If the Commissioner is to be believed – it would mean the fingerprinting requirement came under the previous SLP administration. Why then is the then Prime Minister calling it an “assault on [the] personal liberties” of Saint Lucians? Dr Kenny Anthony has called for an explanation from the Electoral Commission in relation to the issue.

In any case - Dr Anthony says in response to the statement from the Tourism Minister that it was the Electoral Commission and not the government who designed the new ID. That Commission is made up of the three persons – one representative from each Party and the Chairman – Kenneth Monplaisir, QC.

A Constitutional attorney by profession – Dr Anthony has called on Saint Lucians to refuse compliance with the Electoral Department until an explanation is forthcoming from the Electoral Commission.The fingerprints are not placed on the ID cards – they are placed into a database at the Electoral Office. 

security threat and is commercially detrimental to the country. The NTRC acquired the services of Consultant Ron Hitchison who runs a company called Zytrax to help the island get hold of .lc domain. He conducted a week-long course on internet infrastructure. Hitchison explains the island’s bid is a convoluted matter that will most likely involve the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers called ICANN.  This is a U.S backed not-for-profit agency that oversees trademark issues on the internet.

Currently any entity seeking to register domain names under .lc must pay a fee and meet the guidelines set by the third party. If the domain is repatriated to St. Lucia who will be officially in charge of the internet code name?

The internet domain for the island is operated by an entity online called NIC.LC which has no connection with St. Lucia’s national insurance scheme – and appears to operate from Puerto Rico. The workshop on internet domain and infrastructure was held at the ICT Centre next to the Central Library on Bourbon Street, Castries.

Drivers say they’re irate because during the past few days, trucks carrying materials in and out of the work site have blocked off access to their pegs. The drivers say while they see the merit in the project, they feel compromise should come from them and the CCC who continues to ignore their concerns

Our cameras caught the Project Contractor engaging another representative of the association in a bid to resolve the matter. He later explained that a compromise had been reached. Acting Town Clerk Vaughn Louis Fernand agreed the project had created more of an obstruction than had been initially anticipated. However he says it is an inconvenience that can be resolved with a little patience on the part of drivers.

And perhaps in the spirit of compromise – the Acting Town Clerk - says drivers can be comforted that the project will only run for the next three months.

She says while there is no official announcement by public health officials, NEMO supports the proactive approach taken by the churches to save lives Distribution of the H1N1 vaccine has begun in the more developed countries. However, French is encouraging the St. Lucian public to continue practicing good hygiene and avoid complacency by awaiting the arrival here of the vaccine.

NEMO advises that all denominations and faiths stop the shaking of hands and hugs. They also advise the suspension of sharing of the chalice amongst priests or with the congregation. Saint Lucians should also continue to practice good hygiene which includes the washing of hands and use of sanitizers.

The Bureau will also train Ministry personnel who will assume the role of monitors of the project. The Head of certification at the Bureau of Standards - Betty Combie - says the initiative is aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the public service. The project was launched at the Bureau of Standards office at Bisee. Acting Prime Minister Lenard Montoute – who is also the Public Service Minister and Commerce Minister Tessa Mangal whose Ministry oversees the Bureau officially declared the project open.

Regional Policy on biotechnology and bio-safety. This five year policy is the focus of a National Consultation being held this week. Participants – Chaired by Dr Cyril Robert - are discussing the Draft Regional Policy. Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Terrence Gillard, says it is crucial that each CARICOM member state have its say on the document. The regional policy is expected to be implemented by the end of 2010. The meeting is being held at the Auberge Seraphine Hotel.

The district governor also got a first hand look at the charitable work of the St. Lucia Rotary Club. She challenged all Rotarians to accept their roles as model citizens and mentors to a new generation who she believes are lost in the world of virtual reality.  Astra Dacosta’s tenure as District Governor runs from July 2009 till June 2010. She says the youth will be a major priority during her term in office. The theme for the International Rotary Club is “The future of Rotary is in your hands”.

covered earlier this year. RBTT Country Manager – Mary Popo –says the program aims to nurture future leaders like Victor. Twenty-six schools began the competition but only ten completed the project. Popo says along the way participants had to interact with their school and community. They also had to learn ways to express the theme. The prize giving ceremony for the RBTT Young Leaders was held at the National Cultural Centre on Monday.