The United Workers Party (UWP) will stage a protest march against the government this afternoon, over a number of bread and butter issues that are affecting the citizenry, but more specifically towards government’s unwillingness to further reduce fuel prices.

According to the UWP, the protest march which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. near the Vigie Playing Field, will see citizens marching against the 15 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) that was implemented under the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government.

In addition, the march is also planned to protest the 66 per cent increase in water rate, high electricity costs, pending increase in bus fares; increased prices on rice, flour and sugar; reduced subsidies for food and transportation, and VAT on other basic food items.

The approved route for today’s protest march starts from the Sab and will proceed southbound along the John Compton Highway, onto Peynier Street, then right onto Micoud Street, right onto Laborie Street and then left into the William Peter Boulevard for a public rally.

During his nationwide address on Wednesday evening, UWP Leader Allen Chastanet also urged supporters to join in the protest march, to demonstrate their “dissatisfaction with the state of affairs of our country and the damage inflicted by the policies of government on St. Lucians”.

“We must show this government that they need to act now to ease our plight, to reduce our burden, and to actually start acting like a government which cares about all St. Lucians. The public is crying out for relief and we have nothing to hold onto except false promises of “Better Days” and “jobs, jobs and jobs”, neither of which have materialised,” he asserted.

In recent times, the UWP has taken the government to task on its gas prices,  in relation to how this affects bus fares for average St.Lucians.  Chastanet said with a reduction at the pump, there will be no need to raise bus fares, it will lighten the burden on taxi drivers, the cost of doing business will be reduced and more money will be in circulation.

The UWP has long argued that the last reduction in the cost for fuel was not enough. “Despite their claims that they are not benefiting from the surplus, we now know that the government has been earning a massive quarterly surplus on the backs of hardworking St. Lucians and yet it refuses to reduce the price of gas at the pump,” Chastanet has said.

On Monday, January 12, 2015 government announced a reduction in the price of gasoline from $15.85 per gallon to $13.64, a reduction of $2.21 per gallon. The price of diesel was also reduced from $15.14 to $13.21 a gallon, a saving of $1.93 a gallon.

Other petroleum products were reduced with saving of $4.04 on a 20-pound tank of LPG and $4.43 on a tank of 22-pound LPG (cooking gas). The price of 100-pound LPG cylinders was also reduced by $20.17.

Industrial action planned by workers of the Castries Constituencies Council (CCC) has been called off, union officials have confirmed.

The Seamen Waterfront and General Workers Trade Union said it has reached an agreement with the CCC and the Minister for Labour to resolve an industrial stalemate.

The union had served a notice to Minister Dr. Lewis and CCC management on December 15, 2014, about the intended strike action, giving them adequate notice of intended industrial action, which was planned for today.

It expressed concern about the safety of the CCC employees, following an incident in which a council employee was injured on the job last year.

Union President Vernantius Popo told the media today that both of the matters were resolved amicably and negotiations resumed yesterday.

An official of the union who requested anonymity had told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that a meeting was held Thursday, January 22 at 2p.m with the Department of Labour Relations and Dr. Lewis where the issues were addressed.

The official said, “The agreements were acceptable with regards to the termination of Mr. Raul Alfred. A proposal was put forward by the commission, it was counter-proposed and an agreement was finally reached.”

The employee will not be reinstated, but compensated adequately, the official said. CCC employees had protested the decision made by the council to dismiss him. Reports are that he was fired for showing insubordination to the town clerk.

Both parties also agreed to a tripartite meeting too, where employees, the commissioner, the union and members from the council will meet to discuss these issues, sometime later.

A minor accident involving a blue motor vehicle occurred a few minutes ago at the Ti Rocher Gap, Micoud. The vehicle, registration number PK 152, was seen parked on the side of the roadway with damages to back bumper. The vehicle was also smashed in from the right side. No further details.

Nyrone Winter.

The Saint Lucia Football Association has named its top players for 2014. The three will contend for national honours on 13 February, when the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports holds its annual Sports Awards.

Perhaps the strongest candidate is the youngest. Nyrone Winter is the junior Footballer of the Year. He will go up against some intriguing rivals for the top prize in his category, but he has good credentials.

Nyrone is a member of the Under-17 team that has qualified for the CONCACAF age group championships, an historic achievement for Saint Lucian football at any level. He scored four goals during the qualifying rounds in Saint Lucia and Haiti.

A student of Vieux Fort Comprehensive La Ressource, he helped lead his team to the under-19 title in December.

Prior to that, the lithe attacking midfielder was captain of the Vieux Fort South team that copped the under-17 national title, as well as a member of the Kein Knights team that won the under-23 Southern Zone. He also earned a spot in the regional Digicel Kick Start Clinic in Barbados.

According to his citation by the FA, Nyrone “[has a] positive attitude which motivates teammates to play at higher intensity. [His] attitude towards the sport is a good example for teammates and for the sport.

Ellaisa Marquis.

His passion for the sport has translated to other team members who are now more dedicated and willing to put in extra resources to train.”

The men’s award went to national skipper, Sheldon “Ras” Emmanuel, a central defender / defensive midfielder. The veteran leader guided his Vieux Fort North team to the Inter-District Heineken Fantasy Cup crown.

He also captained the national team in friendly internationals against Jamaica and Martinique, as well as the Windward Islands Championships and CFU Caribbean Cup.

He led the stingiest defense at the Windwards tournament as Saint Lucia won it all. He will contend with the likes of Darren Sammy, Julian Biscette, Corneil Lionel and Jordan Augier for the Sportsman of the Year.

Ellaisa Marquis, a former junior player of the year, took the women’s award. The energetic midfielder was captain of the national women’s team in the Caribbean Cup, hapless though that group turned out to be. An experienced campaigner, she has played at various levels in the United States as well.

Ellaisa will have some tough competition on 13 February, as she faces the indomitable Levern Spencer, along with Shem Maxwell, Thalia Bergasse, Nerissa Crafton and Stacey Roheman for the Sportswoman of the Year gong.

Sheldon Emmanuel.

From left to right (front row): Tamara Octave, Joachim Paschal and Tracey Daniel; in the back row is Francis Regis – Head of Science Department of Marchand Combined.

PRESS RELEASE - On Tuesday afternoon, 27th January 2015, there arose during the quiet monotony of instruction time, a quiet roar climbing into a crescendo of applause. What was the big commotion about?  What would dare disrupt the students’ and teachers’ timeless journey of academic excellence?

Here it is!  We won!  The Marchand Combined School was once again triumphant at the District Three annual Science Quiz; champions of the seven (7) primary schools in the District.

The competition now in its third year, aims to nurture and develop in students and teachers a love for the Sciences.  It helps to sensitize the students on the important role of Science in our everyday lives. This conscious awareness in our lives also helps to create linkages between the Sciences and other pedagogical fields like Mathematics and Social studies.

If MCS were to win the prestigious competition one year, one might say that it was a coincidence, a “fluke”, a chance achievement.  To have won it for the second consecutive year out of three solidifies the educational institution as indeed, a force to be reckoned with, and a veritable powerhouse of great scholarly achievement.  Our school deserves every ounce of respect that it earns in turning out champions, not only in the sporting field but in the academic genre.

For almost the entire first term, the head of the Science Department, Mr. Francis Regis and Science Coordinator of Training Ms. Macrina Leonce worked tirelessly in training a cadre of students from grade five, namely Tamara Octave, ShervelleTrimmingham, Yan Casimir, Malaika Narcisse, Anika St. Rose, Joachim Pascal and Tracey Daniel.

The students learnt facts, carried out investigations and conducted experiments, all in an effort to create authentic learning experiences for the students, to ensure that maximum memorization and learning took place. The students enjoyed learning exercises and often shared the results of their learning with their peers in the classroom.

In the end, Joachim Pascal and Tracey Daniel were chosen to represent MCS in this academic call to arms.  Their weapons of choice- a love for Science, a strong knowledge of the subject matter and a sturdy foundation in the art of competition. No truer or more apt commanders were ever trained for scholarly battle.  As MCS dons the hat of victory, the school marches on towards a new year, ever ready to participate and once again win!

And so, the students, the staff and proud parents walk with heads held up high as every ounce of the victory is savoured.  We prepare for the national competition on 18th February 2015.

Party leaders (from left) Allen Chastanet (UWP), Dr. Kenny Anthony (SLP), and Therold Prudent (LPM).

PRESS RELEASE - The online Facebook group, St. Lucia Aiming for Progress (SLAP), is proposing a national debate between the leaders of all parties during the campaign of the next general elections.

Group Administrator Rohan St.Marthe believes that a debate is long over due and will prove beneficial in fortifying the electorate with factual information necessary to make a voting decision. The question of such a debate was asked in the online forum, which responded with a resounding yes.

The proposed debate will be nationally televised and linked to SLAP for those in the diaspora. Viewers will have an opportunity to submit questions to the debaters and to the best of their ability, all claims will be fact-checked and disclosed after the debate.

To eliminate any jaundiced persuasion, a (politically) unaffiliated moderator will be selected.

The public will be updated as this event is further developed.

Right to left: Lisa Hunte-Michell – Chief Nutritionist, Ministry of Health, Cyrillia Lewis – Student Welfare Coordinator, Ministry of Education and Sunita Daniel – Chief Agriculture Planning Officer, Ministry of Agriculture.

PRESS RELEASE - The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture is set to launch an Inter Secondary School “Nutrition Ad Competition” on Friday January 30th 2015.

The Theme for the Competition is, “Less Sugar for You and Me Will Make a Healthier Society”.

Lisa Hunte-Michell is the Chief Nutritionist in the Ministry of Health, ” At the end of this competition we want the children to at least think of the impacts that excess sugar has on the body because currently they are consuming lots of high sugar laden foods and so we would like this to be reversed.”

“And we know that excessive sugar is related to heart problems. They’re saying that if you consume more sugar than the body needs that you are actually at risk for heart disease. It also plays a role in diabetes, obesity and even some cancers as well,” he further added.

This competition is aimed at engaging Secondary School Students to develop ads with healthy messages geared at young persons in St Lucia, on the negative effects of excess sugar on the body.

Another aim is to create behaviour change among young people to eat healthier and reduce the intake of foods high in sugar which contributes to obesity and other health conditions.

Through this ad competition organizers aim to focus on improving nutrition in schools whilst educating young person’s on the harmful effects of Junk food on the body. The criterion for the Nutrition Ad Competition is as follows:

Advertisement can take the form of a jingle or drama, students can use themselves or cartoon characters:

-each child or group must submit one Ad

-schools can submit more than one Ad

-the Ad must incorporate sound and or music

-the Ad should be 45 seconds long

-target audience: young people (teenagers)

-advertisement must be pre –recorded,

-must include relevant information on the ways in which excess sugar can affect the body).

A panel of judges with expertise in the field of arts and media will determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

There are numerous prizes up for grabs including: A tablet, camera and phone as well as other gift vouchers, 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners will receive, $250, $150 and $100 respectively, the first placed school will receive $300 towards music /theatre arts department, each participant will be given a participation certificate along with a gift, there will also be a special prize for (people’s choice or most creative).

Sponsors for this event include, LUCELEC, CFL, St. Lucia National Lottery, Courts, ECFH, Laborie Credit Union and Glace Supermarket.

PRESS RELEASE - Seasonal influenza affects many thousands of people in the Caribbean each year, and as the 2015 season approaches, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is urging persons to practice good personal hygiene in order to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Executive Director, CARPHA, Dr C. James Hospedales, states that the “primary form of influenza transmission is through interpersonal contact.”

He adds that “given elevated flu activity in the United States, combined with the high travel season to the Caribbean, it is important that persons take the necessary steps now, to protect themselves and their loved ones from the flu.”

CARPHA is advising that persons practice good hygiene measures, which include:

· Covering your mouth with a tissue or handkerchief, or using your elbow, when sneezing or coughing

· Safely disposing of used tissues

· Washing your hands with soap and water after coughing and sneezing and before and after meal preparation, eating and using the toilets.

However, the most effective way to prevent the disease or severe outcomes from the illness is vaccination. Safe and effective vaccines have been available and used for more than 60 years.

Among healthy adults, influenza vaccine can prevent 70% to 90% of influenza-specific illness. Among the elderly, the vaccine reduces severe illnesses and complications by up to 60%, and deaths by 80%.

Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications, and for people who live with or care for high risk individuals.

Seasonal influenza is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat and runny nose.

Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death in people at high risk.

The time from infection to illness, known as the incubation period, is about two days. Illnesses can result in hospitalizations and deaths mainly among high-risk groups (the very young, elderly or chronically ill).

Worldwide, these annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths. Most deaths associated with influenza occur among people age 65 or older.

PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, February 4 2015, Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) operating under the Ministry for Commerce, Business Development and Consumer Affairs in association with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Rural Development will host an “Agriculture Value Chain Symposium” at the Golden Palm Event Centre in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, under the theme “Developing a shared vision towards increasing Agricultural Exports”.

The exercise is geared towards establishing a shared vision for the sustained export of Saint Lucian Agricultural Commodities in identified priority markets.

Since its establishment in 2011, TEPA has conducted market research, promotional campaigns and reconnaissance missions in identified priority markets namely; Europe, United States of America, Canada and the Northern Caribbean.

The findings of these initiatives reveal significant interest and demand for both traditional and emerging agricultural commodities.

To respond to the opportunities arising from these missions, the agricultural sector must employ Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS), adhere to stringent market requirements, compete with stiff regional and international counterparts and establish regiments that will ensure adequate supply levels.

Towards this end, TEPA will host this symposium which will seek to review, assess and establish a sustained strategic approach to increasing the aggregate exports of Saint Lucian agricultural commodities.

This event, to be co-chaired by Mrs. Jacqueline Emmanuel-Flood, TEPA CEO and Dr Darius Gabriel, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, will bring together technocrats from Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture, farmer co-operatives, merchandisers, SLASPA, HACS and other key entities along the agriculture value chain.

It is expected that the following objectives inter alia will be met:

-To identify common, critical issues that have been encountered in agricultural export particularly in non-traditional commodities and suggest creative approaches to solving them

-To develop / set priorities as It pertains to the export of commodities

- To identify and target a number of crops for strategic export markets

-To establish a multi stakeholder team (consisting private and public sector) to chart the way forward for the export of strategic crops.

Dr. Rigobert speaking at the UWP rally.

Opposition Leader Dr. Gale Rigobert believes more needs to be done for all citizens of St. Lucia, particularly vulnerable groups such as: women and children, the poor and the elderly.

Dr. Rigobert made this remark during her speech at the United Workers Party (UWP) rally held last evening at the William Peter Boulevard, Castries.

The former University of the West Indies lecturer slammed government for failing to invest more in the education system. She highlighted that there are currently four schools on a shift system.

“If you care about the youths and you care about education, and the care about the future of this country then you need to stop building expensive bridges and build schools,” she added.

She also spoke passionately about the need for government to restore the bus fare subsidy that was in place in for school children, because parents are finding it hard to send their children to school.

Dr. Rigobert said by cutting the subsidy, young people could be exposed to sexual harassment. Many of them, who cannot afford to pay a bus fare, walk or beg for a ride to their destination.

Shifting her attention to youths, the opposition leader said that the high youth employment should not be ignored and taken lightly, because it is a matter of national importance.

“They are quick to say how many jobs they have created through social programmes, but the one thing they have failed to release if how many St. Lucian have lost their jobs under labour,” referring to government.

Women she said also need to be protected from abuse and rape, and given equal opportunities to succeed in whatever they set out to do for themselves and their families.

She boasted that the policies of the UWP government has worked in the past and have done plenty for citizens,  and said that the party has plans to make it even better if elected government.

Dr. Rigobert also highlighted a number of bread and butter issues, which got loud applause. She thanked those who joined with the UWP to march against the government for improvements.

She urged the rally participants not to give up, but to continue to pressure the government to reduce the cost of fuel before the pass through mechanism period reaches.

The political leader also urged citizens to continue to stand up for their rights and help the UWP, put a stop to the many issues faced by citizens and help to build a better St. Lucia.

Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.

PRESS RELEASE -  Sandals Resorts International’s Chairman, the Honorable Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart was named the Bahamas’ Hotelier of the Year at the exclusive Cacique Awards event held by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism on Saturday, January 24, 2015.

Stewart said that he was deeply humbled by the honor emphasizing that the Bahamas has shown great appreciation for his contributions to the hospitality industry for many years.

“The Bahamas and its people have been returning the love for a long time. Tonight is just an incredible night; it’s an honor and a wonderful tribute to the thousands of team members who dedicate themselves to making Sandals the best both in the Bahamas and throughout the world.”

Sandals opened its first Bahamian resort in Nassau in 1996, Sandals Royal Bahamian, before opening Fowl Cay Resort in 2002 and most recently, Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma in 2008.

Stewart received many plaudits when, at the height of a global economic downturn, he led Sandals Resorts into Great Exuma resurrecting the former Four Seasons property and opening Sandals Emerald Bay.

The new resort brought a huge uptick to the island’s economy which had struggled following the former resort’s closure. “We have undertaken tremendous work at each of our resorts here developing them, upgrading and modernizing them, as well as launching comprehensive training programs for the team members and the results are there for all to see.” Stewart said.

Stewart thanked the Government of the Bahamas personally for sharing his vision and helping the company make that vision a reality saying that the natural beauty of the Bahamas and the warmth of its people have made Sandals resorts in the Bahamas so extraordinary.

“I love the Bahamas and have been coming here for so many years,” he said. “Every time I go to Fowl Cay in the Exuma Cays I say to myself why did I leave?”

Stewart has been lauded by several governments for taking over distressed properties on two islands and turning them into successful all-inclusive resorts, which drive thousands of tourists to the shores of the Bahamas each year.

For more information on the Cacique Awards, visit www.caciqueawards.com.

Sammy.

Cricket Next has named Darren Sammy one of ten best all-round skilled cricketer who has the chance to shine at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

The popular sports blog said that Sammy remains a key figure in the West Indies (WI) camp in the limited overs format.

“With plenty of flair, Sammy is a resourceful lower middle-order batsman and a canny right-arm medium pacer who can be an asset to any team,” the article added.

Sammy has an average of 24.20 with the bat in 119 ODIs and strikes the ball at 100.05. He has 80 wickets to his name, bagging them at an average of 45.98 and an economy rate of 4.61.

The blog said most teams in the modern era give particular emphasis on having more players who can do well with both bat and ball.

It said an all-rounder make a huge difference to the balance of a team and holds the key to their respective team’s success at the ICC World Cup.

Sammy was listed among cricketers such as: Andre Russell (West Indies), James Faulkner (Australia), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Stuart Binny (India), Corey Anderson (New Zealand), Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) and Kevin O’Brien (Ireland).

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE HERE:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/world-cup-2015-who-are-the-men-with-best-allround-skills/525718-78.html

Dr. June Soomer.

UWI- Current Ambassador to CARICOM and the OECS, Dr. June Soomer, will on Wednesday, Feb. 11, deliver a lecture titled “The Magna Carta and the Notion of Rights in Post Slavery/Post Independent Countries.”

Dr. Soomer is also a former History lecturer at the University of the West Indies.

The lecture is the UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia’s contribution to the Magna Carta Lecture Series, a series of UWI-initiated lectures taking place across the region in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta was one of the first documents imposed upon the King of England by a group of his subjects, the feudal barons, in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their rights.

The charter is widely known throughout the English speaking world as an important part of the protracted historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law in England and beyond.

It limited the power of authoritarian rule, the “divine right of kings,” and it paved the way for trial by jury, modified through the ages as the franchise was extended.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus has been awarded a grant by the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Committee in the UK to support the work of UWI in promoting the understanding of Magna Carta in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

Through the grant, a project titled “The Impact and Influence of Magna Carta on the Commonwealth Caribbean,” is being led by Dr. Hamid Ghany, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and Coordinator of the Constitutional Affairs and Parliamentary Studies Unit (CAPSU) of UWI’s Faculty of Social Sciences.

The lecture series aims to deepen our understanding of the foundation of the legal and constitutional principles that form the essence of the English Common Law that lies at the core of the democracies of most Commonwealth Caribbean countries today.

The lecture takes place at 10 a.m., at the UWI Morne Fortune campus, Saint Lucia. The public is invited to attend.

CARIBBEAN NEWS NOW - A new plan to combat hunger in the Caribbean and Latin America presented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was being considered for adoption at a summit of the region’s leaders taking place this week in the Costa Rican capital.

FAO director-general José Graziano da Silva presented the new regional plan for food security, nutrition and hunger eradication by 2025 at the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in San José, Costa Rica.

“This proposal is a tool to help CELAC countries design national plans to transform their commitment to eradicating hunger and extreme poverty in the region into a reality,” said Graziano da Silva, and later added via social media that CELAC leaders were considering the plan.

FAO, in a press release issued on Tuesday, said: “The plan was developed by FAO – with support from the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) – at the request of CELAC governments.”

“It is based on four broad pillars: strategy coordination at the national and regional levels, with a special focus on gender issues; sustainably ensuring access to safe and nutritious foods; widening school feeding programmes with a priority on addressing all forms of malnutrition, from under-nutrition to obesity, and; tackling the challenges posed to food security by climate change,” according to FAO.

The plan seeks to identify and establish links that can generate “virtuous circles of development,” the food agency said, citing as an example linking family farming with school feeding programmes.

According to FAO, Latin America and the Caribbean represent the only region in the world that has collectively achieved the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015.

And the region is set to reach the more stringent World Food Summit goal of halving the total number of undernourished people.

Former Agriculture Minister Ezechiel Joseph.

More than US$2 billion is spent on the annual food import bill by Caricom countries, which have a combined population of only six million people.

Saint Lucia’s annual food importation bill alone is over EC$360 million, which is a cause for concern.

Former Agriculture Minister Ezechiel Joseph has criticized the government for allowing this bill to increase annually.

Joseph told a United Workers Party (UWP) rally yesterday that the government has failed miserably to improve the agriculture sector or to make it more productive.

Government had admitted that the food import bill represents a “significant imbalance” in what St. Lucians grow and eat and said much of the imported foods are known to contribute to the many illnesses here.

Joseph said that the UWP government has always encouraged farmers to produce more and urged citizens to buy local. The former UWP government had also funded a study to help with the restructuring of the agriculture ministry.

“We saw the need to restructure the ministry and engaged Dr Boodram to do an assessment…I want to ask the prime minister and the minister of agriculture how many of the recommendations have been implemented from that report,” he stated. He said the only thing that has changed is the name of the ministry, nothing else.

The UWP chairman told listeners that the current government lacks the leadership and education to help improve the agriculture sector in St. Lucia. “When we get back into government we will continue what we started, even if it means we have to start from scratch,” he explained.

He said hat the agriculture sector performed better under the UWP, even when the then government experienced more natural disasters, including Hurricane Tomas.

Joseph even went on the say that based on the level of production seen, in his calculation; there has been a reduction of over EC$13 million in circulation in rural communities.

Speaking on the banana sector, Joseph said the island has the potential to produce at least 50,000 tonnes each year, noting that under the current government, they have only managed to scrape 12,000-14,000 tonnes each year.

“We have the ability to do it and we have the experience in the UWP to develop proceeds that would generate that level of production,” he added.

The UWP politician also told the gathering that the incumbent government has failed to deliver on its promise to pay fishermen on time. “I can say here today that the promise they made in their manifesto was to pay fishermen within 30 days and they have not kept that promise.”

The fisheries sector is also feeling the squeeze from the high fuel prices.

PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, January 28, 2015, Cletus Emmanuel was admitted to the Bordelais Correctional facility for the offence of Possession of controlled drugs.

On Monday January 26, 2015, he was convicted before the Second District Court at Dennery for the offence and was sentenced to be imprisoned with hard labour for a term of 12 months.

Cletus Emmanuel, a resident of Green Mountain, Dennery was on January 01, 2015 intercepted at the outer perimeter of the Bordelais Correctional Facility by members of the Special Operations Response team.

It was suspected that he was attempting to smuggle the items into the Facility.He was apprehended and had in his possession four (04) cellular phones, two (02) hacksaw blades, three (03) cellular phone chargers, four (04) lighters, one (01) cell phone battery, one (01) packet cigarette paper (rizzla) and a quantity of green plant material appearing to be cannabis.

He was escorted to the Dennery Police station and was charged for the offence of Possession of Cannabis and Possession with intent to supply to another.

Emmanuel appeared before the Second District Court on January 05, 2015 where he received bail of five hundred dollars ($500.00) cash or suitable surety on the charge of Possession of Cannabis and seven hundred and fifty dollars (750.00) cash or suitable surety on the charge of Possession with the intent to supply to another.

On January 26, 2015, Emmanuel returned to court where he pleaded guilty on the charge of Possession of Cannabis. However, the charge of Possession with intent to supply was withdrawn by the prosecution.

Mr. Emmanuel has been convicted previously and incarcerated on one count of Carnal Knowledge, fourteen counts of stealing and five counts of forfeiture of bail.

A Forestiere couple was scammed by a young man in Castries yesterday, when they attempted to sell a pair of wedding bands.

Melle Peters said she had placed an advertisement on Facebook with regards to selling the wedding bands and someone replied informing her that he is interested.

The individual told Peters that his mother “Christina Cyril” was interested in purchasing the rings for his sister, who is planning on getting married soon.

Peters said she decided to send her husband Greg, who agreed to meet with the unknown individual near the SDA church in Castries.

According to her, Greg called the number he was given and within a few minutes a young man who appeared to be in his early 20’s approached him for the weddings bands.

Peters said that her husband related to her that the young man said that his mother wanted to see the rings first, but told Greg that she was in church.

Greg handed the rings over to the young man, without first collecting the money. According to the couple, the young man took off with the wedding bands and never returned.

Peters said after realizing that he may have been scammed, her husband went into the church to inquire about him and his mother. Unfortunately, church members said they never heard of the name nor seen the individual that Greg described to them.

While Peters admitted that she made a wrong move, she said no one is to be trusted. Upon investigating further, they were told that the young man may be from Vieux Fort.

A formal report was made with the Central Police Station in Castries. Peters said the wedding bands are worth $2000. The couple tried contacting the individual countless times, but to no avail.

The individual’s Facebook user name is Ibe Kiki. His Whatsapp number is 715-1863 and his cell phone number is 728-7339. If anyone knows of this person, they can make contact the nearest police station or Peters on 729-9264.

Jeannelle Scheper at Saint Lucia’s 2014 National Championships.

Jeannelle Scheper is hoping to make the cut for this year’s Pan Am Games and IAAF World Championships. But the 20-year-old St. Joseph’s Convent alumna also has the small matter of graduating from the University of South Carolina, and finishing off her last season of outdoor competition.

On Saturday, Saint Lucia’s reigning national champion in women’s high jump competed on the final day of the Armory Invitational in New York City. With a national audience joining in on NBC Sport Network, the Gamecock had an impressive season opener.

Scheper who also won the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States title in 2014, basked in the prime-time spotlight, posting one of her best opening performances ever. With her indoor eligibility done, she was competing unattached, but representing Saint Lucia. And she would represent well, clearing 1.90m (6’3″) to beat American professional jumper Chaunte Lowe, representing Nike.

The height was just a centimetre way from matching Jeannelle’s indoor best, which she set in 2013. She is likely to compete again unattached at the USC Open, as she prepares to challenge for what would be the first ever Saint Lucian NCAA gold during the outdoor season.

PRESS RELEASE - An unexplainable chemistry. An experience your heart thirsts for. A one of a kind love. Teddyson John’s new single featuring Da’Ville of Jamaica – ‘Love Like This’ – captures all of these emotions and expressions.

‘Love Like This’ will undoubtedly be a lovers’ anthem just in time for Valentine’s Day and the month of love. The smooth harmonic melodies of both Teddyson John and Da’Ville are sure to capture the hearts of its audiences far and wide.

This reggae single is testimony of TJ’s innovation as an artiste and the diversity of his product. With this new release, ‘TJ Season 2015’ is now officially open.

Written by: Teddyson John, Orville ‘Da’Ville’ Thomas, Kazia Aurelien,
Francis ‘Leebo’ De Lima
Produced by: Dellie Florenville, Teddyson John, Francis ‘Leebo’ De Lima
Mixed and Mastered by: Francis ‘Leebo’ De Lima

A man was hospitalised on Friday, Jan. 30 after a wall reportedly fell on him in Tou Rouge, Castries.

The incident occurred at around noon.

He was transported to Victoria Hospital with a broken arm and leg.

A source told St. Lucia News Online that the man’s condition is critical as he is suffering from internal bleeding.