The government of St. Lucia and the EU are reviewing an aide mechanism which provides financial assistance to small and vulnerable economies. A delegation from the European Commission sat down with local government officials to conduct a mid-term review of the 10th EDF country strategy of December 2008. The assessment will look at changing the financing priorities to help the country deal with the tough

economic times. The mid term review of the 10th European development fund country strategy comes against the back drop of global economic recession. Policy makers will examine the economic, social and poverty situation. The EU is St. Lucia’s most significant grant aide donor. The current project portfolio features agricultural and economic diversification initiatives. Both parties met at the ministry of economic affairs.

limited, so health care workers and high risk patients will be given priority. The WHO reports weekly production of the vaccines will be only 94 million doses. Fears about a shortfall in supplies have eased with news a single dose can effectively provide immunity. The Senior Medical Officer continues to stress – however - that Saint Lucians should focus on tips for warding off infections – not on inoculations.

In the absence of a vaccine, authorities are increasing stocks of all supplies from protective gear to Tami flu which is being used to treat the illness. Doctors warn it is not a panacea or wonder drug. The authorities are preparing for the worst case scenario with the onset of the flu season. They are discussing continuity plans with all the major institutions in St. Lucian society including the essentials services.

The island’s H1N1 team calls on all and sundry to wash your hands, use hand sanitizers, and cover sneezes and coughs. The authorities says albeit with the reports of mild cases here, Tami flu medication and the advent of a vaccine, these practices remain the tried and proven methods of keeping the swine flu and other contagious illnesses at bay. Special Flu clinics in the north of St. Lucia open their doors on Wednesday.

But while the Minister waits for the legislation on this committee to be made law – he is calling on minibus associations to do more to discipline drivers. The National Council on Public Transportation takes a different view. PRO – Linus St Clair – who is also the Secretary of the Grande-Riviere Minibus Association, says associations are unable to discipline drivers because the buck stops with the Ministry.

Guy Joseph has also mentioned an alternative to the Disciplinary Committee – one that could be implemented in the interim. However – he says for that body to function it requires the assistance of the individual minibus associations. Joseph would not hazard a guess about when the Attorney General Chambers would be finished with the legislation for the Disciplinary Committee. For the National Council this is a situation that needs immediate redress. Linus St Clair has called on the Minister to engage in more action, less talk.

plans were modified to allow for delivery of service to more homes. Rather than building a water tank and using less line – the WASCO team linked the system to an existing one in Morne-du-don. Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva says his country funded the project because of the impact it was expected to have. He says it was part of world-wide Water in Sustainable Development Initiatives pursued by the Spanish in 2004.

Sealy says the impact of the project is already being felt. He says the modern system also allows WASCO to maintain and control water flow to Anse Fewee residents. Babonneau MP – Ezechiel Joseph – was also on hand to witness the handover of the project as was Public Utilities Minister Guy Joseph.

The backers of the LOGOS 11 say they have a noble and charitable cause. The sale of the books is a not for profit making enterprise. Representatives say proceeds are used to purchase more books and fuel for the ship. There are over seven thousand books available on the ship.

The ship is scheduled to arrive here on October 16th and will be berthed at Pointe Seraphine until October 24th.
Logos Hope will also set sail to other ports in the Caribbean including St. Vincent, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana

was her way of giving back to the island she enjoys very much. Sandals Grande adopted the Gros-Islet Pre-School earlier this year. Resort Sales Manager – Daly Mariatte – credited the guests for contributing to the resort’s campaign to assist the school. The Scotts began compiling the donated supplies in December. They were packaged and shipped to Saint Lucia by the Sandals chain in March.

The Brewery will introduce nine new beers to the event this year. Harry says there will also be greater focus on cultural performances. Oktoberfest en kweyol is a play on the Oktoberfest event that first began in Germany – the Brewery says over 3,000 people attended the inaugural event last year.