The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018 VOLUME 112, No.11 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

Justice Adrian Saunders – a Vincentian bybirth - will become the next (third) Presidentof the Caribbean Court of Justice. JUSTICE

SAUNDERS IS NEXT CCJPRESIDENT

ST. VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES born Adrian DudleySaunders is to become the nextpresident of the Caribbean Court ofJustice (CCJ)

The sitting president, KittitianSir Dennis Byron, madethe announcement Friday, whileaddressing the 10th Annual CCJInternational Law MootCompetition, held in Port ofSpain, Trinidad and Tobago,where the CCJ is alsoheadquartered.

Justice Saunders’ appointmentwill take effect from July 4, 2018.

The Heads of Government ofCARICOM made the appointmentat their Ninth IntersessionalMeeting held from 26-27February, 2018, in Port-au-Prince,Haiti.

Legal career to date

Justice Saunders, as a letterwriter in the THE VINCENTIANof September 22, 2017 said, has“distinguished himself, and byextension St. Vincent and theGrenadines, with his intellectualexcellence, first class practicalmind, utter sincerity andwonderful judicial temperament,

all combined with an acuteunderstanding of our West Indiansocieties.”

The 64-year-old Saunders, whoearned his LLB degree withHonours from the University ofthe West Indies in 1975, was first

Continued on Page 3.

Sir Dennis Byron will retire thisyear as the second President ofthe Caribbean Court of Justice.

BusinessV 2. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

WHILE MARCH 2003 is etched in theminds of Vincentians as the time thatDigicel revolutionised thetelecommunication in St. Vincent and theGrenadines (SVG), March 2018 isshaping up to also have a great impacton Vincentians.

This as Digicel on Monday, March6th officially launched its ‘MarchMadness’ promotion, which is gearedat rewarding all its customers, bothpre and postpaid, with a series of dealsand FREE offers.

On Mondaymorning, prepaidcustomers woke upto a messageinforming themthat they were allgifted 50 freeminutes to call, notonly SVG but over150 countries,including the USA,the UK and

Canada. Additionally, customers wererewarded with free data andInternational minutes for simplytopping up $5 or more.

Fanta Williams, Chief of Operationsat Digicel SVG, said about the excitingpromotion, “This is the start of amonth full of rewards for our loyalcustomers of 15 years - free credit,data and a giveaway of up to $5,000 incash. In fact, our ‘March Madness’promotion is just one aspect of

Digicel’s 15th anniversary celebrationactivities since the promotion willclimax with a grand concert onSaturday, March 24 at the VictoriaPark. The concert, which connects ourcustomers to the music they love, isour way to thank them for choosingand supporting Digicel over the past15 years.”

Siccaturie ‘JahCure’ Alcock andAndrae ‘Popcaan’ Sutherland are billedas headliners for the March 24 concert

— making it the first time the twoartistes will share the stage. Patronscan also expect to see performances bysome of SVG’s best artistes including:Shirtz “Problem Child” James andKevon “Kev” Alleyne, along with SVG’sbest DJs.

For further information on the‘March Madness’ offers and the concertdetails, Digicel customers should staytuned to the radio, check their textmessages and follow Digicel’s socialmedia pages for the latest updates.

Celebration time with DIGICEL

Subscribers andpotentialcustomerscrashed in on theDigicel Kingstownoutlet to be part ofthe MarchCelebrationMadness.

ON THE OCCASION of his 70thbirthday, author, playwright,poet, dramatist, director andlecturer in Arts, et al, Cecil‘Blazer’ Williams, launched hisfifth publication last Tuesdayevening at Frenches House,Kingstown.

Williams’ latest bookentitled ‘The Man Who CameBack’, is a moonlight storytype, written in Caribbeanstory telling format, andrelates a tale of secondchances, miracles andredemption.

In reviewing the book,author, Solicitor and Barristerat Law - Paula E. David, saidshe read it in four hours, “withinterruptions”, and noted thatWilliams’ efforts is amoonlight story.

“It is a tightly drawn story.There are no unnecessarycharacters, no unresolved sub-plots, no ostentatious literarydevices… The setting is thefictional nation of Mangonan,a generic Caribbeanisland with a thickVincentian accent,”David posited.

She noted that thebook follows in WestIndian literary traditionof social commentary byselecting a deportee asone of the story’sprotagonists, addingthat, despite the story isset in 2040, “it explorescurrent themes ofconcern to the wholeregion.”

Among those themesDavid listed are “climatechange, urban sprawland decay, sustainabledevelopment, youthempowerment and thehope for a greenenvironmental futurefuelled by home grownscientific innovation.”

Also addressing lastTuesday’s book launch wereHon Luke Browne, who gaveremarks on behalf of Ministerof Education St Clair Prince,and President of the

Vincentian Association ofArtists, Writers andProducers, Ms Rene Baptiste.

Readings from the bookwere done by Williams, aidedby members of the New

Artists’ Movement (NAM).The launch of ‘The Man

Who Came Back’ followsWilliams’ previouspublications of poetry- ‘In theMind’ and ‘Esperanza! Hope!Esperanza!’ , alongside novels-‘Memories of the Hibiscus’ and‘A Stirring of the Radicals’.

Williams, who promises to

write until his death, ishopeful that before the end ofthe year, his next book ofpoetry, named ‘I Can Fly’, willbe released.

Williams’ books areavailable at leading bookstoreshere in St Vincent and theGrenadines.

V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 3.

Continued from Front page.

appointed a judge in 1996 whenhe was elevated to the EasternCaribbean Supreme Court(ECSC). He served as a HighCourt Judge in Montserrat andAnguilla (1997 — 2001) and St.Lucia (2001 — 2003).

In 2003, he was appointed aJustice of the Appeal of theECSC, and in 2004, was furtherelevated to acting Chief Justiceof the ECSC.

He stepped down from thatposition in 2005 when he wasappointed to the CCJ, i.e. fromthe inception of the Court.

What he now guides

Justice Saunders will become

the third president of the CCJ.He succeeds Sir Dennis Byronwho himself succeeded the firstpresident - Trinidadian juristMichael De la Bastide - in 2011.

As President of the CCJ,Justice Saunders will presideover a body that is the finalCourt of Appeal for only fourCARICOM countries - Guyana,Barbados, Belize and Dominica— who have all severed ties withthe London-based PrivyCouncil. Antigua and Barbudahas given indications of puttinga decision in this regard, to areferendum.

He will also guide the bodywhich is tasked as the finaldecision-making body withrespect to interpreting theRevised Treaty of Chaguaranas,

the foundation of CARICOM.Justice Saunders is expected

to continue as chairperson ofthe ongoing project to developand execute the CCJ’s StrategicPlan for 2018-2023.

During his almost 13 yearsas a member of the CCJ, JusticeSaunders would have seen thebody rule on some landmarkcases in the Caribbean, notleast being: a ruling thatordered substantial damagesagainst the Barbadosgovernment for denying entry toa Jamaican national, ShaniqueMyrie; a case involving gayrights in which MauriceThomlinson challenged thegovernments of Belize andTrinidad and Tobago, and inwhich the CCJ ruled that

homosexual CARICOMnationals have a right offreedom of movement on thesame terms as any otherCARICOM Nationals.

According to Sir Dennis, theCCJ, in the calendar year 2018,received 18 cases in itsAppellate Jurisdiction and 35cases in 2017. Of these, 46were disposed of by the court.

Justice Saunders would bekeen, one observer said, toensure that this degree ofefficiency is maintained, andthat every effort would bemade, in keeping with theCourt’s policy, of having casesdisposed of within six monthsfrom the date the case is fileduntil the final judgement isgiven.

Justice Saunders is next CCJ President

ÂBlazerÊ Williamslaunches fifthpublication

Author- Cecil “Blazer” Williams autographs his book.

Left: Persons getting their first hold of the book: “The manwho came back”, at last Tuesday’s launch.

EVEN AS THE INLANDRevenue Department (IRD)is reporting thatindividuals who haveoutstanding tax arrearshave been coming forwardat this time of an amnesty,Comptroller of the IRDKelvin Pompey has issueda stern warning that theIRD will be takingcompelling action againstthose who fail to comply.

Pompey told THEVINCENTIAN that whilehe was not able toprovide a figure as perthe moneys collectedsince the amnesty was inplace, he and his staffwere pleased with thenumber of persons thathave responded.

“We have been gettingpositive responses sincethe inception of the taxamnesty,” he said.

Individuals have beencoming in to find outwhat their balances are,and accountants andfirms have been callingin to find out about theirclients, Pompey added.

He explained that theIRD has been examiningits filing status forcompanies andindividuals, and hasbeenapplying the ‘Best ofJudgment Assessment’for all businesses andpersons who should havefiled over the years andwho have not done so.

“And so, it means weare giving them anopportunity now to settleup to 2017, given thatthere is an amnesty.”

Individuals can claimwaivers on interest andpenalties for all the yearsthey have not filed.

Taxes outstanding

It was announcedearlier this year that thegovernment intended topursue ‘vigorously’ andattempt to recover someEC$301.8 million intaxes owed to the centralgovernment. According toPompey, this reflectedarrears that haveaccumulated since 1998.

Of that figure, PrimeMinister Dr. RalphGonsalves had indicatedthat EC$177.4 millionwas the amount owed inbase taxes, with theremaining figure theamount accumulated inoutstanding interest andpenalties.

Concern wasexpressed then for theEC$68.7 million

outstanding on VATpayments, EC$34.3million of which was thebase figure, with thereminder being interestand penalties.

Also contributing tothe overall amount owingin taxes was EC$55million on P.A.Y.E. —inclusive of base taxes(EC$24 million) andarrears.

The Minister ofFinance, CamilloGonsalves in his 2018Budget address,announced a three-month amnesty periodbeginning February 15and ending on May 15,for tax defaulters, andfurther indicated furtherthat provisions weremade in the budget forthe hiring of bailiffs toact on any defaultersfollowing the completionof the amnesty period.

Pompey reminded thatthis was the time that atax amnesty has beenextended to defaulters.He, however, admittedthat this time aroundwill be the first time thataction will be takenagainst defaulters.

“Right now, we are ina better position (to doso); we have done quite abit of reform,” Pompeysaid.

Punitive action coming

In the past, the IRDhas tried to fostervoluntary compliance.

According to Pompey,this country employs aself-assessment system,meaning that the

responsibility ofreporting earnings(filing tax returns)rests with thosewhoearned/generatetaxable income.

That systemhas been workingfor the most part,and is thepreferred method,given its costeffectiveness, Pompeyexplained.

But while voluntarycompliance has beenworking, the comptrollerof the IRD indicated thatthere was still a minorityof tax payers who seemednot to be willing tocomply.

There was the ‘stick’approach, but Pompeyadmitted that wassomething that the IRDwas hesitant to use.

He explained that oneof the reasons for notenforcing complianceagainst tax defaulterswas because the IRD didnot have the capacity todo so, and thedepartment hadcontented itself with thebelief that the voluntarycompliance system wasworking.

However, the IRD wasprepared, this timearound, to change thisstrategy.

Not that the IRDintended to abandon theapproach it has used inthe past, but Pompeysaid that he believed thatthe small core ofdefaulters was not beingdealt with in a mannerthat they would feel the

consequences of notpaying their taxes.

“And as aconsequence, we aregoing to be using thoseharsher penalties as arelisted under the IncomeTax Act,” he said.

Measures include theseizure of propertyincluding homes, vehiclesor other assets, and theuse of court proceedingagainst delinquentindividuals andcompanies.

“We are confidentthat we can do this atthis point because wehave now strengthenedour internal capacity.We have been workingalong with the LegalDepartment to makesure that we know howto prepare cases, and aswas stated, we will begetting some additionalbailiffs to work alongwith our Department,”

Pompey told THEVINCENTIAN.

“Eventually, within acouple of months you willsee someone drivingalong and stopped by abailiff and have theirvehicle seized. We will beembarking upon thisstrategy,” he said. (DD)

NewsV 4. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

IRD ready to actagainst defaulters

TT admits indebtedness TRINIDAD ANDTOBAGO has givenindication that it willhonour an amount ofUS$64 million, theremaining amount on aUS$100 million debtresulting from the falloutof British AmericanInsurance Company(BAICO).

According to PrimeMinister, Dr RalphGonsalves during a pressbriefing on Monday, it isthe first time that theTrinidadian Governmenthas admitted that it is

liable for the amount,and has given theassurance that it hasidentified a source fromwhich it can honour thepayment.

That source of funds,according to PMGonsalves, will comefrom the liquidation ofBAICO’s parentcompany, CL Financial.

Back in January,Gonsalves said that hewas intending to gathersupport from otherCARICOM memberstates to get Trinidad

and Tobago to pay theremaining amount of theUS$100 million, pledgedby the then PatrickManning administration.

The matter was anagenda item at the 29thIntersessional Meeting ofthe CARICOM Heads ofGovernment held inHaiti, February 26 -27,2018.

Regarding the issuewith CLICO, Gonsalvessaid that he continues towork with the court andGovernment of Barbados.(DD)

Kelvin Pompey, Comptroller ofthe Inland RevenueDepartment.

by GLORIAH…

THE LIGHTS at the GreenHill Multipurpose Hard Courthave been officially turnedon.

A ceremonial turningon of the lights was heldTuesday 13th March onsite, hosted by the GreenHill Sports and CulturalClub (GHSCC), the groupresponsible for sports andcommunity activity in thecommunity.

Those present at theceremony included Mr. St.Clair Leacock,ParliamentaryRepresentative of CentralKingstown;representatives of anumber of nationalsporting bodies;businessman Mr.Beresford Phillips; andguest of honour H.E. JohnPilbean, Australia’s HighCommissioner to Trinidadand Tobago, and who isaccredited to St. Vincentand the Grenadines .

High CommissionerPilbean’s presence waspertinent to theproceedings, as thepurchase and setting up ofthe lights were facilitatedby his Embassy,acccording to GHSCCPresident, CarlosWilliams.

Addressing thegathering, Williams saidthat was through fundingfrom the Direct AidProgramme (DAP) of theAustralian governmentthat the lighting projectwas possible.

“The DAP has theflexibility to work withlocal communities indeveloping countries onprojects that reducepoverty and achievesustainable developmentconsistent with Australia’snational interest,” he said.

A sum of $23,000 XCDwas received towardseffecting the lightingproject. And Williamsdisclosed that $4,000remained after thelighting was completed,and it was graciouslyhanded back to be used forthe enclosure of the court

The continuing work tocreate the hard court hasbeen attributed tovolunteering members ofthe community who joinedmembers of the GHSCC,visionary for the project.

Treasurer, of GHSCC,Debon Moses traced thephase development of thehardcourt project,described the undertakingas having begun in 1980with the commencement ofwork on the hard courtitself; to the constructionof the bleachers; to theinstallation of electricityand water; the building ofa modern washroomfacility which wascompleted in late 2017,and now the lighting.

High CommissionerPilbean, in his featureaddress, labelled theresult of the hard workput in by the GHSCC overthe years, as “a beautifularc of achievement,”adding that all theiraccomplishment cameabout because donors ofthe various projects,realized that the GHSCChad the determination tofinish the job.

“There is much more tothe story: how membersput in so much work onthe lighting project thatthere was money left over!We were filled withadmiration and suggestedthat the court be fenced.That will add to thefacility.”

The High Commissionerwas given the honour ofturning on the lights.

The occasion was alsoused to present certificatesof appreciation toindividuals andenterprises whocontributed to financingdifferent aspects of theproject.

The lights of the hardcourt were actually turnedon during the Nine

Morningsfestivities inDecember, andthe court hassince been usedto conductMonday nightand Wednesdaynight footballand bingogames.

CommunityV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 5.

Ceremonial Lighting Ceremony atGreen Hill Hard Court

High Commissioner John Pilbean (left) gettingready to turn on the lights in the company ofGreen Hill resident Eldon Haynes and GHSCCTreasurer Debon Moses.

Looking in from the west on the Green Hill hard Court.

6. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

DiasporaVGarifuna celebratesHeritage Month in NYby Nelson A. Kingnaking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.comUS CORRESPONDENT

THE BRONX, New York-based Garifuna CoalitionUSA, Inc., says it is“proud” to celebrate the10th Anniversary ofGarifuna-AmericanHeritage Month in NewYork, inviting all NewYorkers to join in the Mar.11 - April 12 celebration.

The coalition saidthat, each year, GarifunaAmericans in New Yorkobserve Garifuna-American HeritageMonth, from Mar. 11 toApril 12.

“The day of Mar. 11 issignificant because it isthe anniversary of theforcible deportation ofthe Garifuna people bythe British from St.

Vincent and theGrenadines in 1797,” thecoalition said.

“All of thecommunities in Belize,Guatemala, Hondurasand Nicaragua descendfrom the just over twothousand Garifunapeople forcibly deportedfrom St. Vincent in1797,” the coalition said.

In addition, it saidMar. 14 is National HeroDay in St. Vincent andthe Grenadines, inobservance of theanniversary of the deathof Paramount GarifunaChief Joseph Chatoyeron Mar. 14, 1795.

The coalition also saidthat Mar. 25 is theanniversary of the tragicfire in the Happy Landfire, an arson fire thatkilled 87 people trappedin an unlicensed social

club named ‘Happy LandSocial Club’, at1959 Southern Blvd. inthe West Farms sectionof the Bronx on Mar. 25,1990.

Most of the victimswere youngHondurans celebrating,

largely drawn frommembers of thelocal GarifunaAmerican community,the coalition said.

“It was through theHappy Land Fire thatNew York discovered theGarifuna people,” thecoalition said.

The month concludeson April 12 incommemoration of 221stanniversary of theGarifuna Settlement inCentral America.

The path to recognition

In 2008, The GarifunaCoalition USA, Inc., saidit developed an initiativeto raise awareness andappreciation of theGarifuna Communityand its contribution tothe culture and society ofNew York City.

The coalition said thestrategy was to “plan,organize and execute aseries of activities topromote the GarifunaCommunity in New YorkCity.”

This initiative led toBronx Borough PresidentAdolfo Carrión issuing aproclamation declaringMar. 11 to April 12, 2009as “Garifuna-AmericanHeritage Month in theBronx,” the coalitionsaid.

In 2010, BronxBorough PresidentRubén Díaz Jr., issuedthe proclamation.

In addition,Assemblyman MichaelBenjamin introduced aresolution in the NewYork State Assembly“memorializing Gov.David Patterson todeclare Mar. 11- April12, 2010 as Garifuna-American Heritage

Month in the State ofNew York.,” the coalitionsaid.

New York City MayorMichael Bloomberg alsoissued a proclamation.

In 2011, the coalitionsaid Sen. Rubén Díaz, Sr.introduced a resolutionin the New York StateSenate “memorializingGov. Andrew Cuomo todeclare Mar. 11 - April12, as Garifuna-American HeritageMonth in the State ofNew York and invitedthe first Garifunadelegation to be presentto receive theproclamation.

“It was the first timein history that theGarifuna community wasinvited to the New Yorkcapitol to celebrate itsheritage,” the coalitionsaid.

Beginning in 2012,Assemblymen MarcosCrespo, Michael Blakeand Luis Sepulveda haveintroduced a resolutionin the New York StateAssembly.

The 8th annualceremony is scheduledfor Tuesday April 17.

On March 12, 2014New York City CouncilDistrict 16 Councilmember Vanessa L.Gibson presented thefirst New York CityCouncil Garifuna-American HeritageMonth ProclamationCeremony at the NewYork City CouncilChambers. The fifthannual ceremony isscheduled for Thursday,

April 12, the coalitionsaid.

It said that, on April10, 2014, CongressmanJosé E. Serrano “rose onthe United States Houseof Representatives tohonor GarifunaAmerican HeritageMonth (CongressionalRecord E572).”

On Feb. 1, 2017, NewYork City CouncilDistrict 17Councilmember RafaelSalamanca, Jr. was theprimary sponsor ofResolution 1358-2017,along with CouncilDistrict 42.

The coalition saidCouncilmember Inez D.Baron and CouncilDistrict 31Councilmember DonovanJ. Richards, as co-sponsors, recognize April12 annually as GarifunaHeritage Day in the Cityof New York, as part ofthe annual Garifuna-American HeritageMonth celebrations.

“Garifuna-AmericanHeritage Month providesan opportunity torecognize the significanceof Garifunascontributions to thequality and character oflife of New York, throughmany events andactivities throughout themonth,” the coalitionsaid. “People gain agreater appreciation ofGarifuna history andtraditions, and of the roleGarifuna-Americanshave played, and willcontinue to play, in NewYork’s society.”

Assemblyman Michael Benjamin (3rd from leftfront), members of the Garifuna Coalition USA Inc.,and the Evangelical Garifuna Church, pose withProclamation Declaring Garifuna Day In TheBronx. (Photo: Teofilo Colon Jr.)

TrainingV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 7.

by CARLYLE DOUGLAS

“OUR COURTS are over-punishingdecent people who make mistakes,and our prisons have no rewards orincentives for good behaviour. In thisalone, criminal justice and prisonsystems contradict their ownmission statements (244).” BernardB. Kerik

Prison authorities here havetaken this quotation to heart, andare bent on proving it wrong, as itapplies to the Penal System here.

According to Brenton Charles—Superintendent of the state-runpenal institutions here, there areseveral trades/vocation trainingopportunities available toinmates during their period ofIncarceration, all intended totool or retool them forreintegration into society and thework market, on their release.

In this way, Charles said, theincidence of repeat offenders can becurbed.

Some of these opportunitiescurrently available to prison inmateshere are Tailoring, Culinary Arts,Woodwork, Metal Work, Arts andCraft and the most recent, AutoMechanics.

The Auto Mechanics programmewas launched Friday 9th March at HerMajesty’s Prison in Kingstown.

It is a joint collaboration betweenthe Prisons and businessman ElsonBailey of Cash Money Auto, who,according to Superintendent Charles,first came to the ‘rescue’ of the Prisonswhen he replaced an engine for one ofthe prison vehicles.

That vehicle was, as reported,vandalised when sugar was pouredinto its petrol tank.

This kind gesture by Mr. Bailey wasthe beginning of a relationship thathas blossomed into the structure AutoMechanics programme.

A significant range and number oftools and quantities of auto supplieswere on display as part of the pressconference, the sum total ofcontributions from Bailey and Carl

Samuel of KAG Auto.Also present was Mr. Steve Oliver,

renowned auto-mechanic, who willassist with training.

Superintendent Charles is hopefulthat Prison Officers would also get anopportunity to avail themselves of thetraining, so as to make the penalinstitutions less dependent on outsideservice in this regard.

He also ensured the imposition ofstrict discipline in what he describedas a “high demand RehabProgramme.”

In acknowledging the appreciationextended to him, Bailey expressed thehope that the prison system would, indue course, be equipped with abearings press and an auto-body repairfacility, services which it can extend tothe public.

Also present at the press conferencewere Vonnie Roudette, artist, artsinstructor, community developmentspecialist, who has been pivotal indeveloping the training/vocationalrehabilitation efforts of the prison;and Chef Alvin Jackson who recentlyconducted a successful first timetraining programme in culinary artsfor the inmates.

Prison officials, benefactors and inmates at the launching of the programme.Among those pictured sitting are: (from left) are: Carl Samuel, Elson Bailey,Supt. Brenton Charles, Steve Oliver.

Training in auto-mechanicsfor prison inmates

Elson Bailey (right) and Supt. BrentonCharles exchange a gentleman’shandshake that marked the donation andreceipt of a quantity of tools for use in theAuto Mechanics programme.

FOR SOME 15 YEARS, the country hasbeen promised a slate of National Heroeswhich, like other promises of the ULP, hassimply not seen the light of day for simpleparty-political reasons.

In 2001, the ULP had virtuallyinherited National Hero Joseph Chatoyer,and set about the business of selecting twoto three other persons to join him.

To cut a long story short, the ULP hasnot delivered. I personally argued the caseof three persons: George Mc Intosh, HughMulzac and Ebenezer Joshua. Thecontinuing snag is that the PM will notbudge without Milton Cato, whoseselection has not the support of severalstalwarts and friends of the ULP,including Oscar Allen, Caspar London,Renwick Rose, Jomo Thomas and BlazerWilliams.

So, a ULP panel suggests, among otheralternatives, that for the time being wemake do only with Chatoyer, whichincidentally, had been suggested by KenBoyea a few years back and had beenscoffed at by Gonsalves’ minions who sawthe anointment of Cato as sacred to theircause.

Incidentally, during my extended periodof unease, I had completely missed theULP Sunday morning panel of the likes ofcontroversial P John and Cecil Ryan, whoare mere outriders of the Gonsalveschariot. On this occasion they could notclear the path but recommend a lengthierroundabout route during which they andtheir leader will have surely faded fromthe scene.

This is also the season when respectsare paid to women. At long last, Viola Johnnee Daisley has attracted official attentionat 95 years old!

So years ago, Dr. Gonsalves attacked mefor ingratitude in opposing the naming inWest St George of a Learning ResourceCentre in honour of Doris Mc Kie neeAdams. I certainly love Mrs Mc Kie, butnot as much as Viola John and Yvonne -Gibson, both of whom had contributedmore to the women cause and to West StGeorge than did Doris Mc Kie. I concludedat the time, that Mrs. Mc Kie was beingemblazoned in preparation of her son’srunning for ULP, which in fact followedthrough.

Viola is a Black beauty, behind whom Ilove literally to walk, observing thegraceful step and swinging hips. Thelateness of her recognition I had attributedto knowledge that as a young teenagerattending the GHS, she had hugged andkissed me, still in diapers, as she livedthen in my home at Rose Place, ‘BottomTown’.

Viola would excuse me for poking a little

fun at herexpense. IrecalledAfflickHaynes, aPPP minister of Government (about 98years old at present), having allegedly saidsome nasty things about Viola who was aSchool headmistress at the time. Viola’sirate husband confronted Haynes on thenew Deep Water Pier and publiclyadministered lashes with a ‘bull pestle’ onthe back of the Minister!

I believe that, for whatever reason, theLabour supporting Viola had refused tosupport the insignia of JP offered byMitchell’s NDP government.

As for Yvonne Francis-Gibson, whochalked many ‘firsts’ for women in publiclife , she now lives cheerily in her twilightzone, completely oblivious of the hurtwhich it was her lot to have absorbed.

Speaking of the award of JPs, thefollowing were rudely ripped from theirholders following the election victory of theULP in 2001- Yvonne Francis Gibson,Alston Lewis, Urcelline Phillips, GarvinSeymour and Alexis Griffith.

In their place, the ULP honoured HughRagguette, the Rev Duff James, the JPfrom Pembroke and such-like!

The other KJ, Keith Joseph, in his radiotalk, highlighted the fact that it was adozen years since the murder of Ralph’sPress Secretary Glen Jackson, and not aword was said by official ULP, as if therewas never a “My Friend Glen”. I would notdo an injustice to murky the atmosphere ofthe death surrounded by mystery andmisery.

I will add only a personal bat whenRalph was at war with Glen, promising todescend to the gutters to meet Glen on hisown turf, I questioned Ralph as to how hecould be so brutal to the son of the nursewho had diligently assisted in his recoveryafter a near-drowning incident atColonarie. Ralph, aghast, requested that Irepeat the story.

I then explained that my own son-in-lawDavid Robin was Glen’s step-brother.Ralph then exclaimed that from there onGlen can do no wrong. Their differenceswere quietly patched up and Glen becamePress Secretary to Ralph until his death atthe hands of friendly foes, which I get tobelieve pains Ralph to the quick.

Altogether, we have been living indepressing times with a dark cloudhovering over us. As an optimist and truebeliever, I think this is an exciting periodin preparation of a glorious sunshine in thewake of a terrible social outburst of whichthe appointment of Adrian Saunders asPresident of the CCJ, is an early positivesign of things to come.

ANYONE WHO KNOWS Adrian Dudley ,knows that here is a man whose destinyrests in greatness.

Yes, greatness, and there is noapology attached to that.

The rest of the Caribbean — moresothe CARICOM grouping - wouldforgive us if as Vincentians home andspread across the globe, we stop andtap ourselves on the shoulders anddeclare, “Adrian is one of us!”

Congratulations are in order forJustice Saunders as he prepares toassume the position of President ofthe Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).His has been a legal career and lifejourney lined with successes anddemonstrations of the highest orderof integrity, which many who todayreign over Caribbean states, theireconomies and people, would do wellto emulate.

And as we prepare for JusticeSaunders’ elevation to his newposition, it is as good a time as any toreflect on where the CCJ stands inrelation to its ‘total’ acceptance, bythose CARICOM countries that gaveit formation, and purpose.

The CCJ is the accepted ‘finalauthority on disputes concerning theinterpretation and application of theRevised Treaty, through the exerciseof its original jurisdiction.’

It is also meant to be ‘the highestAppeal Court in CARICOM, considersand determines appeals in both civiland criminal matters from courtswithin the jurisdictions of MemberStates of the Community and whichare parties to the Agreementestablishing the CCJ.’

While the former authority hasbeen signed ed and delivered, as far aparticipating CARICOM states areed, it is with respect to the latter thatthe CCJ stands unfulfilled in purposeand practice.

As it stands, only four CARICOMcountries - Barbados, Belize,Dominica and Guyana - havedispensed fully with the PrivyCouncil in favour of the CCJ as theirhighest Court of Appeal.

Is there a voice whispering thatthis country’s hesitancy to embracethe CCJ as its Highest Court ofAppeal makes uneasy sitting forJustice Saunders?

With all the talk of the CCJ being‘an essential part of the effort todeepen and strengthen the CaribbeanCommunity through a single marketand a single economy’, isn’t itsomething not short of hypocriticalthat CARICOM advances thisrationale for the institutionalisationof a Caribbean Court of , but fails asa group to embrace its fulljurisdiction?

What on earth is stalling this

qualitative stepthat would signalthe end of anotherbastion of colonialism?

Do those leaders who have kepttheir countries out of the appellantjurisdiction of the CCJ, now questionthe independence of the Court? Dothey judge the very Justices that they(Heads of Government of CARICOM)appoint, as not competent andexperienced? Do they think thehonourable Justices would be biasedand bring predetermination to theirassessment of and ruling on amatter?

How awkward? I appoint you, butI don’t trust you.

Not to embrace the CCJ, is tonurture speculation and conjecturewhile the truth languishes in awhirlpool of indecision.

We understand that the existingconstitutions in the defaultingcountries might stipulate certainlegal processes before those countriescan accept the CCJ as their highestCourt of Appeal. But even if that isthe case, why have the defaulters notinitiated the process(es) that wouldresult with dispensing with the PrivyCouncil?

Lest we forget, the judge who wasappointed to head the Privy Councilin 2009 said that Caribbean andother Commonwealth cases weretaking up too much time of the PrivyCouncil. Rebuff?

Have we not taken lead from thisfar reaching declaration?

To take the argument further,with respect to the concerns of trustand confidence, knowledge of localconditions, the parties and attorneys,is it not fair to say that one negativeabout retention of the PC is that thejudges in London are too far removedfrom the local circumstances andlocal conditions, and have little or noknowledge and sensitivity of same?

Funny enough, this raises a ratherdisturbing speculation: Is it for thevery reason of distance, lack ofknowledge, sensitivity, why someleaders would refrain from making adispensing with the Privy Council anational concern? Is it that thosewho can afford to access the PrivyCouncil, think that those who sit inthe cozy chambers in London, in theirignorance, would rule in their favourif they ever have to answer to somedamning allegation?

For certain, the debate as to thepros and cons of acceding fully to theCCJ will continue. It is a shame,especially in the face of theappointment of SVG born JusticeAdrian Saunders, that this debate/indecision should be prolonged intoanother general election.

8. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsV

Editorial

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.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

An ‘incomplete’ CCJ

National Heritage Month 2018

WHEN STUDENTS reach tothe point where they fallsick just by thinking aboutattending school,something is wrong.

It takes effort andmuch resources to sendour children to school.We expect these placesto be safe havens for ourchildren who spend thegreater part of their timein these institutions.

But when they becomeaware that those whoshould look over them,have their welfare atheart, keep them safe, betruthful, trustworthy andfair; when they sensethat they arediscriminated against,that there is no longerany fairness aroundthem, that it is futilelodging complaints, andwhen they do they arepushed into the wrongand the culprits arevindicated, how couldour children thrive insuch an environment?

When our childrenrefuse to eat their lunchbecause of the abuse thatis meting out to them atschool; when theyobserve that those whoshould be good examplestolerate bullying; when

they notice somechildren are told theycan sit anywhere wheneach child is assigned toa specific seat, isn’t thisfostering confusion andfighting amongststudents?

I would not like toenter a classroom andnotice that my seat isoccupied by a studentwho picks a fight withme all the time. Thiscould lead to a fight. Yet,those who are supposedto maintain peace,refused to address it.

Teachers cannot do itby themselves. Parentsplay a vital role in theirchildren’s lives. It is agood thing to see parentshovering around at lunchbreaks and prior toschool hours or just afterdismissal. The childrenlove to have themaround.

Why then is thepresence of some parentsso offensive to some? Isit because they (teachers)have something to hide?

Why are someparents, when they try tohave matters that aredisturbing to theirchildren addressed,treated with disdain by

some Heads of schools?Is this the sort of

training to whichpersons who will be theleaders of tomorrow areexposed?

You, teachers, arepaid by tax payers.Whether your bloodpressure is up or not, is amatter for you, not oneto be aired whenindividuals are seekingredress. When youaccepted the job, youknew exactly what willbe involved.

Why are personalthings brought into playwhen addressingconcerns that parentshave regarding theirchildren? Is it ok forparents to be ordered outwhen they are the oneswho have a reason tocomplain? Are issuesbeing settled in a one-sided way?”

And the way thedismissal is done with amovement of the hand. Isthis the way parents ofthose whom you areentrusted to instruct areto be treated?

Try putting yourselvesin the places of theseparents.

Schools are forchildren. Teachers areperforming a service forwhich they are paid bytax payers. All childrenshould be treated fairlyat all times. When amisunderstanding arises,both parties should givetheir stories so as toinform adecision/resolution.

Bullying is a seriousproblem. Children havelost their lives because ofit. It should not beencouraged or fostered.It should be stamped outin its early stages.

Let’s not contribute tothe ever-rising crimerate in this state.

Marina

Discrimination,vindictiveness,bullying in schools

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 9.

LettersV

OUR SON, who has a degree in ConstructionEngineering and a good job abroad, recentlyinquired about the prospects of returning to St.Vincent to work on one of the many proposed orexisting foreign investor resort projects on the mainisland or in the Grenadines. A few weeks ago, I

might have had an answer. Now Ijust have questions.

If he is working for a foreigninvestor and is injured on the job,is he qualified for Governmentdisability or workers compensationif he is unable to work, because hisemployer is a foreign investor? Ifhe is terminated without cause,can he expect the Department ofLabor to be of any assistance, orwill he have to hire a lawyer on hisown and sue? Does theGovernment of St. Vincent have noauthority to intercede on behalf ofcitizens employed by foreigninvestors, for example in the areaof enforcement of safety and healthregulations, or does theGovernment simply choose toabdicate that power, as it seems tohave done in the recent past?

My best advice is: keep yourjob, work hard for promotion, anddon’t look to return to St. Vincentanytime soon. Your prospects hereare, sadly, uncertain at best.

William Green

Considerations before returning home

JUST A QUICK note to draw attention again tofive recurring issues that are noted in mediareporting, but seemingly draw little publicattention or criticism–but which warrant such.

1.) What St. Vincent purports to have is a“Labour” Government, yet the Government radiostation, unlike the BBC in England or PBS orNPR in the U.S.A., restricts any programmingthat implies criticism of Government policies,either by unions or individuals. How come?

2.) It is noteworthy that at least one Judgehas expressed annoyance and dissatisfaction withcases being brought before him/her time andagain, needing to be postponed or rescheduled dueto police ineptitude: evidence not yet ready forpresentation, file not available, witnesses and /orpolice officers unavailable to testify; prosecutionnot being prepared to present evidence, etc. Thisis now resulting in an increasing number of theaccused being set free, to recommit the same orsimilar crimes.

3.) The wealthiest woman in Venezuela, andone of, if not THE richest women in the Caribbeanis Maria Gabriela Chavez, Hugo Chavez’sdaughter. Did Gonsalves’ late best friend’sdaughter get rich from a father who was born poorand championed a revolution for the downtrodden,or did money fall out of the sky into her bankaccount?

4.) Mother’s retribution for son’s bullying: thisis purely anecdotal and not meant to defend ordismiss similar parental behaviors–but.

When I was about 10 or 11 years old, a coupleof bullies decided they would beat me up afterschool, and told me so. At lunch time, I called mymother and asked her if she could pick me upafter school instead of my taking the bus home, asI had been threatened. My mother showed up atthe school exit door, and as I was being pushedout, grabbed both boys by the scruff of the neck,dragged them back to my teacher and told herthat if anything like that ever happened againthere would be hell to pay and the teacher wouldlose her job. The teacher was young and relativelynew and was aware of the bullying but had donenothing about it. I experienced no recurrence ofbullying.

5.) An older St. Vincent gentleman’sCentennial Birthday was celebrated in the presslast week. It was noted that he had three childrenby his wife, but 15 in total, attributed to hishaving served in the police force in St. Vincentand having been frequently reposted–thisproliferation of children was noted as notuncommon in situations of frequentreassignments. Is it still common? And stillaccepted? Just wondering.

Reed Hadley

Recurring issue

GOVERNMENT puts too manyincompetent people in authority, sowith that, I am abused and faceinjustice.

On the 25th November 2017, I wason my way to the recording studiowhen I decided to pass at the Port tofind out if the cement boat wasworking that Sunday. A female policeinquired where I was going, and Ianswered as above. She said to me itwas lunch time and I should return at1 o’clock.

I stepped aside and considered for awhile, then I went closer to the gate tofind out if I could ask the sailors. Amale and a female police officer rushedout from the booth at me. The manasked me if I had brought my God,while the woman slammed the gate inmy back, telling me to write that in thenewspaper.

I went to Police Public RelationsDepartment to report the matter,saying that I had no intention of‘making a case’, and all I wanted wasan apology. I gave the officer a report,and my phone number. He promised tocall me within a week. I never got anycall.

On the 26th February 2018, I wentto the Kingstown Police Station to findout about the matter. There and then,a male and a female officer approachedme and said, ‘You lock up!’.

I said to them I was unaware ofwhat I was being locked up for. One ofthe officers explained that I had failedto turn up for a court matter. Iexplained that the last time I turnedup for that matter, it was not calledand when I inquired about the nexthearing, nobody gave any indication.

I requested that they ‘put off’ the

case for Wednesday. Instead, they tookme to court, and the judge adjournedthe case for the 28th February, when Iwas found guilty and sentenced to afine or one month in jail.

The case involved me not paying mydriver’s licence. I was apprehendedduring my birth month with an invaliddriver’s licence. I had asked thearresting officer then, why he didn’tjust tell me to park my truck and lockit, and go get a valid driver’s licencebefore driving the truck again.

I must also report that I amaccustomed meeting two SSU officersat the Port; one is reasonable, the otheris not. The unreasonable one alwaystries to trap me — to get me locked up.I believe it’s because of his negativebehaviour to me that prompts otherpolice officers to abuse me. But nevermind. I have seven more years to gobefore I become a King. I will reignover all the injustices in this country.

Alistair ‘Live Up’ Simon

Another injustice?

Introduction

THIS GOVERNMENT is committed toutilizing information communicationtechnology (“ICT”) to drive and acceleratetransformational development in SaintVincent and the Grenadines. Our ability tocreate an environment for the productiveand inclusive use of ICTs is dependent on(i) expanding and improving ICTinfrastructure; (ii) creating the necessarylegal, institutional and policy frameworksfor effective ICT adoption and use; (iii)expanding the necessary skills withingovernment, the private sector and civilsociety; and (iv) facilitating the growth ofICT-enabled innovation, particularlyamong the youth, small businesses andentrepreneurs.

The effective rollout and main-streaming of ICT solutions is a complexand painstaking business, especially fora Government that sees inclusive ICTaccess and development as afundamental pillar in stimulatingeconomic growth and development; andintegral to obliterating, rather thanentrenching, existing socio-economicinequalities. We seek to advance —within our budgetary constraints —impactful, sustainable ICT strategiesthat are part of a wider developmentpolicy.

In a sector that changes as rapidly asICT, there is often a temptation to dropexisting plans in pursuit of the latestshiny gadget or cutting-edge concept, orto pursue a discordant mix ofuncoordinated and ill-conceivedexternally-driven experiments thatneither fit our local realities nor ourstrategic objectives. It is important tokeep our eye on the ball: ICT in theVincentian context is a developmentalaccelerant, a leveler of playing fields, ameans for enhancing new and existingbusinesses, and an avenue for thedelivery of improved services to theVincentian people.

Achievements in 2017

In 2017, the Government was proudof its best-practice implementation ofthe Caribbean RegionalCommunications Infrastructure(“CARCIP”) incubation programme.Currently, there are sixteen (16) firmswithin the business incubationprogramme. Businesses includingmanufacturing using wood and metal,development of robotic arm using 3Dprinting, video and media production,software development, mobileapplication development and webdevelopment. Most of these smallbusinesses have been performing abovetarget and have experienced significantgrowth. To date, the programme hasexpended over $1.1 million.

On the training component of theCARCIP programme, approximately400 persons have been trained in ICTcourses such as CompTIA network andsecurity, digital animation, computerfundamentals, mobile applicationdevelopment and web page design. Over$ 1.2 million has been spent on theprogramme so far.

We have also mandated the inclusionof a job placement component in ICTtraining activities, and emphasized thecreation of local content, rather thanthe passive consumption of externally-generated material.

2018 Projects

The 2018 Budget includes criticalinfrastructural investments inconnecting the Grenadines to ourexpanding national fibre backbone. $9.2million will be spent under the WorldBank’s CARCIP programme to facilitatethe process, which will be executed incollaboration with a regional serviceprovider. Such a significant investmentin the ICT broadband infrastructure

will ensure:* A full integration of the entire

government service and reduction inadministrative waste. The expansion ofthe Government Wide Area Network(GWAN) will connect all governmentbuildings, health centres, the modernmedical complex and statutorycorporations to a dedicated secure fibreline with high-capacity bandwidth; and

* Access to high-speed broadband atan affordable price with increasedpenetration rates.

Conclusion

This year, the Saint Vincent and theGrenadines National Centre ofTechnological Innovation (“SVGNCTI”)will conduct ICT readiness assessmentsfor local businesses. These assessmentswill evaluate the potential of thoseentities to incorporate ICT solutions intheir business practices, and providethe necessary training to improve theirtech competency. This initiative canserve as a catalyst for increased privatesector investments in ICT as a meansof increasing innovation, productivity,competitiveness, and, ultimately,growth.

We expect to see improvements toefficiency and security in the statebureaucracy, with the completion of theTaiwan-funded Electronic Documentand Records Management System(“EDRMS”). This system, whichcomplements our strategic priority ofdeveloping digital government systemsto improve administrative efficiencyand transparency, implements e-document exchange and public keyinfrastructure to move paperworkdecisively away from the colonial-erasystem of myriad office attendantstrudging around Kingstown withconfidential documents in tow. Weformally launched this project during avisit by the Taiwanese ForeignMinister. I also secured a pledge fromHis Excellency the Foreign Minister forthe Taiwanese Government, to designand fund a system of networkableclosed-circuit television cameras to bedeployed throughout Kingstown, and atbus stops nationwide. That system isexpected to be launched in the fourthquarter of this year.

We also plan to enact comprehen-sive modern telecommunicationslegislation this year that will promotenet neutrality, facilitate greater e-commerce, and, importantly, give theregulators increased powers to enforcebasic customer service and qualitystandards among our providers. Suchlegislation is long overdue.

The adoption, penetration andeffective use of broadband Internet inSaint Vincent and the Grenadinescontinues to be constrained byinsufficient investment from privatesector partners. The competition thatwe anticipated in the wake of thederegulation of the mobile telephonesector has devolved into a low-budgetwar of attrition between mobile serviceoperators, with tacit ceding of varioussubsectors, like cable TV and fixed-linebroadband, to monopolies.

Meanwhile, oft-promisedinvestments in upgraded mobilebroadband and data, have notmaterialised. While we valuetremendously our partnership with thetelecom providers, and we recognizethat the changing economics of voiceand data usage have upended theirtraditional business model, we intend touse all regulatory and legislative meansto secure a better deal for Vincentianconsumers.

(Excerpts from the Honourable

Terrance Ollivierre’s Budget

presentation)

EVERY TIME I deal with the budget, it isalways one (1) theme for the pastseventeen (17) years. It seems as thoughit has been the same and I have notmoved from this theme: the neglect ofthe Grenadines, i.e. the neglect ofinfrastructure, inclusive of portdevelopment, education, youth, roads,health facilities and health care andtourism sector.

The government is now saying inrelation to the No Confidence Motion,that we could ask more questions inparliament; since collectively we canask twenty-seven (27) questions. So,let’s talk about the answers.

Over the years, I have asked aseries of questions about the CanouanJetty. I recall on December 1st 2004, Iasked the Minister of NationalSecurity and the AirportDevelopment, Sir Vincent Beache, thisquestion: ‘The main jetty at GrandBay, Canouan,, is in need of repair,and its constant use poses a problemto the general public. Is the Ministeraware of the problem and can theMinister indicate how soon will workcommence to repair the Jetty?’

In his reply, Sir Vincent Beachesaid: ‘Mr. Speaker, the answer to (a)is yes, I am aware. The answer to (b)is that we would commence work verysoon. I have here, Mr. Speaker, thequotation to repair the jetty and it isfrom a firm IMS, Industrial andMarine Services Ltd., and the totalwould be in the amount of$251,400.00.’ He went on further,‘The damages done on the more recentaddition to the jetty, and the fenders,were damaged because they fell offthe section that was later added. Theysay the service of most of the jetty isin good condition but the section thatwas later added and its surface is in astate of disrepair.’

On February 18th 2005, I askedanother question of the Minister ofNational Security AirportDevelopment, Sir Vincent Beache:‘The main jetty at Grand BayCanouan is in need of repair and itsconstant use poses a problem to thegeneral public. In light of the fact thatat the sitting of the House ofAssembly on December 1St 2004, theHonourable Minister indicated thatwork will commence soon on the saidjetty and in view that no such workwas done to date, will the HonourableMinister please indicate when willwork commence to repair the jetty?’

This was his response: ‘Member ofthe Southern Grenadines stated thatquestion was raised in the House onthe 1st December. If he looks at theHansard where I did state at my lastparagraph that I cannot say exactly atwhat time the repairs would startalthough I am hoping it would startsoon…. having spoken to the PortAuthority they had commissioned astudy to look at all the jetties in theGrenadines and the estimate cameback. Madam Speaker that Canouanwas estimates to cost $251,400.00.’

I followed up with another questionon October 25th 2006. I asked of theMinister of Transport and Works,Clayton Burgin: ‘Given the fact thatthe Canouan jetty has been

deteriorating for some time and thegovernment has given a commitmentto have the jetty repaired since 2005,can the Minister now reassure thepeople of the Grenadines that thisjetty will be dealt with speedily?’

Mr. Burgin said,” ‘Mr. Speaker, theMinistry of Transport and Works isunaware of any commitment by theGovernment of St. Vincent and theGrenadines about this jetty. However,having brought this as a potentialproblem to our attention, the Ministrywill undertake a full conditionalassessment of this jetty.Consequently, the required repairswill be programmed accordingly.’

On February, 3rd 2009, I directedmy question to the Prime Minister,Dr. Ralph Gonsalves: ‘The wharf atCanouan has over the years beengradually deteriorating and is now ata stage where it is difficult to use andis unsafe for use by ferry operators,local residents and the general public.Can the Honourable Minister pleasestate when we will have a solution tothis continued wharf deterioration?’

The Prime Minister stated: ‘TheCanouan jetty is scheduled to berefurbished at an estimated costsubmitted by CCA Ltd. of$193,121.16. The project is tocommence at the beginning of March2009 and should take approximatelythree months.’

On October 23rd 2009, I asked thePrime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves,another question about the wharf:‘Repairs to the Canouan Jetty werescheduled to commence April 2009, upto this date no work has been done.Please give an update on the status ofthe project.’ As part of his ‘fulsome’answer. Dr. Gonsalves replied: ‘Theproposal has now been submitted for anew facility in the amount of $2.9million. Design work is presentlyongoing, along with various scenariosas to the most suitable location of thisfacility.’

And in May 2012, I asked thePrime Minister. ‘How soon work willbe done to rectify the difficulties facedin using the wharf in Canouan? Has atender been awarded to any contractorin relation to work to be done at theWharf? What is the cost of the workto be done to improve this facility?’

Dr. Gonsalves responded:‘Preliminary designs are under reviewand are estimated to cost US3.5million. I have indicated before thatno contract has been awarded to anyfirm. I am really interested in havingthis matter sorted out soonest and weare also in discussion with thedevelopers down there.’

Since 2004, I have been dealingwith this issue in and out ofparliament with different ministers:Sir Vincent Beache, Clayton Burgin,Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and JulianFrancis. Now, the Minister of Financein his 2018 Budget said that PortDevelopment at Canouan, UnionIsland, and Bequia are also on thecards. But nothing is on the cards inthe Capital Estimates.

10. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVThe neglect of the Canouan wharfExcerpt from the 2018 Budget

Address on ICT development

“Public service must be more thandoing a job efficiently and honestly.It must be a complete dedication tothe people and to the nation.” -Margaret Chase Smith (1897-1995).American politician who served as aU.S. Representative and Senator.

OVER THE YEARS, the public sector hasbeen able to attract and retain brilliantindividuals. Unfortunately, their fullpotential is often stifled by the numberof average performers within their rankswho provide the general public withreasons for concluding that the publicsector is inefficient. However, we aregrateful for those who are proactive,innovative, and focused on excellence.These are the ones who “swim againstthe tide” and provide reason for hope –reason to believe that they have just asmuch potential as their colleagues inthe private sector. We commend them.We laud them for their determinationand professionalism as they seek toimprove the performance within andbeyond their departments.

The University of the West Indies(UWI) will be celebrating its 70thanniversary this year. This nobleinstitution has nurtured manyvisionary leaders in government,business, and the society at large.The leadership at UWI’s fourcampuses (Mona in Jamaica, CaveHill in Barbados, St. Augustine inTrinidad and Tobago, and the OpenCampus) have regularly analysed thenational, regional, and global trendsin an effort to ensure that UWI’scurriculum remains relevant. Theycontinue to attract many of theregion’s brightest minds, even asnumerous international tertiaryinstitutions seek to lure them to theirrespective halls of learning.

The three business schools (theMona School of Business in Jamaica,the Sagicor Cave Hill School ofBusiness in Barbados, and the ArthurLok Jack Global School of Business inTrinidad and Tobago) have constantlyfocused on designing and conductingprogrammes aimed at preparingparticipants to meet the needs of thesocieties in which they function. Thechallenges continue to be to instil andenhance the winning attitudes neededto efficiently and effectively manageand lead the enterprises where theyoperate; to take the programmesbeyond being merely academic. Weexpect these graduates to constantlyfocus on improving performance andto innovate. We anticipate that theywill embrace and encourage criticalthinking and that they will put theirproblem-solving skills to work as weseek to reduce cost and improveefficiencies at our various workplaces.We have to learn to provide qualityproducts services in a timely mannerand at lower costs.

Most of the programmes offered atthe Arthur Lok Jack Global School ofBusiness (ALJGSB) require thatparticipants work on “real life”assignments after they havecompleted their course of study. Theywork in teams to conduct researchand to prepare business plans orengage in intervention projects. TheALJGSB held its Annual Presentationof Graduates Ceremony (Class of2017) at the St. Augustine Campus on

Saturday, 10th March 2018. Specialawards were presented following thepresentation of certificates andvarious addresses. The three-personteam of Marie Hinds, Sharon Bailey,and Giselle Lall, received the 2017Best Practicum Award. Theyconducted an intervention in theMinistry of Planning andDevelopment of Trinidad and Tobago.Their intervention focused on “TheCitizen in Co-Production: The Case ofthe Town and Country PlanningDivision in Trinidad and Tobago”.These intelligent and dedicatedindividuals graduated with distinctionin the Masters in InstitutionalInnovation and Effectiveness (MIIE)programme.

The team skilfully involved allstakeholders (staff, contractors,builders, etc.) as they focused ondesigning and implementing systems,structures, and procedures thatimproved the customer experience,and enhanced the decision-makingprocesses in relation to applicationssubmitted to the division. Theirinvolvement of the leaders andmanagers in the ministry, thetechnical staff, the frontline staff, andthe clients, resulted in their beingable to recommend and implementchanges in structures and proceduresthat significantly enhanced thedepartment’s efficiencies. It was trulyremarkable that they were able toachieve this during the required six-month period. Their outstandingwork confirms that the efficiencies atmany of our government departments(and private sector operations) couldbe significantly enhanced if/when wemake a concerted effort to better ourbest efforts. In addition, the projecthighlighted the significant benefitsthat can be derived when engaged inco-production efforts (involving all ofthe major stakeholders).

It is anticipated that the gainsachieved at the Ministry of Planningand Development as a result of thisintervention will be maintained andfurther improved. In addition, it isexpected that other governmentdepartments throughout the regionwould be encouraged by theoutstanding accomplishmentshighlighted in this essay. We areassured that our region hasindividuals with the ability tochampion positive changes within andbeyond our government departments.May we all accept the challenge toimprove the efficiency in the publicsector. May we commit to performtasks faster, with enhanced quality,and at lower costs than we presentlydo. As good as we are, we can bebetter. May we encourage all of ourpublic servants, regardless of position,to aspire to better their best efforts asthey seek to serve citizens notingthat, “Public service must be morethan doing a job efficiently andhonestly. It must be a completededication to the people and to thenation.”

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions to

julesferdinand@gmail.com

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 11.

ViewsVImproving the efficiency in thePublic Sector WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRADE UNION

Movement and civil society in our country?Is it coincidental that the dramatic fall offin trade union and civil society activity co-relates to the rise and dominance of RalphGonsalves’ Unity Labour Party? Is thereanyone who believes that the wretchedstate of our trade unions/ civil societybenefits our young democracy?

The current condition facing ourtrade unions/civil society was notalways the case. We must not forget. In2000, the workers, nurses, doctors andcivil society played a central role in theorganization for the Defense ofDemocracy (ODD) that brought downthe James Mitchell/Arnhim EustaceNDP government. So what’s happenedfrom then to now? Why has the tradeunion movement and civil society goneinto a state of dormancy? Why has themilitancy and organization of people’sparticipatory organization died off? Whokilled the fighting spirit of our unions?

There are a host of reasons, amongthem the fact that the government hasdone a number of things to appease theworkers organizations and theirleadership. The government has soughtto correct historical wrongs as regardslands to agricultural workers; it hasopened up hitherto non-existentopportunities to the children of the poorto attend secondary school anduniversity in record numbers, as well assome help to small business and civilservants as it relates to mortgages forloans for first time homebuyers/builders. Hundreds morebenefited from low income housing.

But in light of the harsh economicconditions which have battered thiscountry and the world, why is it thatour unions are so quiet? Some saygovernment has bought off/ won overthe leaders of most trade unions. But isthat really the case? If we accept thisargument, how do we explain the factthat the Public Service Union, ledrecently by the virulently anti-Gonsalves, anti-ULP Cools Vanloo, andcurrently by Elroy Boucher, has alsofailed to organize any significant anti-government, pro-worker event?

Part of the explanation, we think, isthat the objective difficulties of dailyliving have so pre-occupied people thatthey find little or no time to engage incollective action. Another reason mightrelate to people’s growingunderstanding of the difficulties facedby governments in delivering what theyso glibly promise. Workers around theworld recognize that their countries areexperiencing economic difficulties andresign themselves to unemployment,bad working conditions, small salariesthat decrease every year because ofrising inflation.

But something else is going on inSVG because workers in other countriesthat are experiencing similar difficultiesare up in arms with their governmentsand employers. Across the world,workers are increasingly downing theirtools with demands for higher pay andbetter working conditions. Whatexplains the docile state of things here?

Our view is that in SVG, thedormancy of the trade unions and civilsociety coincides with the triumph andsupremacy of the political party as themajor non-state institution in thecountry. Before this development,organizations looked out first andforemost for their workers or thecommunity in which they worked.Today, the leaders and some memberslook first to see how their actions might

impact on the party they support, evenwhen non-action may impact negativelyon their livelihood, neighbourhood orcountry.

In that sense then, the state of tradeunionism in St Vincent is cause forconcern. This alarm is not raisedbecause there has been no significanttrade union protest, march or strikeaction since the ULP came to power.The basis for this claim is thatunionism should have been morestrident and the unions should havebeen more organized precisely becausethe ULP is in power. Those old enoughto remember will know that during theGrenada Revolution (1979 to 1983), therevolutionary government passed acompulsory trade union recognition lawand all sectors of Grenadian workerswere organized.

PM Gonsalves touts his party andgovernment as the most pro-labour inthe country’s history. This stark realityconcerning the state of disarray anddormancy of our unions puts intoquestion this boastful claim. It is truethat the ULP has initiated a number ofpro-worker initiatives since itsassumption of power in 2001, but thevirtual collapse of the trade unionmovement under the ULP watch shouldbe cause for alarm by those concernedabout the economic wellbeing ofworkers. This concern becomes evengraver when Top trade unionists suchas Burns Bonadie and Noel Jackson arekey spokesmen for the ULP, yet may behard pressed to name the trade unionsthey lead.

It is said that today’s civil societyleader is tomorrow’s governmentminister. SVG is a good test case of thattruism. Political parties havehistorically fed off the communityconnections of teachers. In the last fourdecades, we can think of YvonneFrancis Gibson, Mike Browne andCalder Williams who played prominentroles in the 1975 teachers strike.

In more recent times, there havebeen Clayton Burgin, Girlyn Miguel,Elvis Charles, Nigel Stephenson,Maxwell Charles, Terrance Ollivierre,Bash Thomas, Elvis Daniel, KenroyJohnson and Debbie Charles. TyroneBurke and Otto Sam were formerpresidents of the teachers union andstrong supporters of the government.Sam has since broken with Gonsalves.Parties continuously look for personswith links to the masses so as to getcloser to the corridors of power. Theseindividuals sometimes forget their rootsand roles that brought them toprominence, and settle for personaladvancement.

Our political parties mustdemonstrate in words and action thatthe support of workers, unions and civilsociety means more than a stepping-stone to political office. Once theyassume power, they should do more toensure that the workers’ movementbecome more vibrant, organized andstrong. Only then will the workers’movement properly defend theirinterest regardless of which party is inpower.

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

Trade Unionism in SVG

FAR TOO OFTEN, we hearparents say, ‘My son ordaughter has 9, 10 or 11subjects, but still cannotget a job’. Many parentshave complained, sayingthe education system isinadequate. Why the ULPregime has operated aneducation system that isabysmal since 2001 ismindboggling, to say theleast.

Warrant Officer IvanO’Neal is making a verystrong call on decision-makers to provide youngpeople with the skillsand training needed toenable them to be self-reliant. Even afterschool, what future isthere for our children?What is there for ourchildren to aspire to, toencourage them to dowell at school?

One of the mainbarriers in our country tocreating a strongeconomy, thousands ofnew jobs and jobsecurity, is that SVGdoes not have theappropriate skilledworkers, far less workerswith a comparativeadvantage in anyeconomic sector to attractforeign investment.

SVG must focus oneducating our childrenand give them freeinternet. A meaningfuleducation will help themget the skills they needto run their ownbusiness, and freeinternet will expose themto ideas and innovationshappening all over theworld. The moreexamples of innovationour children see, the

easier it will become forthem to innovate.

We need our ownuniversity to tool and re-tool our people. That, inturn, will encourageforeign investors to pumpmoney into our country,and that in turn willcreate thousands of newjobs and bring long-termsecurity to the jobs thatalready exist in SVG.

The United Nationshas said supportingyoung entrepreneurs isessential to tackling theworld’s most pressingchallenges. The UN saysthat young people ‘areoften best placed to takethe first crucial stepstowards breaking thecycle of poverty in theirsurroundings’.

A Green Governmentwould focus on helping

young people developsmall businesses andhelp them see that, inthis time of massiveyouth unemployment,taking matters into theirown hands and creatingtheir own businesses,could be their best routeto prosperity.

A Green Governmentwill identify thechallenges faced byyoung business start-upsand provide anenvironment for smallbusiness growth, bycutting operating costsand overheads -including cutting theprice of electricity forbusiness start-ups.

A Green government

is needed tocreate a

strong economy. A Greengovernment will focus onproviding our peoplewith skills, and will dothis by building our ownscience and technologyuniversity. We mustinvest in the education ofour people to give themskills in order to attractforeign investors to SVGand to give our people jobsecurity.

Youth unemploymentis extremely high inSVG, and is an urgentissue affecting oursociety and economy.Young people need accessto financial services,financial literacy andentrepreneurship andemployment skills

training.The education system

is failing our youngpeople. Access to whatexists in the educationsystem might be easier,but our children stll lackthe skills to get jobs andcompete for jobs abroad.When young people areempowered with skillsthey need for workinglife, they thrive. Theycan support themselves,their families andcommunities.

The ULP regime hasshown between 2001 and2018, that it is useless inmoving education in SVGtoward an acceptablestandard.

SVG Green Party

TWELVECHILDRENfrom the RoseHall communityhad a day toremember when,on WednesdayMarch 7th, theywere treated to acomplimentaryviewing,complete withthe customarypopcorn, of theblockbuster filmBlack Panther,at the Russell’scinema.

The event wasorganized by theCicadaFoundation, acharitable groupfounded by designer and performerEniye Kagbala and Digicel Manager,John Davies.

“We set up The Cicada Foundationas a charity to empower allcommunities across St. Vincent andthe Grenadines and to enableindividuals, especially children, to beat their best and give their best. Whatbetter way for the children to discovertheir own creativity and inner spiritthan to immerse themselves in thefabulous world of Wakanda,” Kagbalasaid.

Davies said, “It’s small acts like

these that can really turn intosignificant steps. The CicadaFoundation will continue to bringopportunities to communities andindividuals who wish to expressthemselves and unleash theirpotential.”

Keneisha Gordon, was thecommunity ambassador who workedalong with The Cicada Foundation toorganise the event. Marie RaphaelleMona Jean also supported the eventthrough a generous donation.

Black Panther continues its successaround the world. Critics consider itas one of the best films set in the

Marvel CinematicUniverse and havenoted its culturalsignificance. It hasgrossed over $926million worldwide,making it the highest-grossing film of 2018, aswell as the ninth-highest grossing filmever in the UnitedStates and 45th highestof all-time.

(Contributed)

12. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVYoung people need skillstraining and business education

Rose Place children treated

Rose Place children along with founder of CicadaFoundation Eniye Kagbala (right).

BEACH LOVERSAMONG US and otherseafarers might, from timeto time, become quitedisgusted by the quantityof garbage floating on ourwaters, and which literallyinterferes with theenjoyment of the sea.

Well, think of thecoastlines where garbageis allowed to collectunhindered, then thinkabout this occurringinterruption for the nextfifty years. The impact ofsuch a scenario is whatthe documentary, ‘APlastic Ocean’ opened upto those persons whogathered to view ashortened version of thefilm at the PeaceMemorial Hall, last weekThursday, 8th March.

The viewing was hostedby the SVG PreservationFund as an activity inkeeping with its mandateof advocating “for theprotection andpreservation of theenvironment and thewildlife of the islandarchipelago in theSouthern Caribbean”.

The documentary’s aim

Directed by Australianjournalist Craig Leeson, ‘APlastic Ocean’ plunges itsaudience into a globalinvestigation about thedisturbing effects thatplastic has and willcontinue to have on theenvironment, particularlyon marine life.

Plastic, the filmreminds, was adopted as acheap and disposableproduct in the 1950s, andwas supposed to be ananswer to many questions.But about the product, thefilm’s narrator poses theriveting question, “Howcould a disposable productbe made of a material thatis indestructible?”

That, opens ongoingdiscussion on the enormityof the problem that plasticposes to the marine life inparticular. It is for thisreason that thedocumentary caters to aglobal audience.

Impacting scenes

From the original sceneof a juvenile pigmy bluewhale enjoying the cleardepths of the ocean, to themassive mountains ofplastic garbage build-upboth on land and in thesea, the documentary,with its sharp andprofound images, itsexploration of above and

undersea impacts,unravels a tale of whichwe, the inhabitants of theearth, should beunapologetically ashamed.

It shows how plastic,which is notbiodegradable, enters theocean, breaks into smallparticles called‘microplastics’, whichattract toxins. Marineanimals and sea birdsmistakenly take these‘microplastics’ for food,and consume them, only tohave their digestivesystems attacked causingeventual death.

To emphasise thismalady, the film includesa graphic representationof a dead chick (bird)being opened to reveal 234pieces of plastic in thatone bird’s stomach.Records show that thehighest consumption forthat species is 276 piecesof plastic or 15% of theninety-day old chick’s bodymass.

Similarly, an imagewith a man sitting on apile of compressedplastics, seemingly in astructured environment.As the camera works itsway upwards of this scene,the man becomes but aninfinitesimal dot at thebottom of the toweringfeature. The essentialmessage was clear!

These unforgettableimages undoubtedly searthe imaginations of theaudience.

Adding effect to thischronicle are the non-sensationalistic discourseof the narrators, the clearand in-depth explanationof the experts, the real lifeexplorations of the divers,their findings andrecorded interactions withdistressed sea animals.

The documentary suggestedaction

The documentarydeliberately posits that,even when one does notspot plastic floating on thesurface of the ocean, therecould be a graver situationin the depths. It alsohypothesizes thatconsumers become part ofthe cycle when they eatmarine food filled withtoxics.

It assumes that thesolution starts with theindividual; that audienceswho have a betterunderstanding of theproblem should organiseso as to play a part indecreasing the impacts.

The film also gives

ideas for dealing with theproblem, among which arestructured solutions likerecovery technologies thatprocess used plastics intonewborn nodes ready to beused anew.

The SVG PreservationFund should becongratulated for theinsight which, according toMs. Louise Mitchell, aDirector of the Fund,

purchased the rights toshow the documentaryhere in SVG.

Ms. Mitchell is eager tohave both the short andlonger versions of the filmshown here, and hasinvited persons andorganizations willing towork through therequirements, to contactthe Fund to organize ashowing.

NewsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 13.

‘A Plastic Ocean’ reveals sadimpact of marine pollution

A dead bird’s stomach filled with plastics – one ofthe many telling scenes in the film.

14. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

HeritageV

Schools present interestingGarifuna Festival for 2018Stories by GLORIAH…

ON FRIDAY 9TH MARCH, theNational Schools’ GarifunaCultural Festival and HistoryExpo kicked off to animpressive start with theparade of participatingschools dressed in theirGarifuna colours.

Participating schoolsparaded to the strains of

musical accompanimentby the Royal St. Vincentand the Grenadines PoliceForce Band and the C.W.Prescod Primary SchoolMarching Band, from theBishop’s CollegeKingstown to VictoriaPark.

The activity, held underthe auspices of The

Garifuna HeritageFoundation for the fourthconsecutive year, sawparticipation from somethirty primary andsecondary schools.

The local historycomponent came througha collaboration with theCurriculum DevelopmentUnit within the Ministry

of Education, and is in itsthird year.

Performances

This cultural festivalfunctions as a mouthpiecefor the dissemination ofGarifuna historicalinformation.

It would be fair to saythat this year’spresentations showed anotable increase ofGarifuna-centricperformances in song,dance, monologues, anddramatic pieces.

Kudos must go out tothose teachers and otherindividuals who did theresearch, wrote originalsongs and monologues,tastefully packed withcontent on the strugglesand survival of theGarifuna peoples.

Some of these, worthyof mention were: ‘Island ofLove’ by Argyle Primary;‘We Cry No More’ byTourama Government;‘Balliceaux’ by theLowmans LeewardAnglican; ‘Our Heritage’by the CalliaquaAnglican; ‘I am Garifuna’by the KingstownPreparatory.

Garifuna songs,‘Bankwatawwilliamo’ and‘Alegundahengna’ by thesoloist from the GeorgeStephens SecondarySchool and WeyularigiWeyu’ by the GeorgetownSecondary School wereenlightening and werewell received.

There were severaladaptations of the puntadance, and sometraditional folk songs werebrought back into play bysome schools.

Special mention mustbe made of an awesomedrumology by the BrightonGovernment School,passionately conducted bya confident femaleteacher, and the excellencein voice and action

portrayed in thepresentation of ‘FitunBariye’ by the ThomasSaunders SecondarySchool.

Awards

Though not acompetition, the GarifunaHeritage Foundation hasalways sought to awardoutstanding performancesand participation.

Among these were theaward for the MostCreative Use of GarifunaColours which went to theBrighton Methodist Schoolwith favourable mentionto St. Mary’s RomanCatholic and BelmontGovernment.

Most OutstandingGarifuna Song went to theThomas SaundersSecondary; Most

Outstanding GarifunaDance, to the C. W.Prescod Primary, withfavourable mention to St.Joseph’s ConventKingstown and St. Mary’sRoman Catholic; MostOutstanding GarifunaChoral Speech, to theLowmans LeewardAnglican; MostOutstanding GarifunaDrama, to the GeorgetownSecondary; BestDrumming/Musical Band,to the Brighton Methodist;and Most OutstandingTraditional Booth to theIntermediate High School.

With the content of thisfestival the fourth timearound shifting moreswiftly to Garifunahistory, it will beinteresting to see what2019 will bring.

Students, donned in Garifuna wear, on their march to Victoria Park. Brighton Methodist School - Best Drumming/Musical Band.

C. W. Prescod Primary - Most Outstanding GarifunaDance.

Lowmans Leeward Anglican - Most OutstandingGarifuna Choral Speech.

ST VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES was treatedto a spectacle of fine food,drinks and music at theopening event of the 2018SVG Roots and RhythmFestival…

In a setting of pureelegance in the historicBotanical Gardens, theMetrocint GeneralInsurance Roots Fusionwas an intimate evening,which promised anddelivered a signatureevent to the Roots andRhythm line up, as itextends and caters to adiverse marketplace.

Roots Fusion, titledsponsored by MetrocintGeneral Insurance,provided an exoticambience with softlighting set in thehistoric BotanicalGardens, elegantlydressed and attiredguests, superb cocktailsand canapes, topVincentian and Barbadosjazz artistes.

The evening blendedan all-inclusive cocktailreception providing foran opportunity to mixand mingle before theevening’s entertainment.

s were wooed by theculinary excellence ofaward winningBarbadians Chef,Henderson Butcher andspellbound by skills andtechniques of Vincentianmixologist, RodneyHackshaw with theflavor and variety ofcocktails on offer, as theymingled and socialized.

It was an evening ofthe ‘Who is Who’ in StVincent. Guests includedPrime Minister RalphGonsalves and his wife,Finance Minister CamilloGonsalves and his wifeand family, PermanentSecretary in ForeignAffairs, Sandy Peters-Phillips, along withleading business,community leaders andenthusiastic jazz lovers.

DarronAndrews, theopening act ofthe evening,took hisunique style ofviolin playinginto the crowdfor a mostintimate andrivetingdisplay ofmusical talent,and delivered arepertoire ofjazzy danceand familiarVincy tunes.He wasfollowed bypannistRodney Smallwho kept thecrowd movingwith a mixture

of jazz and dance music.Rodney’s set along withten-piece band andbackup singers, pulledout all the stops todeliver an unforgettableperformance. He keptthe audience swayingand asking for more, andeven a heavy downpourof rain did nothing todampen the evening. Hebrought the curtain downon his performance withhis fire eaters.

The evening’shighlight was a rivetingclimax when ArturoTappin invited DarrenAndrews and RodneySmall on stage for a jazzplay off. With an arrayof shiny silversaxophones, Arturo tookthe audience through amusical journey endingwith guests wantingmore.

Metrocint GeneralInsurance, which waswell represented, is morethan pleased with theevent and looks forwardto a deepening of itspartnership with theRoots and RhythmFestival in 2019.

The Festival moved tothe Rawacou NationalPark for Beach Ball, abeach party featuring topDJs and soca artistesfrom St Vincent,Barbados and Trinidadand Tobago.

The Roots andRhythm Festivalconcludes this weekendwith InternationalRhythms at the ArnosVale Stadium, headlinedby Grammy Award

winning MorganHeritage, and featuringVoice - Soca Monarch outof Trinidad - and SVG’sRoad March King,Problem Child.

ArtsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 15.

Roots and Rhythmslaunch: Pure Elegance

(L-R): Darron Andrews and Arturo Tappin.

(L-R): Janet Quow, CEO of Insurance Brokers; Veronica De Souza-Phillip;Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation, Ricardo Adams; his wifeMichelle Adams; Yvonne Allen and Acting General Manager of MetrocintGeneral Insurance Company, Jacinta ‘Jo’ Elliot.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalvesengaging a guest in conversation.

by GLORIAH…

WHEN THE SPECIALOlympics World SummerGames open in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates, inMarch of 2019, the Gameswill go on record asmaking its firstappearance in the MiddleEast-North Africa region.

As history unfolds and

with all the worldwatching, SpecialOlympics St. Vincent andthe Grenadines (SOSVG)plans to be countedamong the teamsrepresenting theircountries, and havingtheir names written inthe annals of the Games’history.

According to Ms.

Sezevra Joseph, NationalDirector of SOSVG, theorganization has beendedicated to providingopportunities to personswith intellectualdisabilities in St. Vincent

and the Grenadines since1983, and has exposed itsathletes to competitions

locally, regionallyandinternationally.

“SpecialOlympics St.Vincent and theGrenadines hasbeen granted aquota of - 38, 25athletes and 13officials,” she said,“and we would liketo give the athletesanotheropportunity tocompete at theWorld SummerGames 2019.”

She wasconfident that thiswill be achievedand with goodresults.

“In 2015, SpecialOlympics St. Vincentand the Grenadinessent a team to WorldSummer Games inCalifornia, USA in July2015,” sheacknowledged. “Theteam’s performancewas excellent, and theyreturned homevictorious with 19medals to their credit —4 Gold, 9 Silver, 5Bronze and 1 fourthplace ribbon.”

So, in pursuit ofrealizing this country’sSpecial Athletes’participation in AbuDhabi in 2019, SOSVGconducted a Tag Dayon Friday, March 2,2018.

The fundraisingactivity, which promotedthe team’s participationwith the tagline, ‘Take usto the World — Journeyto Abu Dhabi’, waslaunched with anOpening Ceremonyunder the gallery of theGeneral Post Office inKingstown. From there,athletes were positionedat supermarkets andstores around Kingstownto collect donations.

The Special OlympicsWorld Summer Gameswill be engaged in sevendays of competition inthe following twenty-foursporting disciplines: thecourt sports ofbadminton, basketball,beach volleyball, bocce,handball, table tennis,tennis and volleyball;athletics; cycling;

kayaking; open waterswimming; rollerskating; sailing;swimming; and triathlon.There will also be judgedcompetitions inequestrian, judo, artisticgymnasts and rhythmicgymnastics. Other sportslike bowling, football,golf and powerliftingcomplete the list.

At this point, localathletes are training infive sports: athletics,bocce, football,swimming, and tennis.Training is concentratedin Kingstown.

Citizens across St.Vincent and theGrenadines areencouraged to donate tothis initiative, theworld’s largesthumanitarian andsporting event of 2019.“Take us to the World —Journey to Abu Dhabi”.

16. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

NewsVThe Special OlympicsNational Team forparticipation in the AbuDhabi Games, is alreadyin training.

Special Olympics:Forward to Abu Dhabi

SVGSO Director, Ms. SezevraJoseph, and a SO Athlete atthe launch of the Tag Dayfund-raiser last week Friday.

Another SO athlete and avolunteer manned theBOSVG (Reigate Building)on Tag day.

GOVERNMENT has hadnothing to do with arecent policy adopted byMoney Transfer Agenciesoperating here.

Persons who use theseagencies as points forcollecting remittancesfrom family and friendsabroad, now have toproduce two forms ofidentification when doingtransactions.

Prime Minister DrRalph Gonsalvesexplained on Monday thatthe policy was more basedon internationalstandards that had beenset.

“What I understandhas been happening isthat the agencies whooffer money services, theyhave been using theirdiscretion,” Gonsalvesexplained, adding that ifan individual is a regularrecipient of remittancesfrom abroad, and the name is in thesystem, then the agency may or maynot require that individual to producea second piece of identification.

However, if it is an instance wherean individual is doing a transaction forthe first time, they may be required tocomply with the rules and regulationsand produce a second form of I.D.

Gonsalves noted that the policy was

implemented months ago. Within recent weeks, though, a

number of Vincentians havecomplained about the ‘new’ regulation,with many admitting that they do nothave any form of identification otherthan their National ID card. (DD)

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Prime Minister,Dr Keith Rowley, has pledged to resolvethe present trade impasse affecting thiscountry’s traffickers and farmers.

While speaking at a pressconference on Monday, Prime MinisterDr. Ralph Gonsalves said that he hadspoken one on one with Dr. Rowley,during CARICOM’s 29thIntercessional Meeting of theConference of Heads of Government inHaiti between February 26 and 27.

Earlier this year, Dr. Gonslavesindicated that he had intended to raisethe issue at that meeting, which hedid, and arising out discourse, Dr.Gonsalves said that Dr. Rowley hadgiven him the undertaking that he(Rowley) would deal with the issue.

“I think he understood theseriousness of this,” Gonsalves said.

Addrsssing the core of the issue, PMGonsalves explained that over the lastfive years, SVG imported EC$167.1million worth of goods from the twin-island republic, but had only exportedgoods, primarily agricultural produce,

amounting to a value of EC$17.2million.

The imbalance is that, while goodsimported from Trinidad are paid for inhard currency, local exporters werehaving a hard time repatriatingincome earned there, and this washaving a negative impact on thefarming community here.

In fact, the amount of incomeearned in 2017 through the export ofproduce decreased, and according toGonsalves, this was because a numberof producers were no longer sendingtheir goods to Trinidad, because theywere having problems collecting theirmoney.

Government had implementedcertain measures here in an effort tomake it easier for local producers, butPM Gonsalves admitted that it wasnot enough.

“[I] am hoping that with theinteraction of CARICOM, we hope tofind an appropriate solution.

“It’s a matter that I am not givingup on,” he said. (DD)

NewsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 17.

Prime Ministers (fromleft) Dr. Keith Rowley(T&T), Dr. Keith Mitchell(Grenada) and Dr. RalphGonsalves (SVG) in oneof the many ‘important’side meetings at therecent 29thIntersessional Meetingof Heads of Governmentof CARICOM.

TT PM pledges to dealwith traffickersÊ issue

The amount ofagricultural produceexported to T&T fromSVG has decreasedsignificantly.

Not government’s doing

Two registered Money TransferAgencies operating in St. Vincentand the Grenadines.

18. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

THE PRIME MINISTER of St.Vincent and the Grenadines,Dr. Ralph Gonsalves,reported on Monday, thatthis country can expect avisit by officials of theprivately-owned Surinameseairline Fly All Ways.

Speaking at a pressconference on Monday,Prime Minister Gonsalvessaid that, while he was inSurinam on his firstofficial visit to thatcountry (March 2 — 5), heheld talks with the ChiefExecutive Officer of thatairline. The discussioncentred around thepossibility of having that

airline, which currentlyoperates a charter flightservice from Paramaribo,Suriname, to Havana,Cuba, to includeSVG/Argyle InternationalAirport in that route.

That would mean aroute that begins inParamaribo to AIA andthen on to Havana, with areverse of the route onreturn.

This arrangement, if itbecomes operational,would replace the oncescheduled EasyJet flightsfrom AIA to Havana.

With respect to bi-lateral discussions held

with President ofSuriname, Desi Bouterse,Dr. Gonsalves reported theprimary areas of focus asbeing trade, agriculture,air travel and people topeople travel.

He alluded todiscussion about thiscountry’s purchase ofSuriname’s timber andsand, and to an exchangeof students for study attertiary level institutionsin both countries.

It was important,Prime Minister Gonsalvessaid, to build relationswith Suriname, the onlyDutch-speaking countrythat is a full member ofCARICOM.

He qualified thisimportance with referenceto what he envisions asthe emergence of two“poles” within CARICOM,within an ongoingexistence of CARICOMand the OECS.

Dr. Gonsalvesenvisioned a NorthernPole and a Southern Polearising out of the realitiesof trade demands. TheNorthern Pole he sees asbeing comprised ofBahamas, Cuba,Dominican Republic,Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto

Rica. Barbados, Guyana,the OECS, Surinam andTrinidad and Tobago, he

sees, as being grouped asthe Southern Pole.

This country, Prime

Minister Gonsalvesconjectured, has toprepare for this likelihood.

NewsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 19.

Suriname airlines invited to consider AIA

President Desi Bouterse (R) and Prime Minister DrRalph Gonsalves during a visit to the KlaaskreekMaroon village in Brokopondo, Suriname. (Photo:National Information Institute)

Dear George,

MY GIRLFRIEND is terriblyupset with me because Ichose not to be ‘chummychummy’ with her ex. Shewants me to agree to havehim to come over to ourplace, when we havefriends. She evensuggested that we havehim over for New Year’s.

I understand he livesalone.

I am very suspiciousas to this deep interest inhis wellbeing. We gotinto an argument when Ilearned that she cookedfor him and carried thefood to his house. Shedefended this by saying.“He would have done thesame for me.”

At this point, I am notsure if she is more

committed to her ex orme. Her actions certainlyhave her leaning towardshim. I do not considermyself to be a jealousman, but this is too muchfor me to ignore.

Totally annoyed

Dear Totally annoyed,

Your girlfriend needsto make her mind up oneway or the other. Youshould not have toquestion her allegianceand commitment to you,

and her response to yourconcerns should havebeen more reassuring,leaving you with noreason to question herloyalty to therelationship.

Have a sit down withher and carefullyarticulate your concerns.Maybe a gentle reminderto her about why she iswith you and not himwill help to get her tofocus better.

George

20. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

AdviceV

Dear George,

MY HUSBAND isdownright boring and atotal disappointment. Wegot married one year agoand I thought I foundmyself a good package.

He boasted of being asuperb lover and Iaccepted it hook, line andsinker.

Not long into ourmarriage, I discovered hewas dependent onViagra.

Worse, even though hecan’t keep a job and Ihave to work like ahorse, he has beenrunning around, sleepingwith and acceptingmoney for ‘lady friends’.

I want this good fornothing man out of mylife and out of my housefor good. We have nochildren but own quite abit of property. How canI be assured that hewon’t rip me off?

Outraged wife

Dear Outraged wife,

My advice, up front, isthat you seek legaladvice before making anymoves.

You can argue a caseof deception on his part,but the bottom line is,once you are notexperiencingcompatibility and you aresure this is not what yousigned up for, then it’sbest you cut your lossesand move on.

It would be good alsoif you saw a marriagecounsellor. Maybe youmight find out yourmarriage is not as lost acause as you now think,once certain fundamentalchanges are made.

George

Dear George,

MY BEST FRIEND stabbed me in the back andwatched me take the fall for something she did atwork, resulting in me getting the axe.

There was no way I could prove it was she andnot me, and she, of course, never admitted to anywrongdoing.

Her explanation for doing what she did wasthat she has two children while I was single anddisengaged. How preposterous!

She pretends she does not understand why Ihave chosen not speak to her or have anything,whatsoever, to do with her.

She hurt me real bad, and it seems not tobother her.

Let down

Dear Let down,

Friends do not stab friends in the back.In time you will make new friends who will not

offer you up on the sacrificial altar. Chalk thisone up as a learning experience.

George

My girlfriendand her ÂexÊ

Seek help immediately

Betrayed by a friend

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 21.

LeisureVACROSS

1. Division of a school year5. Foolish9. Not high12. Malarial fever13. Boss on a shield14. I have15. An Afrikaner16. Blood vessel17. Mire18. City in NW France20. Architectural feature22. Believable25. Bivalve mollusk26. Fail at a premature stage27. Strange person28. Front part of an apron29. Indian dish30. Obese33. Part of speech35. African musical

instrument37. Destitution40. Uncovered41. Last letter of the

Greek alphabet42. Exclamations of surprise43. Limb of a felled tree44. Large bag46. British nobleman50. Consumed51. Beige52. Fencing sword53. Revolution54. Hold as an opinion55. Allot

DOWN

1. Label2. Self‐esteem3. Regret4. Dealer in textiles5. Down‐filled quilt

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23)Mingle with those who have similar interests,and you should be able to start something.Your ability to relate will close the generationgap. Secret information will be eye opening.New relationships will surface through workrelated events.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22)You need to take some time out to decidewhat you want to do. You can make majordecisions regarding your professional direc‐tion. Find out more, if you want to start yourown business. Groups you belong to will notonly enjoy your company, but they will alsoshare your interests.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21)You have the stamina and determination tosucceed. Don't gossip. Positive changesregarding your personal status are evident. Digdeep to find out how costly a new venture willbe before you sign on the dotted line.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20)Positive connections can be made if you getinvolved in environmental organizations. Afemale colleague may cause problems for you.Do the necessary chores and then do thingsthat please you. Finish projects that have beenhanging over your head.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19)You need to do something that will make youfeel better about yourself. You should considersubmitting some of your written work for pub‐lication. Emotional deception will cause fric‐tion on the home front. You'll find love andyou'll get into tiptop shape at the same time.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20)Try to visit friends or relatives you don't get tosee often. You can make financial gainsthrough investments and dealing with otherpeople's money. Talk to superiors about prob‐lems that you feel are getting out of hand.Don't blow situations out of proportion.

6. So be it7. Law enforce‐ment agency8. Language9. Branches10. Small egg11. Engage in

wedein19. Insect21. Inquire of22. Taxicab23. Japanese sash24. Lump25. Honey27. Chatter29. Not wet30. Fish

appendage31. Part of verb

to be32. Small child33. Small cavity

in a rock34. Rubbed out35. Miles per hour36. Be worthy of37. Pivotal38. Show emotion39. Desert region

in S Israel40. Loose fiber

used forcaulking

42. Land measure45. Very skilled

person47. Monkey48. Soak49. Shelter

LA

ST

WE

EK

’sS

OL

UT

ION

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20)Try to keep an open mind. You can makemoney if you get involved in real estate deals.Social events will lead to a strong and stablerelationship. Your disciplined attention tojobs will enhance your position.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21)Travel will be in your best interest regardlessof whether it is business or pleasure.Misunderstandings could cause confusion andupset. Investments concerning your residencewill be profitable. You will find yourself tiedto the phone.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21)Be careful while traveling. Eliminate situationsthat are no longer to your advantage. You willlearn valuable skills if you sign up for semi‐nars this week. You may find yourself chang‐ing plans for some form of entertainment.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22)You might just as well let others do their ownthing. Do not yield to children or relativeswhen they really don't deserve it. You mustbe careful not to trust just anyone. Your part‐ner may not understand your mood swingsbut if you are willing to communicate, a lot ofgrief can be avoided.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22)Past partners are likely to reappear. Don't useemotional blackmail on someone you love.Overindulgence may cause conflicts. You'llfind it easy to charm members of the oppo‐site sex this week.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23)If you're feeling uncertain, spend some timealone and reevaluate your motives as well asyour needs. You're on the right track and youcan make money if you are willing to go outon a limb. You may find yourself in a predica‐ment with family members. You must notmake unnecessary changes this week.

22. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

HIGH PARK UNITED wereagain crowned champions of theVita Malt/ KDLT Richland ParkNetball competition, whichended last Sunday afternoon atthe hard court of the RichlandPark Government School.

It was another easy stroll inthe final for the High ParkUnited who are dotted withseasoned players, as they led inall quarters against J& GScorchers, which possess somequality players as well.

High Park United led thequarters 19-5, 38-14 and 58- 24,closing the final quarter at 67-40.

It was the second trouncingof J & G Scorchers at the handsof High Park United. Thechampions had inflicted a 79-42beating on this opponent in thepreliminary round.

On their way to the final,High Park United had an 80-46win over Vultures in the semi-finals, while in the other half, J& G Scorchers had ousted

Young Strugglers, 60-52. Vultures went on to

take the third spot, gettingpast Young Strugglers 59-56, in the third place playoff, which was contestedjust before last Sunday’sfinal.

For winning thecompetition, High Parkpocketed $1500, whilesecond place- J & GScorchers got $1000 andthird place — Vultures-$700.

Copping the Most Goalsaward was High Park United’sSkiddy Francis -Crick, whotallied 571 goals,

Another High Park Unitedplayer- Shelisa Davis, was

adjudged the competition’s MostValuable Player. Davis was alsoher team’s MVP.

The MVP awardees wereMarcy De Shong of Bruce LawChambers Greiggs; KemeishaAntoine of J & G Scorchers;Celise Antoine- Valley SportsYouths; Kay — Juana Bacchusfor 3 J’s Valley Strikers, withAnesia John, getting the awardfor Country Meet Town OutaTrouble.

Completing the list wereRose Clair Hall of YoungStrugglers, Brittney Williams ofIsland Blends Success Radio,and Josean Antoine of Vultures.

Securing the MostDisciplined Team award wasCountry Meet Town OutaTrouble, with 3 J’s ValleyStrikers being named the MostImproved Team.

And, the Valley SportsCommittee recognised MrsLouisa Cain, Kenniel Richardsand Shorn Paul, withCommunity-spirited awards.

V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 23.

THE GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOLhad their debutchampionship win in thefemale segment, and theGeorgetown Secondarymade it four in a row in the

males’ component, whenthe Schools’ VolleyballTournament ended onMonday afternoon at theGirls’ High School court.

In their fourth straight

visit to the final, the Girls’High School made this onecount, by blanking theWest St George Secondaryin dismissive fashion, 25-12, 25- 16, 25-17.

The Girls’ High Schoolwas always on course forthe title after they hadgotten past theGeorgetown SecondarySchool, in the semi-finals.

By taking the 2018tournament, the Girls’High School became thethird team to lay hands onthe title. The St Joseph’sConvent Kingstown werethe inaugural winners in2012 and successfullydefended their title in2013.

The exit of the StJoseph’s ConventKingstown, made way fora four- year dominance ofthe Georgetown SecondarySchool’s females.

Meanwhile, GeorgetownSecondary, which has beenin all the male finals sincethe inception of thetournament, had a worthyopponent in the first timefinalist- the St VincentGrammar School.

Georgetown Secondary,despite being pushed,prevailed over theGrammar School, 25-23,25- 20, 25-14.

In the process, theGeorgetown Secondarynotched up their fourth

successive title,joining theirfemalecounterparts,who achievedthe feat, withtriumphs in2014, 2015,2016 and 2017.

Before theGeorgetownSecondary School’sfour-year hold, theGeorge StephensSenior SecondarySchool was large andin charge of the MaleDivision, from 2012 to2014.

Immediatelypreceding Monday’sfinals, theGeorgetownSecondary took thethird place among thefemales, with a 25-22,25-13 win over theThomas SaundersSecondary.

Taking the malethird place was theWest St GeorgeSecondary, who wonfrom the Bethel HighSchool, 25-9, 25-19.

The Girls’ High School’sHolly Ann George wasnamed the Female MVP of

the Final, with EnricoLorraine of theGeorgetown Secondary-the Male MVP of theFinal.

Girls’ High School- new females champions.

High Park on top again in Richland Park Netball

New Females Schools’Volleyball champions…

Female MVP of the final- Holly AnnGeorge (left) gets her award fromEarl Bennett, representing theMinistry of Education.

Enrico Lorraine (left) acceptsthe Male MVP of the finalaward from President of theSt Vincent and theGrenadines VolleyballAssociation- SuzannaLeigertwood- Ollivierre.

High Park United and J & GScorchers during lastSunday’s final at theRichland Park GovernmentSchool hard court.

Inset: High Park United –repeat champions of the VitaMalt/KDLT Richland ParkNetball Competition.

MVP of the competition –Shelisa Davis at left, acceptsher award from NelsonHillocks – Director ofPhysical Education andSports.

Right: Top Goal Scorer-Skiddy Francis- Crick (left)gets her reward fromPresident of the SVG NetballAssociation- Doris Mc Intosh.

PAMENOS BALLANTYNE,ace long distance runnerand currently PhysicalEducation Teacher/Trackand Field Coach at the St.Martin’s SecondarySchool, is crying foul withrespect to a decisiontaken regarding anathlete’s participation inthe 2018 Inter-Secondary

School AthleticsChampionship.

According toBallantyne,Organisers of theChampionshipinfringed the rulesgoverning theChampionship,when they renegedon the agreed upondecision todisqualify anathlete of the St.Vincent GrammarSchool, when hefalse started in a100m heat forsenior boys.

Ballantyneinsists that asagreed at a meetingof school coachesand organizers of

the championship,anyone guilty of a falsestart ‘will be immediatelydisqualified fromparticipating in the racein question’. This, hesaid, complies with theIAAF position whichcoaches and organisersagreed would be appliedto the running of the

Championship.Ballantyne contends,

that the athlete inquestion false started inhis heat and was dulydisqualified, as wereathletes from theIntermediate HighSchool (100m JuniorsMale), Sandy BaySecondary School (100mJuniors Male) andEmmanuel High SchoolMesopotamia (4x100mJuniors Male), who hadcommitted a similaroffence.

What is the source ofthe bone of contention iswhat Ballantyne said heobserved. He described asituation in which thatthe Grammar Schoolathlete was kept backafter the official heatshad come to an end, andwas made to run a 100mall by himself.

The result: the youngman, initially andcorrectly disqualified,was listed among thefinals for that race, comeChampionship day.

Ballantyne’s visit to

THE VINCENTIANoccasioned a strongprotest about this“blatant disregard of therules and an act of curry-favouring one school,”and vowed to go publicwith his concern.

In fact, he has sincesubmitted a letter to thenewspapers here inwhich he writes, interalia, “Why must adifferent standard beapplied? That is why weare getting nowhere infield athletics! There isone standard for ‘regular’schools and anotherstandard for ‘prestigious’schools. There is onestandard for ‘ordinary’athletes and anotherstandard for ‘elite’athletes! Rubbish!”

THE VINCENTIANunderstands that anofficial protest was madeto the Championshiporganisers on behalf ofthe Grammar Schoolathlete concerned.

But Ballantyneinsists that the rulecannot be and should not

be ‘bent’ to suit any oneathlete. “If so, bend it forall,” he posited.

“This is just soglaringly wrong and itcannot be allowed to

go unchallenged.Something must be done to correct thisinjustice,” Ballantynewrote in his letter to thenewspaper.

CHATEAUBELAIR METHODIST and Fitz Hugheswere crowned joint champions of the inauguralNorth Leeward Inter-Primary Schools AthleticsSports Meet, held at the Cumberland Playing Fieldlast week.

A large and vociferous crowd, comprised ofresidents from across the North Leewardconstituency, was on hand to give added meaningand support to the Meet.

At the end of the day, Chateaubelair Methodistand Fitz Huges schools were followed by theTroumaca Government School and Rose HallPrimary in that order.

Westwood Methodist and Spring VillageMethodist were the other competing schools.

Kayi Browne of Chateaubelair Methodist andZekeisha Stapleton of Rose Hall Government Schoolshared the coveted Victrix Ludorum title, and DevonJoseph of Troumaca Government School wascrowned the Meet’s Victor Ludorum.

I.B.A.ALLEN

24. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

SportsVBallantyne challengesreversal of a decision

Pamenos Ballantyne hastaken umbrage with theorganisers of the 2018 Inter-Secondary Schools AthleticsChampionship.

Fitz Hughes,Chateau: Joint Inter-Primary Champions

Rowing reaches two secondary schoolsSOME STUDENTS from the Girls’High School and the Dr. JP EustaceMemorial were last week Tuesday,given an introduction to the sport ofRowing.

Two officials from theInternational Rowing Federation(FISA) - Sallie Malt and ClareBarrell - engaged the students in anintroductory session at the XpertComputer Centre Conference Room,Grenville Street, Kingstown.

Evaluating the session, Maltsaid, “The seed was sown in the twoschools who were represented toestablish a Rowingprogramme…The one thing thatyou need is the enthusiasm and thehunger to pursue the sport …Theboys were engaged in the wholeprocess, which is something youdon’t often see.”

Malt revealed that the studentspossessed “enthusiasm” a criticalcomponent in any sport.

“They are new to Rowing, andwhat I had before me was a newsheet to write on, and they wereenthusiastic to learn about thesport …It is encouraging for thefederations,” she commented.

Looking ahead, Malt stated, “Itwas the first step in coaching andlearning the sport. A lot of what youdo in sports coaching is not sportsspecific but how to coach … Howthey might demonstrate to what

they have learntto a group oftheirfriends…Whatwe want for thestudents to be,are ambassadorsfor the sport intheir schools.”

The visit byMalt and Barrellformed part ofFISA’sIntroduction toRowing andSportDevelopmentprogramme.

The sessionwith thestudents was oneof the activitiesin which the StVincent and theGrenadines Rowing Association hasbeen involved in recently, aimed atadvancing the sport of Rowing here.

Previous results of this effortshow that two rowers have beenselected for advanced training..

At present Jaheed Thomas is ona training stint at the OklahomaCity National High PerformanceCenter in the USA, until earlyApril.

His training/preparation ismanaged by US Rowing Coach

Reilly Dampeer.Thomas has been granted a

Universality place at the YouthOlympic Games 2018, set forBuenos Aires in Argentina, from6th to 18th October.

On his return, Thomas, alongwith another rower RashidaWilliams and coach- Jason Gibson,will head to Chile for the FISADevelopment Camp and Qualifierfor the Youth Olympic Games, 12thto 22nd, April.

Sallie Malt making a demonstration on a Rowingmachine (Erg) to students of the JP EustaceMemorial and the Girls’ High School.

Chateaubelair Government School.

Fitz Hughes Government School.

TECHNICALDIRECTOR of theSt Vincent andthe GrenadinesFootballFederation –Keith Ollivierresaid he is pleasedwith St Vincentand theGrenadines’grouping in the

draw for the inaugural CONCACAF’sNations League.

Set to begin in September of thisyear and end in March 2019, StVincent and the Grenadines’ VincyHeat will compete against FrenchGuiana, Turks and Caicos Islands,Bonaire and Nicaragua.

Vincy Heat’s home matches areagainst Nicaragua in September andBonaire in March, while the awaymatches versus French Guiana are set

for October and Turks and Caicos inNovember.

Looking beyond the Nations League

On scrutinising the draw, Ollivierresaid: “Not underestimating any of theteams, I think we have a pretty goodchance of coming out of the group.”

A buoyant Ollivierre said that theNations League suits St Vincent andthe Grenadines, which does not getthat sort of competition outside theWorld Cup Qualifiers.

The SVGFF Technical Director alsosees the National League as apreparation for the 2022 World CupQualifiers.

“ We are also looking ahead to 2022World Cup Qualifiers, and with theUnder-20 team in training since latelast year, the plan is to combine theUnder-20, the Under-23, and if thereare some exceptional players betweenthe ages of 25 and 34, they would alsobe called up for training at the seniornational level,” Ollivierre outlined.

“The core going into the NationalLeague would be Under-20 and Under-23,” he explained further.

Ollivierre noted that the NationsLeague would be treated in a similarmanner as the World Cup qualifierspreparations, stating that every effortwould be made to field the strongestteam, and he pointed to interest ofnew players with Vincentian lineagewho live in Canada and England.

He noted that the National League

is a route for FIFA and CONCACAFthrough which to enhance thecompetitiveness of Caribbeancountries, as it would be played onFIFA set dates, which would afford therelease of players who ply their tradein other countries.

The Nations League format

The format of the Nations Leaguequalifiers entail that the pointsaccumulated by all 34 teams will beaggregated and placed in order from 1to 34.

The draw for the National LeagueQualifiers, which took place on 7thMarch in Miami, excluded the sixteams from CONCACAF,whichreached the hexagonal stage of the2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The six, Mexico, Costa Rica,Panama, Honduras, USA and Trinidadand Tobago, will join the top six teamsemerging from the Nations Leaguequalifiers, to make up League A of theNational League, which kicks off inSeptember 2019.

The teams finishing positions 7th to22nd will be placed in League B andthose 23rd to 34th will make upLeague C of the Nations League.

The Nations League also serves as aqualifier for the Gold Cup, as the tenteams at the top of the heap and thesix who were in the Hexagonal stage,will head to the 2019 Gold Cup in theUSA, which has been expanded from12 to 16 teams.

THREE OF THIScountry’s leading Under15 cricketers will leavethe state for Barbados,where they will join theirfellow youth cricketersfrom the otherWindwards Islands, for acamp ahead ofparticipation in thisyear’s Cricket WestIndies Under 15 CricketTournament.

The camp begins onMarch 20, and the teamis set to leave on theMarch 24 for Jamaica,where the WITournament begins nextmonth.

The three are: LukeWilson off spinner, CobeyDabreo fast bowler andRandy Joseph battingall- rounder.

Ackeem Auguste of StLucia will lead the teamthat includes RyanGoodman, Omari

Venner, StephaneTheophile also from StLucia; Yawani Regis,Neo Davis, KyronPhillip, Stephen Pascalfrom Dominica.; DivonieJoseph, KervynGangadeen of Grenada

and the threeVincentians.

Women’s Cricket

And in related cricketnews, local selectorsannounced a 24-membersquad for training forpossible selection to thenational female cricketteam, to represent thiscountry in the upcomingWindward IslandsFemale 50 Overs andT20 tournaments.

The squad, selectedfollowing the completionof National Female 40Overs Tournament,includes Cordel Jack andJulian Nero, both withexperience at the WestIndies level.

Others called up fortraining are: NyashaWilliams, Stacy-annAdams, Zavian Stephen,Glendeen Turtin,Kimone Homer, KendiciaBarker, Shema Wright,Jenna Fredrick,Shenezia Daniel, IshaWilliams, SamanthaCaine, Allison Antoine,Suenella Pope, GianyMarshall, JennishaHackshaw, LaFacia Sam,Maria Jack, JephaniaJoseph, Keisha Nero,Tracy Byam, JennaFredrick.

The Windward Islandstournament is scheduledfor Dominica in April.

I.B.A.ALLEN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 25.

SportsV

CBEQUIA Cricket Club (BBC) and Rudy’sElectrical Unique Warriors recorded timely winslast weekend, as the First Division 50 OversSunday League heads to the playoff stage.

BCC took first knock, and their 239 from 31overs proved way too much for Belfongo, whoreplied with a dismal 95 from 18 overs.

Loanzo Billingy 46 and Razine Browne 44 setthe tone for consistent batting by the BCC, andBrowne returned with the bad to rub more saltinto Belfongo’s wounds with 5 for 34. Andre Huntdid himself credit taking 3 Bequia wickets for 43runs.

Unique Warriors beat Radcliffe Too by 15 runsto better their chances of a place in the knockoutstage. Unique Warriors made 196 for 8 from 43overs. Issac Haywood led with 45, and KensleyJoseph took 4 for 29 for Radcliffe Too, who repliewith 181 from 27 overs. Mickron McDowall hit51. Joseph Medford Bill Edwards, Issac Haywoodand Samuel Byam each had 2 wickets bowling forUnique Warriors.

This weekend, Smashers face Ruddy’sElectrical Unique Warriors at Arnos Vale 2, andCombined Youths oppose Radcliffe Too at Stubbs.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Bequia, Warriorsvictorious inFirst Division

NATIONAL and Windward Islandsall-rounder Alston Bobb continued hisrich run of form with the ball, andadded a display of dominant batting,to inspire Victors One to a comfortable82-run win over Providence ElectronicNorth Leeward.

In a third round match of the NALPremier Division 50 Overs CricketCompetition, played at the Park HillPlaying Field last weekend, Bobbrecorded his first century, 124, in thisCompetition and the first in thisformat, to help his team reach 275from 49 overs. His 124 included 12fours and one six from 126 balls.

Good support came from AtticusBrowne 22, Ray Jordan 26 and NurlanWilliams 23. Donld Delpesche with 3

for 32, JavonSamuel 3 for 30,and O’JayMathews 2 for 60were NorthLeeward’s bestbowlers.

North Leewardwere dismissed for193 from 47 overs.Shaman Hoopertop scored with 71,

with Elron Lewis45, LashawnLewis 33 andMaxwaldEdwards 20addingrespectability tothe innings. Bobbwas the pick ofVictors One . His3 for 39 followedhis previousweekend haul of 8wickets for 27runs against PoliceTwo. RonaldoFranklyn, Williamsand Browne eachhad 2 wickets.

This was NorthLeeward’s third defeat on the trot.

In another weekend match, DariusMartin, with the outstanding figuresof 7 for 48, ensured victory for PoliceTwo over Flow Radcliffe, by 8 wickets.

Flow Radcliffe made 155 for 9 from27.5 overs, with a top score of 46 byOthneil Lewis. Police Two raced to156 for 2 from 16.5 overs. AndrewThomas hit an unbeaten 56 andDesron Maloney 42.

Matches in the 50 Overscompetition continue this weekend.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Three off for U15 Cricket Tournament

(L-R): Cobey Dabreo, Randy Joseph and LukeWilson.

Technical Directorfor Football- KeithOllivierre

Nations League draw pleasesFootballÊs Technical Director

BobbÊs century crushesNorth Leeward

Alston Bobb hit126 and took 3for 39. He nowhas 15 wicketsin 3 matches.

Darius Martinbagged 7 for 48for Police Two.

26. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018. 27.

ClassifiedsV

VERONICA ISOLA JOHN

SDA ChurchBarrouallie

Thursday 8th March, 2018

Viewing:2:00 p.m.Service: 3:00 p.m.

JESSIAH WALDRON

Church of God Prophecy

Victoria VillageSunday, 11th March 2018

Viewing: 2 p.m.Service: 3 p.m.

JOAN V. BELGRAVE

Chebar AssemblyEvangelical ChurchSunday, 11th March

2018Viewing: 1 p.m.Service: 2 p.m.

MIRIAM GURLEY

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

Calliaqua Saturday 10th March, 2018

Viewing: 2:00 p.m. Service: 3:00 p.m.

NATHANIEL E. EDWARDS

Community BibleBaptist Church

Sunday, 11th March 2018

Viewing: 1 p.m.Service: 2 p.m.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018 VOLUME 112, No.11 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

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WHO SAID HISTORY does notrepeat itself? If you said that toDr, Keith Mitchell, leader of theNew National Party (NNP) ofGrenada, he would more thanlikely laugh in your face and saythat history not only repeatsitself, but it ‘three-peats’.

Dr. Keith Mitchell re-created history when he ledhis NNP to a complete sweepof seats in the general electionheld on Tuesday 13th March,2018.

His NNP took all 15constituencies - 14 onmainland Grenada and onecomprised of Carriacou andPetit Martinique - up forgrabs, and in the process,repeated what he had done inthe general elections of 2013and 1999. In fact, the NNPhas won all but two of theeight national elections sincethe Grenada Revolutionimploded in October 1983.

The unofficial figures showa percentage decrease in thenumber of voters who turnedout to the polls last Tuesday(73.65 percent in 2018compared to 88 percent in2013), but Dr. Mitchel will benonethelesspleased, since thepopular votematters not in afirst-past-the-post

voting system as obtains inGrenada.

Forty-five candidates werenominated to contest the 2018General Election. Both theNew National Party (NNP)and the National DemocraticCongress (NDC), led by NazimBurke, presented full slates ofcandidates. The othercandidates were from sevenminority parties, and therewere two independentcandidates.

As it stands, albeitunofficially as of press timeWednesday, seven of the 15members of the newHouse ofRepresentatives willbe women. Firsttime MPs KindraMaturine Stewart,Kate Skeeter-Lewisand Pamela Moseswill be joiningreturning MPsClarice Modeste-Curwen, EmmalinPierre, YolandeBain-Horsford, andDelma Thomas.

This augurs well

in the face of increasing callsfor more women to be includedin the race for public office,one Caribbean-profiledWomen’s Rights Advocate toldTHE VINCENTIAN.

Others returning asincumbents are Dr. Mitchell,Gregory Bowen, Oliver Joseph,Tobias Clement, NickolasSteele, Alvin DaBreo andAnthony Boatswain.

New to the House ofRepresentatives as an NNPrepresentative is Peter David,a former General Secretary ofthe main opposition NDC and

a minister in that party’sadministration of 2008 -2013.David joined the NNP andbecame its General Secretary.He was elected in the town ofSt. George’s (the Capital)constituency.

The result of the March 13,2018 poll shows clearly thatthe Grenadian electorate hadbought into what Dr. Mitchellhad said was an overwhelmingconfidence in his government’sprogrammes for theadministration of the affairsand development of thecountry, and the positiveeconomic growth, averaging

over five per cent for the lastfive years, achieved by hisadministration.

The argument of the NDC,in particular, that the NNPhad placed the country in aprecarious national debtsituation, did not sway withthe electorate, assubstantiated by the landslidevictory of the NNP.

Dr. Keith Mitchell standsalone as having been the onlymodern day Caribbeanpolitical leader to have led hisparty in three full sweeps ofgeneral elections.

The winning NNP slate ofcandidates in the March 13,2018 general elections. (Photo:antigua newsroom.com)

DR. MITCHELL AND THE NNP RE-CREATE HISTORY

Dr. Keith Mitchel hasmuch to smile aboutafter leading hisNNP to anotherlandslidevictory at thepolls. (Photo:Wikipedia)

Nazim Burke, leader of the NDC, nowhas to count the number of votes(unofficially 126) by which he failed towin a seat in the Grenada House ofrepresentatives. (Photo: youlisten.com