Palmer Clears The Air Came to Nevis A Citizen, Never Married ...Pg11

$2 Friday, May 27th, 2016 Issue #1126 BANKSBANKS FIRM FIRM ON ON FEES FEES DESPITEDESPITE OUTRAGE OUTRAGE Page 18 PERKINS’ ATTACKER HOSPITALIZED Page 3 DIGICEL RESPONDS ...Pg 7 Irate customer hit restaurant owner in the head with a chicken leg...Pg15

C M Y K Page 2 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 LOCAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 3 Senator’s attacker taken into custody By Monique Washington Slack just 10 feet away has not been Perkins are expected to from the Charlestown charged with any be laid on his release Police now have one man Police Station’s door. offence against Hon. from hospital. in custody after he Perkins as he is cur- attacked Federal It states that on Saturday, rent receiving treat- In a public statement Parliament Senator after numerous threats ment at the hospital, Perkins expressed his Michael Perkins on Perkins decided to make but according to a gratitude to the police Saturday (May 21) in a report at the police report Slack officers that quickly front of the Charles Charlestown Police was arrested and ended the altercation and Town Police Station. Station but Slack ran up charged in the First took the man into cus- to him and attacked him. Instance for the tody and thanked the Hon. Perkins currently offence of multitude of persons who holds the position of “As I tried to go past him Possession of reached out to him and Project Implementation to get to the door of the Cannabis with intent his family “in a show of Officer with the Nevis station, Esa struck out at to supply on May care and concern and Island Administration, me hitting my arms as I Esa Slack (File photo) Currently in Hospital in St. Kitts 22. Charges relating offered prayers.” and also Senator and the ducked away. As I tried to his attack on Mr. Deputy Speaker in the to evade him, he punched Federal Parliament. me about my head, neck ing and killing him have and shoulder,” the state- been ongoing for about Police Public Relations ment reads. eight years. Officer Grell Browne confirmed to the It further states that he “I have made numerous Observer that the man shouted for help and the reports to the Police who launched the attack first officer to come was against Esa over the last has not been charged as Justin Griffin who was eight years or so over yet as he is currently able to pull Slack off of similar incidents, and I warded at the Psychiatric him. He said that two am aware that he has Ward at the J. N. France other officers came who been convicted on at General Hospital in St. were able to control least two occasions,” the Kitts “receiving treat- Slack and place him in statement reads. ment” under police cus- custody. tody. He revealed that he was According to the state- not physically injured, According to the official ment, Slack made threats but has experiencing complainant’s statement and tried to physically slight pain around his made to the police and harm Perkins the day right shoulder. obtained by the prior to the incident. Observer, Hon Perkins Perkins states that Slack, at time of printing was attacked by Esa Slack’s threats of harm- NOTICE Any next of kin of the late MRS. HOSSELLA BROWNE, of Boyds, St. Kitts who died on the 27th February, 2012, are requested to contact the Attorney General’s Chambers, Government Headquarters, Church Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts on or before June 14th, 2016. Page 4 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 COMMENTARY NEWS Editorial LETTER TO THE EDITOR Banking on you THANK YOU NOTE

The announcement that the governments of the East Caribbean Currency Union have asked the Central Bank to establish a com- From: A. Michael Perkins mittee to look into existing bank charges was a welcome move Dear Editor, NOT physically injured, have since chosen to that almost went unnoticed. We would like to think that this move except for suffering a make fun of, or attempt- is premised on an assumption that said fees are too high. Good It has been drawn to my slight pain around my ed to create scandal out move! attention that there have right shoulder. of such a serious inci- been certain rumors dent. Our prime Minister has advised that the setting of fees is an entire- making their rounds in All praise to God for his ly private matter, and neither the governments nor the ECCB has social media, and I guess mercies, and I also pub- Finally, I say a HUGE any authority over the rate of fees charged. A source explained elsewhere, and thought licly commend and sin- THANK YOU to the that people are not borrowing, and many loans are “non-perform- that I should confirm cerely thank the police multitude of persons ing”, so Banks are seeking ways to make up shortfalls in income. publicly that:- YES, I officers who quickly who have reached out to was assaulted in front of came to my rescue. me and my family in a Translation: the less able, who may hardly have qualified for a the Charlestown Police show of care and con- loan in the first place – and would have sacrificed to repay – have Station just after midday I want also to take this cern and offered prayers. to help pay for the failures of the financially able. last Saturday, by a man opportunity to encourage who obviously has men- us to say a SPECIAL Perks While it may be true that banks are losing money, they continue to tal issues, but that I was PRAYER for those who maintain full benefits structure, which belies the point about loss. One recalls that recently in the USA and UK, when several banks were rescued by government, the executives still received hand- some bonuses, a fact that incensed the tax paying public. Violence continues to We do not understand what additional costs is involved in manag- Plague the Federation ing an account today compared to yesteryear, or in managing an account that falls below minimum balances, that merits a monthly The last week has again Caribbean can learn one to avenge the pain deduction which, in some cases, does not even cease when the highlighted the issue of more from the mistakes inflicted on you. account balance reaches zero. violence amongst our made in so called devel- young men in the oped nations then trying When we look at the We do not understand the term ‘dormancy’ and why it is so expen- Federation. Again we to find a solution from staggering amount of sive to waken an account. Neither do we understand why there is see an outcry that such them, as frankly they death our youth have such a huge spread between interest charged on loans (which violence must be arrest- have yet to solve the faced in the last ten years uses the people’s deposits) and interest paid on people’s savings ed. Our Prime Minister problem themselves. the fact that many are in accounts. made a statement con- pain should be no sur- demning the violence Unfortunately, we have prise. The fact that many All this is happening at a time when other money management and talking about the not seemed to take heed do not know how to deal businesses seem to be thriving. Large customer bases with small measures his govern- and believe this matter with this pain and feel a deposits might be more of a bother to the banks to maintain than ment has taken to can be resolved through need to lash out should fewer customers with large deposits and a wider borrowing base address the violence and spending on policing, also not be any sur- talked about the issue security and make work prise. that would shoulder their responsibilities and repay their loans. being all but ignored for projects as if this issue is the past 20 years. simply a mater of eco- If we continue to address Commercial banks are set up to make huge profits while penny nomics. And, we have this as a security issue it banks and credit unions are designed to serve the poor and less In all fairness this is not spent a lot of money, will not end, in fact it fortunate. completely true, in the both Labour and Unity will get worse, last 15 years substantial , on policing and security first, security is expen- We haven’t heard any argument against the application of fees by investment has been and yet are we any fur- sive and therefore not commercial banks. Rather, the debate is about what constitutes made by both the public ther ahead than we were sustainable, look at the an acceptable rate. That is where Governmental intervention may and private sector in to 10 years ago? percentage of munici- be necessary. the security forces of our pal budgets expended on nation. Canine Units, Two factors should come security in cities in the vehicles, guns, invest- to the front when looking U.S. and Canada, police ment in forensic science at the situation, the vio- are now demanding more officers both police lence is gang related, the armor personal carriers, and military personal, violence is retaliatory in helicopter and military CCTV the list is long and nature. This is where we style armament, in expensive. And yet the need to start in develop- essence waging war in problem continues. ing a strategy to address their own communities. this problem. The first Secondly as more youth There seems to be an why has the gang prob- die the anger issues esca- Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Kenneth Williams acknowledgement that lem taken root here in the late, for every young the violence is rooted in Federation, youth world- man killed there a num- General Manager: Julio Rosario the gang culture and fur- wide are attracted to the ber left behind in pain ther, retaliatory in gang culture for the same who will deal with this St. Kitts Nevis nature. In years past reason, they are looking pain by seeking POB 657, Cayon Street #1 Observer Plaza, Observer Drive Operation Future has for family, acceptance, revenge. Basseterre, St. Kitts, W.I. Charlestown, Nevis, W.I. funded a number of recognition and struc- Tel.: (869) 466-4994 Tel.: (869) 469-5907 experts to come into the ture. This leads to the We have to take broader Fax: (869) 466-4995 Fax: (869) 469-5891 Federation and partici- second factor, the vio- approach then we have Email:[email protected] Email: [email protected] pate in 3 community lence being retaliatory in been taking. Security is Website: newstkittsnevisobserver.com workshops in our efforts nature, these are not important however it to get people to under- senseless killings in the does not go to the root. Editorial Policy: The Observer reserves the right to edit, rewrite, summarise stand the nature of the minds of those pulling Let’s look at what or reject any unsolicited material. We will assume that all letters addressed to problem and the magni- the trigger but lashing attracts youth to the The Observer or its staff are intended for publication unless otherwise stated. tude of the solution. In out for the loss of surro- gang culture, our com- Letter writers are required to sign their names and are asked to include a tele- essence the problem is gate family members. munities are not meeting phone number to allow verification. Views expressed in letters, commentaries complex and far deeper the needs of the children or personal columns do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of this news- than a simple issue of Retaliation is when you paper. Limit submissions to 1000 words crime. And, we in the lash out and harm some- Continued on page 22 C M Y K COMMENTARY NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 5 The Rubik’s cube of the Caribbean public education system: Addressing the challenges of the public education system through combined action

The very good news for Member and Associate Nancy A. George, Entrance examination “A” Level examinations achievement at the end of Caribbean education is States can be justly has diminished signifi- primary school, their that the Caribbean proud: achieving almost Ed. D. At this time in the school cantly, and routine artic- children’s ability to be Community (CARI- universal primary educa- year here in Jamaica, ulation between techni- accepted in a “good” COM) Council for tion and boasting an CARICOM parents and students are cal and academic educa- high or secondary school Human and Social average schooling level Education Specialist suffering under the exi- tion streams has been depends on scores on the Development of 10.3 in most States; for “A Harmonised gencies of the19th established, especially Grade Six Achievement (COHSOD) has agreed collaborating on regional Approach to Century Industrial with the increasing popu- Test (rather than where that 2016 is the time to examination and certifi- Education Reform - Ageexam-driven educa- larity of adult education the students live), the craft a Regional Strategic cation systems of CXC, Developing the Skills tion system that the and the need for further successor to the British- Action Plan that presents CAPE and CANTA, and needed for a 21st British bequeathed to the education building on designed Common a harmonised approach increasing tertiary educa- Century Economy countries of the region as acquired skills. It seems Entrance Examination to educational reform in tional opportunities in and Society” part of their colonial to be much more difficult that was long the hall- CARICOM. The Human the region through legacy. In the 19th to bridge the divide mark of school achieve- Resource Development improved college pro- Century, the point of the between academic and ment in primary school; Commission was grammes and an expand- served both the region education system was to TVET education in “success” at the end of launched recently with ed University of the West and many developed inculcate obedience in CARICOM countries. high or secondary school the main purpose of Indies. By establishing countries well. students, so that they depends on scores developing an Education the CARICOM Single However, these success- could assume industrial Parents anguish over the achieved in CXC and Human Resource Market and Economy es constitute a small per- jobs on a factory floor. exams their children CAPE examinations, the Development 2030 (CSME), opportunities centage of the Caribbean These jobs are very few have to write to “suc- successors of the British Strategy. The intent of for the best and brightest citizenry - people of con- in the 21st Century and ceed” at almost all levels “O” and “A” Level the Plan is to ensure that of graduates appear to be siderable talent and their numbers continue to of schooling - in Grade 1 examinations. Admission the systems operating at increasing, and the achievement who, by shrink. when they enter school, to tertiary institutions, all levels - national, sub- necessity to travel out of emigrating, denied their at Grade 3 to see their whether colleges or uni- regional and regional - the region for a good talents to their own coun- Ironically, in Britain, on progress in Math and versities, depends on the are developing the skills education and a good job tries. Admittedly, some which many of the English, in Grade 4 to quality of passes at CXC graduates need to func- after graduation should of the best and brightest Caribbean countries have see whether they are lit- and CAPE. tion effectively in a 21st be diminishing. returned or remained at modelled their educa- erate enough to proceed Century economy and home and continued to tional systems, the to Grade 5, and the exit Parents are investing in society. However, when one serve the development importance of high exam in Grade 6 . extra lessons (if they can looks closer to home - at needs of their countries, stakes academic testing Because school place- afford them) to try to While this statement the individual cubes that but they still are a small like the Common ments at secondary level seems an obvious comprise the whole percentage of their age Entrance and the “O” and in Jamaica are based on approach to refining and Rubik’s cube - the educa- cohorts. Continued on page 22 strengthening the educa- tion picture seems less tion systems in the positive. The cubes align, For many, school was region, developing an but they aren’t the same something at which they agreed approach and colour. And just as orig- couldn’t or weren’t time-bound action plan inally there was a belief allowed to succeed meeting the needs and that the Rubik’s cube was because of the very priorities of the educa- unsolvable, there are nature and structure of tion systems in CARI- now competitions to see the test-based system. COM will not be as sim- how fast competitors can And those school experi- ple as making an solve it. Just as Rubik’s ences, of successor its announcement that it cube can be solved, so absence, have affected intends to do so. can the puzzle of compo- the rate of development nent parts that form the in the region, as well of The CARICOM States’ Caribbean public educa- the lives of those who education systems are a tion system. passed through the sys- Rubik’s cube of elements tem. Of particular note that all have to interact in This article, which is the are those who weren‘t harmony to produce first in a series address- deemed to be successful, change. Just as solving a ing the challenges con- who the system labelled Rubik’s cube requires the fronting the Caribbean as failures as early as age alignment of all cubes of education system that the 10. the same colour on a sin- Regional Strategic gle side of the larger Action Plan must A few years ago, thevale- cube so that each side of address, identifies the dictorian at a well- the cubedisplays a differ- challenges presented by a respected Ontario uni- ent colour, so alignment phenomenon that is versity began her address of all of the elements of uppermost in many par- by saying, “When you go all of the education sys- ents’ and students’ minds home, I want all of the tems will be necessary to at this time of the year: people in the audience formulate a Strategic how to successfully sur- who are here from [the Plan for Caribbean edu- vive the stress of the name of the country cation that will actually regional examination where she was born and effect change in the sys- systems. raised until she was 10] tem. to tell the Ministry of The education of its citi- Education that it is possi- First, before listing the zenry is the bedrock of ble to be a success even challenges, one needs to national development in if one fails the Common acknowledge that this any country. There is no Entrance.” It is worth new Plan will be con- question that the existing noting that even a decade structed onthe founda- education systems in the later, this young tion of existingcollabora- region have identified, woman’s first concern tive successes across the nurtured and graduated a was to show that she had Caribbean.There are wealth of bright and succeeded even though achievements of which capable minds that have she “failed” the Common C M Y K Page 6 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 LOCAL NEWS Closing the gap could take 70 years ILO report: Women face underemployment, gender inequality By Staff Writer completely close found women are responsibilities. wage gender gaps much more likely to In efforts to find better between men and be underemployed “The report Cover shot of jobs and establish gender women. than men. shows the enor- the ILO report equality, women working mous chal- in Caribbean nations As part of ILO’s ini- Despite modest gains lenges women have to overcome under- tiative it studied in some regions in continue to face employment and employ- women’s employ- the world, ILO’s in finding and ment gaps of as high as ment in 178 coun- 138-page shows that keeping decent 13 percent between tries and published millions of women jobs,” ILO women and men, accord- ‘Women at Work: around the world are D i r e c t o r - ing to a report released Trends 2016.’ The losing ground in General Guy May 19 by the report shows the their quest for equal- R y d e r International Labour employment gender ity in the world of explained. “Our Organization (ILO) as gap between men work. It shows large actions must be part of its Women at and women are larg- gender gaps in the i m m e d i a t e , Work Centenary er in the Caribbean Guy Ryder Caribbean where effective and Initiative. If current than in other parts of ILO Director-General women cannot work far-reaching. trends prevail, the report the world. It defines or are underem- There is no time estimates it will take informal employ- ployed due to house- to waste. The more than 70 years to ment as working short hours against their hold and child-rearing 2030 Agenda is choice. ILO research an opportunity to pool our women, universal social efforts and develop protection and measures coherent, mutually sup- to recognize, reduce and porting policies for gen- redistribute unpaid care der equality.” and household work are The ILO theme for indispensable to deliver- International Women’s ing on the new transfor- Day 2016 is ‘Getting to mative agenda. Equal by 2030: The Future is Now,’ reflects World-wide data gath- the urgency of addressing ered these gaps if the “U.N. 2030 Sustainable ‘Women at Work: Trends Development Agenda” is 2016,’examined data for to be achieved. Nearly all 178 countries and con- of the agenda’s goals cludes that inequality have a gender compo- between women and men nent. persists across a wide spectrum of the global The report is also an labour market. What’s important contribution to more, the report shows ILO’s Women at Work that over the last two Centenary Initiative. The decades, significant Initiative marks the com- progress made by women mitment of ILO con- in education hasn’t trans- stituents to gender equal- lated into comparable ity as the ILO approaches improvements in their its centenary in 2019, and position at work. is geared toward identify- ing innovative action that On a global level, the could give new impetus employment gender gap to the ILO’s work on gen- has closed by only 0.6 der equality and non-dis- percentage points since crimination. 1995, with an employ- ment-to-population ratio “Achieving gender equal- of 46 per cent for women ity at work, in line with and almost 72 per cent for the 2030 Agenda for men in 2015. Sustainable Development, is an In Latin America and the essential precondition for Caribbean, female partic- realizing sustainable ipation in the labour force development that leaves increased from 44.5 per- no one behind and cent in 1995 to 52.6 per- ensures that the future of cent in 2015. Among the work is decent work for determinants of higher all women and men,” said female participation in Shauna Olney, Chief of the labour market, ILO’s Gender, Equality improved education and and Diversity Branch. health factors – including decreasing fertility – are The 2030 Agenda repre- likely to have played a sents a universal consen- major role. sus on the crucial impor- tance of gender equality In the Caribbean, women and its contribution to the remain over-represented achievement of the 17 as contributing family Sustainable Develop- workers or in occupations ment Goals. More jobs – and quality jobs – for Continued on page 22 C M Y K LOCAL NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 7 Digicel/Digitel CEO addresses customers concerns Better service promised, a dozen more programs after digital upgrade By Monique Washington notice that gramming. Digicel and its attributes. He said the reason some without a word Play will be much channels have Spanish Problems encountered by to the general better.” “We agree we need to advertising is because Nevis residents subscrib- public from make Digicel customers Digicel is receiving pro- ing to Digicel/Digitel whom you col- Latty said at pre- more aware and to edu- gramming from Latin Play cable television will lect monthly sent only about 50 cate them about what America. be solved when the fees, you have percent of cable Digicel Play offers,” provider upgrades from quietly and subscribers on Latty said. “The new sys- “There are only Spanish analog to digital pro- systematically Nevis have digital tem will provide a better advertisements on some gramming, according to removed a lot service. He encour- viewing experience with channels because content CEO Sean Latty. of these chan- aged customers to higher quality and a providers provide pro- nels. Since we take the free dozen new channels.” gramming from the Latty apologized to pay, do you not upgrade. The CEO Caribbean and Latin Nevis subscribers and think we said the upgrade is The analog system had America,” Latty vowed to improve the should have a important to pro- 73 channels and the digi- explained. The United quality of service. In say?” vide a standard of tal system will provide States has different 2013, Digicel bought the high-quality ser- 85 channels with addi- restrictions and laws that former cable television The customer vice. tional audio music chan- don’t allow us to carry provider Caribbean complained, Sean Latty nels. Customers who their programming. They Cable Communications. “English lan- CEO Digicel Latty said an have an analog television treat us like Caribbean guage channels upgrade takes only may experience some and Latin America.” Latty was responding to have so much a few minutes. A minor problems, but a“Letter to the Editor” Spanish lan- technician comes Latty encourages them to He said in the near appearing in the May 20 on Tuesday, Latty told guage in them.” the Observer, to the customer’s house, upgrade to digital. future, new channels will edition of the Observer. installs a modem if one is be added to their digital The distraught customer Digicel/Digicel Play is “There are some chan- “You are watching a doc- upgrading customers not already there and service. was dissatisfied with umentary, all the ads are installs the digital box. nels customers used to Digicel’s service. from analog to digital have that came from dif- Latty noted they encour- in Spanish,” the cus- service. According to He pointed out the tomer complained.“Even upgrade will provide cus- ferent feeds,” Latty age customer feedback to “Nothing in this world is Latty, some of the previ- said.“When we took over help Digicel/Digitel Play at the end when you try ous channels had to be tomers with many new perfect, but I think that to read the conclusion of features. Latty took the we had to make sure all improve service. He said the cable company we removed because Digicel the channels we provide the first thing customers the story on the screen, it was denied access. blame for not promoting had before gave us a rea- is in Spanish. The last the new service appropri- are legitimate and paid need to do is have their sonable package we time I checked we live in ately and explaining to for. We went to all the service upgraded for free could have worked “Our primary focus is to Nevis, an English speak- make sure the existing customers how program providers and from analog to digital with,” complained the ing territory. How come the new system will work are still negotiating with service. customer. “There were Digicel/Digitel Play plat- the Spanish speaking form is an improvement some of them.” some pretty good chan- channels, do not have nels, along with the reli- on the analog service,” any English ads in Latty explained.“Our gious ones, various net- them?” works and of course the focus is to convert cus- INCREDIBLE REAL ESTATE DEALS tomers to digital pro- news channels. But I In an exclusive interview BELOW MARKET PRICE.

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C M Y K Page 8 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 LOCAL NEWS Increased criminal activities force Police High Command to suspend time-off and vacation By LR Liburd A release from the enti- St. Kitts-Nevis Observer ty’s representative informed that images of With the shooting-death the bandits were caught of three young men in as on security cameras and many days, the wound- police are reviewing the ing of four others and the tapes with the hope of armed robbery of a identifying them. money transfer company as well as a gas station, The release also the High Command has informed that the gun- suspended all rest days, men appeared to be vacation and leave for between 25 and 30 years officers of the Royal St. old and one of them was Christopher and Nevis wearing a baseball cap Police Force. with a Seattle Mariners logo, a white shirt and According to Deputy dark long pants, while Commissioner Hilroy MURDER VICTIMS: (From left) – Antonio Richardson, Uriel Michael and Willis Phillip the other bandit had Brandy, who at the time of this declaration was Acting Commissioner in body of 29-year-old the absence of Ian Antonio Richardson Queeley, said, “All offi- lying in his home with a cers have been recalled bullet wound to the fore- to their stations and train- head and he was pro- ing at the Police Training nounced dead by District Centre has been suspend- Medical Officer Dr. ed in an effort to ensure Reginald O’Loughlin. greater presence on our streets in Basseterre, Some 14 hours after, 32- Charlestown and in our year-old Jahbal David communities.” Henry of Upper Cayon was shot to his right hand Sometime after 9:00 p.m. while walking in the MoneyGram office (L) and Gillard’s Gas Station on Wednesday (May 18), company of a female in police had found the the direction of Water Works, Cayon in the vicinity of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. their injuries and dis- charged. donned a cap, a sun- And shortly after 8:00 shades, sneakers, dark p.m. on Friday (May 22), It was further learnt that clothing and was carry- two men were killed and there might have been ing a backpack. three others wounded more deaths if the following a shooting wounded men and a few The second armed rob- incident in Saddler’s others had not scale a bery took place around Village. neighbouring fence to 2:00 p.m. at Gillard’s escape the onslaught. Gas Station, situated at The names of the two the junction of the deceased were given as The death of these three Island’s Main Road and 23-year-old Uriel young men has taken the the Democrat Road in the Michael and Willis number of homicides in vicinity of the Joseph N Phillip (22), both of the Federation for the France General Hospital. Saddler’s Village. year to 14; 11 were com- mitted in St. Kitts and The Observer was told Reports reaching The three in Nevis. However, that while two employees Observer stated that the while 13 of them died as of the gas station were five men were among a a result of gunshot standing outside the large group in the vicini- injuries, one resulted building that houses the ty of a popular hangout from a stabbing incident. cash register and petrole- spot in Saddler’s Village um products, among when a number of gun- In relation to the rob- other things on sale, they men stealthily beries, both of them were approached by an approached and fired occurred on Friday, last, unidentified male sport- multiple shots at them. with the first being the ing sunshades and whose MoneyGram office at face was partly covered It was learnt that they Port Zante. by his shirt. were transported to the Joseph N France General The Observer was told He also carried a pistol in Hospital where the two that at about 8:00 a.m. his waist and ordered the men were pronounced when an employee had employees to accompany dead. opened the door of the him into the building, office to commence busi- where they were forced The Observer also learnt ness for the day, two to hand over an undis- that while one of the armed men among five closed sum of cash to young men was grazed customers had barged him. by a bullet and another into the building, forced suffered a broken arm, the customers into an After collecting the the third victim was area along with the staff money, it was reported admitted to the Intensive and robbed the money that the bandit took a few Care Unit. At press time, transfer company of an bottles of lubricants off the latter victim was still undisclosed sum of cash the shelves before mak- hospitalised, but the for- before making good their mer were both treated for escape. Continued on page 21

C M Y K LOCAL NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 9 Inspector Hector Transferred Ag Inspector Percival steps up as Police Prosecutor By Monique Washington. After serving as Police Prosecutor at the Magistrate Court in Charlestown, Nevis for almost two years, Inspector Stephan Hector will now serve as police prosecutor at the magis- trate court in Basseterre in St. Kitts. Inspector Hector has been a police officer for over a decade and served as a public relations officer in Nevis and police prose- cutor. He was officially trans- ferred to St. Kitts on Monday May 23, but appeared at the Magistrate Court on Tuesday to prosecute cases for the last time. Lt Ag. Inspector Collins-Percival; rt Deputy Commissioner Brandy Inspector Stephan Hector Percival is new Police Prosecutor at Charlestown Magistrates Court Transferred to Basseterre Magistrate Court On Tuesday at the Magistrate Court Magistrate Yasmine Clarke wished Hector the best of luck as he takes over as police prosecutor in St. Kitts. Veteran officer Acting Inspector Eurita Collins-Percival will take over for Inspector Hector. This will be the first time Percival will perform duties as Police Prosecutor. Percival received her promotion on May 18 when she was promoted from Sergeant to Acting Inspector and transferred from the Criminal Investigations Department - Nevis to the National Prosecution Unit- Nevis. Ag. Inspector Percival entered the police force in 1997. Magistrate Clarke gave Percival words of advice as she prepares to have her first criminal case next week and encouraged her to prepare her case well before appearing in court. “I encourage you to take it one step at a time, you will get it. Prepare yourself well before you come to court because I will knock you down. And please do not take anything personal. This is a learning experience you will not be per- fect one time but with time you will get there. Once you are prepared you will be fine,” she told the acting inspector. Criminal matters in Nevis are heard at the Magistrate court on Tuesdays.

LIQUOR LICENCES ORDINANCE, 1996 SCHEDULE A To the Magistrate District To the Superintendent of Police I, TREVOR SUTTON Residing in Butlers Street, in the town or Village of ST. JAMES PARISH do hereby give you notice. That it is my intention to apply on Day of next to the District Magistrate At CHARLESTOWN for a RETAIL LIQUOR Licence in respect of my Premises in LIBERT HILL in ISLAND MAIN ROAD. Date 25TH day of MAY 2016 Signed: Trevor Sutton

C M Y K Page 10 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 LOCAL NEWS Dr. Douglas hits back at PM Harris over statement on RBC and Monetary Council Staff Writer Nevis, now the leader of “And that is why it is the Opposition, was in only being applied at this Leader of the Opposition attendance. time.” St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Denzil But, Dr. Douglas It was only recently that Douglas has trashed a addressing thousands of account holder at RBC recent press statement his party members and got wind of the proposed issued by Prime Minister, supporters at their 84th fee increase and began Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris, Annual Convention on withdrawing their that the former political Sunday (May 22nd) at monies and in some leader of the Federation the Royal St. Kitts Hotel, cases entirely closing and other members of the sought to clear the air on their accounts at the Monetary Council were what he claimed were financial institution. in the know about bank “misleading statements”. fee increases. Long lines could be see The former Prime gathering at office in the In a recent statement Minister alleges that the Federation and other issued by the Office of statement issued by Dr. location in the subregion. the Prime Minister, Harris paints a picture details were disclosed that the decision by Dr. Douglas who is the The Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris that at the ECCB Royal Bank of Canada to Parliament Monetary Council 80th impose a the $25 Representation for meeting in October, increase bank charges on Constituency #6, He said, “There is a rea- took the Administration “Zero indications of rep- 2014, a communiqué was savings account holders explained that for a per- son why the government until after depositors resentation on behalf of issued that the Council was arrived at under his son with a deposit of has not shown any inter- began withdrawing their the depositors and zero was made aware of an administration. $1000 at RBC they est in this matter, while monies to respond to the notice of any request increase in bank fees and would incur an annual the imposition of the fee situation. made by our government had expressed concerns, “Yes, the banks brought fee of $300, which he is devastating to low to have this matter dis- while indicating that it to our attention, but we noted represents 30% of income persons it has “Our people have been in cuss as a matter of some action needed to be the members of the their savings. very little effect on the a state of panic over this extreme urgency by the taken to address the mat- Monetary Council - {I} rich who are among us.” new charge and there has Monetary Council of the ter. think in October or On the other hand, the been zero statements by Eastern Caribbean November 2014 made it vocal government critic The Labour Party leader the government until Central Bank.” The statement from the absolutely clear that we claimed that a person alleged that the govern- very, very late, when the government indicated were against it...totally with $1million would not ment “has complete dis- entire country was up in Management of Royal that then Minister of against it,” Dr. Douglas incur the same 30% regard for the plight of arms.” Bank in St. Kitts have Finance of St. Kitts and declared. charge on the account. the poor”, noting that it Continued on page 21 ADVERTISEMENT The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 11 Page 12 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 LOCAL NEWS Nevis steel pan band performs in Anguilla Day celebrations Scherzando School of Music students on promotional tour

By Monique Washington Claxton said the ensem- ble is invited to attend Anguilla comes alive this next year’s 50th anniver- weekend when the sary of the Leeds Scherzando School of Carnival in England. Music Steel Pan Ensemble performs dur- The Scherzando School be there when ing a promotional tour of Music, which opened during “Anguilla Day.” eight years ago, teaches students to play a variety Twelve pan players of instruments, steel pan, the magic happens between the ages of 16 to guitar, piano and drums. 25 in the Nevisian Steel The school is the only Pan Ensemble group facility in the Federation travelled to Anguilla on that offers comprehen- Thursday to participate sive music training. It in weekend festivities. offers students classes to According to Rohan prepare to apply for the Claxton, co-owner of the Associated Boards Royal group, the tour was a col- Schools of Music laborative effort between Certification. The school the band and the Albena also provides classes for Lake Hodge Compreh- students to study music ensive School’s tutor for theory and aural training their Steel Orchestra in and sit for Caribbean Anguilla. Examinations Council examinations. “We want to be part of the celebration, promote In other recent activities, our band and promote the Scherzando School steel pan,” Claxton said. of Music Steel Pan “We teamed up to have a Ensemble took first place promotional tour, pro- in the Basil Manners mote steelpan in Steel Pan Competition Anguilla and at the same held during the 2015 time promote the band.” Culturama, beating their competitors in three cate- “This trip will be an gories. In the 2015 the WIN the Ultimate trip for TWO avenue to showcase the ensemble placed third in talents of the students in the National Carnival to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games! the band,” Claxton Steel Pan Competition in explained. “This will be St. Kitts. Watch the men’s & women’s 100m final live the band’s second trip, for your chance to WIN* last year they travelled to “On this trip we are To play, text St. Martin to perform going to enjoy ourselves Prize includes airfare, accommodation during Grand Slingers and have fun,” Claxton RIO to 5463 and event tickets Steel Pan Festival, “Pan Plus, more great prizes to be won including concluded. a Samsung Galaxy S6 Revolution.”

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C M Y K LOCAL NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 13 Dr. Douglas re-elected SKNLP Leader for 28th consecutive year

Seated from left – Karen Crossman, Dr. Terrance Drew, Diana Williams-Humphrey, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Dr. Asim Martin and the Hon. Marcella Liburd. (Standing from left) - Rubie Taylor, Carl Lake, Shavon Douglas, Thamesha Fyfield, Kenny Douglas, Lesleigh.

By LR Liburd Christopher Two, the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer Hon. Marcella Liburd was unopposed in retain- For the 28th consecutive ing her position as the time in the 84-year histo- Party’s Chairman. ry of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), The Party’s representa- the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil tive for Constituency Douglas was re-elected Eight, Dr. Terrance Leader of the twin-island Drew, was elected unop- Federation’s oldest polit- posed as Vice Chairman, ical party. r e p l a c i n g Parliamentarian Senator The 63-year-old former the Hon. Nigel Carty, and longest serving who did not offer himself Prime Minister of St. for re-election. Kitts and Nevis was returned as Political The National Executive Leader of the SKNLP at of the SKNLP is also this year’s Annual comprised of Conference during the Ambassador Kenny Business Session of its Douglas, Lesleigh election of Officers and Joseph (Lexi Peets), Members of the National Thamesha Fyfield and Executive. Gweneth Byron who has replaced Frank Farrell as The Convention was held the Party’s Auditor. on Sunday (May 22) in the Conference Room of Traditionally, delegates the Royal St. Kitts Hotel are required to nominate in Frigate Bay. a representative for each of the eight In addition to members Constituencies as part of of the Diplomatic and the election process. Consular Corps, a large However, while Rudolph number of prominent cit- Morton was selected to izens and business lead- represent Number Two, ers, as well as politicians Vincia Herbert for Three, and supporters from Carl Lake for Five and Nevis, the event was Rubie Taylor for Number attended by hundreds of Six, it was announced delegates and supporters that Constituencies One, from the eight Four, Seven and Eight Constituencies on St. would indicate who their Kitts as well as party representatives would be members from abroad. at a later date. Former Deputy Prime Also to be selected at a Minister Dr. Asim Martin later date are representa- was returned as Deputy tives for the Young Political Leader, while Labour and Labour Parliamentary Woman Branches of the Representative for St. Party.

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C M Y K Page 14 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 LOCAL NEWS Former Jamaican MP urges Labour Party to reflect on the way forward By LR Liburd most times parties do not in the Caribbean region. you find simultaneous- St. Kitts-Nevis Observer take that opportunity but ly there is a rise in instead see the voting Crawford used the analo- criminal activity Former Parliamentarian population as being fool- gy of power in an effort because the poor seek of Opposition People’s ish and blame them for to justify as well as their own poor when National Party of their lost. strengthen his view. there is no organised Jamaica, Damion people power.” Crawford is urging the “How many of you say, “Within countries, there St. Kitts-Nevis Labour ‘Them fools...I can’t are three sources of He stressed that politi- Party (SKNLP) to reflect believe they vote we out, power. There is the cians have failed to on its way forward and to them fools,” Crawford power of wealth, the give the people true place more emphasis on said. “But they can’t be power of weapons and power by not organis- organising the working foolish now and they the power of the people. ing them to defeat the class. weren’t foolish in 1995 Now the power of wealth power of wealth and to and all the other years by itself is power for one resist the power of The University of the coming up to 1995. Is the man who is powerful. weapons. West Indies Lecturer and same people that had you When you see him you entrepreneur was at the in power for almost 20 say, ‘Yes sir.’ If he asks The Guest Speaker time addressing dele- years! So therefore you you for direction you feel asserted that the estab- gates as the Guest must accept that a smart good that he talked to lishment of political Former PNP Parliamentarian Damion Crawford Speaker at the SKNLP’s man can make a foolish you because money parties was primarily 84th Annual Conference choice and that is based made him powerful. One based on the above held on Sunday (May 22) on the information that man with a weapon is mentioned. see the level of mistreat- workers in the world and in the Conference Room he receives. And today in also powerful. If a man ment meted out to peo- what is now becoming of the Royal St. Kitts election and politics, puts a gun on me and “Is there in your mind no ple. accepted as business best Hotel in Frigate Bay. there is so much levels of wants me to apologise longer a need for people practices that make misinformation that when I haven’t done him organisation? he asked “And so I am saying to organisation of workers “When parties lose they many smart people are anything, I’ll say sorry the more than 500 dele- you that you as the more important today often have opportunity to making foolish choices.” because he has a weapon. gates in attendance, Labour Party have a than it even was in the reflect and they should adding that when politi- responsibility to recog- 1960s,” Crawford take that opportunity to The young charismatic “But the people must be cians do not have people nise what is happening to intoned. reflect on two politician is of the view organised to be powerful. organisation one would things...what we should that the SKNLP still has And when the people are be going forward and more to do in organising organised they are more why the people were not the working class in the powerful than wealth and satisfied.’ Federation as is required weapon. And when there Minister Liburd: in many other countries is a lack of organisation He however opined that Government reviewing wind energy proposal

Staff Writer The road to renewable energy has many twists and turns and as the Federation continues its push to become one of the world’s green economies a government project has been delayed. Minister with Responsibility for Energy Ian Liburd said the government is cur- rently awaiting the arrival of several legal documents related to wind energy, currently before the Attorney General’s Chambers for review. He made his comments in response to Ian Liburd a caller on the govern- Minister with Responsibility for Energy ment’s weekly radio pro- gram, ‘Working For You.’ eral chambers...and we would be completed. are seeking a legal opin- “We have before us what ion before we get into the He however, noted that we call a PPA which is a signing of the agree- when completed the power purchase agree- ment.” energy drive would cre- ment that speaks to the ate between 300 to 500 supplier of wind energy Liburd did not give any jobs for the population. to the St. Kitts Electrical time frame when the Company at a particular Attorney General, Hon. The radio caller noted cost,” Mr. Liburd said. Vincent Byron would that “the people want to “There are certain parts finish the reviewing the know why it is taking so of the agreement still document and when the long”, and the Minister before the Attorney gen- establishment of the wind energy facility Continued on page 21

C M Y K LOCAL NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 15 Irate customer hit restau- rant owner in the head with a chicken leg Judge levies $1,000 fine; puts him in custody for outstanding warrants By Monique Washington rant’s owner that the and I threw the stool at chicken leg was cold. her. After that, I walked Fitzroy Hobson of The owner said the down the stairs and left. Webbs Ground Village, chicken leg was cold But I knew I was Gingerland appeared on because he was sitting wrong.” Tuesday before under the fan. Unhappy Magistrate Yasmine with the owner’s Magistrate Yasmine Clarke in Magistrate response, Hobson admit- Clarke asked Hobson if Court in Charlestown. ted throwing the chicken he was drunk at the time Hobson faced assault leg, which hit the owner and he said no. Clarke charges for striking the in the head. She told convicted Hobson and owner of a Charlestown Hobson he should not fined him $1,000, to be Chinese Restaurant with have hit her with the paid in three months, or a chicken leg and a chicken leg. In response, face three months in Her wooden stool. Hobson picked up a Majesty’s Prison. wooden stool, threw it at The incident occurred her, striking her in her However, before Hobson almost a year ago at the head. He fled the scene left the court, the Gold Coast Chinese and the owner called the Magistrate Clarke told Restaurant. Hobson police. Hobson she has been allegedly beat the female looking for him for a manager. In court this Before sentencing, long time. Tuesday, he pleaded Hobson told the court he guilty to the charge. recognized what he had “Mr. Hobson I have two done was wrong, but committal warrants for According to police pros- some facts were left out. you that have been here ecutor Inspector Stephen for some time,” the Hector, Hobson went to “When the chicken came Magistrate said. “The the Gold Coast Chinese to me it was cold, and I bailiff said you keep Restauranton May 30, told her so,” Hobson told dodging him.” 2015 and ordered one the court. “I threw it and chicken leg. After he I knew I was wrong. Hobson was placed in began to eat, Hobson Then the owner’s hus- police custody for two complained to the restau- band pulled out a gun outstanding warrants.

C M Y K Page 16 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 SPORTS NEWS Newtown needled by St. Pauls, bow out of Playoffs Conaree qualifies for Championship, edges Cayon Rocket 2-1

By Staff Writer SOL Island Auto Conaree became the first team to make the Finals of 2015/2016 playoffs when they edged Flow 4G Cayon Rockets 2-1 on Wednesday (May 25) at the Warner Park Football Stadium. It was a party atmosphere at the ground in anticipa- tion of an action packed evening of a double header that lived up to its billings, as Conaree took care of business. Playing in the evening’s Action between Newtown and St. Pauls

opening matchup, a 60th Lewis netting in the 45th The defeat was their sec- minute strike from minute. ond in as many games, as Marvin Charles was the they went under to Flow deciding factor in a high Jerome Richards (13th 4G Cayon Rockets in the intensity game that saw minute) and Shaquille opening match of the four yellow cards being Pringle (76th minute) playoff. shown and one leading to were the goal scorers for a red card. St. Pauls. Jerome Richards scored in the 13th minute, while Conaree’s Errol O’ In the other game from Shaquille Pringle netted Loughlin opened the Wednesday evening, in the 76th minute as the scoring in the 33rd Winners Circle Newtown chief destroyers in that minute, before Charles United, the team that match. added to the tally. dominated the Premier League season, was Action continues tomor- Javiem Blanchette pulled eliminated from the play- row Saturday (May 28th) one back for Cayon, but offs after St. Pauls edged with a double header; good defending from the them 1-nil. Cayon taking on St. opposition was enough to Pauls and Conaree lock- give the Conaree team Playing under damp con- ing horns with Newtown. their second win in the ditions, both teams playoffs. fought hard, but neither Winner of the Cayon-St. could have broken the Pauls clash will progress Conaree opened with a 3- deadlock until the 90+4 to the best of three cham- 2 win over the defending minute of the game Joash pionship game against champions on Saturday Leader slotted home an Conaree that will be (May 21st) with Captain easy shot to break the played in the middle of O’Loughlin scoring hearts of the pro- June. twice in the 23rd and Newtown fans in the sta- 54th minute and Kadeem dium.

C M Y K SPORTS NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 17 Warner Park Stadium ready for the Caribbean Cup match Staff Writer the surface...is that the tance to playing surface is ade- enhance the With Warner Park quate not only for the lighting at Football Stadium playing Final Four game but also Warner Park. host to the St. Kitts- for the international This came to Nevis Football game Suriname.” the local associ- Association (SKNFA) ation knowl- Playoffs, stadium offi- The St. Kitts-Nevis edge when cials are confident that National Football team FIFA officials the venue would hold up dubbed the Sugar Boys, did a venue for the June 1 Caribbean successfully topped their i n s p e c t i o n Cup encounter with group in the opening before the qual- Dutch-speaking round of the Caribbean ifying match, Suriname. Cup when they edged where it was archrivals Antigua and disclosed that Concerns had been raised Barbuda 1-nil and the lights are about the location of the brushed aside Aruba 2-0. below what the game following the shift- governing body ing of the last portion of With their progression to recommends. matches in the SKNFA the second round, the season away from that Sugar Boys will do battle President venue, as the association against Suriname and St. Johnson noted deemed the surface Vincent and the that the govern- unplayable and needing Grenadines. ment sought rest with the Caribbean and received Cup in mind. President Johnson dis- assistance from closed that the league the Republic of China on That followed the would take a break dur- Taiwan, but when the announcement that the ing the playing of match- necessary equipment cricket venue at Warner es in playoffs to facilitate arrived it was installed at Park was unavailable due international duties for another location. to international cricket several of the players. commitments in all of “However, a decision June. Meanwhile, the issue was taken subsequent to surrounding the lights at that by the government to Addressing reporters at a the Warner park stadium reallocate the equipment recent press conference, remains and Johnson to venue outside of President of the SKNFA, during the press confer- Warner Park,” Johnson Anthony Johnson ence at Football House said. “That is something explained based on the expressed his displeasure that we have expressed feedback his association at the long wait to have our displeasure with received the stadium is the problem rectified. directly to the Minister.” likely going to be in a suitable condition to host He reminded reporters The Opposition SKNLP the international match. that prior to the World has been very critical of Cup qualifying game the government in recent “Our advice based on the against El Salvador last weeks, specifically the expert that we would year, his association Minister of Sport, Shawn have employed to assist approached the Richards, as they with the improvement of Government to for assis- claimed that he changed Advisory from The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer BEWARE THE SCAMMERS! Beware of correspondence which purports to make you rich overnight. DO NOT give out ANY information concerning your credit card, bank account, phone number or even your address.

C M Y K Page 18 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 FINANCIAL NEWS Is the RBC purging itself of small depositors?

By LR Liburd St. Kitts-Nevis Observer It is the belief of a few individuals that the deci- sion taken by manage- ment of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) may be a strategy to purge the financial institution of its small depositors. Since last week a situa- tion had arisen in the Federation that saw long lines of citizens and resi- dents within and outside the RBC on Fort Street and its Wellington Road branch in St. Kitts, as well as its subsidiary branch, RBTT, in Nevis. Investigations by The Observer had revealed that the people in those lines, which began on Tuesday (May 17), were there to withdraw their savings from the bank. The RBC branch on Fort Street, Basseterre, St. Kitts

Those interviewed There was a public out- Caribbean region. These declared that they heard cry and in its criticisms increases and those pro- the bank had imposed a on the imposition, the Dr. posed have led to unease monthly service fee of Denzil Douglas-led among the population, $25, plus VAT, on their Opposition stated that the and some customers are savings accounts and it Government of National exercising their right to would have taken effect Unity should intervene. withdraw their funds. from Monday, May 23, 2016. They also declared In response Prime “The fee structures being that the bank did not Minister and Minister of proposed in St. Kitts and inform them of its inten- Finance Dr. the Hon. Nevis are similar to those tion, and while some Timothy Harris declared also being proposed in claimed to have heard that the role of the other territories of the about it through the Eastern Caribbean Caribbean, and cus- ‘grapevine’, others stated Central Bank (ECCB) is tomers in some of those that information was to supervise and regulate jurisdictions have gleaned from the all banking activities in responded also with Internet. the Eastern Caribbean unease,” the Prime Currency Union. Minister said. Since then, no official statement was made by He also declared in a He pointed out that the the bank. However, when communiqué issued by fees charged by banks contacted by The his Press Secretary that are contractual matters Observer on Wednesday Governments in the sub- between them and their (May 18), Country region do not have the clients and they are Manager Chad Allen authority to regulate determined market con- claimed that he was bank charges and fees, ditions. extremely busy dealing but that they are all with clients but promised aware of the increase The Opposition insinuat- to provide a comment on charges since 2014 dur- ed that the RBC may not the issue later that day. ing the 80th Meeting of have imposed the the ECCB Monetary charges on its customers He was provided contact Council. if the Government had numbers and even an ratified the Banking Act email address but, to The communiqué also which was passed in the date, he has failed to hon- stated that the Council Parliament in July 2015. our his promise while his had expressed concerns superiors also remain surrounding proposed But Dr. Harris is howev- silent on the matter. commercial bank er assuring the populace charges, which the mem- that the local banking This media house learned bers declared that “some sector is healthy and that that not only those clients action needed to be taken the Government intends in the Federation had to address this matter”. to bring the Banking Act withdrawn their savings into force shortly. from the bank, but also “My Government has other in a number of been made aware that The ECCB had also pro- OECS member states banking fees have now nounced on the issue. including St. Lucia, St. been increased and/or Vincent and the new fees introduced at In a statement, the ECCB Grenadines and Antigua some commercial banks expressing its concern in and Barbuda. operating within St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Continued on page 21 REGIONAL NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 19 Windies players spread ‘champions’ message

The Champions Schools Tour 2016 made its way to the North Eastern Education District on Wednesday, with West Indies cricketers going to schools to motivate and inspire the nation’s y o u t h . The message was simply: “If we can do it so can y o u . ” The West Indies senior men’s cricket team, the Under-19 team and the senior women’s team were all victorious in ICC World Cup events this year, capturing the both the Men and Women’s World Twenty20 title and the Under-19 50 over tro- p h i e s . T&T had their fair share of representatives on those squads including Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin and Evin Lewis in the men’s World T20 side; Anisa Mohammed, Britney Cooper, Stacy Ann King and Merissa Aguilleira in the women’s World T20 team; and Jyd Goolie and Meeting and greeting: West Indies spinner Samuel Badree interacts with students during the Kirstan Kallicharan in Champions Schools Tour in Sangre Grande this week the Under-19 squad. Mitchell urges ‘antiquated’ board not to resist change

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – “It can’t work. The two things must be Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith done together.” Mitchell has lambasted the leadership and governance structure of the belea- Mitchell, who has been in the forefront guered West Indies Cricket Board as over the past year in efforts geared “antiquated” and has once against towards getting the WICB to re-struc- urged the organisation to reform itself. ture, repeatedly hammered the govern- ing body in his hour and 10-minute Dr Mitchell, the chairman of long presentation, also arguing it had CARICOM’s sub-committee on crick- lost touch with the players. et, said the WICB had refused to adapt to a swiftly changing society and glob- Referencing the tension that existed al business environment, and said trou- between the WICB and the players, bled waters lay ahead for the board if it Mitchell said it was incumbent on the continued on its present path. board to modify its management style and operations to reflect the needs of “The leadership of the WICB has the new generation of cricketers. changed repeatedly, to make my point, in the last few decades. Yet the board’s “The attitudes of today’s young people governance and performance has not is very different to that of previous gen- improved,” Mitchell said at the UWI erations. We have to accept it,” he con- Cave Hill Campus here Wednesday tended. night as he delivered the 19th Sir Frank Worrell Memorial lecture entitled ‘West “Their expectations and values will not Indies Cricket in the 21st Century: allow them to accept the decisions and Continuity and Change’. actions of the WICB that their prede- cessors agreed to or tolerated. “This is not a personality issue. The one thing that has remained constant over “The WICB must come to terms with the years is the board’s rigid and anti- that reality and alter its approach quated structure. By now the board accordingly. It must build trust and new should have learned that by reshuffling mutual respect by changing the way its its leadership, without changing its managers operate and motivate its play- thinking and structure, is just a futile ers and itself.” attempt at adjusting its structure with- out reforming its leadership. Mitchell, who stressed he had nothing to gain personally from the effort to Page 20 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 CONTINUED NEWS

Mitchell urges ‘antiquated’ board not to resist change From page 19 business,” he contended. He added: “Any system that governs ity to flourish in a new generation. any institution 60, 70 years ago and restructure West Indies cricket, said the “They are re-examining the design and “Today, the basic principles of organi- board was unaware of the new chal- want to operate in the same system alignment of their structures and sys- today will create chaos in that institu- sational adaptation revolves around lenges that lay before it and was not tems, reviewing traditional strategies two important and interdependent fac- preparing itself to face them. tion. This is so fundamental, it’s not and policies and looking closely at the just in cricket, [in] any serious institu- tors – restructuring and re-designing He argued that institutional change was quality and effectiveness of their lead- tion.” the organisation … and improving the no longer optional but a demand, and ership. quality and competence of its leader- this stretched way beyond cricket into Stressing on the need for transparency ship,” he noted. “Governments, trade unions, compa- and accountability, Mitchell pointed government, the private sector and the nies in the private sector, the public “This new leadership requires more labour movement. out that while players needed to take sector and sports organisations are all responsibility for their actions, the than technical expertise, administrative “Today’s complex, competitive and going through this process of adapta- WICB leadership had often absolved ability and traditional management rapidly changing world requires a fun- tion. Sticking to the status quo in the themselves of blame. styles. It calls for better self-leadership, damental shift in our thinking. face of rapid change is certainly not an better motivational skills, better han- Organisations everywhere are being option.” As such, the veteran Caribbean leader dling of key relationships inside and said that key to any governance shake- outside the organisation and better forced to change their self-image, their Dr Keith Mitchell thinking and the way they conduct up would be a “new leadership” model management of the organisation diver- which would enhance the WICB’s abil- sity and independence.”

C M Y K CONTINUED NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 21 Is the RBC purging itself of small depositors?

From page 18 accounts. The eight-member body was happening. That money, so there is no their strong financial had recommended the bank treated its clientele need to continue accept- position, banks are no the matter but indicated “Article 34 of the ECCB establishing of an Office in a very uncouth manner ing small depositors,” longer interested in the that it has no authority to Agreement permits the of the Ombudsman for by not notifying them of one accountant said. poor man’s small regulate banks in the sub- ECCB to regulate the Financial Services and a the impending increase deposit. When a bank has region. It also confirmed minimum savings rate, Working Group to in fees. Things like this The older accountant, a very large clientele of that banks determine that is, the minimum review commercial only happen to the mass- who is a retired banker, small depositors, it has to their own fees and interest rate paid on sav- banks’ fees and charges, es, which is the poorer agreed with the opinions employ a large staff. But charges and is encourag- ings deposits.” as well as to encourage class. but added another analo- with the advancement of ing depositors to careful- the ECCU Bankers gy for the purging of cus- technology where money ly weigh the banking The ECCB also con- Association to use moral “It is my belief that tomers. has now become plastic, options that best suit firmed Dr. Harris’ state- suasion to establish a Royal Bank has taken there’s no need for many their needs. ment on Governments in defined range of fees. this step to combat the “It is a fact that the vaults tellers when you have the the sub-region being effects of the of banks in this Internet banking system It also called on the aware of the fee increase, The Observer spoke with Corresponding Banking Federation are overflow- and the ATMs. banks to explain the noting that the Ministers two certified accountant Relations that continues ing with money. But the Therefore, the next issue rationale for their of the Monetary Council who strongly believe that to affect the many off- truth of the matter is that we’ll soon have in the actions. who sat at the meeting in the bank’s imposition of shore domestic banks in many people are not sub-region is an increase 2014 had made several the fee resulted from a the Caribbean region. applying for loans in unemployment.” The statement indicated recommendations related number of factors, But on the other hand, it because the interest rate that the ECCB could to proposed bank fees including FATCA. is known that all the is too high and the sav- The Observer will pro- only sanction on the min- and charges. banks in St. Kitts and ings rate is atrocious. vide more on this saga in imum rate on savings “I saw the long lines and Nevis are flooded with next week’s edition. on inquiring I learnt what “Secondly, because of Dr. Douglas hits back at PM Minister Liburd: Government reviewing wind energy proposal Harris over statement on From page 14 several months developed a num- The geothermal findings would RBC and Monetary Council ber of initiatives to thrust their not be made public until From page 10 said he understands all the ques- renewable energy program, September, he recently told media the government to ‘work tioning about the delays. including Geothermal exploration. representative at a regional geot- closely with the hermal workshop in the remained mum on the Monetary Council to The caller urged the Minister to However, the report on the Federation. matter, while media enti- arrive at a mutually push the project because she is Geothermal exploration has been ties and the public at acceptable solution that unemployed and intends to seek delayed as deposits were only This all forms part of the govern- large await an official protects the interest of employment in the renewable recently sent oversea where ment drive to minimize St. Kitts statement on the matter. the depositors here in our energy field. research are being conducted at and Nevis’ dependency on fossil country and the Currency several institution. fuel, since the government is still Dr. Douglas has urged Union”. The government has over the last heavily indebted to Petro Caribe. Increased criminal activities force Police High Command to suspend time-off and vacation From page 8 Industrial Site. Police, at that time, had relation to the Early Monday morning pistol has taken to 10 the ing good his escape. reported that FedEx staff MoneyGram robbery. (May 23), a police search number of firearms taken It was reported that members were reviewing They are also seeking the operation in the New off the streets of St. Kitts The High Command’s sometime between the courier services public’s assistance in Road area resulted in the and Nevis for the year. decision to suspend all Saturday and Sunday inventory in order to bringing the perpetrators find of a .45mm pistol vacation and time-off (May 21-22) the ware- identify missing items, if to justice as investiga- with seven rounds of The police are therefore came after these killings, house was burglarised any. tions are ongoing. matching ammunition calling on citizens and wounding and robber and the bandits “had and a quantity of mari- residents who may they incidents were commit- access” to a number of While no one has so far Despite not being suc- juana. have information per- ted. However, this did packages stored within. been held for the shoot- cessful, so far, in bring- taining to any crime not deter a bandit or ban- ing incidents and the ing these matters to a clo- Two suspects were in committed in the dits from engaging in This media house learned Gillard’s Gas Station sure, the police had how- custody, but at press time Federation or are aware their nefarious activities, that the bandits had armed robbery as well as ever removed another it was not known if of an impending one, to as their next target was gained access to the the FexEx Courier illegal firearm and a charges were preferred contact any police station the FedEx Courier warehouse by removing Services burglary, police quantity of ammunition against them. or call its confidential Services warehouse at some zinc sheets from have informed that three off the Federation’s hotline, Crime Stoppers, the C.A. Paul Southwell the outside. men are in custody in streets. The seizure of the .45mm at 1-800-8477(TIPS). The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer for the Best Independent News Coverage in The Federation If you think you have a news story, give us a call at 469-5907

C M Y K Page 22 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 CONTINUED NEWS From page 6 Closing the gap could take 70 years

(such as domestic work- Women work shorter careers that are shorter nant form of employ- Women work longer women carry out at least ers) that are more likely hours for women than for men. ment. hours two-and-a-half times to be in informal work This has adverse conse- more unpaid household arrangements, preventing Generally, women are quences for seniority pre- The report also provides Women continue to work and care work than men. their access to social pro- more likely to work miums in pay and for new data for up to 100 longer hours per day than In developed economies, tection. shorter hours for pay or coverage by employ- countries on paid and men in both paid and employed women (either profit. Globally, women ment-related contributory unpaid working hours unpaid work. In both in self-employment or Progress in lessening represent less than 40 schemes, and also for and access to maternity high and lower income wage and salaried unemployment percent of total employ- female pension levels. protection and pensions. countries, on average, employment) work 8 ment, but make up 57 In the Caribbean and percent of those working In 2015, across the world, Latin America, the gap in on a part time basis. 586 million women were unemployment, having Overall, the gender gap working as own-account The Rubik’s cube of the Caribbean widened over the period for part-time employ- and contributing family 1995-2000, has narrowed ment between women workers across the world. public education system: since the early 2000s. and men in employment As globally, the share of These countries have is 10.8 percentage points. those who work in a fam- From page 5 they want graduates and employees made progress since the The gender gap in ily enterprise (contribut- ensure their children’s success in these who can solve problems, think critical- early 2000s in reducing Caribbean countries ing family workers) has ly, listen analytically, act independent- unemployment rates, average 20 percent or examinations, and teachers are aug- decreased significantly menting their incomes with extra les- ly, and express themselves accurately which were estimated at more above the norm. among women (by 17.0 in speech and writing. However, the 5.4 percent for men and son monies. Indeed, the more entre- percentage points over preneurial among their numbers are test-driven education system is unlike- 8.1 percent for women in In the Caribbean and the last 20 years) and to a ly to create students who demonstrate 2015. These improve- Latin America, the ser- setting up private businesses in extra lesser extent among men lessons (especially Mathematics) to these skills, since it places high value ments have been made vices sector is highly (by 8.1 percentage on those teachers who can produce possible by an increasing female-dominated, with a feed the angst of parents who worry points), the global gender about their children’s futures if they large numbers of students who can participation of women 25.3 percent difference gap in contributing fami- respond accurately to content-driven who benefitted from between men’s and don’t get high scores on the national ly work is reduced to 11 and regional examinations.And, examination questions, and the means strong job demand to women’s shares of percentage points. of getting students to pass examina- shift from inactivity to employment The report indeed, their worries are justified: even after years of struggle to improve tions is to teach them how to write employment. suggests the high share of Although 52.1 per cent of those kinds of exams. women in the services women and 51.2 per cent Mathematics and English Language Levels of youth unem- sector is partially of men in the labour mar- scores in CXC examinations - the two The CXC has been struggling with the ployment (15-24 years of explained by the signifi- ket are wage and salaried required subjects for tertiary level contradiction between the demands of age) continue to be of cance of domestic work workers, this in itself entry - the percentage of passes is still an Industrial Age education system and concern. Globally, unem- as a source of employ- constitutes no guarantee abysmally low. the employers’ demands for a graduate ployment affects young ment. of higher job quality. from CSEC and CAPEwith other skills women more than young While the extra lessons syndrome Globally, 38 per cent of might not seem to extend to technical by increasing the value of school-based men. Fewer benefits for women and 36 per cent of assessmentsat the secondary levels, but women schools, those students enrolled in men in wage employ- TVET programmes also are infected by the exams still feature heavily in calcu- One-half of all young ment do not contribute to lating a student’s grades.Region-wide women and men had at Women are less well cov- the testing bug, since graduates must social protection. The be certified through Jamaica National adoption of the new CXC Grade 6 least one other labour ered by pension arrange- proportions for women examination that encourages problem market experience ments. Lower rates of Vocational Qualifications (J-NVQs) or reach 63.2 per cent in Caribbean Vocational Qualifications solving and student involvement in beyond the first job formal wage and salaried sub-Saharan Africa and their own learning has been slow. before gaining their cur- employment, together (CVQs) to gain employment beyond 74.2 per cent in Southern their own borders under the Caribbean Instead of adopting this Grade 6 exam- rent stable of satisfactory with fewer hours or fewer Asia where informal ination, Jamaica is developing a news jobs. years worked; result in Single Market and Economy (CSME). employment is the domi- Since many students were advised to standards-based curriculum for Grades enrol in technical programmes because 1 to 9 and revising the approaches in its Violence continues to Plague the Federation they were not successful in the high Grade 6 examination. stakes academic tests at the end of pri- Changing testing and measuring stu- From page 4 mary school or early in secondary dent success also has implications for cuffs or prison, they receiving counseling to school, the entire TVET system suffers establishing international assessment or the families. Youth established no cost day- deal with the pain and from the perception that its students are strategies not dependent upon exami- are not getting involved cares to assist families, anger? How many of not as “smart“ as academic students. nations alone, changing the curriculum in the gang culture meal programs, commu- these people are now sit- Although this perception, constructed for pre-service teacher training, chang- because they can’t find nities gardens, communi- ting and planning as it is on the outdated idea that acade- ing teacher certification and profes- a job, their involvement ty centers filled with free revenge as a way to deal mic students are “brighter“ than TVET sional development, strengthening the in the gang culture community oriented pro- with their pain? students, is wrong, it is still widely held training of teacher educators and edu- begins long before they grams and demanded among parents and the general public. cational administrators, and conduct- are of the age to seek that certain types of busi- This problem is going to be with us for a long It is interesting to note that in Ontario, ing dialogues with parents and employment. Let’s look ness were zoned out of employers. Planning change of such at our communities and the community as they time, to many of our where community colleges were estab- youth are in pain and lished 40 years ago to allow those who deep-rooted systems poses a consider- ascertain what we can were deemed inappropri- able challenge. provide to assist people ate for a healthy residen- beyond redemption, were considered less academically gift- in raising children in a tial community and however, unless we ed the opportunity to get a tertiary Thus, while Caribbean countries may healthy environment. belonged in a warehouse become proactive and degree, more than 30 percent of univer- have gained political independence, Operation Future in our district. We believed recognize this problem sity graduates are now re-enrolling in a they have not yet managed educational quest to understand the they could teach us for what it is, it is never community college programme to independence. nature of the problem something. going away and can get acquire a skill that will make them chose to partner with an much worse. employable. The Caribbean is far The areas of curriculum design, class- organization based in As a simple example of behind the curve. room instruction and testing are just a our shortfalls in the last Daniel MacMullin few of the areas the CARICOM Canada. Why, this orga- Member of Operation Educationists and employers alike nization in six years in week I believe we have Education and Human Resource 2030 seen four murders, each Future have asserted that what students need Strategy and Action Plan will have to their own troubled neigh- [email protected] to learn in school is broader than the borhood saw a drop of person killed leaves address, and constitute but one cube on behind a number of om memorisation of facts and their accu- one face of the Rubik’s cube of the crime in the community 869-4697040/41 rate regurgitation on an examination: of 85% without hand- grieving persons, how Caribbean education system. many of these people are fax 869-469-7042 employers in particular have said that The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer for the Best Independent News Coverage in The Federation if you have a news story, give us a call at 469-5907

C M Y K CLASSIFIED NEWS The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 Page 23 CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT Coolie Auto Repairs DD’s Hairbraiding is seeking SPANISH GARAGE Wanted (1) secretary CLASSIFIED AD SPACE FOR with 2 years experience (1) hair braider/stylist Wanted (1) Mechanic with 5 Years Call: 663:8637 Call: 469-5878/665-2367 RENT CALL 469-5907 experience, Call: 667-0430/6604084 General Construction Sangate Construction is BOOK YOUR SPACE NOW AND Jehovah Jireh, Need CLASSIFIED AD SPACE FOR seeking a Trademan with ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS Carpenter with 3 yrs or more 4 years experience CARDS IN THE OBSERVER experience, call 869-763-3536 RENT CALL 469-5907 Call: 667-3533 CLASSIFIEDS CALL 469-5907 ZACARIAS LANDSCAPING Bartender needed at A company in St. Kitts is looking for a qualified Urgently required experience Nats Bar and Grill chilled water and VRF technician. Email resume tailor and seamstress needed at Wanted one (1) worker with two (2) years Please Call: to: [email protected] and qualified CJs Tailoring upper College experience, Call - 869-667-9914/764-5217 760-7277/668-5179 applicants will be contacted Street. Call: 6604523 Closing the gap could take 70 years

From page 22 and salaried work. As a between women and Globally, women repre- on unpaid care work per firm previous ILO esti- result, across the world, men. sent nearly 65 per cent of day, compared to 2 hours mates that globally, women, who represent people above retirement and 16 minutes by men. women still earn on aver- hours and 9 minutes in less than 40 per cent of The cumulative disad- age (60-65 or older In developing countries, age 77 percent of what paid and unpaid work, total employment, make vantage faced by women according to national leg- women spend 4 hours men earn. The report compared to 7 hours and up 57 per cent of those in the labour market has a islation in the majority of and 30 minutes per day notes that this wage gap 36 minutes worked by working shorter hours significant impact in later countries) without any on unpaid care work, cannot be explained sole- men. and on a part-time basis. years. In terms of pen- regular pension. This compared to 1 hour 20 ly by differences in edu- sions, coverage (both means some 200 million minutes for men. cation or age. This gap In developing economies, In addition, across more legal and effective) is women in old age are liv- Although this gender gap can be linked to the women in employment than 100 countries sur- lower for women than ing without any regular remains substantial, it has undervaluation of the spend 9 hours and 20 veyed, more than one men, leaving an overall income from an old age decreased in a number of work women undertake minutes in paid and third of employed men gender social protection or survivor’s pension, countries, mostly due to and of the skills required unpaid work, whereas (35.5 per cent) and more coverage gap. Globally, compared to 115 million the reduction in time in female-dominated sec- men spend 8 hours and 7 than one fourth of the proportion of women men. spent on housework by tors or occupations, dis- minutes in such work. employed women (25.7 above retirement age women, but not to signif- crimination, and the need The unbalanced share of per cent) work more than receiving a pension is on Other report highlights icant reductions in their for women to take career unpaid work limits 48 hours a week. This average 10.6 percentage time spent on childcare. breaks or reduce hours in women’s capacity to also affects the unequal points lower than that of In developed countries, paid work to attend to increase their hours in distribution of unpaid men. women spend on average In terms of wages, the additional care responsi- paid, formal and wage household and care work 4 hours and 20 minutes results in the report con- bilities such as child care.

C M Y K Page 24 The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer. Friday May 27, 2016 SPORTS NEWS

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