WHEN is the insanity in government in this country going to stop? On Tuesday last we reported from what we …
St. Jude Fiasco
The Perils of Social Media
IT is not uncommon these days to log on to social media platforms and observe the downward trend as far …
A Change In The Wind?
THE main independence activities are over and appear to have come off quite well. It would seem that year by …
Growing But Not Maturing
WHEN will St Lucia and St Lucians reach the age of maturity? Next Wednesday, we will be 38 years an …
Feel The Pride
AS Saint Lucia prepares to observe its 38th anniversary of Independence on February 22, repeated calls are being sent out …
The Riot In Dominica
WE should be concerned about the situation in sister island Dominica where a number of people were arrested during the …
Moderate Growth Not Enough
FOLLOWING a -0.6% decline in the Saint Lucian economy last year, it was a bit refreshing that the International Monetary …
In The Spirit of Sir Arthur
IT is encouraging that despite the bleak nature of the global economic picture that Saint Lucian business people can still …
Trump â Disaster for Our Region
IN only a few days on the job, new American President Donald Trump is already making history. He is the most unpopular incoming U.S. President ever. His inauguration was marked with the biggest âantiâ protest ever, not only in the United States, but in many other countries as well.
National Pride Lacking
IT is certainly not surprising that despite the Nobel Laureate Festival passing its halfway mark this week organizers continue to beg the indulgence of larger audiences. That hue and cry has been the norm for years and popularized by Governor General Dame PearletteLouisy, who chairs the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee. After years of pleading, her best appeals for support have become a hoarse voice amidst the noise.
Consensus And Consultation
THERE are several aspects of governance that this newspaper has repeatedly promoted and encouraged over the years. One is the need for us as a nation to strive for consensus on critical issues especially those of national importance. Another is for consultation between government and people where matters relating to the development of the country are concerned.
A State of Disgrace
THERE must be some level of respect for customers on the part of business entities out to make a dollar. However, with business becoming increasingly competitive, it seems that some are willing to sacrifice respect at the altar of the almighty dollar without any misgivings. The situation is so bad that even customers are turning a blind eye to some of the problem
Crime: We Are All Responsible
EARLIER in the week, our attention was drawn to a Facebook posting by the founder of a group Citizens for Accountability and Progress, in the wake of the bloody start to the New Year when we recorded eight killings in a10-day period.
A Hard Pill to Swallow
ITâS a hard thing watching, reading or listening to the news these days knowing that at least one crime story might overshadow whatever positives are being achieved in this country. Quite often, the nation is left seemingly at a loss for words and comprehension as to why âgood boysâ and âgood girlsâ keep raping our women, robbing our homes or killing each other through senseless violence.
Sir Dwight – The Best Legacy
SIR Dwight Venner was finally laid to rest this week, but still the tributes to this outstanding son of the sub-region continue to pour in and we are beginning to hear talk about ways in which he can be immortalized. One suggestion that is being advanced, which we heartily endorse, is having his image printed on our EC currency.
Pros, Not Cons
SAINT Luciaâs Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) featured prominently last Sunday on CBSâs â60 Minutesâ programme in an episode entitled âPassports for Saleâ. In the episode, the island was listed among other nations implementing the programme as being âcash-starvedâ and benefitting from the US$2 billion global industry that â unfortunately â provides a safe haven for people with questionable pasts.
2017 – Year of Anticipation
THE year is ending on a very somber note for us in St Lucia. The level of economic activity and public spending that we witnessed during Christmas was a clear indication that this country is still struggling to find its feet after the decline of the past few years. In fact, there are lingering fears that things could get worse before they begin to get better.
Too Little or Too Much?
THAT a framework agreement signed by the Government of Saint Lucia and an investor, DSH Caribbean Star Limited finds its way into the public domain despite clauses contained therein that speak to confidentiality is a precarious scenario. Firstly, it speaks to the governmentâs quality of security measures in keeping confidential records confidential. Obviously, the ostensible âleakingâ of the 20-page agreement is a major concern for any investor pondering whether they should plunk down a sizeable sum of money in any project here.
A Greater Resolve
With just over a week left to go in 2016 before the new one creeps in, there seems to be some sense of optimism brooding on the horizon. However, there is still that nagging school of thought that everything will go downhill, especially among those still wishing that the government â and by extension, the country — fails.
An Outstanding Caribbean Man
A truly outstanding Caribbean personality passed away last Friday, but sadly, the majority of people in the region might not have heard of him, far less be aware of his claim to fame. In fact, so little was said at the time of his death that had it not been for the words of tribute from OECS Director General Didacus Jules, his passing might have gone largely unnoticed.