GROUP CONFLICTS IN OTTLEY HALL: ONE DEAD, ONE HOSPITALIZED
Stories by KENVILLE HORNETHE WEST KINGSTOWN COMMUNITY OF OTTLEY
HALL is once again at the centre of gun violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after two men were shot, one on Sunday 17th March and another, fatally, on Tuesday 19th March.
On Sunday, sometime around 8:40pm, Connel Westfield, 26, also known as Connel Jack and by the nickname ‘Skiddo’, was making his way home when he was ambushed by two
masked gunmen and shot twice in the abdomen.
Reports are that after Westfield was shot, he made a dash for the Rapid Response Unit (RRU)/Black Squad outpost located in the community, to seek refuge but none of the lawmen came to his assistance.
“He run to the Black Squad and fell down in front the building. Is someone with a vehicle give him a ride to the hospital and that is how he reach. It’s like the officer na care about
Ottley Hall people and they na make no use in the community,” said an angry woman. Another villager who said that he helped to lift Westfield into the transport, described the injury he saw. “He had a hole in the belly area from one of the gunshot,” said the male resident.
Continued on Page 3.
BRAZEN SHOOTING AT THE MCMH: VISITING HOURS ADJUSTED
Consul General McIntosh honoured
by NELSON A. KING US CORRESPONDENT naking@verizon.netBronx, New York
Borough President Vanessa Gibson two Thursdays ago joined with the Bronx-based Garifuna Coalition USA in hosting the 16th Annual Garifuna Heritage Month celebration at the historic Bronx County Building’s Rotunda.
Part of the activities including an honouring ceremony and among those so recognized was St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States, Rondy “Luta” McIntosh.
José Francisco Ávila, chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, told THE VINCENTIAN that, during the ceremony, Gibson issued a proclamation proclaiming Mar. 11-April 12 as Garifuna-American Heritage Month.
The proclamation, Ávila said, was in observance of the 227th anniversary of “the forcible displacement of the Garifuna people by the British from their ancestral homeland of St. Vincent ‘Yurumein,’ (presently known as St. Vincent and the Grenadines) to Central America in 1797.”
For her part, Gibson said since 2008, the Bronx has been proud to celebrate the heritage, culture and tradition of the people of Garifuna descent.
“With a past that reaches back to the early 17th century on the island of St. Vincent, then later in the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, their history has remained intact, and over 100,000 residents now call the Bronx their home,” she said.
Ávila said that, in 2014, thenCouncilmember Gibson was the first to issue a proclamation in recognition of GarifunaHeritage Month in the City Council.
In addition to the honouring segment, the evening included performances by the Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater and Robert Martinez DJ Stylistics.
McIntosh told THE VINCENTIAN that the event was “a very
important commitment to support our Garifuna descendants in their quest to reclaim the real history of the journey of the Garinagu people, who originated from Yurumein (St. Vincent and the Grenadines).
He describd the atmosphere as “festive,” adding, “I was elated to hear the Garifuna language being spoken and how they embrace their world heritage culture.
To strengthen what he described as “the fractured ties” between the Garinagu ancestors in the Diaspora and the people living in Yurumein (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), McIntosh disclosed that he will be leading a delegation of Garinagu descendants on their annual Garifuna Heritage Right of Passage and Pilgrimage to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to mark the National Heroes Day celebrations, and the 227 years of exile from Yurumein at Balliceaux,
an uninhabited island in the St. Vincent Grenadines.
On this pilgrimage, he and his contingent were expected to participate in a ceremony at the Obelisk in Dorsetshire Hill, overlooking capital Kingstown, on Thursday 14 March, National Heroes Day, in honour of National Hero Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer.
On that same day, McIntosh said the delegation will join celebrations in, Fancy and Greiggs on mainland St. Vincent.
Friday was set aside for a visit to Balliceaux, where in 1795 about 5,000 Garinagu were banished by the British and left to die before about 2200 survivors were loaded on 10 ships and dropped off on Roatan Island, off Honduras.
“Again, I say the Garifuna story is our story, and we must embrace them with open hearts and hands,” McIntosh said.
3
ÂHold coronerÊs inquests,Ê PM
DR. RALPH GONSALVES,Prime Minister and Minister of Legal Affairs, has made another public appeal for outstanding coroner’s inquests to take place.
According to him, he had asked the office of the Attorney General in conjunction with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission for a temporary magistrate to be appointed, to assist with certain tasks including outstanding preliminary inquiries and coroner’s inquests.
“I want to make the public appeal
which I have done repeatedly through the chain, for the office of the Commissioner of Police, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the office of the Attorney General (AG) and certainly the magistracy to ensure that those outstanding coroner’s inquests, that they are held,” Gonsalves said while speaking on radio on March 20.
A coroner’s inquest is held for someone who dies under sudden and unnatural circumstances where there
Group conflicts in Ottley Hall: One dead, one hospitalized
Continued from Frontpage.
escaping death twice in the space of two days.
On Sunday, 17th March, Westfield was making his way to his home in Ottley Hall when he was ambushed and shot twice in the abdomen. He was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for medical attention and was expected to undergo surgery to remove a bullet that was stuck in his abdomen.
However, two days later, on Tuesday 19th, a man was able to bypass security at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), make his way into the Male Surgical Ward where Westfield was warded, and pumped more bullets into Westfield in what one relative referred as an “an attempt to finish him off.”
The perpetrator exited the hospital but Westfield survived once again and was scheduled for even more intense surgery.
A police release following the incident said that a prompt combined response by the Narcotics Unit,
is not at the time, or a period thereafter, no one that can be identified as being criminally culpable, he explained.
The coroner’s jury can bring someone criminally culpable, but it will still be up to the office of the DPP to determine whether the individual is charged.
And, according to Gonsalves, there have been situations in the past where the coroner’s inquest determined that someone was criminally culpable, and
the DPP when looking at the evidence considered that there was an insufficiency of evidence to take the matter to court.
“But still, these are human beings who have died and there must be a judicial pronouncement as to the circumstances in which these persons met their deaths,” Dr. Gonsalves said.
And while it was true that most coroner’s inquests would result in nobody being found criminally culpable, there was still the need for legal closure, the PM suggested. (DD)
Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and the Special Services Unit (SSU) led to the arrest and detention of several individuals believed to be connected to the incident. Two firearms were also seized.
The release went on to state that, “The individual believed to be responsible for the shooting incident was successfully apprehended by the police,” who discerned on making the arrest that he had inadvertently inflicted injuries on himself during his attempt to escape. Reports indicate that he shot himself in the area of the testicles.
As a result, he required medical treatment, which he is presently receiving at the MCMH and is also aiding the police with their ongoing investigation, the police release said.
Whether or not Westfield has been moved to a different area of the hospital is not known. The hospital authorities, though, reported that no one else was injured during the incident.
The second attack on Westfield’s life took place the same day another
Ottley Hall resident, Comron Miller aka ‘Boogie’ was shot and killed while sleeping under a shed attached to a popular shop in the community.
Residents in Ottley Hall claim that there is a gang war taking place in the community and they are calling on the authorities to addressed
it urgently.
MCMH visiting hours
Meanwhile, following the shooting incident, the Health, Environment and Wellness Ministry, on Wednesday 20, issued a statement in which it announced that it had taken measures to restrict visiting hours at the Male Surgical Ward.
With immediate effect, and until further notice, visiting hours to the Male Surgical Ward of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) will be restricted to 3pm to 4pm only. The 11am to 12 noon visiting period will be suspended indefinitely.
Additionally, the statement instructed:
“Each patient in the Male Surgical Ward MCMH will only be allowed one (1) bedside visitor during the visiting period, and the name of this single visitor will be provided by each patient and must be on a list which will be kept at the Security Booth at the Kingstown District Clinic entrance to the MCMH.”
Brazen shooting at the MCMH: Visiting hours adjusted
Continued from Frontpage.
When THE VINCENTIAN visited the community on Sunday night, residents made known that there was a war going on between two groups in the community, and that there will be retaliation for ‘Skiddo’s’ shooting.
Two days later, Tuesday 19, around midday, Comron ‘Boogie’ Miller was shot in the head and died on the spot, as he lay asleep in an open area of a shop located at a popular intersection in the community.
Reports are that the shooting was done by a lone gunman.
Miller was a well-known in his
community. He was a budding dancehall artiste who formed a group called ‘1linkz’ with two other men from the community.
A source told THE VINCENTIAN that Miller’s death was in retaliation for the shooting of Westfield.
“I don’t think ‘Boogie’ is really involve in any of this, but one of his relative is suspected of being involve in ‘Skiddo’ shooting, so it look like them target ‘Boggie’ to get revenge,” the source said.
Miller was described by a relative as not being known to be a troublemaker… “joyful and always make you laugh.”
Relatives of the decease and residents of Ottley Hall said that they were surprised that Miller was killed in such a manner, and appealed for more police presence in the community.
“I scared right now for my children because they does come to the shop (where Miller was shot). We need more police; they need to come out and do patrol,” said one woman, adding, “It’s high day time in a small community like this. Come on, is so we come to?”
Miller’s death brings the homicide count so far for 2024 to eight (8).
‘Boogie’ was a father
by KENVILLE HORNECOMRON“Boogie” Miller, who was shot and killed in Ottley Hall last Tuesday 19, was the father of one son.
The child’s mother, LaToya Harry, who was overseas at the time of
Miller’s death, spoke with THE VINCENTIAN from her overseas base, and described Miller as a good father who had a great bond with his son.
Reflecting on her child father’s personality, Harry said that he loved making people smile. “I know him to love hanging out with friends, telling jokes and love making people laugh... then there are times when he would just love being alone.”
She disclosed that the child will be celebrating his 4th birthday next week Wednesday, March 27.
Miller gets along well with everybody
Harry said that the person with whom she had a child made it his business to “get along well with everybody,” though she admitted she could not say the same about people’s attitude to him.
On the day he was killed, Harry confirmed that he had no work, and according to her, it could be that he was resting at the shop because he had “no work on that day — he does labouring work.”
It could be also, that he was just “taking a rest at the shop before he went to “pick up his son from school,” LaToya reasoned and shared that she understood that he had promised to be the one to pick his son up that day.
“If he was involved in any conflict with somebody, he would not have hang out there in broad daylight,” she added.
Harry is obviously saddened by Miller’s death and that her son, unfortunately, will be raised without his father.
“He loved his son so much and would always say that he has to take good care of his son because is his only son,” continued Harry on Miller’s attitude towards their son.
She said that Miller’s mother had
three children including Jessica, who is a national footballer.
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
‘Dragging your feet’
A LOOK INTO OUR LEXICON TELL US that the expression ‘dragging your feet’ means postponing what one should be doing. It also extends to delay doing something, do it at snail’s pace or not do it at all, simply because you do not want to do it.
So, when we are accused of dillydallying, even procrastinating, it translates into ‘dragging our feet’.
And ‘dragging our feet’ is applicable to the individual, a group, a government and a country.
There are occasions when as a country we have to accept the accusation that we are ‘dragging our feet’, because the government of the day failed to fulfill a promise or to implement a programme.
Balliceaux
Take for example the ‘issue’ of Balliceaux. It is an open secret that the island is privately owned, albeit by a local family.
This year, we again issued a National Heroes Day apology for not having purchased or acquired the island.
For some ‘inexplicable reason’, there seemed not to have been any haste to ‘bring the island home’ — to embrace what is a national consensus and a desire of the far-flung nation of Garifuna who not only hold Yurumein (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) as their ancestral home, but moreso deem Balliceaux hallowed ground — where they can return to heal their wounds and pay tribute to their dead ancestors whose remains lie beneath the ground.
When we declared Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer our first national hero in 2002, there was the concomitant understanding that we would work towards taking Balliceaux out of privately owned hands, and establish it as a memorial in honour of Garifuna past and present.
That was twenty-two years ago and it is an affront to the Garifuna that we have retuned in 2024 with an apology for not having moved with any determination to purchase or acquire Balliceaux, and we cite rather ‘ungainly’ reasons for our failure.
Not even when there was indication that a sale was imminent did we seem bothered into moving with haste to ‘prevent’ the sale -a straight forward case of us ‘talking the talk but not walking the walk, i.e. procrastination of its highest order.
Simply put, we dragged our feet on the Balliceaux issue and while there
are promises to ignite the effort to purchase/acquire the island, who can fault us if we feel that we will continue to ‘drag our feet’.
We owe the Garifuna a debt. Now is no time for political grandstanding, for ‘dragging our feet’. Now is the time to act, not tomorrow.
Arnos Vale Playing Field
Not for the first time we are spending millions of dollars to improve our primary cricket ground, Arnos Vale Playing Field.
The $35 million we are earmarked to expend on this occasion is encouraged by our part in the region playing host to the 2024 ICC World Cup. Our place is a heightened one; we have moved up from hosting warmup matches to scheduled games in the actual World Cup itinerary.
That ‘elevation’ rests on our construction of an international airport and increased and improved hotel room availability.
But within all of this, we are frightened by the underlying indications that we just might have got a strong scolding by the ICC and Cricket West Indies.
Indications are that we may be behind schedule in our work at Arnos Vale in particular, and this seemed to have earned us something of a threat to reschedule our matches elsewhere.
More bark than bite since to do so would mean a herculean effort to adjust at this hour an important event like World Cup Cricket, into which would have already gone immense work off the field of play like ensuring hotel accommodation, technical services, etc.
Notwithstanding that we might have heard the bark but avoided the bite, it speaks to a good chance that we once again, ‘dragged our feet’.
We knew the scheduled of the World Cup well in advance. Why make it such that we exposed ourselves to the scolding of the cricket authorities?
We have to wake up to our responsibilities.
Dragging our feet is definitely not in our best interest whether it be sleeping on the Balliceaux issue or failing to provide the requites on time for the work at Arnos Vale.
Hopefully, there would be no more ‘dragging our feet’ on our commitment to the World Cup.
And by the way, if it is that we drag our feet barefooted, it won’t be too long before we lose our ‘bottom foot’.
I KNOW IT WASonly a matter of time before the public pressure to release information about development incentive agreements became a “thing” in SVG. The level of secrecy surrounding the incentives offered/provided to developers in SVG is unbelievable. As a matter of fact, I believe all these agreements are illegal, and if they are not, they should be. To the best of my understanding, none of them were budgeted or approved through a public process.
Now let me explain. I am not saying that giving incentives to developers is illegal. In fact, if we do not provide incentives to potential investors, we will never be competitive.
The act of keeping these incentives a secret is what makes it unlawful. I do not believe the government can give away the public funds without a public hearing and approval process. So, the idea that Prime Minister Gonsalves (PM) is now asking all those who receive assistance to come forward and speak up is unbelievable. Mr. PM, I do not expect you to remember all the development agreements after twenty-four years. However, acknowledging that you had to ask the Minister of Finance for the number of agreements we currently have was enlightening. What was most embarrassing was what followed: the request for a few of those who received assistance to speak up and share their stories.
I cannot imagine a world where twelve development agreements were approved on behalf of the people of SVG, and we do not know how much money we provided and who received these incentives. In my professional career as a local government administrator, spanning twenty-eight years, I negotiated several development incentive agreements valued at over a billion dollars. While explaining these agreements to the public was difficult and uncomfortable, we had to do it. It was the law. So, you see, I know what it’s like to tell a poor, unemployed person why giving millions of dollars to a wealthy person was good for everyone.
To make things easy for you and your cabinet, Mr. PM, each development agreement should be
accompanied by a complete economic analysis detailing the costs and benefits to the nation. Incentives should only be given if shown to be a net positive cash flow to the country over a specific period. Each agreement should have performance targets, and when those targets are met, the incentives will be paid. They should also have what is referred to in the industry as “clawback”. A “clawback” provision allows the go to recover some of the incentives that may have been paid upfront if the developer fails to perform according to our expectations. You see, Mr. PM, all this information should be in the public domain. Every development agreement should result in a public benefit greater than the public investment over time. Another thing is that no incentive package should last more than ten to fifteen years.
So, you see, again, I ask on behalf of the curious public, please explain one or two of the incentive packages you recently provided to a developer.
For example, did Sandals pay anything for the property they now operate, or is it the only investment by the Sandals company in its improvement? If that is the case, who is paying or will be paying the judgment pending in the bankruptcy court in England? It’s ok if that is us. Just tell us. We would also like to know if they are receiving other concessions, and if so, how much? Will they be incentivized to purchase local produce? Or will they have a penalty in addition to the regular taxes and customs duties for goods imported that were available locally?
For example, if bananas, cucumbers, and watermelons are imported to supply the hotel, a special tax should be assessed above the standard assessment.
I mention some of these exhausting details of what should or could be in a development agreement to say to you: the more we know about these agreements, the more trusting we will be as a people. Yes, I also understand that some people will use this information to attack and criticize you, but I am confident that a good deal for our people will always prevail.
Horatio.Rally behind Shafiqua Maloney
THANK YOU, Coreas and Hazells Inc., and those other entities that have made substantial monetary contributions to Shafiqua’s quest to attend the Olympics in France this year.
Shafiqua needs every dollar, and I am asking for more of the corporate world in SVG and the diaspora to join and assist Shafiqua, a very talented soul, full of mental strength and physical endurance. She is a brilliant young Vincentian woman, and if you ever get to know her, you will automatically like her for who she is. One of the finest sports personalities this country has ever nurtured. She is able to survive and reach this far because people gravitate towards her as they feel
the love she has inside for herself, her family, and her country. Many who have been there from the inception of her career know of some of her struggles that are even too deep for only tears, and every Vincentian must make this a national effort to join together to make her journey to the Olympics in Paris a successful one.
(Please watch the movie
“Cool Runnings”.)
I’m kindly asking every Vincentian at home and in the diaspora to give, even if it is just one dollar, to make this dream for SVG and Shafiqua, a reality.
Please give to this special cause. Give it to her because it is the right thing to do at this time. In this way, we will affirm that we do love her and what she has
Libraries remain sources of knowledge
IT HAS BEENsome
time since I last used your newspaper to air my views/feelings on any concern. I must say there has been much on which I wanted to comment but decided against it. You, on the other hand, Mr. Editor, have been doing an excellent job with your edifying and provocative editorials.
I want, as a retired school teacher, to respond to a comment I overheard recently at a checkout counter at a supermarket in Kingstown. Two young people, one male one female, were checking out what appeared to be a few snacks and drinks but were involved in quite an interesting
conversation.
I don’t know what prompted the topic of their exchange but what caught my attention was when the male said to the female that libraries were no longer necessary in this digital age, since all the information you need can be “Googled”.
As a person of generations far before this young couple and as a teacher during the years when libraries were the cornerstones of our development, I could not help but think that we live in a generation that has all but lost any realization that a library is a place that maintains and disseminate relevant information when we require it.
Libraries are deposits
of records of knowledge from past generations that allow us to sort through the confusion in choosing relevant information from the pile available throughout the several internet platforms.
Young people must be made to see the library as the “gateway of knowledge for the community.” Our modern society, like those of old, has various needs, such as education, research, cultural achievement, various types of information, etc. While other institutions are designed to meet one or few of the needs, the library is able to meet all of them in equal measure.
The resources and
Haiti and CARICOM
I COULDN’T AGREE
WITH YOU MORE, Mr. Editor. Whether or not you said it in simply language, what I got
from your recent editorial is that we as CARICOM, allowed the Haiti situation to fester, and now we running like
PEOPLE ARE ASKING:
* Why is the government allocating resources to display lavish amounts of food over the API at Government Events such as the recently held Cocktail party for the persons who volunteered at various functions during the CELAC conference?
* Why fete these people when in fact they were paid for their services, while a significant portion of Vincentians are struggling to provide food for their families?
* Why is every public function hosted by the government turning into a political meeting?
* Even if the NDP proposed a cut in the student loan interest, why won’t they just congratulate the ULP for doing the right thing and move on to dealing with other matters?
* What did we really get out of spending all that money to host that CELAC meeting? Was all that money spent just to get a good name? And furthermore, who paid for that meeting?
headless chickens to say we have to do something. But, is still all talk and no action.
What is CARICOM waiting for? What is the Regional Security System (RSS) doing?
Why do we have to wait for some international force with the blessings of American and Canada and the UK to do something about Haiti?
And that something as I see it, is to send a regional military force, of between 3,000 and 5,000 personnel, into Haiti to help stem the gangs in that country. Those three countries can ensure that the force is properly financed and equipped to undertake the mission. Barbados seems ready to act so what are we waiting on?
done and will continue to do for our “small” island state. If you cannot donate, please influence someone to do so.
Let’s stand behind Shafiqua to affirm our love and desire to see her succeed!
Go Shafiqua! Go Shafiqua Go! You are a great Vincentian woman.
Dr. Chester ToneyThe power of forgiveness
accompanying services of the library create opportunities for learning; they support literacy and education and help shape the new ideas and perspectives that are pivotal to building a modern society. The internet is awash with information but often is not used beyond the purpose immediately in front of the user. The library lasts for a lifetime and will serve this generation and those to come, in positive ways that it served the societies of old. Visit the Public Library today. It could well be an eye opener.
RetireeAnybody remember how quickly we got into gear when the call was made for an Americanled invasion to Grenada when the revolution there blew up on itself? There is no communist hiding in the dark in Haiti, as the Americans and people like Eugenia Charles made us believe was the situation in Grenada. In Haiti it’s clearly a case of murderous gangs running amok with peoples’ lives, so why the hesitation to act on the part of CARICOM?
If we don’t do something now it will become a case of being forever being “Sorry for Haiti”.
Charles, EdinboroHE WAS THE popular leader of his country and had all the country’s resources at his disposal. At a time when he should be engrossed in matters of state, he found himself gratifying his lust for women. As a married man, his devotion should have been towards his wife. And if one was not sufficient, he could have married others. But there seemed to be an innate desire for other men’s wives, and he did not restrain himself. Perhaps he should not take all the blame for women making themselves available to him. But as a man in authority, he must accept full responsibility for his action.
His good Christian upbringing should have prevented him from engaging in adulterous affairs, but his elaborate schemes to facilitate them indicate his evil intentions. Apparently, his marriage vows were not taken seriously, and he became known for his infidelity.
Nothing came in the way of him covering up his infractions, and he even resorted to murder to this end. Yet, when confronted by a man of God, he did not lie like most men are wont to do but he admitted his sin and made a full confession. His profound sorrow and repentance are captured in Psalm 51.
“10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
After Saul’s government fell and David was installed as the new leader, Acts 13:22 records God’s approval, ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”
Anthony G. Stewart, PhDCreative resistance, renewal, and development
The issue
HISTORICALLY, there have been four political tendencies among our people, namely: (i) Roll-over-and-play-dead to colonialism, neocolonialism, imperialism, and monopoly capitalism; (ii) Accommodation, as strategy, in a vassal-like relationship to colonialism and imperialism; (iii) Accommodation, as tactics, in pragmatic terms to acquire peopleoriented benefits; and (iv) Creative Resistance, Renewal, and People-Centred Development.
Of all the governments in SVG since universal adult suffrage in 1951 up to the reclamation of independence in 1979, and subsequently, the ULP government has elaborated the tendency of creative resistance, renewal, people-centred development and fashioned it into a fullyfledged popular tradition, underpinned by the requisite vision, philosophy, and action. In the process of its elaboration, fashioning, and activism – a composite political praxis –, the ULP has had to make, from time-to-time, tactical accommodations as it leads the ascent of our people to transformative lives, living, and production.
Altering the colonial/amended colonial economy
In 2001, the ULP recognised that the colonial/amended colonial economy of SVG required fundamental alteration. Without this alteration, no sustainable development was possible. The economic base had to be transformed and lifted higher in quantitative and qualitative terms. The imperative was to embark upon a quest to build a modern, competitive, many-sided post-colonial economy which is at once national, regional, and global.
The old economy (colonial/amended colonial economy) had certain core distinctive features which engendered high levels of unemployment, high levels of poverty and indigence, highly restricted economic opportunities for the people, low levels of wealth creation and prosperity, socio-economic inequity at high levels, and technological backwardness. The internal contradiction of this “old economy” and its anachronistic character in face of globalised monopoly capitalism, signalled that its days were numbered; SVG was on a quick march to a socio-economic deadend, stagnation, and collapse.
This “old economy” was based essentially on the following: Unlimited supplies of cheap unskilled labour; low or backward levels of applied science and technology; production subsidies at home for a largely mono-crop economy; colonial market preferences abroad; and an undiversified economy and/or diversification at an informal/small scale level.
The altered economic quest and paradigm required the following core bases: Abundant supplies of skilled labor priced at levels approximating those in the international division of labour; a modern diversified economy with multiple viable sectors, integrated with each other; a high or much higher than hitherto level of applied science and technology in the production and distribution of goods and services; an enhanced role of the State in the management /facilitation and ownership of the economy though in a harmonious partnership with the private and cooperative sectors; trade arrangements which were fair and rulesbased, multi-laterally; an emphasis on mature regionalism and the bolstering of OECS/CARICOM trade; robust competitiveness and enhanced efficiencies in the economic/commercial enterprises; and an activist, relevant foreign policy.
What had to be done?
The ULP government had to implement policies to effect the transformation from the “old economy” to the modern, competitive one, mainly through the following: (i) The Education Revolution for Living and Production; (ii) Enhancing the application of science, technology and innovation including restructuring the delivery of information technology services, and introducing more advanced scientific, technological initiatives in the economy;
(iii) Constructing the Argyle International Airport and the Canouan Jet Airport, and building the Modern Cargo Port; (iv) Building multiple roads and bridges, including the iconic Rabacca Bridge, linking the extreme north east of St. Vinent with the rest of the country; (v) Implementing the Heath, Wellness, Housing, and Social Protection Revolutions; (vi) Strengthening the efficacy and efficiency of the State apparatus; (vii) Delivering optimally policies of mature regionalism and foreign policy activism.
Timely roll-out
The roll-out of the quest to build a modern, competitive, many-sided postcolonial economy in an economy the size, structure, historical anti-developmental legacies, contemporary challenges of the global political economy, and climatic disasters, has had to be sequenced wisely, amidst all the contradictions inherent in that process.
The rupturing of the “old economy” and the “ancient regime” of subservience to imperialism while constructing the altered paradigms in the people’s interest has been a difficult and complicated strategic venture, particularly in a context of ideological backwardness and anti-people stances of a set of neo-colonial forces led by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in league with the worst elements of imperialism.
The “old economy” and the “ancien regime” were constructed over a period of over 230 years before the ULP’s arrival in office. Clearly, the alteration of this old economic order and its political superstructure cannot be accomplished in a single generation but the ULP government has put this transformation on a definite path to achieve sustainable development. More work is still to be done. But the ULP government is the only entity in the country to continue to lead this massive transformation.
Forward ever
The agenda in going forward has been laid out with crystal clarity in Comrade Ralph’s most recent book: A Time of Respair: Beyond COVID, Volcanic Eruptions, Hurricane Elsa, Global Turmoil: Fresh Hope for SVG [September 2022]. The masterful Budget 2024 presented by Camillo in January 2024 advances the work-plan for the current period with the central purpose of building a better life for all Vincentians, especially the poor, the working people, the farmers, and fisherfolk. The ULP is, and remains, the answer to lead our people’s sustainable development over the next 25 years. It is molding the next generations of leaders between the years of the young (18-35 years) and 36-55 years. The ULP constantly refreshes itself with personnel, ideas, structures, and systems. And Comrade Ralph, the metaphoric “ancient warrior” with modern, revolutionary ideas is currently leading the way as the creative rebel, builder, and visionary.
Reflection and recognition
(Excerpts of National Heroes’ Day
Address by Dr. the Hon. Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition)THIS NATIONAL HOLIDAYis a time to pause and reflect - both from a personal standpoint and a national view – on the journeys we have undertaken singularly or together this year and it gives us a moment to look forward as well to how we might continue to build our country.
We have battled through many challenges in recent times. Nevertheless, we have much to celebrate and be thankful for. We have life, we have family and friends, we have community, and we have our beautiful country. Most of all, we have the grace and the mercy of God.
But though we may sometimes become consumed with our own trials and challenges, we must not forget the great sorrow that our forebears lived and witnessed over two centuries ago. That is the exile and near extermination of the Garifuna people.
And lest we are tempted to absolve the perpetrators of this monstrous crime by saying it was a different age and a different time with morals and mores that excused and accommodated the actions meted out by the British to our ancestors, let’s think again. For it was not that long ago! It was not the dark ages in Europe. It was a time of enlightenment and progress, of science and art. A time of fervent and expanding Christianity, which taught that we are all God’s children and must love one another as we love ourselves.
away from their home, never to return?
Can we even begin to imagine what men- warriors- would have said to one another to bolster their confidence and sustain their dignity as the ships set sail from Balliceaux beginning a journey they could not comprehend to a land they did not know?
Like the vastness of the universe, it is unimaginable. And thus, the crime committed, the injustice done to these people, our ancestors, is on the same scale. As such, can there ever be atonement? I think not. But that does not mean that nothing should be done.
We speak now of legally acquiring Balliceaux and making it a protected heritage of our nation. That time has finally arrived and it is welcome. So, too the calls for reparations. When it comes, that too would be a good start.
So, the servants of British imperialism knew what they were doing. When they hunted the Garifuna warriors and starved them into submission, they were following a deliberate plan.
When they decided that the Garifuna could not be trusted to truly surrender to them, though they had come with awesome weapons and an unquenchable lust for conquest to take away the Garifuna land and vanquish their sovereignty, they banished them from their homeland. First to Balliceaux then to Roatan and ultimately to Central America.
That much of the history we know; that part is now painfully familiar to us. But do we know how the people who were forcibly marooned on Balliceaux lived during those terrible months that they were captives there?
Can we even begin to imagine what a mother might have said to her child under those terrible conditions, when there was no food to eat and no water to drink, a disease and death stalked them all?
Can we even imagine what a father said to his wife and children to console them and give them hope when he had no land to farm, could not go to sea to catch fish and therefore could not provide for his family?
Can we imagine what it must have been like to suddenly go from fierce assertion of liberty and sovereignty to being trapped on a barren island, their home in sight, but unable to go back because hostile ships patrolled the waters and would soon take them further
But, of course, declaring Balliceaux a protected heritage is not a thing for celebration. Celebrating would not be the right way to describe it, for there is too much suffering and too much pain underlying that act of recognition and preservation. There was too much death and sorrow on Balliceaux; too many lost graves of our captive ancestors for celebration. For we do not celebrate in a graveyard! We cannot rejoice even in this important step forward. Rather, the preservation of Balliceaux will be a solemn recognition of the suffering and it will be our promise that it will never be forgotten; that we will forever mourn for those who suffered and died in the genocide.
We owe it to them because it is upon their struggle and their indomitable spirit that we now continue to build our nation. The obstacles we confront today may appear different, but the struggle is the same: for human dignity and a people’s sovereignty.
Every year at this time, we here in SVG reflect of this tragedy. But, for the descendant of the exiled Garifuna, it is far more than a cause for reflection; it is a great sorrow, a sense of loss and a yearning to return, to make a journey that the tormentors of their ancestors never intended for them to make. Beyond the monuments and the sacred places that we properly recognize, there are the lessons we have learned for our Garifuna ancestors that may help us as we go forward.
The first is this: no matter the hardship, persevere. Keep moving forward! For think about it: how did just over 2000 people forced to settle in a strange and hostile land survive with their culture and language to be here over two hundred years later? That is a story yet to be properly told; to be celebrated not just by the Garifuna and by us in SVG, but by all of humanity! And it must be told, for it exemplifies courage and heroism beyond measure, and can only serve to inspire anyone who learns of it.
Views V Laughter and Good Humour
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” Charles Dickens (18121870) – English novelist and social critic.
DURING THE 1990Sthe Peace Memorial Hall in Kingstown was the venue for an excellent local play titled, “When last yo’ laugh?”. The play was written and directed by Alfonso “Sleepy” Richards and featured several young actors and actresses. On reflection, the title and the play remind us of the value of scheduling moments to destress via a haughty laugh and good humour. Individuals who are constantly preoccupied with the stresses of life that emerge in their homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces, church assemblies, and other places where people congregate may soon discover that they have ushered in a myriad of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Lord Byron (1788-1824), born George Gordon Byron, the accomplished British poet, reminds us of the tremendous value of laughter when he said, “Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine.”
The Readers Digest regularly carried a segment titled, “Laughter is the Best Medicine”. The stories and clips provided useful punctuations to the many other “serious articles” that focused on challenges in the social, political, and financial arenas around the world. These were considered useful inserts as lighter moments were shared amidst the world’s various troubles and traumas.
Observing children can be quite entertaining and educational. In their innocence they share valuable insights in relation to genuinely caring for others. In their pre-prejudice years, they mix and mingle with others of differing nationalities, skin pigmentation, religion, gender, and so on. They laugh, play, and demonstrate acts of kindness toward each other. They often engage in conversations that encourage observant onlookers to laugh and enjoy many of the lighter moments that they orchestrate. Criss Jami (born 1987), the American musician, singer, dramatist, poet, and essayist noted that, “There’s nothing more contagious than the laughter of young children; it doesn’t even have to matter what they’re laughing about.”
Madeleine L’Engle (1918-2007), the American poet and writer, asserts that, “A good laugh heals a lot of hurts.” Many others can testify that laughter serves as a powerful force of positivity, releasing tensions, enhancing moods, and fostering a sense of bonding and camaraderie. It therefore plays a major role in providing emotional stability and diffusing situations that may otherwise trigger mental health challenges. Laughter is valuable.
Modern research has confirmed that laughter has numerous long-term benefits for both physical and mental health. It is known to reduce stress levels and to strengthen the immune system thereby enhancing the individual’s overall well-being. We can therefore appreciate how this, in turn, aids in the reduction of tension and anxiety.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Loma Linda University School of Medicine have confirmed that laughter influences physiological changes in the body. They have noted that laughter
triggers increased heart rate, improved circulation, and the release of endorphins; a type of neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, produced by the body’s nervous system. Endorphins are often referred to as “feel-good” hormones because they play a key role in reducing pain and promoting feelings of pleasure and well-being while simultaneously encouraging muscle relaxation. In addition, research conducted at the University of California, Irvine, and Indiana State University confirmed that laughter increases the production of antibodies and activates the immune cells thereby enhancing the immune system.
Experiments conducted at Stanford University and the University of Oxford in the field of psychology and neuroscience confirmed that laughter helps to enhance the individual’s mood by triggering the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin (often considered to be “feel good” enhancers).
We often take life too seriously and do not dedicate enough time for relaxation and laughter. Bonds of friendship and camaraderie can be strengthened when time and effort enable humour to emerge and flourish. Our lives can be enriched when we make a more concerted effort to gravitate to the “lighter side of life” — creating opportunities for laughter and good humour.
Viktor Frankl (1905-1977), the Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor described the atrocities of the German concentration camps during World War II in his best-selling book, “Man’s Search for Meaning”. Terrible brutalities took place in those concentration camps. He witnessed and documents some of the inhumane treatment that regularly occurred during some of mankind’s darkest days. He is known to have remarked that, “I never would have made it if I could not have laughed. It lifted me momentarily out of this horrible situation, just to make it liveable.”
Our lives can be enriched when punctuated with laughter and good humour. The converse can also be true: our lives can be most miserable when laughter and good humour are absent or in scarce supply. By dedicating the time to share laughter with others, we readily discover that our lives seem more fulfilling and worthwhile as we create and sustain opportunities for joy and goodwill to flourish.
After completing the first two paragraphs of this essay, this writer paused to conduct a YouTube search for a video that could generate a good laugh. The movie “Two Crazy Friends” was advertised as being able to do just that. This writer enjoyed a good laugh throughout the ninety-minute movie that featured the escapades of a black and a white South African. When was the last time that you had a good laugh? Maybe now is the ideal time to enjoy some laughter and good humour.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
The Bear, the Tiger and Defiant Cuba
THE WORLD IS AN INCREASINGLY dangerous place, and the United States is at the centre of much of the mischief we witness each day. Many will not recognise the US’s sinister hand because it has a formidable propaganda machine that prettifies its nastiness, smears others, and portrays them as evil objects deserving of hate.
At this juncture, we would do well to remember the wise words of the black liberation struggle giants Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King. Malcolm warned that if we are not careful, the media will make us hate our friends and love our enemies. Dr. King defiantly defined the rulers in Washington as the greatest purveyors of violence in the entire world. Both of these comments were made over 50 years ago, and they ring truer now than ever before.
Especially after the triumph of the Russian Revolution led by VI Lenin, Russia has always been propagandised as the dangerous bear. China, viewed with suspicion in the West after the Moa Zse Tung-led revolution of 1949, but more so since its roaring economy propelled it from mass poverty to become the major economic rival of the USA, is marketed by its enemies as the lethal tiger. Cuba, skillfully led by Fidel and Raul Castro after its 1959 transformative revolution right under the nose of the mightiest empire ever assembled, is often parodied as the failing defiant ant.
The dialectic of social development is that counterrevolution is the twin of revolution. The people are constantly struggling to make a better life. The counterrevolutionaries remain intent on preventing, retarding and eventually overthrowing all progressive revolutionary processes. It is the law of social development in which classes constantly contend for dominance and control.
For 73 years, the Russian Revolution in the Soviet Union was a significant rival of the United States. In 1991, however, the Soviet Union collapsed due to economic weakness, internal pressures, ideological bankruptcy, and external subversion. The Soviet Union was massive, covering one-sixth of the earth’s surface. After the collapse, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Byelorussia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan all broke away to become independent states.
Many of these states joined the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO), a threatening military alliance of Western states. Formed in 1979, NATO’s primary purpose was to pressure and subdue the Soviet Union. In 1991, as part of the agreement to break down the Berlin Wall, Mikhail Gorbachev got a commitment that NATO would not move further east. Western leaders did not honour this agreement. Pressures on Russia continued as American political and military planners concluded that when a man is down, let’s keep him down. They resolved to ensure that Russia would never recover from the 1991 collapse and dismemberment.
Russia, especially since Putin’s emergence as president, has been fighting a life-and-death battle against Western encirclement and strangulation. Everything we see and hear of Russia today must be viewed through this prism. Only with this understanding of history will we better appreciate our world and why there is increasingly strident talk of nuclear war. The situation is dire, and we would be foolish to sleepwalk through this grave period in world history.
Further context: In 1971, Henry Kissinger, the war hawk and political swamp monster, brokered a deal with Mao’s China. The diplomatic breakthrough divided the world’s
progressive movement.
Major tension
developed
between Russia and China. China grew closer to the West and benefitted from Western investments, especially after Deng Xiao Ping became the premier in 1981.
In the following decades, 50 percent of the world’s foreign direct investment poured into China, which became the world’s manufacturing workhorse. Tens of millions of Chinese were lifted out of poverty. China’s economic growth was rapid. It now boasts one of the largest foreign exchange reserves in the world. It is a major creditor and investor in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
As a result of its impressive economic muscle, the governing class in the USA is now mortally afraid that China has and will be the dominant political and economic power by the second half of the 21st century. America’s power is receding, but Washington is no paper tiger. America is still a formidable player in world affairs. Its political, military, economic and cultural heft cannot be denied.
However, with the emergence of the BRICS and the economic formation that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the world is becoming increasingly multipolar. The United States’ unipolar dominance, which it maintained after the collapse and reversals of the Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc socialist countries, has all but disappeared.
This explains the US’s attempts to destroy any major peace initiatives anywhere in the world. It explains the CIA military takeover in 2014 in Ukraine and the provocations about NATO membership that led to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Few people know that following the Russian Revolution, V.I. Lenin, the revolutionary leader, chopped off what is now western Ukraine from Russia and made it part of Ukraine. The Western media rarely reported that the central government in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, was waging a war against the Russian-speaking citizens of eastern Ukraine and banned the use of the Russian language. The provocations against Russia were intense and numerous.
The US and its Western allies egged on Ukraine because they goaded Russia to invade. The US was afraid that economic cooperation between Russia and Europe would end aggressive war gestures. Russia and Germany spent billions constructing the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipeline, which was to supply Germany and most of Europe with reliable and cheaper gas. The Wat between Russia and Ukraine erupted, and just as President Biden suggested, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline was destroyed.
Prospects for peace, good neighbourliness and economic cooperation have been set back. NATO and Russia are sabre-rattling. NATO admits to having troops in Ukraine, and Putin, after his re-elections, vowed to protect Russia at all costs.
American leaders say they are prepared to fight three major wars at once. Front and centre are war threats against Russia and China. Yet they find time to continue their policy of strangulation against the proud, defiant Caribbean people of Cuba. Through their 64-year-old blockage, they are starving the Cuban people into submission. Fidel taught Cubans the art of sacrifice. While we ramp up solidarity and support, Plain Talk bets on the Cuban People to survive and rebuild their economy.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
Brian our brother by the roadside has left us
WHEN WE GATHEREDthat day
on January 26, 2014 in the precious historic Methodist Church building in our capital Kingstown to join with and give moral support to the Williams family as they said goodbye to Brian, one of their loved ones…. I seemed to have seen a flower blossom, indicating its hope to grow and prosper in harmony with the stock from which it had its origin. But the atmospheric conditions changed, the air was contaminated and the flower was stifled; it faded and dried prematurely.
The Williams family has made a very valuable contribution to the welfare and development of this agriculture-based society for over a hundred years. They had their roots in the village of Gomea in the parish of St. George. Some of their members took up residence in our capital, where for several decades they held responsible positions of authority in the management of the welfare of our peaceful country.
They conducted themselves with exemplary dignity, while
they unselfishly gave of their valuable talents towards the enhancement of the well-being of our communities. The marvelous Kingstown Chorale which still exists today and is indisputably an organization that has represented us honourably, beyond our shores, is testimony enough of the commitment and dependability of this family, one of whom, Mrs. Jean Horne has been leading the Chorale for quite some time.
Some of us can still remember how several decades ago the beautiful voice of Doris Williams-Robinson, lifted our psyche as she excelled regionally on the musical stage.
Three brothers in that family had been for several years persons of prominent profile and respected in this country’s management. They were Henry who acted as Governor of our state for some time, Moulton who was a strong Permanent Secretary, and Frank the father of Brian.
Frank Williams served as Manager of the St. Vincent
Banana Growers’ Association which had a membership of eight thousand farmers. His persona fostered a warm relationship with the farmers. Under his management, the farmers prospered and their contribution to the economy, by their trade in bananas to the UK, was the dependable platform on which we were able to improve our society. Houses were built, living standards were improved, and children were educated. There was pervasive peace and goodwill!
While some ‘positioned scholars’ have blindly tended to dismiss the banana industry as being a one-crop economy, the fact is, that it represented a fifty-two-week per year economic engagement and it is irrefutable that, that regular dependable income transformed the society. Its impact was broad-based! So much so that today, with the death of the banana industry we have been experiencing a distinct broad-based crippling of the socio-economic fabric of this once hopeful society.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves drew our attention to this retrogression when he addressed the nation in his Christmas Message of December 2022. He said that too many of our citizens were going around carrying the agony of their circumstances printed on their faces. He appealed to citizens who are able, to remedy the malaise. The impression was given that the government was determined to seriously address the stagnation, for the Prime Minister then declared, that 2023 was going to be the ‘Year of Respair’ in SVG. In the weeks that followed he again repeated the declaration — ‘2023 the year of Respair’. We are coming close to the end
of the first quarter of 2024 and the socio-economic slide and the country’s attendant agonies continue unabated.
Not many Vincentians seem to have been familiar with the guidelines that the Prime Minister had set for the aggressive ‘2023 Respair Programme’. We need now to examine them to determine the reason for the failure. The prevailing agonizing circumstance in our land today certainly warrants the support the Prime Minister solicited in his 2022 Christmas message to the nation. The prominent families in our country will have to be assertive.
The Williams family has been a good example over so many years; may their loved one, Brian, now rest in peace.
LeRoy ProvidenceEaster Message Mr. Andrew John – NDP for the South Windward constituency Candidate
Dear Constituents of South Windward
AS WE APPROACHthe joyous occasion of Easter, I extend my warmest greetings to each and every one of you. It is with great honour and privilege that I address you as the person who will be representing you as the candidate for the New Democratic Party for the upcoming general elections.
Andrew JohnEaster is a time of renewal, hope, and reflection. It reminds us of the importance of compassion, unity, and resilience. In the spirit of this season, let us come together as a community to celebrate our shared values and aspirations.
As the person who stands ready to represent you, I am committed to serving the needs and interests of every individual in South Windward. Together we will work tirelessly to build a brighter future for our constituency, where every voice is heard and every person is empowered to thrive. May this Easter bring you and your loved ones joy, peace, and prosperity. Let us embrace the spirit of hope and renewal as we embark on this journey together.
Best wishes and Happy Easter.
RSVGPF receives donation of computers
THE ROYAL ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
POLICE FORCE (RSVGPF) has received a boost in its equipment to combat crime and serve the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
On Friday 15th March 2024, Mr. Tony Browne, a 36-year veteran of the York Regional Police Department in Canada, donated five (5) desktop computers, three (3) laptops, one (1) projector, and notebooks to the
RSVGPF. The brief handover ceremony was held at the Police Headquarters, Kingstown.
Mr. Browne, a native of Coulls Hill, was very excited to hand over the pieces of equipment to the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Mr. Enville Williams.
Reminiscing on his years as a law enforcement officer, Mr. Browne said, “Working at the York Regional Police
More support for Shafiqua
WITH HER FOCUS NOW
on representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Paris Olympics, Shafiqua Maloney’s effort so to do has received another boost.
SwiftPac and Vincy Aviation Services Ltd, two locally owned and managed companies, on Wednesday 20th March, 2024, presented the Vincentian star athlete with a cheque in the amount of USD$5000.
The donation, according to the benefactors, was in support of Maloney as “she prepares to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics,” particularly in covering her expenses as she trains and makes the necessary arrangements to travel to Paris later this year.
“When we heard about Shafiqua’s inspiring story, we immediately contacted her and pledged our support to her journey to the Olympics,” said Ricardo Drayton- Managing Director.
According to a release by the donors, this action of benevolence was in keeping with the commitment of SwiftPac and Vincy Aviation Services Ltd. to support St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ talented youth in achieving their goals in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and abroad.
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
Vincy Aviation Services and SwiftPac are part of Caribbean Aviation and Logistics Group. SwiftPac is a leading logistics company providing Express Courier, Air and Ocean Cargo services with Fast delivery to St. Vincent and the rest of the Caribbean region. Vincy Aviation Services is a twenty-four (24) year old Vincentian Aviation company based at Argyle International Airport and provides FBO VIP Handling, Fuel, Catering and Air Charter brokerage services tailored to private and executive aviation. (Source: Caribbean Aviation & Logistics Group)
Dept., I have seen the organization grow from one typewriter in the Criminal Investigations Bureau to one of the most advanced police services, boasting the best in resources, training and technological advances. It is with this same vision and goal in mind that I am donating these computers today to the RSVGPF”.
According to the retired police officer, the York Regional Police Dept. has had a long and close working relationship with the RSVGPF. “This is not the
first donation that we are making to the SVG Police Force. In 2015, we donated several computers and other investigative aids and training materials including sexual assault kits to assist in setting up the Sexual Offences Unit (SOU).”
He went on, “In 2018, we delivered two refurbished police cruisers, 15 laptops, 6 VHF Radios, and other accessories. Then in 2019, we donated two repeaters, cables for two radio towers, and other accessories. In 2023, as a member of the visiting
Toronto Police Cricket Club, we donated 1000 Canadian dollars, school supplies, and nutritional products to the Police Scholarship Fund for distribution to the children of ‘fallen officers.’
Mr. Browne concluded his remarks by thanking Acting Commissioner Williams and the Police High Command for the opportunity to continue the ‘meaningful collaboration and partnership.’
In receiving the donation, the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Mr. Enville
Williams thanked Mr. Browne on behalf of the members of the RSVGPF and by extension, the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Commissioner (Ag) stated that the newly acquired equipment will be used to enhance the organization’s crimefighting ability and data management capabilities. He assured Mr. Browne that the equipment will be utilized for the purpose for which they were intended, and that measures will be put in place to ensure their care.
KartelÊs murder conviction overturned
ruled that attempts to bribe the trial jury meant the conviction was unsafe.
Jamaican dancehall star ‘Vybz Kartel’ and three associates — Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John - were convicted in 2014 for killing Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams in 2011.
He has not been seen or heard from since then.
After a 64-day trial in Kingston, one of the longest in Jamaican history, Kartel was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 35 years, later reduced on appeal to 32-and-a-half.
one juror offered 500,000 Jamaican dollars (around $3,200) to fellow jurors to return not guilty verdicts.
on the jury was “fatal to the safety of the convictions”.
THE PRIVY COUNCIL on
Thursday 14th March, 2024 quashed the murder convictions of dancehall entertainer Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer and three other men, ruling that the case be sent back to Jamaica’s Court of Appeal for a ruling on whether they should be retried.
The Privy Council
Kartel, 48, one of Jamaica’s most popular artists and who has collaborated with performers such as Jay-Z and Rihanna, has been in jail in Jamaica since 2011 over the disappearance of his associate Clive “Lizard” Williams, whose body has never been found. Williams was allegedly killed after he failed to return two unlicensed guns given to him by Kartel for safekeeping.
Campbell’s parole eligibility period was set at 25 years while St John and Jones were ordered to serve 30 and 25 years, respectively, before becoming eligible for parole.
Last month, Kartel and his codefendants mounted a final possible appeal at the Privy Council in London, the final court of appeal in Jamaica and some other CARICOM and Commonwealth countries.
Their lawyers argued the trial judge wrongly handled allegations that
The defendants’ appeals were allowed on Thursday, with Judge David Lloyd-Jones saying the trial judge’s decision to allow the juror alleged to have offered bribes to continue
The Privy Council sent the case back to the Court of Appeal in Jamaica to decide whether Kartel and his co-defendants should stand trial again.
Kartel’s case attracted widespread regional and international appeal akin
to the 2012 trial of Jamaican Drug Lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, whose extradition to the USA sparked a ‘minor civil war” on Jamaica that took more than 70 lives. He was sentenced to 23 years in an American prison.
(Sources: Reuters, Jamaica Observer, Barbados Today)
No letting up in Haiti
MONDAY’S ATTACKS
on the affluent neighbourhood of Petion-Ville and the mountainous communities of Laboule and Thomassin have raised concern that gang violence will not end anytime soon in Haiti, despite Prime Minister Ariel Henry announcing nearly a week ago that he would resign.
At least 12 bodies have been removed by ambulance from the affluent neighbourhood of Petion-Ville on the outskirts of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, as tensions simmer pending the announcement of Henry’s resignations and a proposal for the setting up of a Transitional Presidential Council.
The neighbourhoods had remained largely peaceful despite a surge in gang attacks across Port-au-Prince that began on February 29.
Gang leaders, including Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a former police officer whose gang rules vast swaths of Port-auPrince, the capital of Haiti, and who has assumed the role of a de facto national leader, have already warned of a “battle” for Haiti, and threatened politicians who join the transition
Armed gangs patrol the streets of capital of Haiti with a sense of immunity. (Photo Credit: CNW Network)
council. Meanwhile, residents are facing worsening shortages of food and medical care.
On Monday, Haiti’s power company announced that four substations in the capital and elsewhere “were destroyed and rendered completely dysfunctional”. As a result, swathes of Portau-Prince were without power..
The company said criminals also seized important documents, cables, inverters, batteries and other items.
The deteriorating conditions are making it difficult for humanitarian organisations to deliver aid to the Caribbean country, said JeanMichael Bauer, the Haiti director at the United
Nations World Food Programme.
“Port-au-Prince is a place that’s in a bubble right now. You can’t get in and out by road. It’s very difficult to get in by air. Getting in and out by sea is a challenge,” Bauer told European Parliament’s subcommittee on human rights on Monday.
“We need security in this country. Security is the number one problem right now. But we also need to make sure that at the same time we bring security, that we have a strong humanitarian component to everything we do.”
Haiti has seen years of unrest that took a sharp turn for the worst after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. (Source: Al Jazeera, BBC)
Sion Hill stages Heroes Day activity
THE SION HILLcommunity played its part in celebrating the 2024 National Heroes Day, with a Walk/Run activity.
The Walk/Run began at the Sion Hill Intersection and followed a trail through Cane Garden and Long Wall, before turning on to Sharpe Street, then Granby Street and back to the starting point, via Murray’s Road.
In the Walk Category, veteran athlete- Donald Peters was first, ahead of Wendell Ince and Fitzgerald Bramble in that order.
Peters received a winner’s cash prize of $300 compliments Rodney Small. Additionally, he received gifts from Tosh Haynes and Home
Collection, for being the oldest competitor.
Ince collected $150 donated by Bernard Hamilton and Bramble, whose third place made him eligible for $100 donated by Glenwayne Jackson, gestured the prize to the other young participants in lieu of refreshments.
Winning the run segment was Terique Scott who earned himself $300 from the Sion Hill Sports Club. Second was Jokiyah Nanton, who received $150 compliments Randy Patrick and Romel Ollivierre, while third - Kafayne Clasp accepted $100 from Kevin Dickson.
Ireka Miller, the first female to complete the distance, received a gift bag and $50 compliments Fenella
Woodley and Thornley Myers.
And Matthew Jackson, the youngest participant to complete the race, received a case of fruit juice.
Organised by the Sion Hill Lighting Committee and the Imagination Mas Band, the activity sought to rekindle road running in Sion Hill, which was one of the hallmarks of the community in the 1980s and 1990s.
Ideisha Jackson, who was at the forefront of organizing the Heroes Day activity, said, “Every year we are growing…
attracting more persons, which is a good sign… Thanks to the donors, most of whom are from the bowels of the Sion Hill community, which augurs well.”
She noted that the Ministry of Culture endorsed the event, by sponsoring the sound system.
Jackson said that the thought is being harboured to open up the event in 2025, to participation from all communities in the constituency of East Kingstown.
New magistrates appointed
TWO NEW magistrates are expected to begin duties on April 1.
While not giving the names of those who will fill the post, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves assured that a senior magistrate and a magistrate have been appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.
Should Rechanne Browne return to her substantive post as Chief Magistrate, SVG would have two such positions.
The two appointees are Vincentian women, with the appointment of the senior magistrate in a permanent capacity while the individual appointed to serve as magistrate will do so temporarily for one year, Dr. Gonsalves disclosed on radio on march 20.
Three vacancies in the Magistracy were thrown up recently with the retirement after many extensions of magistrates Zoilla Ellis-Browne and Bertie Pompey, and the elevation of Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne to the position of High Court Judge (Ag) in St Lucia.
Ellis was replaced by former Assistant Superintendent of Police John Ballah back in 2023, and the former Commissioner of Police Colin
John was also appointed to one of the Senior Magistrates positions.
However, the judiciary was presently understaffed, the prime minister acknowledged.
“We do not know what is going to happen with the chief magistrate if she is going to continue as a judge or if she is going to return to resume her position as chief magistrate,” Gonsalves said.
“If she returns, then we would have as intended, another senior magistrate to have therefore 5 magistrates which would be the most we have had,” he explained.
Too many trained officers leaving
TOO MANYtrained officers of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and Coast Guard are leaving to join the British Armed Forces.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves said on radio that he received a report from the Commander of the SVG Coast Guard listing the accomplishments of the organization.
That report also included some of the weaknesses and challenges of the Coast Guard, Gonsalves said.
The Commander mentioned that one of the challenging issues facing the Coast Guard was the loss of trained junior technical staff.
“This is also happening in the police force; they get the training and
then they go and join the British military forces,” Gonsalves said.
He added that some opt to go work on oil rigs, and although it was dangerous and rough work, the salary is good.
According to the Prime Minister, the situation was of concern to him.
Notwithstanding the drain on its human resource, the Coast Guard ought to be thanked for the good work.
According to the report, in 2023 the SVG Coast Guard: saved 113 lives - 92 nationals and 21 non-nationals; conducted 72 emergency medical evacuations; carried out over 300 logistical operations and 55 search and rescue operations; responded to a few drownings and made some arrests. (Stories: DD)
Israel determined to take Rafah
EVEN THOUGH IT COULD MEANcausing
a rift with the USA, Israel is determined to take Rafah.
Rafah, a Palestinian city in the southern Gaza Strip, reports say, is the final bastion of Hamas militants and currently home to an estimated one million displaced Palestinians who fled there from other parts of Gaza amid ongoing bombardment by Israeli forces.
Even China has called on Israel to stop immediately its military operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah, in order to prevent a “serious humanitarian disaster.”
In fact, Israel is facing growing international pressure to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas as it prepares for an incursion into Rafah.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in response to the international prssure has pledged to ensure a civilian evacuation and humanitarian aidmeasures that top Israeli aides are due to discuss in the White House in the coming days, at the behest of U.S. President Joe Biden.
“We’re quite confident that we can do this in a
way that would be effective - not only militarily, but also on the humanitarian side. And they have less confidence that we can do it,” one of those Israeli envoys, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, said on the “Call Me Back with Dan Senor” podcast.
Dermer, a former ambassador to the United States, said Israel would hear out American ideas for Rafah, but the city on Gaza’s border with Egypt would be taken whether or not the allies reach agreement:
“It will happen even if Israel is forced to fight alone. Even if the entire world turns on Israel, including the United States, we’re going to fight until the battle’s won.”
As fighting raged in northern Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cairo for talks with Arab officials about a proposed ceasefire. Israel is open to a truce, but has ruled out ending the war with Hamas in power.
Palestinians inspect the rubble of the West mosque destroyed after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike at Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, early Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. (Photo Credit: AP/Adel Hana)
Dermer said leaving the Iran-backed Islamists standing would invite open-ended attacks against Israel from across the region: “And that’s why the determination to take them out is so strong, even if it leads to a potential breach with the United States.”
While backing Israel’s war goals, the Biden administration has been shaken by the soaring toll on Palestinian civilians.
The offensive has killed almost 32,000 Palestinians, the Gaza health ministry said, without providing a breakdown of civilians and fighters. Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7 and abducted 253, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel says it has killed, captured or scattered enough Hamas fighters to dismantle 18 of its 24 battalions, while 252 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the operation.
Hamas does not detail its losses or deployments and has dismissed Israel’s assessments as exaggerations. Yet Palestinian rocket salvoes have tapered off dramatically as most of Gaza has been overrun by Israeli forces. So have Israeli military losses.
Dermer said there were four intact Hamas battalions in Rafah, bolstered by fighters who had retreated from other parts of Gaza, amounting to 25% of the group’s prewar strength.
“We’re not going to
leave a quarter of them in place,” he said. “We’re going into Rafah because
we have to ... And I think what people don’t understand is that Oct. 7
COURT ROUND UP Not guilty verdict
FITZGERALD PHILLIPS,
44, a resident of Belmont, exited High Court No. 2, in Kingstown, a free man.
Phillips was freed of a manslaughter charge after a nine-member jury, deliberating for two hours, returned a not guilty verdict.
The accused had been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Jason “Peka” Martin, also of Belmont.
Martin succumbed to a chop wound, sustained during an altercation with Phillips. on January 20, 2021.
Phillips was represented by attorney Jomo Thomas.
A 14-year sentence
AMAN WHOkilled his friend by stabbing him with a pair of scissors, was on Friday 15th March, 2024, sentenced to a further 14 years in prison.
But as it stands, the man, Jeremiah “Oye Yo Yow” Bacchus, 41, of New Grounds will spend only a further 12 years and 25 days in prison, computed after consideration of the time he had spent on remand.
Jeremiah Bacchus’ original sentence was reduced.
Bacchus, who was initially charged with murder of his friend Jeremiah “ET” Daniel, 44, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and the State accepted the plea.
He received a 21-year sentence but was granted a one-third discount.
The court heard Bacchus and Daniel were in an argument over a female. The argument developed into full altercation during which the deceased was stabbed.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Richard Floyd sitting in High Court No.2.
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)
Problems with fire, gas, or oil may cause disruptions and annoyances. Plan events like camping or white water rafting. Don't hesitate to talk to your partner about rekindling your relationship. You should consider getting into self-improvement endeavors.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)
Do not give your heart to someone who may not live up to your standards. You may end up being blamed if anything goes wrong. Try to curb your tongue and let others at least get a word in. Your passionate mood will be well received by your mate.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)
Changes in your home environment are likely. Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. Stick to your own projects and by the end of the day you'll shine. Someone close to you may need help.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Face any emotional problems head-on to avoid situations getting out of hand. Get involved in sports groups or hobbies that attract you. Look into making changes to your personal papers and don't neglect those bills that have been piling up. Upheavals may occupy your day.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)
You may have difficulty trying to get your mate to understand your position. Business trips will be more productive than trying to fight the red tape facing you. You need to keep busy doing things that you both enjoy. You will have the getup and go to con tribute a great deal to groups of interest.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)
You need to concentrate on solving existing problems. Listen to the complaints of others. Strong willpower will come to your rescue. Changes at home will be necessary.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)
Your mate may want to pick a fight but if you're persistent with your affections their anger should dissipate. Get involved in a competitive sport that will bring the challenges you thrive on. Relatives will be cordial. Control your anger.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Secret affairs will come back to haunt you. Self-deception about relation ships is a problem. Someone you live with may cause drastic alterations in your usual routine. Someone you work with may be trying to make you look bad.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)
Do not hesitate to help elders with legal documents that are too confusing for them. Don't let others saddle you with guilt that isn't warranted. Ask others to help, or you may feel that a burden is weighing you down. Your partner may be somewhat irritable this week.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)
Don't jump the gun; you may find yourself getting angry at the wrong person. Try to spend some time on your own. People you live with will not be terribly happy with you regardless of what you do this week. Trips should be your choice.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)
Unfortunately, your personal life may suffer from a lack spare time. You will feel better about yourself and you may also meet potential lovers. You may be upset if someone has borrowed something that belongs to you. Show what a dedicated person you can be.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)
You can look into new jobs but don't count on getting help from someone who may have promised you assistance. Assist a relative or good friend by setting of a budget for them. You may have taken on a little too much, but you will enjoy every minute of it. Be sure that the person you're drawn to is not already involved.
ACROSS
1. Hotel employees
7. Menu items
13. Torino country
14. Kind of mile
16. Forrest Gump’s catch
17. Hold sacred
18. Rich desserts
19. Disregarded, as advice
20. Up till now
21. Prepare for a performance
22. It’s found in sticks
24. Charged atom
29. Gradual starts
35. Seltzer opener
36. On the ___ (the good guys)
38. Air Force One passenger, abb-r.
39. Household comfort device
40. Meddlesome woman
54. Waterfall by-product
43. Woman in a Beatles song
46. Prodded, with “on”
51. Like a wedding planner’s skills
55. Poinsettia’s family
56. Columbus’s patron queen
57. Capital of Zimbabwe
58. Generally
59. Brought out
60. Cooks over an open fire
61. Left side of the balance sheet
DOWN
1.View from an overlook
2. Famous musketeer
3. King of television
4. Social crème de la crème
5. “Pack it up”
6. Drains away
7. Seafood serving
8. Goddess for whom a European capital is named
9. Former coins of Italia
10. Sharp-tonged
11. Jutland denizen
12. Alaskan vehicle
14. Compound involved in nerve activity
15. Dancer Pavlova
21. A tithe
23. Army command
25. Bettors bet on them
26. “Would __ you down?”
27. Ark. Neighbor
28. Illustrator Thomas
29. Glimpse from afar
30. Soggy earth
31. Genesis garden
32. Whatever’s left
33. Like haunted
houses
34. Houston and Walton
37. List holders
41. Approval
44. Book with insets
45. Soup flavoring
47. Mavens
48. Elegant manner
49. Protected bird
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
50. Mr. of film
51. One with a forked 52. ’52 Olympics site
53. In holiday spirits
54. Onceworshipped white wader
55. Former home of the Mets
SVGFF holds Awards for 2022/2023 NCC
THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES FOOTBALL FEDERATION(SVGFF) hosted its Awards Ceremony for the top individual and team performers in the 2022/ 2023 National Club Championships (NCC), on Wednesday night, March 13, 2024, at the Russell’s Auditorium.
Awards were presented in the Senior Men’s Premier, First and Second Divisions, as well as the Senior Female Premier and First Divisions, and the Male Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 age groups.
In the Premier Division, Je Belle dominated with Jimmal Lewis named the Best Goalkeeper; Najima BurginBest Defender; Terrison Joseph, the Best Striker and MVP.
Kennijha Joseph of Layou broke the monotony by being named Best Midfielder and
Sion Hill’ Jante James assisted when he was named the golden boot winner for scoring the most goals.
The First Division awardees were: Elron Baptiste of Sparta — Best Goalkeeper; Jason Hunte of SV United - Best defender; Nigel Charles of Camdonia-Chelsea - Best Midfielder; Akram Edwards of SV United - Best Strikers, Golden Boot winner and overall MVP.
Meanwhile, Darius Williams of Brownstown was the Second Division’s Best Goalkeeper; Kenroy Williams and Avanzini Victory of RSVG Police, Best Defender and Best
Midfielder respectively; and Kadeem Duncan of Brownstown, the Best Strikers and MVP.
In the Women’s Premier Division, the CamdoniaChelsea’s trio of Marsha Marshall, Leona Barrow and Kelisha Bowens took the awards for Best Goalkeeper, Best Midfielder and MVP, and Best Defender.
Cavorn
Delpseche of Je Belle scored the Most Goals and was voted the Best Striker.
In the Women’s First Division,
Layou’s Alliyah Anderson was the MVP of the Division and the top goal scorer. Je Belle won the Men’s Premier Division, SV United -the First Division,
Brownstown- Second Division, Largo Height FC took the Female Premier title, Avenues won the First Division and Je Belle, the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17.
Special awards were announced for the Senior Men’s Player of the Year — Oalex Anderson; Senior Women’s Player of the YearAsanteni Charles; Youth Female Player of the Year Kelisha Bowens; Youth Male Player of the Year Joenaldo Payne.
The awards ceremony heard a feature address by former national goalkeeper and MP Hon. Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, and was also addressed by SVGFF President - Carl Dickson, and Minister of Sport — Hon. Frederick Stephenson.
SVGTA Holds KFC Invitational
A NUMBER OF YOUNG TALENTED TENNIS PLAYERs were on show when the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association (SVGTA) held its KFC Tennis Invitational Tournament at the National Tennis Center, Saturday 9th March, 2024.
In the Girls 10s finals, Amaia Waterstone defeated Nakayda Cain 54(2), 4-1. In the Boys 10s finals, Zayden Charles defeated Ezron Quashie 4-0, 4-2. The Consolation finals saw Akquin Johnson defeating Tarell Mc Nicholls 40, 4-1.
The girl’s 14s finals was dominated by Danelle Kennedy who defeated Madissen Gonsalves 4-0,4-2 and Ethan Kent had a similar easy passage to victory in the Boys 14, defeating Nathanael Lawrence 4-1,4-1.
In the Female Open finals, Janelle Gonsalves defeated Cleopatra White 5-3, 4-2, and in Open Boys, Arnel Horne defeated Angelo Morgan 6-3,6-4.
Overall, there were 30 participants who took part in the tournament.
CWI/ICC holds curatorÊs workshop
A NUMBER of groundsmen throughout the country are better equipped to prepare and maintain cricket pitches and outfields, following a curator’s workshop held here from March 13-16.
The workshop, one in a series to be held across the region, was designed and implemented as a collaboration between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket at the CWI, described the workshop as “… the start of a shift in terms of the way Cricket West Indies looks at the preparation of pitches and turfs right across the cricket system,” and assured, it was “the start of a process of ensuring that we have competent capable people responsible for the preparation of our pitches and out fields.”
Bascombe referenced the state of pitches in the region to the state of West indies cricket, saying, “One will say, part of our decline in cricket for the past ten or so years has to be linked to the fact that
we have not been in full control of the wickets that we have been able to produce, for international matches or in nets or community facilities where the players who eventually make the West Indies team hone their skills.”
He added, “The idea behind this workshop,” therefore, “is for us to start to ensure that we have persons who are curating our pitches and caring for our outfields have all of the necessary knowledge so that they will be able to do that with confidence, and with full control. ..”
He stressed, however, that the workshop was not intended to produce professional curators overnight, but rather that they effectively impart basic knowledge
“We are confident the groundsmen will be able to produce what we ask for. So this is the starting point, it is not intended to make you professional curator overnight but it is intended to give you the basic knowledge,” Bascombe added and pointed to the workshop as “a start of a long
Participants involved in a practical session of the workshop.
Grenada wins bilateral Invitational Chess Tournament
THE GRENADAteam comprising Renniel Gilbert (Captain), Jeremy Henry, Tyler Thomas, Naziyah James and Tauriel Frank, outlasted the youthful St. Vincent and the Grenadines team, to win the inaugural National Lotteries Authority Chatoyer Bilateral Invitational Chess Tournament.
A 3-1 win over their counterparts, saw the Grenadians lifting the trophy after two days of intense competition,
Wednesday, March 13 and Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Beachcombers Hotel Conference Room.
Despite the defeat, the Vincentian Captain - Le’ mar Abbott, was high in praise of his team mates.
“They played well and I am proud of them… I know we will be coming back stronger next year and win them,” Abbott assured.
Apart from Abbott, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines team comprised Vedant Shetty, Ariana Balcombe, Carlos Veira, Dantes La Primavera and Aleyana Gilbert. They were managed by Brian Cottle and coached by Chinedu Enemchukwu.
journey for persons who are interesting in curatorship — as a profession and a livelihood.”
The workshop was a mix of theoretical and practical sessions and was facilitated by Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Curator Kent Crafton, and Curator Travis Ferris.
Crafton is on record as saying that while there has been development, territorial boards needed to play a greater role in supporting local curators who are sometimes not given much respect. He is now at the forefront of ensuring this as the regional prepares to host the 2024 ICC World Cup.
Similar workshops have been held in Antigua and Barbuda (March 6 — 7), St. Lucia (March 9 — 13) and Barbados (March 16 — 20), with workshops scheduled for Guyana (March 20 - 23) and Trinidad and Tobago (March 23 — 27).
I.B.A. ALLEN
foundation, ...the future of Chess…. If we have a hundred, a hundred and fifty Chess players, it means that they have set the foundation… These are the guys who are going to represent us at FIDE (International Chess Federation) Tournaments in 2026, 2028,” Bruce reasoned.
President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chess Federation - Israel Bruce, whilst acknowledging the inexperienced Vincentian team, noted that it is an investment in the future.
“They have set the
He said that he was happy that Carlyle Glean, his opposite number in Grenada, accepted the invitation to begin the forging of that bilateral relationship between the two associations.
Bruce underscored that the tournament will be an annual undertaking, and will always coincide with National Heroes Day celebration, March 14.
Up from the ground
EVERYTHING is being put in place from the ground up for the ICC Cricket World Cup which starts in this hemisphere June 1. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, more specifically Arnos Vale Playing Field, is the venue for five of those encounters.
Cricket West Indies Manager of Cricket Operations and Head of Cricket for the ICC Men’s T/20 World Cup 2024- Roland Holder points to improvement in pitch and field conditions that will engender growth and development of regional cricket.
He sees the efforts in line with “international best practices and in keeping with the highest standards.”
The campaign extends to the six hosting territories and ends in Trinidad and Tobago March 26. Matches will also be played in the United Sates of America.
Head grounds man at the Adelaide Oval in Australia is keeping up a busy schedule coordinating ‘Drop in’ pitches that will be used at the Eisenhower Park in New York.
He is looking forward to May when finals preparations will be carried out.
Just like the US games, it will be ground breaking for Arnos Vale. Matches are slated for 7 pm, a novelty on Vincentian soil.
When the matches are staged, Arnos Vale will have transformed, a 52nd anniversary gift. That will be reflected in presents, wrapped up in lights, and electronic score board.
The rehabilitation will redound to the nation’s legacy of being reputable hosts. Everything is spruced up to reveal that beauty for which Arnos Vale is renown. The benefits of sporting investment will ensure holistic development and highlight the value of outdoor activity.
If there is one person who would relish the staging of the World Cup is my brother Julius Anthony. His input to sports development is commendable. His death November 16, 2018 carries its weight. But no one is weeping.
It is not coincidental that a Softball 50 ball cricket competition is being staged as an Easter extravaganza in Troumaca. The tribune is spearheaded by Jules’ nephew Emil Anthony. He has found the space to show his appreciation to his departed uncle.
He has resurfaced on the cricket circles twenty years after breaking through the Windwards Under 19 level. The spirit of Jules swooped on Emil when the void on mature concern surfaced.
Emil is taking it upon himself to fill that Jules role. But that the differences. There is only one Jules Anthony. There is also only one Emil Anthony.
Emil is broadening the Jules legacy and is incorporating the full Jules family. So Jodie and Josh, and their mother Gwenneth are endorsing the programme. Jodie is certain that a Foundation in her father’s name is something that the Troumaca, North Leeward and indeed the entire nation will embrace.
An Easter Extravaganza marks a rekindling of the Jules Anthony story. The spirit lives on.
Regional Cricket Round Up
THREE CENTURIESand a 10-wicket match haul were the highlights of the latest round of matches in the 2024 CWI Regional Four-Day Championship.
Keiron Powell hit 114 in a Leeward Hurricanes victory, Tion Webster stroked 107 not out to ensure a win for Trinidad Red Force, however, Jonathan Drakes’ 101 for Barbados Pride was in vain.
And despite a 10-wicket match haul by Joshua Bishop, he could not prevent the West Indies Academy (WIA) from going under to Jamaica Scorpions, at Sabina Park, Jamaica.
Scores: WIA 324 - K Alleyne 52, J Dorne 83, Jez Johnson 61, DC Green 3 for 48, O Shields 3 for 38. AND 281 - K Alleyne 52, C Bowen-Tuckett 53, A Mansingh 4/70, P Salmon 3/55. Jamaica: Scorpions 372, P Salmon 81, BA King 77, LS Lugg 64, JA Bishop 6/96 AND 236 for 8 - BA King 65, KSA McKenzie 47, A Mansingh 42. JA Bishop 4/79.
Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Red Force beat Windward Islands Volcanoes by 6 wickets at Queens Park Oval in Trinidad. Scores: T&T 294 - T Webster 107 not out, V Mohan 52, JN Mohammed 56, K Dember 5/63 AND 186 for 4JU Goolie 90, JM DaSilva 53. Windward Islands 191 - AS Athanaze 56, SW Ambris 35, A Phillips 5 for 37, AND 288 - SW Ambris 71, JL Solozano 70, JNT Seales 3/45.
At Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, Guyana Harpy Eagles humbled Barbados Pride by 33 runs. Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 436 - V Permaul 90, KA Anderson 87, K Sinclair 72, TA Imlach 55, AND 136 for 8 declared KA Anderson 33. JA
Joshua Bishop - 10wicket haul for the WIA.
Right: Jonathan Drakes – centurymaker for Barbados.
Warrican 3 for 32. Barbados Pride 230JA Drakes 101, SO Dowrich 41. N Smith 3 for 54, AND 309 Z McCaskie 87, J Holder 76, J Warrican 40. N Smith 4 for 87, G Moti 3 for 71, V Permaul 3 for 66.
At Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad, Leewards Hurricanes beat Combined Campus and Colleges (CCC) by 73.
Keiron Powell – century-maker for the Leewards.
Scores: CCC 273AA Goodridge 75, R Greaves 58, DT Doram 4/37, JS Louis 3/54, AND 301 - KYG Ottley 99, R Cornwall 4 /62, JS Luois 3/59. Leewards 259 — K. Powell 114, R Greaves 5/63 AND 319 for 9
Jamaica are Women’s Super50 champs
JAMAICAare the champions of the 2024 CG United Women’s Super50 Cup, despite a 5-wicket defeat to Guyana in their final match of the tournament.
The champions finished on 24 points to claim the first prize of US$20,000, with Guyana on 18 points taking home the runner-up prize of US$10,000.
Batting first in a match reduced to 44 overs per side, Jamaica slumped to 73 all out in 27.1 overs. Rashada Williams top-scored with 31 and Ashmini Munisar, off spinner, taking 3/11. Guyana made a meal of the run-chase, losing five wickets in the process, before finishing on 74/5 in 17.4 overs.
Jaunel Deers picked up 2/4 bowling for Jamaica.
The Windward Islands, who took third place with 16 points, earned a 44-run victory over Barbados. Thanks primarily to an 81-ball 72 runs from skipper Afy Fletcher, the Windwards posted 233/9 in their 50 overs. Shamilia Connell was the pick of the Barbadian bowlers with 4/38. A patient 64 from Kycia Knight and 49 not out from Aaliya Allyene
Tion Webster –century-maker for Trinidad and Tobago.
declared - KU Carty 61, JP Greaves 61, RRS Cornwall 42. J Blades 3 for 50, ZY Motara 3 for 71.
took Barbados to 189/9 from their 50 overs. Jannillea Glasgow returned 2/24 for the Windwards.
Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas finally earned a win to put points on the table when they defeated the Leeward Islands by 4 wickets in the final match of the competition. The Leewards posted 151 all out in 40.2 overs, thanks to 48 from Reniece Boyce and 39 from Tonya Martin. Caneisha Isaac returned 3/33, Steffie Soogrim 2/15 and Samara Ramnath 2/22. Ramnath returned to score 35 and with 48 from Lee Ann Jirby, ensure victory for T&T who closed on 152/6 in 41.1 overs. Leewards captain Amanda Edward had their best bowling figures with 3/17.
BalliceauxÊs change of ownership: Process delayed
From Backpage.“I think it is one of the most positive steps that have been taken concerning Vincentian sovereignty. Not only because I am a Garifuna person, the Balliceaux issue is an issue tied almost inextricably to the Garifuna Heritage and the Garifuna Culture,” said Williams while speaking at the 11th international Garifuna Conference on Tuesday 12th March.
“I want to congratulate those who have done the negotiation. I know it’s not complete but those who are doing the negotiation and those who are going to be selected to manage the process of
transforming Balliceaux into whatever it is.
“I think it is something outstanding and something very good, and I, as President of the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, am absolutely pleased that this hurdle is about to be crossed,” said Williams.
Balliceaux is the place where the Garifuna people were banished by the British in 1797 and where many lost their lives, before the remainder were transported to Roatán, some 65 kilometres off the northern coast of Honduras. The island is considered sacred ground by the Garifuna.
(DD/KH)
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BALLICEAUX’S CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP: PROCESS DELAYED
WHILE THE GOVERNMENTremains committed to establishing Balliceaux as a memorial, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has admitted that the process is taking some time.
Gonsalves said on radio on March 13 that the discussions and the requisites in relation to those discussions were taking a little bit longer than he anticipated.
According to the Prime Minister, the Chief Surveyor has already been instructed to conduct a valuation of Balliceaux in order that the government could make an offer to the owners, the Linley family, and a request has also been made to the Attorney General to check the title for the island, a normal procedure in matters of this sort.
The Chief Surveyor and the other government
valuers did not get to Balliceaux as quickly as they had anticipated, thereby dispelling any intention the government might have had of purchasing or acquiring the island from its owners, on or before March 14, 2024, National Heroes Day.
Prime Minister Gonsalves had announced in January that his government was moving ahead on a decision to purchase the 320-acre island or acquire it if an agreement on the purchase could not be met.
Notwithstanding the delay, PM Gonsalves reiterated government’s commitment “… to have Balliceaux as a memorial for our ancestors who died there, those who suffered there.”
Meanwhile, President of the Garifuna Heritage Foundation - David ‘Darkie’ Williams — has registered his support for the move by the government to
purchase or acquire Balliceaux.
Continued on Page 23.
PROPERTY TAX DEFAULTERS, BEWARE!
VINCENTIANhome owners and business operators who have not been paying their property taxes have until April to do so.
If not they will have monies taken from their salaries, in the case of monthly and fortnightly paid workers, and those business owners who collect rent will see their
collections diverted to reduce the outstanding amount.
While talking tough to the debtors, Comptroller of Inland Revenue Kelvin Pompey extended a hand of compromise directing his staff to work with those outstanding payments to arrange a settlement.
Pompey admitted that the loss, occasioned by the delinquency in paying property tax, estimated at $40 million, “is putting the country in a precarious position…, (and) “worsens the
economic conditions and inhibits potential development opportunities.”
And while Pompey is hopeful that matters will be settled amicably, he warns those who fall into the noncompliant category to realise that there are “consequences for non-compliance.” The Comptroller insists, “We are serious that something needs to be done.”
The Comptroller pointed out that some persons have been allowing their figures to accumulate with the hope that
it will be ignored.
He is adamant that taxes must be paid and suggested that voluntary settlement of outstanding taxes will be better than having his Department resort to other courses of action, including seizure of assets, in lieu of monies owing to the state.
Payment and collection of property taxes have been issues here for many years. Efforts to address the matter have included concessions and even an amnesty. (WKA)