Cost-cutting Turns NHC Around

Image of Chairman Timothy Mangal

ONE month after announcing the National Housing Corporation’s inability to pay its debts and reeling in a state of bankruptcy, Chairman Timothy Mangal is today painting a healthier financial picture of the company. This is not to say that the Corporation’s financial position is still no longer dreadful, a month of cost cutting measures and taking certain decisions resulted in the healthy financial picture Mangal paints.

St. Jude Audit Is In

GOVERNMENT will shortly be perusing the technical audit on St. Jude Hospital as a copy of the report will soon be in the hands of the Cabinet of Ministers. Economic Development Minister, Guy Joseph Wednesday told reporters that the audit has now been completed. He said he will not speculate on the content of the report in case his comments prejudice any court action that might arise from it.

Former MP Donates To Soufriere Library

Image of J. Baden Allain

FORMER Member of Parliament for Soufriere, Attorney J. Baden Allain has made a contribution of some 250 books from his personal collection to the Soufriere Library. Allain told THE VOICE that the gesture was intended to encourage the townspeople, especially the young, to do more reading. He said the collection covers a wide range of subjects by some outstanding West Indian authors like George Lamming, Walter Rodney, Eric Wiliams, Franz Fanon.

Trinidad Clamps Down on Child Marriages

Image of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jan. 12, CMC – Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi on Wednesday revealed that there have been over three thousand child marriages in the last 20 years in the twin island republic. Al-Wari made the disclosure in Senate as he piloted the Miscellaneous Provisions Marriage Bill 2016 – that seeks to raise the age of marriage to 18, as recommended by the United Nations..

Boat Captain Jailed on Drugs Charges

ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – A 54-year old captain of a boat was jailed for three years on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to being in possession of 80 pounds of marijuana seized by police during an operation on Monday. The police said that they also seized a speed boat, which they intercepted on Marquis Bay and arrested Victor Charles. They gave no value for the goods seized.

Taxi Executive

THE National Taxi Union (NTU) held its biennial Conference of delegates earlier this month. At the Meeting a new executive committee was elected to manage the affairs of the NTU for the next two years. It comprises: Kenneth Phillip (President), George Joseph (Vice President), Nigel Dickson (Secretary), Linus St. Clair (Assistant Secretary), IsidoreBrisefert (Treasurer), Mervin Dalsou (Trustee), and CantiusJn Baptiste (Trustee).

UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia to Host Public Lecture on “The Evolving Culture and Identity of Taiwan”

The UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia will on Thursday, January 19, 2017 host a public lecture entitled “The Evolving Culture and Identity of China and Taiwan” in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia Republic of China (Taiwan) Alumni Association…

Emergency Personnel At Barbados Training

SECURITY, public health and disaster management personnel from across the Caribbean are being put to the test as they participate in a training exercise aimed at improving regional responses during an emergency situation. The exercise, Synergy 2017, will present emergency scenarios that could occur in the Caribbean region. The exercise started yesterday and continue today at the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) based in Barbados.

U.S. Company To Build CIP Hotel in Grenada

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – A United States-based company is set to invest US$58 million in the Grenada tourism industry under the island’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell said is a way of “bringing serious investments to the country”. The five-star KimptonKawana Bay Resort, due to open in 2019, will comprise 110 luxury studio rooms and 45 suites. Twelve additional penthouse apartments will also be available for sale to private owners.

World ARC Sets Sail for Colombia

Image: World ARC participants waving goodbye as they make their way to Santa Marta. ( Photo: Anthony De Beauville)

THE 7th edition of the World ARC (2017-18) fleet set sail from Rodney Bay at noon on Saturday in near perfect weather conditions with winds up to 20 knots, creating a kaleidoscope of colours heading down the coast to Castries. Leading the was the committee vessel, Reel Extreme, with Minister of Tourism Dominic Fedee, World Cruising Club officials, members of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Island Global Yachting and the Saint Lucia Yacht Club, on board.

Tackling Crime is Everyone’s Business

Image of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

GOVERNMENT intends to undertake various measures this year aimed at tackling crime, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said last Thursday. However, he said citizens need to do their part in stopping criminality in its tracks. Chastanet said the appointment of new judges and support staff for the judiciary remains a priority given the growing concerns citizens have been expressing regarding crime. He said such a move is aimed at sending a clear message to criminals that justice will be swift and firm.

Chastanet Promises ‘Exciting Year’

PRIME Minister Allen Chastanet says his government has an “exciting agenda” for the country this new year. The Prime Minister, also the Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, met with the local media at the studios of the Government Information Service last Thursday and took questions on a variety of issues affecting Saint Lucia.