Another collision happen infamous Ti Rocher junction in Micoud. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning and left several students from the Vieux-Fort secondary school nursing serious injuries – one of them in serious condition.

water shortages when the company has the financial resources to mitigate against such natural phenomena. Last year, days after strike action was taken by WASCO employees – the Prime Minister at a meeting with them said privatization would no longer take place. He also spoke of steps that would be taken to modernize the company and collect overdue revenue.

The company General Manager has often lamented the shoddy equipment that makes water collection and storage a logistical nightmare. Alexander has a plan through privatization to make Saint Lucians pay for the much needed upgrade.

The Employers Federation is speaking out because of the impact the current drought is having on its members.
Alexander says members are losing money both from absent employees and because of the cost of trucking water to their businesses.

Saint Lucia – like the rest of the Eastern Caribbean is experiencing a record drought brought on by very low rainfall. A few weeks ago – the government declared a water related state of emergency aimed at effective management of the resource.

Lebourne says the Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewage Company – the company said to be brokering the deal between the two countries - is also stunned by the media claims. Although there was communication between the Dominica utility company and the SLHTA on the matter. President – Anthony Bowen - says while the SLTHA was exploring the option of barging water – it was decided against it because of the expense.  

Bowen adds that the SLHTA met with officials of WASCO, the Ministries of Tourism and Communications two weeks go to discuss the matter. He says it is clear the importation of water is not only costly but a logistical nightmare because of strict quality and safety requirements. Bowen says the SLHTA is confident the authorities in St. Lucia can manage the situation effectively.

Bowen says if an individual resort decides to bring in water and meets the requirements and regulations; it is the prerogative of that establishment to do so but the SLHTA has no plans to import the commodity. Last Month both the Minister for Utilities Guy Joseph and the Managing Director John Joseph were also taken aback by an initial media report alleging the government was about to import water from Dominica.   The Authorities say the erroneous reports are raising unnecessary anxiety and alarm and have called for more responsible press coverage on what they say is a national issue. 

The Education Minister says this is a misconception he and the Union need to meet to clarify. The Minister says it is not practical for the Ministry to make these hourly paid janitors full time staff. Additionally – he contends the salary he labels a stipend – though not appearing to be much is appreciated by the workers who receive it. The Union General Secretary has called on the Ministry to pay janitors a living wage. George Goddard says last year after his Union made recommendations on how this could happen – they were rejected by the Government negotiating team. He says it is time for another meeting – this time with the Minister – to address the situation.

Ernest says the island could become a major re-fuelling stop for south bound aircraft. The aviator says the venture means airplanes no longer have to travel to Martinique and St. Vincent to get serviced. He says increased traffic could translate into more business for the airport including in landing fees and other costs. Many new businesses end in failure but Ernest is upbeat about the prospects for General Aviation Service. He says the company has two things in its favour – location and the cheaper cost of fuel. Ernest says General Aviation Service has enough available fuel to meet market demands and has a current capacity of 6, 200 gallons.

A Military funeral will be held on Wednesday the 10th  of March 2010, at 2:30pm, at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries for the late S.P.C 32 Titus St. Juste, who past away on Tuesday the 23rd  of February, 2010 The body of S.P.C. St. Juste will be available for viewing at the Police Auditorium, Police Headquarters, Castries, on Wednesday the 10th of March, 2010, from 11:00am. The Parade will commence at 1:30pm, and will take the following route:

BEFORE THE CHURCH SERVICE

Left onto upper Bridge Street, where the parade will stop in front of the department SPC St. Juste last worked, which is the Beat and Patrol Division (Central Police Station), for one minute of silence.

AFTER THE CHURCH SERVICE

The police are therefore seeking the co-operation of the motoring public and kindly apologize for any inconvenience caused.

on mutual values of democracy and human rights. The External Affairs Minister expressed gratitude on behalf of the government and the Prime Minister who Chairs the Saint Judes Rehabilitation Fund for the donation. He says it is a testament to the long relationship that exists between the two countries. In February - the Indian government also donated computers, microscopes and dialysis equipment valued at US $200,000 to the government. The Saint Judes Hospital was destroyed by fire in September last year. To date a number of friendly governments and private and public citizens have contributed to efforts aimed at rebuilding the hospital.

In a Press Release issued on Tuesday – the group also accused members of that body they say was illegally devised in 2007 of assigning contracts to people based on their willingness to vote for the UWP and its potential candidate – Allen Chastanet. Lebourne says the statement ignores the history of the Soufriere Foundation as well as that of the SLP when it was in government.

The SLP Constituency Group has also accused the Tourism Minister of a track record of “squandering resources” and urges him not to “impose on the limited resources of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board to pay for political extravaganzas like his frequent boat trips to Soufriere.” Unlike the group – Lebourne says he is excited by what he calls the aggressive way the Tourism Minister is campaigning for the seat.

The Soufriere constituency is represented by Harold Dalson of the Saint Lucia Labour Party. Allen Chastanet is seen as the odds on favourite to secure the UWP nomination for the constituency for the next general elections constitutionally due in 2011.

Officials at the National Emergency Management Organization are analyzing the aerial footage taken of the raging fires at the Petit Piton world heritage site. Aerial reconnaissance of the affected area was conducted late last week following increasing concern over the danger posed to near by hotel resorts and communities. NEMO Director Dawn French says there is no cause for alarm and the authorities are being guided by a comprehensive national wild fire management plan.

She says given the location of the blaze the fire department is advising the flames be allowed to burn out naturally. French says the Caribbean Emergency Disaster Management Agency-CEDEMA has been informed of the situation. The NEMO Director has also prepared a thorough brief for the Cabinet of Ministers.

The National Emergency Management Office, the Forestry Department, Fire Department and officials of the Piton Management area are also gravely concerned about the biodiversity of the mountain. The fire also threatened the many endemic species of animals and plants on Petit Piton.

Brokerage Firm, Caribbean Money Market Brokers – CMMB - says sound investment and better control and oversight are required to manage pension funds. CMMB provided further insight at a workshop specially designed to tackle the complex financial issue on Tuesday. But many investors are still jittery and risk averse because of the financial crisis. Julien says one size does not fit all and financial plans can be tailor made to suit the needs of each individual investor.

CMMB Country Manager, St. Lucia Carol Eleuthere Jn Marie says the business investment advisement firm has invested heavily in educating individuals about the investment climate. She says a savvier investor will make sounder and potentially more lucrative financial decisions.

The workshop at the Royal St. Lucian included presentations on topics like modern investment strategies and global trends in pension fund management CMMB is the largest full service brokerage house in the Caribbean with 1.16 million US dollars under and management