Bousquet says the former MP should have addressed his concerns to the government. He says the Minister is attempting to politicize what is an issue that could have easily been cleared up. The Cabinet has – in principle – granted permission for a number of casino licenses to be issued. It is now up to the Gaming Licensing Authority to grant licenses to these entities including a tenant in the Baywalk Mall. The head of that Authority has since resigned stalling the entire process.

Bousquet has also defended the government’s timeliness in dealing with the issue. The introduction of gaming into Saint Lucia is endorsed by the former and current Tourism Minister who say it as a valuable edition to the country’s tourism product. Cabinet approval has been granted to three entities to pursue gaming licenses.

Talking Consumer Rights
Story By
Winston Springer

The Chief Complaints and Investigations Officer at the Department of Consumer Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce has joined the list of unhappy customers who claim to have purchased an unsafe product. Mary Isaac says while there may be dubious claims of defective products, businesses should not dismiss the veracity of most complaints. Despite the ire of government agencies and watch dog groups the

legislation to protect the rights of consumers is non-existent here in St. Lucia. In the absence of laws, the official at the Ministry of Commerce says consumers need to be on the ball when making a purchase. Isaac says if the efforts of watchful consumers fail there are channels they can seek s redress. The National Consumer Association President offers this advice.

CARICOM is currently assessing the capacity of its members to deal with consumer rights in the current CSME environment. A consultant recently visited the island to do just that – he will conduct similar exploration in every CARICOM member state.

Boy Dies In Collision
Story By
Lovely St.Aimee

Marijuana Eradication
Story By
Carmy Joseph

On Saturday January 16th officers attached to the Castries drug squad conducted an eradication exercise on a marijuana plantation, deep in the Canaries forest. A quantity of three thousand, nine hundred and ninety six grown plants of marijuana and fifteen thousand seedlings were destroyed.
The officers also recovered thirty pounds of dried cannabis from the plantation.

Forty one year old Bernard Edward of Ciceron was arrested and subsequently charged for the offences of possession of controlled drugs, possession to supply to another and cultivation. He appeared in court on Thursday January 21st where the matter was adjourned until Friday January 22nd for a bail hearing. Police are once again appealing to persons to desist clearing of the forest to engage in illegal activity.

The letter was also sent to the organizers of the International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad where Ricky T was supposed to compete in the semi-final on Sunday. Sanchez says he intends to meet with the record company to sort out any remaining issues as soon as he and Ricky T return from Trinidad. He says the situation as it stands can and will be resolved.

Meanwhile – reigning Groovy Monarch Alpha is also in Trinidad to compete in the international groovy Monarch competition. He will compete against big guns like Shurwayne Winchester and Bunji Garlin for a spot in the Groovy Monarch final. His manager – Wayne Vitalis –says Alpha is focused and currently putting the finishing touches for his performance this week-end. The International Soca Monarch competition will be held on Sunday in Trinidad.

Jn Baptiste says the figures are very encouraging because generally AIDS cases are expected to increase along wit the population. He says that trend has not manifested itself in St. Lucia. But he warns that persons should not become complacent because of the encouraging statistics. He adds that while the public has become more knowledgeable about the disease there is still work left to be done. The NAPS Director says public education on HIV/AIDS must continue if the island is to prevent an alarming jolt in the rate of the disease.

The drugs are provided under a technical agreement between the OECS and Brazil. Burnett said the existing accord between the two countries will be reviewed in March. OECS officials say approximately 530 patients, including 20 children, are being treated with antiretroviral medicines throughout the Authority including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.

Portrait Gallery Launched
Story By
Winston Springer

On Thursday the National Archive Authority began showcasing the images of the people who have made an indelible mark on the nation’s history. The National Portrait Gallery features snap shots and artists representations of contemporary house hold names and iconic personalities of the past. Chief archivist, Margot Thomas says there is a treasure drove of artifacts lying in trash heaps across the nation.    

Thomas is encouraging visual artists of all kinds to make their works available for posterity. Artist, Cedric George made an immeasurable contribution to the gallery. He says while memories fade, paintings immortalize images of the renowned personas. 

The display left a lasting impression on the school students who for the most part were unaware of the storied history of the personalities contained in the portrait gallery. The National Archives says it does not have every historical record and photograph of Saint Lucia’s outstanding citizens and is appealing for public support to ensure no one is omitted.

During the launch - the National Archives also unveiled a plaque in commemoration of the inscription of the Sir William Arthur Lewis Papers on the International Memory of the World Registry. The plaque was unveiled by his widow – Lady Gladys Lewis.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the donation to the St. Judes Fund.   To date that fund has accumulated millions of donations towards the construction of a new Saint Jude’s Hospital. Since a fire ravaged the hospital facility in the south in September, a number of corporate entities have made donations in support of the fund. The Fund was established soon after the fire destroyed almost one third of the medical plant.

CARILEC Assistance For Haiti
Story By
Winston Springer

The regulatory body for power companies in the Eastern Caribbean has pledged its support for the Haiti earthquake relief effort. Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) will provide technical assistance to restore the power grid in the Creole nation devastated by a massive quake more than a week ago.

Deputy Director of CARILEC, Nigel Mosai says the association is awaiting the findings of a CARICOM assessment team on the extent of the damage to the utility. The CARILEC official concedes the Haitian power grid was unreliable before the catastrophe and improving the country’s infrastructure will be a monumental task. He says the organization will offer its expertise in three main areas.

Meanwhile - CARILEC has established a special fund that has received overwhelming support from the various power companies across the region that from the organization.

RBC Assistance For Haiti
Story By
Winston Springer

Vice President of the Royal Bank of Canada in the Eastern Caribbean, Roxanne Solomon says the financial institution chose to partner with a reputable humanitarian organization to ensure the monetary donations reached the victims of the disaster. Solomon says the Royal Bank of Canada sympathizes with the people of Haiti and will contribute wholeheartedly to the relief effort. Members of the public can make monetary donations to RBC account number 1008424 and RBTT account number 18003-000-000-32032.

Government wants an organized and coordinated response to the earthquake in Haiti. It will be one framed within CARICOM as Haiti like Saint Lucia is a member of the regional organization. Earl Huntley is the CARICOM Ambassador to Haiti – the Director of the CARICOM office there. He says to date all members of that office have been accounted for save for the receptionist. Huntley will leave for the earthquake ravaged country on Friday as part of a CARICOM team that will include CDEMA.

Press Secretary Darnley Lebourne says this disaster in Haiti has again highlighted the need for an emergency/disaster fund for the Caribbean region. Lebourne says although Caribbean countries can presently access the Trinidad government funded Petroleum Fund in time of such crisis – there needs to be a fund that is specific to this type of need. It is a call supported by Huntley.

The government has also called on Saint Lucians to provide generous assistance for Haiti. Already one local firm has donated financially to the relief effort in Haiti. Senior Manager – Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager – Maria Fowell – says the company has also facilitated monetary donations through one of its subsidiaries.

Hundreds of thousands of people are feared dead following a Tuesday earthquake in Haiti. The 7.0 disaster left immeasurable damage in the capital Port-au-Prince including to the airport, road and telecoms network.

The government is inviting donations to the Haiti Earthquake Aid Appeal Fund.
Issued through NEMO – that fund will facilitate monetary donations to for earthquake relief in Haiti.
It can be accessed at six banks – Bank of Saint Lucia Account # 901029840 – First National Bank Account # 6002153 – RBTT Account # 7076300 – First Caribbean International Account # 02-1804460 – Royal Bank of Canada Account # 1002005 and Bank of Nova Scotia Account # 2001483.
The government is urging a national approach for all monetary donations to facilitate the money getting to the people of Haiti.