STAR Monthly Review - March 2021

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MONTHLY REVIEW

‘Millions have taken it without the smallest negative effect. Why concentrate on mostly unconfirmed depressing stories?

Be an example to those who look to you for encouragement to do the right thing!’

COVID 19

MARCH 27, 2021

FINANCIAL SERVICES

BS Not Same As Bachelor of Science!

Nearly 50 Years Ago George Odlum Prescribed

A late 1970s George Odlum permits fans the arcane pleasure of laying congratulatory hands on him at the end of yet another public address.

by Rick Wayne

I

n a way the non-appearance of George Charles that had forced the St. Lucia Labour Action Movement to postpone its first public appearance was not without its own silver lining. For now that its leadership issue had been shelved, albeit only temporarily, the group could settle down to planning a full-scale debut replete with over-amplified music and seductive implausible promises.

The event on the evening of September 29, 1972, a Friday, was preceded by a motorcade that started out

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in busy William Peter Boulevard, even as last-minute shoppers dashed in and out of the Minvielle & Chastanet and J. Q. Charles, the city’s main department stores.

The cars and pick-up trucks had started lining up from 5 p.m. Thirty minutes or so later it was clear something quite special was in the air. As if at a conductor’s signal infectious calypso music exploded suddenly from strategically positioned loudspeakers, injecting an irresistible new energy into the regular Friday evening in the island’s main shopping center. Then came the announcement: “Brothers and sisters, this is it.

The birth of the St. Lucia Labour Action Movement. We invite you to drop whatever you’ve planned for this evening, get in your cars and join us in our celebration of a new day coming. This is a moment you will long remember, something you’ll be proud to speak of years from now. You’ll be proud to say in time that you were there at the birth

of the St. Lucia Labour Action Movement.”

At first there were only five vehicles, owned by well known politicians. Then four more, then another two. By the time the motorcade arrived at Chaussee Road, some thirty vehicles were crawling bumper to bumper, calypso music at full blast pouring out of speakers mounted on the roof of a pick-up. Jubilant scores followed on foot, jumping, shouting, whooping like the children of Hamelin to the irresistible sounds of the Pied Piper. SLAM’s first outing seemed marked for unqualified success.

Scores awaited the main show inside and outside Columbus Square, in the center of the island’s capital. I had, as editor, persuaded the Voice publisher Michael Gordon to delay printing of the paper by a few hours. With a little luck I hoped to feature on my front page an action shot of one of the group’s more prominent performers, along with a

detailed center-spread account.

The motorcade ended around 7.30.

One by one the organizers took their seats at the open back of a lorry parked immediately outside the square, near the Central Library. George Odlum was first, decked out in his signature boilerman cap, Wellington boots, U.S. Army surplus shirt and faded blue jeans. Bearded Peter Josie, theatrically stern-faced. Insurance executive and mayor of Castries, Julian Hunte. Engineer Tom Walcott. They were followed by Hilford Deterville, a rumored law student; businessman Servilus Jeffrey; Hilary Modeste of the Chamber of Commerce, a former member of the ruling United Workers Party, and Carlisle JnBaptiste, son of one of the island’s best loved Labour Party stalwarts. Young JnBaptiste, tall and slim, recently retired from his father’s party, appeared to have dressed for a Lions Club convention then changed his mind in favor of SLAM’s

A Vaccine Against Official Corruption! coming out. And Neville Cenac, until recently another leading member of the island’s oldest political group the St. Lucia Labour Party.

Something about Hunte’s face suggested discomfort. As if he wasn’t quite sure where he was or what to expect. He would explain in time that he’d expected to see several other faces on the rickety platform. Odlum had often boasted that the advertised apolitical group of educators called The Forum, of which he was the de facto leader, had hordes of silent supporters island-wide, “progressives” whom he said had promised to sit with SLAM at its all-important launching. When it came time to be counted they had either discovered better things to do or had chosen to mingle unspotlighted and incognito among the crowd—and not only because of modesty. By all Odlum had said on other occasions, many of his strongest admirers were public servants, vulnerable to political victimization.

That aside it could not be said the evening’s card had not attracted a starstudded audience. No house parties on this night of nights. No cocktails at the BGR’s Ciceron residence or at Government House! Not at the Noones, the Carascos,

the Gordons, the Floissacs—the elites du jour. No salted cashew and whiskey, no cheese and biscuits, no caviar. No members-only Barclays Bank tennis at Vigie. On this night the hottest ticket is SLAM, as much for the well heeled as for the Rasta bredren and the ghetto rats.

Not that they don’t know who’s whom and who’s what as they sit together on the manicured Columbus Square grass. Oh, no. As much as they had all come to hear Brother George talk about a future of unity, still they were a long way from that fantasy island. So, the cocktail types huddled together in their chic casual clobber, well away from the half-naked Rastas and the Morne Dudon, Bois Patat, Trous Rouge, Hospital Road, Conway ghetto crowd.

And then there were those who had chosen to watch from verandas overlooking the square and behind unlit window curtains: life insurance company bigshots, lawyers, government ministers, opposition parliamentarians, pretend friends of the rich pretending themselves to be rich. On this night they would all put away their more obvious differences, this heaving mass of disconnected humanity, in the best interests of SLAM and all it promised.

Yes indeed, a night to remember.

Saint Lucia’s la-dee-dah high society, the whole goddamn local Who’s Who rubbing up against the rest. Right Guard deodorant confronting aromas that brought to mind shacks without running water. Heady whiffs of Shalimar and Estee Lauder and Limacol. Chanel #5 tippy-toeing up to Wilton’s Yardley and Eau de Marchand.

Hap-pee-ness!

Staffy and Ma Odlum, proud parents of Brother George sat together in the front seat of their Oxonian son’s red mini-Austin that carried the island’s best known license plate—777. (His detractors whispered behind closed doors that the more appropriate license number would be 666—the mark of the Antichrist!) Brother Bartlett and Sister B and Brother Spar St. Helene hung together . . . all flashing 100watt smiles that spoke of their enthusiasm for the as yet unborn movement. Standing several feet from this group was the island’s closest thing to Henry Kissinger, if only in some minds: “Ole Man Braff” to nearly everyone, proprietor of the government’s favorite printery, close friend and advisor of Premier John Compton, and string-puller par excellence.

Truly, when it comes to uniting

the classes was there ever a tool more effective than fear? Yes, fear! Pointless denying it, permeating this off-season carnival in the square is an unmistakable paranoia. You see it in the lying eyes of unctuous expats jigging awkwardly to the sounds of Sparrow and Kitchner, desperately trying to appear native.

Transparent behind the circus-clown smiles of beleaguered government politicians whose 10-year stewardship could not survive a minute’s scrutiny.

In the guilty countenances of arriviste foreigners and their local enablers, what else but fear that their years at the trough were numbered. [The meeting ended with the following shocking hyperbole from George Odlum: “Corruption! Corruption!

That’s the name of the game in government today. I say to you, brothers and sisters, the people have been fooled too many times by the politicians. The next batch of politicians to fool the people will be hanged in Columbus Square!”]

Editor’s Note: The preceding is from It’ll Be Alright in the Morning by Rick Wayne (reviewed in this issue by Darrel Montrope), available from STAR Publishing in St. Lucia or from Amazon.com.

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

03

How Many More Bites Before We Shy Away From Incorrigible Scorpions?

by Cockadoodle Doo

L

et’s begin with a serious quote borrowed from local author and political commentator Dr Anderson Reynolds, who has seen the need to assure one and all he does not support either of our political parties, or, for that matter, any political organization. Not without justification. A son of Vieux Fort, he has often publicly pledged that his first loyalty is to his country Saint Lucia. It is out of love for the land that gave us birth that he has often pleaded with his fellow Saint Lucians to put country before political party considerations.

As he observed recently: “I suspect the SLP isn’t seeing the elephant in the room. Philip J. Pierre’s political career parallels that of Dr Kenny Anthony.

Therefore, in terms of substance and approach, when we switch from Dr Kenny Anthony to Phillip J. Pierre won’t we simply be getting a weaker version of the person for whom the 2016 election was a vote against? This 2021 election is a race of high stakes, a race for the country to make major changes, not least of them being constitutional reform. So why replace a tired old horse with another tired old horse?”

It’s good to learn of his thought process, and one would hope many other citizens would use the Reynolds yardstick in deciding where to place their confidence in relation to this country’s imminent future. Inspired by his words, I have come up with the following serious quiz: Are you familiar with the TV game “Twenty Questions?” Well, here are my own twenty. Come along, let’s have a bit of productive fun that does not require us to dumb down with copious amounts of mind-altering beverages. Take time to not only read through them but actually to stop, think, before you answer my Big Twenty as honestly as you can.

1) Are you pleased that politics in St. Lucia has become a dirty game? Is there any law that says it has to be so?

2) Which of our main political parties has traditionally shown itself with its violent adherents to be by far the nastier, demonstrated disgraceful public behaviour and low-rent tactics?

3) Which party’s election mantra has always been: Win, we win; lose, we win;

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The author believes the only way to guarantee Saint Lucia does not return to the nightmarish period of the late 70s is to reelect the United Workers Party led by Allen Chastanet (pictured center).

lose you lose; win, you lose?

4) Doesn’t that incipient guiding philosophy necessarily explain Labour’s never-ending, senseless, belligerent, disruptive behaviour throughout the intervening five years?

5) Doesn’t that frame of mind run counter to any form of openness and goodwill, cooperation and sense of unity for the country’s sake?

6) Will we, on our little rock of Saint Lucia, in consequence be forever subjected to this damning modus operandi of the St Lucia Labour Party?

7) What do you think it will it take to stop the unending war with such a belligerent entity? Is such a thing even possible?

8) Would a completely new slate of candidates, expectedly strong in their opposition as they should be, but rather more forward thinking, less pugnacious, more genteel . . . quite frankly, more intelligent, be instrumental in influencing their followers and raising the standard of Saint Lucian politics?

9) Are the SLP’s more prominent hacks and regular followers, the visible so-called “surrogates,” themselves so entrenched in those long-held inferior behaviours that there may very well not be any significant change in the ugly characteristics that bombard us on an on-going basis?

10) How did the shameless call to violence by a leading light of the party grab you when she encouraged fellow party followers, and others

similarly handicapped, to abandon their sense of nationalism and emulate the insurrectionists among Trump’s followers, even goading Saint Lucians to make “our House of Parliament your Capitol Hill?”

11) Again, did you not wonder how another Labour Party surrogate—and reported head of a women’s organisation who is paid big bucks to advocate for less fortunate women and their families by seeking to educate them and improve their lot—could pen a post on Facebook cursing in the scummiest way a blind, disabled woman who just happened to be a follower of the incumbent party? Did that not turn your stomach? And should that copycat insurrectionist not be reported to the wellintentioned Canadian organisation that feeds her?

12) Do you discern any real love or concern for Saint Lucia and its reputation among those people and others who take traitorous pleasure in putting out on the world-wide web the most damning lies about their own homeland?

13) Where is their love of country? Do they show an ounce of it?

14) Aren’t we all doomed with such characters within the hierarchy of the opposition party that by some devilish hocus-pocus could—God forbid!—end up in the governance of this country?

15) Have you ever thought that our most notorious persona non grata could end up in government via the win-at-anycost, more than ever desperate, Labour Party?

16) Shouldn’t a party’s most

prominent bobolist be expelled from parliament should he prove guilty of any variety of fraud?

17) Which of our political leaders is more pleasant, charismatic, articulate, confident, demonstrably a believer in hard work, a thinker, a man with a heart?

18) Does Saint Lucia want to be led by an incorrigible pessimist or by someone determined to find the silver lining even in the darkest cloud?

19) And here’s the big one: How about a conventional debate? Come on now, wouldn’t that be something, huh? What do you say? Who would you choose for the role of moderator?

20) And here’s another biggie, which I will answer: In sum, if we compare the two parties, what do we get? UWPees: more civilized, positive, tolerant, no history of bellicosity, a magnet for responsible “surrogates.” It is unimaginable that followers of the UWP would stoop so low as to toss human waste at participants in a political rally of their opposites. The UWP has never engaged in any attempt at turning Saint Lucians toward communism; never persuaded young men to offer themselves for training in terrorism in Libya. Dear understandably incredulous reader please revisit locally recorded events dating back to the mid-70s. I promise you’re in for a shock!

I have no desire to live under a pseudo communist regime, or under a party that openly declares itself Socialist. And I would guess, neither do you, dear reader. I want a better present and future that include personal freedoms for our young men and women. I don’t want to see our country again at war against itself, as some of us experienced back in the 70s, with unforgettable horrid consequences—a situation that leftovers from the era would like to see again. Confidence and optimism are key to a better future, especially in these confounding days of COVID-19.

P.S. Dear Prime Minister, please ensure that as our country’s leader in a second term you tackle—as Dr Anderson has advocated—the recommendations of Suzie d’Auvergne’s Constitutional Reform report, unceremoniously dumped by Kenny Anthony’s Labour Party administration shortly before the 2016 general election, on the false but revealing premise it was “too obsessed with the power of the prime minister!”

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

05

Are You Ready For Philip J. Pierre?

by Mark Joseph

Before my highest mountain do I stand, and before my longest wandering: therefore must I first go deeper down than I ever ascended: Deeper down into pain than I ever ascended, even into its darkest flood! So willeth my fate. Well! I am ready.

--Friedrich Nietzsche: ‘Thus Spake Zarathustra’

S

aint Lucia, are you ready? Fortytwo years ago we were granted independent status by our colonial overseers. Since then we’ve been called upon by the government to celebrate with pride every February 22 the occasion when ostensibly we broke our colonial chains and took responsibility for charting our own course. In less than five months our parliament will be dissolved and we’ll be called on to select a leader to chart our course for a five-year term. Yet, despite the phenotypical make-up of the majority, the nattering of some suggest we have not, and neither do they believe we should be shedding notions of black inferiority.

Some weeks before our most recent Independence anniversary, during a TV appearance, Peter Josie attempted to speak for our population when he said Saint Lucians prefer their elected officials to be of a “ti-koule-wy-a-yi,”—by which he referred to skin tones easier associated with Europe than with Africa. He argued that this lighter complexion automatically opened more doors internationally. What was for me mortifying and revolting about

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the eunuch’s submission was that it did not lament such thinking. Rather, he seemed to offer the demeaning allegation as Allen Chastanet’s guarantee of reelection. Sir Michael Chastanet, father of Saint Lucia’s prime minister, who appeared with Josie on the remembered occasion, shook his head—whether approvingly or from embarrassment.

Imagine that! Forty-two years after our colonial shackles were removed, a man with Peter Josie’s history, who once epitomized Black Power, celebrating on TV the notion that Philip J. Pierre’s black skin would place him at a disadvantage at election time. Even if that were true, it would be cause enough to hang our collective head in shame!

Am I to believe Allen Chastanet receives charitable assessments only because of the color of his skin? That because Philip J. Pierre bears the color and physical characteristics of most Saint Lucians, his temperament, character, experience and performance record count for nothing? That Chastanet’s complexion alone equips him to be a more useful prime minister of Saint Lucia than the present leader of the House opposition?

PJP has a sacred and indissoluble attachment to this land that birthed and nurtured him. Consequently, he understands and can identify with the aspirations of the citizenry. He was not, nor does he pretend to be, “to the manor born.” His mother was a teacher, his father a police officer. Together they taught him the importance of education, respect for law and order, authority and the value of service to community and country.

By age 21 PJP had already unambiguously established his academic

ability, having graduated with honours from the UWI with a degree in Economics.

He would subsequently complete an MBA from that same institution. Though his oratory won’t be compared to Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr, or even George Odlum, there is no doubt about his intelligence, ability to read and write, and to understand why words matter. That he sometimes stutters renders him not one bit inferior to, say, a dyslexic. Pierre’s words when he speaks may not be straight outta Compton but they ring with a sincerity that springs from his heart.

Not being the scion of a wealthy father who could thrust him into jobs, he demonstrated his independence and willingness to take strategic risks by starting his own successful small business, providing financial and consultancy services to local and regional companies and institutions. Thus he has taught and practiced fiscal prudence, ensuring that he won’t be a spendthrift or profligate with public funds, hosting extravaganzas.

PJP is not a carpetbagger; he did not select his constituency based on selfish convenience. He did not need to provide an inducement to anyone to earn the privilege of representing his people. His relationship with his constituency is organic. He has never abandoned them and will not, regardless of setbacks. He has earned his honour and established his commitment to the people.

For him, “Putting You First” is not merely another catchy election slogan.

Rather it is a guiding philosophy, the basis on which his public service and representation are grounded. He does not merely talk the talk; he also walks the walk. He puts his money where the mouths

are. For instance, when he presided over the tourism industry as portfolio minister, he shifted the sector’s orientation by making it more inclusive of local interests. He ensured it was no longer an enclave industry, but that “U” were in and benefited from tourism.

Taxi-drivers, beach vendors, tour operators and other auxiliary service providers got a seat at the table. He recognized that we are a hospitable people and chose to accentuate that fact by hiring tourism hostesses to meet, greet and guide visitors to our shores. He was sensitive enough to their need to have the ability to feed their children and frugal enough, unlike his successor, to keep his telephone bills lower than their combined salaries, thus ensuring their continued employment.

The previously insipid Jazz Festival, once the premier tool by which to market and promote the island, was an exclusive event catering to a particular demographic.

PJP supervised the rebranding of the event, infusing it with Saint Lucian energy, flair, and spirit, spread it throughout the island, ensuring that the returns percolated in the communities. Sadly, the festival has recently returned to naught, totally kwaze as the sun closed its eyes on community ambience replaced by the stuffiness of hotel conference rooms.

As a true son of the soil who acknowledges, understands and celebrates while protecting his patrimony, he recognized that our heritage can simultaneously be shared and preserved.

He helped birth Nature Heritage Tourism.

This was a concrete initiative, evinced by the sites and attractions, not merely a conceptual notion of village tourism.

Having studied economics, he understands the investment function, and during his tenure as minister presided over and recorded the highest level of investment in the tourism sector. This investment yielded a major boost in room stock, many of them locally owned and operated.

PJP’s ethical conduct is unimpeachable. Throughout his long tenure in elective politics, not once has he been linked to skullduggery. No institution has had reason to declare his words lacking in credibility, neither his managerial performance. He is meticulous as he is deliberative, and such explains the reason why those around him don’t always have to mop up, recasting his statements as misspeaks.

His inclination to consult, give a listening ear, not bully, malign or act vindictively towards others, have led detractors to misperceive him as weak.

Less handicapped perceivers recognize these qualities are precisely what make him the servant leader that he is. These are the attributes of only one of the current leaders heading a major political party on the island. These are some of the virtues and the truncated resumé of a competent, compassionate, conscientious and just leader: Philip Joseph Pierre. He has always been at our nation’s service, without much fanfare. He knows, as they say, it’s not about him. It’s all about “Putting You First.”

And so again, I ask: Saint Lucia, are you ready for Philip J. Pierre? Are you ready for your next prime minister?

The Best Time To Invest in Land is NOW!

by BOSL Advisor

I

f you’re looking to invest in land in the next 6-12 months, you’re probably wondering what the COVID-19 pandemic means for your plans.

It is a known fact that if you are looking at long-term investments, land is one of the best options. All you need to do is invest at the right time. For example, you can invest small in a developing area now and wait over the mid- to long-term, to enjoy the price appreciation.

Investing in land is a significant investment, and young persons in particular should consider investing in this asset while in the early stages of their lives.

The economic impact has forced many to reconsider their current lifestyles.

So before investing in land, take time to consider the reasons for purchasing property, the type of property you would prefer, and how you plan to find the right location.

Whether you are looking for land to build your dream home or land for investment purposes, there are a number of other great advantages in doing so.

Affordability Purchasing a piece of land offers you

an easier and more affordable way to invest in your future. Vacant land tends to be more affordable compared to land that has already been built on. Consider buying land today and build on it later.

Land appreciates in value and can build equity within a short space of time. When purchased, the land is yours and you can do whatever you desire, as long as it is within DCA guidelines and approved building codes. You can leave it as it is, or build a home on the land tailored to you and your family.

Low Maintenance Another advantage for buying land is the very low maintenance that is required, compared to keeping a property in good condition. Vacant land also requires less of your time and less stress, making a land purchase a passive long-term investment purchase.

Long-term Appreciation One thing to consider when buying land is that the land will usually remain in the same condition in which you bought it.

Land ownership gives the owner peace of mind. As a long-term, tangible asset, land does not wear out or depreciate. Weather and erosion may have an impact, but

generally over the long term, land tends to appreciate.

If you are able to get a deal on land in this environment, and you’ve done your due diligence, jump on it! Land is a safe and tangible investment that trends upward over time. It is a finite resource that they are not making any more of—and

if you score a deal that you decide to sell in this market, it won’t take long for that land to move!

Like any investment decision, it is best to speak to the experts before you consider buying land. Contact your banker if you are thinking about purchasing land to build or develop.

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

07

Is Bordelais a Ticking Time Bomb?

Director Hilary Herman has promised that the security at Bordelais Correctional Facility with be maintained.

Joshua St. Aimee

I

n last month’s STAR we reported on the unrest of February 2 at Bordelais Correctional Facility. We pick up the story with another complaint that reportedly sparked the clash between officers and inmates: living conditions. During their controversial Facebook Live, inmates revealed that in some instances, as many as six of them occupy a cell— four use bunk beds, while two make do with just mattresses. BCF Director Hilary Herman confirmed that this was the unfortunate reality, since administration is tasked with keeping remand inmates separated from convicts.

“In most cases where there are four beds,” he said, “we would issue two mattresses to have two additional persons in there. It is not the ideal situation but we are bursting at the seams and we have to make accommodation for them. There’s no

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option other than to put them in with the penal, which is not advised.”

Addressing complaints about broken toilets, Herman indicated that plans are afoot to upgrade the nearly 20-year-old facility. However, he also referenced the dilemma faced: the center has never been high on government priority lists: “The facility desperately needs refurbishing but keep in mind those toilets were broken by the inmates themselves. They hide contraband in the toilets and must accept some responsibility for their circumstances.”

Additiionally: “There are very few cells now that have any kind of lighting.

Why? Because the inmates tamper with the lights to charge their cellphones. We’ve submitted in our budget to change most of the toilets, and resources permitting, we will take care of other complaints. But it won’t happen overnight. The government, with limited resources, must attend to schools, hospitals, roads and so on. That’s

the reality.”

Compounding the issues of court dates and living conditions is that inmates have been deprived of in-person visits. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this activity was halted for much of 2020. BCF officials attempted to carry out virtual visits via Zoom but this was shelved following technical issues. (A second attempt at virtual visits was scheduled for March 2021.)

Although Herman prefers in-person visits, it remains suspended until further notice. The recommencement, the Director said, is dependent on when the island’s Covid situation improves and based on advice from the Ministry of Health.

Herman acknowledges that visits benefit both the incarcerated and staff.

“Inmates are always better behaved when they have interactions with their family, so we encourage visits and it’s something that we want to reinstate. I

don’t know that virtual visits are the answer but in this COVID-19 era, that’s what we have,” Herman said. “We would like to go back to in-prison visits because the inmates, after seeing and spending time with their families, are better behaved. It’s to our advantage to allow as many visits as possible.”

The BCF director did not sound much worried about inmate threats. “Any correctional officer that is intimidated by that is clearly in the wrong business. It is a constant thing. We the management have to ensure the safety of our officers. Officers need to be aware of their surroundings at all times. It is the nature of our business.”

Herman has sought to assure the public that the security of the BCF is not a problem.

“We are prepared to maintain security of the facility and the inmates need to know that they are not in control of the prison—we are. Any agitation will be met with push back. The more they push, the harder we will push back!”

Prime Minister and House Opposition Leader pledge allegiance to the ‘Queen of Saint Lucia’

Government of Saint Lucia Attorney General’s Chambers Applications are invited for the position of Coordinator of the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee (NAMLOC) - with the Attorney General’s Chambers. The principle responsibilities, for the position and qualification requirements are provided below.

Principle Responsibilities The successful applicant will perform the following duties and responsibilities and will report to the Permanent Secretary and NAMLOC: 1. Gather, collate and analyze data and other informatio from relevant public and private stakeholders and th general public relating to anti-money laundering counter-terrorism financing and proliferation awareness and compliance systems.

2. Organize and Coordinate round table discussions, conferences and workshops with policy makers/stake holders.

As dust continues to gather on decades-old recommendations, ‘Little England’ is set to leave its colonial past behind. (Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II alongside Prince Charles.)

B

e it resolved that this honourable House of Assembly pledges sincere loyalty and allegiance to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” The preceding was part of a motion moved by Prime Minister Allen Chastanet at the March 17 House of Assembly sitting, seconded

by Opposition Leader Philip J. Pierre and subsequently passed. The pledge, an annual undertaking by members of the House of Assembly and the Senate, coincides with the opening of a session of Parliament.

Days earlier, on March 8, Commonwealth Day was observed.

Originally referred to as Empire Day, it is a creature of the Commonwealth of Nations—a voluntary association of 54 countries inclusive of Saint Lucia. While the day passed by with little to no fanfare here, an online post by the STAR generated intriguing reactions.

In observance of the day a statement was issued by Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Commonwealth. During her speech she reflected on 2020, noting that while the experiences of the last year have been different across the Commonwealth, “stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory.”

However, it was not the content of the speech that generated heated discussion. Many readers were left in disbelief when the statement was posted on the STAR’s website with the accompanying headline: “Queen of Saint Lucia delivers Commonwealth Day speech.”

“Queen of St. Lucia?” many scoffed.

“Didn’t we just celebrate Independence Day?” others exclaimed.

One woman advised: “Queen of Saint Lucia? Huh? And we’re at the mercy of all other countries. Hello, change that heading!”

There was more: “Queen ki sar?”[kewyol for ‘what Queen?’]

“Queen of which Saint Lucia?

Murchay mwen souplé!” [Spare me please] “Gassa St. Lucia has no kinda Queen, we only have a prime minister,” one man declared.

The headline was no typo but simply utilized Elizabeth II’s official title. Saint Lucia is among the fifteen current Commonwealth Realms—a country with the Queen as its Monarch. She holds a different regnal title for each realm. In Saint Lucia’s Constitution she is: “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Saint Lucia and of Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.”

The following is taken from the Royal Family’s website: “As Queen of Saint Lucia, Her Majesty maintains a unique relationship with this beautiful Eastern Caribbean island, keeping informed of dayto-day Government matters via her representative in the country, the Governor-General.”

On September 15, 2020 the Governor General of Barbados, Sandra Mason, announced that her country— referred to on occasion as ‘Little England’—would drop the Queen as its head of state and become a republic by November

2021.

“Having attained Independence over half a century ago, our country can be in no doubt about its capacity for self-governance”, said Mason.

“The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” Mason announced while addressing the nation’s Parliament. “Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence.”

In the 2011 Constitutional Reform Report, a recommendation was made to abolish Saint Lucia’s constitutional monarchical system and replace it with a republican constitutional system. The commission was of the view that the Head of State should be a ceremonial President who would replace the Governor General.

Further, that the President “should not have held office in a political party or stood for election as a candidate for elective office within ten years of his/her nomination for President.” The Commission recommended that the President should be elected at a joint sitting of Parliament by a majority vote, and should serve no more than two consecutive seven-year terms.

Ten years on, neither of the country’s main political parties has signaled an intention to make that move. The heir apparent to the British Throne is Prince Charles, which would make him the future ‘King of Saint Lucia.’

-JSA

3. Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports.

4. Coordinate meetings for NAMLOC, develop work plan for the NAMLOC and track progress.

5. Record minutes of committee meetings.

6. Coordinate all interface between the NAMLOC and CFATF. 7. Oversee the updating and dissemination of the NRA. 8. Prepare annual budget and expenditure statements.

9. Undertake any other responsibility as may be assigned by the, Permanent Secretary and NAMLOC. Qualification and Experience Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Business Administration, Banking, Finance, Risk Analysis or completion of an Advanced Stage of Professional Qualification in Banking, Law or related discipline plus 3years’ experience in related post.

Or Professional qualification in Banking, Law, or related discipline plus 5years’ experience in related post. Project management certification would be an asset.

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification and/or experience in anti-money laundering/ counter-terrorism financing and proliferation compliance will be an asset.

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be in accordance with the terms stipulated by the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Suitable qualified applicants will be acknowledged and invited for an interview.

Application with resume including the names and contact details of two referees must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked: Confidential-Application for the Position of Coordinator National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee and must be sent to: The Permanent Secretary Attorney General’s Chambers 2nd Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront Castries OR By email, signed and in pdf format to: ps.agchambers@agchambers.govt.lc Deadline for receipt applications: March 31, 2021

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

09

The More Things Change . . .

by STAR Correspondent

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s there anyone in all of Saint Lucia who truly believes the politicians presently campaigning for office have the slightest idea of the enormity of the problems facing our nation at this time especially, let alone possible solutions? Does the average Saint Lucian have a clue about the daily cost of operating our two hospitals, our schools, our police force, our fire services and the Bordelais Correctional Facility? Forget about road repairs and the rest of it. Are we truly aware of what’s happening in the real world and the inevitable impact on our daily lives? Can we handle the truth?

The once wealthiest countries in the world can no longer afford the luxuries their citizens once took for granted. The great United States, the U.K., Germany— countries that to a large extent sustain us via tourism—are all confronted by unprecedented woes, with unemployment figures at record levels. More and more of their citizens are joining the homeless hordes. China is no exception.

So where will our tourism dollars spring from? Are we concerned? To judge by our local news reports—nearly all politically charged or disconnected from reality—not much has changed. We evidently believe we can chase away all worries with booze. We seem to believe every monster hyperbole in our tourist brochures—that Saint Lucia really is paradise and that God will continue to take care of us, in the same way he cares for the sparrows. As if indeed we were birds of the same feather. No reason to interrupt the carnival, let’s all party like rock stars.

Our campaigning politicians, if they have a true appreciation of what’s going on outside their respective poverty-stricken turfs, are in their selfish interests too busy fueling vote-catching fantasies to care.

Why discuss problems for which they have no solutions? I recall a Labour Party press conference centered on the failure of government to contain crime, a failure that was blamed on the government’s refusal to finance a campaign suggested by John Broughton.

Now just in case the name Broughton no longer rings a bell, I offer a reminder.

Back in 2005, with elections around the corner and Saint Lucia experiencing yet another “unprecedented rate of crime,” violent crime in particular, the Kenny Anthony government had imported from the UK a handful of retired police personnel to do for the nation what conceivably was beyond commissioner Ausbert Regis and his team. Whether or not Regis knew it at the time, a quiet official investigation had painted him in colors most disturbing.

Saint Lucians would hear the shocking details only after the Stephenson King government took office in 2007, thanks to the notorious blabbermouth Keith Mondesir, of all people, the minister in

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Could Englishman John Broughton have brought crime in Saint Lucia under control? At least one politician is on record as claiming exactly that!

charge of security. Mondesir it was who had blabbed about the secret investigation while being interviewed by the singular radio personality Sam Flood.

To hear Mondesir on the occasion, the Kenny Anthony administration had for the purposes of imminent elections kept the result of their investigation under wraps, despite the inevitable negative impact on the general population. What’s more, said Mondesir, he planned the day after his interview to send the commissioner on indefinite leave while Broughton replaced him. Pressed for an explanation by reporters, Mondesir’s predecessor Calixte George acknowledged the investigation that according to Mondesir had uncovered “information so damaging, that spoke of crime within the police force itself, including corruption, it had to be suppressed.”

By Calixte George’s account, there was nothing self-serving about his government’s decision not to act on the report. George revealed he had personally ordered the shredding of the 360-page document, on the basis that Regis was never afforded the opportunity to defend himself. “When I read the report,” said George, “I realized it wasn’t what I had in mind. Much of it was defamatory. There were serious allegations without supportive evidence. I ordered that all copies be shredded.”

Obviously, his orders had fallen on deaf ears. But I am ahead of myself. Less than three months after his November 2006 arrival in Saint Lucia, John Broughton had submitted to the new government an assessment of the police force as he found it. The report is dated 10 January 2007—barely a month after the new UWP administration took office under Sir John

Compton. (Stephenson King succeeded him in September 2007.) Broughton’s report clearly illustrates why the investment of multi-millions of scarce dollars in local law enforcement has for decades been analogous with transporting water in a bottomless bucket to a family dying of thirst.

Among Broughton’s observations: “A general lack of understanding about the core role of the force. Information exchange weak, minutes not uniformly kept, individuals at all levels avoid ownership and accountability; management and supervision both intrusive and routine, at many levels weak. Officers at many levels reluctant to make decisions commensurate with rank. Indiscipline. The force moved from consultancy report to action plan, from strategy to policies—but with little actual effect on delivery.”

Additionally: No comprehensive, centrally managed database of the force’s human resources, skills profile, training requirements etc. The force had limited knowledge and understanding of its most valuable asset and an informed deployment strategy was all but impossible to achieve.

Officers did not know their job descriptions; as many as a hundred officers performed roles not police specific. The force was not organized in such a way as to make best use of resources. The force lacked a basic professional central structure that identified best practice.

And this: “The Operation Policing Strategies were over-complicated and largely not complied with. While over half the force had been trained in the principles and application since 2002, only a handful of officers practiced any type of community

policing. Police officers are issued uniform and shoes. In addition they are issued replacement uniforms upon authorized requisition. But a great proportion of officers routinely did not wear a uniform.

Often they were scruffily attired and not identifiable as police officers. Police officers of all ranks spent considerable time in police stations, out of public gaze.

Most officers report for duty with little idea what were the current issues and what were the day’s priorities. In some cases they were virtually undirected. Operational communication systems, practices and processes are poor.”

And this: Management of 999 calls was outdated an ineffective. Officer training was at best inconsistent and sporadic. The general police response to the armed or otherwise dangerous threat was either an unarmed or fully-armed response. There was no less than lethal response. There were many examples available to suggest that everything from the storage of police firearms through to training of officers and to ultimate use of firearms by many police officers was not of an acceptable standard. The force had no dedicated event or contingency planning capability and limited expertise in this area. The SSU was under-utilized.

There was no force-wide, strategic or tactical direction in respect of developing intelligence to deal with crime, community and road safety issues; no identifiable senior officer with strategic responsibility for intelligence-led policing . . .

There’s more, but by now, dear reader, you get the point: for countless years good money has been thrown at a police force that was never in a position to deliver on public expectations. Who to blame? Well, Kenny Anthony in his last term as prime minister sought to blame the King administration. He conveniently ignored the fact that Broughton’s January 2007 report was based on the situation as had existed for nearly two decades under Anthony’s own administration.

Instead, he blamed the King government for not having cured all the ills of the force between taking office in September 2007 and Broughton’s departure in October 2008. In other words, what Kenny Anthony did not do in nearly ten years he expected King to accomplish in one year— recession and all. Broughton did finally acknowledges improvements during King’s administration, but that is hardly the point.

What must concern this nation in perpetual distress is our unending blame game that always delivers the same losers: We the People. When will we learn that crime cannot successfully be fought by a country at war with itself? When will we learn that crime is an equal opportunity killer, with no regard for color, whether related to skin or politics? When will we learn that the police cannot function effectively without the undivided support of the community?

Martinus Francois vs Speaker Daniel: The Saga Continues!

Joshua St. Aimee

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arring any unforeseen circumstances, the 2-year-old Martinus Francois vs Andy Daniel suit will be held later this month. The case was filed in 2019 by attorney Martinus Francois—over the failure of parliament to elect a deputy speaker.

When the Allen Chastanet administration assumed office in 2016, MP Sarah Flood-Beaubrun was installed in the position. The post became vacant about a month later upon her resignation. Soon afterward she became a Cabinet minister.

A political impasse followed, with both the government and opposition refusing to nominate a candidate from their ranks to fill the vacancy.

Francois argues that this anomalous situation is unconstitutional, and is seeking a court declaration that it is a breach and violation of Section 36 of the Constitution. The attorney is also asking for a declaration as to the meaning, interpretation and construction of the aforementioned section— which says in part that when the office of deputy speaker falls vacant, parliament must elect a replacement “as soon as convenient.”

Martinus Francois (left) and House Speaker Andy Daniel: How will the year’s long saga end?

Francois wants a mandatory order to adjourn all future proceedings of the House of Assembly until a deputy speaker has been elected. Under interim relief, the attorney is hoping for a mandatory order to adjourn all further proceedings of the House until the final determination of the case.

From the improper filing of the case and serving of court papers, to the

changing of a judge and COVID-induced delays, this matter has had many setbacks since 2019. Justice Rohan Phillip presided over a pre-trial hearing via Zoom on February 24, 2021. Attorneys Seryozha Cenac and Dexter Theodore represented Speaker Daniel. Francois and this reporter took in the proceedings from the High Court on Jeremie Street. The hearing was not without hiccups, as it had to be paused

on at least three occasions, thanks to internet issues.

After dealing with procedural matters, the main and final item on the agenda was the centered on a trial date.

Justice Phillip proposed March 30 or June 29, 2021. The defense attorneys raised no objections to the March date. An eager Francois considered it “perfect.” With the support of both parties, Justice Philip announced that the trial was set for one day on March 30. (This means that all arguments from the claimant and defense will be heard on that day. It is unclear how soon thereafter Justice Philip will deliver a judgment).

“I feel very relieved about that because, you know, it’s like seeing the light at the end of the long tunnel,” Francois told the STAR after the trial date was set. “As you know I’ve been carrying this burden on my slender shoulders for a couple of years now. I’m very gratified that it is finally coming to an end and that victory is assured. Saint Lucians will see.

The victory is not in doubt!”

The fact that Parliament is set to be dissolved this year for the purposes of elections does not seem to deter Francois. “The court will rule very shortly,” he said, “and this matter will be put to rest. This deputy speaker matter will be put to rest once and for all!”

We are National Join us today!

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Contact us: LABORIE BRANCH: Allan Louisy Street, Laborie. Tel: +1 (758) 459-6900 Fax: +1 (758) 455-9289 VIEUX FORT BRANCH: New Dock Road, Vieux Fort. Tel: +1 (758) 459-6925 Fax: +1 (758) 454-6069 Website: www.mylaboriecu.com • Email: info@mylaboriecu.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylaboriecu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylaboriecu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mylaboriecu

We Are Not A Bank, We Are Better!

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

11

Gabriel Abed: ‘Bitt was built on rawness, doubt and uncertainty!’

by Ed Kennedy

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arbados-born Gabriel Abed is the founder of Bitt, a home-grown tech company that aspires to deliver technology innovation accompanied by social inclusion within the financial arena.

With the aim of building a business of which all Barbadians—and Caribbeans— could be proud, the story of Gabriel’s journey, from the earliest days of his business career to today, is one that has involved many twists and turns. And lately, a lot of triumphs.

2018 saw Overstock’s Medici Ventures invest US$3mn in Bitt, following an earlier capital injection in 2016 of US$ 4mn. Then this year brought news of Bitt’s partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in developing a blockchain-based digital currency.

Abed is renowned throughout the Caribbean for his impassioned and candid approach to business. STAR Businessweek correspondent Ed Kennedy spoke with Abed about his journey with Bitt, what he feels Caribbean governments should concentrate on in order to encourage business, and his future plans.

STAR: What were the advantages and challenges of starting Bitt in Barbados?

Abed: Well, to be blunt, starting Bitt in my native nation wasn’t an advantage at the time. It was almost the opposite, but I did have the right attitude and passion.

So, even though there was really so little in the way of suitable technology and support then, I knew that if I was going to build a business like Bitt it had to be in Barbados.

I know others were saying: “Oh, you can’t do a business like this in Barbados,” that it’d be safer to start it in Canada or Mexico and so on. But I felt it had to be here. And I still feel it has to be here. My employees are all from here or have relocated to here.

I know in some ways it’s passion beyond reason but it was about Barbadian pride, and pride in being from the Caribbean.

In the early days I was often ignored at conferences because I was from the Caribbean. That bugged me and I wanted to prove things could be different. That’s why I never listened when I was told we couldn’t, or wouldn’t, get it done building this business —and here we are today!

STAR: What do you feel is the most concrete explanation of Bitt’s value?

Abed: Quite simply, the current banking infrastructure isn’t inclusive or open. There’s no democratic payment system. Bitt created an easy-to-use application that works with local monetary systems, helping the unbanked and underbanked members of our society gain access to a digital financial network for

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Gabriel Abed (left), founder of BITT. Inc and the founder of Digital Asset Fund signing an agreement with Premier and Minister of Finance, David Burt of Bermuda in 2018. The agreement resulted in Mr Abed becoming a digital currency advisor to the island of Bermuda.

payments, and to send and receive funds domestically. It’s just not right that people don’t have access to banking networks.

They miss out on critical financial services.

It’s horrible, it’s not right, and we have to do better. Bitt fills a void in the market and also serves people most in need. Once you have a smartphone and Bitt, you have access to control your own finances. That’s the simplest way I can describe it.

STAR: For anyone seeking to follow in your footsteps, to what extent do you feel the landscape has changed and what expertise is essential to building a successful business in the space?

Abed: I’d just simply say to anyone starting today: “Build it and they will come.” There wasn’t much beauty in Bitt’s early days. There was rawness, doubt and uncertainty; and it was rough! Every day posed significant challenges and, to be candid, we still have to overcome obstacles, even today. I didn’t have a background in finance and, despite these difficulties and challenges, I’m now disrupting financial markets! So I say: “Don’t think. Do it! Just get it done.” Failure isn’t a bad thing; it becomes a lesson. Bit Edge Technologies, in and of itself, was not a resounding success.

I’ve tried five to six businesses before Bitt which were unsuccessful. I know some may argue whether it was my fault or actually just market conditions but, to my mind, I failed them. But I also succeeded with Bitt. I think both failure and success is a common part of every entrepreneur’s story, and you learn from both. So I say: “Never delay that learning.”

STAR: What’s the greatest liability you see right now for the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain going forward?

Abed: One of our biggest liabilities is the lack of education, and allowing myths and innuendo to win the day. This is a tragedy as the positives are huge. We have never had an immutable data system before; we have that now. This is just one example of many where considerable positive change is right around the corner.

This means solutions now exist that, in the past, were never possible. We need to do a better job of calling out claims that are simply untrue. Another huge liability is the lack of real understanding and subject expertise among legislators and regulators who think we’re only out to cause havoc.

It’s the opposite. These technologies offer a solution that can save us from many currently growing problems we have with centralization. But it takes courage and clear eyes to get the solution in place and you can only work towards a solution when you have a real understanding of how to get there. So I’d want to see more decision-makers have an open mind and build their deeper understanding of the field.

STAR: Aside from your current work, what other areas of the financial infrastructure are you eyeing?

Abed: Well, I think the next focus for me is stock exchanges and security exchanges in the short term. In the long term, I’d like to drive a rethink in the governance process; to disrupt hierarchical humans. The frailty of man is flawed in the highest centralization. We have to find a way to remove the flaws of people from the centralization of society and the state-based sources—to find direct democracy. I want to drive forward on that one day. So, I want to optimize governance

but remove the politician from it; to return greater “power to the people.” Right now, though, that’s a long way down the line, but making systems more fair and efficient is something I’ll always be interested in within the private and public sector.

STAR: By its nature, crypto-currency can be borderless. What extent do you feel there’s potential for the Caribbean to develop its own identity as a hub for crypto-currency?

Abed: I think it boils down to government. Regional governments need to provide the support. Potential compared to outcomes can be very different – one needs to only look at the experiences of Liechtenstein, Malta, Bermuda, Mauritius.

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to crypto-currency but there are common factors among nations that see it thrive.

Governments must be proactive, listen to the market and provide the climate for disruption to thrive; to embrace local and international entrepreneurs. The problem is, many of our governments are so overwhelmed with their daily concerns and underfunded while managing difficult economies. They aren’t really thinking about the future but instead are thinking only about the issues of today. I totally understand this, but ultimately they must understand we need them to create an environment to facilitate innovation.

Innovation in this space can deliver immense benefits, not only to business and entrepreneurs, but to everyone across all aspects of society. Best of all, if you implement it today, you can begin to see results rapidly that can help fix some of today’s most pressing problems. That’s the power of crypto and blockchain.

BS NOT THE SAME AS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE!

by Rick Wayne

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once locally popular (although not where I was concerned) song was premised on the line “do it ah gon die; don’t do it ah gone die!” As vaguely I recall, it was by a South African artiste named General Kneah. His subject: booze, cigarettes, weed—all of the things that for many made life worth living. Of course there was no way of knowing whether the singing pseudo general actually lived the life he seemed to endorse but he was often cited by others, the young in particular, whenever some old baldhead sought to preach to them about the virtues of the drug-free life.

The singer came to mind when I was still wrestling with myself over whether to offer my arm for a vaccination about which little was known—nevertheless was the latest pet subject of Internet know-alls.

Hardly a day went by without at least 30 stories, mostly negative and depressing, anonymously reaching me. All were by individuals I’d never heard of. Research proved futile. Usually, the conspiracy theorists could not be tracked down. In any case, even when I found something of interest I could not be certain about its authenticity. There’s very little on the Internet worth betting dollars on, let alone one’s life. Not when people are free to write their own histories, in anticipation of the especially curious and gullible.

I’d never been one for needles. Or, for that matter, drugs. I’ve never regretted my decision to quit competitive bodybuilding in favor of writing about the sport that made me everything I am. Had I stayed, I’d have had to do what needed to be done to win the big money prizes—and doubtless paid the price, as had so many, some even before they hit fifty. Yes, I’ve lost more than a few friends to the needle. Even more wrestlers have died, or landed in serious trouble with the law, all because they were ready to put into their bloodstreams whatever they imagined would make them their sport’s top dog.

But back to the COVID-19 vaccination. I found every excuse not to risk unpredictable and irreversible consequences. I read all the reasons offered as explanations for the unprecedently speedy arrival of the vaccine but I’ve never been one who believed in belief. And what this vaccine called for was faith. But faith in whom? In what? In the words of Dr. Fauci who was the most popular target for conspiracy theorists in almost every country on the map? Dr. Fauci who told the world, in the wake of Trump, that he and other trusted ostensible authorities were forced to say what they did not believe just to keep the then U.S. President in a good mood?

Absolutely confused, I reminded myself that I’d never been ill in all my life, save for a spinal problem that resulted from the ignored effects of a vehicular accident seemingly a century ago. I had to have done something right, I convinced myself. And anyway, we all have to die from something.

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Rick Wayne is the picture of relaxation as a nurse puts her needle to the arm of the once upon a time Mr. Universe!

Even if that something was old age.

Meanwhile I was receiving thrice daily calls from my son Christian, currently overseas based—calls that left me talking like a leading member of the gwen en bas feuille society.

“We’ve all gotta die one day,” I told him on a particularly desperate occasion.

“Take the vaccine, I’m still gonna die.” On later reflection I could not believe how low I’d sunk intellectually in my determination (cowardice?) to avoid the COVID-19 needle.

But Christian would not give up.

Finally he picked up the sword I’d handed him. “Okay, Dad,” he said. “You take it you die. But you’re gonna die anyway. So what’ve you got to lose? At least there’s a chance you will not die from taking the vaccine. Millions have taken it without the smallest negative effect. Why concentrate on the mostly unconfirmed depressing stories? Be an example to those who are looking to you and others like yourself for encouragement to do the right thing!” He had a lot more to say in that vein that we need not go into at this point.

Bottom line. He made up my mind for me. “Okay,” I said finally. “I’ll do it. But . . .”

“But what, Dad?” “But if I kick the bucket you’ll be to blame.”

And he said: “Now you’re confusing me. I thought you said you’re gonna die whether or not you take it.” The kid certainly learned a thing or two from his old man. As the whole world must know by now, I offered my arm to Dr. Belmar George’s angels with a score of cameras in attendance. Three weeks later, I’ve noticed or felt nothing that I had not experienced before the needle. No side effects, no loss of appetite. Then again, there may be just one thing: I’ve become more than ever intolerant of bullshitters masquerading as scientists!

4 BEST TIPS FOR BUYING INSURANCE

by Jean Isidore

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f you’re a millennial, you know this definition all too well. You’ve reached the age where you may be taking out student loans, buying a house, land, or renting a place to live, having kids and, ultimately, purchasing insurance. These major life events for millennials make it extremely important to have a financial security net.

And that’s exactly what insurance is: a financial security net.

And don’t let any initial confusion or preconceived notions drive you away.

Insurance provides essential financial protection for your future, so now’s the time to start and take that first step. We have a number of insurance companies in St. Lucia with branches throughout the island, staffed with very knowledgeable customer service employees that could help you make the right choice.

Here are four tips for buying insurance: 1. Shop smart. When looking for insurance, your No. 1 priority should be to find adequate coverage. Price is important, but you’ll want to determine what kind of coverage you need first. Then you can fit that coverage into your budget and determine which carrier can provide you with the most comprehensive policy for your situation. You may be tempted to choose insurance with the lowest price tag, but if you don’t have enough coverage (or the right kind of coverage), you will see less financial benefit when it comes time to file a claim.

2. Look for discounts. Once you evaluate your coverage needs, factor in your budget and find ways to save. Ask your insurance agent if there are any discounts on your coverage. Often, carriers offer discounts for things like paying your policy in full, staying auto accident-free or, if you’re in school, getting good grades. You also can save money by “bundling” multiple policies, such as purchasing a home and auto policy from the same carrier.

3. Fill in the gaps. An average policy will cover the basics, but you may need to add extra coverage to meet your unique needs. For instance, you may have items like electronics or a nice piece of jewelry that would be financially difficult to replace, you may want to add additional coverage for these items.

4. Purchase life insurance—you aren’t too young. Life insurance is essential, no matter how young or old you are. And for millennials, buying now may be a smart move because it’s cheaper to buy a life insurance policy when you’re young and healthy. This kind of insurance can help your family cover unexpected costs in your absence, including student loan debt or a mortgage, in addition to end-of-life costs.

And if you have kids, a life insurance policy can also support their education or childcare expenses. Additionally, every millennial should consider long-term disability coverage, which helps you stay afloat financially if an accident happens and you become disabled and unable to work.

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

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MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

15

Chastanet’s Budget

by Meredith JnPierre

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he COVID-19 decimation of lives and economies world-wide is undeniable—except to minds so warped as to place responsibility for every problem on the government’s shoulders, on the shoulders of Allen Chastanet, particularly. To hear the House opposition voices, our current situation was calculatedly manufactured by the island’s prime minister—despite contrary assessments of international agents and institutions. Some home-based individuals with an unchangeable peculiar mindset and a reputation for mindless noise are hell-bent on persuading their echo chambers that the impact of the novel coronavirus on Saint Lucian lives and on our livelihoods is in consequence of an “uncaring government” led by Chastanet.

The prime minister pays more attention to the assessment of acknowledged international experts without political axes to grind. His 20212022 Budget address echoes the experts, places most of the blame for Saint Lucia’s horrible 2020 where it belongs: at the feet of the equal opportunity virus that has proved no respecter of person or country.

It’s an equal opportunity killer of dreams and aspirations.

That Chastanet dared to open his Budget presentation by juxtaposing the depressing world-wide COVID-19 numbers against our own, proved too much for the warped sensibilities of the House opposition. It’s an ineluctable fact that approximately 120 million people have contracted the virus and that 2.66 million related deaths have been recorded. Also undeniable is that domestically just over 4,000 cases have been recorded, and as of March 14, regrettably, 50-something related deaths. Predictably, the usual detractors see the cited figures as evidence of a government that cares not for the welfare of Saint Lucians. Even his expressed condolences and his request for a few minutes’ silence seemed to bother Chastanet’s House opposition.

The Budget address itself was not wrapped in emotion, even though Chastanet’s cracking voice toward the end betrayed the sorrow felt by the prime minister. He opened the House session with a summary of the 2020/2021 budget: “Mr. Speaker, the year-end outlook for total revenue and grants denotes a significant underperformance at the estimated figure of $908.24 million, reflecting a 19.39 percent drop, compared to the 20202021 approved estimates. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, as predicted, we saw a near 50 percent shortfall in Recurrent Revenue early in the fiscal year. From

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Prime Minister Allen Chastanet: He remains optimistic about the future of Saint Lucia, despite depressing noises from those with other ambitions.

this performance, recurrent revenue has recorded, on average, a 20.6 percent decline over the corresponding period in 2019-2020.”

Given this circumstance, he went on, recurrent revenue was now projected at $883.91 million, while grant revenue receipts were estimated at $31.60 million, a 13.3 percent and 29.5 percent reduction respectively. Relative to the target for 20212022, he said, “tax revenue is forecast to decline by 13.20 percent, while a shortfall of 14.2 percent is anticipated for non-tax revenue. These projections are in keeping with actual performance for the fiscal year 2020-2021, which recorded lower than expected inflows in the areas of: 1) taxes on Goods and Services, which is projected to register a shortfall of 20.8 percent; 2) taxes on property, which is expected to fall by 18.73 percent and 3) taxes on international trade, which is forecasted to decline by 9.72 percent.”

There was more bad news: “Due to the lockdown and scaled back operations we

saw a drop in economic activity, taxes on international trade has been significantly impacted, and has contributed to Value Added Tax on Imports declining by 12.93 percent or $18.93 million. Airport tax declined by 43.6 percent or $10.39 million, owing to a reduction in air travel by residents and visitors alike. Import duty also recorded a reduction of 17.74 percent or $19.85 million.”

The lower than expected economic output for 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, “kept revenues well below the approved target for the year. Total revenue and grants declined by $279.7 million compared to the outturn for the fiscal year 2019-2020 and generated a shortfall of $218.6 million relative to the approved estimates for 2020-2021.”

Nearly every local sector took a fiscal hit as a direct result of the economic shutdowns and slowdowns both foreign and domestic. The coronavirus’ sting, has been most hurtful to our island nation. In

Chastanet’s own telling: “COVID-19 has impacted us on all fronts—physically, emotionally, socially and economically.

The pandemic has not only been a health crisis, but has also adversely impacted our economy, causing significant shortfalls in revenue collection and negatively affecting public finances, the business community— in particular, small businesses.”

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic “has had, and continues to have, a catastrophic impact on the revenue outturn for 2020-2021, hitting badly our tourism sector which in turn has affected all other major areas of the economy including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and banking. The pandemic still rages, at the heavy expense of both the public and private sectors.”

Spending was also down, compared to last year’s projections: “The anticipated hike in expenditure that was expected from accelerated project execution had been abated due to the protocols and

Speech Gives Hope! stringent measures, such as the lockdown and scaling back of commercial activities.”

But the House opposition, as usual, opposed regardless. From their convenient perspective the local economy had already been on the decline in 2019/2020. They insisted that the 2020/2021 continued shortfall had more to do with the government’s fiscal mismanagement than with the world-wide pandemic. Actually, although the pre-pandemic figures of 2019/2020 were down, compared to the previous fiscal year, they still compared favorably to the opposition’s best financial year in office. As Chastanet noted in his budget presentation: “A comparison of the movement of the central government debt stock over the past decade shows that the average annual increase between 2011 and 2015 was 9.0 percent compared to 4.89 percent in the period 2016 to 2020.” Despite the borrowing undertaken in recent times, Chastanet revealed, “we recorded a lowering of the weighted average cost of debt (WACD) of 4.86 percent from 5.31 percent in 2016.”

Despite the grim numbers, there were glimpses of hope in the PM’s 2020/2021 budget summary: “Due to the slowdown in private sector construction, our government’s deliberate decision to proceed with a Capital Investment Program has had a positive impact on tax revenue performance in the categories of International Trade and Goods and Services.”

Tourism is also expected to do better: “Millions in our source markets—the United Kingdom, Europe and North America—have been vaccinated . . . this augurs well for the return of global travel and the resuscitation of our tourism industry. Locally, over 18,000 doses of the vaccine have been given—good news for our economy as confidence will begin to return.”

Richard Peterkin, Partner at Grant Thornton and a well respected accountant, shared a similar view of the Budget projections on last weekend’s edition of Choice TV’s State of the Nation. “The Estimates seem to give some hope in

projections as to improved revenues and expenditure that will hopefully assist the economy. It’s an interesting time. We’ve come through a very difficult year.”

Dr. Carlton Augustine, a Howard University Economics lecturer, was also a guest on the show. He assessed that “the projected revenue for the last fiscal year doesn’t seem to be as bad as one would have expected. I think the shortfall is a little over a hundred million. Given the extent of time for which the economy was shut down, I think that’s not bad.”

Typically, the Opposition disagreed, labeled Chastanet’s projections “unrealistic”—as they did last year and the year before. They were wrong then and hopefully will be again. To reference once more the earlier cited economic experts, last year Saint Lucia’s economy performed better than expected. As for the prime minister, he underscored in his speech that grant receipts are forecast to total $121.26 million and are “projected to contribute an additional $89.7 million, over the projected outturn for 20202021 and $14.3 million above the approved

estimates for 2020-2021.” It should come as no surprise that the bulk of these grant receipts will come from foreign governments and financial institutions—even as the Opposition continues its hate campaign against foreigners.

There is much optimism regarding tax revenue, forecast to increase by 13.23 percent in comparison to the out-turn for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This is also the case with non-tax revenue, expected to increase by 14.34 percent compared to the revised estimates for 2020-2021.

Despite the optimism, Chastanet took the opportunity to remind Saint Lucians that the road ahead “is highly uncertain and it will test the fortitude and resilience of our nation.” Nevertheless, his government “is committed to creating an environment which will foster sustainable economic growth and development.”

Hopefully, those still determined to benefit from chaos will finally recognize the error of their ways. After all, when Saint Lucia wins, we all win, regardless of political colors!

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

17

Could digital taxation solve the Caribbean’s debt crisis?

by Catherine Morris

W

ith the rise of the digital economy, transactions have gone transnational. While this is good for consumers, it’s not so positive for legislators, regulators and governments seeking to manage and tax this form of virtual commerce. Developing a digital taxation infrastructure is no easy task but if small island states can unlock that revenue it could address their skyrocketing public debt and help the region stave off a looming economic crisis.

By 2020, nearly 75 per cent of small states with unsustainable debt will be Caribbean countries, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The uneven balance sheet of Caribbean nations is now at crisis level and governments are looking at innovative ways to address the shortfall.

Commonwealth Finance Ministers met in Washington D.C. in October for their annual summit and top of the agenda was transparent and sustainable debt alleviation. Ministers determined that the Commonwealth, which has a combined debt of US$ 2.5 trillion, should bring its collective power to the OECD to lobby for an international agreement on taxing digital services.

“The Commonwealth has a distinctive contribution to make by bringing together nations with developed and developing economies to agree on collective approaches and action towards a fair and equitable global system for taxing multinational businesses in a swiftly digitalizing economy,” said Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

“We need a rule-based system that is inclusive, transparent and efficient so that all countries have a means of collecting revenue and are thereby able to avoid accumulating excessive debt. It goes hand in hand with accelerating the gains to be made by addressing climate change and making progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals.”

The Minister of Finance of Cyprus, Harris Georgiades, who chaired the meeting, added: “Disruptive technologies are challenging the financial system by increasing competition and reshaping conventional business models, thereby fuelling the creation of a whole new kind of financial ecosystem.”

Every Caribbean citizen who has bought or sold something online is a part of the digital commerce network. Whether shopping on Amazon, subscribing to a

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MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

The Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting was held in Washington D.C. on October 17, 2019.

(Photo courtesy The Commonwealth)

web magazine or signing up to Netflix, trillions of borderless transactions occur every day. And the digital economy is expanding, driven by a powerful combination of consumer demand for more digital applications and services alongside corporations cutting costs by moving online. The term, ‘digital economy,’ has even been rejected by the OECD, on the grounds that it is not a single segment of the economy but rather integral to the entire financial ecosystem.

This poses several problems from a tax standpoint. Determining a company’s country of residence, establishing where value is created, creating a means of collection – all complicated issues in the modern fiscal environment as traditional taxation definitions and concepts are fast becoming outdated and irrelevant.

Taxation has always been a controversial issue. A heavy-handed government approach has been shown to stifle the private sector, dampening business and slowing economic development. But some of the most vocal proponents of digital taxes come from the private sector itself, with traditional businesses eager to see their virtual counterparts paying their share. Giving favorable treatment to e-commerce, in the

name of technological development and global progress, merely ensures an uneven playing field and an unbalanced and inequitable marketplace. As e-commerce grows, this gap will only widen. According to the International Post Corporation, cross-border e-commerce sales are expected to grow by 141 per cent between 2016 and 2021.

While the consensus is largely in favour of catching virtual business in the global tax net, there is little agreement on how exactly that can be accomplished.

Debate so far has centred on several key sticking points. The first, remote taxation—how to treat businesses who are physically present in one jurisdiction and yet are serving customers in another. The OECD is currently in the midst of public consultation on this point and proposes a new regime, based not on physical presence but the consumer’s jurisdiction.

Under this approach, countries could establish a specific sales threshold which, once reached, would give them taxation rights.

The OECD Inclusive Framework, of which Saint Lucia is a signatory, is also discussing whether there should be a global minimum tax that would discourage businesses from shifting to low-tax

jurisdictions. However, this would be a hard sell for those countries, many of whom are in the Caribbean, who rely on tax competition as a revenue source.

Another concern particularly relevant to the small states of the Caribbean is indirect taxes, such as VAT or customs duties. While these types of taxes are considered small value and difficult to apply to digital products, they are a steady source of income for island governments.

Collection is arguably the biggest barrier to digital taxation. In the absence of a consistent, clear and uniformly enforced system of collection and penalties, there will be many grey areas and loopholes that digital multi-nationals will be all too happy to exploit. There are also valid concerns over privacy and data collection when tax information is liberally harvested and disseminated around the world.

The World Trade Organization, the OECD and the G20 are all wrestling with the question of digital taxation. Against this complicated backdrop, it is important that the international conversation doesn’t become driven and dominated by the big players. The Caribbean has a lot to gain from an efficient and effective digital tax regime; now is the time to make its voice heard.

IT’LL BE ALRIGHT IN THE MORNING A Review by Darrel Montrope

A

bsolutely engrossing. It’ll Be Alright In The Morning is 247 pages of incitement and insight, and will delight anyone interested in Saint Lucia’s modern history. It should be required reading for all Saint Lucians, for it is said the farther back we can see, the further ahead we can envision.

Karl Marx, amending Hegel, observed: “Historic facts and personages appear, so to speak, twice . . . the first as tragedy, the second time as farce.” A less well known figure, author Syd Moore said: “Disregard for the past will never do us any good.

Without it, we cannot know truly who we are.” Ignoring the reportage contained in Alright in the Morning creates a type of complacency or false bravado that permits poisonous attitudes to seep into the national groundwater to which we turn to inform our development discourse and priority.

The book was first published in 1979, when I was barely out of infant school.

I couldn’t have read it then, though the subject matters it explores had already captured my attention and interest. Though the book was republished in 1987, during my mid-teens and consciousness-forming period, I still did not read it, though by then I knew of its existence. As a budding political junkie, I had heard stories of the 1974 elections and the shenanigans that took place in the vote counting. I had heard that on the night of the general election Henry Giraudy had lost the count and Bruce Williams had emerged victorious for the SLP, but an election official had comforted the UWP with the promise that It’ll be all right in the morning. The following day, consistent with the promise, the Vieux Fort seat declared for Henry Giraudy and the UWP. I was never eager to read the book, given its title. I assumed it was about that particular event and thought I knew enough of the story. But how wrong I was.

As previously mentioned, this book is about Saint Lucia’s modern history. It is not written through the lens of some academic historian, but from in near real-time from an active participant and creator. History was not happening to someone else in some other distant place; it was being chronicled and lived.

The book is in part autobiographical, though incomplete. It is brilliantly written and an easy read, sometimes with as much brutality as wit. Brutal in its descriptions, but not mean-spirited towards its

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The book’s greatest value is in its exposure of our local political and even social deities, inclusive of the author, as having feet of clay. We get an insight into their psychology or perhaps even psychosis. Many of them are venal if not egomaniacal. They are self-centered and will look to torpedo any initiative that is not an encomium to them, or punish those who do not genuflect.

The book also reveals some things about the Saint Lucian character, challenges some of the perceptions of who we are. As the public gets its measure of the political pseudo-gods, it showcases their perspicacity but simultaneously features their herd and too easily corralled mentality. It provides glimpses into an uneasy or even contradictory duality between the surface appearance and its subtext.

The way they are quick to bask in or claim your external success but are deeply skeptical about your local climb. Or even the way the majority-black population can openly condemn or be suspicious of “black pride,” but would countenance and extol white virtue and create monsters of those who publicly criticize the white power structure.

We have been warned. Heed the lessons. Read and learn from It’ll be alright in the morning!

VACANCY Real Foods Inc. the franchise holder for the KFC brand in St. Lucia is looking to recruit a Payroll Clerk for its growing operations.

The Payroll Clerk will be responsible for: • • • • • • • •

Calculating hours for fortnightly employees Processing payroll for fortnightly and monthly paid employees Ensuring that all employees are provided with fortnightly and monthly pay slips Reconciling and filing PAYE monthly and in a timely manner Reconciling and filing NIC monthly and in a timely manner Reconciling and filing TD5 forms monthly Ensuring that all employees are provided with TD5 forms Reconciling and providing the accounts department with the salary deductions for all employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE • • • •

Associates degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or similar field Minimum of 3 years’ experience in similar field and knowledge of related labour laws Computer literacy – competent in the use of payroll software and the Microsoft Office Suite with the ability to learn new applications.

The ideal candidate must be detail oriented and analytical, with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and must display a high level of confidentiality.

All interested persons are required to apply on or before Friday 2nd April 2021.

Applications with resumes must be emailed to: realfoodshr@gmail.com with the subject “Payroll Clerk Application” We thank all applicants for their interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

19

Credit Unions: An Important Player in St Lucia’s Financial Landscape

By Jermaine M. Hunte

S

ince its birth in southern Germany in 1849 the Credit Union Movement has grown, planting roots throughout the world including the Caribbean and Saint Lucia. Its continued relevance reflects the fact that the need which called it into existence some 150 plus years ago remains. Credit unions exist and operate on the conscious decisions taken by members to pool their financial resources in order to help one another.

This conscious decision allows members to accept the fact that the credit union is not about maximizing profit but working towards helping each and every member improve their living standing. In a world which sees the concentration of wealth held by an increasingly smaller number of persons, credit unions, because of their raison d’etre, are needed now more than ever.

Today, there are 16 Credit Unions in Saint Lucia serving a membership of over one hundred and eleven thousand. The

oldest existing Credit Union was registered some 54 years ago; the youngest 17. Their assets see the top tier with amounts in the $250 million plus range to the lower tier having approximately $2 million dollars.

Jointly, Credit Unions in Saint Lucia have a total asset base of over one billion dollars and have granted a little over half a billion in loans. Though these amounts are a small percentage of the Saint Lucian market they nevertheless make the point that there are many here who need or prefer the services offered by credit

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA MINISTRY OF EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND EMPOWERMENT SAINT LUCIA HUMAN CAPITAL RESILIENCE PROJECT – P170445 CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO DEVELOP A GRADUATION STRATEGY FOR SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES IN SAINT LUCIA REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST The Government of Saint Lucia has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to implement the Saint Lucia Human Capital Resilience Project.

Through this project, the Government is seeking to strengthen the resilience of its population and to address issues of poverty, vulnerability to shocks and youth unemployment by pursuing a two-pronged focussed on (i) improving the labor market relevance of skills in selected sectors and (ii) increasing the efficiency and coverage of the social protection system in Saint Lucia. Specifically, the project has two main components namely: 1. A component on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which focuses on the promotion of higher quality technical and socio-emotional skills and the transformation of the TVET sector from a supply-driven system to a demand-driven system that responds to a dynamic labour market.

2.

Strengthening Social Protection Policy Frameworks and improving the implementation of flagship social programs with an emphasis on increasing the efficiency and coverage of the Public Assistance Programme (PAP), Saint Lucia’s main cash transfer programme.

Consequently, towards an improved Social Protection System, and as part of activities under Component 2, the Ministry is seeking to develop a Graduation Strategy for Social Assistance Programmes in Saint Lucia. Graduation strategies aim to increase households’ income, skills, and human capital in an effort to promote long-term welfare improvement and poverty reduction.

services to DEVELOP A GRADUATION STRATEGY FOR SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES IN SAINT LUCIA. Expressions of Interest should include the consultant’s updated curriculum vitae indicating their: (i) academic qualification (ii) personal and technical skills (iii) experience in working with similar projects in developing countries (iv) the names of at least two (2) references with contact information (e-mail address and telephone or fax numbers).

An individual consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants method as detailed in the World Bank – Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Procurement in Investment Project Financing – Goods, Works, Nonconsulting and Consulting Services dated July 2018. In assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to qualifications, technical competence and experience on similar assignments. All information must be submitted in English.

The Ministry reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to annul the selection process at any time prior to contract award.

Further, the Ministry will not be bound to assign any reason for not engaging the services of any applicant and will not defray any cost incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of the Expressions of Interest.

A hard copy of the Expression of Interest must be received at the address provided below no later than 4:30 pm Eastern Caribbean Time on Tuesday April 27, 2021. This submission must be received in a sealed envelope and should be clearly marked Human Capital Resilience Project “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services to develop a Graduation Strategy for Social Assistance Programmes in Saint Lucia. The name and address of the applicant should also be clearly marked on the envelope.

It is important to note that this approach of the Government does not mean that beneficiaries will lose all forms of support, but rather, it focuses on connecting beneficiaries to different resources and establishing a pathway into other forms of support (as needed), including skills training, access to microfinance, agricultural support programmes and social services, among others.

ADDRESS: The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Innovation & Gender Relations and The purpose of this Consultancy therefore is to support the Ministry Sustainable Development of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment in developing a Graduation Strategy for Social Assistance Programmes For the attention of The Human Capital Resilience Project in Saint Lucia, inclusive of an implementation plan and a monitoring Implementation Unit and evaluation framework. The consultancy will be executed over 4th Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront, seven-month period.

Castries SAINT LUCIA The Terms of Reference is attached as Annex 1.

Further information on the project may be obtained by contacting The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Mrs. Velda Octave-Joseph via email at vjoseph@gosl.gov.lc or Empowerment now invites interested eligible Individual Consultants telephone number 4685108/4685125 between 9:00 am and 4:00 to submit Expressions of Interest for the provision of consultancy Eastern Caribbean time, Monday to Friday.

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MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

unions than the array of other available financial institutions.

Credit unions have the potential to grow if they seek to cater efficiently to their membership market. Credit unions are aware of this, hence the reason for their type differentiation. Among the 16 credit unions are community-based types like Saltibus Co-operative Credit Union Limited and West Coast Credit Union, sector specific types like Saint Lucia Teachers’ Credit Co-operative Ltd. and St. Lucia Hospitality Industry Workers Credit Co-operative Society Ltd., and those which are transitioning or have transitioned into national types—such as Laborie Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. or Mon Repos Eastern Co-operative Credit Union (1968). No matter the type, these credit unions have had to and will have to continue to adapt to the many changes which will occur in their operating environment.

Today’s operating environment has become very competitive. In addition, the regulatory requirements have increased tenfold. These requirements designed to thwart illegal activities such as money laundering as well as protect the savings of members have nevertheless placed additional administrative burdens on credit unions.

Credit unions have therefore sought to minimize the impact of these requirements, meet the challenges of competition and most importantly protect the interest of its members and or owners by working together and developing collaborative working relationships with regulatory authorities and trade associations.

In that regard, at the local level credit unions work together through the Saint Lucia Co-operative Credit Union League, at the regional level through Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU) and at the international level, the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU). Regular contact is maintained with regulatory agencies like the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and standards bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saint Lucia).

The year 2020 will not be easily forgotten.

Credit unions, like all other organizations and peoples, have been severely challenged by COVID-19. However, the pandemic has also shown the resilience of credit unions as they stepped up to the plate to assist members as well as the communities within which they operate. Credit unions granted moratoriums and deferments to their members; credit unions were one of the few groups who made bulk purchase of Government of Saint Lucia bonds in 2020, when the government announced that this was vital for it to meet its monthly obligations.

Even before the pandemic struck in March of 2020 the movement had established an online presence by offering members online access to their accounts. Also, in December 2019 the movement installed Automatic Teller Machines in strategic locations round the island; Choiseul, Vieux Fort, Mon Repos and Castries. In light of the social distancing requirement of the COVID-19 Protocols, these actions highlighted the forward thinking which happening in the credit union movement.

This forward thinking will be critical to movement’s survival and growth as it faces the continuing challenges off COVID-19 and challenges not yet seen.

Flexibility and adaptability is a part of the credit union DNA. And that is the reason credit unions are going to survive for at least the next 150 years.

HONORABLE WORDS TO LIVE BY!

A

t last week’s House sitting there were the usual heated exhalations from both sides of the table.

Especially remarkable was the opposition leader’s shot at the government he claimed had declared itself “best prepared” for COVID-19. When compared to whom? The honorable gentleman neglected to say. In all events it was his own opposition colleague Shawn Edwards, a former schoolteacher, that had given the authorities full marks for their efforts.

Following a specially convened meeting of NEMAC last March the absent opposition leader’s stand-in had placed on record his own enthusiastic assessment of the preparations. He said he came to the conference full of trepidation but at the end was in a happy position to declare the government’s efforts “world class.”

Last Tuesday the opposition leader took the opportunity to allay widespread fears about his health, a subject that over the last several months had occupied Facebook’s ever stridulating crickets.

Many had suggested the East Castries MP was not healthy enough to lead the opposition St. Lucia Labour Party at election time, largely because it seemed he had lost so much weight that his suits hung loose in all the wrong places.

At the most recent sitting of the House the MP set the record straight. He said he was happy to hear the government advocating a healthy lifestyle in this time of COVID-19—despite they had

TAKE US WITH YOU. WE ARE NOW MOBILE!

been ridiculing his own efforts at staying healthy, even though he is “the poster boy for diet and exercise.”

Shortly after his latest poster-boy declaration (several years ago he renamed Allen Chastanet the poster boy of the economic class!) the East Castries MP appeared on Facebook sweating it out on a treadmill at his home gym. Now here’s something Kenny Anthony never did in all his time as “best prime minister” and party leader.

To be fair, neither did Stephenson King.

---RW

Did You Know?

T

here is no doubt that if there were a superSupreme Court, a substantial proportion of our reversals of state courts would also be reversed.

We are not final because we are infallible, but we are infallible only because we are final.”—Robert H. Jackson, United States Supreme Court Associate justice, 1941-1954.

Adversarial Not Necessarily Bad

T

he U.S. legal system, as in most common law nations, is adversarial: two sides, typically represented by two advocates, argue their position to the courts. A trial judge does not have the power to investigate a case directly and usually questions witnesses only when there is need to clarify confusing testimony. In an inquisitorial system, a judge or group of judges directly investigates a case

and questions litigants. Civil law nations typically employ inquisitional procedures.

Civil law means two things: In the global context civil law and common law are two primary legal systems. Within common law systems, civil law addresses non-criminal matters—individuals’ wrongs against each other. Criminal law addresses individuals’ wrongs against society.

MARCH 27, 2021

THE STAR

21

OBITUARY

A Man For All Seasons

M

y uncle Enoch Williams, who has died aged 80, was a pioneering businessman who set up black hairdressing salons for men and women, a hairdressing school and the first black British-owned factory selling hair care products. He was well-known for his upbeat attitude and his determination to

provide opportunities for others.

Enoch was born in the village of Swetes in Antigua to Ernest Williams, a trade union leader, and Sarah Andrew, a cook. He came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation in 1958, taking up his first job as a factory worker before becoming a postman. Friends from those

days recall his driving ambition; rather than joining them for a drink after work, he would study at evening classes.

His initial plan to take a university degree changed after he decided to address the dearth of professional afro hairdressing services in the UK. He trained at the Morris School of Hairdressing in

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA MINISTRY OF EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND EMPOWERMENT SAINT LUCIA HUMAN CAPITAL RESILIENCE PROJECT – P170445 CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE NATIONAL SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICY REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST The Government of Saint Lucia has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to implement the Saint Lucia Human Capital Resilience Project.

Through this project, the Government is seeking to strengthen the resilience of its population and to address issues of poverty, vulnerability to shocks and youth unemployment by pursuing a two-pronged strategy focussed on (i) improving the labor market relevance of skills in selected sectors and (ii) increasing the efficiency and coverage of the social protection system in Saint Lucia. Specifically, the project has two main components namely: 1. A component on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which focuses on the promotion of higher quality technical and socio-emotional skills and the transformation of the TVET sector from a supply-driven system to a demand-driven system that responds to a dynamic labour market.

Strengthening Social Protection Policy Frameworks and improving the implementation of flagship social programs with an emphasis on increasing the efficiency and coverage of the Public Assistance Programme (PAP), Saint Lucia’s main cash transfer programme.

Consequently, towards an improved Social Protection System, and as part of activities under Component 2, the Ministry is seeking to strengthen the existing Social Protection policy framework to ensure that it supports an adaptive Social Protection system that is also inclusive and gender responsive and that reflects an integrated approach of social protection programming towards effectively addressing the needs of the population. Specifically, through this consultancy, the Ministry is seeking to review and update the existing National Social Protection Policy which was approved by Cabinet in 2014.

An individual consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants method as detailed in the World Bank – Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Procurement in Investment Project Financing – Goods, Works, Non-consulting and Consulting Services dated July 2018. In assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to qualifications, technical competence and experience working on similar assignments in developing countries. All information must be submitted in English.

The Ministry reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to annul the selection process at any time prior to contract award.

Further, the Ministry will not be bound to assign any reason for not engaging the services of any applicant and will not defray any cost incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of the Expressions of Interest.

2.

The duration of the assignment is seven (7) months.

The Terms of Reference is attached as Annex 1.

The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment now invites interested eligible Individual Consultants to submit Expressions of Interest for the provision of consultancy services to REVIEW AND UPDATE THE NATIONAL SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICY. Expressions of Interest should include the consultant’s updated curriculum vitae indicating his/her: (i) academic qualification (ii) personal and technical skills (iii) experience in working with similar projects in developing countries (iv) the names of at least two (2) references with contact information (e-mail address and telephone or fax numbers).

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A hard copy of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the address provided below no later than 4:30 pm Eastern Caribbean Time on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. This submission must be received in a sealed envelope and should be clearly marked HUMAN CAPITAL RESILIENCE PROJECT “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE NATIONAL SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICY. The name and address of the applicant should also be clearly marked on the envelope.

ADDRESS: The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Innovation & Gender Relations and Sustainable Development For the attention of The Human Capital Resilience Project Implementation Unit 4th Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront, Castries SAINT LUCIA Further information on the project may be obtained by contacting Mrs. Velda Octave-Joseph via email at vjoseph@gosl.gov.lc or telephone number 4685108/4685125 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Eastern Caribbean time, Monday to Friday.

Enoch Williams noticed the dearth of afro hairdressing services in the UK and stepped into the breach.

London in 1970, then saved up to do further training in afro hairdressing in New York, which meant spending a year away from his first wife, Jenny (nee Boyles), and their young sons.

On his return in 1973, Enoch launched his first hairdressing salon, called Glamourland, in Hackney, east London. Within a year he had bought the neighbouring premises and the salon spread over three floors, becoming one of the largest and most popular black hairdressers in London.

Enoch received enquiries from students around the world, eager to learn from him. He responded in 1978 by setting up the Ebony School of Hairdressing, which offered the first accredited afro hairdressing qualification in the UK. After the 1981 Brixton uprisings he set his sights on establishing a large, state-of-the-art salon called Ultimate above Brixton tube station, partly in order to support the development of the community. Enoch’s initial proposal was turned down. The same plan was agreed, however, after he enlisted the help of a white friend who posed as the business owner.

Enoch’s activities expanded to include a factory manufacturing hair-care products, after years of experimentation in his kitchen. A further salon followed in Brooklyn, New York, enabling him to bring the latest US trends to the UK. He was a hard-working and caring man who encouraged people around him to strive for excellence, including his half-brother Maurice Hope, who became a world boxing champion.

He was also very creative, and loved making things – hair products, his legendary cakes and, as he liked to joke, great children too. He had a love of learning, and in later life took up piano and Spanish lessons. He also became an active member of Hornsey Moravian church.

His marriage to Jenny ended in divorce. He is survived by his second wife, Fiona Bartels-Ellis, their children, Sholah and Uche, four children from his first marriage, Emile, Cordell, Karl and Duncan, and six grandchildren.

Enoch Williams (right) giving his brother, the boxer Maurice Hope, some hairdressing tips in 1978.

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Audit Manager and Audit Supervisor: Chartered Accountant with 5 and 3 years’ experience respectively working in a similar position.

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Proven experience in maintaining audit standards, laws and regulations.

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Must be able to provide strong leadership to ensure the team is sufficiently motivated in order to achieve the firm’s goals and objectives for performance and professional development.

Audit Senior: Must possess a degree in accounting and 3 years’ experience in a similar position.

The Senior Auditor must have good time management and analytical skills, with a sound knowledge of auditing practices. The applicant is required to have full understanding of internal controls and compliance regulations.

Applications to be accompanied by two recent employment references and submitted to:

Applications@lc.gt.com Only suitable applications will be acknowledged.

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Government Of Saint Lucia

INVITATION TO TENDER GEF 6 - Integrated Ecosystems Management and Restoration of Forests in the South East Coast Project INVITATION The Government of Saint Lucia, through the Department of Sustainable Development (Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development), is inviting consultants to submit tenders for a consultancy to undertake a detailed socio-economic profile of the communities in the South East Coast to provide agribusiness support services.

Project Location Saint Lucia, with particular focus on the South East Coast, from Mandele Point in Dennery to Laborie.

TERMS OF REFERENCE 1.0 BACKGROUD 1.1 Integrated Ecosystem Management and Restoration of Forests on the South East Coast of Saint Lucia project is aimed at developing ecosystems management systems and practices, restoring productive landscapes and enabling sustainable socio-economic development by creating avenues for sustainable livelihood in the communities in the South East Coast region of the island. The main problem that the project seeks to address is the lack of integrated protection hectares and sustainable management of ecosystems. This area encompasses some of the island’s dry forest ecosystems, namely, the Mandele Dry Forest, which is critical to the continued survival of some of its threatened endemic species and sub-species such as the White-Breasted Thrasher, Saint Lucia Oriole, Saint Lucia Black Finch, the Saint Lucia Pewee, the Antillean Euphonia, Bridled quail dove, Grey Trembler, three hummingbird species and possibly the Rufous Nightjar (Bird Life International, 2018). Other non- bird biodiversity that can be found in this area are the agouti, the boa constrictor and the fer-de-lance. Point Sables, another key biodiversity area found in the South East Coast is approximately 774 hectares and is home to at least thirty-two bird species (cite Robert L Norton 1989), five endemic species of herpetofauna, two of which are only found in Saint Lucia; they are The Saint Lucia racer and the Saint Lucia whiptail.

1.2 Main threats to these existing ecosystems include natural disasters, charcoal production, mining, habitat modification and destruction. The island’s vulnerability to natural disasters such as hurricanes and storms, may have catastrophic effects on the natural resources of the area. Charcoal production by the Aupicon Charcoal production Group contributes to increases in emissions of greenhouse gases and the most commonly stated impact is deforestation.

1.3 Mining and quarrying activities result in the discharge of chemicals and industrial waste into the environment. Lastly, habitat change is occurring at a rapid rate and is expected to increase even further in the future with the projected increases in hotels, housing, infrastructure and other developments that may negatively impact dry forest areas.

1.4 The application and expansion of these interventions in the South East Coast, particularly with regard to long-term sustainability, have been impeded by inadequacies within the wider policy and institutional environments that do not adequately allow for mainstreaming of these interventions beyond the realm of “project-driven, site-specific” actions. Further, the mechanisms for the implementation of appropriate and “fit-to-purpose” sustainable land and water management, the use of renewable energy technologies and biodiversity conservation interventions, have remained outside of traditional government programmes and budgets and as a result, these remain some areas of key concern in the South East Coast: 1.4.1

24

Land Use Planning: Absence of planned, guided and managed

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development of all types (residential, agricultural, touristic and access) which takes into account ecosystems goods and services.

1.4.2

Continuity: Lack of follow up or financing for completed biodiversity assessment and priority setting exercises.

1.4.3

Sustainable replacements: Lack of sustainable options to reduce pressures on ecosystem services and goods.

1.5 Under its sixth replenishment funding cycle (GEF6), the Global Environment Facility provided funding to the Government of Saint Lucia, through the Department of Sustainable Development, as project Executing Agency, to implement a project entitled ‘Integrated Ecosystems Management and Restoration of Forests of the South East Coast’, which focuses on Land use planning; Safeguarding of key areas; Continuity and Sustainable replacements. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the project Implementing Agency. The project aims to address these concerns in three distinct components with an accompanying overarching Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system: Component 1: Ecosystem Management Component 2: Rehabilitated Landscapes Component 3: Sustainable Livelihoods Under the sustainable livelihoods component, one of the areas of intervention is that of providing Renewable Energy technologies to groups involved in agro processing to increase efficiency in the production process. Thus, a comprehensive and detailed gender responsive socio-economic profile for south east coast communities, to assist with the identification and selection of projects where Renewable Energy technologies will be utilized, is required. These profiles will also be utilized to identify other groups and agri-businesses that can be selected for other initiatives under the project in the Sustainable Livelihoods component, including women, marginalized and vulnerable groups.

1.6 Overall, the GEF intervention will build on existing legal framework to develop appropriate supporting regulations and guidelines, which integrate environmental sensitivities, priorities and sustainable management options in forest, coastal and marine ecosystems. Agro-processing is a nascent industry in the South East Coast.

Energy use for drying and electricity is incumbent in cocoa, broom making and sea moss initiatives. However, the cost of energy is one of the limiting factors in the development of the industry, and existing technologies that use hydrocarbons to generate electricity and heat contribute to increasing carbon emissions. Charcoal farming and broom making, as currently practiced, are extractive industries that degrade lands and habitat for rare and endangered species and other biodiversity.

Transforming these industries from extractive to sustainable (e.g. fuel wood and tree crop planting and management) and thereby improving practices associated with this livelihood, is important in combating land degradation. Without the GEF intervention, the high biodiversity, priority forest, and marine areas of the South East Coast would continue to be degraded and imperiled by development initiatives, which, fail to take into account local, national, and global environment considerations.

Government Of Saint Lucia

2.0 OBJECTIVE, PURPOSE & EXPECTED RESULTS OF CONSULTANCY

(3)

Undertake a scoping exercise to inform of potential sustainable livelihood opportunities and requirements for development in the project area which includes, but is not limited to Green, Blue and Orange Economy enterprises, economic recovery through nature-based solutions, Ecosystem based Adaptation; Climate Smart Agriculture and others.

(4)

Identify and prioritise a list of market ready agro-businesses (existing and or potential) that would be the focus for technical and resource mobilisation support for sustainable livelihood interventions identified for the South East Coast.

2.1 The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop socio-economic profiles for South East Coast communities within the project area, to assist with the selection process for project initiatives involving sustainable livelihoods.

2.2 The purpose is to identify agro-processors and agribusiness enterprises that are adequately positioned and have capability to effectively utilize Renewable Energy technologies to enhance product production, improve business operations, participate in capacity building initiatives and take advantage of sustainable livelihood opportunities in the South East Coast provided by the project.

2.3 Expected Results to be achieved include: 2.3.1

Detailed Socio-economic profiles of the communities in the South East Coast developed using a gender-sensitive approach.

2.3.2

Evaluation and recommendation of appropriate Renewable Energy technologies that can support existing and potential agribusiness (micro, small and medium sized) and agro-processing enterprises in the project-area communities

2.3.3

2.3.4

concise but specific scoping study undertaken, informing of potential sustainable livelihood opportunities and requirements (e.g., Ecosystem based Adaptation, Economic Recovery through Nature-Based Solutions, Green, Blue and Orange Economy enterprises, Climate Smart Agriculture and others) for their development in the project-area communities, and in keeping with project objectives

4.2

4.2.1

b. In consultation with staff from the Ministry of Social Equity, the Department of Agriculture, the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of Sustainable Development relevant counterpart government divisions, organize and lead consultations with stakeholders resulting in the detailed development of the following activities: 4.3.1 i.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

Conduct inception meetings with the Contracting Authority and partners upon commencement of the project to (i) review the process for conducting all activities within the project, (ii) determine roles and responsibilities, (iii) discuss the basis on which this work will be implemented, and (iv) finalize the work plan and timetable. A draft work plan and report on the outcome of the inception meeting will be prepared by the Consultant and submitted to the client.

iii. The Consultants will submit the Final Inception Report with comments included to the Contracting Authority after receiving comments from the Contracting Authority.

4.3.2

1.

4.0 SCOPE OF THE WORK 4.1 The Consultant, working in conjunction with the technical personnel in the Department of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Social Equity, Central Statistics Office, Department of Economic Development, Department of Physical Development, Department of Agriculture, other counterpart divisions/departments in government and other partner agencies such as IICA, Export Saint Lucia, Agricultural Co-operatives will:

(2)

Task 1: Prepare the Work Plan and Inception Report

ii. The Contracting Authority and partners will prepare and submit comments on the Draft Inception Report and Work Plan submitted by the Consultants

3.1 The Consultant will employ a participatory approach at all phases of the assignment, to derive wherever possible, the necessary synergies from tasks/ activities, activities including completed and ongoing initiatives that will allow for all the stakeholders and beneficiaries to be involved in the formulation and description of the document.

(1)

The Consultant will be responsible for the following:

a. Consolidate electronically, any documents that will serve to enhance the baseline knowledge base for the project Component 3 preparation and implementation.

Identification and prioritisation of a list of market ready agro-businesses (existing and or potential) that would be the focus for technical and resource mobilisation support for sustainable livelihood interventions identified for the South East Coast.

3.2 The Consultant will undertake focus group discussions (FGDs), one-on-one meetings/interviews with stakeholders, as determined, for information gathering in the preparation, completion, validation and finalization of the Project Reports and other related documents.

Specific responsibilities

Generate a detailed profile of the communities in the project area inclusive of existing and potential sustainable livelihood opportunities of relevance to the project;

Identify and prioritise the agribusiness/agro-processor and other community initiatives to receive Renewable Energy technologies to improve production efficiency;

Task 2: Develop detailed socio-economic profiles for South East Coast Communities and environs to assist with the selection of project initiatives such as solar PV, dryers, incubators Component 3: Sustainable Livelihoods In consultation with the Department of Agriculture, the Ministry of Social Equity, the Central Statistics Department, the Department of Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Commerce, Agricultural Co operatives, Export Saint Lucia, community organisations, producer organisations in the project area, and other appropriate agencies and relevant stakeholders , collect baseline data on socio-economic situation of local communities (data disaggregated by community where possible) within the boundaries identified for the South East Coast and environs. The data should include, but not be limited to, the following: •

Population demographics (age, sex, ethnic and marital status,

•

Occupations

•

Economic Activity in the area (employment, occupations, industries)

• Race and ethnicity

• Educational levels

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Government Of Saint Lucia

2.

3.

4.3.3

•

•

Conduct a focused scoping study of potential sustainable livelihood options in the project-area communities (inter-alia Green, Blue and Orange economy, Economic Recovery through Nature Based Solutions, Climate Smart Agriculture and others) that would inform interventions to enhance livelihoods and build sustainability linkages.

Identify existing infrastructure that could be better leveraged to support sustainable livelihoods in the target communities and in keeping with the project objectives.

Identify and prioritise the agro-processing enterprises (rural women’s groups, sea moss farmers groups, cocoa farmers, broom makers, etc.) as well as other community initiatives in the project area involved in agribusiness activities and other agricultural enterprises, where Renewable Energy technologies can contribute to increased economic activity, productivity/profitability, and/or enhanced livelihoods.

In consultation with the agro-processors, agribusiness enterprises and community initiatives identified, develop a business profile to inform enterprise support/enhanced livelihood interventions which includes, but not limited to: organisational structure, number of employers, length of time in operation, status of financing for the enterprise, and the benefits impact of the utilisation of the Renewable Energy systems

and The James Belgrave Micro Enterprise Development Fund (BELFUND).

Identify the current and potential agro-business in the project area

•

Conduct an assessment to determine market readiness and whether technical and resource mobilisation support is required for sustainable livelihood interventions in the South East Coast

•

Recommend and prioritise the existing and potential agro-business in the South East Coast that would require technical and resource mobilisation support

1.

2.

26

Task 4: Recommend market ready agro businesses (existing and or potential) that would require technical and resource mobilisation support for sustainable livelihood interventions identified for the South East Coast- Component 3- Sustainable Livelihood

•

4.3.5

5.1 The proposed consultancy will have the following deliverables:

Deliverables

RECOMMENDATIONS The selected Consultant will be required to advise on the final scope of works and deliverables to ensure that the consultancy meets the objectives of the project and its components.

The Consultant will be expected to comment on the Terms of Reference and recommend potential refinements where necessary, including making such recommendations as deemed appropriate to enhance the quality of the assignment and outputs

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Due Date after Contract Signing

Task 1: Inception Report and Work Plan: Draft Inception Report and a detailed Work Plan

2 weeks Comments in response, by Contracting Authority and partners, should reach the Consultant no later than ten (15) working days after receipt of Report

Task 3: Recommend agro-processor groups and other community initiatives in the project area to receive Renewable Energy systems to improve productive efficiency – Component 3 : Sustainable Livelihoods.

[1] The following associations have indicated a willingness to provide the platforms from which to incrementally build on: Saint Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers, Superior Broom Producers, St. Lucia Cooperative for essential Oils and St. Lucia Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAEP), St Lucia Koudmen Sent Lisi, St Lucia Holistic Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (HOPE), St Lucia,

4.3.4

5.0 DELIVERABLES

Final Inception Report which will incorporate comments 3 weeks from Contracting Authority and relevant partners.

Task 2. Develop detailed socio-economic profiles of Communities in the South East Coast Submit 1st draft Report on socio-economic profiles

13 weeks

Submit Final Report on socio economic profiles

17 weeks

Task 3. Identify and prioritise agroprocessor groups in the project area to receive renewable energy systems to improve productive efficiency Submit 1st draft Report -Identifying and prioritizing agro processing groups to receive RE Systems with specifications identified

23 weeks

Submit Final Report - Identifying and prioritizing agro processing groups to receive RE Systems with specifications identified

27 weeks

Task 4. Recommend market-ready agro-businesses (existing and or potential) that would require Deliverables technical and resource mobilisation support for sustainable livelihood interventions identified for the South East Coast Submit 1st Draft - Recommend market-ready agro businesses (existing and or potential) that would require technical and resource mobilisation support for sustainable livelihood interventions identified for the South East Coast

Due Date after Contract Signing

31 weeks

34 weeks Submit Final Report - Recommend market-ready agro-businesses (existing and or potential) that would require technical and resource mobilisation support for sustainable livelihood interventions identified for the South East Coast Task 5: Closeout Report

36 weeks

Government Of Saint Lucia

6.0 CONSULTANCY MANAGEMENT 6.1

viii. Local and regional experience in undertaking a similar assignment ix. A knowledge of or familiarity of Renewable Energy technologies

Project Execution and Administration 6.1.1

6.1.2 6.1.3

The Consultant will report to the National Project Coordinator, who will provide the necessary linkages and backstopping along with the Project Steering Committee (PSC) comprising representatives of key agencies.

All communications will be between the Consultant and the National Project Coordinator or his/her designee for the assigned work.

The Consultant will manage his/her time and responsibilities to ensure timely delivery of outputs required under this Terms of Reference.

6.2 Place of work: 6.2.1

6.3

Travel:

6.3.1

6.4

The Consultant will be based in his/her personal offices, but will be accommodated at the offices of the Department of Sustainable Development when necessary.

The assignment will not require travel outside of Saint Lucia; however, travel to the target communities and project areas will be necessary.

Reporting:

6.4.1

All reports will be issued in Word format and will each take the form of one hard copy and one electronic copy, submitted to the National Project Coordinator.

7.3

Timeframe for consultancy 7.3.1

The Consultant will be contracted for a period of 6 months.

8.0 SUBMISSION 8.1 A complete proposal consisting of separate technical and financial proposals should be contained in individual sealed envelopes and should be placed inside a sealed outer envelope. The sealed outer envelope containing submissions should be marked “CONFIDENTIAL” “Proposal - Consultancy Services to undertake a detailed socio-economic profile of the communities in the South East Coast to provide agribusiness support services. – Socio Economic Analyst.” The envelope should not contain company logos or the consultant’s name.

8.2 The envelope containing the technical proposals should be marked “TECHNICAL PROPOSAL- Consultancy Services to undertake a detailed socio-economic profile of the communities in the South East Coast to provide agribusiness support services – Socio Economic Analyst.”

8.3 The envelope containing the financial proposals should be marked “FINANCIAL PROPOSAL- Consultancy Services to undertake a detailed socio-economic profile of the communities in the South East Coast to provide agribusiness support services – Socio Economic Analyst.”

Hard copies must be submitted to the following address by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday April 27th 2021.

7.0. QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCIES 7.1

General Qualification i.

Postgraduate degree in Economics, Sociology, Agricultural Economics or related field, with at least 3 years’ experience in undertaking research of a similar nature.

ii.

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Sociology, Agricultural Economics or related field, with at least 6 years’ experience in undertaking research of a similar nature.

Or

7.2

Experience and ability

i.

Have sound knowledge and wide experience in the development and use of participatory approaches in natural resources management.

ii.

Working knowledge, experience and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

iii.

Ability to conduct research and analysis with strong synthesis skills

iv.

Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation and teamwork skills, and a networking aptitude.

v.

Ability to work in complex, multi-stake-holder project environments.

vi. Track record of involvement in similar exercises using participatory and consultative processes in the development of sustainable management plans and demonstrated expertise in the areas of environmental management.

The Secretary Central Tenders Board Office of Director of Finance Ministry of Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and Public Service 2nd Floor Finance Administrative Centre Pointe Seraphine, Castries SAINT LUCIA AND / OR must be emailed to saintluciactbprocurement@govt.lc by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday April 27th 2021.

All information must be submitted in English. If the consultant chooses to submit hardcopies, 2 hard copies of the Submission must be received.

8.1

All queries or questions on the TORs should be e-mailed to Mr. John Calixte at e-mail address jcalixtejr28@gmail.com and Ms. Rochelle Alcee at e-mail address ralcee@sde.gmail.com

8.2 All queries and questions should be submitted by Wednesday April 14th 2021.

8.3 The Lead Consultant will be allowed to work with a team of consultants whose CVs must be included in the tender dossier being submitted.

vii. Must also have knowledge or experience working with agro-processors in Saint Lucia

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