written from sourced news 
First published by Caribbean Life News Author Nelson King
 

Vincentian track star Brandon Valentine-Parris says he’s very proud of setting a new national and Emory Crossplex Invitational record last month.

“It’s a good accomplishment for any individual to leave home and venture out to school [in the United States] and actually go out there and perform well,” said the Sion Hill native, who was among the first athletes to represent the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in its initial bid in the prestigious Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 2011.

Valentine-Parris also represented TSSS at the Penn Relays a year later. The nation’s participation in the Penn Relays is coordinated by James Cordice, a former president of the Philadelphia-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania (SVGOP).

“For me, it’s heart-warming to know that my hard work is paying off,” added Valentine-Parris, whose long trek to athletic stardom began in 2008, when he participated, for the first time, in the national junior championship at the Arnos Vale playing field in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “I ‘m just happy to know that I’m performing well and injury free.”

Claflin University, a historically Black institution, said its athletic team, Claflin Panthers, had “an overall good meet [at the Emory Crossplex Invitational], as the 4×100 meter relay team, consisting of Nicholas Williams, Valentine-Parris, Daniel Montgomery and You’shi Kirkland, set the meet and school record with a time of 3:16.47.”

Valentine-Parris, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Under 14 Male Champ and the 2008 St. Vincent ant the Grenadines National Under 15 Male Champ, said his primary goal is to become a professional athlete, while excelling academically.

With only his second year at Claflin University and on an athletic scholarship, Valentine-Parris, who is majoring in Sports Management and Business Administration, and wants to become an athletics director, has been on the Dean’s List for the second successive semester.

Governor General, His Excellency Sir Frederick Ballantyne will present the Throne Speech on Monday February 22nd, 2016, on the occasion of the first session of the 10th Parliament of the House of Assembly.

The event will take place at the House of Assembly from 4:00pm, and will be presided over by Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jomo Thomas.

Following the Throne Speech, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will present his Budget Address.

Debate on the Budget will begin on Tuesday February 23rd.

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Mr. Oswald Robinson has been re-elected as President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU).

Mr. Robinson defeated Mr. Sheldon Govia in a keenly contested election conducted on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. He polled 450 votes while Mr. Govia polled 323 votes.

The other members of the newly elected executive are Mr. Vibert Lampkin as First Vice President; Mr. Kent Cain-second Vice President; Miss. Paulette Williams as General Secretary; Treasurer-Mr. James Wilson; Miss Wendy Bynoe as Public Relations Officer and the new Assistant is Miss Sheri Edwards.

Mrs. Sharon Doyle and Mrs. Ketty Kydd-Rhynd were elected committee members.

The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital yesterday received a quantity of medical equipment procured with funds donated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea.

The equipment valued one hundred thousand US dollars was officially handed over to Hon. Luke Browne, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment by His Excellency Doo Young-Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea at a ceremony held at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital earlier this afternoon.

Minister Browne, in his remarks expressed appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Korea for their generous donation.

The equipment will be utilized by the Accident and Emergency Department, Pharmaceutical Department, the Sewing Room and Maintenance Department, and the Ophthalmology Unit of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Written from sourced news

Minister of Agriculture, Industry, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation; and, area representative for the South Central Windward Constituency- Saboto Caesar, has hailed West Indies under 19 cricketer and son of the soil, Gidron Pope, as this country’s latest modern hero.

Pope who hails from the village of Mt. Grenan, returned to the country on Wednesday, from a stint on the West Indies under 19 team, that was triumphant in the U-19 ICC Cricket World Cup, recently concluded in Bangladesh.

Pope was greeted at the E.T Joshua Airport by family, the media, members of Cabinet, including the Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Cecil McKie, and South Central Windward Area Representative- Minister Saboto Caesar, who only had words of admiration for the young sportsman

Kingstown, February 17th, 2017 –
 

Sergeant of Police Brenton Smith , who recently graduated in the United Kingdom with a Master of Science in Police Leadership and Management, is hoping he will get the opportunity to utilize his training in helping to transform the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force in a positive way.

Sergeant Smith graduated from Leicester University on January 21st, 2016, after completing his studies, which concentrated on sociological and biological theoretical perspectives of policing; policing and crime prevention; leadership and management; research methods; community policing and police leadership within the 21st century.

His thesis was done on the topic: The Effectiveness of the Royal St.Vincent  and the Grenadines Police Force in Reducing Murders.

It is a humbling feeling. It is also a proud feeling because I am hoping that persons within the organization who have studied will make the organization a better place and serve the organization better, said Sergeant Smith, who did the programme over a two year period.

He also used the opportunity to encourage other police officers to pursue higher education through Leicester University or other universities, which offer programmes in a wide array of law enforcement subjects.

One should also remember it does not lead to benefitting ones self alone, but the country,  said Sergeant Smith.

Sergeant Smith is thanking God for helping him to complete his programme.

This would not have been possible without the help of Almighty God, said Sergeant Smith, who also ushered thanks to Glenda Abraham along with family and friends for encouraging him to pursue the masters programme.

He said he is dedicating his successful completion of the Master of Science in Police Leadership and Management to his first born, Patreka Smith.

When I was in Form Five I had my first child. I was allowed to do my subjects, but not allowed to graduate, adding that was painful.

It was always my dream to graduate and be in a gown, but that didnt happen. However, I told myself I must graduate and be in a gown, said Sergeant Smith, who also expressed thanks to his mother, Merle Smith, for her contribution to his development.

The Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force congratulates Sergeant Smith and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

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The St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited, (VINLEC) is reporting another record low fuel surcharge rate for the month of February.

A release from VINLEC says customers are continuing to benefit from falling oil prices on the world market. It says the company is recording a Fuel Surcharge Rate in the amount of 18.48 cents per unit for the month of February.

VINLEC adds that this month’s rate represents a decline of 2.23 cents per unit, or 11% from the January figure. It also says that the Fuel Surcharge rate applicable on bills this month has fallen by 29% from February 2015.

According to VINLEC, over the sixteen months, the Fuel Surcharge on VINLEC’s electricity bills has been on the decline, primarily, because of the downward trend in fuel prices on the world market. VINLEC says these savings have been passed on to customers, as reflected on electricity bills.

VINLEC says a similar rate in the range of 18 cents per unit was applied on electricity bills twice, in May and June of 2003, some thirteen years ago.

written from sourced news

Vincentian Athletes put in good performances at Athletics Meets in Texas, North Carolina USA and Vieux Fort, St. Lucia at the weekend.

In Texas, at the Howie Ryan Invitational, Rueberth Boyd, making his debut on the United States circuit, ran 7.08 seconds in the 60-metres in his heat, finishing 4th, while Kineke Alexander placed 6th in the 60-metres and 2nd in the 400-metres Final, with times of 7.51 seconds and 54.99 seconds respectively. They competed for the Elite Performance Club.

At the CIAA Championships in North Carolina, Jumone Exeter helped his School, St. Augustine University to its 19th consecutive Championship Title with a good win in the Triple Jump and a 3rd place finish in the High Jump. His 15.4-metres in the Triple Jump is his personal beat Indoors.

In Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, Akani Slater had double victories in the 400-metres and 800-metres Men’s Open with times of 48.8 seconds and 1 minute, 57.7 seconds respectively. He was the overall Champion in that Division.

Soreyna Millar also had a first-place finish in the 400-metresWomen’s Open with a personal best of 58.25 seconds, and a 3rd place finish in the 200-metres. The Athletes represented the IT DAT ACADEMY.

First publish WEFM St Vincent

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will be the featured speaker at the 12th edition of the Dr. Alister Francis Memorial Lecture to be held in Antigua in late March.

The series is held annually as a tribute to the first principal of the Antigua State College (ASC) who served the tertiary institution from 1977 until his death in 2000.

Dean of Student Affairs, Anika Kentish said the college is in the process of finalizing a date for the event.

Over the past 12 years, the lectures have focused on educational themes, given that Dr. Francis was a distinguished educator who made significant contributions to education in Antigua and Barbuda.

Kentish said Gonsalves will choose his own topic for the event.

The Passports and Immigration Department wishes to advice the public that due to circumstances beyond its control, it has suspended the issuance of Inter- Caribbean Travel Documents ( Permits) and Emergency Certificates as documents of identify for travel to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The suspension is as a result of the implementation by Trinidad and Tobago of some travel guidelines.

The Passports and Immigration Department therefore regrets any inconvenience caused and is working on having a speedy resolution to the situation.

All customers with reservations with LIAT, The Caribbean Airline, that were booked on or before 10th February, who are concerned about travelling to destinations reported by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to be affected by Zika Viral Illness are advised of the following:

· You may change the dates of travel to the same destination at no charge

· You may change the destination without incurring a change fee. However, if the fare to the new destination is higher than the current reservation, you will be required to pay the difference in fare

· You may cancel the booking entirely and LIAT will offer a full credit and waive the cancellation fee. The credit will be valid for a year from date of cancellation

Customers will be able to make these changes up to 14th March 2016.

Changes made to bookings made after 10th February will incur the normal change and cancellation fees according to the fare rules.

The CDC’s advisory recently announced that Zika-affected areas include the following LIAT destinations: Barbados, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin and United States Virgin Islands.

To change travel dates or destination, customers should contact the LIAT Call Centre from Antigua – 1-268-480-5582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean – 1-888-844-5428; from Barbados – 1-246 434 5428 and from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands – 1-866-549-5428. Regular office hours for the Call Centre are 0700 to 2200 hours Monday to Saturday and from 0700 to 1800 hours on Sunday and Public Holidays.

Plans are being made for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to establish a permanent diplomatic presence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who returned to the state last weekend after an official visit to Dubai and London.

During his recent trip to Dubai, Prime Minister Gonsalves signed an agreement with officials from the Abu Dhabi fund for Development, for a US $15 million dollar loan.

The agreement, between ADFD and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was signed between H.E Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and H.E Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The project is being funded as part of the AED1.285 billion (US$350 million) ADFD/IRENA project facility, set up in 2012, to provide concessional financing for renewable energy projects in developing countries affiliated to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Commending the UAE’s efforts to promote stronger international development relations with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines said: “the proposed geothermal power plant will give a strong boost to the energy sector in our country, supporting its economic growth and development programmes.’

The geothermal power plant in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with a capacity of almost 15MW, will enhance the electricity grid in the island by leveraging its natural renewable sources, while cutting the cost of electricity generation by 25 per cent. In addition, the associated construction, operations and maintenance of the plant, the conversion station and 40km of transmission lines to connect the plant to the grid is anticipated to create several job opportunities for the local population.