by DAYLE DA SILVA

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ARNHIMEUSTACE says that he does not believethat the government has any intention tosettle the issue with businessman Leon‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel.

He made the point last Mondayduring the New Democratic Party’s‘New Times’ Radio Programme, addingthat it was impossible for anygovernment to have taken this long tomake a decision on the matter.

“I don’t believe that there is anyintention of settling with ‘BiggerBiggs’,” Eustace said.

“Every time it appears that there issomething likely to happen, they haveanother spanner thrown in the works,”he continued.

The time had come for the issue ofreinstating Samuel’s mining licence tobe addressed from another perspective,the leader of the opposition said,because he was not convinced thatgovernment was going to make adecision, especially in light of theamount of publicity the matter hadreceived.

“I assume they have no intention atthis stage of resolving that matter, andtheir concern is now elections in StVincent and the Grenadines, not‘Bigger Biggs’,” Eustace opined.

He said that, having already madethe statement, he was not going to sayanything further on the matter at thispoint.

Samuel’s licence to operate a miningconcern at Rabacca was revoked in2011, with the authorities citingbreaches in the environmentalsoundness of the operation, as thebasis for the decision.

This resulted in cessation of themining operations and closure of arelated block-making business whichSamuel had operated for some timebefore he even started the mining atRabacca.

And although Prime Minister DrRalph Gonsalves stated, by way of apress briefing, that Cabinet hadreversed the decision to revokeSamuel’s mining licence in Novemberlast year, government has since statedthat permission was not granted forSamuel to resume his miningoperations.

Moving forward

However, Prime Minister Dr RalphGonsalves, during the wrap up sessionof the 2015 Budget debate, said thathe had spoken to the PermanentSecretary in the Ministry of Works,and the Attorney General, who he saidhe believed should have alreadyreceived the relevant documentsregarding the Samuel issue, and that

she was expected to advise Cabinet. Gonsalves further mentioned in the

House that he met with Samuel andother persons on January 28, and thatthey had subsequently written to himexpressing their gratitude regardingsome decisions that had been taken atthe meeting that are aimed at movingforward the process to have Samuelresume his business operations.

Based on the letter, which was readby the Prime Minister, and coming outof the discussions, the consensus wasreached on a view put forward bySenator Julian Francis, formerMinister of Works, that there was norequirement for a quarry licence to beissued, and therefore, the “legal andbureaucratic processes involved indeclaring the area a quarry site,including measures required to betaken by the operators to facilitatesuch a process” were entirelyredundant.

It was also agreed that with regardto the government’s commitment tofacilitate technical and financialsupport for the restoration of BiggerTrucking and Block ConstructionCompany, a statement ofrequirements toward resumingoperations be prepared by thecompany’s technical team, and uponcompletion, a copy be submitted to thePrime Minister. Following this, ameeting will be convened to discussthe requirements of the variouselements of the operation and thegovernment’s contribution.

The issue of possible compensationto workers affected by the abruptclosure was also mentioned; however,Dr. Gonsalves explained that thisissue was not discussed with him.

“So that is where we are; the letteritself tells the story,” he said.

He added that he has never beenpolitical in relation to the ‘BiggerBiggs’ matter.

“I have said so over and over,”Gonsalves concluded..

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Arnhim Eustace, Leader of theOpposition, says that government ismore interested in the next electionsrather than moving to settle the Leon‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel’s issue.

Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel is said tohave suffered tremendous loss sincethe closure of his mining and block-making operations.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalvesdisclosed to the House of Assemblythat a process has begun to restore‘Bigger Biggs’ business operations.

A PARTNERSHIPAGREEMENT signedbetween LIME and Deezer,one of the world’s leadingmusic streamingoperators, is set to deliveryet another innovativeoffering to LIME’sCaribbean subscribers.

Martin Roos, LIMECaribbean CEO, saidthat Caribbean

subscribers will haveaccess to musicstreaming of more than35 million songs.

With this agreement,to which Deezer bringsthe largest digital musiclibrary in the Caribbean,Latin America, and infact, the world, theresulting musicstreaming service is now

available in more than35 Latin American andCaribbean markets,considered the fastestgrowing region for musicsales.

Music lovers acrossLIME markets now haveaccess to the mostextensive musiccatalogue available, asthe global editorial team

searches for the bestmusic, and usingcomputer programmed‘algorithmicrecommendations’ to helpfans discover music fromaround the world, thatthey will truly love.

The service isavailable on LIMEsubscribers’ favouritesmartphones such as the

iPhones and Androids,plus other devices liketablets, PCs, laptops,home sound system,connected car or smartTV. The Deezerstandalone service calledDeezer Premium+ allowscustomers access to morethan 35 million musictracks and albums, aswell as 30 radiochannels. New bundlemodels will be availablesoon.

“As our customersembrace a ‘digitallifestyle’, increasinglythey also want to listen

to whatever they want,whenever, and wherever.The Deezer music servicewill be available to allLIME customers as wellas in the Bahamas andPanama,” Roos stated.

2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

NewsVLIME brings new openingin music streaming

Love and LIMEare in the airTEXT THE WORD‘LOVE” to short code6263, and postpaid andprepaid customers are inthe running to win greatprize packages,compliments LIME.

Love is definitely inthe air with LIME thisFebruary. Thetelecommunicationsprovider launched itsValentine’s Daypromotional campaignon the 23rd of January.

Once the text, ‘LOVE’has been sent, LIMEcustomers can expect a response to let them know ifthey are one of the four lucky winners.

Prizes include one tablet and speaker system,which would be won by two LIME customers, aswell as a weekend for two at the Young IslandResort, and four weekly 4G data passes.

The promotion concludes on February 13th, withthe grand prize draw slated to take place thefollowing day, Valentine’s Day.

Customers are encouraged to text as many timesas possible, so that they would have greaterchances of claiming one of the prizes.

LIME brings aValentine’s LOVE deal toall its subscribers.

Martin Roos, LIMECaribbean CEO, assuredthat LIME subscriberswill now have access toover 35 million (music)tracks.

Deezer offers access to over 35 million tracks andmore.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

CENTRAL KINGSTOWN’Sparliamentary representative,St. Clair Leacock, is notcomplimentary of this country’sPrime Minister Dr. RalphGonsalves.

As far as Leacock isconcerned, Dr. Gonsalves is a“master of contradiction,” anda “master of deception.”

Leacock’s comments cameduring his contribution to the2015 Budget debate.

Leacock presented an optionin favour of concentratingexpenditure at theconstituency level, i.e. thatmore attention ought to bepaid to the constituency.

For him, there should be“constituency first, Ministryafter…. . I want to see usmaking that adjustment,” theCentral Kingstownrepresentative added.

Leacock disagreed with thepositions taken by Senators

Luke Browne who cited that“all is well,” and Jomo Thomaswho was of the view that therewas “good news” emergingfrom the Prime Minister’sBudget address.

Leacock indicated thatpaying attention to theconstituency was “spreadingthe bread,” and providingmore equity.

Leacock’s description ofThomas sparked one of severalclashes across the floor, withSpeaker Hendrick Alexanderhaving to enforce his authorityto simmer the conflict.

But Leacock maintained hiscriticism of the budget, andoutlined that the governmentwas in a debt trap “from whichthey will not escape.”

He described the 2015Budget as a “ten cents budget,not viable, not veritable,” andendorsed Senator LintonLewis’s outlook that thebudget was “vulgar.”

The Central Kingstown

parliamentarian suggestedthat the only moneygovernment had was the slushfund obtained through PetroCaribe, and those matterswere being done illegally.

“They are breaking thelaw,” Leacock contended.

He took issue with NationalSecurity Advisor Sir VincentBeache who was named asHead of the Board of the localPetro Caribe operation whichhandled the businessarrangement for fuel from thatprogramme benefactor,Venezuela.

Leacock wants a reductionon fuel prices at the pumps, inlight of the drop in oil prices,and also anticipates a drop inthe electricity cost.

For Leacock, Dr. Gonsalvesis no “modern day Houdini,”alluding to a differencebetween a story teller and onewho “does tell story.”

The MP describedallocations to the Prime

Minister’s Office astantamount to a “governmentwithin a government.”

The Central KingstownParliamentarian recalled aresolution of No-confidencebrought by Dr. RalphGonsalves, January 24, 2000.

He thinks that some of thethings Dr. Gonsalvescondemned in 2000 were verymuch present in 2015.

There needs to be “analternative approach” to thiscountry’s development, onethat ought to be “basic needs,”with “people first,” hesuggested.

Leacock, though, praisedthe government’s effort athelping the helpless with “lowincome and No Incomehousing,” and recommendedthat assistance be given topersons with one and two-room houses to help thembuild back walls, steps andentrances to their homes.

V News 3THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 3.

ÂMajorÊ in ÂstrongÊcriticism of 2015 Budget

St. Clair Leacock, OppositionParliamentary Representativefor Central Kingstown, wantsa new approach to thiscountry’s development.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

LEADER OF THEOPPOSITION ArnhimEustace says that he hasconcerns about thegovernment’s ability toachieve the targets setout under capitalexpenditure.

He made the point inhis response to PrimeMinister Dr RalphGonsalves’ Budgetpresentation last week.

The CapitalExpenditure, as set outin the Estimates for2015, is EC$296,350,530,however, Eustaceexplained that it hasbeen the trend by thegovernment to spendhalf, or a little less thanwhat was projected.

“When we set thesetargets and we don’tachieve them…we don’tachieve our growth inother targets,” Eustacesaid.

The Opposition Leadersaid that he raised theissue because therepresentatives of theInternational MonetaryFund (IMF) during theirvisit in November lastyear, pointed out thatalthough the Capital

Budget for 2014 wasprojected at EC$330million, CapitalExpenditure wasprojected to amount toEC$147 million.

There was a similarsituation of governmentnot spending the amountit projected to spend in2013, he said.

“Less than half ofwhat you projected tospend was spent,” theLeader of the Oppositionsaid.

“Here, we had $330million available forcapital expenditure,according to theestimates for 2014, andwe spent 147. How, whatdoes that mean? Whatdoes that mean to theaverage person outside?What does that mean tothe business communitywho look at thesupplementary estimatesand saw that thegovernment intended tospend $330 million?”

It would mean thatthe business sectorshould have importedmore because of a biggerCapital Budget, Eustacereasoned.

“But when it comes tothe actual expenditure,

we not even spending 50percent,” he continued.

“Therefore, when wesay that we have agrowth rate of 2 percentor 3 percent, orwhatever, if you are notspending on your capitalprojects, what you sayyou are going to spend,how are you going toachieve anything nearwhat you set as yourtarget for this economy?”

And based on whathad taken place in thepast, Eustace said thathe did not believe thatthe government wasgoing to spend what itprojected to in 2015.

“I don’t believe it ispossible.

“Something has gonewrong; we either overestimating in an effort toput forward a largebudget or some will sayan election budget; butwe don’t have thecapacity to deal with it,”Eustace told members ofthe House.

Even in cases wherethe government has thefinancial resources, itdoes not have theimplementation capacityto deal with it, he further

reasoned, adding thatthis has been an issuewith the Unity LabourParty-led administration.

“You will find that a

lot hinges on what ishappening in ourestimates and the basison which they areprepared. None of us are

perfect, but we can’t evenmake 50 percent of whatwe are prepared to do.That is far too low,”Eustace said.

There was warmth when the Governor General greeted the Prime Ministerand Leader of the Opposition; but that did not seem to extend to the actualdebate of the 2015 Budget.

Opposition Leader concerned

4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Parliament V

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ANTHONY

SENATOR CAMILLOGonsalves, this country’sMinister of Foreign Affairs,has come out in defenceof Venezuela.

In his contributionduring the debate of the2015 Budget Debate, hespeculates as to whatVenezuela had done toincur the “vitriol” of theopposition NewDemocratic Party.

Gonsalves, son ofPrime Minister Dr.Ralph Gonsalves, notedthat the one unifyingfactor of the NDPmembers was theirattack of Petro Caribe.He noted that theposition had surfacedduring the presentationof the estimates, and wasmaintained during theBudget Debate.

He viewed the recent

intensification as havingcome through from thecampaign for theReferendum of 2009 andeven during PresidentChavez’s visit to St.Vincent and theGrenadines.

The closure of theKingstown MedicalCollege was alsoattributed to thiscountry’s closeness withVenezuela, SenatorGonsalves stated.

And added thatEcuadorian soldiers, hereto contribute to therebuilding processfollowing the floods ofDecember 2013, weremistaken for Venezuelantroops.

The young Gonsalvesassured that the PetroCaribe agreement willcontinue to bringbenefits to this nationbecause PresidentNicolas Maduro and his

foreign minister hadgiven that commitment,when he met them inCosta Rica one week ago.

Senator Gonsalvesurged the opposition toknow the facts of thePetro Caribe agreement.

Central KingstownParliamentarian St.Clair Leacock accusedCamillo ofmisrepresentation, anddisclosed that his partyhad no difficulties withthe government andpeople of Venezuela.

He, however wasconcerned with the wayin which the treaty wasarrived at.

That juncture saw theintervention of PrimeMinister Dr Gonsalves.He informed that a“ratification of a Treatyis done through cabinet,”and not by Parliament.

Senator Lewis joinedin the escape and

indicated that any multi-lateral Treaty should bebrought beforeparliament.

Senator Gonsalvesdescribed the opposition’sdebate as “consistent atbest” and alluded to their“usual nibbling at themargins of nationaldevelopment.”

He described theircontribution as a“hodgepodge of ideashere and there which,even if implemented, willdo nothing in the schemeof things.”

This country’s electric company,VINLEC has reportedly suffered aloss in 2014.

Minister of Finance and PrimeMinister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves said inthe 2015 Budget presentation, thatthe company’s revenue for 2014 wasEC$137.4 million, however itsoperational costs were $137.9 million.

Repairs to the hydro plant damagedduring the heavy rains in December2013 and the subsidy accounted for

this loss in revenue, Dr. Gonsalvesexplained.

But 2015 is promising to be a betteryear for the lone electric companywhich operates in St Vincent and theGrenadines.

“It (VINLEC) is projecting toachieve net earnings of $4.5 million,”Gonsalves said.

VINLEC is also anticipating anincrease in electricity sales, arisingfrom expected increased economic

activity, after sales decreasedby 0.6 percent when comparedto the figure for 2013, hecontinued.

The company’s primarycapital activity for 2015,according to Dr. Gonsalves,will be the finalisation ofrehabilitative work at thehydr-plants at South Riversand Richmond.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

TERRENCE OLLIVIERRE, theparliamentary representativefor the Southern Grenadines,wiped away tears from his eyesduring a Sitting of the House ofAssembly last Monday. Hisemotions overwhelmed himduring his presentation to thisyear’s Budget.

Ollivierre outlined a seriesof woes which, he contended,people in the SouthernGrenadines continue to endure.

He summed up the situationas one of neglect anddiscrimination.

“You can’t have people livingon an island with no basichealth care,” Ollivierre stated.

He was referring toMayreau in particular, but hisconcerns extended to theislands of Canouan and UnionIsland.

He cited the plight of anelderly man in Mayreau whowas bedridden and affected with sores and repeateda call for a nurse to be stationed on the island.

Ollivierre pointed out that an invitation forTender for the conduction of a Clinic on Mayreauwas done in March 2014, but noted that thestructure had not been completed.

The MP highlighted the number of students whowere dropping out from schools, particularly inCanouan and Mayreau, and attributed the cost oftravel as a possible reason for the drop out.

The students attend the Union Island SecondarySchool, and Ollivierre pointed out that they had topay speed boats to take them to Union Island thentake van to school.

While Ollivierre focussed on secondary studentson those two Islands, the drop out problem fromprimary schools from as low as Grade K was also aworrying factor to him.

The matter assumes national proportions as faras Ollivierre is concerned. He cited that 1296students dropped out of Secondary School between2009 to 2013.

Ollivierre called for a Secondary School to beerected on Canouan.

He is not pleased with the way in which schooluniforms are distributed. The Southern Grenadinesrepresentative remarked that some students whoseparents who could well afford the purchase ofuniforms, instead received assistance in this regardfrom the Ministry of National Mobilization, whileothers more deserving of the assistance did notreceive.

Ollivierre praised the Union Island SecondarySchool for placing first and third in the IdeasCategory of the I Squared Competition sponsoredby the National Telecommunications RegulatoryCommission.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

THE ACCESS road to Fancy hasbeen rehabilitated, with morework expected to further improveit, as that community has beenthe recipient of an elaboratedRestoration and DevelopmentProgramme.

Prime Minister Dr RalphGonsalves said during the 2015Budget presentation lastWednesday that plans for theprogramme are being finalised,and it (the programme) will beimplemented “in concert with thefamilies” of those who weredirectly touched by the January12 tragedy, when a vehiclecrashed at Rock Gutter, resultingin the death of five students fromthe community. Two persons arestill missing from the vehicularcrash at Rock Gutter.

According to the PrimeMinister, some of the initiativesalready being undertaken by thegovernment include the deliveryof counselling services, on an on-going basis, to all members of the

affected families; medicalattention to ensure properrecovery for those whosurvived the accident; andthe speedy provisioning tothe surviving students ofall basic materialsrequired to resume theireducation.

A 30-seater bus, whichwill be run by the state, hasalready been ordered, and a newcemetery was consecrated in thecommunity, in time for thefuneral of the five on January 25.

The Prime Minister alsoannounced that each of thesurviving students, and for thosewho do not yet receive a monthlysupport system, will receive onethat he said will be sufficient fortheir education and sustenance.

“Moreover, a commitment isbeing given by the government, toeach student, to finance his or herfurther education and training atthe St. Vincent and theGrenadines Community Collegeand beyond, at the University ofthe West Indies or at a

comparable cost at any otheruniversity, provided, of course,that the student meets therequisite matriculationqualifications for entry to collegeor university,” Dr. Gonsalvescontinued.

Other aspects of the project willinclude physical infrastructurefacilities such as village roads andfootpaths, housing, sustainablelivelihood projects and forimprovements in primary andadult education, health services,sports and culture.

“These facilities have beenupgraded over the past severalyears, but more still is left to bedone,” Gonsalves said.

Senator CamilloGonsalves, Minister ofForeign Affairs,slighted the Oppositionfor its ‘vitriolic attitude’to Venezuela.

Senator Gonsalvesdefends Venezuela

VINLEC reports loss for 2014

Ollivierresheds tears

TerrenceOllivierre maywell have beensaying a prayerfor hisconstituents,especially theyoung people,who he assessesas continuing toendureunnecessaryburden.

Intensive development works,infrastructural and otherwise, areearmarked for Fancy, the northernmostcommunity on mainland St. Vincent.

More Fancy development

VINLEC’s hydro-plant atSouth Rivers is expected tobe fully rehabilitated in 2015.

FOR THE FIRST TIME sincethe December 17, 2014announcement that theU.S. and Cuba would movetoward renewing fulldiplomatic relations, andone week after the first‘high’ level talks betweenthe two countries wereheld, Cuba has madeknown its conditions forany normalization ofrelations.

While speaking at the3rd Summit of theCommunity of LatinAmerican and CaribbeanStates, in Costa Rica,last week, President RaulCastro said that thenormalization ofrelations between Cubaand the U.S. will not bepossible as long as theeconomic, commercialand financial blockadeimposed by Washingtonagainst Havana exists,among other issues.

The mid-January talkshad held out some degreeof hope for theestablishment ofdiplomatic relations byApril this year; butPresident Castro’sannouncement may havemade that target datesomewhat illusive.

In addition to liftingthe blockage, PresidentCastro also listed thereturn of theGuantanamo Naval Base,territory in Cuba, as apre-requisite forestablishing diplomaticrelations, and any returnto normalcy of broaderrelations between hiscountry and the US.

Raul Castroacknowledged thatprogress was made in therecent negotiations,because each countrytreated the other withrespect, even as herecognized that profounddifference remainedbetween the two.

Any further progresswas predicated on bothcountries continuing totreat each other asequals, President Castrosaid, adding, according toPrensa Latina NewsAgency, that “it shouldnot be expected that forthis, Cuba has to give upits ideals of independenceand social justice, to givein not even one of ourprinciples or give an inchin the defense of nationalsovereignty.”

The U.S. State

Department did notimmediately respondto President Castro’sremarks. However,CNN reported thatwhen asked whetherthe U.S. wouldactually return theGuantanamo Base toCuba, PressSecretary JoshEarnest respondedwith an abrupt no.

“The naval base isnot something webelieve should be closed,”CNN reported him assaying.

Earnest is alsoreported as saying thatthe U.S. would keep thebase, even after the

prison has been emptied.Some news agencies

reported that the WhiteHouse dismissedPresident Castro’sdemands. (Sources:Prensa Latina NewsAgency, CNN.)

WITH THE CENTERSfor Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) in theUnited States reporting84 cases of measlesduring the first 28 daysof the year, at least oneCARICOM country isalready focusing itsattention on thatdevelopment.

Jamaica’s acting ChiefMedical Officer, Dr

Marion Bullock-DuCasse,confirmed last week thatJamaica was monitoringthe situation in NorthAmerica.

The health authoritiesin Jamaica also said thatthey are monitoring asimilar outbreak inMexico, and are urgingparents to have theirchildren immunized forthe disease.

“Despite this, we haveseen how diseases cancross borders; and so wehave to ensure that wekeep a close watch on thesituation in the US andany other country wheremeasles cases occur,”Jamaica news agenciesreported Dr. Bullock-DuCasse as saying.

She urged, “AllJamaicans …. to ensurethat they and theirchildren are protected.”

This heightened alertin Jamaica comes as theannual tourist seasonpicks up momentum,with an increasednumber of visitorsexpected to visit theisland, especially duringthe next four to fivemonths.

But Dr. Bullock-DuCasse said Jamaicahas been free of endemicor local transmission ofmeasles since 1991, andsaid this is because ofthe country’s expandedimmunisationprogramme.

Meanwhile, theTrinidad-basedCaribbean Public HealthAgency (CARPHA) iswarning Caribbeanpeople to practise goodpersonal hygiene, inorder to reduce the riskof transmission ofinfluenza and otherrespiratory viruses.

The CARPHA advisorycomes as the regionenters the annualinfluenza season.

Dr. James Hospedales,CARPHA executivedirector, said that the“primary form ofinfluenza transmission isthrough interpersonalcontact.”

Caribbean News Now

reports him as saying,“Given elevated fluactivity in the UnitedStates, combined withthe high travel season tothe Caribbean, it isimportant that personstake the necessary stepsnow, to protectthemselves and theirloved ones from the flu.”

THE STREET OF CASTRIES, St.Lucia were washed in a sea ofyellow and orange last weekThursday, as St. Lucians cameout in protest to urge theirgovernment to effect animmediate decrease in fuel prices.

Led by the opposition UnitedWorkers Party (UWP), hundredsof protesters are reported to havehad placards bearing the slogan‘Enough is Enough’, asthey trekked to theWilliam Peter Boulevard,the bastion of UWPpolitical public meetings,where they wereaddressed by at leasttwelve speakers, includingUWP leader AllenChastanet.

The VOICE newspaperof St. Lucia reportedChastanet as saying, interalia, “I want to put KennyAnthony and his Cabineton notice tonight….. . We are nothere only to march to reduce theprice of gas to the same prices asin the rest of the Caribbean.We’re not asking you to bring itlower than the other places in theCaribbean. Just bring it to thesame price that the rest of theCaribbean is enjoying – $10 or$11 a gallon. That is where wewant to see the gas prices.”

In fact, Chatanet is said tohave used the occasion to

heighten theOpposition’spressure on the Dr.

Kenny Anthony-led Labour Partygovernment, warning thegovernment that “…this is onlythe beginning of the fight,” as heleveled criticism on thegovernment for not doing enoughto alleviate the plight of St.Lucians.

The protest came even afterPrime Minister Dr. Anthony hadgiven his government’scommitment last week, to reducefuel prices. Dr. Anthony had at

that time, explained that the nextfuel adjustment could not comebefore April, when the currentthree-month pass-throughmechanism period is complete.

However, Chastanet wasadamant that St. Lucians wantedthe reduction “now”, and as far hewas concerned, the decision to doso should come no later than thenext Cabinet meeting.

He promised that his partywould continue with its protestsuntil government “does the rightthing.” (Source: St. Lucia Voice,St. Lucia Star.)

RegionalV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 5.

President Castrooutlines demands

Measles and Influenza alerts

St. Lucians demand fuel price reduction

Hundreds of St. Lucians took to the streets, last weekThursday, to demand an immediate reduction in fuelprices. (Photo: St. Lucia Newsonline)

Inset: Allen Chastanet, Leader of the OppositionUWP, warned Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony thathis party was prepared to continue its protest untilthe government gave in to its demand. (Photo: TheVoice, St. Lucia)

Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse, Jamaica’sacting Chief MedicalOfficer, confirmed thather country waskeeping a close watchon developments in theU.S., as they related to areported measlesoutbreak.

Dr. James Hospedales,CARPHA executivedirector, called forCaribbean people toadopt proper hygienicpractices to help wardoff influenza.

President Raul Castro addressing the Summitof the Community of Latin American andCaribbean States, in Costa Rica, during which

he made his country’s demands. (Photo:voanews.com)

Inset: There was no direct response from U.S.President Barack Obama, but news agencies in theU.S. reported an all out ‘No’ to President Castro’sdemands. Photo:hayride.com)

6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

DiasporaVStella Boyea-Ashbygets support forSports Ambassadorship

Story and photo by NELSON A. KINGnaking@verizon.netUS CORRESPONDENT

WHEN PRIME MINISTERDr. Ralph E. Gonsalvesannounced the 2014Sports Ambassadors,during the independenceanniversary militaryparade last October, manynationals in the Diasporaexpressed consternationthat arguably one of thebetter, if not the best,netballers in the nation’shistory was omitted.

The call for StellaBoyea-Ashby’s inclusionon the list even grewlouder in recent times, inthe wake of the conferrallast December of theLifetime AchievementAward on football(soccer) great Rudolph“Rudy” Boucher, a formernational football captainand coach, by the fast-rising group, Vincy

Cares, Inc. Some havealso urged that Boucherbe named a SportsAmbassador.

Many former nationalnetballers, particularlythose who played underBoyea-Ashby’s captaincy,have voiced support for

her would-be sportsambassadorship in lightof her sterlingcontribution.

“She was a force to bereckoned with,” Dr. RoxieIrish, ex-national netballstar, who “had theprivilege of playing in St.Kitts-Nevis, Bermuda,Grenada and the U.S.Aunder the captaincy ofthe skillful Stella Boyea,”told THEVINCENTIAN.

Stella represented thenational netball teamfrom 1973-84, when shemigrated to New York.

She captained thenational netball teamfrom 1974-80, and againfrom 1983-84. JoseProvidence was thecaptain from 1981-82.

“Stella knew how toencourage and lead herteam, which she did byexample,” said Irish,“She was fearless, andalways treated everyonewith respect. She wasvery protective of theteam, especially theyounger ladies.”

Irish, drafted into thenational netball team in1980, also describedBoyea-Ashby as a“phenomenon — a bundleof energy, a storage ofstamina, container ofcreative concepts, full offlawless fluidity and a‘States Woman’ to thecore.

“This woman, who welooked up to withmaximum respect andadoration, was ourchampion,” she said. “Iespecially love hergregarious nature; and,today, I can claim her asa true friend.

“So, on behalf of mysisters, Debra andDailene (who alsorepresented the nation innetball) and myself, wesay, thank you, Stella,for the wonderful yearsof playing under yourleadership,” Irish added.“You are simply thebest!”

Gailene Windsor —another former nationalnetball star, who playedunder Stella’s captaincyfor four years, includingin the 1979 WorldTournament, said Stella“has done great inrepresenting St. Vincent

and the Grenadines.“And it’ll be an honor

for her to be named aSports Ambassador,because she representedSt. Vincent and theGrenadines very well,too,” said Windsor, anerstwhile captain andpresident of theBrooklyn, New York-based Hairoun NetballTeam and a member ofthe Brooklyn-based St.Vincent and theGrenadines DiasporaCommittee of New York,Inc.

Judith ‘Baffy’ Cuffy-Murray, who also playedunder Stella’s captaincyin St. Lucia and withNew York-based HairounNetball Team, saidbestowing sportsambassadorship onBoyea-Ashby would bemost meriting.

“She was captain forthe St. Vincent and theGrenadines NationalNetball Team for thelongest while,” saidBrooklyn resident Cuffy-Murray. “She was a veryhard player to look up to.She’s one who deservesthat position because ofher skills on the (netball)court.”

About Stella

Stella Boyea-Ashby,who was born inLowmans Windward toformer St. VincentLabour Party Member ofParliament Offord Morrisand Katura Boyea(deceased), grew up withher late grandmother,Estella Boyea, alongMurray’s Road,Kingstown.

She told THEVINCENTIAN that,though she was called torepresent the nationalnetball team when shewas only 11, hergrandmother did notallow her to do so untilshe was 16.

She said she playednetball for the Girls HighSchool from 1968-75,captained Maples NetballTeam from 1975-80, andthen founded andcaptained Bata JoggersNetball Team from 1981-84.

After migrating toNew York, Boyea-Ashby

said she captainedHairoun Netball Teamfor eight years, startingin 1986.

“I’m always leadingand not fearful of myopponents, because Irelish the competition,”she said.

In recent years, Stellahas dedicated her full lifeto Christ, worshipping atSt. Gabriel’s Episcopal(Anglican) Church inBrooklyn.

She is activelyinvolved in various layministries and, inJanuary 2011, she waselected to serve on thevestry as one of thechurch’s wardens.

After leaving theadvertising business,where she worked for anumber of years forleading black advertisingagencies in the “BigApple”, Stella, a formerVINLEC employee, hasbeen employed atChannel 13, one of theleading public televisionstations in the sprawlingcity, as an ExecutiveAssistant in the station’scommunicationsdepartment.

As for the sportsambassadorship, a coyStella said she “will behonored if it’s done, butit will not be a problem ifit doesn’t happen.

“My mantra is to serveand help my fellowVincentians,” she added.

Stella Boyea-Ashby isthe recipient ofnumerous awards forexploits on the netballcourt, including beingcrowned the 1983 St.Vincent and theGrenadines

Sportswoman of theYear.

“I feel like I’m adaughter of the soil,” sheassured.

Stella is married toVincentian-born Keith(Hadaway) Ashby. Theyhave one daughter,Ariella.

Stella Boyea-Ashby served SVG netball at thenational level for well over a decade.

Dr. Roxie Irish describesher former teammateand captain as a‘phenomenon’.

Gailene Windsor ,former nationalnetballer, says StellaBoyea-Ashby should beaccorded the honour ofbeing name a SportsAmbassador.

Judith ‘Baffy’ Cuffy-Murray,-netballer, thinksStella Boyea-Ashbymerits a sportsambassadorship.

NewsV THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 7.

Drowning victimÊs sisteraccepts death asGodÊs callby HAYDN HUGGINS

TAMEISHA WILLIAMS has accepted lastSaturday’s drowning of her youngerbrother, Cauldric Levan Williams Jr., atPetit Byahaut, on the Leeward Coast ofSt. Vincent, as a call to draw closer toGod.

“I am trying to be strong, I know heis already gone, he can’t come backalive. God knows best. God doeseverything for a purpose. I take this asa call from God to draw closer to him,”Tameisha told THE VINCENTIANduring an interview on Wednesday.She preferred not to be photographed.

Cauldric, a former student of theIntermediate High School, who residedat Redemption Sharpes, was 17 at thetime of his death.

Tameisha, who hails from thatcommunity but is currently employedon the Grenadine Isle of Canouan, saidthat during the week prior to herbrother’s death, she had three strangedreams. She related what she dreamtonly to her boyfriend, but after shereceived the news of Cauldric’s deathshe spoke to her boss about thedreams.

The young woman noted that beforethe strange dreams, she had notdreamt for a long time.

Tameisha also recalled that a fewmonths ago, a woman from theSeventh Day Adventist Church hadgiven her a booklet entitled, ‘Whenwill suffering end’, and she read it fora third time, about a week before herbrother’s death.

“The booklet is always in my bag,even when I am going to work. I wascleaning out my bag and I just read itover, and I went to the Bible for the

scriptures that was written in thebooklet to understand them moreclearly,” Tameisha explained.

Cauldic’s elder brother, LeviWilliams, said, “The post-mortemconfirmed that he died from drowningand we got his body. Nobody didn’tchop him up, shoot him or kidnap him.God knows best, sometimes he doestake life to make us buck up.”

Levy speculated that Cauldric couldhave been somewhere else and his lifetaken under different circumstances.

“God knows best. The most we cando now is to bury him and keepstrong,” Levi said.

‘My little breadfruit tree’

Laverne Williams,Cauldric’s mother,described her son as her“little breadfruit tree.”

“I still ain’t feel good.Everything I want fromthe mountains, he doesbring it for me. When hedone give me dem, hewould kiss me, he neveruse to go to he daddy, ahme he ah come to. If hefeel like ask he daddy fora dollar he go ask him,”the mother of five,Cauldric being the third,related.

She made it clear toTHE VINCENTIAN thatshe is not pleased withwhat happened.

Cauldric’s fatherJames ‘Spirie’ Smart, aresident of RedemptionSharpes but originallyfrom Calliaqua, saidCauldric was born in

Arnos Vale but grew up in RedemptionSharpes. According to him, Cauldrichad been living at the home of oneSydney ‘Tony-C’ Clarke and his wife,Bernice, at Redemption Sharpes forquite a while, but visits their homefrequently.

A picnic turns into tragedy

Cauldric was part of a group thatwent on a church picnic aboard aCatmaran to a beach on the Leewardcoast last Saturdy. Reports are that ontheir way back, they stopped at PetitByahaut, a beach located betweenBuccament and Clare Valley, tosnorkel.

Cauldric, Clarke and another personhad gone swimming when theyoungster disappeared under water.His body was later discovered at thebottom of the sea, during a search.

During a telephoneconversation onWednesday, Clarke toldTHE VINCENTIAN thatwhile the three of themwere swimming together,he noticed that Cauldrichad dropped back and he(Clarke) told him that ifhe felt tired, to go on anearby rock.

Clarke said Cauldricshowed no signs of astruggle or asked for help.“I noticed that he dropped

back, and I told him that if he feelstired to go on the rock,” he reiterated.

When they looked back again, theydid not see Cauldric. His body waslater fished out from the bottom of thesea.

Clarke explained that more than 60persons had gone on the picnic. Henoted that several persons were in thewater, but three of them wereswimming together.

Cauldric’s death has been verypainful for him, Clarke said, notingthat he and his wife Bernice took himas their son, and the youngster spentmost of his time at their home.

Cauldric will be buried today(Friday) February 6 at the KingstownCemetery following a service beginningat 2 pm, at the Faith DeliveranceChurch.

SENIOR PASTOR AL BLAKE, the Elders andmembers of Harvest Bible Chapel St. Vincentwould like to express our deepest condolences tothe family and friends of the late Cauldric“Junior “ Williams of Redemption Sharpes, whodied in tragic circumstances on Saturday 31stJanuary, 2015, at Petit Byahaut.

The leadership of Harvest Bible Chapel will doall in its power to assist the family during thisdifficult period.

Be assured that you are always in our prayers.

Al BlakeSenior Pastor

Harvest BibleChapel mournsCauldric’spassing’

Petit Byahaut, where Cauldric Williams drowned, is a secluded bayfrequented mostly by fishermen and snorkelers.

Cauldric Williams is saidto have disappearedwhile swimming with twoothers at Peiti Byahaut.

Caludric’s mother, Laverne Williams, younger brother Orlando and father James Smartsay they find comfort in believing that ‘God knows best’.

THERE IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH on which towrite concerning this year’s Budget. So I willduck same for the time being, while I gathermore relevant facts in the unfolding drama.

Elections will be held within the next fifteenmonths, when the bell will at last begin to ring.NDP holds a record of sorts, having won fourelections on a stretch-1984,1989,1994 and 1998by a one seat majority, and was forced to go backto the polls in mid-term, where it was mauled bythe ULP.

The ULP won in 2001, 2005 and 2010 by theodd seat, with the next election around thecorner, which they cannot win. For the NDP ismore or less assured of seven seats: 3 Kingstown,2 Grenadines plus North and South Leeward,with East and West St George and NorthWindward favouring it.

NDP has to work very hard to impress fourothers, South Windward, Marriaqua, South-Central Windward and Central Leeward, whilethe Prime Minister’s seat of North CentralWindward seems at the moment to be animpregnable ULP fortress.

The impending elections form the back-dropof the current Budget session.

Instead, I will deal with the exposure ofRalph’s view on the reintroduction of sugar, thatULPites all harp on as explaining thehandicapped nature of the economy which theyhad to lick in shape.

On the specific matter of Vincent Beache andsugar, I will let Ralph speak for himself, indemonstration that he and I entertained similarviews at the critical time.

In Vol 1 No.11 of “Unity” published on 9February 1983, the Doctor said it all.

The Sugar Controversy Cleared Up

(Re-Print from the Cross- Country16thSeptember, 2000 The Dr. Kenneth John Column)

“The euphoria of the return of King Sugar isnow gone. Instead of ‘sweetness for all’, asofficially predicted, there is bitterness. Instead ofsugary success, there is economic vinegar. Sugarhas truly turned sour. The cessation of theelection rhythm ‘Don’t stop this party’ finds eventhe loquacious ‘Sugar Daddy’, Vincent Beache,running for cover, in silence! The disco beat is nolonger, the party is over. Reality has seen tothat, as it always does. Now the nation faces anaching hang-over and an agonising query. Whatdo you do with sugar?

From the beginning, there were voices ofcaution, reflection, thoughtfulness and commonsense about the reintroduction of sugar. Butthese were brushed aside, as the Labour Partyprepared itself to deceive the population andmanipulate sugar for electoral purposes.

“…As the drama of the reintroduction of thesugar industry unfolded, disaster piled upondisaster. Yet, a gullible nation listened to excuseafter excuse from the Labour Government, andpermitted it to lead us to this incredible sugaryquagmire.

“First, the question of the cost ofreintroducing sugar. The 1978-79 Prospectus forthe St Vincent Sugar Industries Limitedinformed us that the estimated cost was in theorder of Ec$10.8million. On February 4th 1980,the Government Information Service (GIS) wassaying that the estimated cost has risen toEC$14 million; by October 13th of the sameyear, GIS told us it was it was EC $17 million.By February 1982, the Government revised the

estimated cost to EC$23 million. At budget time,August 1982, the figure had jumped to EC$28million. Perhaps it is more than this sum. In anycase, there has been a massive cost over-run.

“Secondly, the actual organisation of thereintroduction. Remember, it started since 1975.There was a ¾ acre sugar cane nursery atBelmont; then 8 acres at Wallilabou; then afurther 8 acres at Diamond Estate, and yetanother 60 acres at Langley Park. Thousands ofdollars were thrown into the Rabacca River, asthe coming of sugar just could not come asplanned. The fumbling efforts of the Governmentwere pathetic.

“Thirdly, the old factory from Forest Park,Trinidad. Delays followed delays in dismantlingit and bringing it here, then setting it up. TheCato-Beache duo disregarded all public concernabout the efficiency and suitability of the oldfactory. When it started to function, it showeditself to be a cross between a sieve and a coffeegrinder. The steam-operated electrical generatorwould not work, and the diesel generator guzzledan amazing 1,800 gallons of fuel every day!There were mechanical problems of all sorts,particularly with the boilers and evaporators.

Fourthly, the staff of the factory was notproperly trained. Moreover, political affiliationwas a prime consideration for getting a job. Theresident Labour Party Commissioner inGeorgetown assumed control of much hiring andfiring. All this and more the nation knew.

Fifthly, the sugar lands were distributed on apartisan political basis. There was, and still is, alack of coordination between factory and farmers.Cane was and is being processed after being cutand lying on the ground in excess of thepermissible 72 hours.

Meanwhile, Government carried us intoflights at Fancy.

“... So as the sorry mess piled up, the peoplesuspended their critical faculties as though sugarwas simply government’s business and nottheirs. All last year, I was talking up and downthe country about the recurrent losses plusnearly $2million per year in servicing the sugarloans. Hardly anyone believed. It sounded tooincredible to be true.

“As 1983 opened, Beache shocked GISlisteners with the disclosure that interestpayments were indeed over EC$ 2 million. Buthe sought to suppress reality by talking stupidlyof a break-even point for the industry in two orthree years time. Privately, though, he wasasking the CDB to re-evaluate the project and toconsider all option included a possible closure”.

In sum, “The Labour Party regime bungled sobadly on the management of the reintroductionof sugar, that on that ground alone, itscompetence as a future governing party must beseriously questioned”.

Mitchell, therefore, had a road to walk inimplementing the implications of the FAOReport, and scrapping the sugar industry.

But if Ralph could not revive sugar, he stillhelped to resuscitate the Labour Party and giveit a new lease on life, albeit under his leadership.

And there are people who have remainedhooked on the “old time religion” of sugar withhypocritical talk still echoing the glories of anindustry they were on the verge of closing downwhen they lost office.

THE ARGYLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is a work in progress. Thosedirectly concerned with the construction promise completion by mid-2015, though the Prime Minister more recently moved it to the endof 2015. Even with that vacillation, we can safely conclude itscommissioning will take a longer period after construction isconsidered complete.

Since the 2008 groundbreaking ceremony, the airport hasrepeatedly been propagated as nothing short of being thepanacea to our development aspirations. And while thatlabeling has not attracted much debate, the estimated cost forthe construction has. Estimated cost has been put at $500million at one end of the divide, to $1.5 billion at the other, withthe Prime Minister somewhere in the middle. Only time willshed true light on what was spent to effect the largestinfrastructural project in the history of this fledging nation.

What is also purported is that the Argyle InternationalAirport will have (not attract), conservatively put, four times thecapacity of the E. T. Joshua Airport.

So let’s look a bit at what this new airport means for at least,one economic sector — tourism. That it is expected to raise ourante as far as the export of agricultural and related products isconcerned, is perhaps better dealt with on another occasion.

The Prime Minister, in his 2015 Budget Address, made a callfor private sector interests to join government in providingcomplementary services (i.e. to the international airport) thatwould boost, among other sectors, this country’s tourism.

We take that to mean services in the hospitality industry, aswell as health, telecommunications, and what have you.

The fact that there has not been any visible, appreciableinvestment to complement the construction of the airport, speaksto a wait and see attitude on the part of not only local butmoreso, foreign interests.

That the airport construction comes at a time when theeconomy is not attractive to meaningful, long term private sectorinvestment — investment for profit — is perhaps the first andmajor impediment to investment in this regard. Some say theeconomy is not even attractive to short term investment, saveand except the involvement in the, albeit illegal, cultivation andsale of marijuana.

Even if it was that there were parties considering investing, itwill be some time before any new, real investment becomes areality.

It could well be a chicken and egg situation. One is wont tosay that if there are investments in complementary services, airservices to the new airport will be guaranteed. On the otherhand, investors, in their waiting game stance, may well besaying, show me the potential, show me a guarantee of traffic,and we will invest.

As disheartening as it sounds, the truth is that we are at astandoff as far as the airport being able to attractcomplementary investment in the wider economy. There hasbeen little new investment generally; so would a project, asmuch as Vincentians home and abroad support it, that has hadits fair share of setbacks and immense challenges, make anydifference?

It took St. Kitts and Nevis well over a decade before itsinternational airport could boast that that is what it was. Ittook well over a decade and more before that country could offeritself as a viable tourist attraction. Is Buccament Bay Resortand Canouan enough to carry our tourism aspirations? Whenwill we be adequately prepared?

Air traffic into new destinations does not happen overnight —these are not willy nilly decisions made on sentimentality orsome perceived love for what we have to offer. These are pureand simple business decisions.

For anyone to say, a la IADC official, that the ArgyleInternational Airport will be able to ‘pay for itself’ in ten years,is to hope that private sector interests arrive in drovesovernight, to advance rapid complementary development; thatairlines are lining up aplenty, to fly into Argyle. That type ofwriting does not appear, with any surety, anywhere on the wall,unless the wall is obscured from the people’s purview.

Let’s be honest and accept that, when the construction of theArgyle International Airport is complete, that is merely thebeginning of another long and arduous road towards making itanywhere near the panacea that we hope it would become.

8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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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

Argyle and the call forinvestment Ralphie and Sugar Daddy

WALKING along thestreets of Kingstowntoday, puts me back to myyounger days, 1948 (8 yrsthen).

There was thisvagrant whom we called“Gold Bead”. He was thefirst man I ever saw in afish-tail suit. He wasVincentian alright, butmade well in Venezuelaand sent home his moneyto his wife. As fatewould have it, when hecame back here, therewas nothing in the bank.He took to the streets,

walking the three mainstreets of Kingstowndaily. He slept on agrave in the AnglicanChurch yard, but he hadpride and ambition.Knowing that he hadworked hard, he refusedto beg or look for charityaround Kingstown. “GoldBead” then thought of abusiness plan. He askedmy father, Albert (Fatty)Huskinson for a loan of$6.00. He used this tobuy an ice pick and asugar (crocus) bag, whichhe used for carrying a ¼

block of ice in his barehands, travelling aroundKingstown, selling apenny worth. He didthat all day every day.

“Antoine” of RosePlace, a man withdeformed legs, they werenot round as ours butmade like a boat ears orcutlass. He was also adwarf and a masterbarber, who refused tobeg.

“Jamba Goat Stones”,another ambitious son ofthe soil, could not read,write or count, but

refused to beg. He wouldtransport on foot a bag ofcoals (not a sack) fromthe Kingstown OldMarket to Sion Hill,Rockies, KingstownPark, Green Hill orLodge Village, as far asLowmans Hill for only1s/6p. But you betterhave his pay; he wasn’tleaving without payment.

Then there wasLester, designated theMinister of Health by acalypsonian. He spenthis nights carting awayall your sh…., instead ofgoing about begging.

And he was alwaysdressed in jacket and tie.

My friend “Brucie”,who died on the rock atRose Place, would begmerchants for salt-fishtails, husk and thecoconut jelly, and storedthem on his back and inhis bosom. He neveraccepted money. TheClifton family of Paul’sAvenue caught him intheir shop one night. Alltheir money remainedthere, but the salt fishtails were missing.

Concerned

PLEASE allow me aspace in your newspaperto air my concern.

To the C.O.P., theHead of the TrafficBranch and thePresident of the nationalOmni Bus Association:

What is going on withthe laws of SVG? Arethey meant to be bent ,be broken, or it doesn’tmatter?

I was travellingrecently on a mini bus. Iwas surprised by theloud and obscenebehaviour of theconductor. The musicthey were playing, theway they handled theschool children,especially young under-aged school girls, wereshameful. The driverand conductor had no

pride in themselves, forother people and for God,it seemed. Come on,man. We are notanimals, we are humans.Let’s start behaving likehumans.

Now to theoverloading of the minibuses. I wonder if theyknow that the Insurancedoesn’t cover the buseswhen they areoverloaded. Mini busesare licensed to carry 18passengers, but have 21.Do you remember whathappened at RockGutter, or has it alreadybeen erased from yourminds?

I know, without ashadow of a doubt, thatthere are laws againstthese things. Why arethey not enforced? Inother countries, likeTnT, Barbados, they arevery serious with thesethings. What happen toour sweet SVG?

Come on, Mr. COP,Mr. Head of Traffic, Mr.President. It is hightime we do somethingabout this.

Concerned citizen

MY SINCERE condolences to the families of thevictims on the horrendous accident at Rock Gutter.Words cannot provide the comfort necessary at thistime, and it is hoped that survivors find a way tocope with the memories that will no doubt live onforever. Take time to mourn in silence.

It is pitiful and degrading that politicians havefound it necessary to turn what should be respectedas a tragic incident, into a political circus, in theirdesperation for votes. It is a clear example of howthe poor in this country are exploited, whenpoliticians seek political mileage.

For years, the people of Fancy have been callingfor a cemetery; for years they were without propertransportation. How convenient that it took atragedy and little over 13 years for the ULPadministration to realize this! It is hoped thatVincentians have finally come the full circleeducationally, and political gimmicks are treatedwith the disdain they deserve. No longer is itexpected that the peopleof Fancy and throughoutSVG to vote for onemonth’s attention andprima facie sympathy,versus 13 plus years ofvictimization, highunemployment, negativegrowth, economicdestruction, adilapidated capital and apoor health system; asMr. Gonsalves seeks tobuild his politicaldynasty and increasefamily wealth, while thecommon man strugglesto buy bread (ask BiggerBiggs).If that be the case, thenthe next big internation-al artiste, coupled with aplane landing on theArgyle InternationalAirport to woo us, wouldcomplete the trick — inour love for dolly housepolitics. Are we notsmarter than that?

Knackard Bloke

BRO. Conrad Sutherland was born in1915 in Lowmans Windward, anddeparted this life in 2015, just missingout on celebrating his 100th birthday.

Bro. Sutherland’s involvement inthe Faith — known as Shakerism,Converted or Spiritual Baptists —began after the late George Mc Intoshhad struggled for the repealing of the1912 Shakerism ProhibitionOrdinance that rendered the Faithillegal.

The Faith was registered under theMarriage Ordinance as the ChristianPilgrim Faith. Bro. Sutherlandbecame one of two bishops of the Faithin the 1950s. The other bishop wasPercival Dick.

He also served the Faith well untilthe late Duff Walker James moved thegoal post by establishing the SpiritualBaptist Archdiocese in 1983.

Bro. Sutherland did not support thechange and after the death of Dick,the late Cosmore Pompey waselevated from SuperintendentMinister of the Spiritual BaptistArchdiocese to Archbishop. Bro.Sutherland retained his position asBishop of the Christian Pilgrim Faith.

Bro. Conrad Sutherland introduceda governing council and held monthlymeetings.

At a governing council meeting heldon the 28th July, 2007, at the Mt.

Pathos Spiritual Baptist Church atStubbs, under Bro. Sutherland’sleadership, it was resolved, amongother things, that a committee be setup with the authority to conduct andundertake the necessary consultationand negotiation with the appropriatebodies or individuals, to bring thenecessary projects and programmes tothe Faith so as to establish it as anindependent, self-governing religiousdenomination and legal entity.

The committee made representationfor a Private Bill to Parliament for theincorporation of the Faith, and thatwas achieved.

Much thanks to Bro. ConradSutherland for passing the leadershipof the Faith to his council, headed byBishop Hamil Roban.

At his death, Sutherland had beenelevated to the office of Patriarch withthe Apostolic Spiritual Baptist Faithout of the USA.

We are aware that the PatriarchFaith out of the USA will preside athis funeral to take place at LowmansWindward this weekend.

We pledge to continue the workbegun by Bro. Conrad Sutherland.

We also moan with his children,relatives and friends.

Long live his memory.

Newton George

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 9.

LettersVStreet characters of yesteryear

Tribute to Conrad Sutherland

The Saint James School of Medicine sendscondolences to the families and friends of thechildren whose lives were lost in the tragic accidentthat occurred in Fancy, SVG, on 12th January,2015.

We feel sadness in our hearts over this tragedywhich took the lives of five of our beautiful schoolchildren. We extend our sincere condolences to thefamilies of Anique A. Alexander, Racquel J. Ashton,Jamall T. Edwards, Jamalie J. Edwards andGlenory G. Michael.

We also pray for the survival of the two missingstudents, Simonique P.N. Ballantyne andChanstacia A. Stay, and for their safe return totheir families.

The Dean of Administration at Saint James,Professor Dr. Anwarul B. Siddiqui, M.D. andfaculty member Dr. Hameed Siddiqui personallyattended the funeral ceremony held in Fancy, SVGon Sunday 25 January, 2015. As a member of theSt. Vincent community, Saint James stands by thenation and the families of these children. Ourthoughts and prayers are with them.

Dr. Anwarul Siddiqui, MDDean of AdministrationSaint James School of Medicine, SVG

St. James School of Medicine sends condolences I RECALL that sometime ago,

reference was made to the number ofvehicles on the road, as being anindication of how developed we havebecome. I dare say, that this is quitea misrepresentation, unless thereference to development relates tothe banks, since they are the onlyones that will show growth because ofan increase of sales of vehicles. It is,after all, easier (relatively speaking)to get a car loan than it is to getstart-up money for a businessventure, even though we tout the talkof entrepreneurship and so forth.

The notion that an increase in thenumber of vehicles on our roadsmakes us modern is a fallacy. In fact,given that the road network has notkept pace with the increase invehicular traffic on our roads, thesituation is fast becoming one oftraffic trauma. The back-up of trafficon our roads, especially during theearly morning and afternoon hours, issheer madness.

Even worse is the types of vehicles

that now ‘grace’ our roads. Some arenothing short of gigantic — taking upmore than half the road width, withlittle regard for those who prefer,wisely so, to invest in a small, cost-effective (maintenance) vehicle.

Time that we look at curbing theunbridled importation of vehicles intothis small country of ours. I recallthat a previous government sought todifferentiate between motor cars;some were categorised as luxury,depending on the size of engine, andtherefore attracted a much higherrate of duties and taxes. This wasmeant to encourage the import andpurchase of smaller vehicles, inkeeping with available road network.

I wonder if this was re-introducednow, how many persons would thinkof overdoing it with their choice andnumber of vehicles.

I know this sounds like aninfringement on the right to ownproperty, but we got to make a startsomewhere.

Paul

Too many vehicles

A Fancy Funeral

Enforce the laws, now!

The Issue

One of the interesting features of the2015 budget address delivered onWednesday, January 28th, 2015, was theamount of detail the Prime Ministerprovided to the members of the House ofAssembly, and to the listening public,about the plans of his ULP administrationfor 2015. This is perhaps the most detailever provided by the Prime Minister, andperhaps that this address was his longestsince the ULP took office in March 2001.

Of great interest were the statisticshe provided in relation to developmentsin the health sector. Vincentians havebeen hearing bits and pieces about theongoing work in this sector, but theinformation provided by the PrimeMinister went far beyond theexpectations of most people. Truly, thiswas a story that has not been told bythe media. Even the ULPspokespersons on radio have not beenable to provide such a wide scope ofinformation, even though in some cases,there have been references to the workbeing done.

With this revelation by the PrimeMinister, it is important that we focusour attention further on thesedevelopments in health, as we continueto tell the story; a story is relevant tothe needs of the people of St. Vincentand the Grenadines.

How have we grown?

The ULP administration iscommitted to the central goal of thedelivery of health care system, and thatis to make quality health care availableto all Vincentians, at the lowestpossible costs. In terms of delivery, thepublic health and primary health caresystems are of good quality, andaccessible to all at minimal prices.Generally speaking, the secondaryhealth care system is sound, and thefew gaps which exist, are being pluggedin two ways. First, through adequatemedical assistance abroad, andsecondly, through the visits ofspecialized medical missions. A similarsituation applies to the delivery oftertiary health care.

These systems are backed up byresources which include 105 doctors,650 nurses, including nursingassistants and nursing aides, and 29pharmacists. This year, the ULPadministration will spend just overEC$26 million on the recurrent budgetfor the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital,an increase of 95.9 percent since 2001.

The main health indicators showthat there has been an overallimprovement in the health ofVincentians over the last 14 years. Theindicators show that the average life-span at birth currently stands at acommendable 74 years; Infant mortalityhas declined from 21 per 1,000 livebirths in 2001 to 15 per 1,000 livebirths in 2014; Maternal deaths arerecorded, statistically, at zero; andimmunisation of children below the ageof 5 years against the usual range ofinfectious diseases is outstanding at100 percent.

The Milton Cato Memorial Hospitalhas additional equipment including amodern CT-scan machine, a servicewhich did not exist in 2001. Theparticular specialties or sub-specialtiesin the wide field of paediatric care haveblossomed outstandingly, with the vitalassistance of the World PaediatricProject (WPP), and the MustiqueCharitable Trust, so as to make theMCMH the acknowledged centre ofpaediatric care, including advanced

surgical interventions, in the member-countries of the OECS. The modernpaediatric facilities at MCMH aresuperb, and the medical/surgicalattention delivered of a very highquality.

And there is much more, includingthe modern medical complex inGeorgetown, which will be opened laterthis year, and the developments underthe 10th EDF programme, which willsee the construction of polyclinics inMesopotamia and Buccament, and somedevelopment in health services whichwill affect Union Island in a positiveway.

Added to all this, is the delivery ofhigh quality, low-priced water to 98percent of the households on St.Vincent; improved nutritional levels tosuch an extent that undernourishmenthas been reduced from 20 percent of thepopulation in 1995 to 4.9 percent in2012; and a sound garbage collectionand disposal system that now existthroughout the whole of St. Vincentand the Grenadines.

Conclusion

It is clear to many of us, that theprincipal causes of morbidity in St.Vincent and the Grenadines arediabetes and hypertension, cancer andcardiac ailments, accidents andcriminal violence. It is thus self-evident that most of the healthchallenges are behavioral, manifestingthemselves in our eating and drinkingand so-called modern life-styles, ourdriving on the roads and unsafeworking environments, and violentmisconduct.

Policy implications arise accordinglyfrom these factual observations,particularly in respect of encouragingor facilitating healthier behaviour life-styles. Nevertheless, the ULPadministration will continue to providethe resources to meet the cost of healthcare of our citizens. But we have to becognizant that as citizens, we have acritical role to play in this situation.

We must be aware of the smallnessof our economy and our population, andthe fiscal constraints that exist, giventhe continuing global economic andfinancial crisis. We have to pay greaterattention to the way we live, what weeat and drink, and ensure that we getadequate exercise. We must becomepart of the drive to attain a higher levelof health consciousness in our country,and we must seek to walk the talk. Inthis way we will play our part in thedrive to become a healthier nation.

In 2015, the government willaccelerate the process of reform,upgrading and modernisation of thehealth sector, including the MCMH.Two central policy documents, amongothers, in the health sector will beelaborated in 2015.

The first relates to a comprehensivereview of the nation’s health policy; andthe second, the drawing up of aPatients’ Charter. The review willbuild upon work which is already beingdone. The Patients’ Charter will codifythe rights of patients and their ownobligations or responsibilities inrelation to promoting and achievingtheir own healthy lifestyles.

Next week, we will look at thenumerous projects to be implemented inthe health sector, as we continue to tellthis wonderful story.

Mr. Speaker, I expect that this is the lasttime that I will be replying to theBudget. The people of St. Vincent andthe Grenadines will take that decision.Mr. Speaker, this is not an idle boast.Our people are ‘fed up’ with theperformance, or should I say ‘non-performance of the government.

Today, we have in St. Vincent andthe Grenadines an economy that is inthe doldrums, with negative or lowgrowth for the last several years, withvery high unemployment rates,particularly among the youths; and asociety where crime, particularlymurder, is a major problem, andwhere high levels of rape and violenceagainst women are commonplace andalready attracting dubiousinternational attention. A societywhere many of our citizens arebeginning to question or loseconfidence with the judiciary. Asociety where political victimization isthe order of the day. A society wherepublic corruption is high on theincrease. A society where our majorproductivity sectors of agriculture,mainly bananas, are in the doldrumsand tourism is going nowhere. Thelong delayed and costly ArgyleInternational Airport, continues tocause huge fiscal problems for thegovernment and the economy, becauseof the poor management of thatproject, the largest capital project inour history.

We live in a society where ‘Wronghas been Right’, and the governmentcontinues to delude itself. If I werepaid for every time that project hasbeen delayed, I would be a rich man.On the other hand, if I were madeaccountable for the excessive overrunsand other financial assets, I would beat Belisle cooling out. There are manyin our society who turn a blind eye tothe situation because they are afraidof victimization; so we continue towallow while our country and peopledecline. We also have a NationalInsurance Service for which theGovernment deducted EC$23 millionfrom its employees and held back themonies due to the NIS, thusendangering its liquidity and viabilitywhile at the same time implementingparametric reform.

The Estimates

The financial foundation of thebudget can be found in the estimatesof revenue and expenditure for 2015.Firstly, the estimate amount to EC$971.3 million, approximately EC$28.7million less than a billion for the year2015. This is comprised of EC$675million of current expenditure and$296.3 million of capital expenditure,and on the revenue side recurrentrevenue of $532.3 million and on thecapital side #439 million. There is adeficit of EC$142.6 million.

Annually, we are aware that OtherCapital Receipts is always inflatedthough intended to pay the deficit.What happens, however, and this hasbeen pointed out even in the IMFMission report for 2014, is the causeof the deficit of EC$142 million.Government is often unable to providecounterpart funding for severalprojects, and thus the amountproposed for capital expenditure cannever be realized, thus negativelyaffecting the growth prospects of theeconomy. For instance, as indicatedearlier, EC$330 million was availablefor capital expenditure in 2014, butonly EC$ 147 million was spent. That

was less than half of the amountallocated for capital expenditure, andeven less than that spent in 2013,which stood at EC$151 million. Ihave no reason to expect 2015 to beotherwise.

The International Monetary Fund

During the period November 05 —09, 2014, an International MonetaryFund (IMF) mission visited St Vincentand the Grenadines for the normallyannual Article IV Consultation. It isimportant that we review and makeour own assessment of their finding,preliminary though they may be.

The IMF projected growth in theeconomy of 1.1% for 2014. It shouldbe noted that this growth originatedin the construction, manufacturing,health, education and publicadministration. It should also benoted that the normal productivesectors of agriculture and fisheriesand tourism were not listed. TheIMF, however, was quick to indicatethat the numerical growth rate can beachieved only if there is significantincrease in the airport construction atArgyle. If not, that over-projectedgrowth rate should be lower; but theIMF also said that if agriculture didbetter than experienced, the targetcould be achieved. No observerbelieves that agriculture could dobetter, particularly our bananas. Themission itself pointed out that in 2013agriculture decreased by 3%. TheIMF also pointed out that we canhave 3% growth in 2015 if the PrivateSector rebounds, and they alsopointed to the fact thatunemployment remains high.

In addition, the IMF points to thepossibility of an increase in growth of3% in 2016 if the airport is completedby 2015. They warned, however, thatfurther delay in the airportcompletion will lead to a non-achievement of the 3% target. Theyexpressly hoped that this growth ratewill be achieved since lower fuel costcould lead to more direct flights, andthey have assumed that there will notbe a serious global recession. One cansee from their writings that the IMFis uncertain of the growth process ofSt. Vincent and the Grenadines overthe next few years. A noteworthystatement by the IMF is that thefiscal balance will probably be betterfor 2014. They projected that thedeficit will decline from the high levelof 6 1/4 % of GDP in 2013 to about 4¾% in 2014. Importantly, the IMFmakes the following statement.

While they have pointed toimprovement in looking at root causesof that performance, they see someimprovement in revenues as theypoint to the most important factorthat government has reduced itscapital budget. That is, they havedone less projects. The IMF nowestimates that capital spending in2014 is projected to reach about147million Eastern Caribbean dollars(EC$147 million) out of a budget of330 million Eastern Caribbean dollars(EC$ 330 million). This performanceis even less than the 151 EasternCaribbean dollars (EC$151 millionachieved in 2013.

10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVExcerpts from the Hon. Arnhim Eustace’s2015 Budget Presentation

The untold story of thedevelopments in the health sector

ON MONDAY AFTERNOON, I made mycontribution to the 2015 Budget. Thereis hardly a doubt that the presentationhas created the most buzz. This ispartly because some people have neverheard me so passionately proclaim thatthe Unity Labour Party had a goodnews story to tell, and must tell it if itwere to win a fourth consecutive term .

I spoke of the policies, programmessand achievements of the government inbringing much needed benefits to thepeople of SVG. It was a holisticpresentation in which I dealt with: thebig issues of climate change and theimpact on our small nation; the state ofour health and how with some personaldiscipline and responsibility we can livehealthier lives; of the Petro CaribeAgreement, its positive impact on thenation,and demanded that oppositionpoliticians end the scaremongeringassault on our generous neighbour,Venezuela.

But my good news story is nothingnew. Here’s what I said two days beforethe 2010 general elections in a pieceentitled Decision 2010:

‘On Sunday evening, the 2010election cycle will come to an end. OnMonday morning, we will go to the pollsand cast our vote in what is probablythe most important election sinceindependence. Some say that we will bedeciding our fate for the next five years.Maybe, (because) these elections mayhave more far reaching implications.They may decide the life chances,especially of the poor and the youth, forthe next generation.

‘The central issue facing theelectorate is whether on record ofachievements, development andarticulation of ideas, demonstration ofvision and implementation of its agendaand programs, this governmentdeserves to be returned for a third term.

‘It is truthful and factual to assertthat young people and the poor did notfare badly under the ULPadministration. The youthful gotscholarships to further their education,and parks for athletics and leisure. Thepoor received hundreds of new homesand title to lands on which they oncesquatted. Poverty, especially incidenceof extreme poverty, where people wereliterally unable to keep body and soultogether, was reduced from 25 percentto 2.9 percent.

‘Police men, nurses and civilservants saw their salaries riseappreciably after reclassification. Itmight not have climbed as they mighthave wanted, but the difficult financialand economic situation in the worldmainly accounts for the slowdown anddown turn in economic activity. Even so,the government’s policy of 100 percentguarantee on mortgages for governmentemployees ably assisted many to gettheir own homes.

‘Even in this difficult period, thebusiness community showed no visiblesigns of slacking off. No major lay off ofworkers was witnessed and someexpansion took place. The elderly gotneeded assistance as governmentsubsidy went from $50 in 2001 to $175,with a commitment for a 25 percentincrease by January.

‘Even with this panoramic sketch ofnational progress, numerous problemsabound. More than 20 percent of ourpopulation is unemployed and 30percent remains mired in poverty.Economic growth is anaemic, and crime,drugs, vice and decadence are a plagueon the land.

‘Much has been accomplished, butthe task of national redemption andsustainable development are ahead ofus. Complicating this serious task ofnation building is the fact that the

country is split down the middle. Twowarring parties do battle for thegovernance of the state.

‘A further complication is thatgovernment ministers and PMGonsalves have given large sections ofthe population occasions to pause. Apartfrom the compelling argument that manshall not live by bread alone, manyclaim that rights and freedoms relatingto speech and association are theirprimary concerns. Government, theysay, cannot or should not be credited forbuilding roads and bridges, schools andresource centers, police stations and adiagnostic centre, because that is whatgovernment is all about–putting thingsin place to make people’s lives better.Gonsalves’ simplest of responses hasbeen that good policy is good politics.They say a climate friendly to freedebate rather than a we-against-themsiege mentality must be fostered if thenation is to progress.

‘These views cannot be slighted. It isfor this reason that people accuse me ofbeing confusing. They expect me to picka horse and back it to the end withoutever criticizing. But I am prepared to letpeople keep their opinion while I holdtightly to facts.

‘An opposition back bencher said mycommentaries amount to a virtualendorsement of a ULP third term. Heeven wanted to know why I remainloyal to Gonsalves after my dismissalfrom the Social Investment Fund, andthe government’s refusal to honour thelaw regarding my application for dutyfree concessions on a vehicle. My replywas that our country’s future cannot bedecided by personal grievances orpersonal slights or put downs.

‘My NDP friends frequently lamentthat my writings were one-sidedbecause, while they highlighted thefacts which recommended the ULP for athird term, they failed to showcaseGonsalves’ perceived mean spirited andhigh handedness, his vanity,overbearing and autocratic style ofmanagement.

‘I plead guilty to the charge, for Ihave made those same points whilesparring with Gonsalves and his party.For me though, those weaknesses andflaws of Gonsalves and the manyfailings of the ULP, while importantand can stop anyone in their tracks, areunderwhelming compared to theoverwhelming record of ULPachievements chalked up during thelast ten years.

‘Any sober minded analysis based onobjective standards of measurementscannot escape the fact, not opinion, thatthis ULP government has been moretransformative in its two terms thanthe opposition was during its 17 yearoccupancy of the corridors of power.

‘Facts are verifiable. Opinions areuseful but can be a vexation to thespirit. You keep your opinion. I amprepared to use facts in an effort topersuade others to choose country overself, and people-centered developmentover narrow partisan politics. Thechoice on Monday is yours to make. Iguess you know mine.’

While the ULP continues to build onits good news story, nothing that theNDP has said or done convinces me thatthat outfit is capable or ready forgovernance of SVG.

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions to wefirst@aol.com

“There is an underworld out therewhere the commodity and trading isseedy. We have to be on guard forthose who encourage and profit fromchild pornography, paedophiles, sexslaves, human sacrifices, body parts,etc., etc.” - Jocelyn (Vincentian in theUK)

THE E-MAIL MESSAGES and face-to-facediscussions that have emerged from thetwo preceding publications (episodes)on this topic, Amid Snipers and Snakes,have convinced me that we needed tocontinue the dialogue. The intention isthat as we share insights in this InTouch column, we will create a greaterawareness of some of the snipers andsnakes that may be lurking in our neckof the woods. We are especially mindfulof how these exchanges can assistparents and guardians to be more alertand proactive as we seek to protect ourchildren from the dangers and evils thatmay be lurking in their immediatephysical and cyberspace environment.

Jocelyn, a Vincentian who nowresides in the United Kingdom, sentthrough an e-mail highlighting thefact that the Internet now makes itrelatively easy and attractive forindividuals to prey on the innocentand unsuspecting. We couldunderstand and appreciate that thegreater the Internet access and theless adult supervision of theseInternet activities, the greater thechance of someone pouncing oninexperienced and insecure webbrowser. There had been times (notso long ago) when those of us whoreside in developing countriesassumed that things like identitytheft and the recruitment of sexslaves had been restricted todeveloped countries. However, we areincreasingly made aware of how closesome of these activities have come toour shores. There are individualswho visit some of our territories,offering to arrange marriages andpromising a “better life in a developedcountry”. Others seek to entice youngadults (especially females) to smuggledrugs across national borders, withthe promise that they are highlyunlikely to get caught. They mayeven proceed to commit to providingthe funds and/or legal services tousher in a speedy release, should they(the “mule”) get caught. And whilethe expression “mule” may initiallyrefer to those who “carry the burden,”it is probably fitting to refer to thecarrier in such a manner since it alsodepicts the depth of the folly that theysink to when they agree to engage insuch harmful and dangerousactivities. We are to be on the lookoutfor these snipers and snakes. We areto tell the stories and anecdotes sothat our people learn from themistakes of others. We are thankfulfor the video documentaries (e.g.Locked Up Abroad) that reveal howrisky it is to seek to move illegaldrugs across national borders.

Within recent times, we havelearnt about the terrorist groupsoperating in the Middle East, thathave recruited nationals fromCARICOM countries. These aresnipers and snakes who influence theadventurous, the religious fanatics,and those in search of “quick money”to fight in causes so far removed fromour shores.

I am forever grateful to thefeedback that I receive from readers.One such regular reader from

Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. AldwynLeQuay, shared some most usefulinsights on this topic. He describesthe new breed of snipers and snakesas “hunters who show no mercy”. Henoted that they are very cunning inthe way they would bait their preyand that, once hooked, the outcomecould be very devastating for thehooked. As I reflected on LeQuay’sobservations, I reflected on how manyindividuals fall prey based on theirown lusts, greed, and arrogance. Irecalled those individuals whoreceived letters or e-mail messagesindicating that they had won the lottoin some foreign country. They neverplayed the game, but they still wantto benefit from the ill-gotten gains.Some think that the person or officesending out the notice may have madean error and that they could trick thesystem by responding with theconfirmation that they are therightful owners of the sums of money.Being enticed by greed (and wantingwhat is not rightfully ours) willalways result in pain and heartache.There are many Old Testament andNew Testament passages that remindus of the virtue of not wanting whatothers have. We are cautioned tolabour for what we need. Seeking alife of ease (and giving in to greed)will put us squarely in the pathway ofsnipers and snakes.

There are many old time stories,Anansi Stories, and folk lore thatreinforce the value of being prudentand working hard for what is needed.We need to regularly share thesestories and anecdotes with ourcolleagues, friends, and relatives, aswe seek to build stronger societies;societies where we do not engage insniper and snake activities; societiesin which we avoid the paths of thosewho lurk in the shadowy areaswaiting to pounce on the innocent andunsuspecting; individuals who designand bait their snares and trapswaiting for the gullible and foolish.

Some readers may have takenoffence at my use of the last word inthe preceding paragraph (foolish). Beassured that it is foolish to seek toengage in the activities of theunderworld that Jocelyn’s openingquotation describes. Many have gonein with their eyes wide open,anticipating that they can enjoy thosepleasures for a season. They bear thephysical, emotional, and spiritualscars of those dangerous escapades.Others have been forced into thoseactivities by uncaring adults. Wemust seek them out and, as best wecan, destroy the dark dungeons thatthey have created. And for those whohave been victims of such snipers andsnakes, we remind them that they arestill God’s beautiful creation. Weremind them that there are people outthere (like you and me) who reallycare. We say, “Hold your head high!Let the snipers and snakes know thatthey may have brought you low for aseason, but this is your time now torise, to sing, to fly again ... amidstsnipers and snakes.”

Send comments, criticisms &suggestions to

julesferdinand@gmail.com

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 11.

ViewsVJomo’s Good News MessageAmid Snipers and Snakes (Pt 3)

THE ULP GOVERNMENThas announced that it willsubject Vincentians toeven more taxes. Therewill be new tariffs on currypowder, candles ofparaffin wax, beers, malts,aerated water and a hostof other items, includingprepared animal feed. Thetariffs will be extended toother commodities in duecourse.

For many years,Vincentians havesuffered under the hightaxes imposed by thefinancially incompetentULP regime, and thingswill become worse withthese new tax increases.There is already a highlevel of poverty in SVG,but the ULP regimewants to punishVincentians even more.

Increasing taxes, whenthe SVG economy is soweak, is a backwardstep. It illustrates theincompetence of the ULPregime in managing theeconomy, and shows thatthey do not have a clue

how to boost the economyand create new jobs.

Higher taxes meansless disposable incomefor households. As aresult, people willspend even less money inshops and otherbusinesses, which meanseven more businesseswill close down. As moreand more businessesclose down, there will bemore job cuts and higherunemployment, whichmeans less money forhouseholds …and so thedownward spiralcontinues.

It is foolish to increasetax, as it will diminishfurther the pool ofeconomic activity fromwhich tax can becollected, and will dry upthe economy.

These new taxes willhave a devastatingimpact on businesses,many of which areexperiencing their worstsales levels for decades.These new taxes willcause more poverty

throughout the country.Vincentian farmers willface additional strugglesas they will have to paymore for their animalfeed.

The financiallyincompetent ULP regimehas also announced a 1%increase in the CustomsService Charge, whichwill see it rise to 5%. It isoutrageous thatVincentians faceincreases in customstaxes, yet Taiwan andthe super-rich ofMustique and Canouanget customs and taxexemptions worthhundreds of millions ofdollars.

The super-rich ofMustique and Canouancan buy yachts andaircrafts, and get awaywith not paying any tax.However, if Vincentianswant a beer and a curry,they must pay tax. It isimmoral that theVincentian governmentpractises suchdiscrimination against

Vincentians.A Green government

will introduce a new andfair tax system. Toreduce the burden onVincentians and to helpbusinesses grow andagriculture flourish, aGreen government willabolish VAT and reducethe taxes thatVincentians must pay.

To compensate for

this, we will abolish thetax and customsexemptions given toTaiwan and the super-rich of Mustique andCanouan, which areworth hundreds ofmillions of dollars. TheIMF country report 2014has called for this tohappen. We will alsocollect the tax the super-rich of Mustique andCanouan got away withnot paying over these

past decades.The children of SVG

must come before theimmorality and greed ofthe super-rich ofMustique and Canouan.With lower taxes and noVAT under a Greengovernment, householdswill be more able toprovide for the needs andfuture of their children.

SVG Green Partywww.svggreenparty.org

12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

ViewsVULP regime punishes Vincentians with more taxes

LAST WEEK, you carried my letterinforming Vincentians that the claimin the previous week of THEVINCENTIAN about “What IslamTeaches”, was wrong. I received aphone call from a man I will call“Steve”, since that is what he calledhimself. He wanted to talk aboutwhat I wrote. In over 20 years ofwriting letters to the editor to this andthe other local newspapers, this is thefirst time I ever got a response byphone. Sometimes I got emails wherewe continued discussions off theprinted page. Being wary of Muslims(remember France, rememberTrinidad?), I asked if “Steve” was aMuslim. A simple yes or no question,but the answer was along the lines hewas studying Islam. We would meetat the gas station across from theoriginal Kentucky Fried Chicken.

We met, and he asked if we (I hadbrought along a fellow Vincy preacher)would like to go to a place where wecould relax and talk. Up to this point,I assumed just Steve and I woulddiscuss the Bible and theKoran. While riding with me, he goton the phone, telling people to meethim at a certain place. I retrieved myvehicle and followed him to the“mosque” across from the Girls HighSchool. This was not what I wasexpecting. Eventually there were sixMuslims and myself and myfriend. My friend volunteered to come,and really wanted to come. If hehadn’t, I would be solo againstsix. Three of them wore clericalrobes. Two at least were fromTrinidad. I was in front of theleadership of the new group ofMuslims in St. Vincent. This was notintended to be friendly conversation.

From the beginning, they keptwanting to know where I lived. Thatis the only thing that occurred thatmade me uncomfortable. (rememberFrance?)

In the beginning, they wanted toknow what I meant in my letter. Theyasked if I brought a Koran, and theybrought out a Koran, and whilereading similar passages, they readdifferently. Upon returning home, Ichecked some other passages in adifferent Koran I have, and it wastruly different. I stand by mystatement in the previous letter: theKoran has many variations, a lotdepends upon what version youhave. If you can read Arabic, thereare different versions there also.

In the beginning, they stated that

they believed in Jesus, and the Biblewas a holy book, like the Koran. In atwo-hour discussion that theydominated as best they could, I foundout that “Steve” was a Shiite and he isthe one who submitted letters one andtwo “What Islam Teaches” to THEVINCENTIAN. So much for studyingto be a Muslim; “Steve” is aMuslim. He also has a Muslimname. Wonder why he didn’t identifyhimself as a Muslim in the beginning?

So “Steve” wanted a privateconversation? Not so.

So “Steve” is not really yet aMuslim? Not true.

Was “Steve” interested in what theBible said? I don’t think so.

As the questions kept coming, Ikept giving answers from theBible. Finally the leader keptdemanding I quit reading from theBible, quit quoting scripture. I wouldsay, “My answer is found here in theBible…”, and they still didn’t like forme to quote or read scripture.

They agreed Allah didn’t have a son— and therefore, what I wrote in thefirst letter stands: Allah of the Koranand the God of the Bible are different,radically different.

Since Allah doesn’t have a son,John 3:16 is therefore, not valid tothem.

They do not believe that Jesus isGod the Son.

Did they not notice when Jesus’disciples came to him and asked Himto teach them how to pray, it starts“Our Father…” To be a father, therehas to be a son.

In Matthew through Mark, in theKJV Bible, Father is found 73 times,most of the time referring to God theFather. While they consider Jesus oneof their prophets, most of the 73 timesreferring to God, Jesus spoke the wordFather.

In the Koran, “Father” is found 48times, NOT ONCE referring to theirGod.

I asked them the attributes ofGod. None of the six men mentionedHoly or righteous. Holy is found 16times in the Koran, twice referring tothe Holy Spirit, which they don’tbelieve in, so I can’t count that. Onlytwice does it refer to their God. TheKJV Bible has the word Holy 544times.

Yes, Christianity and Muslims havea different God.

In Christ, Alan Berry

‘What Islam Teaches’: A follow-up

by KENVILLE HORNE

THE PETERSVILLE PrimarySchool staged its week ofactivities to celebrateLiteracy Week, this week.

Christine Martin,Literacy Coordinator atthe School, told THEVINCENTIAN that theweek of activities startedlast Monday and willconclude today, Friday.

Martin said that theyheld a class competitionand a readingcompetition on Mondayand Tuesdayrespectively.

The highlight of theweek was a march onWednesday. It tookstudents, teachers andparents along a routefrom the School atKingstown Park, throughBlock 2000, down NorthRiver Road, taking a leftat the St. Joseph’sConvent, up and downWilson Hill, from whichmarchers took a left turnfor their way back to theschool.

The students, inparticular, donnedcreatively designed andcrafted hats, carryingslogans in keeping withthe theme, ‘Restoring ourNation’s Youth’. Themarchers sang lustily asthey made their trek.

The march attractedthe attention of personsalong the route, withmany commending thestudents on the waythey were turned out.

Yesterday, Thursday,Grade 4 and 5 studentswere involved in a HouseReading competition,and today the entireschool enrolment willparticipate in a readingextravaganza. Eachclass was expected toperform an item indrama, dance, songand/or poetry.

“We are stressing theimportance of reading asfun,” stated Martin.

She shared that “Overthe years, we would

always have the parents’support, and we makethis a part of thecalendar, since reading isknowledge.”

She admitted thatthere is a problem withreading in the schools,and appealed to theparents to do some extrawork with their children.

The PetersvillePrimary School will becelebrating its 50thanniversary this year.

The late Mrs. EdnaPeters started the school,offering lessons underher house. Through theyears, the school hasturned our hundreds ofpersons who have madeand continue to makevital contributions tonation-building.

The administration ofthe school now rests inthe capable hands of herdaughter, Roslyn Peters.

Martin paid tribute to

both educators, quipping,“Hats off to Miss. Petersand her mother.”

Education V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 13.

The march was a happy occasion for those students and adults whoparticipated. Christine Martin is at left front.

THE VINCENTIANfeatured among themany hats that boasteda variety of designsand slogans.

PetersvillecelebratesLiteracy Week

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 15.14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Story: DAYLE DA SILVAPhoto Credit: IADC

CONSTRUCTION WORK at the Interna-tional Airport at Argyle is expected to be completed by the end of 2015, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves assured the members of the House of Assembly. This, he said, was the advice his government had received from the International Airport Development Company (IADC). “We accept these assurances as reasonable,” Dr. Gonsalves said. According to the Prime Minister,

during the presentation of the 2015 Budget last week Wednesday, the excessive inclemency of the weather and delays in the receipt of negotiat-ed funds by the IADC, have ham-pered the pace of the construction of the airport. Among the work to be completed are the Yambou River and other drainage systems, pavement works, airfield lighting and other work related to the design unit, quality control systems, wind studies and the regulatory oversight of the Eastern

Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). Work to be completed on the land site facility includes the passenger terminal building, the control tower and navigational aids, the aircraft, rescue and fire-fighting station and equipment, the cargo terminal, aircraft hangar, fixed base

operation, the airport access and circulation roads and parking lot, other access roads and landscaping.

Scheduled work

The earthworks were now 97 percent complete, Dr. Gon-salves said, with the remaining work expected to be completed by the end of March. Work on the Yambou drainage systems is expected to be completed by the end of April, to allow for the asphalt pavement works on that section of the runway. A significant portion of drainage work was completed in 2014, the Prime Minister said, with the remainder expected to be done

by the end of the first quarter of the year. Asphalt works and concrete works on the aerodrome are scheduled to be completed by the end of May this year, and the process relating to installation of airfield lighting has begun, and is progressing well, Dr. Gonsalves explained. Progress continued on the land site facilities, with the terminal building and electrical substation facilities being completed by the end of December 2013. Work on the control tower has all but finished, and a Canadian company is expected

to undertake the retro-fitting of the tower, and to work on the on-field navigational lighting. The fire and rescue station is complete. Equipment has been procured and is expected to arrive

shortly. The cargo terminal will be retro-fitted by the end of the third quarter, and the IADC has allocated space for the construction of three private hangars. “The IADC has also earmarked a parcel of land for lease to a private firm, for the construction of a fixed base

operation to provide specialised service to private jets, and high networking individu-als,” Dr. Gonsalves said. The fuel facility is expected to be constructed by Rubis, and will be completed by the end of June. The access roads to the airport site are in progress, and should also be completed by the end of June, the Prime Minister assured.

Non-construc-tion matters Regarding concerns not directly related to the physical construction, Prime Minister Gonsalves informed that wind studies at the site of the Argyle Interna-tional Airport are ongoing, and that those studies complet-ed to date show

no crosswinds sufficient to affect the safe operation of the airport. His disclo-sure came amidst concerns about cross-winds coming from different quarters – political and non-political – of the society.The Prime Minister also disclosed, though he did not specify name and

number, that several airlines have expressed

interest in adding St. Vincent and the Grenadines to their routes. He expects that air services agreements will be confirmed during the first half of 2015. A similar time-frame has been accorded the process leading up to the finalisation in respect of manage-ment of the airport. Cost to completion of the Airport is set at EC$729 million, according to the Prime Minister.

PM: Airport heading for end of year finishPM: Airport heading for end of year finishPM: Airport heading for end of year finishWork being done on the Southern Turning Head of the runway.

The Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Station, shown here still under construction, is now complete.

The Control Tower is complete and awaits retro-fitting. Terminal access road under development.

Substantial paving on the commercial apron has already been undertaken.

Work continues on the retaining wall at the terminal parking lot.

Preparing to pave the general Aviation apron.

Work continues on the path through which the Yambou River will be re-routed.

16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

DIGICEL, LOVEand a CARDIGICELCUSTOMERShave achance towin a SuzukiSwift vehiclethisValentine’smonth,February.

In a showof love forits many,many, manycustomers,bothprepaid andpostpaid,Digicel has launched its Valentine’smonth promotion, which required thatits customers text ‘CAR’ to 1130, for achance to drive away in the Swift.

Each text costs $1.00 and acustomer can text as many times as heor she desires.

“Our customers truly have inspiredus ever since our launch here in SVG,and this relationship has only grownstronger and stronger, so during themonth when appreciation is best

shown, we thought we should dosomething significant for ourcustomers,…. ,so we decided to go forsomething big to give!” said JohnGidharry country manager, of thepromotion.

Digicel continues to find new andinnovative ways to show ourcustomers how much they mean to us,especially in the month of love,assured the telecommunicationsservice provider in a release this week.

NewsV

The car that’s up for the ‘winning’ in the Digicel Valentine’sMonth Promotion. It’s no gimmick.

“IF YOU ARE into bananaproduction and need a marketfor your bananas, the FSC ishere to assist you.”

That was the word fromCharlene Garrick, Manager ofthe Farmers SupportCompany.

Garrick, in a release fromthe Ministry of Agriculture,dated February 4, 29015,confirmed that the FSC, “ispresently buying bananas at$18 per box.”

The Manager admitted thatmany farmers are not awareof the initiative, and therecent release to the mediatargeted banana farmers,encouraging them to take fulladvantage of the opportunityfor selling their producethrough the FSC.

“I know some farmerswould remember that this wasdone in the days of sellingbananas for the Fair Trade, sothis is something sort of like

that, that we are bringingback…,” Garrick is quoted assaying.

The manager pointed toencouraging signs in therehabilitation of the bananaindustry.

She alluded to the “plants”that were distributed on theLeeward and Windward sidesof the mainland St. Vincent,as beginning to bear fruit.

According to the Manager,recent weekly shipments ofbananas have been showing asteady increase.

IN ORDER toencourage outstandingVincentians to studyin Taiwan for highereducation, AmbassadorBaushuan Ger of theRepublic of China(Taiwan) will makepresentations on 2015Taiwan Scholarshipsat SVG CommunityCollege and OpenCampus of theUniversity of the WestIndies (UWI).

The firstpresentation will beheld at the Division ofTechnical andVocational Educationon February 12 at10:00 a.m. The secondone will take place atthe Division of Arts,Science and GeneralStudies on February18 at 10:00 a.m. Thethird and the lastpresentation is to beheld at UWI OpenCampus on February 26 at 4:30 p.m.

The aforesaid presentations are aimed to briefthe audience on general information on thecategories, benefits, qualifications, requirements,and application procedure of the Scholarships. Mr.Gordon Shallow, President of SVG Taiwan AlumniAssociation, Ms. Tasheka Haynes, President ofTaiwan ICDF Alumni Society, and their membersare invited to share the experience of study inTaiwan at the presentations.

The Embassy welcomes Vincentian students whoare interested in pursuing undergraduate andpostgraduate degrees, including a 4-yearpostgraduate program for medicine study inTaiwan, to attend the presentations. (Contributed)

Students to learn moreaboutScholarships toTaiwan

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 17.

News V

Weekly shipments of bananas are said to be showing asteady increase.

FSC buying bananas

Ambassador BaushuanGer of the Republic ofChina (Taiwan) will leadthe presentations that willhighlight highereducation opportunitiesavailable in Taiwan.

FOLLOWING twoconsultations held in ruralareas here, a number ofindividuals met lastSaturday, January 31, atthe UWI Open Campus,Kingstown, and formaliseda Cannabis Revival

Committee (CRC).According to a release

reaching THEVINCENTIAN onWednesday, theCommittee is founded onthree primary pillars ofconcern related to the

use and cultivation ofcannabis:decriminalisation andlegalisation; alternativelivelihood; and medicalcannabis.

The Committee’sdeliberation of Saturday

endorsed the view thatthe illegalization of the‘herb’ (cannabis) retardsthe development andprogress of our youthsand, by extension, thevery future of ourcountry, giving rise to its(Committee) call for thedecriminalization of cannabis, and ultimately, itslegalization.

The gatheringrecognised thedesignation possession ofcannabis - no matter howsmall the quantity — as acriminal offence in SVG,and noted that manypersons, particularly theyoung, are imprisoned asa result and are deemedcriminals henceforth.

While recognising thatcultivationand distribution ofcannabis as a major

contributor to theVincentian economy,albeit informal economy,the CRC accepted thatthis cannot be good forSt. Vincent and theGrenadines, and calledfor alternative economicoptions, including thepromotion of safe andsustainable alternativeuse of this plant.

With respect tomedical cannabis, theCRC gave wholesomesupport to the efforts ofPrime Minister Dr RalphE. Gonsalves, aimed athaving CARICOMleaders engage in thisdiscussion, and urgedthis body “to stopdragging their feet on thematter.”

According to the CRC,CARICOM leaders “mustalso consult, engage and

include all stakeholdersin their cannabis reforminitiative.”

Last Saturday’smeeting saw an interimcommittee being elected.The executive includesJunior ‘Spirit’ Cottle —Chairman, Alvin BuffaCollins - GeneralSecretary, HassanKennedy - FinancialComptroller, JPSchwmon — Secretary,Bongo Shaka Dabreo -Public Relations Officer,

Empress ModupeOlufunmi - EducationOfficer, and Committeemembers Ajit Duncan,Ras Yacob and Ras Zebi.

The CRC plans to hostseveral consultations andeducation initiativesacross the state.

18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News V

by KENVILLE HORNE

AN EXCITING ‘TalentExpo’ is scheduled forSaturday 28th Februaryat The Clive TannisPlaying Field, PortElizabeth, Bequia.

The ‘Expo’ willshowcase the talents ofresidents of Bequia.Performances areexpected to feature adiverse range of musicalgenres, and othercomponents of theperforming arts.

The event isorganised by the non-profit organisationcalled Rise up Bequia.

One of the Directorsof the organisation,Dillon Ollivierre, saidthe organisation’smission is to build andstrengthen core ideasand practices ofsustainable community

development, education,agency and outreach.

“Rise up Bequia is ona quest to improve thelives of others. It hasprovided substantialsupport to the Red Crossduring the Decemberfloods of 2013. Lastyear, we providedsupport to 140 schoolchildren affected by thefloods of 2013, paintedand cleaned the BequiaLibrary, and providedgift vouchers valued$100.00 each to 33children still reelingfrom the Decemberfloods,” Ollivierre said.

“With the support ofthe general public, Riseup Bequia can continueits outreach,” suggestedOllivierre, who added,“Rise Up Bequia’smandate and successfulmission willdemonstrate how acts of

generosity and long-term effects ofselflessness willcontribute to an active,healthy and sustainablelocal community.”

Entrance fee to the‘Talent Expo’, slated foran 8:00pm start, is$20.00 for adults and$10.00 for children 12years and under.

Some of the persons who met last Saturday to formalise the Cannabis Revival Committee.

CannabisRevivalCommitteeformalised

Dillon Ollivierre,Director of Rise UpBequia, is confidentthat his organizationcan fulfil its broadmandate when itattracts support fromthe public.

Rise up Bequia tohost Talent Expo

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 19.

Court VStories by HAYDN HUGGINS

ABOUT SIX MONTHS after twins Mike and MichaelPrescott appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Courton a charge of attempted murder, they were back incourt charged with firearm and ammunition possession.

The twins, along with Showayne Phillips, allresidents of Lowmans Leeward, appeared at theSerious Offences Court on Monday charged with

possession of, without licences, one LakefieldMossbery 12-gauge shot gun, five rounds of 12-guage ammunition, and one firearm, make andserial number unknown.

The offences were reportedly committed lastFriday, January 30, at Buddy Gutter, LowmansBay.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges beforeChief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias.

Mike Prescott hasbeen charged separatelywith having withoutlicences, an AceiatoVichor 12-guage shot gunand two rounds of 12-guage shot gunammunition.

Those offences werealso reportedlycommitted at BuddyGutter on the same day.He pleaded not guilty toboth charges.

The three men wereremanded followingobjections to bail bySenior ProsecutorAdolphus Delpleche, whoinformed the Court thatthe police were stillconducting theirinvestigations. He alsoindicated that thePrescotts were on bail foran offence in which afirearm was allegedlyused.

Delpleche assured the Court that the Prosecutionwould have been ready to proceed in relation to thethree defendants by yesterday (Thursday). Theywere represented by attorney Israel Bruce.

The Prescotts, 24 at the time, had appeared atthe Kingstown Magistrate’s Court June 18 last year,charged on three counts of attempted murder inconnection with the shooting of Lowmans Leewardresidents Kenny Edwards, Kelon Baptiste andAskey Roberts; three counts of possession of afirearm with intent to endanger the lives ofEdwards, Baptiste and Roberts; and three counts ofunlawful discharge of a firearm.

Those charges stem from a shooting incident atLowmans Leeward, June 16, 2014. A PreliminaryInquiry in relation to that matter is slated forMarch 4.

Some nine months afterRobert ‘Bobby’ Montano,93-year-old Trinidadianbusinessman, and holderof his country’sHumming Bird Medal,was allegedly beaten andleft unconscious at hishotel room on theGrenadine Isle of Bequia,Vincentian teenagerRecolson Quashie hasbeen committed to standtrial in connection withthe matter.

At the conclusion of aPreliminary Inquiry (PI)at the Serious OffencesCourt on Monday, ChiefMagistrate RechanneBrowne-Matthias ruled

that a prima facie casewas made out forQuashie to answer.

The 18-year-old ofCemetery Hill, Bequia,will be tried in the HighCourt on charges ofattempted murder andaggravated burglary, at asitting of the CriminalAssizes.

The chargesreportedly stem from anincident at a well-knownhotel in Bequia betweenApril 8 and 9 last year,during which Montanowas beaten in the headand relieved of an I-phone.

Six witnesses testifiedfor the prosecution at theP.I, including Montano.

Montano was said tobe vacationing with hisson, Ronald Montano, inBequia, when theincident reportedlyoccurred. He had visitedBequia on previousoccasions.

Montano was flownback to Trinidad withinhours of the incident, ina plane owned andpiloted by Ronald, aformer BWIA pilot, andwas warded at the St.Clair Medical Centre,Port-of-Spain.

Montano underwentsurgeries to the head andeyes and is still

undergoing therapy forone of his hands. Hemoves around with theaid of a wheelchair.

Montano’s HummingBird Medal, bestowed in1975, was in recognitionof his contribution to theeconomic and culturaldevelopment of Trinidadand Tobago. He iscredited as one of thosepersons responsible forestablishing the PointLisas Industrial PortDevelopmentCorporation(PLIPDECO).

EVEN as persons hereassociated with the useof cannabis/marijuanaformed themselves intoan organization todemand changes to thelaws governing the use ofthe herb (see page 18),the courts of SVGcontinue to enforce thelaws that make thepossession of marijuanaillegal.

As recent as thisweek, three men wereeach granted $180,000bail with two sureties,when they appeared incourt charged inconnection with theseizure of 224,276 grams

of marijuana lastSunday.

Tevin John and RaolyBowens, both of RosePlace, along withRaffique Dopwell ofOttley Hall, are chargedwith possession of thedrug with intentto supply, andpossession for thepurpose of drugtrafficking.

The men werenot required toplea to thecharges whenthey appearedbefore ChiefMagistrateRechanneBrowne-Matthias

at the Serious OffencesCourt on Wednesday.They will return to Courton April 27.

The trio was arrestedduring a police operationoff the coast of Bequialast Sunday.

Marijuana is said to be grownextensively in SVG.

Trio charged in ganja haul

Michael ‘Twin’ Prescott (left) and Mike ‘Twin’Prescott were on bail for other offences whenthey appeared in Court on Monday to answer todifferent charges.

Twins on gun charges again

Teenager RecolsonQuashie will face theHigh Court on chargesof attempted murderand aggravatedrobbery.

Trini businessman’smatter for trial

Robert ‘Bobby’Montano returned to St.Vincent, in a wheelchair, to testify at thePI.

Dear George,

I KNOW that you might saythis is none of mybusiness; but I am movedto say that one day whileat work at a hotel, I wasshocked to see a certainindividual entering a roomwith a woman, who is agood friend of my wife,and who is married tosomeone I know. 

This man I am talkingabout also has his wife,

and I am sure she will gostone crazy if she findsout what he is doingbehind her back.

My question to you is:What should I do aboutwhat I saw? I want to dosomething.

Unsure

Dear Unsure,

You are so correct insaying it is absolutely

none of your business,and besides, as a workerat a hotel, you arerequired to be andremain veryprofessional.

In this case, going

about leakingconfidential informationto the outside can bedeemed unethical, andcan result in damagingthe image of the hotel.

Your business there isto do your task to thebest of your ability, andnot to be concernedabout who is coming andgoing.

George

Dear George,

THERE is this girl whom I havealways admired from a distance, untilone day I got bold enough to ask herout. We have been going steady nowfor one month.

After I committed myself to lovingher, I discovered that she has a veryoffensive body odour, which I somehowdid not pick up earlier. I haverealised that this is a permanentproblem with her, and I am veryconcerned about it.

I am someone who loves to smellgood, and I am worried that my girl’sbody odour will affect my ability to bewith her. I do not know how to tellher about it. What if when I tell her,she decides to leave?

PHEW!

Dear PHEW,

You have had enough time to raiseyour concern with to your girlfriend. Arelationship should be built onhonesty, and you are required to behonest with her and let her know.Why not tell her, and together comeup with a plan for solving thisproblem? You may be surprised byhow easy such a problem can beresolved.

My advice to you is that the nexttime you smell her, you should tellher. Good Luck!

George

20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

AdviceVKeep your silence

Dear George,

I HAVE ALWAYS wanted to be with one woman,but now that I am in a relationship with abeautiful woman, I am seeing many otherbeautiful women whom I want to be with. I do notknow how to say this to my girlfriend. I amwondering if I should suggest to her that she allowme to be with at least one of these women, or elserisk losing me totally. I know she loves me andmight want to compromise and agree to mysuggestion. At least I will be honest when I tellher that, and should be given credit. Don’t youthink?

Curious

Dear Curious,

Let me see if I got you correctly. You areplanning on disrespecting your girlfriendby asking her to grant you the privilege of datinganother woman, while you are still together, andwill threaten to leave if she does not agree.

You need to be honest with her and let herknow that you are not ready to settle down, andthat you feel the need to date more until you canfigure out what you truly want. In this way, youare asking if she could move on with her life andleave you to your fantasies. If you can do that,then that will be an exercise in perfect honesty.Go ahead and be honest! She needs to benefitfrom your honesty.

George   

Permission tocheat, please

Not smelling like a rose

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 21.

LeisureVACROSS

1.Harmful4. Specification

(abbr.)8. Proposer’s

support12. Broad street

(abbr.)13. Pocket for

feta14. Capitol __15. Part of L.A.16. Sacred

picture17. “__ Well…”18. Bric-a-brac

bit21. Bandleader

Brown22. Toxin26. Bordered29. No longer

working(abbr.)

30. Bandleader Kyser

31. Lone __32. School

vehicle33. Clever

people34. Cain’s

mother35. Asian holiday36. Slip-up37. Grain sower39. Tennis round

40. Play modi-fied for TV, e.g.45. Attention-

gettingSound

48. Filched49. The limit,for some50. Footgear51. Sommer of

“The Prize”52. Vexation53. Work the

bar54. Husky’s

vehicle55. Natalie

Cole’s dad

DOWN

1.Pitcher’s illegal

motion2. Bard’s river3. Lucy’s ‘50s

costar4. Added liquor

to5. Selects6. Collar style7. Appetizers8. Slacks shade9. Zero10. Building

addition11. High trains19. Musical sign

Aries (Mar. 21- April 20)Look at the big picture. Don’t let astressful moment interfere with a loveconnection. Chill out, slow down andenjoy the simple things in life. When itinvolves money, be business–like tokeep an arrangement open and honest.

Taurus (Apr. 21- May 21)Love is in the stars! An intense loveexchange could have some of youracing to the altar. There is too muchhappening in your life to get involved inother people’s drama. Focus on yourown priorities. Hard work will pay off –be patient!

Gemini (May 22-June 21)Life is about to enter the first classcategory! Your financial position is setto improve with your budget catering tochampagne tastes. A creative conceptcan show others that you are a classact. Join the A–list party goers to findlove.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)Prepare to be lucky in love! Affectionatemoments are yours for the asking.Someone’s caring and sharing attitudecan win your heart. A familyenvironment brings emotional security.Spending money on your homeprovides enjoyment.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22)Your work wish–list can now begranted. Schmoozing the boss can go along way in rising up the ranks. Moneymix–ups are possible – double checkfinances. A creative idea could be astroke of genius, don’t underestimateyour ability.

Virgo (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)If you have an influx of cash, invest itwisely. Be careful of divulging personalbusiness, not everyone is trustworthy. Ifyou want to get your message across atwork, communicate to the right people.To let love in, share inner thoughts.

Libra (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)This is your time to shine! An abundanceof planets signify the commencement ofa new solar cycle. You have the powerto change your life; all you need to do ischange your attitude. When it concernslove, listen to your heart. Powerful andpassionate feelings provide you with allthe answers you need.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)Venus radiates love vibes in yourdirection, your popularity is on the rise.When all else fails at work, use yourcommon sense to find answers. Healthand happiness go together. When lifegets hectic, you need to look after yourwellbeing. Long hours giving back toothers can take its toll.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)To keep more money in your pocket, becreative. Your next move at work cancause a domino effect of newopportunities. It’s a chain reaction thatputs you in a positive position. Whenlove and friendship go together, it can belong–lasting.

Capricorn (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)Looking for love? The love of your lifecould be associated with work. Love andlife take time to perfect. Don’t sit backand wait for life to happen, when it’sabout your career, fight for what youwant. Family communications needattention, keep your schedule flexible.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)Money setbacks can now diminish with

extra cash due to head your way. Wheneveryone is emotional about familymatters, you can be the practical one. Ifsomeone is being difficult, it may be timeto tell him or her a few home truths.

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)Money setbacks can now diminish withextra cash due to head your way. Wheneveryone is emotional about familymatters, you can be the practical one. Ifsomeone is being difficult, it may be timeto tell him or her a few home truths.

20. Hotel’sextra bed

23. “__ it!”24. Cereal

grasses25. Wall St.

market26. Lady lambs27. Cooing bird28. Happy

feeling29. Worn track32. Scolds33. Electrical

unit35. Newscaster

__ Koppel36. Lost air38. Out of style39. Feed a

furnace41. Opinion __42. The fat __

the fire(2 wds.)

43. Green podsfor gumbo

44. No, to Yuri

45. California’s time

(abbr.)46. Ship’s

pronoun47. George W., to

Barbara

LA

ST

WE

EK

’sS

OL

UT

ION

by DAYLE DA SILVA

THE NATIONAL INSURANCESERVICES (NIS) is afinancial, non-bankinstitution, and ought tobe treated as such.

So said Leader of theOpposition, ArnhimEustace, during hiscontribution to the 2015Budgetary Debate.

According to the 2015Estimates of Revenueand Expenditure,Government’s obligation,as an employer, to theNIS is projected toamount to EC$57.9million.

And although the localsocial security systemhas been in existence fora short time, Eustacewas of the view that thegovernment was alreadyfinding itself in a “bind,”to generate the funds

required for payment tothe NIS.

It was revealed inAugust last year that thegovernment was guilty ofdeducting NIScontributions from civilservants, but not turningit over to the institution,resulting in governmenttaking to Parliament aresolution to enter intoan agreement with theNIS, to raise the EC$15million it owed inoutstandingcontributions.

But Eustace said, inhis presentation, that allefforts must be made toensure the sustainabilityand viability of the NIS.

“You can’t do that andhold back thecontributions to the NIS,One counters the other;they need the liquidity atthe NIS.” Eustace

explained. “They (NIS) need the

cash to invest, and makemore money… to put iton a sound footing — youcan’t take away themoney, deduct it frompeople’s salary and thendon’t pay it over; that’s acriminal act.”

Eustace recalled thatone of the decisions hemade during his tenureas chairman of the NISwas to go to the civilservants and requestthat they make adecision to either remainon the government’spension programme, orcome over to the NIS.

NIS for all of us

He said that he didnot want the civil servicementality to contaminatethe NIS, but rather have

it operate as aprivateinstitutionand becausethere is aproblem withgovernmentpensiongrowing at avery rapidrate.

The changewas made forcivil servantsto come overto the NIS,and Eustacesaid that heinsisted onhaving it donein thismanner,because hehad faith thatthe institution was goingto remain, come whatmay.

“Therefore,” theOpposition leaderappealed, “all should beconcerned when it comesto ensuring the NIS isviable and sustainable,or else in the long run, itwill no longer be able tomake the type of

payments that is beingoffered today.”

He reminded theHouse that thousands ofpeople will depend on theNIS for their pensions.“We already pushingback pension age; youknow why, because weworried about viability,”said Eustace.

“[The] NIS should bethere till God comes for

his world because youare committed to paypeople’s pensions untilthey leave this earth,” hecontinued.

“So we don’t see itfading away; it has tostay and it has to remainviable at all times, inorder to meet itscommitment to thepeople and not be a drainon the government.”

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ANTHONY

“AGRICULTURE IS CRITICALto the nation’sdevelopment.”

Agriculture, Forestryand Fisheries MinisterSaboto Caesar reiteratedthis during hiscontribution to the BudgetDebate last weekWednesday, and assuredthe House and the nationthat, “We are not afraid ofchallenges,” and thatwhen problems arise, “itis our job to findsolutions.”

Caesar traced thehistory of the bananaindustry, the focus ofmuch national discussion,as that industry faced ahard road to recovery.

And while he said thathe was not blaming theopposition NewDemocratic Party for thedecline in the industry, heprovided statistics tobolster his presentation,and made it clear thatneither was the ULP toblame.

In disputing that the

drop in the number ofbanana farmers hadbegun in 2001, Caesarprovided information towit, that 53 per cent ofthe banana farmers leftthe industry between1993 and 2001.

A former recipient of abanana scholarship,Caesar pointed out thatthere was a “fundamentaldifference between abanana field and thebanana industry.”

The Minister moved toassure that his Ministrywas re- building thebanana sector “in asustainable and viablemanner.”

He boasted of hisadministration’s subsidyon fertiliser, currently ata price of $80 per sacksince the fall in oil prices.

For Caesar, the BlackSigatoka was not the onlything which hampered theindustry.

Among the steps aimedat reviving the crop wasthe strengthening of theTissue CultureLaboratory where 60persons are employed.

“Efforts will besustained to revive thebanana industry,” he toldthe House, as herecognised how importantthe industry was tosustaining ancillaryservices and vice versa.The case of the decline inactivities at the ContainerCorporation as demandsfor boxes fell after 2010,was highlighted.

During the period,Caesar admitted thatsome banana farmershave turned to othercrops. This was provingproductive as SVG wasable to record a 98 percent penetration of the

root crop market inTrinidad and Tobago.

The question of over-production, however,occupied Caesar’sattention. Plans to sendsome of the produce to theUnited Kingdom, usingthe same vessels thattransport bananas, havebeen arranged.

The AgricultureMinister was particularlypleased with the increasein prices for rhizomes,and announced plans toplant more arrowroot.

He noted thatArrowroot Starch wasselling at US $50 a pound,but that “farmers werenot rewarded sufficiently.”

Caesar assuredVincentians that therewill be enough livestockfor local consumption,even though a brisk tradehas developed for cattle toGrenada. A Cuban expertin Artificial Inseminationis scheduled to arrive herein less than a week.

The theft fromlegitimate farmers is aworry to Caesar. He isalso concerned about theremoval of animals. He ishoping that when thePolice stop and searchvehicles for stolen items,travellers will not feelinconvenienced.

Caesar outlined areciprocal trade withGrenada, and advancedplans for a local Spiceindustry.

He praised theoperations of the FarmersSupport Company, andannounced $6M more forfarmers to borrow at twopercent interest.

Caesar praised farmersfor repaying the loansthey have taken so far.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

OFFICIAL WORD fromthe St Vincent and theGrenadines Coast Guard(SVGCG) is that recoveryefforts for the remains ofthe two students involvedin the deadly crash atRock Gutter on January12, 2015, have beentemporarily suspended.

Head of the SVGCG,Commander BrentonCaine, told THEVINCENTIAN that thesearch for the missingbodies have been calledoff, pending any furthermajor development.

This decision wastaken on January 25,Caine said.

He, however, statedthat the Coast Guard arestill on the lookout forany signs, during routinepatrols.

Up to press time,Wednesday, the bodies ofChanstacia Stay, a Form3 student of the North UnionSecondary School, and SymoniqueBallantyne, a Form 2 student of theGeorgetown Secondary School, havenot been recovered.

During a media briefing hosted bythe hierarchy of the Royal St Vincentand the Grenadines Police Force andthe Coast Guard on January 21, itwas disclosed that the only break todate was a report by a fisherman,that he had sighted what was said tobe a human limb, off the Owia

Fisheries Complex. But Petty Officer Lennox Williams,

specialist diver with the local CoastGuard, said he responded andconducted a search along the area,but after hours of searching, nothingwas sighted.

Stay and Ballantyne were amongthose on board the mini-bus whichplunged into the sea on the morningof January 12, killing five includingJamalie and Jamall Edwards,Racquel Ashton, Anique Alexanderand Glenroy Michael.

22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

NewsVEustace worried about NIS

The National Insurance Services provides pensions, disabilityassistance and a list of other services, to both public andprivate sector workers.

Movements in Agriculture

Minister of AgricultureSaboto Caesar says hisMinistry is not afraid ofthe challenges facing theagriculture sector.

Search for missingvictims called off

CommanderBrenton Cainegave official wordthat the search hadbeen called off,though he expectshis regular patrolswill continue tokeep an eye out forany signs of themissing persons.

V THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 23.

TEENAGED CYCLIST Zefal Bailey hasnotched up another Cyclist of the Yearacclamation.

Bailey took the top award when theSt Vincent and the Grenadines CyclingUnion held its 2014 awards ceremonylast Saturday night, at the MurrayHeights Hotel.

Participating in category one overthe last year’s cycling calendar ofevents, Bailey triumphed in five racesand placed second in the other eight.

He nipped Cammie Adams, whoparticipated in nine events, placingfirst in seven and third in the othertwo.

This effort also propelled Bailey tothe top of Category One riders, and headded another trophy to his cupboardwinner, winning the award for theBest Performance in an Event, havingrecorded the fastest average speed in a35-mile road race.

Bailey, who was named Cyclist of

the Year in 2013, is not ruling outcopping the title a third straight year,when the 2015 awards are hosted.

“I am going for it again, to make itthree in a row,” Bailey said.confidently.

Topping the category Two was the

‘ageless’ Peter Durrant, whoparticipated in all thirteen events onthe 2014 calendar.

Orel George, who contested elevenof the thirteen races and who rides inCategory Two, was named the Most

Consistent Cyclist.And, Lucky Antrobus copped the

Most Improved Cyclist of the Year,edging out Marlon Wilkinson for theaward.

The immediate futureLast Saturday’s event saw several

sponsors being presented with tokensof appreciation.

Addressing the ceremony werePresident of the St Vincent and theGrenadines Cycling Union, TrevorBailey, and Minister of Tourism,Sports and Culture, Hon. Cecil Mc Kie.

The Cycling Union’s head disclosedthat St Vincent and the Grenadines ison course to receive a BMX cycle track,courtesy the US Cycling Federation.

Bailey also revealed that during thismonth, ten cycles will arrive tofacilitate the continuation of theGrassroots Cycling programme.

The cycles, he said, would comefrom the Pan American CyclingFederation.

Among other plans of the SVGCycling Union is the move toestablish a women’s commission, whilein October of this year, St Vincent andthe Grenadines will host theCaribbean Masters Championshipswhich, according to Bailey, has beenalready oversubscribed.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

THE ST. VINCENT and theGrenadines FootballFederation (SVGFF) iswithout an elected FirstVice-president for thesecond time in less than twoyears.

This has come aboutfollowing the immediateresignation of the man whoheld the post up to Monday,Kenton Ollivierre.

On Tuesday, Ollivierre,who was elected to the postfollowing the departure ofLloyd Small, tendered hisresignation, and cited hisabsence from the state for apossible prolonged period,for his decision.

“Just a year ago, I’ve hadthe distinguished honour toserve football on thenational level. I anticipatedat the time to serve the fullremaining tenure of thecurrent executive up toApril 2015.However, mypersonal and familycommitments have changedconsiderably over the pastfew months, requiring me tobe out of State for aconsiderably butunexpectedly long period”,his letter explained.

He said that he had tried

to keep abreast of what wastaking place with the sport,even while being out of thestate; but it appears thatthis has resulted inproblems developing, “inthat my continued absenceis now being used in somequarters to create mischiefthat does not mirror mysteadfast commitment to thedevelopment of the sporthere”.

Ollivierre said that, asalways, he decided to putthe interest of football aboveself, and this resulted inhim taking this decision,cognizant that Elections aredue in April, two or somonths away.

The former 1st VP saidthat he foresees no majoradministrative problem withhis departure, since hereceived information thatsomeone has already beencharged with theresponsibilities of technicalmatters, which fell withinthe purview of the 1st VP.

Trevor Huggins, GeneralSecretary, said DominicStowe, Committee Member,has been handed theresponsibilities but not theposition.

“We do not think that

with two months before theAGM, that it would makemuch sense in electingsomeone to the position, soMr. Stowe is handlingthings until them,” Hugginsexplained.

President Venold Coombs,in responding to a questionabout Ollivierre’sresignation, seemed not tooconcerned, choosing just tosay that it was a few“matters relating toimmigration” that appear tobe affecting Ollivierre’smovement.

Ollivierre was popularchoice to replace Small whoresigned, citing 21 reasonsfor ending his tenure of justover two years. Among thereasons was what hedescribed as possiblemanipulated fixtures in

competitions run by theSVGFF.

Ollivierre resoundinglydefeated Osborne Bowens ina two- man contest for theposition, and promised then,to work in the best interestof the sport at all times.

He once again reiteratedthis in the closingparagraph of his letter ofresignation: “I have giventhe current executive mybest wishes. I remainsteadfast in my commitmentto the game, and willcontinue to serve diligentlyat all levels. I look forwardto returning to the localfraternity when my familycommitments allow me to sodo”.

SVGFF First VP resigns amid claims of mischief

Zefal Bailey: Topcyclist for 2014

Zefal Bailey- poses with his trophies.

Dominic Stowe, CommitteeMember, in charge ofTechnical Matters duringthe interim.

Orel George (right) – the MostConsistent Cyclist - receives hisprize from President of the SVGCycling Union- Trevor Bailey.

Tops in the category two- Peter Durrantaccepts is award from JacinthaBallantyne.

Outgoing 1st VP, KentonOllivierre.

Lucky Antrobus gets his MostImproved Cyclist award fromStephen Joachim.

24. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

SportsVTHE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINESFootball Federation (SVGFF) will bepaying out more than fifty thousanddollars in prize monies this year, toteams taking part in the NationalCommunity Inter-league competitionwhich kicks off this weekend.

President Venold Coombs said thatthe prizes show that his executive isserious about football.

“You never had all these moniesbeing paid out to football, and thecoming on board of business houses isa clear indication of the confidencethey have in this executive.”

Chairman of the tournamentcommittee, Elroy Boucher, said at amedia briefing Wednesday, that teamsstand to benefit a great deal morethan in previous years, with moniesbeing offered for wins at all stages.

The championshipswill be contested inSeniors, Under 17,Under 13 and Femaledivisions, with allwinners pocketing noless than EC$3000.00.

The winners of theSenior division will earnthemselvesEC$10,000.00, with therunner up gettingEC$7,000.00, the third placeEC$3,000.00 and the fourth placeEC$1,000.00.

The Under 17 champion will haveEC$5,000.00 to split amongthemselves, the losing finalistsEC$3,000.00, third place EC$1,000.00and the fourth place finisherEC$500.00.

The Under 13 topteam will put themselves in line tocollect EC$3,000.00, the runner upEC$2,000.00, third place finisherEC$1,000.00, with the team endingfourth collecting EC$500.00.

The winners of the Female divisionwill earn themselves EC$3,000.00,runner up EC$2,000.00 and third

place finisherEC$500.00.

In addition to theend of competitionprize monies, teamscan pick upincentives along theway, based on theirvictories. Boucherpointed out thatthere will be anaward of $100 foreach win in firstround; $150 foreach win in secondround; $200 foreach win inquarterfinal; $250for a semifinal win.

Boucher saidthat there are 18teams taking partin the seniordivision and theyhave been placed inthree groups of sixteams each.

He listed theseas Group A:defendingchampionsBarrouallie, North

Leeward, Bequia, Buccament, EastKingstown and South East; Group B:Central Kingstown, South Leeward,Georgetown, North Windward, SionHill and Stubbs; and Group C: WestKingstown, Arnos Vale, Calliaqua,Gregg and Marriaqua.

The three top teams from each zonealong with the best overall 4th placeteam will qualify for the second round,with the second round being twogroups of five teams. And four teamsfrom each group will qualify for theknockout stage, Boucher said inoutlining the format.

The SVGFF will be partnering withMobile Telephone Provider Digicel andthe St. Vincent Brewery, through itsflagship product Hairoun, in makingthe 2015 National Community InterLeague a reality.

While not disclosing the extent oftheir sponsorship in dollars and cents,Daniella Cupid of Digicel and KelvinFranklyn of the Brewery both gavetheir company’s commitment inhelping to make the tournament anoverwhelming success.

Franklyn highlighted the Brewery’slong association with the sport andsupporting the SVGFF to “hold yourown,” while Cupid pointed to thebudding extraordinary love affairbetween soccer and Digicel across theregion.

The opening fixtures on Sunday atthe Victoria Park will see Layoutaking on Calliaqua from 5pm, withSouth Leeward facing off againstCentral Kingstown from 7:30.

Community Interleague offeringmore money

THE TEN-YEAR REIGN BYGTM Prospect as undisputedchampions of the CalliaquaFootball League, came to anend last Sunday, February 1.

Upsetting the apple cart wasnew entrant to the competition,Diamond United, who togetherwith their merry band ofsupporters, left the CalliaquaPlaying Field buoyant withexcitement.

A hat trick from DeomajiSamuel and one from JimmyProvidence, left the perennialchampions for dead, as

Diamond United came away 4-1 winners. Jolanshoy McDowald scored the consolationgoal for Prospect.

It was a win that pleasedDiamond United’s managerYolande London.

A smiling London said thatshe was especially happy at theachievement, as many of theplayers are inexperienced.

“We did not expect to winthis big, since we were comingup against an experienced team….Our team wanted it morethan ever and they went outthere with that attitude,”London accounted.

London said that the teamtested its skill and readiness inthe Stubbs League last year,albeit with very little success,but considered it good groundfrom which to launch its entryinto the Calliaqua competition.

Before encountering Prospectin the final, DiamondUnited bolted pastChoppins in thesemifinals.

Double strikes byKevin George andCurlan Joseph, andgoals by DeomajiSamuel, Kendal Josephand Jimmy Providence,saw Diamondovercoming Choppins,seven-nil.

In the othersemifinals, Prospect

choked Maxx Strikers, 5-1.Responsible for Prospect’s

win were Ojoy Degrads withtwo goals and one each fromLezlo McKenzie, ReginaldPayne and Osei Thompson.Iteba Browne netted the lonegoal for Maxx Strikers.

Prior to last Sunday’s final,Choppins hammered MaxxStrikers seven goals to one totake the third place onSaturday.

Five goals from DoranQuashie and one each fromKenroy Joseph and Esron Dukecompleted the goal spree forChoppins.

Calvert Parris converted aconsolation penalty for MaxxStrikers.

The presentation of prizeswon in the competition willtake place at a later date,according to the organisers.

Diamond ends Calliaqua’s reign

Competition Chairman Elroy Boucher and BreweryRepresentative, Kelvin Franklyn.

Diamond United - champs of the 2014 Hairoun BeerCalliaqua Football League.

Yolande London, manager ofDiamond United, admittedthat her team did not thinkthey could win that big.

President Venold Coombs andDigicel’s Marketing Executive DaniellaCupid.

IN CONTINUING ITS PREPARATIONS for thiscountry’s participation in the 2015 SpecialOlympics World Summer Games, in Los Angelesfrom July 25th — August 2nd, the local SpecialOlympics Committee was represented at a recentHeads of Delegation Conference.

Janice McMaster, National Director of SpecialOlympics SVG, represented this country at theconference, held in Los Angeles, California, fromJanuary 21 to January 26.

According to McMaster, the conference focusedon athletes’ registration, venues, transportation,meals, Healthy Athletes programme and mattersrelated to the media.

Delegates had an opportunity to visit theirhost towns; St. Vincent and the Grenadines ishosted by the City of Thousand Oaks.

SVG has not participated in the Games for thelast ten years, and McMaster said, attending theconference “…was very important,” adding, “Weare taking a large number of athletes to theGames, each with particular needs; so it wasimperative that SVG had a first-hand view of thesporting facilities and venues, accommodationand transportation system.”

Over 170 countries andapproximately 7,000Special Olympics athletesare expected to attendthe 2015 SpecialOlympics World Games.

Special Olympics SVGdelegation comprisesthirty-three individuals;26 athletes, 5 coachesand 2 officials.

The athletes willcompete in Aquatics,Athletics, Bocce, Footballand Tennis.

Special OlympicsNational Sports CouncilBldg, Arnos Vale, P.O Box2955, Kingstown Tel (784)530-5278 Fax (784)457-1764 www.sosvg.org Email info@specialolympics.org Twitter @so_svg

SVG represented at SpecialOlympics Conference

Janice McMaster,who attended theSpecial OlympicsHead of DelegationConference in LosAngeles, said it wasimportant that thiscountry attended,given its extendedabsence from recentGames.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 25.

SportsV

WORLD CUP CRICKET bowls off in one week ina low-keyed fashion. That is for West Indies fans.People are so disillusioned with the state of affairsthat they are not keen on investing any part oftheir soul by following the fortunes of their squad.

If the team notches up a win or two and putthemselves in contention, there will be increasedinterest. If they stutter, people will say, ‘I toldyou so and that’s the reason why I don’t have timewith West Indies cricket’.

We have to take the tough times with thesmooth. We have to stay with the West Indies. Itis a question of nationhood. We can’t be carriedaway with the insularity and fuel that divisivetendency.

The stage is set for the National Awards whichcomes off tomorrow at Spring Gardens on thesouth eastern coast of mainland St. Vincent. Thatis a splendid setting introduced last year.

There were reservations about that venue, butthere was a strong belief in the facilities providedthere, and the exercise proceeded in near precisionand with complete satisfaction. There will begrouses, and that is something to which we willhave to become accustomed.

Athletes must be rewarded. I applaud and willencourage everyone to fulfil their natural gifts.Talent alone is no guarantee for success. Manypersons with lesser ability have prospered betterthan those blessed with raw ability.

West Indian athletes, except for the Jamaicansprinters, those who shine with an occasionalburst of magic, display a lack of mental toughness.Quite often, they drop their guard whenconsistency is needed.

Viv Richards analysed what was going onaround him. We might be subtle about it, butthere is an extent of racism that pervades sportingendeavours. Tribalism ought not to be toleratedneither in sports or any sphere, but persons havethe right to assert their dignity in any situation.

It is obvious that a coat of racial prejudice hascrept into sport. We hope that a balance wouldbe develop in time, across the sporting register.

Sporting authorities are trying to clamp downon racism in the games. But the rules will have tofoster more genuine efforts at equality for thescourge of discrimination to the erased.

Athletes and administrators will have to get ridof the lingering human instinct of self-centrednessthat is often too common.

My attention was drawn to the practice bysome persons to jump on the band wagon. The fastfood syndrome has influenced our style ofoperation.

We must put structures in place to capture thetalent of our youngsters, especially when theyprogress to the Community College. A nursery ofathletes ought to be available from which ourfuture teams are based.

At this moment, the squad to take part in theWorld Cup qualifiers in June against Guyanashould have been in intense training. They havethe Windwards Tournament before Guyana. Wefaltered last year in that competition and wereeclipsed by St. Lucia.

Players must be fit and ready, and there mustbe depth on the bench.

Self-belief must be our foundation and we mustplan ahead. There ought not to be a scramblewhen we are faced with opportunities to progress.Of course, things must be taken in stride, butcontingency plans have to be part of the process.

The Football Federation must spearheadarrangements. Football is big business. Sport hasthe potential to be a major industry in nations likeSt. Vincent and the Grenadines. We have to bealert to make use of the opportunities.

Rough and smooth

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

“I DEDICATE my century to myformer coach and manager,OrtisJack.”

These were the words of SVGopener Gidron Pope, after hittingan unbeaten century to spur histeam Radcliffe to a 43-run victoryover Victors TWO, in the NeilWilliams National T20competition on the weekend, atthe main Arnos Vale PlayingField.

Jack, who was Pope’s coach atthe Under15 level and a seniormanager up to the time of hisdeath, held the post as U15, U19and Women’s coach over theyears. He succumbed to cancerwhile undergoing treatment in theUSA last Tuesday. He was 46years old.

Pope said that his associationwith Jack was a good one as healways encouraged him to try toimprove his game.

“He was like a father tome…helping me to be a betterperson and to try and work on mygame. He would tell me to tryand bat long, to let the bowlerswork for my wicket and topractise hard.”

Pope made 104 in pushingRadcliffe to 175/2 in their 20overs. He enjoyed a partnershipof 87 with Romano Pierre (29) forthe first wicket, and added afurther 86 with captain LindonJames (28) for the second wicket.

He had one life when he wasput down on 91 at cover off pacerDawnley Grant. He struck sevenfours and seven sixes, with hispenchant for the legside in fullevidence. Pope also showed goodpresence of mind to turn thestrike over by counting 21 singlesin his innings.

Victors TWO retain some prideby batting out their 20 oversfinishing 132/6, with Kirton Lavia38 being the topscore, asWestwick Strough 3/30 led thebowling.

And Team Rivals put inanother impressive display towarn pretenders to their crownthat it will not be easy for thetaking, as they flattened the upand coming Combined Youths by88 runs.

The two teams had begunproceedings by engaging in aminute’s silence for the passing ofJack.

Team Rivals, behind animperious 85 from CasmondWalters, another high class halfcentury from Hyron Shallow,gallivanted their way to 197/6 offtheir 20 overs, after a slow start.

The pair added 142 for thesecond wicket after the early lossof Marvin Small (4) with the totalon nine.

Walters hammered seven sixes,included four off successive ballsfrom legspinner Marlon Farrell,who took the peculiar decision torun between theumpire and thestump. He alsostruck fourfours whileShallow (56)counted sevenfours, many ofthemexquisitelydispatched tothe coverboundary.

They both

went within a ball of each otheras Team Rivals lost four for eightin two overs, with Left-armerNickie Antoine being a denied ahat trick when a sitter was putdown on the long off boundary.

Combined Youths were given afiery baptism by pacey KesrickWillaims with the loquaciousOneil Endeavour being the maintarget and suffering a painfulblow to the forearm.

But after taking their foot offthe pedal, Team Rivals were stillable to get home by some distanceas Combined Youths ended on98/3 in their 20 overs, with thetalented Elton Joseph (40) beingthe most assured.

The SVG Table TennisAssociation (SVGTTA) mournsthe passing of one of its formerNational Female Players, VandaAnita Providence- Pype.

Anita, as she was known tothe TT fraternity and family andfriends throughout St. Vincentand the Grenadines, diedsuddenly on January 22nd, 2015,at her home in Sion Hill.

She won the National FemaleSingles Title on several occasionsand represented SVG during the

1970s and early 1980s.She is also remembered for

teaming with national playerslike David ‘Sky’ Llewellyn andElliot Charles, to compriseformidable mixed doubles teamsthat performed creditably bothlocally and regionally.

The Association is saddenedby her loss, and extendscondolences to her family.

She would be laid to rest onthe 12th February, 2015.

TT mourns passing of former champion

Oneil Endeavour (left) received apainful blow to the forearm.

Combined Youths (left) and Teams Rivals pay their respects to theirfallen colleague, Ortis Jack.

Pope dedicatescentury to fallen coach

Ortis Jack (2nd from right) in the midst of a lighthearted moment with his cricketing colleagues.

OpinionV 26. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Bigger Biggs Lynchingand the UN-IDPAD

The tragedy of tragedies in St. Vincent and theGrenadines...Let there be no repeatI HATE TO SAY IT, but prior to 2002, Ipredicted that a tragic accident involvinga passenger carrying van would occur.That was my reason for writing thearticle (clip attached) in the Searchlightin May 2002. During a visit to thecountry of my birth that year, I observedthat there was a lot to be desired of thedriving habits in the beautifulmountainous Island of St. Vincent.

You are preparing to invite the widerinternational community to visit thecountry by the imminent commissioningof the International airport, and there isalready a vibrant cruise ship sector ofthe tourist industry In St. Vincent andthe Grenadines. Many tourists savemoney for many years to attend one andonly one cruise in their entire lives. St.Vincent and the Grenadines would beone of the intermediate destinations theywould be visiting, and as such theywould like to feel safe when visiting theIslands. There are also visitingbusinessmen who frequent the nation.

Many people prefer to use publictransport whenever they visit St.Vincent and the Grenadines. They preferto be infused with the communitybecause the citizens are very friendly.

It is a very good thing that publictransportation is privately owned in thecountry because it provides employmentopportunities for many citizens, with

minimal interference by the state. Thatinterference is in the form of licensingthe vans (called maxi-taxis in Trinidadand Tobago).

In my article on the subject in May2002, I made mention of thedisplacement of the centers of gravitywhen temporary seats are placed in theaisles of the vehicles, and the ill effectsof that practice. The transportationsystem is very reliable when it comes totaking passengers to and from theirvarious destinations. However, when itcomes to comfort and safety during thetrips, passengers are disenfranchisedbecause of the way they are packed likesardines in the ‘vans’. I like the ideathat there is a conductor in every van. Itis not an absolute requirement inTrinidad and Tobago. There arehowever some negative attributes to thesystem that must be corrected. Duringone of my visits to the Island, I wastraveling to Georgetown. I had to let thedriver know that he was drivingdangerously. A female passenger (aboutmiddle age) said that they liked the fastdriving. She went on to add that theydon’t want to travel in slow drivingvehicles. The driver’s response to mewas that I should disembark from thevehicle if I did not like the way he wasdriving. I did disembark. I would like toimpress on the local authorities the

gravity of the situation that haspermeated the public transport system.It must be corrected as soon as possible.Some of the factors to be addressedinclude:

1. The number of passengers forwhich vans must be licensed must becommensurate with the number ofpassengers for which the vehicles weredesigned to carry. Those that are nowlicensed to carry eighteen to twenty-one(or more) passengers were designed tocarry not more than about 13(the smallones). In order to accommodate 18 — 20passengers, some of them are made to sitalmost sideways on one buttock.

2. If the Manufacturers did not installseats in the aisles, no temporary stoolshould be placed there. The passengersand temporary stools become projectilesin the event of the application of suddenbraking or collisions.

3. In my article of May 2002, I mademention of the fares. The low fares maybe encouraging drivers to ‘hustle’,especially during peak hours. It wouldbe better to increase fares along with thereduction of the number of passengersthe vans should carry.

4. The state must urgently embark oneducating drivers, passengers and othercitizens via the various media to enablethe dismantling of the negative culturalattitudes relating to the behavior of van

drivers, conductors and manypassengers.

5. One of the seats in the vans shouldbe allocated to the conductor. Thepractice is: when a van is over-filled toexcess capacity (technically), theconductor squeezes himself into the vanby the door. His person virtually rests onthe adjacent passengers in a mostembarrassing manner.

6. The local tourist organization of thegovernment (and also private ones)should introduce certificationprogammes for drivers and conductors inmethods that would encourage visitors tosell the country as a tourist destinationas far as the public transportationsystem is concerned.

7. The packing of passengers is notonly unsafe as has happened in thetragedy. It is also a health hazard topassengers.

It is my hope that the authoritiesconcerned act with dispatch to arrest thesituation, so that passengers would becomfortable during their journey.Condolences to aggrieved persons and toSt. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I would be happy to lend someassistance in this regard.

Carl Darwin Cupid, B. Eng, MSAE, R. Eng. (T & T).Accident Reconstruction Specialist

by LUZETTE KING, Host GlobalHighlights

ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011, LeonSamuel aka Bigger Bigs waslynched, economically.

With the start of the 2015Black History Month(February), the ongoing missionof CARICOM to seekreparations for crimescommitted by Europeansagainst the ancestors of peopleof African descent in thewestern hemisphere and theDecember 10, 2014 launching ofUnited Nations InternationalDecade For People of AfricanDescent (UN-IDPAD) between2015-24, it is quite fitting tohighlight Bigger Bigs’predicament. Noteworthy alsois the fact that we are one weekaway from the fourthanniversary.

Without due process asprovided in our constitution andspecifically under The Town andCountry Planning Act, theRabacca-based business, BiggerTrucking and BlocksConstruction Company Ltd, wasclosed by Order of the nowfamous SR&O No: 2 of 2011. Inthat Order (Saint Vincent andthe Grenadines Statutory Rulesand Order, 2011 No. 2 Gazettedon 11th February, 2011), whichis also cited as Protection ofEnvironment (Rabacca) Order2011, ‘Bigger Biggs’ license tosand mine was ordered revokedand his crushing plantdecommissioned, summarily. Atthe time, Bigger Bigs business

was a growing one, worth morethan $11million, and had over60 workers which included anexecutive team of nearly allyoung, black women.

This gazetted attack pointsdirectly to the cabinet (executivearm) of the Ralph Gonsalves-ledUnity Labour Partyadministration. While in thepreamble of that Order, muchado is made of the findings ofthe Physical Planning andDevelopment Board, there is nomention as to whether theBoard recommends the closureof this business and thedecommissioning of its crushingplant. With the support of histechnical team, well-wishersand sympathizers, Bigger Biggshas been able to prove that thatSR&O No: 2 of 2011 is simplybogus and that he was singledout for this treatment.

Given the subtle but directattack against this youngbusinessman of African descent,his workforce and their familiesand the yet-unclear motive, onecan argue it resonates thefinding in the 2012 InterAmerican Commission onHuman Rights (IACHR) report:The Situation Of People OfAfrican Descent In TheAmericas. This finding, whichwas also presented toCARICOM Heads of state attheir 33rd meeting (July 2012),is that where the populationstend to have majority of AfricanDescendant populations, theissue of race is more complexand more subtle. It states

further, “while there is lessovert racism in Caribbeancountries, indirectdiscrimination remains aproblem, in addition to strongstructural paradigms thatexacerbate inequality betweenthe races.”

The ‘Bigger Biggs’ atrocityhas been highlighted throughvarious acts of protest,newspaper writings, radiodiscussions, social media blogsand of most significance a pressconference on November 12,2014 with a panel of some of themost prestigious in theirrespective fields: Marlon Mills,Environmental ManagementConsultant; Philmore Isaacs,retired Chief AgricultureOfficer; Glenford Stewart, CivilEngineer and ManagingDirector at Stewart EngineeringLtd; Clive ‘Bish-I’ Bishop,Agricultural DevelopmentSpecialist and Soil Specialist.

As a result, Prime MinisterGonsalves, who often boasts hisPortuguese inheritance, nowclaims to have been wronglyadvised, and has since revokedSR&O No: 2 of 2011. Hecannot, however, be exoneratedwhen the findings of legalexpert, Queen’s Counsel StanleyJohn is that: “…in the course ofthe review of the provisions ofthe Act, there is no role forCabinet to review or approvedecisions of the Board which aremade in relation to applicationsfor development under the Act.Accordingly, any usurpation ofsuch a function by Cabinet as is

being suggested would be ultravires the Act.”

Guided by historicalaccounts, Bigger Biggs is buttwo generations from slavery:his grandfather, Harold Samuel,was the son of a slave. Hence,his plight and that of others inthe African diaspora is evidentin the theme for this UN-IDPAD, which is, “People ofAfrican Descent: Recognition,Justice and Development”, andthe main objective of thisInternational Decade, is topromote respect, protection andfulfillment of all human rightsand fundamental freedoms forpeople of African descent asrecognized in the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights.

Implicitly, therefore, such adeclaration coming from theUnited Nations indicates thateven after 200 years and morethat slavery was abolished andthe slaves were subsequentlyemancipated in the westernhemisphere, a major issue isthat of disregard for and actualdenial of the fundamental rightsand freedoms of people ofAfrican descent. The tragiccircumstances in the UnitedStates involving Mike Brown ofFerguson, Missouri, and EricGarner of New York are starkreminders. Brown wasunarmed and at a distance ofsome 145 feet away from thepolice who shot and killed himon August 9, 2014. Garner waschoked to death by police whoheld him in a chokehold on July17, 2014, even as he was crying,

“I can’t breathe, I can’tbreathe”.

Much like the murder of EricGarner and Mike Brown, theheartless attack against BiggerBiggs, his workforce and theirfamilies is symbolic of the daysof slavery when in the eyes ofthe slave masters, Africanswere seen as of the lowestranking of the animal kingdom.They were also met withcommensurate treatment and aprime example of thiscomparable treatment in SVGtoday, is David Ames. He ownbusinesses that are evidentlyenvironmental hazards but arenot regulated in the same way.

More to the point, though,the Bigger Biggs story isindicative of the need forCARICOM nationals and inparticular Vincentians, to takemore seriously the call forAfrican reparations, IACHRreport and the theme andobjectives of the UN-IDPAD. Infact, this 2015 Black Historymonth provides an opportunityfor national focus on theseissues.

And whereas “high regardand commendation” to PrimeMinister Gonsalves arerecorded in Hansard “for hiscommitment to, anddetermination, in initiating thereparations conversation at thehighest level of regionalgovernmental authority and forpushing forward the fightagainst European Conquest,Genocide, the Trans AtlanticSlave Trade and Slavery,Colonialism and forreparations”, we can expect noless than a specialparliamentary session on theUN-IDPAD.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015. 27.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2015 VOLUME 109, No.06 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

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FOR

SALE

by KENVILLE HORNE

OPPOSITION NDP SENATOR Linton Lewiswas thrown out of the House of Assembly

on Tuesday, by House Speaker HendrickAlexander, after he told Prime MinisterDr. Ralph Gonsalves that he was lyingduring the PM’s Budget rap up.

Cross talk ensued between theOpposition Senator and the PrimeMinister after Dr. Gonsalves suggestedto Senator Lewis that he read.

The Senator took offense and askedthe Prime Minister if it was he alonewho read.

The cross talk continued, and it wasduring the heated exchange that Lewisaccused the Prime Minister of lying.

The Opposition Senator’s accusationdid not hold well with Alexander, whodeemed the statement as“unparliamentary,” and asked Lewis toleave the House, without beingwarned.

But Lewis contended that thestatement had been used in the Housebefore by the ULP members, and hesingled out Minister of State, JulianFrancis, in this regard.

“Julian Francis has been saying allthe time that people are lying”, saidLewis to a subsequent interview withTHE VINCENTIAN.

No respect for the Speaker

Lewis made it clear to THEVINCENTIAN that he has no respectfor the Speaker.

“I don’t expect anything better from

the Speaker. I am from the same areathat he is from, and I don’t expectanything better from him. I wouldhave been very surprised if he haddone something good in the House,”said Lewis, who is expected to contestthe East St.George seat against ULP’sCamilo Gonsalves, son of the PrimeMinister.

“I have absolutely no respect for theSpeaker, and I never had any for him;but by virtue of his position, I amsupposed to accord him respectbecause of the rules of the House. Iwould have been presently surprised ifthe Speaker did something for me torespect him outside of the House”,Lewis told THE VINCENTIAN.

Semator Lewis claimed that theSpeaker “is stretching his power toofar. If I say to you that you are notspeaking the truth, then am I sayingyou are lying? Suppose I shoutedacross to him (Gonsalves), ‘you are notspeaking the truth’, is the same assaying you are lying,” said theSenator, who is also a lawyer.

Regarding the Prime Minister’scomment about reading, the Senatoradmitted that he took offense and didask the Prime Minister if it was healone who read.

“I think to my mind that he wastotally improper, and I asked him ifhe thinks he alone reading. Otherpersons read too. How can he say

whatever he feels like in Parliamentand get away with it, and no one elsecan?” Lewis queried.

Senator Lewis’ oppositioncolleagues, in a show of solidarity withhim, left the House at the same timethe senator did.

Attempts to contact the Speaker ofthe House for a comment proved futile.

KENVILLE HORNE, a staffreporter with THEVINCENTIAN newspaper,came in for praise frommembers of this country’sparliament.

Prime Minister Dr RalphGonsalves paid tribute to thejournalist during lastTuesday’s wrapping up of the2015 Budget debate.

Gonsalves made it plainthat no government agencywas involved in the process,and mentioned that he did notknow about the award.

Representative for North

Leeward, Roland Matthews,commended Horne on hisaccomplishment when headdressed the House onMonday.

Agriculture, Forestry andFisheries Minister SabotoCaesar joined in thecongratulatory remarks.During a preface to hiscontribution to the Budget, heextended kudos to Horne, anddescribed him as a closeconfidant.

Horne was selected among60 persons from theCommonwealth to receive an

award in the inaugural year(2014) of the Queen’s YoungLeaders Programme.

His recognition came as aresult of his work with youngpersons in Rose Hall.

He will be in London,England, between June 21and 27 this year, during whichtime he will receive his awardat Buckingham Place. (WKA)

Kenville Horne at aChristmas Party he hostedfor young persons involvedin the programme he startedin Rose Hall.

House recognises Horne

SENATOR LEWIS THROWNOUT OF THE HOUSE

Hendrick Alexander, Speaker of theHouse, not for the first time, foundhimself having to ask an OppositionMember to leave a Sitting of theHouse.

Senator Linton Lewis (standing)exchanged cross talk with the PrimeMinister, and got the worse end ofthe Speaker’s stick.