of monumental challenge of regional bodies. We welcome the humanitarian relief, inclusive of ongoing efforts of the Secretarysecurity considerations, recovery and General, and his Special Envoys and reconstruction face us. Without Special Representatives, to enhance effective cooperation between our the cooperation between the United country, the United Nations, and our Nations and various regional and subregional/sub-regional organisations, regional organisations. The convening our life and living would be wholly platform of the Peace-building unbearable. Without an enhancement Commission (PBC) also proves useful of this cooperation, the relief effort in providing a coherent, multiwould be stymied and the prospects stakeholder strategy to assist conflictfor our recovery and reconstruction affected countries to overcome their would be dismal. challenges. Greater efforts must be The United Nations and its made to enhance further this agencies have been actively at work; comprehensive “whole-of-system” and the personal leadership of my approach; and regional arrangements friend, Secretary-General, António must be included at every step of the Guterres, has been outstanding. The process. Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean Mr. President, States (OECS), the Regional Security Conflict prevention and resolution System (RSS), the ALBA, the activities are most effective when they Association of Caribbean States, and are complemented by targeted peacetheir allied regional agencies have building and development initiatives been at the forefront with their that address the root causes of magnificent efforts. Still, much more insecurity, improve lives and is required to be done. Across our livelihoods, and bolster national land the faces of men and women are ownership over peace processes. The strained and anxious; they are hurting norms and principles of sovereign badly. The global community is being equality, territorial integrity, and summoned to action to our aid in the political independence must always name of humanity and in accordance serve as a guidepost for conflict with the UN Charter; and it cannot prevention and resolution. In all allow itself to make haste slowly. situations, the mandates of regional Tomorrow, under the auspices of the organisations ought never to be UN, a Global Appeal Fund for St. subverted by hegemonic self-interests Vincent and the Grenadines will be or eroded through unilateral action; launched. Be generous in your but ought always to serve as platforms solidarity! to enhance sovereignty and promote Turning now, more specifically to solidarity and cooperation. Still, none conflict-affected settings, it has of these vital precepts ought ever to become a ringing truth that regional blind us to egregious abuse or institutions in concert with the United violation of elemental human rights Nations, are often best-suited to and the consequential need for facilitate the pacific settlement of appropriate collective action through disputes through: the Security Council. * mediation, I close respectfully with a reminder: * confidence-building, Please help St. Vincent and the * observation and verification Grenadines in its midnight hour of missions, and, need. * other measures that promote Thank You.
V Two would-be looters arrested
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 9.
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The eruption of the La Soufrière volcano has resulted in an estimated 16,000 people having to be evacuated from the red zone, the northern third, so to speak, of mainland St. Vincent. A National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) Shelter Report of April 13, indicated that there were 5,208 persons in 85 public shelters, 1,800 in private (rented) shelters, and 6,567 in private (family and friends) shelters. The evacuation of persons from the red zone has thrown up a security challenge. In an effort to ward off a repeat of the rampant looting that followed the evacuation of persons from the same areas after the 1979 eruption, patrols by local law
enforcement officers, assisted by personnel from the Regional Security Service (RRS) Barbados, Grenada officers included - and Trinidad and Tobago, have been mounted in the areas. So much so, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who is also Minister of National Security, reported that local security officials had revealed that two individuals, who had arrived in the North Leeward area with nefarious intentions, had been taken into custody by local law enforcement officers. “We intercepted two persons, through intelligence. They were at one of the communities that were evacuated. The intelligence was that
they were there to burglarize homes and take valuables,” Dr. Gonsalves told the media. “The security forces were looking for four persons. However, two are in custody; we did not find anything with those two,” he added. And even as the Prime Minister assured that local security officials were moving to foster even better intelligence, he made it clear that he was not removed from calling in reinforcements. Government, the Prime Minister said, will do all that is necessary and within the law, to prevent persons of such ill-intent from operating within any space in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Many residents of both the North Leeward and
Sandy Bay, the largest community north of the Rabacca River suffered tremendous damage, and would have been an open target for looters had there not been a security presence there. North Windward areas had initially resisted an order to evacuate, citing a need for them to protect their property, personal effects, agricultural crops and livestock. One resident of Sandy
Bay said to the Editor of THE VINCENTAIN on the Friday 9th April after the first eruption, “I air leaving foe dem crooks to come and jus tek my cattle and sheep and goat like dey did to me father in 1979. Ah prefer tek in the ash dan see me hard work go down de drain.” There were numerous reports in 1979 of residents who had to be Professor informed that the “As it is now, I would not be evacuated losing Rabacca River does not begin surprised if the next pyroclastic livestock in particular. where the road just about enters flow that comes down in that the bridge. It starts, he said, all direction gets to the sea, because I Many persons also reported losing the way back … some 200 or 300 think the upper parts of the household and personal metres inland. Rabacca have already been filled “So it’s very wide ….. When you in. So again, it makes the point think you’re standing on the side that that place is extremely of the Rabacca, you’re actually in dangerous,” warned the scientist. the Rabacca,…. so you need to Rabacca, Professor Robertson understand that,” he cautioned. emphasized, is prone to Professor Robertson, who has pyroclastic flows, surges and been in SVG monitoring the lahars. volcano since the effusive eruption It is an area where “fragments began in December 2020, said of rock … fall on your head; they that pyroclastic flows have haven’t done that yet, but it could already come down into the upper do that. So, it’s not a place that parts of the valley and this would you should go for sightseeing. have created (cleared) an easier There are lots of other places that pathway for future flows. you could go safely,” advised Robertson. The Rabacca Dry River is described as ‘a seasonal river’; one that has a flow when there is heavy rainfall. It is located on the outskirts of Georgetown and was formed as a result of the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in 1902. (KH)
Rabacca: Not a vantage point SPEAKING ON NBC RADIO LAST TUESDAY, Professor Richard Robertson, head of The UWI Seismic Research Centre team currently monitoring activities at the La Soufrière volcano said, “Rabacca, it’s a bad idea, extremely bad because Rabacca is one of the primary paths for pyroclastic flows.. . It’s also a path by which Lahars come down.” Professor Robertson was responding to members of the public who had shown a desire to get an eye witness view of the volcano in its current state, and pointed to Rabbaca as possibly offering that opportunity. In discouraging such, the
The Rabacca was overcome by heated water and steam during the explosive eruption phase of the volcano.
items which they had to leave behind. It is this history that has informed the heightened attention being paid by the state to security in the areas, from where there has been mass evacuation. When THE VINCENTIAN checked back with the resident who had said he was not leaving, he had had a change of heart, encouraged by what he said were “signs dat de police move in to protect de area.”
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10. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
La Soufrière Feature
La Soufrière crater has new features
contain the lava domes from 1979 and 2021. The explosions that began on 9 April 2021 have destroyed The features of the new La Soufrière volcano. both domes, creating a smaller crater that measures about 800 m in diameter. The base of this crater is very distorted in the image due to the presence of the ash in the air.” A Capella Space radar image crater. According to The UWI SRC, showing changes to the La That initial explosion was Soufrière volcano. powerful and thunderous, and on 15th April, a revised picture of the summit crater it was the first in a series of Stories by GLORIAH… eruptions that would rock the was constructed based on satellite images. It showed a crater, the mountain and new crater measuring FROM THE VERY BEGINNING of neighbouring communities the La Soufrière volcano’s well into the weekend and the approximately 900m from North to South and at least effusive eruption in late 2020, a ensuing week. new dome emerged in the As the explosions continued 750m from East to West. It reported that, “The crater is crater, and pushed its way with varying levels of upward and outward and. intensity, crowned by the 1979 thought to be at least 100 m deep (Raphael Grandin, IPGP) It expanded laterally along power-packing anniversary and is centred in the souththe crater floor and by March bang, both domes eventually western sector of the summit 24th, the day after severely collapsed. The UWI SRC heightened seismic indication reported that a Capella Space crater.” This new crater is said to were recorded,the new dome satellite radar image acquired have several vents, with only was estimated to be of a on 14th April, showed one being clearly identified. volume of “13.13 million cubic significant changes in the Other vents, as indicated by metres, was 912 metres in crater. length, 243 metres in width An explanation of the image the ash and steam plumes, are located in the northern part of and 105 metres in height.” was provided by Dr. Adam the new crater. There was no obvious vent. Stinton of the Montserrat La Soufrière continues to So, when the volcano Volcano Observatory as: “In erupted explosively on Friday, the middle of the image is the erupt although explosive activity appears to have 9th April, two prominent large depression that is the March 19 footprint of new dome alongside 1979 dome. subsided at this time. domes stood majestically in its summit crater that used to
La Soufrière’s Sulphur Dioxide reaches Africa LEAD SCIENTIST of the La Soufrière Monitoring Unit, Professor Richard Robertson announced that the first time the team was able to successfully measure sulphur dioxide (SO2) flux at La Soufrière, occurred on Thursday, 15th April when Gas Specialist Dr. Thomas
Satellite picture showing sulphur dioxide (SO2) – red area - from the April 9, 2021 eruption of the La Soufrière, moving across the Atlantic. Christopher (UWISRC/MVO), with the assistance of the SVG Coast Guard, conducted
the measurements. These measurements add to a third element to the unit’s monitoring
Satellite picture showing sulphur dioxide (SO2) – red area - from the April 9, 2021 eruption of the La Soufrière, moving across Africa (right) the Arabian peninsula and into Asia.
tools - seismology and ground deformation being the others. The presence of sulphur
indicates that fresh magma from a deeper source is present and could trigger continuing
eruptions. Continued on Page 11.
V UWI-SRC receives grant
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 11.
La Soufrière Feature
support the monitoring of the La Soufrière volcano. This has come by way of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF SPC), and will fund equipment meant to strengthen the monitoring network; rebuild existing monitoring sites; and provide backup equipment for this ongoing event. The UWI-SRC stated that, “As a result of this investment, new communication and ground deformation equipment will now be added to those already deployed, increasing the UWI SRC’s capacity to understand the volcano’s eruptive processes and provide advanced warning of hazardous activity to the Vincentian population in the future.” The UWI Seismic Research Centre called CCRIF’s intervention “timely,” stating that, “This gesture is only the latest instance of collaboration Data collected by monitoring equipment of various sorts and purposes is involving CCRIF and The UWI-SRC, relayed to and analysed by scientists like Dr. Thomas Christopher (pictured) who have worked together in the past based at the Belmont Observatory. on various disaster risk reduction and response projects in the region.” by GLORIAH… (UWI-SRC, based at the St. Augustine CCRIF was formed in 2007 to assist Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, has THE UWI SEISMIC RESEARCH CENTRE received a grant valued at US$17,150, to Caribbean governments in limiting the
financial impact of devastating natural hazards. Headquartered in the Cayman Islands, it offers earthquake, tropical cyclone and excess rainfall insurance policies to the Caribbean and Central American governments. The La Soufrière volcano, which was described as “the most active in the Eastern Caribbean chain, erupted violently in 1718, 1812, 1814, 1902, 1971 and 1979”, before its most recent in 2021. Beginning in late December 2020, the volcano shifted into an effusive eruption state, during which a new dome developed in the crater from extruded magma. Following an evacuation order on Thursday 8th April, La Soufrière erupted explosively on Friday 9th April, leaving thousands of residents from communities within the Red and Orange Zones with no other option than to relocate. These persons are now housed in shelters, private homes and rented premises in the yellow and green zones.
Clarke supports TPS for affected Vincentians
La Soufrière’s Sulphur Dioxide reaches Africa
Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT
aContinued from Page 10.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (right) in conversation with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
CARIBBEAN AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has called on the Joe Biden administration in the United States to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Vincentians in the red zone of the explosive La Soufrière volcano. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, first raised the issue on Saturday after visiting a volcano relief center, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, run by the Brooklynbased SVG Relief Committee, Inc. She then elaborated in an interview with THE VINCENTIAN on Sunday. “I am calling on the US State Department to immediately allocate an appropriate level of funding to support our neighbour rescue, recovery and rehabilitation, and I am calling on Secretary (of Homeland Security Alejandro) Mayorkas to designate TPS status for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and neighboring islands that are located within the red zone,” said Clarke, who chairs both the US Congressional Caribbean Caucus and the Congressional Black
Caucus Taskforce on Immigration. TPS is a temporary status given to eligible nationals of designated countries present in the United States. This status, afforded to residents from some countries affected by armed conflict, or natural disaster, allows persons to live and work in the United States for limited times. Clarke said the US Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS if conditions in the country meet statutory requirements regarding ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters (including epidemics), or other extraordinary and temporary conditions in the country that temporarily prevent its nationals from returning safely. “The Secretary of Homeland Security has the discretion to designate a country for TPS for periods of six to 18 months and can extend these periods if the country continues to meet the conditions for designation,” she said. “The volcanic devastation of St Vincent and the Grenadines requires an urgent humanitarian response from our US government, and the anemic response of our State Department and affiliate
USAID (United States Agency for International Development) causes me great concern,” she added. “This is a humanitarian crisis that has not been adequately addressed by the US State Department or any other international aid organization.” The situation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as cited by Clarke included: 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes since La Soufrière volcano began erupting, and that many of the displaced people are now living in less than 100 shelters; said crops – including coconut, breadfruit, mango and soursop trees, plantain and banana crops, which comprise much of the island’s agricultural economy, outside of tourism – have been destroyed; access to clean water has risen to priority one, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ main water supplies. “have been contaminated.
Tons of potentially dangerous ash were deposited here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and as far east as Barbados and now there is confirmation of emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2). The UWI SRC noted, “Along with the ash, it (SO2) can be picked up by the planetary winds in our case the jetstream can be dispersed across the globe.” The UWI SRC Facebook page went on to show two satellite images from the EU’s Copernicus Sentinel5p Satellite. In the first image, SO2 from the La Soufrière eruption of April 9 was clearly seen moving across the Atlantic. The second image showed the SO2 as it continued its way across Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and Asia. Additionally, www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov reported on 16th April that a cooling influence on global temperatures could be exerted from volcanic plumes that reach and linger in the stratosphere. Michigan Tech volcanologist Simon Carn stated that, “The current thinking is that a volcano needs to inject at least 5 teragrams of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere to have measurable climate impacts.” The site further acknowledged, “After about a week of explosive eruptions, satellite measurements show La Soufrière has delivered about 0.4 - 0.6 teragrams of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to the upper atmosphere. That is already more than any other Caribbean volcano has produced during the satellite era. Those numbers could increase if the eruption continues.” So, with Sulphur dioxide from the La Soufrière volcano being flung into the stratosphere and reaching across the other side of the globe, what consequence, if any, could there be? Time and further explosive eruptions, if any, will tell.
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News
Eruption affects business, slightly TODAY, FRIDAY 23RD APRIL, marks two weeks since the first explosive eruption of the La Soufriere volcano, and businesses here are slowly re-opening their doors in full. Business houses and manufacturing entities here have had to contend with large amounts of ash deposits. Notwithstanding the above, Executive Director of the St Vincent and the
Grenadines Chamber of Commerce - Anthony Regisford, assessed that while it was not a perfect story, this period of a volcanic eruption was a good one for the private sector. Regisford said while speaking on radio this week, that a few manufacturing companies have had to temporarily close, one such being the St. Vincent Brewery which
ceased production but opted to make water available to citizens. Production there was expected to resume this week, Regisford said. St Vincent Distillers, located in Mt Bentick, Georgetown — in the red zone - have remained close throughout. There is no date yet as per the recommencement of production there. It was business as usual for the East
Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) who never ceased the production of flour and animal feed. Its subsidiary, East Caribbean Bottlers, had to temporarily cease operations. On another front, wholesale and retail businesses were seeing some increase in activity in the short term, as the relief effort demanded specific items and
Mustique VERF response to relief needs THE MUSTIQUE CHARITABLE TRUST, the Mustique Charitable Foundation and the Mustique Company have come together in what they dubbed the Mustique Volcano Emergency Relief Fund (Mustique VERF), to harmonise a response to the need for relief occasioned by the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano. In an immediate response, the combined effort set itself to raise US$1.5M within the first 24 hours. In a structural sense, the assistance provided by Mustique VERF initiative would be forthcoming in two phases: immediate and long term. With a budget of EC$2M, phase one, to be executed by the Mustique Company, will focus on immediate needs for displaced persons who are not in shelters, and will include but not limited to food and water supply, toiletries, medical supplies including face masks and baby food and supplies.
supplies. There have been no reports of shortages anywhere, Regisford said, adding that businesses have indicated that items have either already arrived or are making their way here. “So, we have been lucky in the supply chain as far as sea ports,” he explained.
Anthony Regisford, Executive Director of the SVG Chamber of Commerce reported on some disruptions in the manufacturing sector.
represented were guilty of the practice. In the immediate aftermath of the first few eruptions, the demand for water was high and government responding Price gouging by announcing duty free concession on water And while Regisford being imported. was moved to warned Regisford encouraged consumers to be on the members of the Chamber lookout for price gouging, to pass the savings on to he qualified this by consumers, reminding saying that there was no them in the process, of indication that members their moral responsibility of the group he to the public. (DD)
BVI assistance for SVG
Mustique VERF volunteers on the road delivering relief supplies. In addition, phase one will provide laundry facilities and light infrastructure at shelters, where these facilities do not exist or are limited. Towards creating a data base of evacuees’ locations and their needs, persons who fit this criteria are asked to access the Google link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1
FAIpQLSdVU8bj7EmlYFVzFji2O 4xLnGe0K21NMEiWpEMMyAo1j brgQg/viewform, and fill out the Volcano Emergency Relief Form. Mustique VERF is working in collaboration with state entities and other voluntary groups to synchronise the delivery of relief assistance. (Source: Mustique Company)
A NUMBER OF CIVIC ORGANISATIONS in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have come together under the banner of the BVI NGO St. Vincent Volcano Relief Consortium, to mount a coordinated effort to mobilise support for volcano-ravaged St. Vincent and the Grenadines. According to a release from that unified body, the BVI community generously gave relief supplies to the people of St. Vincent with an estimated value of over US$25,000. The shipment was scheduled to depart BVI on today, Friday, April 23rd, to arrive in SVG by Monday, April 26. The community-wide collection initiative was coordinated by the Lions Club of Tortola on Tortola and the Valley Sound Lions Club on Virgin Gorda, in collaboration with partners, including the BVI Rotary Family, BVI Red Cross, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association (SVG Association), the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Tree of Hands and the Government of the Virgin Island. “This was a well- organised and coordinated effort that saw great teamwork and cooperation amongst all of the partners and huge generosity on the part of the BVI people, as we all worked to help the people of SVG,” said Kedrick Malone, President of the Lions Club of Tortola. The BVI organisations agreed that the goods would be distributed in a coordinated effort in St. Vincent the Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs and the St. Vincent Red Cross, in collaboration with NEMO. Supplies which were donated directly by the Police, ADRA will be distributed directly to these organisations’ counterparts in St. Vincent. The Lions and Rotary clubs in St. Vincent have independent distribution facilities and networks that will focus on reaching persons in homes who have taken in friends and families, whilst NEMO and the Red Cross focus on the 89 shelters.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 13.
News
UN launches Appeal Fund to aid SVG Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves cautioned that the cost of recovery is a fluid one given the situation is an evolving one.
THE UNITED NATIONS, with the support of other international and regional organisations, has launched a Global Appeal Fund targeted at raising US$29.2 million, to assist St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the wake of a series of devastating eruptions.
The launch, conducted by way of a virtual press briefing, took place on Tuesday April 20 at Cabinet Room, and involved Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves. The briefing followed a visit to the Orange and Red Zones by Trebucq and a UN team. Trebucq described the impact as “apocalyptic.” As far as the Fund was concerned, Trebucq said its objective is “to scale up the humanitarian assistance and to initiate, as soon as possible, the recovery”. He noted that around 15% of the population has been displaced and highlighted what he said was their increased vulnerability, given that indices of poverty were higher in the areas from which they were displaced.
NYC Mayor donates to SVG relief continued. “And when someone helps you, you don’t forget it. “New York City stands with you,” said de Blasio, turning to Vincentians and other Caribbean nationals New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio assembled under a tent outside the addresses ceremony. center. “You will not walk alone. We will walk besides you.” Vaughan Toney, the VincentianStory and photos by born president and chief executive NELSON A. KING officer of the Friends of Crown naking@verizon.net Heights Educational Center, who US CORRESPONDENT chaired the proceedings, thanked de NEW YORK City Mayor Bill de Blasio Blasio for his generosity, stating that “the City of New York is once again on Tuesday donated a container and rising to fulfill its reputation as the two van loads of relief supplies for greatest city in the world by donating volcano-ravaged St. Vincent and the a mammoth consignment of Grenadines, saying that Vincentians desperately needed relief supplies, to should not be left alone to grapple alleviate the suffering and with this monumental natural displacement caused by the Soufrière disaster. volcanic eruption in St. Vincent and “We have a special perspective as the Grenadines. New Yorkers. COVID-19, we went St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ through that shock, we went through New York Consul General Howie that pain,” said de Blasio at a handing-over ceremony at the Friends Prince told de Blasio and the of Crown Heights Educational Center gathering that “our country is still under attack so to speak. in Brooklyn, which serves as the “The devastation that the volcano principal volcano relief base for has left in its path is mind-boggling,” Vincentians in New York. he said, adding that “the recovery will “Now, put yourself in the place of be a tremendous one.” St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a He disclosed that volunteers, with beautiful, idyllic place, and, suddenly, the Brooklyn-based SVG Relief USA, a volcano that has been dormant is Inc., in the last few days, have now alive that has affected every Vincentian,” he added. “What we need packed, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, two 40-ft. to show is that they will not be left containers of relief supplies to be alone. “New York City is the greatest city shipped to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that the effort is in the world because of Vincentians ongoing. and Caribbean people,” the Mayor
“So this is really a situation that is going to be not really sustainable following several weeks, even though the humanitarian assistance is growing satisfactorily at this moment,” he observed. The Global Appeal Fund is earmarked to provide assistance to a range of areas including: healthcare, education, shelter and housing, agriculture, animal husbandry and food security, clean-up campaigns, environmental health and Genderbased matters among other recovery efforts. As an initial response, the UN has allocated, separate from the Appeal Fund, some US$2 Million to immediate relief efforts. The Prime Minister commented that since the series of eruptions “the country has been put into a veritable economic and social tailspin, where lives and livelihoods have been threatened immensely.” He stressed that “without effective cooperation our life and living will be unbearable.” In giving some indication of what a recovery effort would entail, PM Gonsalves cited some preliminary
Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, described the damage he saw as “catastrophic.” figures as provided by the World Bank. He said, based on an assessment, the total built assets at risk in the red and orange zones amounted to US$387.5 million; the amount in the red zone exclusively was valued at US$64 million and non-residential buildings US$160 million. The infrastructure risk amounted to US$83 million. Gonsalves cautioned that the event was evolving and the figures could change over time, however, there was the immediate need for humanitarian aid and to begin the clean-up process to be followed by recovery and reconstruction. (DD)
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14. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Support him, not castigate him and I am not happy. Please tell me how I can find sexual happiness at this WHEN I MET my husband he was popping stage of my life with or without my husband. Note, I’m not talking about when it came to the business of the using toys. bedroom. That was 15 years ago when he was 26. Now, things are very bad. No life He is 41 years old and cannot do zippo. I am tired of the 2 minutes he Dear No life, has to. He is not even willing to do what it would take to satisfy me I hope you are not thinking about otherwise. He finds certain sex acts stepping outside of your marriage to repulsive. find “sexual happiness”. That will not George, this man is too old fashion
Dear George,
I need my space Dear George, I WAS MADLY in love with my girlfriend and even contemplated marrying her. We did not live together but because of the COVID19, we decided to move in together. It is a good thing I did that! Living together is driving me nuts. We are always in each other’s face. She told me she snored but that turned out to be as loud as an 18- wheeler truck. She hates to clean and is very untidy. I have to remind her to take a shower. She is terrible in the kitchen; she led me to believe otherwise but I discovered it was her cousin who did the cooking. Also, I did not know that four of her teeth were false.
Now that I know all of this, I have to face the cold truth which is: I do not want to be with her anymore. I need my own space. How and when do I tell her?
Ready to roll Dear Ready to roll, You are the one who has to know what you want and what you are willing to overlook or ignore. If you are not comfortable in the relationship for reasons as stated then tell her so and move on. If it comes down to you having to be the one who is honest, then so be it.
George
A ‘cracked’ relationship Dear George,
SMH
I WAS OUT with my girlfriend having a drink when a man approached her and told her how sexy she was; how she deserved a man who could spend on her; if she needed a real man she knows where to look; and handed her his card. My girlfriend accepted the card and when I asked her why she did, she said she was just being polite. She refused to give me the card, claiming that I wanted to control her and insisting she would get rid of it when she was good and ready. I have a funny feeling about this and I’m smelling a rat.
Dear SMH, Yes, it was disrespectful for that man to intrude on your date and say the things he did, but it was equally disrespectful for her to accept the card. She could have easily dismissed him. Her explanation for accepting the card is cause for concern. You may want to reevaluate the foundation of your relationship. I have a sneaking suspicion there are cracks. You can either choose to stick around or start again elsewhere.
George
work; it would only make matters worse not better. I suggest you and your husband see a sex therapist. There could be a lot going on with your husband and with the correct intervention improvements can be made. Instead of putting pressure on him to perform, support him; encourage him to see a specialist in order to put a handle on the problem. Remember too, stress can be responsible for many things and this should not be ignored.
With the right attitude and approach you should begin to see small improvements even before you see anyone.
George
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Self-deception regarding your own worth may lead you down the wrong path. You can prosper if you invest in property or mutual funds. You are best to keep your money tied up in a safe and secure place. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You may have the day off but your thoughts will be on your work and your cash situation. Get rich quick schemes will not be successful. Love could develop with someone of a different cultural background. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Be aware of any deception on the part of those you deal with. Try to be as mellow as possible. Your diplomatic approach and rather outgoing nature will enhance your reputation and bring you the support you need. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Try to be as mellow as possible. This might not be a day for hasty decisions. You can continue to forge ahead if you make a few long distance calls pertinent to closing pending deals. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You will enjoy the interaction with youngsters and take great pride in the projects you've completed. Family gettogethers will be interesting. Do the necessary chores and then do things that please you. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Don't let others try to create unwarranted guilt if you can't meet their demands. Do a little shopping. You're likely to find a real bargain. Your diplomacy will be of utmost importance this week.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You may find that female colleagues will be more help than you anticipated. Changes in your home will be positive. Property investments should payoff. Go on business trips if at all possible. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Someone you live with will be quite unreason able this week. Erratic behavior at home may be hard to handle. Avoid confrontations with coworkers who aren't pulling their weight. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Unique forms of entertainment could capture your attention and bring about a romantic interest. You should take good care of your health; get lots of rest. Get busy trying to make more money. You need to get out and challenge yourself. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Go with the flow and don't be concerned about your own job. If you can mix business with pleasure much can be accomplished. Cultural activities open your eyes to new ways of doing things. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You will be extremely sensual; take precautions and don't take any risks. You can make financial deals that will bring you extra cash. You may have been too nice to a friend who just wanted to take advantage of you. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Your emotions may be hard to control if your mate is forcing you to undergo drastic alterations in your relationship. Take work home but be sure to spend some time with your mate. Look at your options before making commitments that could jeopardize your financial position.
ACROSS 1. Battle mark 5. Inquire 8. Spring bloom 12. Ear region 13. Antagonist 14. Perfume detector 15. Cinematic Guinness 16. Sample 17. Small valley 18. Daytime show 20. Unspoiled spot 21. Average 22. Financial burden 24. Rain-hail mix 27. Costume accessory 28. _ Vegas 31. Spend (money) 32. Theater attendant 34. Genesis vessel 35. President Lincoln, familiarly 36. Music great Charles 37. Hollow inside 39. Gents 40. Spelling contest 41. Sound reverberation 44. Propelled in bike 48. Bearded beast 49. Employed pews 50. Execute a jackknife 51. Adhesive option 52. Umpire-uttered call 53. Heat-emitting appliance 54. Vend (goods) 55. Clever 56. Sallied forth DOWN 1.Close noisily 2. Pop flavor 3. Assist (felons)
4. Cookbook inclusion 5. In pursuit of 6. Achy 7. Door locker 8. Alphabetized Guide 9. Paved way 10. Cruise-ship stop 11. Glimpsed 19. Temperament 22. Knot up 23. Came to terms 24. Pampering Destination 25. Research room 26. Facial orb 27. “How come?” 28. Drink (up) 29. Gallery lure
39. Blue yonder 33. _ Francisco 38. Grassy area 39. Travel lodging 40. First Lady Ford 41. Easter symbols 42. Composer Porter
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 15.
43. Drag 44. Knighted McCartney 45. Breathe 46. Equally matched 47. Fender flaw 49. Distress signal
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16. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Relief
CCRIF provides $$ for SVG relief THE CARIBBEAN CATASTROPHE RISK INSURANCE FACILITY (CCRIF) has provided financial support in the form of a grant of approximately EC$6.0 million (US$2,209,000) to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, following the eruption of the La Soufrière Volcano. According to CCRIF CEO, Mr. Isaac Anthony, “This support to the Government has been made possible because CCRIF operates as a developmental insurance company, whereby our members have our commitment to support them in times of crises; seek out opportunities to enable them to enhance their resilience to current and future natural hazards; engage donors and collaborate on programmes designed to reduce vulnerability; negotiate the best prices for reinsurance; and advance disaster risk
management and ecosystemsbased solutions for the betterment of the peoples of the Caribbean and Central America in keeping with Agenda 2030 and the thrust to leave no one behind.” An accompanying release, CCRIF said that it believes that this support will provide much needed liquidity to respond to the ongoing relief and recovery efforts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Although CCRIF does not currently offer cover for volcanic eruptions it believes that, as the dedicated disaster risk financing facility in the region, it has a moral obligation to respond as best as possible to the needs of its members when confronted with such dire circumstances. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been a member of CCRIF since
the inception of the Facility in 2007. Mr. Isaac Last month, Anthony, CCRIF also CCRIF CEO, provided a says that the small grant in CCRIF is the amount of committed to US$17,000 to support its the UWI members Seismic during periods Research of crisis. Centre (SRC), to purchase new communication and ground deformation equipment to be added to those already deployed in St. Vincent, increasing the SRC’s capacity to understand the volcano’s eruptive processes and to better monitor it and be able to provide advanced warning of hazardous activity. (Source: CCRIF)
Coreas donates to the RSVGPF THE ROYAL St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has received a donation of two thousand six hundred (2600) cases, i.e. one 40ft. container, of bottled water from the Coreas Distribution Limited. In a brief handing over ceremony on April 19, 2021 at the Old Montrose Police Training School compound, Mr. Jimmy Forde, Chief Executive Officer of
Coreas Distribution Limited, said that the donation was, in keeping with his company’s commitment, “To assist the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to cope with the effects of the eruption of La Soufriere volcano.” Forde added that it was an honour for his company to make such a tangible donation to the policemen and women of the Royal St. Vincent
and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF). According to him, in this time of disaster the police have been called upon to provide security and humanitarian work and can be easily Jimmy Forde, Chief Executive forgotten Officer of Coreas Distribution under the Limited (right), hands over water prevailing circumstances. to a RSVGPF Officer. Forde also commended Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin On Thursday, April 15th John and the Stanley Browne, Sagicor’s members of the General Agent and Principal Representative RSVGPF for an in St Vincent and the excellent performance so far. Grenadines, presented relief supplies to the and urged the National Emergency constabulary to continue along that Management Organisation (NEMO). trajectory. This initial donation Receiving the represents the first share donation on behalf of relief assistance that of the RSVGPF, the insurance and Commissioner of financial services company Police John will be providing to the thanked Mr. Forde country as it navigates the and Coreas impact of the eruption of Distribution the La Soufriere volcano. Limited for their Browne, who operates “well thought out the Sagicor offices in donation.” Kingstown and Arnos Vale He concurred said, “Our colleagues in with Forde some of the other sentiment that in Caribbean islands were times of disasters, able to mobilize quickly the police can easily be placed “at and we got some of the supplies onto the Galleons the back of line” Passage from Trinidad, where relief efforts which arrived in St are concerned. Vincent on Tuesday —
Some of the items that comprised the donation from CIBC.
CIBC donates to SVG’s Relief effort AS THE REGION rallies to assist the thousands of people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines displaced by the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano, CIBC FirstCaribbean has sent a shipment of much needed supplies to the island. The shipment which was coordinated by the Barbados Coast Guard left the island on Thursday (April 15) evening aboard the Admiral Bay and arrived in St. Vincent early Friday (April 16) morning , for presentation to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO). The relief supplies which include over 40 pallets of food, water, cleaning supplies and sanitary items were purchased by funds donated by the bank’s charitable arm the FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation. The foundation’s Chair and the bank’s Chief Executive Officer Colette Delaney said the bank shared a “deep concern for the wellbeing and safety of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as they are confronted with the twin threats of an erupting volcano and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic”. She said the eruption in St. Vincent and the subsequent ash falls in Barbados and neighbouring islands demonstrated how interconnected the islands of the region are. She also noted the sense of community demonstrated within the Caribbean in times of disaster, which she observed was borne out in how quickly the Caribbean reached out— within hours of the first eruption — with offers of aid to the people of St. Vincent. (Source: CIBC)
Sagicor hands over relief supplies
Stanley Browne (2nd from right), Sagicor’s General Agent and Principal Representative in St Vincent and the Grenadines, presents a portion of the relief contributed by Sagicor to the people of St Vincent to representatives of NEMO and the Rotary Club at NEMO compound. April 13). We do have more supplies coming from Dominica and St Lucia, so this is truly a Caribbean relief effort. Our team stands ready to assist the government and its agencies in offering and mobilizing support to ensure that we emerge on
the other side of this stronger together.” The donation, which will provide emergency supplies to those in immediate need, included mattresses, folding cots, blankets, face masks, water tanks and coolers. (Source: Sagicor)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 17.
Williams pessimistic about Carifta Games 2021 Right: Woodrow ‘Keylee’ Williams, internationally accredited Track and Field Technical Official, thinks the odds are against staging the 2021 Junior Carifta games.
GIVEN THE MANY ONGOING CHALLENGES with which Bermuda, host of the 2021 Junior Carifta Games is faced, Vincentian Technical Official- Woodrow ‘Keylee’ Williams is not holding out hope that the event will take place on the August date. Williams, who has officiated at the event or has attended as a St Vincent and the Grenadines official on many occasions, was forthright in speaking to The Vincentian, saying, “The chances are very slim for Carifta to take place this year.” Of paramount concern is the rise in COCVID-19 cases in Bermuda and the subsequent protocols for persons entering that country, he cited. Also weighing down heavily on the Local Organising Committee in Bermuda, are the protocols related to visitors, in which those who are unvaccinated are required to quarantine for 14 days on entering the country. According to Williams, “Having to quarantine for 14 days is virtually impossible, so I don’t see how that will happen, as it will be costly on whoever takes up the bill.” Lamenting on what it would mean if the Games were not held, Williams underlined, “Not to have it this year again, will mean that regional athletes
will miss two years of competition…The Games mean too much to our athletes in terms of them securing scholarships to overseas colleges and universities, and not having it would be detrimental to their chances.” Williams, though, is suggesting that individual territories seek to strengthen their internal meets and, where and when possible, have some sub-regional championships. “We have to look at alternatives and start having smaller meets among ourselves, as the health situations to have mass participation may not permit large championships,” Williams related. In the case of the Eastern Caribbean territories, the widely travelled Williams fingered Grenada as a venue for countries in these parts to host mini- meets among themselves, in order to gauge their athletes’ progress as well as provide some much-needed competition. The 2020 Junior Carifta Games were scheduled for Bermuda. When those Games were cancelled because of the declaration of the COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020, they were rescheduled for 2021 but the venue
remained the same. The 2021 Games were originally set for 3rd to 5th April but were postponed to 2nd to 4th July after a surge of COVID-19 cases during the early months of the year. It was subsequently rescheduled for 13th to 15th August given that the July dates would have clashed with the sitting of the Caribbean Examinations Council’s external examinations. Now, as Williams reference, the August dates seem to be in jeopardy given that there has been a recent spike in coronavirus infections in Bermuda, resulting in some nonnegotiable travel requirements. That being the case, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), the organisation responsible for the administration of the Junior Carifta Games, revealed last the bedrock for Junior Track and Field week that an announcement on the in the Caribbean since its inception in fate of the Games will be made by 1972. Since then, the Games has taken early May. place each year, except for 2020, as The Junior Carifta Games is seen as detailed here.
Cycling President encouraged by Bequia facility THE VAST PIECE OF LAND that makes up the Paget Farm Playing Field in Bequia is pregnant with potential for Cycling. That is the view of President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union — Trevor Bailey. And, with that potential, Bailey has disclosed that in his various capacities, he plans to court the relevant authorities to have the venue used for competitive cycling. Speaking of the expanse of the area, Bailey commented, “It can be developed into a track, because there is more than enough land to do something … We can have Mountain Bike and BMX Championships right down here.” Bailey added: “We can do this local and regional, because we from the Caribbean Cycling Federation
are planning to develop the Mountain Bike and the BMX Championships.” Apart from heading the local Cycling Union, Bailey is the President of the Caribbean Cycling Federation and spoke equally of the regional organisation’s intent. “Over the last two years, we only had a BMX Championship, we don’t often have BMX and Mountain Bike Championships every year so we want to focus on that more in the next four years,” Bailey said of the regional intent. Bailey described the Playing Field as being underused to which, he is encouraging the plans of the regional Cycling Federation. “Bequia is the ideal place. If we have to do it on the mainland, it has to be in the area of Rabacca,” Bailey said without further comment.
Cyclists on the Paget Farm Playing Field are dwarfed by the expanse of the area.
Trevor Bailey, President of the SVG Cycling Union, says that the Paget Farm Playing Field holds immense potential as a cycling venue.
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18. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
„Vincy Heat could advance,‰ Chance
Jadiel Chance, senior national goalkeeper, is optimistic going forward into further competition in the World Cup Qualifiers. JADIEL CHANCE, a goalkeeper in the National Senior Football team known as Vincy Heat, is of the view that the national team could advance to the next
round of the FIFA- CANCACAF 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, despite having only won one of the two matches it has played to date in Group C. Vincy Heat beat British Virgin Islands 3-nil, bouncing back from a 6nil drubbing at the ‘feet’ of Curacao which hosted both Vincy Heat’s games, since the protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for this country to accommodate its home match against the BVI. Vincy Heat’s next games are an away match against Guatemala on June 4, and a home game against Cuba on June 8. Whatever the schedule and the opponents, Chance, who represents the North Leeward Predators Club, believes the goalkeepers have a critical role to play going forward.
“With the present qualifiers, the goalkeepers have a serious role to play. Whoever gets the chance to play in the games, their main job is to keep out as many goals as possible and help lead the team to a win…. It might be a situation where goal difference may come into play but once we come out with two big wins in the next two games, you never know,” Chance told THE VINCENTIAN. Chance, who made his debut at the senior level in 2018, recognizes the importance of him stepping up once given the opportunity in the final eleven. And as far as what he thinks he brings to the position that will benefit the team, he said, “With my style of playing I would bring a lot of quality
to the team as I can use both feet, which is a great asset, also my ability to distribute the ball where I can hit a quick counter using any foot, and also I am strong in the arms.” He reiterated that he believed, “... we can win the next two games ahead, but we can only do so by putting in the work that the coaches ask for and also the extra on your own.” As it stands, Vincy Heat are in 3rd position on 3 points, behind Guatemala and Curacao each on 6. Cuba and the BVI have yet to record a point. It is clear, though, “that Vincy Heat has to win its next two matches convincingly if we are to advance, and I feel we can,” Chance said optimistically.
Coach pleased with athletes’ effort XARIA BASCOMBE and Latavia Simon, Vincentian athletes who are enrolled in the Verchilds High School in St Kitts, recorded personal bests in the April 11 St Kitts Athletics Challenge
Series Meet 2, and their coach, Janice Daley, was quick to highlight their efforts. Bascombe not only did a personal best but in the process, she made the SVG Team Athletics qualifying standard
(12.25 secs) for the 2021 Junior Carifta Games female Under-17 100m. She clocked 12.18 secs to finish second in a race in which Simon finished 4th in a time of 12:80, a personal best for her. “Xaria opened her
Matthias, Maloney maintain form
outstanding form in the NCAA Division 11 outdoor Track and Field meets. Representing Academy of Arts University at the Bryan Clay Invitational Meet staged last weekend (April 16-17) in Azusa, California, Darria took the 100 metres in a time of 11:80 seconds. She had earlier clocked a wind-assisted 11:77 seconds in her heat. Meanwhile, Shafiqua Maloney, another Vincentian who is competing in the USA Collegiate Outdoor season, Darria Matthias is showing finished third in her consistently good form in 800 meters in a time the early part of the USA of 2:02.54, at last Outdoor Track and Field weekend’s UF Tom season. Jones Invitational (Colleges) Meet, run VINCENTIAN sprint off at the Percy Beard specialist Darria Track at the University Matthias continued her of Florida.
Shafiqua Maloney continues to make significant contributions to her University’s female Track and Field team. Shafiqua continues to make a significant contribution to her University of Arkansas Razorbacks. Stories I.B.A.ALLEN
season with a time of 12.51 two weeks ago and she came back two weeks later and did an 12.18, a huge personal best considering she didn’t execute properly,” coach Daley said, adding that Bascombe was left in the blocks. “I can’t ask for more … seeing that they ran with a senior girl who did 11.91 so it’s not bad,” Daley explained. Daley recoginsed that Simon also did a personal best 100m, but noted “that is not her zone,” pointing out that she is more of a 200 and 400 meters runner. The Coach also noted that Xaria is just short of the 200 meters qualifying standard which is 24.98, “and I have no doubt that both athletes can achieve that once they put in the work,” she suggested. Simon was pleased with her effort. “I was very impressed with myself seeing that I am a 200 and 400 meters athlete and that was my first 100 meters race for the year.” She shared that she was focusing on running the 400 meters and was determined to better her time. Daley was also pleased to report that both girls made the honor roll so things are looking good on and off track. “It’s a balance and we have that balance so now
(L-R): Latavia Simon, Janice Daley and Xaria Bascombe. it just to keep them motivated, especially with all that is happening in SVG,” Daley said. She, however, returned to the track saying, “… You always
want them to do better and that’s the aim right now - to be better than your last performance, not to compete with anyone else. The aim is to better their times.”
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021. 19.
Classifieds
Boat tragedy survivors thankful
Continued from Backpage. The boat captain said that they were able to attract the attention of the pirogue’s crew through the use of a whistle and bellowing, especially from Harry. The pirogue and crew were St. Lucian registered. They took
While it was the first tragedy at sea for St Rose and Guy, it was not for Harry. Harry, President of the National Fisherfolk Organisation and Deputy Chair of the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Association, had had to contend with being in the Another ordeal for Harry water for two days in 2000, after his fishing the now battered Vincentian fishermen aboard and headed for Vieux Fort to safety. The fishermen were transported back to St Vincent and the Grenadines late Saturday night, via the Jaden Sun.
A wave of homicide 2021 before the Serious Offences Court for an arraignment, and was In a related matter, Leroy Cuffy, remanded in custody at Her Majesty’s 30-year-old labourer of Barrouallie, Prison. has been charged with the murder of The matter was adjourned to July his cousin Mandreca Solomon, also a 5, 2021 for trial. 30-year-old labourer of the same Solomon’s death marked the 10th address. homicide recorded in St. Vincent and Cuffy has also been charged with the Grenadines for the year 2021. having in his possession one (1) Glock Meanwhile, police are investigating 17 9mm Pistol and ten (10) rounds of the circumstances surrounding the 9mm ammunition without a license, death of Cleforin Wyllie, a 45-year-old and for using the Glock 17 9mm farmer of Carriere. Pistol in the commission of the offence Wyllie, according to a police of murder. release, was shot during an incident The incidents, according to a police that occurred in Carriere on April 16, report, occurred at Glebe Hill, 2021. Barrouallie on April 14, and Cuffy Wyllie’s death was listed as the was arrested the same day. 11th homicide recorded in St. Vincent The accused appeared on April 19, and the Grenadines for 2021. Continued from Backpage.
vessel capsized 45 miles off St Vincent and the Grenadines. Also two months ago, he suffered another mishap when his boat capsized in the Rose Place area. He had to be rescued by fishermen who were on the beach. Given these experiences it is no wonder that Harry has taken to making an ongoing appeal to all fishers, to pay attention to procuring safety equipment. “We need to really have safety at sea a priority area and to the Coast Guard I would reach out to them, the Fisheries Division, to
make sure that boats in St Vincent not leave or (go) fish without life jackets and see how we can make life vests mandatory,” Harry stressed. Guy underscored the need for proper life saving devices at sea and after last Saturday’s scare, he disclosed that he plans to get a “proper life jacket,” before he heads back out to sea. Thanking all who in some way assisted in their safe return, the three have already begun preparing to return to their trade as fishermen, even as they nurse burns to their bodies from the boat’s fuel.
HINGFORD OLIVER GERALD CHARLES POPE Thursday, 22nd April, 2021 Church of God of Prophecy Colonarie Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m.
Friday, 23rd April, 2021 Golden Vale Cemetery Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 10:30 a.m. Interment: Golden Vale Cemetery
TERRICITA FAYE TOUSSAINT
ERROL WILBERT TAYLOR a.k.a. Fathead
Thursday, 22nd April, 2021 S.D.A. Church Kingstown Viewing: 11:00 a.m. Service: 12:00 p.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
Saturday, 17th April, 2021 Wesleyan Holiness Church Buccument Bay Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Penniston Cemetery
ELAH AQUILA KELLY LEWIS Questelles Seventh day Adventist Church Sunday 18th April 2021 Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Chauncey Cemetery
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FRIDAY, APRIL 23,
2021
VOLUME 115, No.16
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
BOAT TRAGEDY SURVIVORS THANKFUL WHAT WAS INTENDED to be a five-hour trip last Saturday back to St Vincent and the Grenadines from Vieux Fort, St Lucia, aboard the vessel Sunshine Angel, turned out to be three and a half-hour swimming ordeal in choppy waters, for three fishermen.
The Sunshine Angel which sank last Saturday morning off St Lucia.
The three - Mac Clement St Rose, Winsbert Harry and Cafu Guy were on their return leg of an expedition in which relief supplies were being brought back to St Vincent and the Grenadines for other fisherfolk, affected by the eruption of the La Soufrière volcno. The joy of returning with supplies of water, dry goods, canned food and other items for their colleagues turned into a quest for survival, when the vessel experienced problems and disappeared into the sea at about 9:05 am, eight miles off Vieux Fort and about six miles from St Vincent and the Grenadines.
vessel taking in more water than it was pumping out. Everything that happened thereafter unfolded in quick time, St. Rose said, with the stern first getting submerged under the weight of the cargo, then the bow following suit. The men responded quickly to safeguard themselves but there was a Recounting the ordeal scare when Harry was unable to retrieve his life jacket. Boat owner and captain, St Rose, “A good thing we had another who is a native of St Lucia but who floating buoy which Winsbert (Harry) has made St Vincent and the ended up holding the floating buoy as Grenadines his home, recounted the his survival jacket…I tell them the events of last Saturday. He related that they left Vieux Fort boat has already sunk, so let us leave the vessel and swim to shore,” St Rose at about 7am. Not long after they realised that there was a problem with said. “We swam for three hours to three the bilge pump, which resulted in the and a half hours… Whilst we
The fishermen who lived to ‘fish another day’ (from left) Winsbert Harry, Mac Clement St Rose and Cafu Guy. travelling, I keep talking to them because I did survival (training)… I said, ‘Guys, don’t give up, we will make it to land’, because the tide was going towards land.”
The rescue All men of faith, St Rose recalled that, “At one point, Winsbert turned back to me and said ‘God is good’, and at the same time he said God is good, we turned back and said look a vessel/a pirogue. Continued on Page 19.
A WAVE OF HOMICIDE
THIS COUNTRY recorded what would be its 12th homicide for the year, with the shooting death of Shane Cabral of Glen. Unconfirmed reports said that Cabral could well have been at the end of a rapid release of bullets, which residents said they overheard sometime before 9:00am on Wednesday 21st April, in Glen. Cabral is the third shooting fatality in Glen Shane Cabral is this in recent time. country’s latest Keon Scott was homicide victim. reported to have been
shot to death at his home in Glen on Saturday 3rd April. And on Friday 9th April, Dale Holder became this country’s 9th homicide victim when he was shoot in the vicinity of ‘the junction’ Leroy Cuffy (left) was in Glen. apprehended by the police the same day Continued on Mandreca Solomon Page 19. was shot and killed.
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