in France.Compton says the government has changed its eradication strategy based on the spread of the disease. No longer will the Ministry be cutting down and destroying contaminated crops. He says a national fight that unites members of the various privately owned banana companies will be undertaken. Not only will there be a national approach to eradicate the disease – Compton says the government will also mount a national and regional effort to prevent future outbreaks.

The SLP Point Man on Agriculture soon after confirmation of the disease blamed a “hands off” approach by the Ministry for its spread. It was criticism rejected by the Minister who said then as a privatized industry – the individual banana companies were responsible for its safety. This approach by Compton suggests such a “hands off” policy if it did exist may no longer be in vogue at least where leafspot prevention is concerned.

The country is also receiving assistance in its fight from the neighbouring French isle of Martinique. On Monday – Compton met with a delegation from that country to discuss eradication strategies and the way forward for the industry. He says a number of strategies were discussed including the introduction of a new type of banana crop.

George says not only are the mangroves important to the ecology of the area but they have been a beneficial educational tool for science students due to accessibility. Fortunately the responsible party is eager to address the situation under the guidelines of the fisheries department and other relevant agencies. George says the developer will have to undertake rehabilitative works to hopefully restore the integrity of the mangroves.

The Fisheries Department says the unfortunate situation could have been avoided if procedure had been followed. The Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer says mangroves cannot be tampered with despite their presence on private or State owned land. As such all developers are urged to contact the Fisheries department before moving forward with work that may affect marine reserves. Compromising the site of a marine reserve violates section 22 of the Fisheries Act and carries a fine of $5000. The statute also calls for restoration costs to be paid by the responsible party.

Because of the traffic management plan that will be in place for the funeral, the motoring public is asked to note that before the church service the parade which will commence at 1:30, will take the following route. March off from the police canteen yard - down onto Bridge Street, the parade will pause for a motorcycle display on Jeremie Street near the customs and excise department.

It will continue right onto Laborie Street, right onto West Hall Street, down onto Bourbon Street and will stop for a minute of silence next to the office of the crown prosecution where corporal peter was last assigned. The parade will then move left onto Brazil Street, left onto Brogile Street, left onto Micoud Street and stop at the entrance of the cathedral. Following the church service the parade will march in front of the church, down Laborie Street, right onto Jeremie Street and will fall out in front of bank of St. Lucia, waterfront. The parade continues from the junction of rendezvous hotel and Mandela Drive, continue onto Mandela Drive, right into the cemetery and conclude at the cemetery.

Deputy Town Clerk, Vaughn Louis Fernand, says the Castries City Council is aware of the need to identify new space for a cemetery. The longevity of the Choc cemetery he says is nearing its end. But establishing a new cemetery ground, Louis Fernand says, is not as easy as it sounds. Major factors include the need for an ultra modern facility that is spacious enough to function for at least 100 years.

The Deputy Town Clerk says three possible areas in the north of the island have been identified as possible cemetery grounds but approval awaits results from tests on soil quality and use. He says identifying a spot for what he’s termed a major cemetery is critical at this point.

Lesfloris has this message for the public – illegal dumping affects everyone. He says the impact may not be personally felt right not but it will be in the future. He has also reminded people engaged in this practice that is illegal to dump garbage where it has been strictly forbidden by the Solid Waste and Management Authority. Lesfloris says it is a crime that carries a very hefty fine.

The Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority says garbage can be disposed of in three ways – dumping at the Deglos Sanitary Landfill or the Vieux-Fort Solid Waste Management Facility – or by composting. Like the Saint Lucia Fire Service – they too have condemned the burning of bush or garbage particularly during the current dry season.

Mental Wellness Handover
Story By
Lovely St.Aimee

That facility will be decommissioned this week after patients have moved into the new facility. Dr Mondesir says the opening of the state of the art facility is a milestone in reforming the island’s mental health sector. PS in the Ministry of Health, Felix St. Hill says the move will be done in phases that began with the official hand over of the facility to the Mental Health Reform Unit headed by Jennifer Joseph. The opening of the new facility will coincide with greater emphasis on primary mental health care. The Taiwanese Embassy officially handed over the Hospital to the Saint Lucian government in November last year.

ECTEL Makes Plans
Story By
Lovely St.Aimee

St. Lucia’s public utilities minister Guy Joseph paid tribute to the pioneers who were instrumental in the formation of the regulatory body. Former prime minister of Saint Lucia Dr. Kenny Anthony pointed to consensus among the OECS States as the main contributing factor in the success and longevity of the telecoms regulator. 

ECTEL which was established in May 2000 regulates the Telecommunications sector in the member states of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the grenadines. The regional directorate is based in St. Lucia.

Augier is a close family member of the departed icon and has pledged resources to the endowment from the monetary prize accompanying his recent award. So too has the government of Saint Lucia and the many Institutions and organizations to which Charles belonged Meanwhile - a memorial service celebrating the life of Patricia Charles will take place at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries on Saturday March 06 at 3.30pm.  Persons attending the service are asked, in lieu of wreaths and flowers, to make donations to the Pat Charles Endowment for the Arts. A special collection will be taken during the ceremony. 

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.