FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 VOLUME 115, No.24 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50

Guns missing: Unfairness Local ‘Messi’ COVID-19: SVG Gonsalves vs Questions linger abounds shot stands out Mitchell Page 4 Page 7 Page 11 Page 12 Page 24

Bernard ‘Butters’ Dublin, captain of the ‘Odesia’, commits to never leaving shore again without a communication device.

Lennox ‘Grand Charge’ Angus ‘King Pharaoh’ Phillips, the oldest of the trio, Webb weathered the ‘storm’ was admitted to the MCMH for for a second time, having further observation. gone missing in 2020.

by KENVILLE HORNE ANGUS ‘KING PHARAOH’ WEBB, we coming back down, I find turned the boat in the his birthday, Dublin recalled Lennox ‘Grand Charge’ Phillips Engine trouble – request for the engine start smoking, it direction of St. Lucia. that they manage to reset a and Bernard ‘Butters’ Dublin help wasn’t pumping, so I said the By this time, they had course for St. Vincent (Captain) set out on Tuesday 1st impeller gone. When the recognized they had no means “We started making out June on a regular fishing trip Since his return home, impeller gone you cannot keep of communications. They houses in Owia and Fancy but from Rose Place – their home Dublin willingly spoke to THE on the engine or it will mash would usually depend on the more we get closer the community - onboard a 27-foot VINCENTIAN about their up other things in the engine. Phillips and his cellphone but current started hauling we pirogue ‘Odesia’. ordeal. So I take off the engine and as fate would have it, he had back.” The following day was The men headed for the we heist (hoist) the sail.” left the phone home that day. Late in the evening the men Dublin’s birthday so they were north east (Owia/Fancy) of With that done, Dublin “We ain’t get no phone call, felt their ordeal had come to hoping to make a decent catch mainland St. Vincent, he said, related that they tried making so we end up drifting towards an end. to celebrate the special a regular course for fishermen. it to ‘Fancy Head’ but the St. Lucia side,” Dublin said. occasion. “We go up good but when current was such that it The next day (Wednesday), Continued on Page 3. 2. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN V News CBA donates to SVGÊs Relief & Recovery

The Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) has joined over which took place virtually the ranks of organisations that have come to the aid of and in person. the Government and people of St Vincent and the At the short ceremony the Grenadines in the aftermath of explosive eruptions at CEO of CAB Wendy Delmar the La Soufrierre Volcano. stated that she was pleased and The donation of sixty thousand Eastern encouraged by the out pouring of Caribbean dollars, EC$60,000.00, to the support given by member states Government was made at cabinet room on to St. Vincent and the Thursday, June 10, 2021. On hand to receive it were Grenadines in the wake of the Acting Prime Minister Hon. Montgomery Daniel and La Soufriere eruption. The Minister of Finance Hon. Camillo Gonsalves. monetary donation is part of Managing Director of Bank of St. Vincent and the CAB’s care initiative. Grenadines, Derry Williams, handed over the Addressing the handing over cheque while CEO of CAB, Wendy Delmar, ceremony, Minister of Finance Acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel (left) Cooperate Secretary of BOSVG Nandi Williams, Camillo Gonsalves stated that Wendy Delmar, accepts ‘donation’ from Derry Williams, Managing Director of NEMO Michelle Forbes and other the region has been impacted Chief Executive Director of BOSVG. Caribbean members of CAB witnessed the handing significantly by natural disasters Officer of CAB. recently with immense cost to individual nations, noting that the La Soufriere eruptions have damaged in excess of 50 percent of the GDP of SVG. The finance minister said that it is entities such as the CAB which show the solidarity and strength of regional integration. (Contributed by CBA)

(L-R): St. Hill Insurance Managing Director, Roxann MacLeish, hands over cheque to Captain Ernest Gachelin of the Salvation Army. St. Hill partners with the Salvation Army ST. HILL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED has joined hands with the Salvation Army to assist with the provision of relief supplies to Vincentians affected by the La Soufrière disaster. Towards this end, the company donated twelve thousand East Caribbean Dollars (XCD 12,000) on June 15th, 2021 to Captain Ernest Gachelin, Local Commander/ Administrative Head of the Salvation Army. In handing over the cheque, Managing Director, Roxann MacLeish, said the donation “continues the efforts of the 38-year-old company to be an example of good corporate citizenship and nation- building.” In appreciation of the assistance, Captain Gachelin said that the funds will help them to continue providing some comfort to the many affected persons, an effort the organization began on April 11th. He added that one of the Salvation Army’s missions is helping people in need, without discrimination. MacLeish is encouraging other companies to come to the aid of the vulnerable, especially in times of disaster. She also urges Vincentians to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. (Source: St. Hill Insurance) V News 3 THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 3. Faith in God amidst failing health BERNARD ‘BUTTERS’ DUBLIN, one of of the crew stopped walking and three fishermen from Rose Place, talking. Kingstown who went missing for eleven Dublin even began to lose his days before being rescused is a devout memory and began acting strangely. Christian. His wife also shares his faith. In his own words, he took to asking He admitted to praying throughout about a mystery crewman who was the ordeal for the safe return of his never on board. crew and himself to their families, and “I start to ask Pharaoh (Webb) if said he encouraged his colleagues to Gus wasn’t here with we last night? also pray. Way Gus go with the water? So Web “I would make sure tell dem say dey tell me, ‘Man, Cap, no, yo start to lose prayers before they go sleep, and when it man’. And he start to cuss and a get dey wake up, I go ask them if them on.” say them prayers. So every morning I Dublin added, “I is a Christian. I would tell dem don’t give up. I could start to rub he head and say man take feel the church praying for us,” said it easy with yo captian na man, ah just Dublin on how he kept hope alive. lose it for a few minutes.” The area on the bow of Dublin recalled that the stress of It could have been worse but faith the ‘Odesia’ where the the ordeal took a toll on their mental pulled us through, Dublin men roasted the fish. stability. summarised. About a week into their ordeal, one turned for the worst. sail and put up a piece a “The place just get bamboo with a bag , Dublin blockout and is win related. and water. So I say As the boat (which turned Missing for 11 days: fellas we ain’t going out to be a tug) came close, its make it, let we just crew inquired about the men’s take off everything condition and said they had and sleep it out.” heard of the missing boat from Dublin admitted St. Vincent. The Experience his decision might Webb and Phillips were not have been a good helped unto the tug but one as the current Dublin remained on the began to take them ‘Odesia’ to remove the engine, Continued from Frontpage. Friday, they decided to lower in what he assumed was westwards away from St. bail it after which it was tied the sail and allow the boat to Barrouallie. Vincent. on to the barge that the tug Dublin described what run freely. “We light flambeau, all “When I wake up the next was towing. unfolded this way: “A white “We end up go way down in thing, but we didn’t get no morning, to tell you the truth I According to information man in a HUD yacht come up the west and is around late help,” the Captain said. didn’t know where I was,” he from the SVG Coast Guard, to we and started asking us if Monday (7th) evening I see a On Tuesday (8th) the confessed. the tug, with a predominant we had engine problem. We ‘Booby’ bird (seagull) come ‘Odesia’ reached close to By this time, the catch (of Vincentian crew and on a say yes and ask him for a tug, down. I say fellas dem bird Bequia before the current took fish), on which they depended voyage from Curacao, to but he say call Coast Guard don’t dey far from land, so just it in the direction of Baliceaux by roasting them, had decayed Martinique, made contact with and left we and go.” heist (hoist) the sail for me . The crew was able to turn and had to be thrown the Odesia some 190 miles For the next three to four and if alyo want go back to the boat around towards St. overboard. They, however, west of St.Vincent. days, the boat drifted but the sleep alyo go back to sleep .” Vincent and as they sailed caught three ‘dolphins’. “We The tug cleared with their men were still able to see St. The captain said that he inwards, they could make out corned two and roast one,” agents in Martinique before Vincent. was able to manoeuvre the the Aygle International Dublin recalled. taking the men to St. Vincent, boat from out to sea to a Airport in the distance. Bad weather batters hope He, however, had a bad a trip that took a day. distance from which he could Unfortunately, according to reaction to the fish and ended The tug berthed at the make out small boats fishing Dublin, the weather condition up vomiting much of what he Kingstown wharf from where Dublin said that on the had consumed the previous the rescued men were taken to day. the Milton Cato Memorial The men had had to go Hospital. without drinking water. But Webb and Dublin were it rained one day, a welcomed subsequently discharged but occurrence, allowing for Phillip, who had underlying something of a shower and a health conditions, was few mouthfuls of water. admitted for further Things would turn for the examination and treatment. better on the second Friday Even though he disclosed after what was a bout of that no one in authority has mental instability on the part reached out to the them and of the captain. that some of his bills have During an exchange with gone unpaid, Dublin said, “It his crew, he related, he raised feels real nice to see that you his head and recognized a boat are back again and our family coming towards them. is here. It gives me real joy. We quickly took down the Dublin admits that he has learned from his experience The “Odesia’, on which the and will remember to always three men took to sea, have a communication device shared in the men’s ordeal in his possession, when he but never faltered. goes fishing again. 4. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN V Appeal Court Boyde gets prison Appellant time reduction absconds Stories by Boyde had a history — March to in principle. A thief cannot receive KEMIAH NICHOLS’ appeal against his conviction WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY June, 2018 - of being before the from himself. It is either one or of six months for possession of a controlled drug court for ongoing theft and the other,” one of the Justices with intent to supplywas dismissed last Tuesday. PAUL BOYDE came to the Eastern damage to property, especially of indicated. He was charged after a police action at the Caribbean Appeal Court last vehicles parked in capital The Appeal Court Argyle International Airport led to his arrest and Tuesday with the weight of a 90- Kingstown. acknowledged that Boyde pleaded subsequent charges. month jail term hanging over his His style was to smash vehicle guilty but that “he wouldn’t be He was sentenced to six months. head. He left the Court with his windows to gain entry and take guilty of both.” But when the matter came up before the prison sentenced reduced by 36 valuables, preferably money and The Prosecution eventually Appeal Court Justices, Nichols did not appear. months. cell phones. withdrew the handling goods Information oriented to the Court indicated that Boyde’s matter was conducted In one incident on June 1, he charges, but pointed out that the Nichols had left the state June 17, 2020, travelling Magistrate’s sentences were at the Supreme Court Number invaded a vehicle parked outside a on a British passport. Two upstairs Marcole Plaza in designed to “reflect the overall restaurant and removed luggage Nichols, age given as 21 at the time of his Kingstown via Zoom, with morality” which, having occurred valued US$7,535. arrest, had two given addresses - Kingstown Park Justices Davidson Kelvin After another of his break-ins, over a short space of time, and Virgin Gorda. He was on cash bail of $4,000 Baptiste, Mario Michel and he was charged with theft as well warranted a higher sentence. Gerthel Thom presiding from St. as receiving stolen goods. The Prosecutor had described with one surety. Lucia. “If that is the case, it is wrong the Magistrate’s sentence as “just The Appeal Justices pondered as to whether he and appropriate”. was a person any longer a person of interest, and Thomas’ appeal dismissed dismissed the matter for want of prosecution. LAST TUESDAY, June and five months for the Appeal Court that his he has been barred from Barker 15, Saville Thomas of ammunition, wth the plan to turn in the items entering the Port where Kingstown, withdrew his sentences to run was thwarted by the he would normally find appeal against a jail concurrently. He claimed Police. employment. made to pay sentence imposed on him that he filed an appeal Thomas pleaded guilty Thomas was reminded in 2016. That was immediately. to the charge, and at the that those restrictions because by that date, he Thomas rehashed a Appeal admitted, “It were not the ambit of the LAMOND Barker’s He has to pay the had served the time story of him having done happen that way. I Court and that he ought attempt to reverse a Appellants- Mary and handed down for found the gun and done do the time.” to “take the appropriate decision in a property Donald O’Garro costs of possession of a firearm ammunition and of He used the platform course of action.” dispute failed. $3,750 — the cost of the without licence and intending to take them to of the Appeal Court to appeal, and half of the ammunition. the police in accordance highlight what he cites costs allowed in the He was sentenced to with advice given to him. as his being stigmatised, Satan has problems five years for the firearm Thomas told the his complaint being that Courts below. That was the ruling with the system handed down the Appeal Court Justices last GLENROY ‘Satan’ Browne spent four years and Tuesday. nine months in jail a sentence conseqnwt upon The issue surrounds conviction for burglary and damage to property. an application of a That was August 14, 2018. According to him, he possessory title claim by filed an appeal immediately with help from Justice Brain Cottle. Barker that was lodged But by the time he appeared before the Appeal in December 2010. Court Justices, he was a free man having completed Paula David, his sentence but he was bent on using the representing the opportunity to air a problem he had with the appellants and Roderick “system.” He contended that his penalty was harsh Jones, on Barker’s and excessive. The Justices made it clear that his issue was “for behalf, made their cases another place and time.” Their advice to him was before the jurists. to send a letter to the newspaper, and that his Barker contended that request to the Appeal Court was not within their he was entitled to the ambits. property which he had been occupying since 1970. Matters escalated from 1989 with the death of St. Clair O’Garro. Barker proceeded with construction on the property in 1992 and except for a brief period in 2001, continued until 2008 when O’Garro’s family members visited. An intricate family issue developed into contention which led to the Appeal. THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 5. V News Friday writes international bodies THE MATTER in which Government Dr. Godwin Friday, Senator, lawyer Ashelle Morgan and Leader of the Assistant Director of Public Opposition said that Prosecution, Karim Nelson are alleged as a current to be involved in the shooting of member of the UN’s Cornelius John on his own property, on Security Council, St April 13, 2021, has been drawn to the Vincent and the attention of regional, hemispheric and Grenadines ought to international bodies. welcome scrutiny of Leader of the Opposition Dr. its own Godwin Friday said, during a press administrative and briefing on June 15, that he had legal practices. written to the follow persons on the matter: Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, wealth Secretary General of CARICOM; Parliamentary Association. Patricia Scotland — Secretary General, Referring to his call for a timely Commonwealth and transparent investigation, Dr. Secretariat; Friday told the briefing that, “..to all Antonio Guterres, appearances, nothing has been done to Secretary General bring the matter to a just and timely of the United conclusion,” describing the period Nations; H.E Luis since the shooting as one of “a Almagro, deafening silence from the police.. .” Secretary General, According to Dr. Friday they Organisation of (police) “..have still not told us who the Eastern the third alleged assailant was,” and Caribbean States; referred to this as an indication that Dr Didacus Jules, the intention was to keep the public in Director General, the dark. Organisation of “But surely this matter cannot stay Eastern Caribbean in the dark, light must get in,” he said. Cornelius John, State (OECAS); It was against this background that the man who was and the Dr. Friday said he was moved to write shot and is now Honourable to some important people, in order the centre of Anthony Rota, MP that they would know about the ongoing national and President of concerns of Vincentians. attention. the Common- Continued on Page 22. Missing guns and ammo: Questions linger

WEEKS HAVE passed and there has been no information about the investigations into the missing guns and ammunition from the Georgetown Police Station. The police issued a statement on June 4, that the Major Crimes Unit within the Royal St Vincent and the Readers will recall that a young man once ‘stole’ a Grenadines Police Force bicycle from the Georgetown Police Station. Nuff (RSVGPF) had launched said about the ‘vigilance’ there. an investigation, on the silent. orders of Commissioner of Police Colin “We know that officers from the John, after it had been discovered that Georgetown station have been the items had been missing from the transferred elsewhere, is this the armoury at the said facility. response by the Commissioner of But, according to Leader of the Police?” Opposition, Dr Godwin Friday the In addition, Friday said the public public still does not know how many needs to know: How many guns and guns were missing, or how many ammunition are missing? When did round of ammunition. the police find out they were missing He raised the issue again while and did they go missing all at once or speaking at a press briefing on June over a period of time? 15, saying that information suggests Given that the Georgetown Police that as many as four or five guns and Station was a large, modern building as much as 1,000 rounds of and that a police station is supposed ammunition had gone missing. to be a secure place, Friday contended “We still do not know because the that “it would have been very difficult, police have not told us,” Friday said. if not impossible for an intruder to And instead of seeking to alleviate enter and leave with those weapons the concern, the opposition leader said and not be detected in the process.” that the police have since remained (DD) 6. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN V Views

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Editorial An affront AMID ALL THE ARGUMENT not lamentation’, that the late start debate of whether to take the to a pro-vaccine campaign had to COVID-19 vaccine or not, this ward off a well-fortified counter- Assessing the first two publication stood firmly on the attack. side of accepting the vaccine. That we have been slowly Unless there was something coming around to showing years under the ULP else which we didn’t know about increased numbers of persons that came close to dealing with who have been vaccinated is this new scourge, the vaccine(s) encouraging. There is now no (2001-2003) (Part 1) offered the best and perhaps the want of supplies of the vaccine only option. so that fundamental pillar of (First published in THE VINCENTIAN of bells, to Barring all the ‘conspiracy availability is a non-issue. Friday 16th June, 2017) the ULP theories’, the majority of the But now it has come around Government to tighten belts and change world accepted that this was the to convincing those who have not OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, Dr. course. The same IMF once wrote that way to go, if we were to address yet had a ‘jab’ to do so. And Gonsalves has confirmed his preeminent there was “much to praise, little to fault” in the Covid-19 pandemic in any without any real thought about position in both Government and Party by an NDP run economy! In particular, local structured manner. what it means in a socio-cultural rising head and shoulders above all others. eyebrows have been raised over the And while we stand firmly in sense, we bellow about offering Something must be said, however, of the Government’s lending at 3% to Dominica support of ‘taking the vaccine’, incentives of ‘cash to win’ and second tier positions of Julian Francis and money from the NIS, which will be we also stand stoically in other monetary-based Rene` Baptiste, who are the arm and heart strapped for funds in ten years unless we support of the position that enticements. of the ULP, if Gonsalves is the head. begin now to put our economic house in taking of the vaccine should This, as per the letter writer All the rest occupy positions from waist order. never be mandated; that it ‘Thomas’ alluded to in our issue right down to the feet, where second man All the major economic indicators are should not be tied to any of June 4, is an affront to the Straker, according to the other K.J, is enticements, rewards; that there pointing to an uncertain future: bananas intelligence of all Vincentians; comfortably seated. should be no legislation passed which ULP said would bounce back on the an affront to the majority Afro- Dr. Gonsalves unrepentantly invades (there is none now) to make it removal of Arnhim Eustace, is on a rapid descended population who are nearly every Ministry especially when mandatory. downward slide; Glenroy Browne and his made to feel that they are mere credit is to be shared out. When, for Yes, we understand what the team are having the devil shoring up the receptacles of cash for their instance, the Arnos Vale Call Centre hit interest of the public good might favour and support… not unlike arrowroot industry. the limelight, he forced Jerrol Thompson necessitate, but we cannot, and what characterizes political The ULP was so moved to please the US into the dark, to emerge only to take flak the world has never resorted to campaigning here. that they leaned further backwards than for the failure. this during any other global This is nothing but me sitting was necessary to earn a supposed clean bill Similarly, Dr. Gonsalves moved straight vaccination programme, support in my wicker chair, sipping a of health in the offshore industry, as it into a press conference given by Beache, any measure that ignores if not tall beer and perhaps puffing on were, bringing off success in the operation took over, and aborted it. So that the circumvents the right of the a Cuban cigar as I survey my that resulted in the death of the patient! accomplishments and shortfalls over the individual to freedom of choice, estate being toiled by my slaves Tourism is putting up a brave front in period faithfully reflect, in large measure, liberty of conscience and simply who so willing fulfill my fancies, an unequal battle with global conditions. the strength and weaknesses of Dr. to be “me” and not someone else. and who will so willingly do that That does not for one moment affect the Gonsalves himself. The hope here is that the extra for a little more ‘wine’. irrepressible Minister Rene` Baptiste, who individual, appropriately To think that our people are To begin with, Dr. Gonsalves is a has smartly declared victory in a number of informed, would accept the so gullible is as much an affront brilliant political scientist and shrewd areas already prepared but left hanging by vaccine. as the offer of monetary reward. practitioner of the art. He is, additionally, the NDP. The Carnival Committee, Heroes’ But as far as our situation is But then again, may be it is an outstanding lawyer with great powers of Day and abolition of Discovery Day spring concerned, we might just have that we are gullible. The many advocacy. But Gonsalves alone seems to to mind as cases where one sowed, and the failed in effectively informing who depend daily on the returns fancy himself as an economist, a field in other reaped. our population, given the high from the games offered up by the which he lacks formal training. On another score, Minister Baptiste incidence of non-acceptance, National Lotteries Authority, If, as is believed, these countries once moved her headquarters to, and stages needed politicians with the gift of gab when we did not roll out a and which have now exhibitions on, the Cruise Ship Berth, coupled with the lawyer’s craft to argue programme of awareness reconditioned our people away which the NDP built in the teeth of constitutional points in the terminal stages building about the efficacy of the from the value of real work, are unrelenting criticism from forces and perhaps testimony to this. We of colonialism, today the primary call is on vaccine, the whole purpose of supporters of the ULP. will wage our last dollar in the the talents of the economist. vaccination, and provide a Similarly, Dr. Gonsalves has already hope of a hefty return. So what In this regard, Barbados with Owen secured source and guaranteed forgotten that the Financial Complex built if there is another opportunity Arthur, and Guyana with President Jagdeo availability of the vaccine. by the NDP has been portrayed as an for me to up my takings? are well served. So, too, would be a St. But that aside, that there example of profligacy on the part of To sell our souls for a few Vincent and the Grenadines under a were so many who upped their Mitchell, was leaning, cracking, unstable, more dollars is to indicate that Eustace-led Government. voices against the vaccine, many as he luxuriates in the ambience of the PM all is lost, or the least that we The latest report of the IMF, accepted as from whom we would have office in the said building! (To be are not too far away from being the world’s auditors, has sent out what expected a more ‘educated continued) lost. amounts to warning signals, if not alarm THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 7. V Letters Fact or Fantasy Unfairness Part 2 IF WE ARE honest we person and made are needed now! A FEW SHORT weeks ago, via these pages, I would admit that BRAGSA another report of their Imagine there are made a comment that the claim by Ms. Williams did a splendid job in return. I know of persons persons who are not even clearing the roads to be “Watchwoman of Israel unto the house of who have returned home planting a ‘blade of throughout the country, Israel” had not been substantiated or confirmed by now for close to four grass’ yet they have making life a bit more any celestial manifestation by the Almighty, to weeks and every week received Farmer’s IDs. comfortable. For that we NEMO kept on How can this be FAIR? justify or validate her claim to this exulted say thank you and we truly promising to give them Something is definitely position. Thus we, the general public, have no way appreciate your hard work. their package, but have wrong in the Ministry of of knowing how unallowed her reputed position is! NEMO, on other hand, never delivered up to the Agriculture. May be it is Since there has been no proof from the Almighty must accept time of this publication. time for a shake-up of to confirm this (such as a choir of Arch Angels responsibility for being Also there were the staff there. declaring her position from the firmament), I can unfair in many areas of persons who received only conclude that the basis of her claim is made distribution of supplies. I monies from NEMO but Kennard King only to enhance her self-importance and, perhaps, do recognize that it takes were not evacuees, while boost her fragile ego. If she can show definitive a lot to cater and satisfy evacuees who are truly proof, I will be the very first to acknowledge her thousands across the in need have never A lesson from standing with God. island, however, the lack received. It does leave Likewise, I now note that we have another of proper distribution room for speculation and natureÊs school soothsayer proportioning to be “Prophet of God” in and UNFAIRNESS allegations. the being of Mr. Rodney. To him I offer the same cannot be overlooked. I The Farmer’s ID is challenge that I have put to Ms. Williams. It Lovely St Vincent and the Grenadines, guess it goes right back another area of Sun-kissed gems of the Caribbean Sea, seems that these messengers of God are spreading to the lack of being UNFAIRNESS. Can across SVG faster than the COVID-19 virus! All unspoilt havens of magical dreams, properly organized. someone explain to me Were a lesson from Nature was given to me. To conclude, I would end by repeating the It is well known that who is a farmer and how comment I made in my last letter that the most persons who were not in does one qualify for a ‘Twas in Kingstown Botanic Gardens rare, appropriate Biblical verse to be applied to both need got supplies, Farmer’s ID? Where Nature’s splendour I had come to see. parties is, “Beware of Prophets bearing false including mattresses, Is the issuing of That rippling notes suddenly filled the air, witness”. while persons in need Farmer IDs done based From a song - bird atop a bread - fruit tree. were only promised but on a friendship basis? Is A. W. Indupp received nothing. it a deliberate attempt to With landscape hushed, it drew my wondering There are even cases sabotage? Has the gaze, where persons returned qualification of a farmer As shadows lengthened with the setting sun, home and never got any changed? Is it that Free from all care to stem its warbling praise, Satan vs God thing from NEMO, anyone can now receive a It seemed to crown the day now almost done. although they would Farmer’s ID? Is each have filled out and sent person holding a In silent prayer I thanked our God above, WHENEVER I hear hair on your head. their exit forms and, in Farmer’s ID eligible for a For caring for this little bird each day, Christians saying ‘Satan America is the world some cases, went in cash handout? Answers An object of His faithful care and love, was in heaven’ and ‘we barometer. Barack Its evening homage now had come to pay. are living in the last Obama introduced the days’, I feel bad on the first mark of the beast How it seemed to play the smallest part, Make use of In its Creator’s vast and wondrous plan, inside. when he legalized the Contentment overflowed its tiny heart, God gave Moses the same sex marriage. The In contrast to the vanity of man. Ten Commandments but second mark of the beast ÂLava ManÊ one cannot be saved by is when they impeached Man! Masterpiece of God’s creative skill, Moses law, so God sent Donald Trump. God Had sinned and introduced disharmony, His Son, Jesus, to die on didn’t want Mrs. Clinton THERE HAS been much talk about the escapades Now hate-filled nations war and fight and kill, the cross that we can be to be president of the of one Desron ‘Lava Man’ Rodriquez, some for and Brothers and sisters of one family. saved by his grace. What United States of some against the young man. the Bible predict we America. That’s why he From what I can gather, ‘Lava Man’ is part — But in those lovely gardens calm and still, don’t even reach half put Trump to make perhaps the leader — of a group that takes hiking Faint echo of fair Eden so serene, stage of that. America great again. I seriously, and has made La Soufrière one of their Where rebel man defied his Maker’s will, Now, the righteous believe a woman stomping grounds. This song — bird brought to mind a well-known people know God cannot president will introduce It would follow, in my line of thinking, that this ‘dream.” die. But Satan and his the third mark of the young man would have gathered quite some demons will try to kill beast. America will get firsthand knowledge about the volcano. After all, And if we all shared the good doctor’s view, And walked in close harmony, “hand in hand”, God. This is how they the stamp with the six he seemed to be a very observant fellow. He might Believing “all are equal” to be true, will try: No more mark of the beast before not be able to translate that knowledge into all the scientific jargon that seem to impress us, even if we We can, with God’s help, reach the “Promised daylight because Satan God lifts his hands off Land. and his demons prefer America to be defeated don’t understand half of it, but the man must have made his own observations over the years and more darkness more than by Russia and China, so Praising the One, Who in love gladly came, light. No more rain to that communism can recently during the recent eruption of La Soufrière, Our souls to save and give us peace and rest, yield food. The rivers take over the world. that could be of some help. Dying for all upon a cross of shame, and seas will dry up. No It is approximately All that said, instead of condemning the young Worthy to be enthroned in every breast. more breeze and things seven thousand years man and his group, perhaps it is time the state and that carry light. left in the wilderness those responsible for monitoring the activity at the God’s reconciling answer has been found, It would be like there before the world reaches volcano, consider inviting him and his group to And from sin’s shackles all can be set free, is no more God to call on to that stage, and yet become part of the whole monitoring team. To spread the gladsome message all around, for survival. But God preachers are still saying We just may be missing out on a good With word and song in joyful Liberty. will be on the brighter we are living in the last opportunity by ignoring ‘Lava Man’ and his group when all they seem to want to do is to help out the side with his righteous days, and Satan was in I found the secret in that sanctuary, situation. Alone save for my happy feathered friend, people, so Satan cannot heaven with God. God So instead of putting the young man down, invite Two of God’s creatures joined in harmony, get to kill God. That will has to allow Satan to him to be part of the process. He is already As vespers from two hearts began to blend be for a thousand years, perform some more something of a ‘cult hero’ so it’s not that we will be and that is called the before the end of his making him anymore popular. What then did I learn in that tranquil place, Armageddon wars. God time. Remember, Mr. Editor, the answer doesn’t From that bird perched upon the leafy tree? has everything always lie with those who are the most certified. It was as fellow subjects of God’s grace, numbered, even the very Alistair ‘Live Up’ Simon With thankful hearts we should united. Charles More letters on Page 15. Edinboro C.F.G. 8. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN V Views Let’s work towards population immunity Breakdown of Law and Order in SVG Introduction (Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s Press Statement) AS WE PREPARE our country to take advantage of the boost expected in I WANT TO ADDRESS primarily the travel and economic activity beyond this matter of the shooting and beating of period of the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospitalisations and deaths. Countries Mr. Cornelius John, and the allegations importance of vaccination is becoming of the involvement of Senator Ms the Georgetown police station. The that have been able to vaccinate a police did not say how many guns increasingly evident as a critical large enough section of their Ashelle Morgan and Assistant DPP Mr element in our preparation. Since the Karim Nelson in it. were missing, but there was population have reported significant information in the public that the declaration of the pandemic in March of reduction in every aspect, and are By now everyone in St. Vincent and number may be 4 or 5. They have also 2020, the dynamic has been one of returning to normal, an indication the Grenadines knows about the not said what type of guns were decline, stability and spike, in no that the vaccines are effective and shooting of Mr. Cornelius John. It is involved. particular order, with a variety of new safe. alleged that he was attacked in his strains of the virus being discovered. The police did not say how much home and shot in his leg and that There were moments when developed ammunition was missing, but there is Getting back to normalcy three assailants were involved. It countries believed that the virus was information in the public that it may occurred on April 13, 2021. That was under control, only to be faced with a Having endured a very challenging be as much as one thousand (1000) his unlucky day, it would appear. It is new strain and a significant spike in 15 months since the declaration of a rounds. What kind of ammunition? a serious matter! A very sad affair! new infections, bringing with it new pandemic, this country like other We still do not know because the Two weeks ago, I addressed you on rounds of curfews, lockdowns or states countries around the globe is doing police have not told us. The it. Then, I urged that there be a of emergencies. Leaders in this region what it can to return things to a sense announcement about the missing guns who adopted lockdowns as a first timely, full, and transparent of normalcy. The Health, Economic, and ammunition could not have come response to the virus, swiftly recognised investigation so that the truth will Social and Security (HESS) challenges at a worse time. that the virus would be around for a long prevail. Many others have done that have confronted us have been It came at a time when there were time to come and accepted that, unprecedented and have created much likewise. But, to all appearances, reports in the media and talk on individuals, communities, countries had strain on every aspect of life. The nothing has been done to bring the people’s lips of recent shootings to “learn to live well with COVID”. reality is, that people in key matter to a just and timely conclusion. resulting in death (as in the case of Thanks to the technologies and modern industries need to get back to work In fact, there has been a deafening science, a number of vaccines were former national footballer Dwaine that have been on hold since last year; silence from the police on the matter. developed, through the normal process, Sandy) or serious injury (as in the the tourism industry is trying to Unbelievably, they have still not told including testing and certification by the case of Cornelius John). There was, restart, schools need to be opened and us who the third alleged assailant was various agencies, authorising them for the demands on the health system therefore, understandable heightened not. The circumstances surrounding use in the fight against the corona virus. need to be normalised. With this public concern over the the incident are such that the This welcome development in vaccine country in the middle of what seems announcement. That concern remains. authorities ought to have known technology, was the silver lining that the to be a spike, the encouragement from Instead of seeking to allay those world was hoping for and offered hope of immediately and certainly should by the Government is that Vincentians feelings of concern and fear by a return to life, without the restrictions now know who it is. should get vaccinated so that we can providing information, the police have imposed by this deadly virus. Now the We must therefore conclude that achieve population immunity. In since the initial announcement challenge that lies ahead is getting a tourism for example, traveling the failure to tell the public the remained silent. No more information large enough percentage of the individuals are more and more identity of the third person is a for the public. We know that officers population vaccinated so that this requesting that service providers in deliberate decision on the part of the from the Georgetown station have country can achieve population hotels, etc. be vaccinated and the even authorities to keep the country in the immunity. been transferred elsewhere. Is this more general trend, is for health dark about this aspect of the response by the Commissioner of workers, frontline workers and other investigation. What else are they Vaccines are safe and effective Police a case of too little too late? But workers interacting heavily with the keeping us in the dark about? But we need answers. People need to general public to do the same. It is a surely, this matter cannot stay in the The Government of Saint Vincent reality, that the longer it takes our know. How many guns are missing? dark. Light must get in, because as and the Grenadines, headed by Prime country to achieve population How much ammunition is missing? the songwriter says, there is a crack Minister Gonsalves was able to secure immunity, the longer it takes for our When did the police find out they in everything. I am determined to thousands of doses of vaccines to health, education, transport and were missing? Did they go missing all begin the process of vaccinating our find them and to let the light in. Most general economic systems to start at once or did they go missing over a citizens. The primary vaccine used by people want that. functioning in a normal way. It period of time? the Ministry of Health is the In this regard, I have continued to appears that this country has become If they were taken over a period of Cambridge AstraZeneca vaccine, a victim of our own success, as the write letters to important people so although a much smaller number of excellent handling of Covid-19 by the that they know about our fears and time, then who was minding the doses of the Russian Sputnik V ULP administration has so far concerns. As I have said before, I store? Did someone go into the police vaccine was also ordered. Reports so resulted in very few deaths when wrote to the Governor General and station and take the guns and far from the trials and active use of compared to infections, seen financial she has replied to me. Now, I must ammunition? If so, how were they the AstraZeneca vaccine globally, support offered to individuals whose able to avoid detection? The suggests that it has an efficacy rate of tell you that I have also written to incomes were impacted and a general important regional and international Georgetown police station is a large, 82% after both doses. The BBC reorganising of systems avoiding institutions, to let them know our modern building. A police station is reports that the Russian Sputnik V curfews, lockdowns and states of supposed to be a secure place. vaccine has an efficacy rate of 92% emergencies. But this should not situation. after receiving both doses. This means In light of the extreme seriousness Therefore, it would have been very encourage complacency, instead we difficult if not impossible for an that both vaccines provide significant should be encouraged to go the next of the matter, I wrote to Ambassador, protection against transmission of step and get vaccinated to augment Irwin LaRocque, Secretary General of intruder to enter and leave with those Covid-19, hospitalisation due to severe the previously adhered to protocols of Caricom. I have also written similarly weapons and not be detected in the illness, and death. While in some hand hygiene, mask wearing and to: H.E. Baroness Patricia Scotland process. But apparently, it was done. countries there have been reports of social distancing. The faster way back Secretary-General, Commonwealth The sooner we get answers the better. temporary stoppages in the usage of to the fully functioning society that we Secretariat; H.E. Antonio Guterres And if the police cannot investigate it the AstraZeneca vaccine because of all long for is through population Secretary-General, United Nations; properly, then get someone who can blood clots in individuals taking the immunity by individuals taking the H.E. Luis Almagro Secretary-General, vaccine, there have been very little vaccine. COVID-19 pandemic continues evidence if any, showing a link Organisation of American States; Dr. between the vaccine and the blood Conclusion Didacus Jules Director-General, clots. In almost every instance, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean It remains the biggest challenge in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The use of the vaccines resumed and There is no shortage of conspiracy State; and Rt. Hon. Anthony Rota — millions of people around the world theories, mis-information and dis- MP President, Commonwealth government has botched it. Most are currently vaccinated with the information out there that continue to Parliamentary Association. places in the world see things are Cambridge AstraZeneca and Sputnik frustrate the vaccination drive of this I expect that the recipients will all improving, but here in St. Vincent and V vaccines. The Government has country. The Ministry of Health respond to my letter. But, even if the Grenadines, we are getting worse. announced that it has ordered doses of continues to do excellent work in they do not, it is still important that I I urge you to follow the familiar the Moderna vaccine that can also be educating and informing Vincentians wrote because now we are certain that protocol measures to protect yourself used on younger members of our of the benefits of taking the vaccines, they know about the matter. And if and those around you against the population including the older and go a step further by taking the our worst fears come to pass, they will coronavirus and to prevent its students in secondary schools. vaccine to the people making it easy not be able to say they did not know. Hundreds of millions of people around spread–wear a mask in public; social for anyone to get vaccinated. The distance; wash or sanitize your hands the world have taken one of the choice to get vaccinated is a personal Covid-19 vaccines available, and apart one, so you are continually encouraged Guns and ammunition missing from regularly. Take it seriously. Inform from the stated side effects which to make that choice to protect Georgetown Police Station yourself about vaccination from have been generally mild, but yourself, your love ones, your reputable sources and make the moderate in a small percentage of community and your country, by It has been about three weeks now, decision to vaccinate. It is the safest cases, they have produced the desired getting vaccinated. the police told the public that guns and quickest way to get back to our effect or reduced transmission, Get vaccinated today! and ammunition were missing from normal lives. THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 9. V Views The few do not define the many Western media negative coverage of Africa Guest column by Siyanda Mohutsiwa themselves. “It is reckless to make broad Carrying on a generalizations about any group of LIKE ANY AFRICAN who grew up with a tradition of people.” Roger Ebert (1942-2013) - TV, I’ve always been exposed to Western Western inquiry American film critic, film historian, perceptions of Africa. Living in a spanning postcolonial African education system that centuries, the Times‘ Maclean does not journalist, screenwriter, and author. relies heavily on Western literature, one appear to expect to encounter locals who becomes intimately aware of how the have solutions or have really thought THERE IS WISDOM IN AVOIDING the exist in a society that prides itself in world sees Africa. Still, I have always about their predicament. They aren’t temptation to make “sweeping being the bastion and democracy and bristled against what is now famously even given the chance to explain that generalisations” about any group of civility. Some whites still see called ‘The single-story,’ which presents Nigeria is not Sudan is not Somalia is people. While we recognize that there themselves as superior to blacks, the Africa as a one-dimensional scene of not... The article about Africa mentions tragic suffering and endless despair. only four of the 54 countries, and none are some traits that are common to Latinos, and the Asian Americans. Coverage of Covid-19 in Africa, despite the of these four is the reporter’s residence. some groups, professions, societies, and Even so we must avoid the temptation continent’s relatively low infection rates, An Africa without leaders sub-cultures, we would be foolish to to categorize all whites as being is disproportionately grim and macabre Like countless others in Western “paint everyone with the same brush”. colour prejudice. There are many who compared to the rest of the world. media, Maclean’s article took place in The popularity of the cell phones, advance the cause for racial equality Last November, the Times (11/27/20) an Africa without leaders, without and the feature that enables many of and are decent, respectful, and kind. published a lengthy article about efforts public health officials or activists. It’s in East Asia to fight Covid. Headlined set in a vacuum of knowledge and these gadgets to take photographs The few do not define the many. “They Beat Back the Virus (Again and strategy. No epidemiologists, infectious and videos, ushered in a new There are many other instances Again),” it focused on three places disease specialists, no academics, no awareness of the atrocities that are where individuals are tempted to (Hong Kong, Korea and Japan), local journalists or medical associations committed worldwide. For example, generalize about a specific group, outlining long histories of policy were quoted–just a vast maw of we are constantly reminded of the race, or profession. In every culture implementation and strategic tweaking African horror. by their health officials to combat wave Western media have a well- injustice that white North American there will be individuals who apply after wave of the coronavirus. documented skew towards negative law enforcement officers appear to broad statements to an idea or group coverage when discussing Africa. One impose of blacks. The media coverage of people. In many of these instances, ‘Where the dead are not counted.’ study found that in a 40-year period of of the deaths of African Americans generalizations are not entirely true. reporting on African issues, an average like 20-year-old Dannte Wright, 26- These generalities can be inaccurate. In contrast, a New York Times article of 73% of New York Times articles year-old Breonna Taylor, 27-year-old For example, we would be (1/2/21) by West Africa bureau chief provided decidedly negative images. Ruth Maclean, headlined “A Continent This is not without consequence because Rayshard Brooks, 28-year-old irresponsible and wrong to conclude Where the Dead Are Not Counted,” the Times is very influential. Ataliana Jefferson, 41-year-old Danie that most politicians are greedy compared the death toll of all 54 African There is at least one industry Prude, and 46-year-old George Floyd and/or dishonest simply because it is nations to France, and concluded that invested in the repeated emphasis of are but a few of the more recent public knowledge that some have because the former has fewer official disaster in Africa, and moreover in the instances of police officers killing become extremely rich (in a relatively deaths than the latter, their idea of Africans being ill-prepared and civilians for minor offences (i.e. a short period) as a result of their calculations (all 54 of them) couldn’t in need of rescuing. There are currently possibly be correct. The subtitle teased at least 2,461 NGOs in Africa, and minor traffic offence or the use of a providing public service. Many are us with a possible explanation: “That there’s money to be made and soft counterfeit twenty dollar bill) or who decent, law-abiding citizens. The doesn’t mean people aren’t dying from power to be expanded. did not commit any crime at all (i.e. following statements also remind us the virus.” In its insistence on portraying Africa forgetting house door open, sleeping of the danger and inaccuracy of The first expert whose guidance is as a place of failure and no leadership, in their vehicle, or having a mental generating stereotypes: sought to make sense of Africa’s Covid the New York Times participates in the response is a professor at New York White Savior Industrial complex, the health challenge). These are but a * Girls cannot do well at science University. The next expert is a director NGO pyramid scheme, and any other few of the many instances where subjects. of Doctors without Borders. Though his manner of systems that keep nations individuals who were expected to * Boys will never be good at the voice might be the article’s only hint at from the Global North in positions of uphold the law used their “freedom to culinary arts. the notion that good African policies dominance. The only information about shoot” to kill. However, we would be * Every salesman lies to make possibly reduced the spread of Covid, Africa that is worthwhile must come wrong to conclude that all police more money on a sale. Maclean quickly discards his input for from foreign sources. Africans are not more exciting news out of England expected to reflect on their crises or officers are this way. Neither will it * Men are all afraid of about secret outbreaks in Sudan. The learn from their past experiences. be fair to conclude that all white commitment. next expert is a researcher at the police officers are “trigger happy” * Rich people are greedy. London School of Hygiene and Tropical A wealth of public health knowledge when they interact with blacks. The * Poor people are lazy. Medicine, whose “toes curl” when few must not define the many. * Children should be seen and not anybody implies “Africa has been There is a decided refusal to The ever advancing technology heard. spared.” acknowledge the actions of nations like While the article is chock full of my native Botswana, which, through provides us with evidence of the * If you believe you can do it, you people talking about Africans, there are strict lockdown measures instituted as extent of the danger and the will always succeed. only three sources from Africa and early as February 2020, managed to regularity of racial profiling in * All success is brought about by Africa featured in the article, all from keep Covid deaths to 45 by January America. The peaceful civil rights good luck. Lagos, Nigeria. 2021. This, in a nation once reported movement of the 1950s and 1960s * All criminals can be rehabilitated. having the world’s highest HIV/AIDS Caskets and corpses revealed many of the atrocities that * All women want men to be prevalence rate per capita. It should be obvious that the very were perpetrated against blacks in romantic. The first photo in the African article prevalence of pandemics and disease the United States of America — * Your family will always be there is a row of stacked caskets captured in mean that many African nations were especially in the southern states. for you. the dimly lit store. The next photo is of extremely cautious and quite aware of This struggle for social justice was * Friends are people who will never a corpse wrapped in plastic in the fragility of healthcare systems in intended to alleviate the unfair let you down, no matter what. Mogadishu, Somalia. The next photo is general and often able to convince of a man in Lagos standing in front of a citizens to take Covid seriously much treatment of a suppressed people and * Attractive ladies are always stuck funeral home. While thousands of faster. There is a wealth of public to create and sustain their equal up. people had died from Covid in East health knowledge the continent has to participation in a society whose * Overweight people always Asia, the photos in the article about offer. It astounds me that so few economy the oppressed were largely overeat. Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong Western authors were able to make this responsible for building and * The customer is always right. feature zero corpses or caskets. connection. maintaining. Great strides were These are just a few of the many The first article was co-written by Rather than acknowledge such a Mike Ives, Tiffany May and Mikoko reality, the Ruth Macleans of the world made as a result of the decades-long examples of common generalizations. Inoue, reporters who appear to be prefer to devote precious column space crusade by African Americans and While we observe that some of these residents if not natives of Hong Kong to the idea that Africans can’t count. It their like-minded supporters to end statement may be true, they are not and Japan, with additional reporting appears that even as the US healthcare institutionalized racial discrimination, completely accurate in all cases. from Youmi Kim, based in South Korea. system is brought to its knees and disenfranchisement and racial Based on the foregoing, there is That’s four reporters covering three exposed as a hollowed-out shell of its segregation in the United States. The wisdom in avoiding the use of overly locations, in contrast to one reporter former self, the country’s media need a purporting to cover 54. world where Africa can produce no Civil Rights Act (1964) outlawed broad statements about a particular The experts included local academics, solutions, can give no knowledge and is segregation in schools, public places, topic or a group of people. There are who were not asked to comment on the devoid of the power to positively and jobs. The Voting Rights Act individuals who may fit the Covid strategies of every country in influence the trajectory of the world. It (1965) outlawed racial discrimination descriptions of the scenarios Asia, but were allowed to express appears the maintainers of these in voting. The Fair Housing Act presented here. However, we need to nuanced reflections on their local crises. structures would rather die superior (1968) outlawed discrimination in be reminded that the few do not The officials interviewed were than live as equals. presumed to have the correct data. housing. These were hallmark define the many. There were no Western universities The entire article can be found on accomplishments. The American quoted, no Orientalists consulted. The FAIR.org society has come a long way since Send comments, criticisms & people of Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, then. However, the modern media suggestions to were treated as distinct populations Send comments, criticisms & confirm that racial discrimination still [email protected] who could speak well enough for suggestions to [email protected] 10. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN V Views ULP regimeÊs school-

modernised and rethought to make it responsive to the needs of all students. to-prison pipeline Education must be a route to liberation, not incarceration. Jailing THE ULP REGIME’S education system is not making education free or providing for children in preschool and primary our children, rather than educating in shambles and is failing many our children with a world-class school. Just as a house needs a secure them properly, is a long-term problem Vincentian children. Greater support is education system, means many foundation before you build the walls for our country. It leads to higher needed for our children and education children do not get a good education. and put on the roof, the foundation of crime rates, higher unemployment should be totally free – books, uniforms, The ULP regime has not created an our children’s education in preschool rates and lower national productivity. everything. education revolution, but instead, they and primary school must be good Leader of SVG Green Party, A parent told the Leader of SVG have created a school-to-prison enough for them to make progress at Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan pipeline. secondary school. BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, believes that Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, Many children who do not complete For many children in SVG, school is our children, especially boys, need that our children, especially boys, are their schooling (education), simply end a pathway to incarceration, not better educational support to help not making enough progress at up in jail. They leave school with no opportunity. The ULP regime’s school- them progress at primary school which primary school to enable them to have education, cannot get a job, end up in to-prison pipeline begins in deep social will enable them to have a smooth a smooth transition to secondary trouble, then find themselves in jail and economic inequalities, and is an transition to secondary school, and school. serving lengthy sentences. All this illustration of the shortcomings of avoid falling into a life of crime and When her son left primary school, could be avoided if the ULP regime schooling in our country and the gap destitution. They are not bad children, his education level was not adequate treated our children as if their lives between the rich and the poor. just failed children — failed by this enough for him to cope with the school actually mattered. Our education system needs to be ULP government. work at the secondary school. He was The ULP regime has failed to invest not given enough support at secondary adequately in our children’s education. school and ended up falling further About four years ago a school in West and further behind as he struggled to Kingstown was closed, because it was keep abreast with his peers. Where is She? infested with rats. In that same year, Eventually, the young man dropped the secondary school in New Prospect out of secondary school, got into was closed because the computer lab’s by ANTHONY STEWART unlearned and incapable of sustaining trouble and ended up in the ULP roof caved in. It had been taken over herself. Her prospects for employment regime’s hallmark project, the jail in by woodlice. Many other schools are FROM TIME to time 15-year old girls are bleak. Fifty (50) years ago the North Leeward. badly in need of repair. go missing. Some of them temporarily typical 15-year-old was able to keep a The failure by the ULP regime in More educational support is needed and others for an extended period. house, clean, wash, iron, cook and care Why are they running away from for younger siblings. Today, that is not home? Who is hosting them on these so and any forced domestic escapades? Is any law being broken or relationship would be problematic. kept? Whose interest is served by these runaway girls? The age 15 Apparently, our laws have been established to give 15-year-olds the Inevitably, fifteen (15) is an age right to give consent to one and only when many students drop out of one activity. Why was this done? Who school. Prospects for their future are did it? And for what purpose? Who is bleak. They immediately join the keeping the consent age at 15? And for poverty line and unless they get what purpose? At the age of 15, you proper guidance, they soon find cannot marry, you cannot vote, you themselves in problems with the law cannot get an ID card and a NIS and Social Welfare. number, you cannot have access to Small countries like St. Vincent and your bank account even if you own the Grenadines should not find it one, you cannot represent yourself at difficult to find runaway children PTA meetings, you cannot go to the because our population is small, and doctor by yourself, and you are not many folks (are) known by a large eligible to open a social media account. percentage of the population. We need It seems ludicrous that you can give the will to find our missing children consent to be impregnated when and return them to home and safety. everyone knows that you are a child, Additionally, the police and Welfare and you are not mature enough to be should have the capability to locate responsible for yourself much less for active electronic devices with a new baby. subpoenaed information from the telecommunication network system. The Bible We should be doing our own experiment with dogs to train some to The Bible does not look too kindly find missing people, and illegal drugs. at those molesting 15-year-olds: “But But we must have the will to do so. whoso shall offend one of these little Some Universities are usually willing ones which believe in me, it were to assist with this aspect of forensic better for him that a millstone were science to meet certain study hanged about his neck, and that he requirements of their students. Our were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Medical School too may have an (Matthew 18:6) interest as dogs are being trained to How does a lost 15-year old find her detect certain diseases. way back home? Like the lost coin, she As Father’s Day approaches, it is may not know that she is lost and opportune time for all prodigal sons cannot on her own accord find her way and daughters to come home. If you back home. Someone would have to encounter these runaway children find her and bring her back home. In anywhere, kindly help them find their her lost condition she is vulnerable to way home. abuse. She may be unskilled, THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 11. V News More needs to be done for fisherfolk

WINSBERT HARRY, number of VHF radios conference and media station to say when they contact is made with President of the National would be availed for use briefing you are hearing are leaving and their the families of the Fisherfolk Organisation by fishermen. The about the fisher folks, estimated time of return, fishermen, the Coast (NFO), said that the Ministry of Agriculture, but when coming to Harry admitted. Guard and radio and authorities need to do he said, had also reality and the love for It is the general TV stations. (KH) more to assist fisher folk committed to train the fisher folks is more practice of fishermen in St. Vincent and the fishermen in the disrespect than love,” who operate out of Rose Winsbert Harry, Grenadines. appropriate use of the Harry noted. Place to leave on their President of the NFO, Speaking on the heels radios. Harry admitted, fishing trips around 5pm. called out the of the safe return of Nothing has been though, to some of the They would, in most authorities for not three fishermen - Angus forthcoming in this shortcomings of the cases, return around doing enough for ‘King Pharaoh’ Webb, regard, Harry lamented, organization he leads. 5pm. fisherfolk but also Lennox ‘Grand Charge’ adding that an effort to He referenced the If it is that a fishing identified Phillips and Bernard have the NTRC support failure to keep records as boat does not return by shortcomings on the ‘Butters’ Dublin — after the NFO request for a to when the fishermen 7pm, as a first response, part of fisherfolk they had gone missing waiver of duties on leave and when they the NFO is alerted and themselves. (at sea) for some eleven radios, also hit a brick return. day, Harry expressed wall. “That is something the how happy he was that Additionally, the fishermen and national the men were returned to matter of Identification fisherfolks will have to their families, but also Cards has been an look into,” Harry stated. took the opportunity to ongoing challenge for And as it relates to vent his frustration with some time. safety at sea, the those in authority. According to the NFO President advanced the He accused them of president, all ID cards position that it was time speaking highly about issued have expired since to “make certain things the industry but not 2015 and there has been mandatory, like GPS, delivering. no response to request to VHF radio and life Among the failure of have this matter jackets.” the authorities, Harry addressed. There is also a need to pointed to the promise “Is more than when encourage fisherfolk to made last year that a you have press call into the signal Local ‘Messi’ shot and killed A NORTH LEEWARD of gunshots. MAN, Saville Murray, One persons who also goes by the indicated that he last unmistakable nickname saw him wearing a ‘Messi’, was found dead black ‘hoodie’ which in the main road in he was still wearing Golden Grove, Fitz at the time of his Hughes, around 5:30am death. yesterday, Thursday. Meanwhile, THE Unconfirmed reports VINCENTIAN has said that his body received a report of a showed signs of a bullet shooting incident in wound to his head. Diamonds. Other reports said that Persons from the Saville ‘Messi’ Murray he looked like he had area reported seeing two lay dad in the main road received more than one masked men chasing through the North bullet. another man. One of Leeward community of Residents of the area those doing the chasing Fitz Hughes. are said to have is said to have fired a responded after hearing number of shots. the release of a number Unconfirmed reports speak of two persons being injured. (KH) 12. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN V Health New quarantine protocol in place by GLORIAH… 18 years, arriving in the caller’s question, she however, that a private country, the option to explained that travelers residence identified PRIOR TO JUNE 10, quarantine for forty-eight from very high-risk should either be persons fully vaccinated hours in a private countries like India and empty, or all of the adult against COVID-19 and residence, instead of an Brazil will not be eligible occupants of the traveling to St. Vincent approved hotel/guest for to apply for this residence must have and the Grenadines had to house. To qualify for this waiver. Those from been fully vaccinated. All quarantine for forty-eight option, though, these high-risk and low-risk occupants of the There are new COVID- 19 related quarantine hours in a government- travelers must present countries like England residence must traveller(s) for the forty- approved hotel/guest evidence that they have and the USA could apply. quarantine with the guidelines for persons eight-hour period. arriving in SVG. house. Persons arriving received a second dose of As far as this protocol with a negative PCR test an approved vaccine, goes, persons traveling would quarantine for administered at least two from high-risk Caribbean fourteen days in a weeks before they territories like Trinidad government-approved embarked on their and Tobago, and low-risk facility (hotel/guest travels. countries like Grenada house), while those testing During NBC’s Face to and Montserrat could positive on arrival were Face programme on benefit from this housed in a government Tuesday, 15th June, amendment. isolation facility. Health Promotion According to the Now, as of Thursday, Officer, Ms. Shenica NEMO Health Services June 10, a new protocol John noted that risk Committee, an email for travelers arriving in designations were issued must be sent to SVG was rolled out by by the Heath Services coronavirustaskforcesvg@ the Ministry of Health. Committee of the gmail.com two weeks The new protocol gives National Emergency before arriving in St. fully vaccinated persons Management Vincent and the and accompanying Organization. Grenadines. children under the age of In response to a The protocol states,

The COVID-19 situation in SVG as of June 14, 2021. ECCU COVID-19 situation: SVG stand outs ACCORDING TO THE 4,983 recoveries for EASTERN CARIBBEAN the period, St. CURRENCY UNION Vincent and the (ECCU) COVID-19 Grenadines 1,898 Tracker, St. Vincent and and Antigua and the Grenadines, as of Barbuda 1,220. Monday, June 14, 2021, During the same had the most active period, St. Vincent cases of COVID-19 in the and the Grenadines Union. recorded 12 deaths. St. as having had one dose That figure stood at Lucia led the way with and 36.8 percent as 246 and was followed by 80 followed by Antigua having had two doses. St. Kitts and Nevis with and Barbuda with 42. These figures were by 123 cases and St. Lucia And while this country some margins, the with 111. stands out with the highest in the ECCU. No other member highest number of active In summary, for the country of the ECCU cases, it perhaps followed period March 2020 and had, as of the date logically that it would June 14, 2021, the referred, recorded double have the lowest recorded ECCU recorded a total of figures of active cases. percentage of the 9,263 cases of COVID-19, In terms of cases population that had 8,640 recoveries, 136 recorded between March received either a first or deaths and 481 active 2020 and June 14, 2021 second dose of a COVID- cases. among ECCU members, 19 vaccine. The Eastern St. Lucia recorded the The ECCU COVID-19 Caribbean Currency highest, 5,178, followed Tracker recorded that Union (i.e. those by St. Vincent and the 12.6 percent the countries which use the Grenadines with 2,156 population St. Vincent East Caribbean dollar) is and Antigua and and the Grenadines, as comprised of: Antigua Barbuda, 1,220. of June 14, 2021, had and Barbuda, Dominica, Montserrat was listed as received a first dose of Grenada, St Kitts and having 20 cases, the the a vaccine, and 5.8 Nevis, St Lucia, St least among ECCU percent two doses. Vincent and the members. Anguilla, on the other Grenadines, Anguilla St. Lucia recorded hand, had 60.3 percent and Montserrat. (Source: ECCU) THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 13. V Education CXC-SVG exam Below: Paper 1 will be required for all subject area and will be administered in a paper based modality. (Photo schedule agreed credit: Min of Ed/Guy)

Stories by GLORIAH… Arts, Science and Social Studies. Results of these THE CARIBBEAN exams are expected to be EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL returned in August, (CXC) has officially 2021. adjusted the The dates set for the administration of the suite Caribbean Secondary of examinations it offers, Examination Certificate as it relates to this (CSEC) are 2nd — 20th country. August, 2021. Education Minister Paper 1 will be Curtis King had alluded administered in a paper previously to based modality in all negotiations between his subject areas, but there Ministry and CXC will be an additional officials. practical component Those negotiations (Paper 2) and School centred on consideration Based Assessment for possible (Paper 3) both of which readjustments in the will be completed before schedule for the suite of Examination Day, for the examinations offered by following subject areas: CXC, given the impact of Human and Social the COVID-19 pandemic Biology, French, Spanish, and the eruption of the Theatre Arts, Visual La Soufrière volcano. Arts, Physical Education These negotiations and Sports and Music. have in the following: Where the Caribbean The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency additional papers for based. will be administered (CVQ) will also complete Primary Exit Assessment Examination (CAPE) is French and Spanish. Private candidates between 23rd and 26th audits in October 2021. (CPEA) will be conducted concerned, the exam will Paper 1 will be writing CSEC and CAPE August, 2021 and results As of Wednesday, no on Tuesday 27th and run from 16th August to administered through will be offered Paper 32. are expected to be time fame or dates were Wednesday 28th July, 3rd September, 2021. the e-Testing modality The Caribbean presented between mid given for the return of 2021 with all subject Here, only Paper 1 with the exception of Certificate of Secondary to late October. results for the CSEC and areas being tested: will be administered for Communication Studies Level Competence The Caribbean CAPE. Mathematics, Language all subject areas with which will be paper- (CCSLC) examination Vocational Qualification Students give CXC a negative rating

Caribbean Advanced The Coalition reported that, “More Proficiency Examination than three-quarters are dissatisfied (CAPE).” with the arrangements for 2021 The news agency stated exams.…8 out of 10 students are not that the Council conducted ready to take examinations as the online survey to presently structured and timetabled in ascertain students’ general 2021; 72 per cent of students want level of satisfaction with creative solutions, not a mere delay of CXC itself, and the exit traditional exams; 7 out of 10 students examinations it are completely dissatisfied with CXC’s administrates between deficient communication; and, most 31st May and 2nd June. damningly, 80 per cent of students do Respondents originated not feel that CXC values them as mainly from Jamaica, stakeholders.” Trinidad and Tobago and Many grievances surfaced as the advocate for their best interest. Barbados, with sizeable exams scheduled to begin on 28th As it moves forward, the Caribbean representation of June will maintain their original Coalition for Exam Redress has Some 80% of students surveyed gave CXC a Guyanese and Eastern formats notwithstanding the loss of expressed its lack of conviction about failing grade for the extent to which the Council Caribbean students. instructional time due to the COVID- the “seriousness with which the CXC values them as significant stakeholders. (Photo A regional lobby group 19 pandemic. sought to implement the Source: Smith College) calling itself the Caribbean The Coalition declared that a recommendations of the Independent Coalition for Exam demand has been made by regional Review Team, which was convened by THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS Redress now seeks to students for an “independent CXC Chairman Sir Hilary Beckles and COUNCIL (CXC) has received signal its “intent to form a permanent commission of inquiry to investigate submitted its report in October last negative reviews from students across advocacy vehicle through which we can the events of 2020-21 and the year.” the region. continue to promote the best interests operations of CXC generally (87 per The team had reviewed the modified According to NationNews, “A survey of students and parents, amplify their cent support), and a permanent approach for the administration of the conducted among students across the voices and collaborate with other independent regulatory body to July/August 2020 CSEC and CAPE region pointed to extreme stakeholders as we seek to relook oversee the operations of CXC (87 per exams, the moderation process applied dissatisfaction with the Caribbean Caribbean educational assessment to cent support)”. to the School-Based Assessment (SBA) Examinations Council (CXC) and the keep pace with developments in To this call also, has been added the for those exams, and the grading arrangements the agency made for international best practice”. support by over ninety per cent of process, among other related matters. this year’s Caribbean Secondary This decision is a direct spin-off students for the establishment of a (Source: NationNews) Education Certificate (CSEC) and from the survey results. regional parent-student body to 14. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN V News Republic Bank supports Climate Financial Goals

would help achieve major Climate the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. The (SDGs).” Finance Goals. Group had previously announced that He added, “Given the negative These goals will be achieved by capital will be directed to the impact of climate change on the activities which include the lending preservation of the environment, Caribbean and our dependence on and investment for loans that enable supporting renewable energy and fossil fuels, we have identified Nigel Baptiste, Republic Group’s the sale of electric and hybrid cars, green initiatives and bolstering the Sustainable Development Goal 7 President and CEO, affirmed that his loans that are aligned to the promotion blue economy. (Affordable and Clean Energy) and Group was working behind the of clean fuels, renewable energy and According to the Group’s President Sustainable Development Goal 13 scenes in facilitating achievement of technology that contribute to an and CEO, Nigel Baptiste, “Since (Climate Action) as priority goals for the UN’s Sustainable Development improvement in energy efficiency, and signing the Principles of Responsible Republic Group and we believe that Goals (SDGs).” construction loans that deploy climate- Banking, we have been working through our climate finance lending resilient technologies. behind the scenes to implement and investment packages, we will be THE REPUBLIC GROUP has signaled its This comes as the Group rolls out several impactful and measurable on a path to a cleaner, greener and intention to lend and invest USD$200 its objectives as a signatory to UN’s initiatives, all aimed at supporting more sustainable future.” million by 2025 to support actions that Principles of Responsible Banking and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (Contributed by: Republic Bank) BRAGSA to pay out

$3 million BRAGSA has made payment format changes so as to avoid THE ROADS, and on the Windward large gathering of BUILDINGS AND side of mainland St. people (as pictured) in GENERAL SERVICES Vincent. any one location. AUTHORITY (BRAGSA) Payments for workers (Photo Credit: is scheduled, over the in Kingstown, the BRAGSA) next two weeks, to pay Southern Grenadines out 3 million EC dollars and the Leeward side of to road workers. mainland St. Vincent Gang leaders are In fact, the first will be made on Monday, therefore being asked to payments to the six Tuesday and Wednesday contact the District thousand persons who of next week. Officers for further participated in the 7-day Cupid further advised information. The Communications long road cleaning that in an effort to limit Officer has cautioned programme commenced the number of persons at that COVID-19 protocols on Wednesday, and the locations at any will be enforced and has BRAGSA given time, the payment urged persons to adhere Communications Officer- format was changed with to the protocols, which made at the following LRC; North Central Yard, Arnos Vale; East Rohan Cupid said gangs being paid on includes hand-sanitizing, locations: South Windward — Georgetown St. George — Calliaqua payments will also be Wednesday and social distancing and the Windward — Biabou Police Station & LRC; Marriaqua — Mespo made this week in the Thursday, and Jobbers wearing of masks. Office; South Central Colonaire LRC; West St. Police Station. (Source: Northern Grenadines on Friday. Payments will be Windward — Sans Souci George — Public Works BRAGSA) THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 15. V Opinion Thanks to the workers

season. establish a higher level are studying the various the fact that our water However, as Mr. of water security? alternatives and would testing lab was Saunders stated in a You see, in addition to be in a position to make confirmed to be of the of CWSA recent address to the Climate Change, we now informed highest quality. As a nation, shoring up the have a new contributing recommendations to the consumer, I would also supply and storage factor to contend in our Board of Directors when like to know what we are GIVE CREDIT WHERE has approximately side of the system will be watershed areas. Yes, asked. some of the contaminants CREDIT IS DUE! 40,000 customers. a very expensive the destruction of our I would like to take they test for regularly. I Statements like this According to the Green proposition. His question forest caused by the this opportunity to thank am particularly along with the poor data Party Leader, the was, how much are we eruption of volcanic will Mr. Saunders and the concerned about the analysis associated with collection data show an willing to pay for that have a long-lasting staff of the Water inorganic and organic this comment, make average of 360, or assurance? My question impact on the water Department for their contaminants. most Vincentian distrust slightly less than 1% of is, can we afford not to production capacity. I excellent job done during politicians. The following its customers, is subject invest in the was pleased to hear from the volcano eruption. I Horatio statement was made a to disconnection monthly improvements needed to Mr. Saunders that they am especially proud of few weeks ago by the for nonpayment. Based leader of the Green on my experience that is Party: “CWSA statistics not an exorbitant showed that during the number and is well period of 2006 to 2010, within the industry the average number of standards. My experience household water also tells me that less disconnections per month than 25% of those was 360. Over this 5-year eligible for disconnection period, this means that will get disconnected. about 21,600 households About half of those were disconnected from disconnected will likely the mains water supply. be reconnected within If the average household two months. is 3 people, then the Our country has a lot number of people cut off of work to do in many from the piped water areas, but the water supply over this 5-year delivery system is one of period was about 64,800 our best-run enterprises. people.” I’m not going to They need to work on a spend time a lot trying to few things like storage take this analysis apart, capacity and water that’s too easy. pressure in some parts of According to Mr. the service area. The Saunders, the Chief storage capacity is Executive Officer, CWSA particularly important during the dry weather Local government apparatus badly needed FROM MY POSITION I am inclined to the view, that those charged with administration have been themselves the fashioners of the dilemma which now faces us because of the COVID-19 scourge. When the electioneering began towards the end of last year, we were already aware of the risks of the spread of COVID-19, but we did not see the political parties exhibiting the level of concern during their campaigning. I remember distinctly at Arnos Vale the entertainer MC urged people to come closer to the stage. Today we are under serious stress. The Ministry of Health is to some degree blameable for the erosion of the people’s confidence in them when their attitude relative to elementary health care issues, are so clearly dissatisfactory. I myself am influenced by the “wutless-neglect” exhibited at the back of the Girls’ High School and the St. Vincent Grammar School, the two most prominent secondary schools in the land. They are over 100 years old and many of our leading administrators have been graduates of those institutions. Incidentally the head offices of the two leading political parties are located less than two hundred yards from those schools. Yet, we have that situation persisting for over a year. To compound the issue, the evacuees had to be accommodated at those schools. It must be remembered that we lost one of the students to dengue some time ago. We need to urgently address with maturity the issues negatively impacting our people. Incidentally the local government apparatus would have been a very valuable tool in addressing many of the issues facing us today.

LeRoy Providence 16. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 17. 18. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN V Advice One thing on their mind Dear George,

FOR A LONG while now I have been searching for the right man to no avail. Every prospect has ended in disappointment. not. Because of my sexy figure, the men It certainly won’t hurt to discuss I attract have only one thing on their your expectations at the beginning of a mind — to get me into bed. I want a relationship so that your partner man who can love me for me and not would be guided accordingly. Do not my body. let the pace of your body clock rush How do I get these men to love me you into settling for men of lesser for what’s in my heart and not quality. Sex is just one part of the between my legs? I’m not getting any total package, albeit an important younger. part, you are offering and that message must be sent without Frustrated and single contradiction. If you pay close enough attention Dear Frustrated and single, you will know when a man is just after sexual gratification. You have quite a challenge on your hand, i.e. to decipher whether the next George prospect is in for the whole package or Thank you, George

Dear George, excellent choices and back. give yourself a well- YOU ADVISED me two deserved pat on the George years ago to ditch the man I was with, leaving him to run after the other women in his life. Abusive caregiver I can now tell you that was the best advice I’ve Dear George, ever received. Time has been kind to I WITNESSED a caregiver abusing the person for me and during those 2 whom he was caring. When I confronted him, he years I’ve met another said I should mind my own business. It is not man, married him and right what he is doing but how can I get this we have a beautiful matter addressed? child. I’m presently Apparently he does not care about this man at living in Texas and very all. The sad thing is the man who is under his happy. Keep up the good care, does not think he (caregiver) is doing work. anything wrong. I want to do something about the situation but Very Satisfied Sister. what? Dear VSS, Terribly upset I’m very happy for you Dear Terribly upset, and I am encouraged that you acted on the You have a civic responsibility to report all suggestions I gave to you forms of abuse to the appropriate department of at the time. the state (government). If we could only see In the meantime, consider reaching out to around the bend then we relatives of this man, if there are, to letting them would avoid a lot of the know the score. things and people who The arrogance of this individual must not be are there just to throw tolerated. us off course, but we can’t. George Continue to make THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 19. V Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) ACROSS Unrealistic promises will only get you in Don’t deny yourself this week. Do not trouble. Get together with those you find trust others with important information. 1. Potato, in some parts men tally stimulating. Don’t let your You need to distance yourself from the 5. Museum display partner get you going. You are best to situation for a little while first. You will 8. Genesis location travel or attend lectures or seminars. 12. Leisure have a little more energy than usual. 13. Macabre writer 14. Ear region TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) 15. Looks over Call someone you haven’t seen in a long Try to make arrangements with close 16. Reef fish time. Your honesty will not only win you friends or relatives to spend a few days 17. Moves jerkily points but also respect. Look into some away. Your flair for dramatic appeal will 18. Juvenile individual form of physical recreation. unleash itself at social functions. 20. Least beneficial 21. Lively GEMINI (May 22-June 21) 24. Create sketches SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) 26. Paint-can cover Some of the best opportunities will crop You may find that getting together with 27. Baseball flub up if you keep an open mind. Make colleagues after hours will be worthwhile. 29. Swiss mountain creative changes to your living quarters. If you’re looking to do something 32. Every person Put all your energy into moneymaking worthwhile, consider volunteer work. 33. Motor lubricant ventures. 34. Spooky sound CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) 35. Hive bug CANCER (June 22-July 22) Just be yourself. You can form new 36. Escapes 38. Teacup brim Try to keep ahead of the game. You will partnerships, but don’t move too quickly; 6. Caviar ingredient 39. Fence openings 47. Timid 39. Young ladies 7. _ Aviv, Israel city 41. Piles 48. Bead-sized meet new romantic partners if you get things may not be as they appear. You 40. The ones here involved in seminars or travel. You will be may not be happy if members of your 8. Arm joint 42. Wrestling veggie 42. Back tooth 9. House portal surfaces 50. Celestial light on the rampage this week. Try to get family are not pulling their weight. 45. Cereal grain source away with your mate. 10. Becomes weak 43. Clarinet cousin 46. Assist 11. Sparrow home 44. Jazzy Horne 51. Paid golfer AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) 47. Fancy getaway 19. Dwight Eisenhower, 45. Sloped platform 52. Ply needle and LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Unique forms of entertainment could 49. Deadly snakes informally thread Use your quick wit to win points with capture your attention and bring about a 53. Vocal quality 20. Simple card game friends. Changes in your home 54. Skirt edge 21. Talk too much romantic interest. Avoid any intimate 55. Unblemished environment may cause friction. Don’t be involvement’s with coworkers or 22. Make mad 56. Watery expanses 23. Not at work too eager to spend what’s left over; more employers. 57. Bark sharply unexpected expenses are evident. 24. Loses moisture 58. Winter prediction 25. Acting quest PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) 28. Attendance list VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You can set your goals and make a DOWN 29. Talented Don’t let relatives make demands of you. beeline for your target. Try not to donate 30. _ Lane, Superman’s Think before you act. Don’t rely on others to organizations if you can hardly afford 1. Consult (a doctor) girl 2. Settle (debts) to do your work. Look for professional 31. Church leader SOLUTION to take care of yourself. Put something 3. Exploit selfishly guidance if it will help unite the family. away in case of an emergency. 36. At a distance LAST WEEK’s 4. Office furniture items 37. Swine residence 5. Copied V 20. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN SVG to attend Tokyo Olympic Games

ST. VINCENT AND THE country’s participation comes infection, no foreign GRENADINES will be despite many calls for spectators will be represented at the postponed cancellation of the Games. allowed in Japan for 2020 Summer Olympic Games, These calls are predicated the Olympic Games. slated for Tokyo, Japan, from on the fact that in the last Athletes, officials, 23rd July to 8th August, 2021. month or so, there has been a the media, Olympic This was revealed by significant increase in the Family members, President of the St. Vincent number of COVID-19 cases in sponsors and other and the Grenadines Olympic Japan, resulting in Tokyo support staff Committee Organization being placed under strict attending the Olympic (SVGOC)- Trevor Bailey, last lockdown until 20th June. Games, will be subject Tuesday. Organisers, though, have to regular testing for In an interview with THE argued that a cancellation the coronavirus and to VINCENTIAN, Bailey would redound as too costly for GPS (Global confirmed, “We will definitely both Japan and the Monitoring System) to be sending a team to the International Olympic trace them Olympic Games… It will be a Committee (IOC). Also, retroactively in the small team.” among their concerns is the event of issues related He disclosed that the loss in broadcast revenue. to Covid-19. Nikolas Sylvester wrote SVGOC will be making use of However, in the face of the They will also have himself into SVG’s Track and the two universality places stoic stance by the organizes, to download several Field/Swimming annals when available to them in Track and thousands of the volunteers applications, sign a he won his heat in the 50m Field and Swimming. for the Track and Field events pledge to follow the freestyle at the 2016 Rio “We are in the process of pulled out earlier this month. rules, maintain social Games in Brazil. He, however, did not advance to finalising everything and the Notwithstanding that distancing, stay off President of the SVGOC- Trevor the semi-finals. team will be announced in the exodus, organisers have public transport for Bailey has given the assurance that SVG will be in Tokyo. upcoming weeks,” Bailey promised a safe and secure the first 14 days and The 2020 Olympic informed. 2020 Games, and towards make known their Games, originally pandemic proportions. Bailey commented that this lessening the threat of whereabouts to organisers. scheduled 24th At the 2016 Rio Games in July to 9th August, Brazil, St Vincent and the were forced to be Grenadines was represented postponed following by Track athletes- Kineke Xcel, High Performance the emergency of Alexander and Brandon the coronavirus/ Valentine-Parris and COVID-19 and its swimmers- Nikolas Sylvester control Mini quick rise to and Shne Joachim. Female athletes in action at the Mini Meet Meet held at the CORRECTION Diamond Track and IN OUR EDITION OF ATHLETES FROM THE Field Facility. FRIDAY 11TH JUNE, HIGH PERFORMANCE 2021, we carried an and Xcel Track and Field Kriston Wyllie - article (see page 21) athletics clubs took top mixed 15-17 3000M headlined ‘Baptiste honors in the Mini Meet in 10:57.24; and eyes the ultimate in 6 organized by Team Garcia Leigertwood umpiring’, which Athletics SVG, and - girls 13-14 100M featured Andy staged last week at the in 13.76. Baptiste an the Diamond Track and Xcel Track and ambitions he holds for his cricket umpiring Facility. Field Club recorded career. High Performance wins as follows: Nellie Ambriton - male 18-22 400M in Other winners: In the article, we Club‘s win included: referred to his boys 15-17 800M in 49.13. Mustang’s Kekisha Kelly Akayla Hamblet - girls academic 15-17 800M in 2:38.13; 1:57.95; Desroy Jordan — It-Dat Academy - girls 13-14 800M in male 18-22 800M in qualifications. Devonic Mack - boys 15- victories: Sage Primus — 2:57.95; UNAT’s Godwyn There was a Andy Baptiste 1:56.03; Lawrence 17 100M in 11.59; Zita male 18-22 100M in Roban - male 23+ 400M misrepresentation in Vincent - women 18-22 Arthur — men 23+ 800M 11.07; Kyle Lawrence- in 51.24; Xceed’s Kiara this regard for which we implore Mr. Baptiste’s 800M in 2:32.66; and in 2:08.91; Israel male 23+ 100M in 10.98; Ollivierre - girls 15-17 understanding. women 18-22 5000M in Cumberbatch - boys 13- Shonte Matthias - girl’s shot put with 7.29M; Andy Baptiste, we are pleased to say (correctly), 21:18.66; Marlene 14 800M in 2:2031; 15-17 100M in in 12.90. Roses Academy’s received his undergraduate degree from The Richards - girls 15-17 Ethan Isaacs - boys 13- Chatoyer’s Newman Veronica Francois — University of the West Indies and two Master’s 400M in 1;01.53; Warren 14 100M in 12.56 and Peters took the male 18- female 18-22 100M in degrees, one (online) in Project Management from Lewis - boys 15-17 shot boys 13-14 200M in 29 5000M in 17:06.34, 13.70. La Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional put with 11.93M; Kirk 24.92; Amal Glasgow - and Pamenos Ballantyne (UCI) - Costa Rica, and the other in Geo- Hamlet — males 18-22 boys 15-17 400M in the 23+ 5000M in I.B.A.ALLEN Information Sciences from the University of shot put with 11.49M; 49.78; Malik Ferdinand — 17:21.87 Twente — Netherlands. THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 21. V Sports SVG in Group B of U17 WomenÊs

Qualifiers Some of the prospective Under-17 players in training at the Grammar School Playing Field.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES will Honduras, Cayman Islands, Turks and to go through the qualifying phase, in round-robin play. contest in Group B of the Under-17 Caicos Islands, and Anguilla are will be involved in a group stage of The top three teams from each Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers. drawn in Group C. competition. group will be joined by the four When the draw was made last Group D comprises Antigua and In the round of sixteen are Mexico, qualifiers for the Knock-Out phase. Friday at Concacaf’s Headquarters in Barbuda, St Lucia, Guyana and Canada, Haiti, the United States, The Knock-Out phase will be a Miami, Florida, USA, it showed St Guadeloupe. Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad and single elimination match. The winner, Vincent and the Grenadines placed Matches in the four groups, to be Tobago, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the runner-up and the third place alongside Barbados, Curacao and played in a round- robin format, are Bermuda, El Salvador, Panama, the team will get berths to the 2022 FIFA Belize, in Group B. expected to be played in August of this Dominican Republic, Cuba, Grenada Women’s World Cup, which takes St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, the year. Only the winner of each group and Nicaragua. They will be placed in place in October in India. United States Virgin Islands and will advance to the Knock-Out phase. groups of four, where they will engage Suriname are in Group A, while Sixteen teams, which did not have I.B.A. ALLEN Coach Bramble admits to challenges

ST VINCENT AND THE stage, and a knock out. to restart soon under have exams around the GRENADINES will join Andrew Bramble, strict protocols. We preparation and Barbados, Belize and Head Coach of the SVG should have a provisional competition phases, so Curacao in Group B of National Under-17 list of 35 and because of we will have to look the CONCACAF 2022 Female Football team, the varying skill levels of carefully at the make-up Women’s Under-17 told THE VINCENTIAN the females, it will take of the team. Luckily we Championship that despite the extra effort to get the have a core of players Qualifiers, scheduled to challenges, he is players up to the from the Under-14 and Andrew Bramble, Head Coach of the National U-17 kick off in August. confident the girls will standard. We are hoping some still from the Female Football Team recognizes the challenges Thirty-two give a good account of we don’t have any Under-17 squads so we he faces ahead of the Qualifiers. CONCACAF member themselves. further delay in can build around that.” countries are down to “We were training but training,” Bramble said. Given the limited time male teams while doing be against Barbados, participate in the this was interrupted by The Head Coach, for preparation, Bramble less actual coaching. followed by Curacao and Championship which will the COVID-19 outbreak though, noted a stark said, “Our focus will be This, I believe, will help then Belize. feature a qualifiers and the eruption of the challenge, pointing to: playing more matches the players to be in a round, a top 16 group volcano. We are looking ‘Some of the girls will especially against a few state of readiness.” I.B.A. ALLEN SVG’s first game will The next level of football

Part One of their achievements that they are first find out how clubs’ Technical We have to guard against mix going to share their experiences and Committees function and are messages, differences of opinion and I HAVE BEEN calling on players and knowledge with clubs, to have them structured, then together arrived at a interpretation. coaches to form themselves into ‘get up to national standard’. model for all clubs to follow. So, when We must encourage the Executive respective associations, towards Of interest towards informing these players are transferred they will know for showing they mean well, therefore ensuring ongoing ‘education’ about the ‘consultations’ is that there are more what to expect. players, coaches, spectators, laws od football, and as far as the players from the losing teams - the supporters and sponsors must support coaches are concerned, to keep bottom half of the league - Seminars needed these consultations. Some good will be themselves attuned to advanced representing the national team. come out of these consultations, not knowledge of the principles of Our first time in CONCACAF club The Executive should also invite being the formation of coaches and coaching. championship was in the 80s and we the Technical Committee members to players associations. All of this will empower both have failed on every occasion to attend specific training seminars to The national senior team players groups of professionals and work in qualify, “football is developing”, the enhance their knowledge and are requesting a new manager. Are favour of the players and the game. executive say. performances, and become acquainted the consultations at work? The SVGFF executive has Not implementing good practices is with the SVGFF policies. Our club champions Hope recognized there is a lack of courage, our problem. These series of Only then should they move on to International have just continue the knowledge and leadership among the consultations should serve football head coach and director. failing process to qualify at the two groups and have now taken the very well, as coaches and their The process of these consultations CONCACAF Club Championship opportunity to invite the clubs’ head technical directors and committees and the transition period that follows level. Would we hear from the players coaches and their technical directors will get the opportunity to air their will take a very long time. Convincing their experience in a postmortem? to a series of consultations, “to get views, and the Executives will learn persons through words and putting Better preparation could be them up to their standards”, where about the players and coaches into action what has been transmitted forthcoming. Let’s start now. they can identify with national requirements, that’s if at all they feel are two separate stories, i.e. words are philosophy. they have lessons to learn. one thing (action) implementation is Rollit Waldron These guys are going to be so proud I suggest that the SVGFF should another. 22. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN V Sports James pleased with ExplorersÊ effort

LINDON JAMES, Captain of the Dark stuff” will be said as to when and Lindon View Explorers who lost to eventual where the game slipped away James - winners La Soufrière Hikers in the from our hand. (But) as I told the Captain of final of Vincy Premier League - VPL guys, we all have to do our own Dark View Black Lives Matter T10 3.0, is happy with the reflection and see where we could Explorers, THIS MOVEMENT assumed unprecedented performance of his team. have bowled, batted, fielded and runners-up momentum across the globe, buoyed by with “As the captain of the caught better, be true to our self in the VPL technology (communications) that present the Explorers, getting to the finals and learn from it, so if situation T10 3.0. evidence of discriminatory behaviour as plain as this season was a wonderful like these happens again we all could be, everyone to see. feeling since the past two sessions can handle it better.” to name a People galvanised in rage and riots, overtook we came last and 4th And as he thanked his players few others, many cities as a result of the degrading practice respectively,” James admitted. for the support they gave him, fulfilled their of dehumanisation of the black race. He gave credit to the entire James singled out some players roles and The systematic lynching of the black team saying, “I strongly believe it for special mention. made my job population continues unabated, and reaction to was a total team effort. Clear “Our team is a very young team easier.” the racial slurs last a few moments. plans and roles of players going with the likes of young Luke As for the VPL and VPL 4.0, As soon as the smoke drifts from into each game led to our success Wilson who is only 16 years old, James had this to say: “The VPL demonstrations, signs of the factors that trigger in getting to the finals.” who was given the opportunity to is growing and has surpassed the explosion reappear with uncanny regularity. As for losing by one run in the play and did exceptionally well. everyone’s expectation, sparking One of the contributors to the scourge of racism final, James conceded, “Losing a He is a very smart bowler with interest nationwide. I am is that it is encouraged by some black persons. final by one run is a hard pill to great control and a good cricket already excited about VPL 4.0 and The South African born singer Lucky Dube swallow, especially as a captain. head. Romano Pierre who scored am super confident that we will pointed it out in one of his compositions when he However, we will want to learn the most runs in the tournament take it all the way and win the indicated, “not every white man is an enemy,” from this situation and make sure is just 24 years. He performed his final next time.” and words to the effect that not every black man we get it right the next time role with credit. Also Shamon is a brother. around.” Hooper, Deron Greaves, Rayan I.B.A.ALLEN Martin Luther Kings expounded that one ought He recognized that “all kinds of Williams and Dean Browne, just to be judged by the strength of their character, “not by the colour of your skin.” The Caribbean region bears vivid testimony of that scenario, for how else can one explain the Pierre silences his critics killings that occur among blacks in most of the states in the area. ROMANO PIERRE, the top runs David Warner, the Australian And so he did, amassing 306 They have copied the manuscript from the scorer in the recently concluded opening batsman, was not runs with his highest innings Americans. Caribbean police have picked up their Dream 11 Vincy Premier League considered a test player, he was being 65 not out. He averaged 34 cue from their American counterparts. They VPL T10 3.0 thinks that he has labeled a limited overs players but and had a strike rate 148.51, clothe themselves in a uniform which projects silenced those critics who said he he came and played the longer helping in no small measure to White supremacy. So, no matter how one was suited to the T10 format of version with success.” see Dark View Explorers into the pretends to be sincere, it has become standard cricket. He added, “I adopted the final for the first time. that anything black ought not to be given In addition to letting his mentality to prove to myself and Looking ahead, Pierre attention. performance answer his critics, he others that you cannot write off recognizes that he needs to work Look how long it took for apartheid in South had this to say: “To those persons players.” on improving a few areas in his Africa to be disrupted. But there is another who were Pierre has played in all three batting. debate as to whether anything has changed. saying I am editions of the VPL. “I know that I have some There is the token measure of inclusion of black not a player About his first two outings, he things to work on in regards to faced players on the South African cricket squad, for this said, “The first two versions of the my weak and strong points and traditionally a Whites only club. format, my VPL I didn’t express my ability. I with the VPL and the exposure of Even the government in South Africa might response to played the first year for the players on television where have changed in colour, but the economic reality them is, Grenadines Divers, had a few selectors local and regionally will has provided little by way of developing the opportunities but didn’t capitalize be watching, I am just trying to majority population. Romano on them. The second VPL I analyze my game more so I can Of all the sectors, segments, settlements of Pierre, a played for the Salt Pond Breakers better my last performance.” black civilisations, those in the Caribbean have stylish left- and I didn’t get a chance to He added, “This VPL is a good the greatest record of co-existence. handed showcase my ability so that opportunity for us and I urge The Garifuna story is one of the world’s batsman, motivated me to work harder in players to work hard on their mystery. It represents a combination of migratory made good the nets.” game and make the best use of trends that predates modern trends. There is the in his third Not only did he resolve to work the opportunity.” perception that some boat sank between St. outing in the harder but he told himself that Vincent and the Grenadines and the survivors VPL. VPL 3.0 was his time to shine. I.B.A.ALLEN intermingled with the indigenous population. The projection is that black people were incapable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean until Christopher Columbus. That myth has long been Friday writes international bodies shattered as history unveils. Black people are known to be hospitable so Continued from Page 5. stifled, the truth will remain Grenadines, I rely on your much so that their kindness has been exploited. concealed, and justice will be commitment to good governance, The level of hypocrisy and parasitic approach The letter dated June 9 stated denied.” the principles of justice and the that have become the hallmark of contemporary by way of introduction, ““I wish to Friday contended that eight rule of law and urge you to look civilisation will leave openings for the continued draw your attention to a weeks after the alleged shooting, into this matter.” brutality on black people. developing crisis in St. Vincent no arrest or the detention of According to the opposition Law enforcement departments, induced by and the Grenadines. It involves a anyone has been made, “and the leader, he expected that all the offerings of opportunities to be with the deceivers shooting incident that has stirred seeming unusual delay had recipients will respond to the have become tools used in the suppression of the conscience of our nation and shaken the confidence of the letter. black creativity. fuelled serious doubts about the public in the ability of the “But, even if they do not, it is School syllabuses, use of text, uniforms and the administration of justice and the Commissioner of Police, or the still important that I wrote entire system continue to fail the majority black rule of law in the country.” Director of Public Prosecutions to because now we are certain that population. So much so that it has become It continued, “It is feared that investigate and prosecute the they know about the matter. And normal to reject aspects of blackness and for us to unless regional and international matter.” if our worse fears come to pass, gravitate towards tendencies that serve to keep attention is drawn to it, proper He added, “On behalf of the they will not be able to say they black people in bondage. investigation of the matter will be people of St Vincent and the did not know,” Friday said. (DD) THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021. 23. V Classifieds Ashelle Morgan? Mitchell versus Gonsalves Continued from Government as respect you. You held charge, there is no trial. Backpage. Attorneys General. this office 16 years plus, And I can’t attempt in According to Dr. but don’t trespass in any way to influence Addressing a press Gonsalves, “They areas, please, don’t try to this.” conference last Tuesday, resigned over certain rewrite history. I was Dr. Gonsalves countered things which they involved in those issues Sir James’ stance with, admitted, and they were with my friend PR and “Then I saw Sir James not charged with any Carlyle, and I know what say he would have fired criminal offence. He said the facts are.” Ashelle. Did he fire he fired persons. Way he And addressing the Carlyle? Did he fire ‘PR’? fire them?” issue at hand, the Prime “Of course, Carlyle And as the Prime Minister posited, “.. we referred to Carlyle Minister seemed to will find out shortly what Dougan and ‘PR’ to become even more the DPP will do, and if Parnel Campbell, who agitated, he blurted, she charges for whatever had both served the “Look, Sir James, don’t offenses, there would be Mitchell/NDP get me…. . Look, I a trial. If she doesn’t

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FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 VOLUME 115, No.24 www.thevincentian.com EC$1.50 Ashelle Morgan? Mitchell versus Gonsalves

HE MAY HAVE long departed the The most recent halls of government here, but such occurrence former Prime Minister- Sir James followed his Mitchell is still wont to comment comments with on national issues and concerns. respect to the His frankness, though, from allegations involving Under Sir James Mitchell as Prime time to time, has raised the ire Deputy Speaker of Minister, Senator Ashelle Morgan of persons on both sides of the political the House and would have been ‘out of here’. boundary. Government Senator, Ashelle Morgan, and the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Karim APOLOGY Nelson, in the shooting of a 60-year- old male, Cornelius John. Speaking on a recent episode of the OMG morning programme on BOOM FM, Sir James stated categorically that if Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves he was still in office, he would have warned Sir James about venturing fired Senator Ashelle Morgan. into ‘areas’ he should be avoiding. Sir James explained that as a senator appointed by government, the Prime Minister sought justice in Morgan held her position on the basis the matter. of the authority of the Prime Minister. But Sir James asked further, with a It was the Prime Minister, Sir sense of satire, Is he (the Prime James continued, “who informs the Minister) going to wait another two Governor General that you should be months or is he going to wait out the THE PHOTOGRAPH above revealed that it was from 2018, long rest of the four years, or is there a accompanied an article headlined ‘ before the coronavirus emerged in made a senator.” So, in the case of passing judgement feeling that this might be a storm in a Police dropped the ball, says PM’, as this country. teacup?” carried on Page 24 of THE We are moved, therefore, to on whether Senator Morgan should be The flip side in the search of a VINCENTIAN of Friday 11th June, apologise to the persons highlighted dismissed, that judgement, according resolution to the matter had to do with 2021. in the photograph for any undue to Sir James, rests with the Prime the Senator choosing to reign. We erred in two respects with the attention and discomfort that its use Minister and not with the Speaker use of the photograph. and reference to the period of the However, Sir James repeated that only. action should be taken; the person One: We did not indicate the COVID-19 pandemic might have Sir James went on to ask the source of the photograph, i.e. Google caused them. should be fired. speculate question: How much longer And as expected, Sir James’ Images under the banner ‘Large We assure those persons that there the Prime Minister was going to wait funerals in St. Vincent and the was no ill-intent on our part and comments created quite some Grenadines’. anticipate their acceptance of our on the investigation which the discussion and attracted some far- Two: That we did not do due apology. Commissioner of Police said had been reaching reaction, not least from diligence with respect to the mounted by the Royal SVG Police Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. photograph which would have MANAGEMENT Force? This investigation, Sir James The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd. assumed, was the grounds on which Continued on Page 23.

Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.