Year 54 NO. 34BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, W.I. FRIDAY, JANAURY 20th, 2012 EC$2.00 At The Pumps This Weekend Maximum Price ULG per gal 23/11/11 DELTA $16.37 / SOL $14.11 / TEXACO $15.91 DeputyDeputy PMPM CondorCondor leadsleads Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw Child Care delegationdelegation toto U.KU.K –– Center Rededicated By Drizel Hanley was on Friday last, January 13, The Robert Llewellyn rededicated at a symbolic and CaribbeanCaribbean MinistersMinisters Bradshaw Child Care Center, impressive handing over which was willed to the St.Kitts- ceremony held at the institution, Nevis Trades and Labour Union, located at Dorset Village in by the First National Hero and forumforum inin GrenadaGrenada Premier of this country, the Rt. (cont’d on page 7) St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Excellent Sir Robert L Bradshaw Affairs Minister, Hon. Sam Condor will be among top Regional Government Ministers Meeting with Britain’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt. Hon. William Hague this weekend in Grenada. The 3-day meeting which is scheduled to begin today (Friday, January 20th) will be chaired by the British M.P. and co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chairman of the Caribbean Council on Foreign Affairs. The Talks will cover a number of critical issued to the region, including the economic relationship with the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU), particularly (cont’d on page 19) PMPM DouglasDouglas congratulatescongratulates TaiwanTaiwan PresidentPresident onon second-termsecond-term electionelection victoryvictory BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime placed in his ability, especially the Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says Saturday’s re-election peaceful approaches to Mainland of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), His Excellency Dr. China and Viable Diplomacy to the Ma Ying-jeou is indicative of the confidence that the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) have (cont’d on page 3) PAGE 03 St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas Deputy PM speaks at the ceremony. highlights vision of Robert Bradshaw in nurturing children PAGE 05 COMMENTARY BY AP Photo: Taiwan President and ruling Kuomintang (KMT) * THE THINKING CITIZEN presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou gestures to supporters after (Left to right) - Parliamentary Representative, Hon. Marcella * VIEW POINT winning the presidential elections outside the campaign Liburd; Christophe Harbour Chief Operating Manager, Mr. Le * REV.CANON PERCIVAL headquarter in Taipei on January 14, 2012. Taiwan’s China-friendly Grand Elebash; Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and * EARL CLARKE leader Ma Ying-jeou claimed victory in presidential polls. Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Condor. 2 - OPINION / LOCAL NEWS - The Labour Spokesman FRIDAY, JANUARY 20TH 2012 Federation records increase in food production, says Minister Harris THE SPOKESMAN - ESTABLISHED MAY 1957 By Drizel Hanley Published by: The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union Ag. Managing Editor: Dawud Byron Masses House, Church Street P.O Box 239 . Basseterre . St. Kitts . West Indies Tel: (1 869) 465-2229 <> Fa: (1 869) 466-9866 Email: [email protected] Website: www.labourspokesman.com Editorial Minister with responsibility for Agriculture Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris on Tuesday, Fruits and vegetables on display. Good January 18, announced that the further noted that the increase in Federation has recorded an 2010 to 160,700 kg in 2011. Sweet food production also resulted from increase in food production. pepper production increased 30% solidarity between farmers. In an interview with this from 22,600 kg in 2010 to 29,600 kg “They all work together and governance and newspaper the Agriculture in 2011. share the cost of land Minister disclosed that Food Crop White potato increased by an preparation,” he noted. production increased by 4% from impressive 120%, moving from “Additional acreage under 1,100 metric tonnes to 1,200 metric 73,400 kg in 2010 to 162,200 kg in production also led to such an those who tonnes during 2011 when 2012. increase,” pointed out Dr. Harris. compared with 2010. Yam production moved from However, there was a 5% “Despite several constraints 26,600 kg in 2010 to 37,000 kg in decrease in the production of our farmers continue to 2011 an increase of 39 %. carrots from 139,600 kg in 2010 to challenge it consistently produce more food, A marginal increase of 4% was 132,500 kg in 2011; peanut thereby helping us to advance on recorded for sweet potato decreased in production by 6% As St. Kitts and Nevis continues to grapple with the changing our journey for food security and production, moving from 198,400 from 56,500 kg in 2010 to 53,200 kg fortunes of 2012, there is one thing that continues to hold this nutrition,” Dr Harris stated. kg in 2010 to 207, 000 kg in 2012. in 2011; pumpkin production nation together. It is often mistakenly overlooked and criticized as He said the production of Dr. Harris revealed that such decreased by 32% from 200,900 kg not being what it truly is, and no matter how insurmountable the Cabbage saw a 60 % increase from an increase in food production in 2010 to 137,100 kg in 2011 and 36,500 kg to 58,300 kg crisis, real or perceived, St. Kitts and Nevis continues to be a resulted from greater availability of watermelon decreased drastically Cabbage production saw an technical support to farmers. strong and vibrant nation because of Good Governance. in production from 125,000 kg in increase of 60 % from 36,500 kg in “We provided a reduce price 2010 to 58,100 kg in 2011, a 54% It was only on Tuesday January 17 that an Oxford trained 2010 to 58,300 kg in 2011, while on fertilizers, a 50% reduction on decrease. doctoral graduate, Dr. Scott Douglas, spoke at the UWI open Onion production was increased wire fence hence reducing the “A decrease in the acreage campus in Basseterre on the value of “Great Governance in Small by 105 % from 32,600 kg in 2010 to damage to farmer’s property planted in these crops could have Societies”, citing that St. Kitts and Nevis has excellent examples 66,900 kg in 2011. because the land will be fenced” contributed to the decreased of governance that would be of worth in developed societies. An 18% increase was recorded the Minister added. production,” the Minister Dr. Scott Douglas (of no known relation of our esteemed for pineapple from 136,000 kg in The Agriculture Minister explained. political leader) articulated presence of strong and focused leadership, cross-sectoral involvement in decision making and the dynamic flow of information in St. Kitts and Nevis. These he constabulary has now been attacked on the list order has always been the first priority of this academically termed as the nature, structure and expectations of and “brayers” who want to continue describing Labour-led Administration that those who oppose governance. St. Kitts and Nevis as ‘a crime riddled nation the party wish that the government fails to Yet at the same time Dr. Douglas highlighted how an imbalance where the police abuse its citizens and never maintain law and order in this country for all or a biased focus on any one tenet of good governance may lead solve a crime’. visitors, residents and citizens? to inefficiencies that turn the nation down a road that leads away The “twisted listers” have gone so far as to If this is so, those who think that way and from good governance. devalue the commissioner’s holistic approach wish that our nation fails are enemies of the state St. Kitts and Nevis continues to be one of the freest to crime solving of seeking the responsible and saboteurs of good governance of the vilest democracies on earth, where effective leadership is the least support of the media as a sign that the repute. threatened by opposing sentiment. Understanding the need for Commissioner has become an agent of politics. This publication wishes the Royal St. dialogue and debate, the government celebrates the healthy One “twisted lister” wrote that “that statement Christopher and Nevis Police Force every exchange of differing thoughts and has made the media so liberal the COP made about the press made it seem as success in its drive to change St. Kitts and Nevis that some are fast abusing the inalienable rights of freedom of though he was shrilling for Douglas.” He went for the better in 2012 and beyond and that the speech and freedom of expression. further to insinuate that Commissioner Walwyn strategic alliances that continue to be formed There are those who base their individual and collective is “mixed up in the backward tribalism”. with law enforcement bodies locally and participation in the governance of this nation as being callous This publication stands on the side of internationally continue to bring about the desired naysayers and character assassins. They seek to reinvent facts responsible journalism, understanding the need results of more peaceful and orderly society. and harbour malcontent among their readers and listeners and for credibility in all that we do. Quoting That is what good governance is made of. feel that they positively contribute to the national effort of good Commissioner Walwyn in his edict to the media, Commissioner Walwyn has proven that he not governance. we believe that “Credibility is a word that should only brings the strong leadership (the nature of The most recent example of ill-conceived attacks on good not be regarded lightly. Media houses that report governance), but that clearly he desires to governance in this nation, comes from the “twisted listers” who unsubstantiated information should be include the media, citizens and all stakeholders call into radio programmes and write on the electronic media to concerned about their credibility.” (the structure of governance) through the attack the work and character of Police Commissioner Cervin G.