THE VINCENTIAN PDF-24-01-2025

AMERICAN AIRLINE MISHAP AT AIA

A cleat indication of the blown tyres.

AIRPORT WOES

LAST MONDAY’S (Jan. 20) incident involving an American Airlines flight into the Argyle International Airport may just have opened a can of worms.

Investigations speak to at least another incident and generally poor conditions at our airports that might just have gone unnoticed.

Our investigations have turned up a sorry state at the J. F. Mitchell Airport in Bequia where, in addition to the terminal building requiring regular maintenance, over grown bush on the grass verge continues to be a hazard if not a potential cause of a mishap for those aircraft using the airport.

As for the airport in Canouan, in addition to a report that said the perimeter fence was still down after being thrown into

that state by Hurricane Beryl, it appears that the surface of the runway is deteriorating, very much like that at the AIA.

Inductions of an uneven, gravel-like, shredding surface runway at the AIA, gave rise to wild speculation that this could well have contributed to the tyres blowing on that American Airlines aircraft last Monday.

In fact, as far as the runaway surface at the AIA is concerned, our investigations turned up incidents of two SVG AIR aircraft experiencing major engine problems caused by gravel ingress to the engines.

And as if that was not all to the airport woes that confront us, a jet aircraft is reported to have hit a fence at the AIA when it attempted to park. It did so only after the marshals (those who direct the aircraft into parking positions) had abandoned their posts/duties during a downpour of rain, which would have presented visibility.

The multi-island state St. Vincent and the Grenadines is served by five airports —one each on mainland St. Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union island.

Left: The American Airline came to a stop near the northern end of the runway and iot was some time before the passengers were allowed to disembark (as pictured).

by KENVILLE HORNE

THE FIRST OF TWO INCIDENTS involving American Airlines aircraft at the Argyle International Airport occurred on June 5, 2021, when the airline’s Boeing 737 Max 8 was unable to take off due to an incident involving a “bird strike.

The second occurred last Monday, January 20, 2025, at approximately 4:42pm, when American Airlines Flight 909 from Miami, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration N328TC, blew two tyres on its left rear landing gear, on its landing at the AIA, this as confirmed by both local authorities and American Airlines.

The aircraft remained on the runway for some time bringing normal airport operations to a complete halt.

Residents in the vicinity of the airport reported hearing a loud bang coming from the airport, and witnesses also reported hearing the bang

Continued on Page 3.

Left: Aircraft runs into a fence (see left wing) a fence at the AIA after marshals vacated their post because of rain.

Richland Park achieves triple titles

RICHLAND PARK etched a place in the history of the annual Nine Morning Festivities, by copping the National Lighting title, as well as the Best Christmas Community and the Best Nine Mornings Community.

Having already been declared winner of the 2024 Community Lighting title for the first time, Richland Park was announced as winners of the other two major categories, when the National Nine Mornings Committee held its Prize Giving Ceremony, last Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Peace Memorial Hall.

Over the years, Richland Park duelled with archrivals — Stubbs, this time around they did the double, repeating a feat they first achieved in 2020.

Led by the indefatigable Danroy Ballantyne, the Richland

Below: Some members of the Richland Park Nine Mornings/Lighting Committee (from left) Kendolph Williams, Keith Stephens, Cherry Ann Pompey, Lucia Ballantyne.

Park Lighting and Nine Mornings Committee also included Cherry Ann Pompey, Keith Stephens, Karla Castello, Lucia Ballantyne, Arlene John and Kendolph Williams.

Speaking on behalf of the grouping at last Saturday’s ceremony, a delighted Pompey told the VINCENTIAN, that winning the three titles

was a testimony to the community support they received.

“What stood out for us most was that we had community spirit. A lot of persons from the community came out to help us. …… . Outside of that, we have a really committed committee. You will not hear a ‘no’ from anyone. We are always supportive; We come up with our ideas, we start working early,” Pompey expressed with a sense of gratitude.

Pompey added, “We are happy with the results; our committee is one of excellence, so to say we will want a second place, never. It did not come just like that, because it was a lot of commitment. It was months: late nights into the next day until about 3am”.

Pompey disclosed that a lot of planning has gone into their annual presentation.

“Over the years we have been starring, getting rave reviews via the media outlets, just that we have never won

“CP” makes it three-straight

all, but (2024) it was clear, there was no way of seeing it differently, because our ideas are always fresh and new compared to anywhere else”, she boasted.

Among the highlights of this year’s presentation the “Catch the cock” activity that was one of the innovations, and the returning goat/sheep race, and every-growing road relay.

Pompey underlined that the wins are not for the committee only, but for the Richland Park Community and the entire Marriaqua constituency.

In the announcements made last Saturday, Stubbs trailed Richland Park in the Best Nine Mornings Community segment, with Barrouallie, Spring Village and Layou following in that order.

And, in the Best Christmas Community segment, again Stubbs was second, followed by Troumaca in third place, with Barrouallie, fourth and Layou in fifth.

VETERAN CALYPSONIAN- Carlton “CP” Hall made it three-straight, when for the third consecutive year he walked off with the title of Most Popular Christmas Song. He received his award when the National Nine Mornings Committee held its 2024 awards and presentation ceremony last Saturday.

CP’s winning song for 2024 was “One Man Parang Band”. That followed similar titles in 2022, when he penned and sang “We Outside Again”, with “Pan for de Christmas” trumping in 2023. The announcement was added incentive for heightened celebration since they were presented on his birthday.

The former teacher and lecturer, working the significance of the number three into his acceptance speech, delivered same in three minutes and dedicated the latest title to his late mother, and listed three pieces of advice she left with him: no matter how good you think you are, be disciplined in your art; self-praise is no recommendation; and humility is a virtue.

The perennial contributor to many areas of the Vincentian culture, “CP” proffered, “I am guided by these three principles as I continue to make my contribution to the development of culture and the arts in this land”.

With a tinge of Sarcasm, he alluded that whilst self-praise is no recommendation, there is the need to give respect and recognition, where they are due.

Not yet finished with his reference to ‘three’, in closing his “thank you” he sang praises to his ‘oneman band’ - “Me, myself and I”.

As CP celebrates another title, he beat out one of his main rivals, Rondy Luta Mc Intosh, with his rendition, “Christmas Bubbling”.

There was a tie for third place between Rollie Bowman, with “Christmas is Here Once Again” and Ozarie Matthews- “Spending My Money”. Fourth was Kevon “Sick O” Shallow with a song called “Jinger”.

Ready, Set, Go! And after some uncertainty, the goats took off in another race for animal glory.

Carlton “CP” Hall made a telling reference to the number 3, as he accepted his third consecutive victory in the Nine Mornings Most Popular Christmas Song Contest.

Greed driving homicides: Groupings require study

GREED CONNECTED to the trade in cocaine, marijuana and other items – including money laundering - is the base element involved in local homicides.

And according to Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, there are additional crisscrossing issues arising such as young male egos, retaliations and the like.

He made the comment in his response to Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown St Claire Leacock on January 9 in the House of Assembly. Leacock wanted to know whether there were active gangs in St. Vincent and the

Grenadines and what was driving the homicide rate.

“I made reference that what we have are associational groupings in pursuance of criminal activities,” Gonsalves said.

“And there are a number of important issues you have to identify in the different sets of associational groupings, whether you call them a gang or not, there are definitional issues,” he continued. It was also important to analyse these associational groupings individually, Gonsalves advised.

And these analyses needed to look at, for example, leadership and if there is succession,

what structures exist within the associational grouping, the recruitment of members and the extent of the fluidity of the grouping’s membership.

There were other things too, he reasoned, including what are the activities outside of criminal activities; is there a fixed location to ground a definition of a gang and if there were loose connections between these associational groups and other individuals or entities.

“What is important that we do, we need to frame and give it a more scientific name,” the prime minister said.

And to get that done would be to refashion the

‘Special Branch’ so that it links better with intelligence in relation to Major Crimes Unit.

According to Gonsalves, the country was small and given the nature of technology, it was easy to set up a data base of all the households where individuals are involved in serious criminal activity.

He, however, cautioned that it was often viewed that it was only persons in associational groupings who were committing criminal acts of violence, but there were also sole operators.

During a press briefing on December 16, 2024 the issue of motive in the increase of violent

While not using the word gang instead settling for “associational groupings”, the PM cited the need for analyses/studies of these groupings.

crime was raised and Enville Williams, Commissioner of Police (Ag) responded saying that the police were

Dominica’s Geothermal effort gets CDB loan

DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN Dominica’s energy security and reduce electricity production costs, The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank) has approved a USD 34.8 million loan to the Geothermal Power Company of Dominica (GPC).

The construction of the 10-megawatt (MW) geothermal power plant will also significantly lower carbon emissions in the power sector.

According to a press release from the CDB, approximately 70% of the country’s electricity is diesel-generated, driving up energy costs and hindering business growth and progress towards

key Sustainable Development Goals.

However, Dominica, located in the Eastern Caribbean, is home to vast geothermal energy potential linked to its volcanic origin.

Geothermal energy, derived from the Earth’s heat, primarily in volcanic areas, provides a constant, 24-hour source of renewable energy–unlike solar and wind power, which are subject to variability.

CDB’s funding — with resources from the Inter-American Development Bank (through the Green Climate Fund), and Government of Canada through the Global Affairs Canada - covers 51% of the total project costs of approximately

USD68 million. The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) is contributing 22%, and the remainder as equity from the GPC.

This project is funded under CDB’s GeoSmart Initiative which seeks to support countries with geothermal potential in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in developing projects with funding and technical assistance.

Therese Turner-Jones, CDB’s Vice President of Operations (Ag), said that the plant will enable Dominica to leverage its natural resources to diversify its energy supply.

In addition to Dominica, other OECS nations have received support under the GeoSmart Initiative. A USD9.4 million grant has been approved for test drilling in Grenada, while St. Kitts and Nevis received USD 17 million in funding towards the drilling of production wells on the island of Nevis.

CDB previously provided USD27 million to support completed geothermal exploration in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Coordinator of the CDB’s Sustainable Energy Unit, Joseph Williams revealed that CDB’s contingently recovery grant (CRG) provided under GeoSmart is a key financial mechanism that helps address the high drilling risk.

He explained that the funding remains a grant and allows for exploration by the government or developers, not having to repay a loan, even if the drilling is unsuccessful. (SG)

American Airline mishap at AIA

Continued from Frontpage. as the aircraft passed the terminal building, and seeing smoke emitting from the landing gear area.

However, fire personnel, upon arrival and assessment, confirmed that there were no signs of fire,” and a report from the RSVGPF, assured that “The RSVGPF Fire Brigade promptly dispatched a team of fire personnel from the AIA Fire Station to respond to the incident.”

The police report confirmed that the aircraft was carrying 106 passengers and six (6) crew members, all of whom were safely evacuated without injury. Passengers disembarked at 5:37 PM and were transported to the terminal via bus.

The aircraft was then removed from the tarmac allowing normal airport operations to resume by 9:30pm the same day.

At least one flight, a Virgin Airlines flight, was unable to fulfil its scheduled service into and out of AIA during the period the American Airlines aircraft remained on the runway. Investigations into the cause of the blown tire are ongoing, and the RSVGPF continues to work alongside relevant aviation authorities, including American Airlines personnel, to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the situation.

working on establishing a data base as referenced by the PM. (DD)

“Emancipate yourself …” lawyer tells Prosecutor

Ricardo Robinson (left) being hustled by a friend from the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, after he was granted bail.

ATTORNEY Grant is of the view that Prosecutor Renrick Cato, whom he sometimes refers to as his friend, needs to emancipate himself from ‘mental slavery’.

Connell made the remark at the Serious Offenses Court on Tuesday, after the Prosecutor disagreed that Jamaican national, Ricardo Robinson, who pleaded guilty to four charges of illegal entry should be granted bail pending his removal from the state yesterday (Thursday).

Connell, in mitigation, told the Court that Robinson’s wife is a Vincentian, and she had already secured a ticket for his flight out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The lawyer said that since Robinson saved the state the cost of a ticket, the Prosecution should not object to him being reprimanded and discharged on all the charges.

The Prosecutor said he had no problem with

Robinson being reprimanded and discharged, but requested a removal order, and that Robinson remain in custody, pending his removal from the state, as he was an illegal immigrant.

But Connell responded sharply, “I don’t know why the Prosecution would want to hinder a Caribbean national,” and reiterated that Robinson’s wife was a Vincentian and it was just a matter of time for him to go through the procedures.

Senior Magistrate Colin John’s position was, “While there is law, there is also common sense, and the policy of the government as to how we treat Caribbean national.”

The Magistrate also stressed that Robinson had sufficient ties to this Jurisdiction. He reprimanded and discharged Robinson on all the charges and indicated that he would be granted bail pending his removal from the state.

But Cato, concerned about the Jamaican being granted bail, questioned, “What is he being granted bail as?” and emphasized. “He is a prohibited immigrant.”

But Connell expressed the view that “If it was an English man with no ties to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Prosecution would not object to bail.”

The lawyer then turned to Prosecutor Cato and said, “Man, emancipate yourself from mental slavery,” to which Cato responded with a smile.

Robinson was charged with entering the state by boat and without a passport; entering other than at a port of entry; entering and disembarking without the consent of an immigration officer; and knowingly and willfully allowing himself as a prohibited immigrant.

Police arrested Robinson around 4:15 a.m. on

French man granted bail

THREE DAYSafter being denied bail at the Serious Offenses Court, a French national was granted bail at the Barrouallie Magistrate’s Court on three immigration charges.

When Jean-Noel Pane initially appeared at the Serious Offenses Court on Monday, he pleaded not

Blocks maker on manslaughter charge

RAVI FRANCOIS, a 22-year-old blocks maker of Byera, was granted $30,000 bail with one surety on Tuesday when he appeared in Court on a manslaughter charge.

Francois is accused of causing the death of fellow villager, Osbourne Kenville Morris, a 49year-old labourer, by an unlawful act.

Francois’s brush with the law stems from an incident at Byera around midnight last Sunday, when Morris was reportedly chopped several times with a cutlass.

The accused, who was represented by attorney Grant Connell, was not required to plead when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offenses Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Renrick Cato did not object to bail, but requested suitable surety and conditions.

Bail was then granted on condition that Francois surrender his travel documents and report to the Georgetown Police Station every Thursday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Stop notices will be placed at all ports by entry and exit, and the matter was adjourned to February 25.

The Prosecution intends to call about 12 witnesses.

Corporal 339 Chevron La Borde is leading the investigations.

guilty to the charges but was denied bail after Senior Magistrate Colin John refused a bail application by Pane’s lawyer Grant Connell.

Pane, who hails from Paris, denied: that on January 10 he entered the state by boat at Buccament and disembarked, without the consent of an immigration officer; that he entered the state by boat other than at a port of entry; and that he knowingly, willfully allowed himself to be landed as a prohibited immigrant.

Noel Pane is said to have investments in SVG.

In objecting to bail, Prosecutor Renrick Cato considered Pane a flight risk. He told the Court that Pane is a non-national, and even if the state seizes his passport, there is nothing to stop him from leaving the country without it.

Cato said the matters are straightforward, and asked the court for a week.

But Pane’s lawyer Grant Connell applied for bail, stating that his client has assets here. He noted that Pane owns a restaurant at Cumberland and a yacht, which is docked at Ottley Hall. He added that Pane is not a hardened criminal, has sufficient ties to this Jurisdiction, and is well known here.

But the Magistrate upheld the Prosecution objection to bail and transferred the matter to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for the following day. However, when Pane appeared in that Court on Tuesday, Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie transferred it to the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court, saying that it was a District 3 matter.

THE VINCENTIAN, however, understands that when Pane was taken before the Calliaqua Magistrate Court, the matter was further transferred to the Barrouallie Magistrate’s Court where Magistrate John Ballah granted him $3,500 bail with one surety, on condition that he surrender his travel documents and report to the Central Police Station once a week.

District 3 includes the Calliaqua, Chateaubelair, Barrouallie, Layou, and Grenadines Magistrate’s Courts.

January 17 when acting on information went to the home of Adica Warren of Old Montrose to execute a search warrant. Both Warren and Robinson were met there. When questioned, Robinson told the police he was from Jamaica, and that he paid someone $5,000 to bring him to St. Vincent by boat.

Connell, in mitigation, told the Court that based on his instructions, Robinson, a 27-year-old construction worker, and some friends took a boat from St. Lucia to St. Vincent because he wanted to see his wife who is a Vincentian.

Unfortunately for him, Connell said, he forgot his passport on the boat which returned to St. Lucia leaving him in St. Vincent without proper documentation.

The lawyer said that Robinson’s passport was subsequently remitted from St. Lucia which he (Connell) had in his possession while in Court during Robinson’s appearance on Tuesday.

Robinson was granted $500 bail with one surety.

Man charged in tyre rollout

Leon Jacobs is accused of making quite a haul of tyres, enough to start a shop of his own.

A LARGO HEIGHTman employed at Star Garage Ltd. will appear at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on July 15 for trial in connection with the roll-out of 161 Hankook tyres valued at EC$64,400, the property of that business place.

Leon Jacobs is accused of entering the Star Garage Ltd. storeroom in Kingstown, as a trespasser, and stealing the tyres between January 9 and 14, 2025.

He pleaded not guilty when he initially appeared before Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offenses Court on Monday to answer the charge.

Prosecutor Renrick Cato did not object to bail but requested suitable surety and reporting conditions.

As a result, bail was granted in the sum of $5,000 with one surety, on condition that Jacobs report to the Central Police Station between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The matter was transferred to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for Tuesday, but that Court did not sit on Monday and Tuesday, and it was put for February 18.

THE VINCENTIAN, however, understands that the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court sat on Wednesday, and a trial date has been set for July 15.

Lowmans Hill man on ammo charge

A LOWMANSLeeward man was granted bail on Tuesday when he appeared in court on an ammunition charge.

Roderick Alexander has been charged with, that on January 18, 2025, he had in his possession one round of 9 mm ammunition, without license.

Alexander, a labourer, pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offences Court on Monday.

Prosecutor Renrick Cato did not object to bail but requested suitable surety and conditions.

The Senior Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $300 with one surety and ordered that the Prosecution disclose all witness statements and other relevant material of the case to the defense by February 10.

The matter was adjourned to February 24. Alexander was unrepresented.

„Madulu the Seaman‰ travels the world

by GLORIAH...

THE FILM

“MADULU, THE SEAMAN”,a poignant documentary by Vincentian filmmaker Akley Olton, gained a historic achievement for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, when it was among the first Caribbean films to be featured on the prestigious Criterion Channel on November 1, 2024. Its presentation formed part of the second season of IF/THEN Presents.

The film’s selection for the Criterion Channel follows a successful festival run, garnering critical acclaim and several awards. Additionally, the film accolades have increased with an early 2025 appearance in the Barbados Independent Film Festival, the International Film Festival “Fishermen of the World” in Lorient, France, and the Ely Film Festival in Minnesota, USA.

During its global travel, in 2012 the film was selected for the IF/Then x Hulu Short Documentary Lab (mentorship, training, and production funding).

In 2023,it premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival (Toronto, Canada); European Premiere: Olympia International Film Festival (Athens, Greece) and featured at the Agora Film Market of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Greece).

It also showcased at the 2024 — Hairouna Film Festival (St. Vincent and the Grenadines); Africa Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival (Port of Spain); HERITALES — International Heritage Film Festival (Portugal); III Muestra de Cine del Caribe (Santiago, Cuba); Bahari-Sea and Coastal Film Festival (West Java, Indonesia); Festival International du Film Documentaire d’Amazonie-Caraïbes (French Guiana); Green Screen Film Festival (Trinidad & Tobago, Port of Spain); 12°N, 61°W Grenada Film Festival (St. George’s, Grenada); Canal Convergence Mini Film Fest (Arizona, USA).

In 2024 also, it was awarded Best Short Documentary Award: International Film Festival of Gibara (Cuba); Best Short Documentary Award: Belize International Film Festival; and Jury’s Special Mention: Pianeta Mare Film Festival (Napoli, Italy).

“Madulu: The Seaman” celebrates

Below: Akley Olton’s “Madula the Seaman” has made significant breakthroughs for Caribbean films and filmaking generally.

the cultural diversity, creativity, and stories that highlight important social issues, through the practice of whale catching in Barrouallie. It features “Tall 12” the elder, seasoned whaler, and the “young man” to whom the whaling tradition will be passed. It highlights the fact that, for the fishermen of Barrouallie, “whaling is more than a tradition–it’s survival”, although not everyone sees it that way. It further begs the question:

“Whaling: Survival or barbarism?”, as it takes the viewer into their whalers’ world, where the sea provides not just food, but a connection to their roots.

With such a vibrant historical story, one which people across the globe have so eagerly embraced, the question must be asked: “Why isn’t such a production making waves across St. Vincent and the Grenadines?” Many have been productions about our Vincentian culture, folklore, way of life and many more issues that are inherently pour own and which have the power of transmitting to our younger folk the understanding of where we have been and the possibility of where next we should go? Why aren’t there occasions created for constantly showcasing these poignant pieces of our history recreated with modern-day means?

About

“Madulu: The Seaman”, Akley told THE VINCENTIAN, “I’m happy about the reception globally. As a filmmaker from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, what I wanted to do was to be local and have an international reach, so I’m happy about that. I feel like that has been successful.” He felt that in terms of transmitting the community value, that was still a big challenge as people seem to be interested in the accolades the film generated than the film itself.

“There’s a perplexing disconnection where the film resonates with audiences overseas,” he noted, “people

have literally bought the licencing to have the film of their platform but locally we are accustomed to consume Hollywood kind-of productions. The technical and production aesthetic behind it tries its best to be a

Caribbean kind of Hollywood but it’s an independent film about how people live.”

NB: For more information visit: www.akleyolton.com

Akley Olton, renowned Vincentian filmmaker, has shown through his work, that he is keen on using the medium of visual arts as a conduit for reexamining history.

Members who attended the Jan. 22 meeting that endorsed the change of

YRM celebrates 30 years

JANUARY 22, 2025marked thirty (30) years since five radio amateurs climbed Mt. St. Andrews and announced to world that the Rainbow Radio League Inc. (RRL) was formed.

Twenty (20) years later the RRL rebranded to the Youlou Radio Movement — YRM. As of January 22, 2025 a new name of the organization was formally adopted; it is now the Youlou Amateur Radio Association — YARA, reflecting the true nature of the organization, which is an association of volunteer radio operators with varying/different skills.

An ‘eyeball meeting’ (face to face) was held at the Kingstown Government School on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Following an opening prayer by Marilyn Morgan J88NEE/9Y, the Director of YARA, Donald De Riggs - J88CD outlined plans for the anniversary year.

Plans include a maritime simulation, awards ceremony and public exhibition displaying the operations of Ham radio to the general public.

YARA will also be staging its annual readiness drill in preparation for the 2025 hurricane season in May. The Director took the opportunity to

Donald De Riggs (left), YARA Director, leads from the front in conducting training programmes and installing and commissioning equipment.

thank the Principal of the KGS for the use of the school, and to recognized and thank sponsors over the years, including the Co-Op Bank in Grenada and Barrett Communications, Australia, which have supported our work in the past including donations of field equipment.

He also extended a heartfelt thanks to the members of the RRL/YRM/YARA who kept the flame of amateur radio alight over the last 30 years.

Present at the anniversary meeting were founding members Sean PattersonJ88CU, David De Bique — J88CR, Donald De RiggsJ88CD and other directors and members including Leslie Edwards — J88LE, Brian Horne J88NFN, Talbert Franklyn — J88TF, Justin Da Silva — J88DA, James Ollivierre — J88NJT, Kavern Ferril - J88NEI, Christine Ferril - J88NEJ , Arington Raguette — J88SE and Monte Browne — J88NMB. (DDR)

The YARA will continue to introduce the excitement and usefulness of amateur radio to the very young.

name of the organization to Youlou Amateur Radio Association – YARA.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Director: Desiree Richards

Editor: Cyprian Neehall

Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129

Website: www.thevincentian.com

Email: thevincentianpublishing@gmail.com

Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

Garvey pardoned

ALMOST 100 YEARSafter he was found guilty of mail fraud and sentenced in the USA, outgoing 46th President of the United States of America Joe Biden, on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, his last full day in office, posthumously pardoned Black Nationalist and Pan-Africanist Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

Garvey would serve almost three years before his sentence was commuted and he was deported back to native Jamaica in 1927.

The pardon acknowledged the wrongful nature of his trial and conviction, but there remains the more telling issue of having Garvey’s conviction expunged, so that his record can be “cleansed” once and for all.

Some are wont to declare, “The man is dead, why bother?”

For those who are yet to wake up to the significance of Marcus Garvey to the lives and advancement of people of African descent especially in the Western World, it is to be noted, first and foremost, that Garvey is Jamaica’s first national hero, and is revered by people across the Caribbean archipelago, the USA, Britain, Europe and parts of Africa.

Born on August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, Garvey had become increasingly frustrated with the racism and economic injustice he experienced in Jamaica. He accused the British colonial government of not doing enough to address the problems of the people. He also saw the United States as a place of greater economic and educational opportunity.

So much so, he migrated to the United States in 1916, and established and led in the 1920s the Back-toAfrica political movement and the United Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA), to promote unity and pride amongst all Black people across the globe.

Records show that he in fact has founded the UNIA in Jamaica in 1914. Garvey believed that Black economic development would lead to social and political progress and in 1918 he set up what he called the Black Star Line, a shipping company that “transported goods and people across the African global economy.”

Garvey founded the company with the goal of improving the lives of Black people and creating economic independence.

The UNIA, with its global appeal, is said to have amassed a membership of 6 million people in 40 countries and was said to be unquestionably, the

most influential anti-colonial organization in Jamaica prior to 1938.

It would not be far-fetched to declare Garvey the most popular Black man of the 1920s.

Yet, his quest to establish an economic/political space for African Americans, was met with much resistance both from the white establishment and the Black American intelligentsia.

He stood alone in defence of mail fraud charges. (See earlier reference)

His return to and resettlement in his homeland was not without challenges. And while he continued to advance his Pan Africanist ideals, his posturing fell outside the fledging local political elite and he soon became disheartened by developments or lack thereof in Jamaica.

He migrated to London, England, where he remained until his death on June 01, 1940. His body was returned to Jamaica in 1944. Two years after (1962) the country gained independence from Britain. He was installed as Jamaica’s first national hero in 1969.

Thereafter, Garvey became something of an oxymoron — national hero of one country, convict of another.

Oxymoron or not, Garvey’s place in history is assured because he proved to be “bigger” than the Civil Rights Movement of the USA. His influence extended beyond the Caribbean, into the USA, Canada, Britain, Europe and Africa.

But the most telling manifestation of Garvey’s influence today, is the Rastafarian Movement.

For Garvey, it was no less than the will of God for black people to be free to determine their own destiny. His organization took as its motto “One God! One Aim! One Destiny!” and looked to the literal fulfillment of Psalm 68:31: “Princes shall come out of Egypt: Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God.”

Those familiar with the origin, philosophy, rites and practices of the Rastafarian Movement point to Garvey’s religious leanings as the basis on which that Movement was founded and flourished.

Words cannot do justice to the influence of this one man on the history and advancement of Caribbean peoples in particular.

We have to remain steadfast in the quest to have Marcus Garvey’s conviction expunged. He cannot continue to be an oxymoron.

My thoughts on the budget

AS I LISTENto this year’s budgeted revenue and expenditure presentation, I am still convinced that we must include a broader cross-section of our community. Or maybe the finance minister needs to emphasize this part of the process more so we can all be assured of public involvement. Absent of this assurance again, I say. We must find a more inclusive way to develop and plan our annual budget. I think we can benefit from a more participatory process. We need to get back to listening to the people across the country in every constituency. Consulting with the elite and those institutions that play a vital role in our economy is essential in the budget process but is insufficient.

Listening closely over the last two years to the ease with which the Government can amend any budget line item, I concluded that our system needs an overhaul.

Something is wrong with our system when a budget amendment does not require a rebalance of the overall budget. For example, one recent reason given for some items in the budget not being addressed this year is the emergency created by Hurricane Beryl. Agreed! My issue today is that spending on this emergency should not necessarily increase the budget. While it would have required more courage than the government exhibits, they should have redirected funds from some of those delayed projects to the spending on the emergency. It’s not like some of the budgeted items had dedicated revenue streams; in fact, some of them were unfunded budgeted items.

Redirecting funds to the emergency would have created a national solidarity movement around rebuilding the Grenadines. As it stands now, most people on SVG, unless directly connected through family or friends, do not truly appreciate the extent of the disaster. This is my conclusion when I listen to people expressing frustration about the “slow” reconstruction effort, and the fact that it is causing a delay in projects in their constituency. Those of us with some experience in disaster recovery know that this effort will take more than two years.

Now, back to the budget: I am convinced that our government system lenses itself nicely into a two-year budget cycle. Most of the disadvantages critics point to about this process do not seem to apply to us. The drawbacks of less accurate

revenue and expenditure forecasting do not seem to be critical. After all, we can fix that any Wednesday of the month with an “amendment to our estimates.” And those of you tempted to point out that the opposition will have limited input, look at how it’s working out for them now. The opposition members can speak at the annual budget presentation and any proposed amendment. Very few of them use that time to talk about the budget items at hand, sometimes even before they read the details of the issue, hence, the reason why the government can get away with ignoring them. After these presentations, a government member called for a motion to approve the budget as presented. The motion is guaranteed to pass. I challenge anyone to find a time in history when what was proposed by the Government was changed due to opposition input.

Please note that my comment is not a critique of anyone because everyone seems satisfied with the current level of representation, so please do not take offense. It is my observation of our reality of how things work. So, what are the benefits of two-year budgeting?

A biennial budget would be helpful to the various staff involved in putting the revenue and expenditures estimates together. It would allow line staff to align the implementation plan with the long-term and strategic goals. It would also allow better planning of operating expenditures associated with long-term capital plans.

Additionally, it would allow for the smoother incorporation of citizens’ ideas collected in the “Citizen Participant Process” into the budget. Some additional benefits of a twoyear budget:

* We could provide residents with more certainty about the direction of government services, finances, and tax levels.

* For those who feel overtaxed, this limits the Government’s opportunity to pass more taxes.

* It promotes discipline among elected officials.

* It eliminates the flavor of the week projects.

* It allows those working on the budget time to review and monitor the progress of approved projects and make necessary course corrections, promoting a more orderly spending pattern.

Horatio.

Assistance needed for

Dr. Martinez

I AM WRITINGto commend Dr. Martinez for the outstanding urology services she has been providing since her arrival, courtesy of the government. Her dedication and exceptional care have greatly benefitted our country. Dr. Martinez is not only highly skilled but also approachable and compassionate, making her a wonderful asset to our health care system.

However, it has become apparent that due to the increasing number of patients seeking her expertise, there is urgent need for another specialist to join her. The long wait times for appointments highlights the growing demand for urology services. Therefore, addressing this issue promptly would ensure that all patients receive timely and effective care.

I respectively appeal to the government to consider this matter with the urgency it deserves. Bringing in an additional urology specialist would alleviate the current strain on services and improve access to quality health care for all.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Michael Moore

Nolan Dallaway, ASP (Ag) says thanks

IT IS WITH A SENSEof profound gratitude that I wish to express my appreciation to everyone who contributed to my recent promotion to the rank of Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police on December 30, 2024. I am thrilled to serve in this capacity and promise to work conscientiously to meet your expectations.

My success and accomplishments throughout my policing career did not happen by chance or magic. I take pride in saying that I have worked diligently, with the support and guidance of several significant individuals and units. They have influenced and

Mobilising against FLOW

WE URGENTLYneed someone like the late Glen Jackson to mobilise the customers of FLOW, to take their TV boxes and modems, landline phones and deposit them at the front of their headquarters.

They, FLOW, claimed to have upgraded the system by attaching the land/fixed line to a box (i.e. the modem) in your house. But this is a downgrade because when there is no electricity, you can’t use your phone (land line). If there is electricity but no internet service, you are still unable to use your phones. And by the way, there are times while

using the land line phone that the ‘call’ breaks up just like what happens when using a cell phone.

As for the cable television service, channels are removed without notice and without replacements. There is a need to have more channels. Is it impossible to have channels out of Africa, Europe? And we need to have a variety of channels from across the USA not just from Florida.

I don’t know why there are so many cartoon channels on the TV. Are we a comedy country?

PEOPLE ARE ASKING:

* How many of those 100,000 and counting stayover over visitors were returning nationals?

* What is the result of the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Sgt. Philbert Chambers who died in the line of duty on April 26, 2020, in Campden Park?

* If the Appeal Court is waiting until after the 2025 elections to give a ruling on the Government’s appeal against its original ruling on the Vaccine Mandate matter?

* Why does the government and its supporters make it appear as though our relations with other countries are personal ones?

* How many people know or recall that this country had relations with Cuba, Venezuela and Taiwan before the arrival of the ULP in 2001?

* Is the National Youth Advisory Council the largest party group in the world?

* Why do some leaders want to die in office? Is it because they want to avoid being brought to justice for wrongdoings while they were in office?

encouraged my constant quest for excellence in service and the protection of the people of and visitors to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I must first always give thanks and praise to the Almighty God for His divine protection and guidance. I am fully aware that without God, I am not able, nor would it have been possible to navigate the challenges of policing and serve for years in the constabulary of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

I will be forever grateful to my family, the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners, Officers at the Rapid Response Unit, and other ranks and file of the Royal St.

FLOW simply needs to provide a better service. They also need to include TV and land line customers when they have ‘giveaways’.

Concerned

Citizen.

THIS IS A VERYshort observation to which I hope you will grant some space.

Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force for their support and unwavering confidence in me throughout the years.

A special thank you to SOP Foster Scott, Inspector Ken Samuel, Sub-Lieutenant Francis, Cpl. Millington, the RRU staff, and members of Course 26 for their encouragement. I also extend my gratitude to Mr. Edmond Jackson and Mr. Allan Alexander for their constant motivation.

As I take on this new role, I reaffirm my dedication to upholding the vision and mission of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. I want to assure the public that they will continue to see me heading operations, remaining actively engaged in efforts to

uphold law and order. I am committed to leading from the front, working alongside my fellow officers to ensure the safety and security of our nation. Together, we will continue to build a safer and stronger SVG.

Yours respectfully,

Street Signs Permanent Secretary vs Minister

WHILE DRIVINGinto Kingstown, I have been observing the Bus Stop sign in Casson Hill, and this is what comes to my mind — “I never knew that bus stop signs could end up looking like wreaths.”

Also, I would like to see more signs visible with the different names of the streets, which will be helpful to people who are preparing to take the Theory Driving exams.

There are also too many faded street signs in public places that need repainting. Drivers and pedestrians must not get confused as to where they are to drive or walk. Community members can also contribute to some of the upliftment and upkeep in SVG.

Let’s work together to get the small things right. St. Vincent and the Grenadines belongs to all of us.

A few weeks ago, one of the local newspapers reported that the Agriculture Minister stated that HE (my emphasis) was going to have a shake-up of certain officers in his Ministry.

My understanding of the Civil Service Regulations is that the Minister has no authority to do such a thing. The Minister can make recommendation, but he cannot take action as he proposes on his own. Staffing, i.e. all matters related to personnel, is the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary who is administrative

head of the ministry and not the Minister. The Minister needs to familiarize himself with his job description. Too many of our Ministers do not respect the role and authority of their Permanent Secretaries. And similarly, too many of our Permanent Secretaries feel they must act in accordance with some directive from a minister, even if that directive breaches the Civil Service Regulations. Wake up Permanent Secretaries. Uphold your authority.

Watching

Nolan Dallaway, ASP (Ag)

Observer

Education Revolution deepens

THE ISSUE

AMONG THE BEDROCK POLICIES of the Unity Labour party (ULP) government and the upliftment of modern St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been, and is, the Education Revolution. It has been, since 2001, a central plank in the ongoing quest to build a modern, competitive, many-sided, post-colonial economy which is at once national, regional, and global.

The Education Revolution and its necessary and desirable accompaniments such as the Health, Wellness, Housing, Sports and Cultural Revolutions, Applied Science and Technology Innovations, and major developments in Physical Infrastructure (International Airport, Jet Airport, Modern Port, Bridges and Roads, etc.) have fuelled the growth of the economy (Gross Domestic Product in 2000: EC $800 million; 2024: EC $3.1 billion), increasing wealth and job-creation significantly.

In Budget 2025, the allocation for Education, at all levels, is $251 million – the highest ever in our country’s history. In the process, we are deepening and broadening the scope of the Education Revolution. It is an Education Budget from an Education Government!

FOUR FRESH INITIATIVES

In Budget 2025, there are four fresh initiatives in Education.

First, the scale of the proposed expansion in every material particular in Post-Secondary (SVG Community College), and Tertiary (University) Education is unprecedented in its ambition to lift quantity and quality. This sub-sector of Education has had its recurrent allocation jump by $15 million, from $45 million in 2024 to $60 million in 2025 – an increase of 33 percent.

The relevant details are as follows: (i) Contribution to the SVG Community College, from $16.5 million in 2024 to $23.5 million in 2025; Tertiary training allocation at the Chief Personnel Office, from $22 million to $30 million in 2025; and (ii) the contribution to the University of the West Indies of $6.5 million.

As the Prime Minister outlined in his contribution to the Budget Debate last week, the SVGCC is embarking on a massive expansion of fit-for-themarket programmes on the area of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), inclusive of access to many of these programmes for students who do not traditionally meet the entry qualifications for the existing TVET programmes at the College. At the same time, the Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) department of the Ministry of Education continues with its array of skills training programmes.

On the capital side of the Budget 2025, there are four “higher education” capital projects touching and concerning Equipment Purchase for SVGCC ($50,000, mainly for TVET); Infrastructure Improvement for SVGCC ($1.66 million of which $423,416 has been spent thus far); ICT Improvement for SVGCC ($776,000); and the Establishment of a Modern Science and Innovation Laboratory

($400,000 to undertake designs for construction).

Secondly, a fresh initiative in Budget 2025 embraces our ambition to enroll, instruct, and certify even greater numbers of young persons in technical and vocational subject areas. This ambition has produced a $1.6 million allocation to fund a programme called Skills Training for Employment and Professional Success (STEPS).

As the Minister of Finance outlined in his Budget Address, the STEPS initiative will provide students enrolled in any relevant TVET programmes at the Technical Institutes and the TVET Division of the SVGCC with a modest stipend to cover basic costs associated with attendance and participation. This initiative will place greater emphasis on taking students from Level I certification to Level II, III, and beyond.

This STEPS initiative, in tandem with the Technical Institutes and SVGCC’s outreach programme, follows up on programmatic work done through the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), the Zero Hunger Trust Fund, and the Ministry of Education. These programmes hitherto include those such as Skills for Youth Employment (SKYE), Youth and Adult Training for Employment (YATE), and ANEW (Another Nexus in Workforce development) which helped to usher in an exponential increase in the number of persons obtaining Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs) and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), certifying competencies in various technical fields. In 2019, less than 200 CVQs and NVQs were issued; by 2022, the number exceeded 1,200. CVQs allow certificate holders to travel and work in CARICOM without the requirement of a work permit. The CVQ qualifies a person for a CARICOM Skilled National Certificate.

The third fresh initiative relates to the Mathematics Improvement Programme (MIP). The MIP will facilitate after-school classes in Mathematics for students in grades 5 and 6 of primary school and forms 4 and 5 of secondary schools mainly in 2025, the MIP will pay Math teachers to conduct weekly, mandatory classes for all students in the targeted grades and forms. When fully implemented, the MIP will provide students with more than 30 additional hours of instruction in Mathematics each academic year.

The fourth fresh initiative in Education in 2025 involves the provision of 2,700 laptops (ASUS Vivobook G0 15) at a cost of over $3 million to 5th form secondary and 2nd year SVGCC students and teachers. These laptops will bring to over 61,000 laptops and tablets distributed to students in SVG between 2011 ad 2025. Absolutely amazing! The best in the region!

Continued on Page 22.

Ministry of Agriculture lacks Vision and Leadership

(Excerpts of Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday’s 2025 Budget presentation)

AS IMPORTANT AS AGRICULTURE is to the country, there is no plan in the budget to rebuild it. The same approach, a scattershot approach, with no real plan for the sector. How can this be, when under 24 years of ULP rule agriculture has been brought to its knees and farmers have been neglected. In 2022, agriculture’s contribution was down to a mere 4.6% of GDP according to a World Bank report.

This government is full of selfpraise for anything they do. But they cannot credibly praise themselves for what they have done in agriculture. Agriculture has suffered because of this government over the years who pursued a development strategy that sidelined agriculture and farmers. They see agriculture as a thing of the past. They see farmers as welfare cases, wooed and bamboozled with handouts of small tools, free fertilizer, and short-term cash payments doled out at politically convenient times, such as now, on the eve of general elections.

Agriculture and farmers have never been central to the government’s development plan; but farmers have always been central to their political plans. Don’t confuse the two! One sees them as an essential component of our development; the other sees them as political fodder to be manipulated for votes. Farmers are smarter than that. While many gave the government the benefit of the doubt when they first brought forward projects, they now see they were all gimmicks, not seriously intended to improve agriculture and their own conditions.

So, after 24 years of ULP rule, we have arrived at a point where farmers have lost faith in the government; because they feel they have been left out of the plans for the future of the country. We have consulted with farmers at our headquarters; we have visited them on their farms; we have brought their concerns to the forefront of public discourse on radio and social media; and we have brought their concerns to this parliament in questions and as part of debates.

Some of the most serious Problems are:

* The biggest problem is lack of vision and leadership in the government

* Lack of road access to farms and available lands

* Praedial larceny and damage caused by stray dogs

* Lack of proper production and marketing system

* Lack of a National Agricultural Census

* Aging of farmer population

* Lack of a comprehensive plan for agriculture

Solutions

Implement a comprehensive National Access Feeder Roads Rehabilitation Program. Establish a quarterly farm road clearing and cleaning program in an effort to maintain feeder roads. Serious

problem, crippling farming; needs serious attention for a solution. We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy. Review, strengthen and implement laws and regulation relating to theft of agricultural produce and damage from dogs. Review of value-of-damage assessment for both crops and livestock caused by praedial larceny and stray dogs. Establish a Praedial Larceny Unit (PLU) within the Ministry of Agriculture using police officers. And, establish a direct link between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Police to facilitate collaboration between the police and the Ministry of Agriculture in combating this problem.

Activate the palletization plants in Langley Park, La Croix and Belmont as buying depots. These depots can facilitate collection, grading, sorting and packaging of produce “ready for sale” to supermarkets, traffickers and exporters. Putting these facilities into productive use, (other than for wet fetes and carnival parties)! Governance structure could be wholly government-operated or in partnership with the private sector. A certification system, monitored by the Bureau of Standards or another entity can be created to act in such a role; this will ensure that crops are produced to meet set standards. Implementation of a grading system to reward producers who meet the set standards and provide extension services to aim to bring all producers up to top standard.

Role of Ministry of Agriculture

Retrain staff for the implementation of different extension service approaches. For example, a commodity driven approach. Identification of 5 crops that have huge export potential for foreign exchange earnings. Reconfigure and strengthen research and development in areas of interest to maximize potential yields, postharvest handling and agro processing.

Livestock

Construction of an abattoir. Promote “local production for local market” strategy, and help reduce meat imports. Implementation of a breeding program to support “grassfed” production and export of livestock (this market currently exists in the region and the USA). Create separate Agriculture and Fisheries ministries.

Food and nutrition security

Establish and implement programs to enhance both primary and secondary production systems. This will include the comprehensive upgrades of government facilities to enhance capacity to produce clean planting materials as well as encouraging and facilitating the private sector to get involved in these ventures. Establish a program of animal and plant germplasm identification and conservation.

Continued on Page 22.

Views V Touch of Class

(First published in The Vincentian newspaper on 22nd June, 2018)

“THE QUALITY OF A PERSON’S LIFEis in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavour.” - Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) – American footballer, coach, and executive in the National Football League.

CORA ROSS-CAMBRIDGEowned and managed the Touch of Class boutique in Kingstown for a number of years. Occupying approximately 400 square feet of floor space on the corner of Bonadie Street and Middle Street (directly behind Subway), this store provided “upscale items” of clothing, shoes, handbags, glazed pottery, and a host of other household items. This was the place to shop whenever tasteful gifts were required for a special family member, relative, co-worker, or friend.

Touch of Class reflected the life and attitudes of its owner. Cora is an exceptional woman of integrity, quality, and class. This was echoed in the many statements made by those who toasted her at the Tea Party that was held at the Young Island Resort to celebrate her 70th birthday on Tuesday, 22nd May 2018. The evening’s activities were flawlessly hosted by Cora’s daughter, Simone. This was indeed an evening to be remembered as tributes were paid to this outstanding entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Cora was born and nurtured in the village of Choppins just north of the town of Calliaqua on mainland St. Vincent. Her older sister, Kitty, recalls that Cora was always very protective of family members and would be on hand to settle any disputes that may have arisen at school. She was considered “a protector of the family” from a relatively young age. Other family members recalled how she was always willing to support their efforts and to encourage them to excel at their noble pursuits. As a faithful member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Calliaqua, she can always be depended on when activities are arranged that require her various skills and/or financial support. This is especially so when it includes her passion of caring for the elderly. She enjoys baking and would regularly invite the aged in her community to join her for evening tea and/or a meal at her home.

Cora is a lady of class. Her life reflects this. A visit to her home would reveal that she keeps a manicured lawn (which she maintains herself). Every piece of her exquisite furniture must be maintained in its rightful place and easily blend in to reflect her welcoming theme. Her home invites the visitor to relax and be pampered. And this is who she is and how she has been for her friends and relatives. She is a touch of class.

Many visitors to East Caribbean Flour Mills Limited have marveled at how well “manicured” the lawns have been over the years. Some would comment that they would not have expected such wellkept lawns within an industrial estate. This has not been by accident. Ormiston “Ken” Boyea, the company’s first Chief Executive Officer (CEO), was a “stickler for class”. He demanded cleanliness and a pleasing appearance. But it was more than cosmetic. It was imperative that the staff, customers, clients, and visitors be presented with a good first impression as they entered the compound. In addition, it can be anticipated that employees who pride themselves in the compound’s appearance will seek to have this reflected at their work stations and in the quality of the product and service

provided. That culture still exists at the East Caribbean Group of Companies decades after it was introduced. Ken left his mark with a touch of class. First impressions are critical in influencing our decisions. The appearance of a document could readily determine whether we will proceed to peruse it (if it is pleasing to the eye) or discard it (if it is unappealing). This initial reaction occurs even before we examine its content. Over the years, this writer has been impressed by the documents that Nigel Salina, Chairman of Caribbean Business Leadership Forum, has prepared and presented. It is no wonder that he has been able to network with business and government leaders around the world. He demonstrates excellence in everything that he has been involved in. He, too, reflects a touch of class.

Mr. Alison Hamilton, an automotive engineer in Trinidad and Tobago, also needs special mention here. He owns and operates an automotive garage on the outskirts of Port of Spain. It is truly amazing to observe how neatly the tools are packed away, the clipboards containing the work orders smartly positioned on his desk, and the floors visibly “oil free”. The image of order and cleanliness invites the customer and potential customer to conclude that their vehicles will be professionally attended to. Now in his late 60s it is anticipated that the young engineers that he is training will also be infected with his touch of class.

There are many more positive examples that can be sited in this essay. The final one presented here relates to my observations when I was invited to do a one-hour presentation to the fifth formers at Bishop Anstey High School East for girls and Trinity College East for boys in Trincity, Trinidad and Tobago. Both Anglican schools are set on a 15acre parcel of land. Each school has a capacity of 875 students. Both schools were already in session when I arrived. The grounds were immaculately kept and spotlessly clean. There was a silence and a calmness that I had never experienced at any school throughout the Caribbean, in North America, or in the United Kingdom. These were secondary schools of class. However, my pleasant experiences were magnified when, on my way to the reception area, six polite teenagers passed me on different occasions and each of them maintained eye contact as they greeted me. But my amazement was at its maximum when approximately 200 students subsequently entered the auditorium where the presentation was being held. They quietly took their seats (without any fuss, bother, or noise). While there is no guarantee that such behaviours are reflected in their homes and communities, there is good reason to believe that the training received at these two institutions of learning will position these youths to be decent and responsible citizens who will continue to portray a touch of class.

The examples highlighted in this essay remind us that there are so many individuals whose lives reflect a touch of class. They inspire us to do likewise. We, too, in our own little ways, influence others to excel at all that is noble. We encourage them that, regardless of the task that they are presented with, they should do it to the best of their abilityto perform tasks and to live lives with a touch of class.

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

ULP fraudulent youth policy

‘It is now evident that most whom we call the ‘left’ have no sound political principles, no intellectual discipline, anything that is not negotiable.’ ~ Patrick Lawrence.

‘SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST ACT of dissent can change the course of history… Sometimes, the dissenter is the lone voice of reason in the dark. Some will privately agree with a dissenter, be it a Galileo, a Saro-Wiwa, a Rosa Parks or a More. The value and courage of dissent come in standing up, pronouncing the difficult view in public, and taking the consequences. It is easy to believe in something, it is much more difficult to speak out. ~ Pius Langa, South Africa’s Chief Justice.

The government brags that it is a youth government. Nothing is further from the truth. Behind the rhetoric is a diabolical attempt to feather its own nest and to sustain its political agenda to maintain power, rather than to implement sustainable policies aimed at holistic development and sustainable advancement of our youth and country.

Budget 2025 and the utterances of Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves and Senator Shackell Bobb prove this thesis. At its core, the government’s youth policy, to be implemented by the Prime Ministerial Advisory Committee on Youth, is elitist, top-down, nonparticipatory, undemocratic, and ultimately anti-youth.

The government’s youth committee, formed over a year ago, is wellresourced and well-funded. In Budget 2025, Camillo boasted of its successes, and because of its advances, funding tripled to $250,000.00. Precious little by way of achievement is in the public domain.

But there is more. Budget 2025 commits a further $1.5 million to an initiative called Greater Youth Volunteerism and Engagement (GYVE–pronounced ‘give’). GYVE says the finance minister ‘takes aim at the challenge of atomised individualism.’

‘The programme is to incentivise civic engagement, solidarity, volunteerism and communityspiritedness among youth. The GYVE programme will encourage youth to “give” of their time, talent and energy to tackle neighbourhood or national challenges. The GYVE project will fund each project up to a maximum of $60,000 and projects to engage as many as 1,000 youth nationally.’

The Finance minister did not say which arm of government will administer this programme, but you can bet your left eye that this task is reserved for the PM advisory committee, which is essentially a ULP support group of credentialed people.

Viewed in this context, Senator Shackell Bobb’s assault on the National Youth Council’s history, legacy, and record of achievement becomes fully apparent. In a fullthrottled outburst of wilful ignorance during the parliamentary debate, Bobb declared: ‘And from what I’ve heard, the National Youth Council have proven to be unsuccessful time and time again. And if you have an exceptional council, such as the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Youth, why dwell on a National Youth Council that has proven unsuccessful? Why live in the past?’

Even the pro-government Searchlight Newspaper felt compelled to push back against the government’s attempt to corral our country’s youth. Crediting the initiative as commendable, the paper opined that ‘by itself, an appointed body is no substitute for independent selforganisation.’

The Searchlight editorial schooled the young senator. It also disabused the entire advisory committee of the hubristic notion that its time has come

because the NYC was ‘unsuccessful time and time again.’ It noted that ‘despite political pressure from various governments, the NYC managed to maintain its independence and to become a valuable [and] leading light in civil society organisation in this country.’

‘The NYC distinguished itself in many areas of the democratic process… as regardings the naming of Josef Chatoyer, the removal of the disgraceful ‘discovery day’ as a national holiday and the institution of National Heroes’ Day’ The paper shied away from nailing the Gonsalves government’s role in the suppression and demise of the NYC as was reflected in the government’s strident opposition to the youth parliament and constitutional changes that allowed for places in the legislature for members of civil society organisations.

However, the editorial must be credited for striking the right chords. ‘One would therefore have thought that paramount among the advice to be given by the PM advisory committee would be how to encourage, facilitate and support an independent organisation like the NYC, open to all strands of thought and belief. Unfortunately, there is no indication that consideration is being given to that. But do we expect young people, traditionally affiliated to, or associated with, whether by family or community history, the political opposition, to want to be part of the current set-up? It is always good for young people to seek to organise, but central to it must be their right to independent organisation.’

But therein lies the rub. Gonsalves and his clansmen have no interest in the independent organisation of our people. They despise voluntarism. It is a commitment from the heart and not easily controlled. Lofty name GYVE aside, they want to use the citizens’ tax dollars to pay off youth to come into their political orbit for electoral purposes.

The foregoing is the context in which we should view Budget 2025 and the other projects directed at youth, such as the so-called semi-professional football and netball leagues, which will pay each team member $200.00 per game.

Look deeper! The government’s abandonment of the reparations cause further reflects its cynicism and lack of interest in developing political consciousness among our youth. One reads Budget 2025 in vain for anything related to the fight for reparatory justice. Adrian Odle was named Chair of the Reparations Committee over a year ago. Since then, not a single event or initiative has been announced or carried out. Neither Chairman Odle nor government propagandist Augustine Ferdinand could say whether Budget 2025 allocated money to the reparations committee.

In this era when young people are searching to understand themselves and the world, when drug and alcohol use, crime and violence, as well as selfhatred as manifested in skin bleaching are on the increase, reparatory justice education about the glorious history of our Garifuna, Kalinago and African ancestors, the devastation caused by European conquest, genocide, slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism will go a long way towards sensitising our young people.

But the evidence is clear. Gonsalves’ ULP see youth as their ticket to winning the 2025 elections. The sooner the youth recognise and understand this fact, the better for them and the entire Vincentian population.

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

What USA leaving the WHO means

Tedros

Director General

ON HIS FIRST DAY back at the White House, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a decision that has far-reaching implications for the health of people in the U.S. and around the world.

During his last term, President

Trump also announced a withdrawal from WHO, but the organization’s charter requires a year’s notice for member countries to withdraw, and former President Joe Biden took office before the withdrawal took effect.

In the new executive order, President Trump cited the WHO’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic... its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” as reasons for the U.S. withdrawal.

U.S. Public Health?

The decision will set off another 12month notice period for the U.S. to leave the WHO. If confirmed, the U.S. will no longer contribute to global health policies or set standards and priorities at the global health agency, according to Jesse B. Bump, PhD, a lecturer on global health policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“WHO is supposed to coordinate international and global disease responses, so we won’t be a part of that,” Bump told Verywell. “We won’t

be part of the information sharing network or various coordination efforts… and it seems that the Trump Administration is not planning to leave any observers or maintain a liaison office, so it’s unclear if we will have any relationship at all.”

There could be significant health consequences for the U.S. from the withdrawal, Bump said.

“If the U.S. is no longer receiving news from WHO or its member states, that would mean we’re more vulnerable to importing diseases spreading elsewhere,” he added. “With declining immunization against childhood diseases, it’s more likely we would have outbreaks of polio, measles, and the like.”

The withdrawal is expected to seriously impact global health as well, as the U.S. plays a key role in the WHO’s “technical assistance mission to strengthen and support healthcare systems around the world,” said Judd Walson, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“I’d argue that the U.S. provides strong leadership and expertise in support of this mission” and that

assistance would effectively end with the withdrawal, Walson added.

The importance of the WHO

The U.S. has been a member country of WHO, a United Nations agency, since its founding in 1948. The global health organization focuses on improving access to quality essential services. This includes training the health workforce, supporting policy development, and working toward sustainable financing for health systems.

WHO also responds to emergencies, including natural disasters and disease outbreaks. Acting in a coordinating leadership role, WHO provides medical supplies, equipment, healthcare professionals, and support for local governments.

“The U.S. can certainly do a lot on its own, but likely can’t do it all–not in the age of globalization and the rapid movement of information, people, and pathogens,” said Jennifer Kates, senior vice president and director of the Global Health & HIV Policy Program at the nonpartisan health group KFF.

For example, Kates said, the WHO oversees the process that tracks seasonal and pandemic flu and provides recommendations for the composition of flu vaccine each year. WHO also serves as a first alert system when a new outbreak occurs, including those that can affect the U.S.

“Without being part of WHO, it is unclear how quickly, and in what way, the U.S. could obtain needed information and cooperation to help its own citizens,” Kates added.

(Source: verywell health news)

President Trump signing the Executive order that orders USA exit from the WHO.

Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

of the WHO, has been at the end of some strong feelings of disdain from Donald Trump.

IHS Alumni giving back

WHEN A GROUPof alumni

of the Intermediate High School met with the principal of their alma mater, three areas of need of the institution were identified.

The three area were: the school feeding programme, support for the music programme and replacing/providing windows for the Reading Room.

Not able to deal with the three needs simultaneously, the alumni group attended to one and on Tuesday 22nd January, 2025, a group of ecstatic alumni were able to hand over six windows for the Reading Room.

Support for the undertake cane from alumni both at home and abroad, especially General Secretary of the IHS Alumni 100th Anniversary Committee, Ms. Vernis Predie.

Also identified as having made a significant contribution was Mr. Ansley Primus who provided transportation to get the windows from source to the school at McKies Hill.

Unfortunately, Mr. Noel Browne, who had spearheaded the undertaking, was unable to attend the handing over.

Meanwhile, as the alumni ramp up activities to mark the 100th Anniversary of the School, October 2025 was identified as a month that might be most convenient to alumni, and at a meeting on January 9th, the HIS Alumni 100th Anniversary Committee agreed on the following:

Alumni of the IHS who were present at the handing over of windows to be installed in the Reading Room.

Thur. 23rd Oct — Walk from the old school to the new — meeting with faculty and students; Thur. 23rd Oct. — Meet and Greet Cocktail —Paradise Inn; Fri. 24th Oct. — Boat Ride to Bequia; Sat. 25th Oct. — All Day Family Picnic and Sports Day; Sun, 26th Oct. — Reunion Gala Dinner.

But perhaps the most action that would impact the long term work of the Alumni Committee was decision to have the Alumni group incorporated, thus giving it legal status to conduct business. Alumnus Counsel Junior Jack has agreed to guide and inform this process.

The IHS, familiarly referred to as ‘Timmy School’, in respect of Bertrand ‘Timmy’ Richards who was the school’s longest-serving Principal and visionary, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025 and all alumni, home and abroad are invited to participate in the activities planned and to reconnect with the institution.

E.B. John bursary available

PERSONSinterested in pursuing a career in Public Relations Management or presently working in the field, have a chance to gain a scholarship to fulfil their dreams.

This semester The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus (GC) St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), is offering 14 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) short courses, one of which is Public Relations Management.

The certified 10-week course will give persons the skillsets to work in the media industry and boost their social media brand.

Additionally, persons will learn to write press releases, set up press conferences and engage with the media. They can become more marketable by being the proficient point person in their organisation to address press matters.

Once persons sign up for the Public Relations Management short course, through the Google application form on the UWIGC SVG’s Facebook page, by Friday January 24, 2025, they can sign up for the prestigious E.B. John Education Memorial Bursary.

The EC$2,000 award is being funded by the Toronto SVG Group, of which the late veteran Vincentian broadcaster, Evans Bernard “E.B.” John was a member.

Application forms for the Evans Bernard John Memorial Education

L-R: The first recipient of the Bursary, Lucinna Poyer, with Shelly John, the widow of E.B. John and Secretary of the Toronto SVG Support Group.

Bursary can be collected at our office or downloaded from our Facebook page. Once it is printed and filled out, the form must be returned to our office at Murray’s Road. Classes will be conducted online, and will begin on Monday February 3, 2025.

For more information, email svg@open.uwi.edu or lecia.quow@open.uwi.edu

„ONLY GOD KNOWS‰ Remembering the crew of MV Guidance 11

“ONLY GOD KNOWS” was the theme for the memorial service held for the crew of the “MV Guidance II”, which went missing with four souls on board, during the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1st, 2024. The crew at the time of disappearance included the captain Maxwell Burke, engineer Alfred ‘Chief’ Holder, cook David ‘Pecko’ Rhynd and able-bodied seaman Adron Green.

After keeping hope alive for over six months, it was time to say a formal farewell to the crew of the MV Guidance; to give some form of closure to their grieving relatives.

The memorial service, held on Saturday, 18th January 2025 in Canouan, included a candle-light march from ‘Moonhole’, the area of Canouan where Maxwell lived, to the main jetty at Grand Bay, where the memorial service was held.

Hundreds of people from Canouan and nearby Union Island, Mayreau, Bequia, Petit Martinique and mainland St. Vincent joined the candle-light march to the sweet rhythms of gospel music, all participants dancing along the way.

The MC, in his opening remarks, said that like many of the other relatives of the missing persons, he did not want to assume that the crew perished and held on to the theme of the memorial service that ‘only God knows what happened’. He, like so many, anticipated a miraculous return of the crew.

Among those paying tribute to Maxwell Burke was his niece- Emma Snagg, who paid tribute in the form of a poem, while his son- Nicksha Burke, reflected on the times together with his father.

Church choirs and the audience joined in song to uplift the spirits of those present amidst the somber mood of the occasion. Church leaders who were present also shared their experience and sentiments, and helped to “keep hope alive,” while Southern Grenadines MP, Terrance Ollivierre, gave a summary of the contribution made by Maxwell and the MV Guidance over the years. Also giving a special tribute was the Director of the Youlou Radio Movement — YRM, Donald De Riggs who showed a video presentation of a maritime training

exercise in which the MV Guidance was the main vessel. That simulation exercise conducted ten years ago confirmed Maxwell’s commitment to assist in any form of accident at sea, whether

it was a downed aircraft or other vessel in distress. See ‘Operation Mike Charlie’ on YouTube.

The last person to address the large gathering was wife of Captain Maxwell, Mrs. Judith Burke, who beside thanking all who came out to support the families of the missing persons, expressed the

hope that the missing crew would show up, whether in this life or in the hereafter.

The ceremony, presided over by Keon Rhynd, nephew of one of the missing crew, was a mix of songs, tributes and exhortations to the memory of the missing souls.

History was also created when a memorial

model of the MV Guidance was launched into the sea to drift in the ocean currents, to be washed up on an unknown shore or destination that ‘only God knows’.

Stories and Photos contributed by: DONALD DE RIGGS

‘Love and Care’ for Canouan

ASSISTANCE TO THE LOVE & CARE Canouan Day Care and Pre-School is continuing with the input, manpower inclusive, of regular visitors from

Installing a gate that would allow entry of vehicles to the compound.

the UK.

A team of visitors was seen last weekend completing a perimeter fence and installing a main gate for the compound. The ‘philanthropists’, who

prefer to remain anonymous, have been assisting in the area of education generally and more particularly the school’s environment, for a number of years.

The Day care and Pre-School now boasts a complete picket perimeter fence.

Captain Maxwell Burke –served his people first with a wooden schooner then with a steel hull vessel.

MC Keon Rhynd (left) making it comfortable for Judith Burke, wife of Maxwell Burke, to make her contribution.

MP Terrance Ollivierre traced the contribution Captain Maxwell Burke and the MV Guidance 1 and 11 made through the years.

The MV Guidance 11 disappeared with our souls aboard.

Model boat, representing the MV Guidance, ready for launching into an uncharted journey.

Sir Derek Walcott

January 23rd 1930- March 17th 2017

MY INTRODUCTION to the incandescent world of Derek Walcott arrived in the late 1960s, first through the discerning eye of Tim Daisy, a Vincentian poet, and then through the influence of my father’s brother, another Vincentian, the Reverend Leonard Crichton—a man who presided over the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and counted Walcott among his friends.

By the early 1970s, I found myself, a fledgling member of my university’s drama group, swept into the currents of Walcott’s theatrical vision. Under the tutelage of Oxford scholars Martin and Elaine Fido, I was irrevocably drawn to the power of Walcott’s plays and poetry.

The Early Impact

Our pilgrimages to Trinidad to witness productions at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop- TTW — the heart of Caribbean theatre founded by Walcott himself in 1959 — became transformative experiences. ‘Ti-Jean and His Brothers’ remains etched in my memory, its vibrant tapestry woven from European dramatic traditions, Caribbean folklore, the haunting echoes of African and Indigenous legacies, and sharp, subtle political undercurrents. Walcott’s presence on the Trinidadian stage wasn’t just about theatre; it was a crucible where he shaped not only my understanding of drama but also defined the very essence of Caribbean theatre to the world, inspiring generations of actors and playwrights in its wake.

Looking back at my journey as an ardent follower of the arts and in particular, the development of the arts in the Caribbean, I see that from late sixties to early eighties, the arts evolved and in a sense, formed a new Caribbean, with Derek Walcott, Barbadian poet, Kamau Brathwaite, and other notables, at center stage. Having been a keen observer and more than peripheral, it is a most pleasing and meaningful reflection.

In 1976, I delighted in a

production of Ti-Jean. Over 40 years after that, in 2019, I saw a modern TiJean, also staged in Trinidad during a Gala event celebrating Walcott. This was an urban Ti-Jean, set in contemporary Trinidad with the characters wearing vests, tights and jumpsuits. Even the Devil, played by Renald “Red” Frederick, wore sweatpants and a long jacket that looked like his version of a hoodie.

Ti-Jean is Walcott’s colonial statement of an ancient St. Lucian folk tale he heard when he was a boy in St Mary’s College in Vigie, St Lucia. In the play, The Devil adopts the identity of the plantation owner.

During my formative years, I also forged a connection with the St. Lucian poet John Robert Lee, whose fervent admiration for his countryman, Walcott, further intensified my own. Walcott and his oeuvre had entered my orbit then, a gravitational pull from which I never fully escaped.

Beyond the towering giant

Walcott lived in Trinidad for a long stretch–from the late 1950s into the 1970s–and continued to return regularly after he moved to the United States. Even while teaching at Boston University, he maintained strong ties to Trinidad and the wider Caribbean, returning for performances, workshops, and cultural events.

In the early 1990s, during my tenure with UNECLAC in Trinidad, I was gifted with the invaluable privilege of spending hours in Derek’s company whenever he was in town. Our connection was further strengthened by the fact that his daughter worked in the same building I did. On his visits, our paths converged, granting me the rare and cherished opportunity to see him beyond the towering figure of a literary giant–to perceive him as a man deeply, inextricably rooted in his

Caribbean identity. One of my fondest recollections is from the celebratory launch of Omeros in 1992, a gala event, where I found myself “liming” alongside Derek, former Prime Minister ANR Robinson, his wife Patricia, and a small circle of their intimates. It was in these moments–when conversation flowed freely, steeped in the cadence and rhythms of Caribbean dialect–that Derek appeared most at peace. His laughter was unrestrained, his wit as sharp and effortless as the trade winds.

Poetry and Prayer

Walcott profoundly intertwined poetry with prayer. He remarked:

“I have never separated the writing of poetry from prayer. I have grown up believing it is a vocation, a religious vocation.

I consider the act of writing poetry more than mere artistic expression; it serves as a form of prayer, a way of connecting with the divine and a way to articulate my spiritual experiences. The connection between poetry and prayer is played out in my life and in my work, as evidenced in various poems I have written; good examples are, ‘Satisfying Find”, and, ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’.”

A Lifelong Student of Walcott

Derek was my teacher then, he remains my teacher today. One never fully exhausts the wellspring of lessons he imparted. Now, in the quietude of semi-retirement, I find myself with the precious gift of time to delve even deeper into his work.

Blemishes Walcott lived with, criticism Walcott swallowed, telling me, ‘such is life’, shrugging it all off with his overflowing self-confidence.

Oxford academic, Craig Raine voiced the view that Walcott was over influenced by English poet Auden, and American poet Lowell.

The one occasion of silence

Is that all? No. Walcott’s personal conduct came under severe scrutiny several times. He refused to discuss with me, (even when I pressed him,)

any aspect of the accusations being levelled against him by a Harvard student who claimed that he gave her low marks because she declined his party invitations. Walcott’s poetry is celebrated for its lyrical opulence, its formal sophistication, and its deep engagement with the currents of history and geography. His magnum opus, Omeros (1990), stands as a monumental testament to his genius, weaving Homeric traditions into the very fabric of Caribbean narratives. Themes of exile, homecoming, and the enduring scars of colonialism pulse through his work, while his seamless blend of free verse and strict meter, mirrors the oral storytelling traditions of the Caribbean region.

thought. Then, simply and resolutely, he spoke:

“You make sure that the young ones explore Caribbean cultural heritage. It is very important.”

I am carrying out his injunction.

A Touching Conversation

Shortly after his 80th birthday in 2010, I journeyed to St. Lucia, where we shared a meal at his beloved Dasheene restaurant, at Ladera Resort–armed, rather amusingly, with wate pistols to fend off the persistent insects.

As we savored our feast - chicken stuffed with plantain mousse, accompanied by a delicate sweet potato soufflé, Chef Orlando in his element — I posed a question that had been simmering within me for years:

“When you are gone, how do you want us to remember you?”

For a moment, he appeared distant, his gaze unfocused, lost in the depths of

In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 1992, Walcott expressed his hope that his work would contribute to a greater understanding of Caribbean culture and its complexities.

That is the true Derek–forever committed to the preservation and exploration of our Caribbean stories, our Caribbean voices, our version of our Caribbean history. And forever angry and vocal about American foreign policy.

The Legacy of a Visionary

Derek Walcott’s contributions to literature and teaching have left an indelible mark on global literary culture. His unique ability to weave together seemingly disparate

traditions, to explore the unsurmountable complexities of identity, and to evoke both the splendor and the anguish of the Caribbean, ensures that his work remains vital, relevant, and human. He is remembered not merely as a poet, but as a visionary–one who invites us to see the world, and indeed, ourselves, with greater clarity and compassion.

Through pages lit with fire and storm, Through verses carved in dusk and dawn, He shaped the stage, he shaped the land, With steady voice and guiding hand.

The island’s breath infused his art, A heartbeat drawn from every part.

In coral script and mango hue, He wove the old, he birthed the new.

The poet’s tongue, the playwright’s gaze, A fusion bold of ancient ways.

From Homer’s ghosts to island lore, He cast his net upon the shore.

In theatre’s pulse, he took command,

Each actor’s step, each lifted hand. He pulled the song from voice and limb,

The sea’s refrain, the tempest’s hymn. He knew the weight of exile’s chain, The echoes lost, the tongues retained.

Yet in his work, the roots held fast, A bridge between the present, past. With ink, with light, with measured grace,

He mapped the soul of time and place. Now waves still lap his memory’s keep, And in his words, he does not sleep.

O

still your

Ode to Walcott by Maralyn Ballantyne

Walcott,

spirit calls, Through St. Lucia’s hills and waterfalls. A beacon bright, forever free, An anthem sung across land and sea.

Derek Alton Walcott was a St. Lucian poet, playwright, whose reach and influence extended well beyond the boundaries of his native land.

Derek Walcott, as cool as ever, in St. Lucia in 1995 three years after receiving his Nobel prize.

A momentous occasion in the life of this Caribbean giant, as he received the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Two kings of Caribbean culture/literary arts - David Rudder and Derek Walcott.

His adopted Trinidad and Tobago paid him homage with a postage stamp.

Derek Walcott, pictured in 2016m one year before he passed away in 2017.

Delivering a piece specially for V. S. Naipaul at the 2018 Calabash Literary Festival, Jamaica.

Scenes from an early presentation in Trinidad and Tobago of Walcott’s immortal play, Ti-Jean and His Brothers.

SVG welcomes Garvey’s Pardon: Calls for full exoneration

THE GOVERNMENTof St Vincent and the Grenadines has formally welcomed President Joseph Biden’s executive pardon of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, while simultaneously calling for his full exoneration by the United States government.

“The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines is calling further for a full exoneration by the United States government of Marcus Garvey on the trumped-up charge for which he was found guilty and imprisoned,” a government statement announced, noting that such an exoneration would require congressional action.

The government confirmed it “is pleased to be advised that Congresswoman The Honourable

Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, is taking legislative steps towards Garvey’s exoneration.”

The government emphasized that it “reiterates its commendation of President Biden on the grant of the executive pardon” while stressing “the importance of solidarity in pursuance of justice.”

The statement concluded by affirming that “the campaign continues for his full exoneration.”

Numerous organisations, activists, and governments in Africa and the Caribbean, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, have been advocating for Garvey’s pardon/exoneration.

One such organization is the Washington, D.C.based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), founded by Jamaican Dr. Claire Nelson, with whom THE VINCENTIAN has had a working relationship since 2016.

And as far as this country’s role in the struggle to have Garvey pardoned, and exonerated, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines recalls that on February 1, 2022, Prime Minister Dr. The Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves issued publicly a three-page Memorandum to the People, Mass Organisations and Civil Society in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribbean, Africa, the United States of America, and the World on the subject of “A Petition to Exonerate the Right Excellent Marcus

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, led this country’s role in the movement to have Garvey pardoned.

Mosiah Garvey, National Hero of Jamaica”.

In accord with a decision of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and in consultation with former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister Gonsalves penned the draft of a letter from CARICOM’s leaders to be sent to President Biden. That letter, dated March 29, 2022, was issued by CARICOM’s then-Chairman, the Honourable John A. Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize.

It is to be noted that a similar letter had been earlier sent from CARICOM to President Obama, during his Presidency, but no action was taken.

The statement said that the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines reiterates its commendation of president Biden on the grant of the executive pardon.

It added, “Moreover, our Government emphasises yet again the importance of solidarity in pursuance of justice and accordingly thanks all those who have been campaigning for the pardon/exoneration of our esteemed visionary and patriarch, Marcus Mosiah Garvey.”

Marcus Garvey was installed as the first National Hero of Jamaica in 1969.

Education Revolution deepens

Continued from Page 10.

YOUTHS, SPORTS, AND CULTURE

As a companion to the fresh initiatives in Education are those connected to youth, sports, and culture in Budget 20025. In summary form, they are as follows:

(1) Youth Programmes: Targeted Specific Interventions (Recurrent Budget)

(i)Greater Youth Volunteerism and Engagement [NEW] : $1.5 m

(ii)Skills Training for Employment and Professional Success (STEPS) [NEW] : $1.6 m

(iii)Future Athlete’s Support and Training (FAST) Fund [NEW]: $0.25 m

(iv)Establishment of Semi-Professional League (Football) [NEW]: $0.90 m

(v)Establishment of Semi-Professional League (Netball) [NEW]: $0.20 m

(vi)Promoting Youth Mico Enterprises (PRYME) : $3.0 m

(vii)Offering National Support for Internship Training and Employment (ON-SITE) : $2.52 m

(viii)Support for Education and Training (SET) : $3.0 m

(ix)Youth Empowerment Service (YES) : $6.0 m

(x)Sports vs Crime : $0.13 m

(xi)Pan vs Crime (through PetroCaribe and NLA) : $0.20 m

(xii)Establishment of National Orchestra [NEW] : $0.56 m

(xiii)ICT Equipment for Students (Laptop roll-out) [NEW] : $2.70 m

(xiv)WINLOTT Games : $0.50 m

(xv)Carnival Development Corporation : $1.0 m

(xvi)Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Youth : $0.264 m $24.264 m

(2)Some Major Capital Projects for Youth, Sports, and Culture

(i)Diamond Sports Facility — Sir Vincent Beache Stadium: $11.24 m (ii)Improvement to Arnos Vale Sporting Complex : $1.0 m

(iii)Cultural, Educational, and Production Hubs (Belle Vue, Troumaca, Petit Bordel) : $9.54 m

(iv)Cultural, Educational, Wellness Centre (Park Hill) : $3.0 m (v)Four capital projects for SVGCC : $2.72 m (vi)Capitalisation of Student Loan Company : $0.50 m $28.05 m

Additionally, the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) will spend at least $5 million in 2025 on Carnival, Sports and Cultural activities, and capital sports projects. Further, the NLA will spend over $3 million in educational supports for young persons in 2025.

SUMMATION

In 2025, it is a heavenly condition to be young and access the productive opportunities available in SVG today. Long may it be so. A piece of advice to the youths: Stay away, from crime and unwholesome activities. ULP is lifting the youths higher!

Ministry of Agriculture lacks Vision and Leadership

Continued from Page 10.

Improve access to new germplasms that have characteristics such as drought/flood and heat tolerance. Construct protected agriculture structures (greenhouses) that ensure all-year round production. Implement a robust and comprehensive soil and water conservation program, with the aim at re-establishing soil and water conservation measures such as grass barriers and contour drains. The program will also include waste management and utilization such as composting and reduction in the use of harmful pesticides.

Lack of a National Agricultural Census since 2000.

Agricultural data is needed to

monitor the existing agricultural and food supply conditions and to provide accurate and reliable information to help governments and other users in the process of short-term to mediumterm decision-making. The Census of Agriculture provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agricultural data for every part of the country. The Census of Agriculture is the backbone of the entire Agriculture Statistics System. In the absence of an agricultural census, the country lacks the capacity to produce, analyze and report on the minimum set of agricultural indicators. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines conducted its two most recent Census of Agriculture in 1985/1986 and 2000.

An ED challenge

Dear George,

MY GIRLFRIENDand I are thinking of getting married sooner than later but recently I have been having a difficult time getting an erection, and my girlfriend has not been very supportive.  I confided in a good friend who suggested I drink a special substance he vowed will get me firing again and even better than before.

George, I have drunk about seven doses of this thing, and it has made my situation worse. Before, it was a case of off and on, now everything is totally dead.

My friend is adamant that it has nothing to do with the substance he gave me, but I’m not convinced. What do you think should be my next move?

Desperate Need.

Dear Desperate Need,

It is not a wise decision to be

drinking substances about which you have no knowledge.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can happen for more than one reason. It can be a medical or psychological issue and seeing a professional should have been your first option.

Additionally, it is always better when you have a supportive partner to help you through this. Your partner’s unwillingness to understand your situation is cause for concern and attention. This is not the kind of person you would want as a marriage partner.

Take this time to sort yourself out and get the necessary medical and psychological help that would put you back on track.

George

A private sex service

Dear George,

SOME PEOPLEare just self-righteous and judgmental.

To beat the hard economic times, my wife and I decided to offer a sex service for money, wherein we would discretely invite people to our home and provide them with whatever sexual activity they would request. The plan was working well until my boss showed up as a customer. Obviously, she had no clue whom she was going to meet and was surprised, even dismayed, that I would be involved in something like this.

This is not a friend

Dear George,

I HAVE BEENfriends with this girl for well over ten years. Our friendship was platonic.

About three months ago, she pleaded with me to lend her some money to buy a car. I did so without hesitation, only to have my family and friends question my “good deed”.

Once she got the car, she started acting funny. Once, when my car broke down and I called her for help, she suggested I take a minibus because she was too tired to leave the house. On another occasion, she totally ignored me when I was on the road waiting on a bus.

When I asked her about the repayment of the loan, she brushed me off saying she had more urgent things to attend to, and she will begin paying me back when she was good and ready. She has stopped taking my calls and is doing everything to avoid having contact with me. Can I just take her to court to get my money? She is texting me saying I have no proof of her lending me this money.

I am trying my best to preserve our friendship, and I know if it ends up in court that will be the end to it. What else can I do to resolve this?

Troubled.

Dear Troubled,

Are you really worried about preserving a friendship that’s already washed up?

You are being taken advantage of and it’s time you see this. Use the text message she sent you as a starting point in seeking legal action to retrieve your money.

This individual is not your friend and has used you as a financial convenience. It’s time to see her for who she is and move on.

George

In short, she chastised me for not having character and instructed that she would deal with my employment when I showed up for work on Monday.

I am at a loss, George. What is she accusing me of? Would I be justified in exposing her if she decided to fire me? After all, she came to my house for services without her husband.

Totally Confused.

Dear Totally Confused,

I am not sure about the legitimacy of the private service which you and your wife decided to offer. I would hope that having decided to go that route, you crossed your T’s and dotted your I’s. You are free to make your own decisions as far as your life is concerned. Your boss also has that same right. She has the right to decide whom she wants in her company. While that may be so, you have the right to object to any unfair employment practices and to seek redress. Getting back at her for showing up at your place without her husband is really neither here nor there and should be left alone. You will just have to wait for her to make her move before making yours.

George.

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)

Throw yourself into your profession. You need to do more research before you make your final decision. You may find that purchases or entertainment could be expensive. Go out with friends who are positive and supportive.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)

Although it does look promising, be careful not to overextend yourself or you will lose in the long run. Talk to your emotional partner about your intentions. You'll be pleased with the results if you take the time to decorate your home. Don't trust coworkers with important or personal in formation.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

This will not be the day to start new business ventures or make drastic changes in your career. Be firm when dealing with matters pertaining to your environment. An older member of your family may have left you with a pressing situation.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

Visit friends or relatives you rarely see. Go over your finances and figure out a solid budget. You may find it difficult to communicate with someone at work. Try to address the real issues in order to turn things around.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)

You have been stagnating for some time now and you need a change of pace. Try not to be too aggressive or judgmental when talking to your mate. Sudden changes at home will affect family members more than you anticipated. Overindulgence may cause conflicts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)

You may have the energy to clear up that mound of paperwork facing you. You will find your vitality is lowered. This will not be the best day to make changes or renovations to your residence. Praise will be yours if you have been pursuing your goals.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)

You may be somewhat emotional concerning a rather private matter. You will meet new romantic partners if you get involved in seminars or travel. You could meet potential new mates if you go out with friends or take pleasure trips. Be careful not to divulge secret information this week.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

Money can be made if your are willing to take a chance. Empty promises are evident; therefore, get it in writing, to be safe. Trips will be more than adventurous. If you haven't planned a vacation, then at least try to get away for the weekend.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)

Don't forget that your budget is limited right now. Get involved in groups and organizations that are of a distinguished nature. Your input into their activities will help bring you closer together. Unreliable people will be negative about your ideas.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)

Overindulgence will mean poor health. You have to believe in yourself and your talents. Be careful if a friend asks you for advice. Someone important may be watching you from afar.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)

Your ability to do detailed work will dazzle those who are less creative. Opportunities to travel will be favorable in terms of moneymaking connections. Try not to hesitate; act on your initial instincts. Things will be emotional with your mate.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)

Travel could turn out to be more exciting than you imagined. Moves or the possibility of having someone different living with you may be difficult at first. Payoff all your debts before you go out and celebrate. The stamina you possess will be apparent in your approach to your hobbies and creative projects.

ACROSS

1.Jar covers

5. Pea capsule

8. Actress Gershon

12. Draft status (hyph.)

13. Flagon filler

14. Author Leon

15. Controversial rights gp.

16. What a bar bouncer checks

17. Camera part

18. Bird of prey

20. Strike lightly

22. Sheep she 23. “…thing we have to fear is fear __” (FDR)

27. Forsaken

29. Yoko __

30. Caustic solution

31. Clark Kent’s crush

32. “__ King”

33. Ore deposit

34. Actress Sothern

35. Cries of delight

36. __ and groan

37. Two-piece swimsuit

39. Argument against

40. 9-digit item (abbr.)

41. To a great degree

45. Cars from Munich

48. “__ Hard”

50. Paper unit

51. In __ of (replacing)

52. Boise’s state (abbr.)

53. Rocker Clapton

54. Longon gallery

55. Republican party’s Inits.

56. Singer Cantrell

DOWN

1.Be idle

2. Andes native

3. Farmer’s locale

4. Cups’ mates

5. Patriot Thomas

6. Mature

7. Kismet

8. Takes big swallows

9. Great wrath

10. Diarist Anais

11. Donkey 19. __ up to (admit)

21. From __ Z (2 wds.)

24. Director Kazan

25. Singer Loretta

26. Repairman’s tab

27. Anderson of “WKRP”

28. Swine sound

29. Finds acceptable

31. Scientist’s rm.

32. Bash

33. Dog of mixed breed

35. Question’s opposite (abbr.)

36. “Me”, in Paris 38. Magazine unit

39. Costing little 42. Zeus’s wife

43. Reclined 44. Local gym (abbr.)

45. Sandwich initials

46. “Mamma __!”

47. Dampen

49. Bride’s answer (2 wds.)

Player with Vincentian roots MLS bound

wicket-keeper,

drafted by Charlotte FC for the 2025 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

The younger Johnson, who stands over six feet, was selected last December, in the second round of the draft, however, through a family decision, he will be eligible to play for Charlotte this September.

Explaining the intricacies and conundrum, the elder Johnson disclosed that his son was initially drafted in the first round, which had a big financial benefit with it, but his education took precedence.

“If you are selected you have to leave school, so we negotiated with them, because we wanted him to finish his education and with him being part of the Ivy League schools, which don’t allow for drop-outs nor online classes. You can’t graduate from that school; you can transfer your credit, but you will never get a degree from an Ivy League school”, the elder Johnson explained.

Tracing Andrew’s rise in the sport, Elton recalled spotting his prowess from early as four years.

“He was always playing above his age group. Soccer was his thing growing up and

HKF releases ranking

THE HAIROUNA KARATE FEDERATION (HKF) has released its top ranked Karatekas coming into 2025.

Nathalia Greaves is ranked Number One in the Female Under-10, entering 2025 on 345 points.

Heading up the Male Under-12 age group is Liam Bollers, who has 1720 points to his name.

Ari Da Silva (968) is the Number One ranked Under-12 Female karateka.

Meanwhile, Amiyah Bascombe on 2378 points is the top ranked Under-14 Female, with Jaden Guy (533) leading the Male Under-14. Bascombe, who was one of the standouts in 2024, took gold in the Female 11-13 Brown Belt Individual Kata at the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) World Cup, held in Guyana, when St. Vincent and the Grenadines scalped 12 medals at the July event.

Rishawn Roache jumps off on 1493 points to be tops among the Cadet Males.

Topping the Junior Male category is Christian Joseph, who comes in on 850 points. And, in the Under21 Female age group, leading the pack is JDon Matthews on 923 points and Claude Bascombe Jr.- 1395 points, sits atop the Senior Male segment.

The Accumulative Rankings points saw Karatekas gaining points from their performances in the Kata and Kumite events. The tallied points are divided by two. That average is the

he just wanted to play Division One Soccer, succeeded at that and after three years, was drafted to the MLS,” Elton related.

The elder Johnson underscored that whilst his son was born in the USA, he always reconnected to his parents’ roots.

“As a ten, elevenyear-old coming back to St. Vincent and the Grenadines during Summer, he would use the time and attend System Three’s sessions at the Grammar School Playing Field, with Ian Sardine playing a small but meaningful part in his early development and for this I am thankful”, Elton said.

played three seasons with Cornell University. During his stint, he earned All-Ivy honours in 2022 and 2024.

And, the senior Johnson is not ruling out his son representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the future.

But for now, the family is savouring the moment, acknowledging that their investments have not gone to waste.

Johnson, 20, a defender, has

The emerging Johnson played and started in all 50 matches with Cornell, scoring two goals both of which served to be the game winners.

Before his collegiate career, he spent five years with the Philadelphia Union Academy, before transitioning to MLS Next side, FC Delco Academy.

entry points for this calendar year, 2025.

President of the HKF- Claude Bascombe Jr. lauded 2024 as a “good” year for Karate here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, given the number of activities both at the club levels,

and the regional and international exposure for selected Karatekas as well as technical personnel of the HKF.

Bascombe Jr. anticipates an even more productive 2025.

ANDREW JOHNSON, the son of former St. Vincent and the Grenadines goal-keeper and

Elton Johnson; and mother – Wendy Anne Roberts- Johnson, has been

Andrew Johnson with his proud parents Elton and Wendy Johnson.

Andrew Johnson is a living example of the apple not falling far from the tree.

Rishawn Roache sits at the top of the Cadet males ranking.

Amiyah Bascombe occupies the top seed among the Under-14 Females.

Liam Bollers tops the Male Under-12 age group ranking.

Three SVG teams in Concacaf Qualifiers

THREE AGE GROUPFootball teams – Under-17 Women, Under-20 Women and Under-17 Male - will represent St Vincent and the Grenadines between January 27 and February 24, in Concacaf Qualifying competitions.

Beginning the journeys, is the Under-17 Women’s team who will travel to Puerto Rico for their Group A engagements. See separate article on this page.

Meanwhile, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-20 Women’s outfit travels to Nicaragua where they will play in Group D, alongside Jamaica, Nicaragua and St. Kitts and Nevis, February 20, 22 and 24, respectively.

Featuring six groups, the winners advance to the Championships, joining the United States of America and Mexico.

The eight teams will then be placed in two groups of four. The two top teams in each group, apart from

competing for Concacaf honours will qualify for the FIFA World Cup Final.

In between the women’s sojourns, the national Under-17 Male team heads off to Guatemala, where they are pitted against Haiti, February 11, Guatemala, February 13, and Antigua and Barbuda, February 15, in Group E play.

The Under-17 Male qualifiers consist of eight groups, with the group winners gaining automatic places in the FIFA World Cup Final.

SVG U17 Females off to Qualifiers

THE SVG UNDER-17 FEMALE FOOTBALLwill compete in Group A of Round One of the 2025 Concacaf U17 qualifiers, with matches to be played in Puerto Rico.

SVG’s will play Puerto Rico, Bermuda and Cayman Islands on January 26, 28 and 31 respectively.

Six group winners and the two best second places will advance to the Final round, joining the USA, Mexico, Canada and Haiti.

The twelve teams will then be placed in three groups, with the group winners and best second placing, making it to the FIFA Under-17 Women’s Final.

The team has been preparing for some time now despite a setback of one of the team’s key players being injured.

“I believe we have rebounded from that and the other players realize that they will have to fill that gap,”

Head Coach Andrew Bramble said recently.

He admitted, “We have not had the level of preparation that we would have wanted, as there was no female competition; as a result some of these girls are playing for the first time.”

But he assured, “…they (players) are keen to represent SVG, they are fighters and we expect the players to compete and put up a good competition.”

Bramble referred to a match played against

Barbados last week Thursday and commented, “I like what I am seeing in terms of the fighting spirit.”

Bramble did not hide the fact that “It will be a tough group and will be a very tough challenge, given the fact that teams like Puerto Rico and Bermuda would have had a school female tournament and few of their players are playing in colleges and university in the United

States, so their standard would be much higher than ours.

“But we expect to go out to compete and focus on what happens on the day and give our best,” he added.

The team leaves the state today Friday for Puerto Rico.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Schools cricket is back

CRICKETERSin the primary and secondary school here will be getting the opportunity to display their skills when tournaments at both levels bowl off here next month.

Lead coordinator of the tournaments, Deighton Butler, was particular pleased with the reintroduction of the Primary School tournament, as he sees this level as the breeding ground for the future generation of cricketers.

In fact, he said, “The Department (of Sport) is focusing a lot of attention at the primary school level.”

Butler disclosed, “The Department is already planning two-day visits to the various primary schools to generate some interest to encourage mass participation, as we had in 2023 with over 30 schools participated. We are also putting some coaching teams together to go out and assist as many of the primary schools who express interest in participating in the tournament.”

Looking back at what once obtained, the Coordinator, himself a former leftarm fast medium bowler who represented the West indies in ODIs, recalled that SVG dominated Windward

Islands Under-15 cricket.

He noted, “.. this was during those years when we had a vibrant primary school cricket competition.”

He admitted though, “The standard of our Under-15s took a rapid decline during those 15 to 20 years where we didn’t have any primary schools cricket competition. With primary school cricket back on stream now, which is technically an under-13 tournament, this will become a feeder tournament again for the national under 15 team, which we will work closely with the SVG Cricket Association scout during the tournament and identify the elite players.”

The Sports Department and the Ministry of Education are working together to provide assistance with coaching and equipment to help lift the standard.

The Secondary School Under-15 will bowl off on February 4th. The Secondary School Under-19 on February 18th, and the Primary School Competition on February 25th.

I.B.A. ALLEN

U17 Female footballers go through a training routine.

Andrew Bramble, Head Coach, expects the girls to give of their best.

Deighton Butler one of the coordinators of the tournament in the Sports Ministry, is delighted that schools’ cricket is back.

Sports V

Ken Boyea: The Caribbean man

HE WAS LAID to rest January 22, 2025, marking his earthly transition. Born December 5, 1937, Ormiston Arnold Ken Boyea lived a life that identifies him as one of the region’s genuine legend. Tributes flowed with sincerity at his funeral service at a ceremony that highlights the gratitude he engenders.

Ken perhaps fulfilled his latest wish, that of making it into the New Year. For as soon as the numbers turned, so too did he for his meeting with the King.

There is no regret with is numbers. Eightyseven is a boogie Australian number, and Ken boyea showed his spine as an opening batsman for St. Vincent and the Grenadines with a century at Victoria Park in the late sixties.

Many of my school mates of that generation recall that innings, for it stands out as a sample of many a thing of that time.

There were grumblings I tend to remember. Because at that time, Ken Boyea was a professional, having distinguished himself in the early part of his engineering career. It is perhaps coincidental that the innings became a topic of discussion. For it was not the usual type of Caribbean striking. It was necessary all the same, for sometimes, there requires a different approach to life. Boyega was prepared to show flexibility.

Boyea veered into a variety of areas. His adaptation to the needs of the region, plunged him into the world of business development.

His stint at the Eastern Caribbean Flour Mills, and that entity provided many of the nation’s leading sport personalities with a foundation in life which ensured that their contribution to the nation’s sporting progress was worth something.

His business management skills plunged into the national arena, and spurred his success in the political arena. Boyea persisted with his entrepreneurial ventures up to his end and his contacts and advanced proposals engineered progress on many fronts.

The documentation of his life story will be part of this country’s dynamic pioneering base. His legacy can become a source of inspiration to the point of becoming a national reference point.

He quit the scene in the midst of a storm which if he had his way would have ended. Matters of conflict and sorrow were not issues he tolerated. His pragmatism will have led him to suggesting some solution. But as destiny has it, the uncertainty persists beyond his closing eyes.

Boyea might not have been the poet, dynamic like Shake Keane, or the statesman, comparable to heroes or potential stalwarts. His footprint is his own, carved in the minds of generations of Vincentians, and indeed Caribbean citizens whose lives he touched over the course of his journey.

Youth Yachting Programme progresses

SEVENyoung Vincentians have been working diligently, learning the ins and outs of the yacht charter industry as part of the SVG Sailing Association ‘Youth Yacht Charter Programme’.

This initiative, made possible by funding from the French Embassy to the Eastern Caribbean States, Barbados and the OECS, and delivered by Blue Life Academy, Bequia, aims to introduce young Vincentians to the various facets of this thriving industry. The ultimate goal is to prepare them for employment opportunities both locally and internationally.

Blue Life Yacht Charters kindly loaned the yachts for use on the programme.

So far, participants have gained

prep the boat

knowledge in yacht preparation, including engine maintenance, rope work, sailing, skippering, marketing, sales, customer service, and even the fine art of creating towel animals, such as turtles.

Reaching the program’s midpoint, the students had the chance to put their newly acquired skills to the test during a Day Charter around Bequia. The students’ teamwork was evident, and their passion for sailing and guest hospitality was truly impressive.

Students involved in the first round of the Youth Yacht Charter Programme. (Back row from left) Paige Da Silva, CJ Pollard, Scarlet Hadley, Xavier Ollivierre and Rasheed Fraser; (Front from left) Tavonte Forde and Anthony Sayers. (Source: SVGSA)

Xavier Ollivierre, a student on the course said, “I applied for the course due to my love of the ocean. I’m enjoying the course a lot, it is a really good experience, everybody who has an interest in the ocean life should definitely try this experience, you will love it. Even when things get complicated everyone helps.”

Thor Magnus, the head instructor for the programme said, “We are very impressed with these young people, and how they

CWI aims for April T20 tournament

CRICKET WEST

INDIES(CWI) is considering an April 18 to May 11 window for the reintroduction of a Regional T20 tournament, according to Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe.

Bascombe made the statement recently on the Barbadian radio programme Mason and Guest.

While disclosing that the “blueprint”, format, etc., of the tournament is

still to be finalized, Bascombe indicated the focus would be on emerging Caribbean talents. Toward that end, there could well be limitations on experienced T20 players in the tournament, he suggested.

He added that CWI has had extensive discussions about “age restrictions but not as drastic as under-23”, given the short turnaround of T20 World

have progressed through this program.

“We are honoured to be a part of this program together with Sailing Association and Justine, from the French Embassy in St. Lucia”.

Graduation of the first cohorts of the programme is set for May, and the association is considering running it annually to continue fostering local talent in the yachting industry. (Source: SVGSA)

Trinidad and Tobago – 2013 champions of Caribbean T20 Cricket.

Cups. The intention is for six teams to play a full round-robin format followed by the finals.

As a cost-managing measure, CWI is

National Female Cricket Team Announced

THE NATIONALselectors have announced a 14-member female cricket team to represent this country in the Windward Islands Limited Overs Tournament, to be held in Dominica from February 9-17, 2025.

The team reads: Jennillea Glasgow, Dennella Creese, Japhina Joseph, Tracy Byron, Xavian Stephens, Shanel McKie, Vanessa Bushay, Delitha Bentick, Shem Wright-Quashie, Shenezia Daniel, Tomeisha Deane.

considering hosting all matches at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. The last Caribbean Twenty20 was held in January 2013, when Trinidad and Tobago defeated Guyana by nine wickets in St. Lucia, to take the tile.

Four reserves have also been named, in Jennisha Hackshaw, Giada Small, Luzanne Edwards, and Krystal McMillan.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Coach Samantha Lynch sharing some wicketkeeping tips with players.

The need for a genuine Caribbean/Regional T20 tournament is now considered a necessary cog if the plan for cricket development in the region, especially in lights of the fact that the overwhelmingly popular but privately run Caribbean Premier League (CPL) , “is not the ideal platform to unearth a broad crosssection of grassroots talent,” CWI said.

(Source: News Room Guyana)

I.B.A. ALLEN

Students

under the watchful eye of Instructor Thor Magnus. (Source: SVGSA)

Classifieds

Note: The following is an extract from the 2025 Budget Presentation as delivered by Camillo Gonsalves, Finance Minister.

“THE PAST INFORMSthe present, and our record of 2024 accomplishments amidst trying circumstances should assure Vincentians that our ambitions for 2025 are achievable. We present to this Honourable House today a Budget that sets the bar of expectation higher than ever before. In 2025, we will:

1. Increase civil servants’ salaries by 2.5 percent

2. Complete the $668 million Modern Kingstown Cargo Port

3. Construct not fewer than 1,000 homes for Beryl and Soufriere affected persons

4. Disburse over $30 million in social assistance and income support to farmers, fishers, small businesses and vulnerable Vincentians impacted by Hurricane Beryl

5. Complete the Barrouallie Blackfish Processing Centre

6. Significantly advance construction of the Arrowroot Factory

7. Build more than 70 separate stretches of road with a 2025 budgetary allocation of over $125 million

8. Advance construction of the Arnos Vale Acute

AI REAL ESTATE

HERE’S WHAT THE 2025 BUDGET PROMISES

Care Hospital

9. Start Semi-professional Netball and Football leagues

10. Launch the FAST fund to support Olympic athletes’ quest for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

11. Launch a National Orchestra

12. Launch GYVE, a youth volunteerism initiative to support community-based engagement

13. Launch a dedicated programme to provide free transportation services for persons with disabilities

14. Commence construction of a vendors’ market in Georgetown, and expand the vendors shops at Glen

15. Pilot a Mathematics support programme to provide additional instructional time in Math for primary and secondary school students

16. Begin construction of Marriott Resort at Mt. Wynne

17. Begin construction on the Sandy Bay, Brighton and Thomas Saunders Secondary Schools, the Kingstown Anglican School, and Grimble Hall at the Girls’ High School

KOSCAB ACQUIRES SVBL

Editor’s Note: The following is a Press Release, dated January 21, 2025, on behalf of the parties concerned.

WE ARE PLEASEDto announce that Coca-Cola bottling subsidiary KOSCAB Holdings Ltd (“KOSCAB”) and Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, S.A. (“CND”) have entered into an agreement for KOSCAB to acquire Saint Vincent Brewery Limited (“SVBL”) among other companies in the Caribbean, by KOSCAB purchasing from CND, SLU Beverages, LTD., the companies’ shareholder, which is part of the global beverage company AnheuserBusch InBev SA/NV (ABI). This strategic agreement is subject to pending regulatory approval and the completion of comprehensive and required due diligence processes. It presents an exciting opportunity to

unite both businesses under a single parent company. KOSCAB is dedicated to enhancing local and regional commercial operations to promote the growth and success of some of the region’s most iconic brands, including Pine Hill, Banks, Hairoun, and all Coca-Cola-affiliated products.

Andre Thomas, KOSCAB’s General Manager, stated that this decision is a natural progression following their role as the distribution and commercial co-venturer with BHL since 2018. KOSCAB believes this acquisition will yield positive outcomes for all parties involved, as their world-class expertise in the beverage sector will help exceed consumer quality expectations.

Shafia London, the Country Head of BHL and SVBL, assured that local customers will continue to enjoy the

18. Begin cultural, education, wellness and production hubs in Belle Vue, Park Hill, Troumaca and Petit Bordel

19. Provide over 2,600 laptops to community college and secondary school students

20. Install lights and a warmup track at the Sir Vincent Beache Stadium

21. Begin construction of a modern parliament building in Beachmont

22. Begin or complete construction of 11 clinics nationwide

23. Conduct targeted and sustained police operations against criminals, and improve community policing in high-risk areas

24. Welcome a record number of visitors to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

25. Deliver another year of robust economic growth and greater employment opportunities

And we will do it all without raising taxes or fees. Each of these initiatives, and more, will be detailed during the course of this Budget 2025 Speech, and through the subsequent presentations by other members of this Honourable House.”

same great taste from the companies’ beverage offerings. She expressed complete confidence in KOSCAB’s ability to elevate the combined businesses to new heights.

KOSCAB, in fact, has bought the controlling shares that Anheuser-Busch had in the SVBL.

“KOSCAB is poised to rejuvenate the industry in a way that maximizes

benefits for the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” she said. London also emphasized that there would be no disruption to service delivery during the transition period.

Camillo Gonsalves, Finance Minister