Although much of his allotted 45 minutes was taken up with fingering the government’s apparent lack of financial allocations and policy framework support for its purported social obligations, Senator Israel Bruce spared some time to present the health care concerns of residents of the South Central Windward constituency. “Mr Speaker I was really hoping that as he addressed the issues of clinics, for example, that requires the attention of his Ministry that certain clinics would have come in for attention and mentioning at least.” Bruce acknowledged that “the Doreen John Health Centre in Greiggs has been identified” by Health Minister…
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Transport and Works Minister Julian Francis presented his Budget 2020 Debate from several perspectives. Chief amongst those was his assertion that at “the base of our development there’s an important thing called aggregate.” According to him local government owned a crusher that was leased out to the private sector when his Unity Labour Party formed government in 2001. However development plans coming on stream which were set in motion by the previous New Democratic Party administration meant that “the Lowmans Quarry was phased out which DIPCON was running on behalf of the government.” Since this time, Minister Francis told Parliament,…
“I have been in this House for 19 years and not once have I been able to get a person on public assistance.” Central Kingstown MP Major St. Clair Leacock challenged Minister Fredrick Stephenson on Thursday amidst Budget 2020 Debates. Major Leacock was at the time responding to Minister Stephenson’s ministerial 2020 to-do list. “I crave the indulgence of the Honourable Member with respect to ‘care of the elderly and public assistance.’ I just wish he could advise whether he is aware of any mechanism in which a Parliamentary Representative on this Side of the House could lend assistance or…
(Trinidad Express)- Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says he has ordered an investigation into reports that serving members of the Police Service are now politicians and political activists. In a statement on Sunday, Griffith stated: “When you join the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), you immediately lose certain rights as a citizen. One of those rights is to openly show bias and support for political parties. In light of information coming to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, inclusive of what was published in the media today…he has launched an immediate investigation into allegations of a police officer applying…
“I am happy to see in the Minister of Finance’s Budget presentation the area of Youth Development and Entrepreneurship … the Minister speaks of an allocation of some 2.4 million dollars for Promoting Youth Micro-Enterprises also called PRYME.” Such formed part of Fredrick Stephenson’s opening salvo as he contributed to the Budget 2020 debates last Thursday. As Minister of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities and Youth the onus was upon him to defend claims that his Ministry’s “noble” objectives were underfunded. Minister Stephenson followed up his opening gambit with the declaration “I know many of…
Recently, I voiced my agreement and support for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police force as it moves to become more proactive and community-focused. No doubt this is a renewed step in addressing crime and violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Once again, I find myself in agreement with sentiments from the government. This time it’s the views of Prime Minister – Dr Ralph Gonsalves on the issue of corporal punishment in schools. Before I continue, let me categorically state that I am an independent thinker. I am not swayed and or influenced by one party or…
Hollice Mapp, known in the soca area as, Mr. Killa, has announced that he will not be defending his ISM title. In a statement released on Saturday Mapp stated, “It is with great regret that I, Hollice Mapp professionally known as Mr Killa announce my decision to withdraw from the 2020 International Soca Monarch (ISM) Competition. As the reigning Power Soca Monarch King, I was eager to defend my crown but my declaration was not acknowledged by the officials staging the competition. Since arriving in Trinidad and Tobago over a month ago, I have not received any of the courtesies…
The public is advised that a Vincentian national who was in China has returned home. This person is in good health and shows no sign of fever, cough or any other symptom associated with the novel coronavirus. Additionally, the individual reported no contact with anyone with novel coronavirus infection. The individual is currently under quarantine and will be monitored on a daily basis by health professionals for 14 days in keeping with protocols for persons entering the country with travel history to mainland China. The isolation is purely a precautionary measure. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment takes…
Vincentians poured onto the streets of Kingstown in response to four nurses who felt that the untimely death of their beloved colleague, Staff Nurse Arianna Duharte Taylor-Israel, ought not to be in vain. Nashida White, Alicia Murray, Kendra Horne and Rolicia Spence-Cumberbatch all banded together to produce the candlelight march and vigil event in tribute to the life and very trying times of Staff Nurse Taylor, as she was more “affectionately known.” Taylor-Isreal lost her life on January 30 when she was shot “about her body [approximately] 3:45 pm” by her husband Mitchell Israel. The marriage, it is said, was…
(Statement on the frequent acts of violence against women) “We are deeply concerned and saddened about the all to frequent acts of violence against women in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Over the last week or so, there have been several incidents of violent acts against women. On or about January 4th 2020, the nation learned of the horrific attack on a Cane Garden resident, Ms. Monique Hutchins. Ms. Hutchins was allegedly beaten with a hammer by her former partner. Following that incident, sometime on the eve of Wednesday, 29th January 2020, several voice-notes were circulated in public. The recordings…