A bail out for the Saint Lucia Banana Corporation from the Agriculture Minister may not be in the cards. Ezechiel Joseph says the situation facing the SLBC came at its own hand. The Corporation has terminated most of its employees following a decision from WIBDECO to stop purchasing its non-fair trade bananas. Its Chairman says it is bracing for a tough road ahead. The Minister says SLBC rejected the opportunity to join WINFA in selling fair trade bananas to WIBDECO. The SLBC has threatened WIBDECO with legal action if they do not withdraw their termination letter.

It is a case another banana company – Tropical Fruit Limited – says they would probably win. Both companies have applied for producer status that would allow them to sell fair trade bananas themselves. The Minister says it is not fair to expect WIBDECO to wait for these companies to attain that certification. Ezechiel Joseph says reality is hitting the SLBC. It is the same reality he says makes fair trade the only future for banana farmers. He is also skeptical of what he says are complaints only from the SLBC and not other local companies. The TQF who also questions their termination letter would beg to differ.

Joseph says the future of Windward Island bananas is fair trade. He says it is important to protect that brand to ensure farmers make a good return on their investment in the industry. The final word from the Minister – he will not interfere in what is a private matter.

Freemont Lawrence says Fair Trade regulations for the sale of bananas will come into effect from Monday March 31st. WIBDECO`S Communications Manager says farmers delivering fair trade bananas at the sale depots must do so through the National Fair Trade Organization. He says this is a prerequisite of a sale and purchase agreement signed between WIBDECO, the Windward Island Fair Trade Association and the National Fair Trade Organization (NFTO) last Friday. Lawrence says the new arrangements will only affect non –fair trade banana farmers. He says farmers who sell their fruit through other entities than the NFTO will have difficulties at the sale depots.

The Communications Manager does not foresee many problems from the new sale arrangements. Lawrence says farmers are well informed on the Fair Trade Organization regulations. Banana farmers on Monday will have to complete a consignment sheet detailing their sale arrangements. These arrangements must state that the fruit is being sold through the National Fair Trade Organization.

The Leader of the Opposition – Dr Kenny Anthony labels as ridiculous the plans to combine the general and mental hospital. These plans were unveiled by Health Minister Dr Keith Mondesir and Taiwanese Ambassador Tom Chou on Friday. The original plans designed by the Chinese and the then Labour government called for two separate new facilities. The project abandoned by the Chinese and taken up by the Taiwanese has been delayed now for more than two years. Taiwanese Ambassador Tom Chou originally remarked on the country not needing a psychiatric facility. Dr Anthony says the reality of

mental disease in Saint Lucia cannot and should not be ignored.Next month, the community mental health program will be launched with three units. That program is expected to offset the bed needs of mental patients - Golden Hope hospital currently houses 160 patients. Dr Anthony says that program does not make the math work. The combination general and mental hospital is expected to be completed in 10 months.

Dr Anthony alleges the Stephenson King Administration is averse to pursuing projects initiated by the former SLP government. The former prime minister claims the government will continue to encounter difficulties by sidelining the best interest of St. Lucians for petty politics. He insists the general hospital is needed and any decision to discontinue the project will robs St. Lucians of a proper health care facility.

The island’s health minister says no final decision has been taken on the proposed merger of the two health care facilities. Dr Anthony is calling on the government to consider the best interest of St. Lucians before making any decisions on the hospital project.

Friday marked the start of construction on the Aquaculture facility at Union. The project is financed by the Taiwanese. Agriculture Minister Ezekiel Joseph says the facility will enable farmers to sustain their baby fish and shrimp production. Joseph says those farmers produce about seven thousand Tilapia and Shrimp but the demand is presently ninety seven thousand. Joseph says along with facilitating the required production numbers for Shrimp and Tilapia, the facility will be used to experiment with the feeding regime of the produce. The Agriculture Minister says the aim is to find a cheaper source of feed to ease the cost burden on farmers.

Taiwanese Ambassador Tom Chou says the construction of the Aqua Culture ponds will be done in about two months. Baby shrimp and tilapia require four and eight months respectively to develop into market size. The Taiwanese diplomat says production of these fresh water foods will reduce the import bill.

The Aqua Culture facility is one of the initiatives financed by the Taiwanese to diversify and improve the island’s agriculture sector. The government cancelled a sporting project that was earmarked for the area to facilitate it.

It appears that there is division brewing among UWP Micoud north constituents and party members over the election of the constituency branch executive. Some party supporters claim the election on February 2 was plagued with many glaring and shameful irregularities. They claim the meeting was not managed by the proper party officers and in some instances people voted twice. Concerned UWP supporters have expressed their worry to party chairman Stephenson king and other executive members since February 7th, but they say nothing has been done to date.

The aim is to make Gros-Islet the true capital of Saint Lucia. So says project coordinator – Ali Montoute. The head man, whose nickname in the community is “backhoe” because he operates that machine, is leading other Gros-Islet residents in the beautification of their town. Montoute says the location of Gros-Islet strategically places it to assume the mantle of capital. The project is funded by Gros-Islet mp – Lenard Montoute.

It includes the reconstruction and sprucing up the fishing village. Gros-Islet is the northernmost town in Saint Lucia.
It is home to the Friday night at Gros-Islet street jam as well as the Rodney bay marina and the pigeon island national landmark.

Renowned St. Lucian folk singer Dame Sesenne Descartes celebrated her ninety-fourth birthday on Friday. Descartes is regarded as St. Lucia’s queen of culture for her significant contribution to folklore and community service. The executive director of the folk research center Kennedy boots Samuel says this celebration is an important mark in the island’s history.

Musical compositions of the La Rose Chantwelle include why and Mongay. Dame Sesenne was awarded the British Empire medal in 1972, and she was acclaimed "queen of culture in Saint Lucia" in 1984. The government has agreed to set up an annual subvention for St. Lucia’s folk queen. This funding will be used to ensure that Sessene Descartes lives a more comfortable life in her native Mon Repos. Dame Sesenne Descartes was born on March 28th 1914.