Saint Lucia No. 121. Saturday, January 21, 2006 A publication of the Department of Information Services “ or this year and un- til such time that the FGeneral Election is an- nounced, the Government will focus on six (6) priorities. Priority number one is to se- cure further reductions in crime; Better health care and Priority number two is to in- employment for babonneau - page 2 tensify efforts to reduce unem- ployment; Priority number three is to speed up implementation of the Universal Health Care System, the UHC; Priority number four is to complete preparations for the Cricket World Cup, 2007; Priority number fi ve is to complete the drive to universal secondary education, to provide every child a place in a second- Energy Task Force discuss Petro- ary school. Caribe Agreement with Priority number six is to en- Venezuelans - page 3 sure that Saint Lucia conducts its electoral business without reproach and Saint Lucian par- ticipate in elections that are free, fair, and free from fear and in- timidation.” Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony Exciting times and moments of decision - pages 4, 5 & 6 OECS celebrates 25 years of unity - page 7 Among the major achievements for 2005 were the repairing and rehabilitation of roads. According to Prime Minister Kenny Anthony “drivers and commuter travelling between Vieux-Fort and Soufriere were pleased that the new South West Coast Road was fi nally completed last year.” Commuters in the north western communities have also been moving around in comfort. In the above photograph, a section of the Babonneau road was rehabilitated during the past year. Many Dennery Hospital - Major review other roads in the area the Grand Riviere/La Croix road were also completed. underway - page 7 “Take 2 ” - A fi fteen minute news review of the week. Government Notebook A fresh news package daily Every Friday at 6.15 p.m. on NTN, Cablevision Channel 2. on all local radio stations 2 Saint Lucia Saturday, Januray 21, 2006 munities. In this regard, WASCO con- nected, free-of-charge 25 households in the Talvern area, whilst the distribu- tion system to Boguis and Des Barras were upgraded. Through the People’s Republic of China’s Chinese Cooperation Fund, provides a grant of $50,000 toward poverty alleviation in select communi- ties. Through this initiative foot paths will be constructed in the Ti Conway area of Fond Assau at a cost of $25,000. Also approved for implementation is a community-managed, locally-chlo- rinated water storage and treatment project for the small Ravine Go/Lanfor community in Chassin. Residents of Chassin and indeed all of Fond Assau and its surrounding ar- eas have reason to look toward 2006 with renewed optimism. The sched- uled opening of the Aerial Tram proj- ect early in the new year will result in employment for over 75 persons; especially youth, with the majority Hon. Felix Finnisterre tours projects with technical team naturally coming from the immediate inister for Communica- Education mitigation projects aimed at amelio- tion Works Transport and Under the World Bank funded Di- rating the living conditions of many MPublic Utilities and Mem- saster Preparedness Project, the roof communities island-wide were under- ber of Parliament for Babonneau of the Fond Assau Primary School was taken. Specific to Babonneau was the says much work has been done in the replaced. Under the same project, the construction of two causeways at Des communities of the north east of the Babonneau Primary School will be Ablon in Boguis, and the Floris in Ti island to improve social and econom- similarly repaired, for which the ten- Morne. Also under this project a num- ic conditions of the people. Report- dering process is currently in train. ber of other small drainage works were ing to the nation during his Christ- Meanwhile, we look forward to the completed. To the hard working farm- ers in the Marquis River valley, relief is on the way. The long-awaited, long- promised replacement bridge has been designed and approval for tendering by way of a ‘no objection’ is being await- ed from the World Bank. In the area of rural Electrification All communities have benefited under the rural electrification programme. How- ever, particularly gratifying is the electri- fication for the farms in the Poix Doux area. For decades, the efforts of farmers at diversification have been frustrated for Aerial Tram under construction lack of power. Thanks to the generosity of LUCELEC new poultry and pig rear- neighborhoods of Babonneau. Dur- ing ventures have began. ing construction the playing field was Water supply damaged and the youth were denied its The completion of the Hill 20 proj- use for some six (6) months. We thank ect to replace the 6 inch raw water line the sportsmen for their cooperation and with an 8 inch PVC pipe should result understanding and we look forward to in a more reliable supply for the wider the speedy and complete restitution of Improved water treatment and distribution North-east Castries and Babonneau ar- the grounds by the Aerial Tram Com- eas. However, domestic connections pany.” mas message for 2005, Hon. Felix completion of the designs and tender- and the distribution network need to be The full text of the Minister’s address Finnistere spoke of improvements ing for the new (8) classroom block upgraded to ensure an adequate supply is available of the Government of Saint in education, health care, roads and at the Fond Assau Primary School. If to our numerous under-serviced com- Lucia website www.stlucia.gov.lc water supply. The following is an ed- all goes according to plan, the ground ited version of the Ministers address, breaking ceremony should take place which was broadcast on local radio in the first quarter of 2006. and television. With respect to Road improvement Health Care The major reconstruction works on In the area of health care, we opened the La Croix/Grande Riviere road is now the La Guerre Health Post - thanks to significantly complete. The Fond Assau/ the Poverty Reduction Fund. We also Chassin and La Croix/Des Barras roads, re-commissioned the newly refurbished under the French funded Tertiary Roads Babonneau Health Centre, funded by Programme are at an advanced stage and the CDB and BNTF. Currently, there nearing completion. Minor repairs have is the ongoing refurbishment of the been undertaken on a number of other Fond Assau Health Centre under the roads. However, it is hoped that in the new year, major repairs will be carried Economic Reconstruction Programme out on the Babonneau main road, the Ti funded by the CDB/GOSL. Completion Chemin/Fond Assau(short cut) and the is expected early in 2006. The People Cacoa/Girard Roads. and Government of Cuba responded generously to the improvement of the Small Mitigation eyesight of approximately 100 persons Under the 2nd World Bank Disaster within the Babonneau Constituency. Mitigation project a number of small The La Guerre Health Post Saturday, January 21, 2006 Saint Lucia 3 once they are in the interest of the peo- ple of St. Lucia.” The Prime Minister pointed out that, “contrary to what Sir John thinks and says, there are cities and states in the United States of America that have made use of the Venezuelan of- fer to make cheaper fuel available to he Government of St. Lucia citizens.” He asked: “If US cities can remains deeply interested in make use of the Venezuelan oil initia- Tthe PetroCaribe Agreement. tive, why then shouldn’t St. Lucia en- That’s the word from Prime Min- joy the benefits of cooperation with and ister Dr Kenny D. Anthony. The assistance from Venezuela?” Prime Minister says the Govern- The Prime Minister indicated that ment “remains interested” in the of- St. Lucia would soon be engaging the fer by Venezuela of cheaper fuel, not- Venezuelans in further discussions on withstanding the recent criticism of the agreement. He pointed out that “the the Venezuelan initiative by former Government’s Task force on Energy Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservation has been meeting on the Opposition United Workers Party PetroCaribe initiative and I am hoping (UWP), Sir John Compton. that the committee will be in a position Sir John recently claimed that the Ven- later this month to hold discussions ezuelan initiative, which has been em- with the Government of Venezuela on braced by other Caricom member-states, Fuel is the major input in energy production in Saint Lucia the agreement.” may upset the United States and result in Prime Minister Anthony noted that punitive actions against them. He also ar- says Sir John’s statements regarding present-day political realities.” He “St. Lucia is not alone” in embracing gued that closer Caricom relations with the initiative, pointing out that “several Cuba could also upset Washington. Venezuela and Cuba’s relations with said: “The Government of St. Lucia Caricom “not only reek of the Cold will never surrender its sovereignty to other Caricom member-states have also However, Prime Minister Anthony War, but are also inconsistent with any country. We will pursue initiatives, been making use of the facility.” rime Minister Dr Kenny D. An- economies by the volatility of oil prices, thony has challenged the Gov- while we all have to purchase fuel from Pernment of Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago at world market pric- to summon the will to do more to offer es.” He said there was an alternative to the better fuel alternatives to its Caricom present position adopted by the Trinidad & neighbours, rather than dissuade them Tobago Prime Minister. from taking up Venezuela’s offer of Said the St.