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| Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:26 PM |
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News Stories- March 27th 2008
Opposition Lobbying for Recall
Story By
Shannon Lebourne
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Opposition Leader – Dr. Kenny Anthony says the results of the March 22 Presidential Election in Taiwan can have implications for St.Lucia, but all expectations should be weighed carefully. Dr Anthony says one should not expect any immediate or dramatic changes from the new KMT government in relation to diplomatic ties with St.Lucia. However, he says they’re monitoring the new government’s position regarding the “One China Policy”. He says the KMT’s election campaign focused on corruption by Chen Shiu Bain’s DPP Party. Dr Anthony says he expects the new government to be interested in the behavior |
of its Foreign Diplomats like Ambassador Tom Chou. The Opposition Leader says Ambassador Chou has become a political agent of the UWP and the SLP will use all openings to expose his wrongdoings. But, Ambassador Chou has his own thoughts on Dr Anthony’s campaign. He says the opposition views Taiwan as a threat to its political future on St.Lucia. Dr Anthony says the Stephenson King government continues to shame St.Lucians on the international stage by accepting what he called ridiculous recommendations by the Taiwanese Ambassador. Earlier this year, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon rejected a letter to accept Taiwan as a genuine representative of the Chinese people. The government of St.Lucia was a signatory to that letter.
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Norbere Road Issues
Story By
Clinton Reynolds
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Louis Prospere has lived in Norbere all his life. The 69-year-old remembers representatives from way back who have promised to repair a road, which is unmotorable. He says the current MP has promised to fix the road, but nothing has been done. Kevin Weekes has been living in the area for ten years. Craters and creeks characterize the place where vehicles should use. He says the condition of the road is causing residents extra expense. In one section of the roadway, residents were forced to create a different path due to the deterioration of the surface. Rosanna Emmanuel wants something done, and |
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quickly. A younger resident is worried about the risks associated with the poor road conditions. Tamara Mathurin says emergency vehicles cannot access the area because of the state of the street. The Parliamentary Representative for the area – Lenard Montoute is off island attending to official government business but he says the people of Norbere don’t have to fret for much longer. Speaking via telephone from the United States, Montoute says the roadway will be repaired shortly after the budget presentation in April.
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Taiwanese Tour Mental Hospital
Story By
Carmy Joseph
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The Taiwanese delegation began their day in a meeting with Health Minister Dr Keith Mondesir. One of the options going forward is this new plan to house the general and mental hospital in the existing mental hospital compound. The Taiwanese Ambassador – Tom Chou – says the new facility would rival any medical complex in the world. The proposed new hospital would accommodate 40 mentally ill patients. Golden Hope hospital currently has a bed capacity of 160. The launch of the community mental health program is expected to make up the difference in capacity. So says the Coordinator of the Mental Health Reform Project – Jennifer Joseph. |
There will be four full time community teams – one in Soufriere, another in Vieux-Fort and two in Castries servicing from Gros-Islet to Dennery. These teams will perform a number of functions including crisis response and monitoring of the mentally ill. The community mental health program will be launched in April. The Taiwanese delegation will be in Saint Lucia until Saturday.
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SLBC waiting for lawyers
Story By
Shannon Lebourne |
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The deadline for a response or action by WIBDECO was Tuesday, and the St. Lucia Banana Corporation Chairman was not clear whether WIBDECO acted on the demand. The SLBC ordered the Banana Development and Exporting Company to withdraw a termination letter that, effectively, shut down the corporation. Earlier, WIBDECO has indicated it had received no letter from the SLBC, but the Corporation’s Chairman – Eustace Monrose says that is far from accurate. The WIBDECO Chairman – Bernard Cornibert was not willing say much about the letter, but he was unperturbed about a potential lawsuit. |
| The SLBC says it will proceed with action if it does not get a response. Monrose was unsure what action attorneys for the SLBC would recommend, but he was trusting them to do what was necessary. The SLBC owns twenty percent of WIBDECO shares. The rift between the SLBC and WIBIDECO has left a number of casualties. Scores of people are without work but Cornibert says there are many other banana companies operating on the island where those individuals can seek employment. |
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What is Fair Trade Bananas
Story By
Carmy Joseph
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WIBDECO Chief Executive - Bernard Cornibert - says fair trade makes good business sense. The banana export company recently signed an agreement with a fair trade producer to purchase only their bananas for sale in the UK.
That agreement followed the termination of contracts with other non-fair trade producers. Cornibert says these bananas attract a higher price on the market. But what is a fair trade banana – and why are export companies moving in that direction? Cornibert says the label allows consumers to purchase a conscience free product. These bananas are also part of complying with international rules regarding trade.
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WIBDECO is expected to begin trading in only fair trade bananas in April. Not all producers have taken the decision to go that route lying down. The SLBC has threatened consequences if the termination of their contract with the company is not revoked. The company Chief Executive says he stands by his decision.
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New NHDC Director
Story By
Shannon Lebourne
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Nicholas Facial is the new Acting Managing Director of the National Housing Development Corporation. Facial – a qualified agriculturist says he is no stranger to housing development. The new NHDC Acting Managing Director says he brings a wealth of managerial experience to the organization. Facial replaces Joseph Alexander who chose not to renew his contract.He insists he is prepared to contribute to the development of the island. Facial says the corporation is faced with exciting times and the initiation of several project. He says the corporation will place special emphasis on the Marigot |
housing development and a shelter development project in Monchy.Nicholas Facial has been serving as the Acting Managing Director of the National Housing Development Corporation from February 1st.
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More Locals For St. Lucia Jazz
Story By
Clinton Reynolds
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Saint Lucia Jazz 2008 will highlight local flavour beyond Saint Lucian artists like Tennyson John and Soulfood. The Marketing Manager of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board – Ian Herman – says there will be added emphasis placed on indigenous food and culture. There is also extra emphasis placed on local promotion of the music festival. Board Public Relations Manager – Kirby Allain – says all local media will be used to showcase and advertise Saint Lucia Jazz. This is a break from the traditional gold, silver and bronze media sponsors. A number of internationally renowned artistes will be performing at the 17th |
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| annual festival. Herman says a number of these performers will have some extra special for the jazz crowd. Parking for the festival remains the same with patrons being asked to carpool to avoid congestion. Tickets for Saint Lucia Jazz 2008 go on sale on Friday. |
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CSA Educating
Story By
Shannon Lebourne |
The Civil Service Association has developed a new approach to sustain the organization. The orientation workshop to educate the new members of the CSA on various Labor and Industrial Relations issues is the first step. The Assistant General Secretary of the CSA says the workshop provided a platform for the new members to become more familiar with the goals of the CSA to serve the workforce better. Lilia Auguste says this will improve the quality of work produced by employees.
The issue of succession is a sore point for many organizations. Auguste says the workshop also aimed at developing the secondary leadership of the CSA to prepare them better to take on the leadership. She says the budding trade unionists were also educated on the importance of productivity and efficiency in the workplace. The Assistant General Secretary of the CSA says such workshops on trade union education will benefit the island’s workforce in the future. Wednesday’s educational exercise was facilitated by the Civil Service Association with assistance from the Labor Department.
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