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New-comer 'Bachelor' last Calypso Monarch of the century
27-Year old Rock Hall School music teacher Jason Joseph was crowned Calypso Monarch after a sizzling calypso finals show held last Saturday at the Marchand Grounds. Bypassing old champions such as Invader, Pep, Ashanti and Educator, Bachelor won the hearts of the audience and judges with his sharp social commentary, melodious tunes and simple but highly effective presentation. Bachelor's biggest hit was a song called 'I saw what you did last night' (Hypocrite, Hypocrite) - a scathing comment on the hypocrisy that permeates so much of St. Lucia's (religious) life. In an interview with The Mirror, Bachelor admitted not having expected to be handed the keys of a brand-new jeep - the prize for attaining Calypso Monarchy. "It was just an experiment", Bachelor insisted. As The Mirror writes, "He was, in the local vernacular, just trying something". And he just win!
The Mirror concludes: "Knowing that [Bachelor] is a professional musician, a practised lyricist and a trained actor, it almost seems unfair, now, to pit him against the brand of calypsonian that makes no effort to learn music or to write new and exciting lyrics. But like Invader's explosive entrance into the calypso arena, Bachelor's debut signals the beginning of a new era. And with 21st century artistes like Nadiege, Mahandra and TC Brown bringing up the rear, this new King has the stuff that will define the kaiso consciousness of the future".
Banana prices plunge
The price of Windward bananas has plunged following increased competition on the British market, as well as increased banana production in areas affected by hurricane Mitch in 1998 and a fall in the Sterling exchange rate. WIBDECO says that Geest Bananas and Fyffes have been forced to lower their prices in a bid to retain their business with British supermarkets. WIBDECO cannot say how long prices will remain depressed.
UK arrivals in St. Lucia rocket
St. Lucia recorded a significant increase in tourism arrivals during the first three months of 1999, with arrivals from the United Kingdom registering the strongest performance with a 26 per cent increase compared to the same period last year - the highest percentage increase in five years. Overall, the Tourist Board recorded a 6.2 per cent increase in visitor arrivals. Cruise ship arrivals were up by 10.8 per cent, and arrivals from the USA by 2.5 per cent. Arrivals from within the Caribbean also increased, particularly from Martinique and Guadeloupe due to improved ferry services. The increase in UK arrivals is particularly significant because traditionally, on average, Britons represent the longest stayover visits, hence bringing the largest net benefit to the island.
Caribbean Heads of Government angry over nuclear shipments
Caribbean Heads of State last week condemned plans by the English, French and Japanese governments to ship 450 kg of potentially lethal weapons-usable plutonium fuel from Europe to Japan via the Caribbean Sea. In a strongly-worded statement, Caricom Heads noted that they were "particularly outraged at the callous and contemptuous disregard of their appeals by the governments of France , the United Kingdom and Japan to desist from this dangerous misuse of the Caribbean Sea". The leaders "vowed to take all necessary steps to protect their people and the fragile ecology of the Caribbean Sea".
Meanwhile, the UK government on Tuesday banned the MV Greenpeace from UK waters, a move described as draconian and anti-democratic by the international environmental organisation. [...] "This is an abuse of governmental powers to stifle debate over the plutonium industry's dangerous practices", Greenpeace campaigner Mike Townsley said from on board the MV Greenpeace. "This order from the UK shows that plutonium and democracy do not mix". [...] The MV Greenpeace is monitoring the movement of the 'Pacific Pintail', one of two ships being used by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and the French nuclear reprocessing company COGEMA to carry nuclear weapons-usable plutonium fuel from Europe to Japan. Both vessels left Barrow in the UK yesterday. They are expected to rendezvous at sea off the French Atlantic coast before continuing on the perilous 2 month, nonstop journey to Japan - a journey which may take them through the Caribbean Sea. Last Monday marked a day of international protest against the dangeorus plutonium shipments, with people protesting from Edinburg to Seoul and from Tokyo to Fiji, following official government protests from 27 Caribbean nations, as well as New Zealand, against the British, French and Japanese governments. (Crusader 24/7)
CDC housing lowers rents but steps up rent collection
Tenants of the Housing and Urban Development's New Darling housing estate will benefit from lowered rental rates as of September 1. The CDC housing was built to provide low income housing for persons who were then expected to move on to owning their own homes. According to HUDC chairman P. Francis, this has not happened. Now, "persons who need the housing but cannot afford the rent are imprisoned within the walls of the Darling estate". Rents go down from $550 to $400 for a one-bedroom unit, from $800 to $600 for a two bedroom, and from $855 to $700 for a three-bedroom unit. At the old CDC blocks, rent on a single unit is still $35 per month. Evictions have proved difficult because of the clogged court system but the HUDC will step up its rent collection activity. Also, it is looking into providing increased security for tenants.
Minister calls C&W rates "rip off" for consumers
Minister of Communication and Works, Calixte George has dubbed Cable and Wireless' rates "a rip off for consumers". He used the strong words at a press conference to discuss the OECS countries' new telecommunications policy, which is destined to liberalise the telecommunications industry in the region - most likely bringing to an end C & W's monopolistic position in St. Lucia. While praising certain improvements in the quality of C & W's service, minister George said: "The tariffs that we are now paying are not based on cost. They are artificial tariffs". In the new telecommunications policy, according to George: "We will have a national regulatory body which will coordinate, advise and harmonise broad policy objectives. It will ensure that there is fair competition and ensure the protection of the consumer as well as create an environment that is conducive to investment". The minister was unable, however, to say precisely when other telecommunication firms will be able to start operating in St. Lucia, as some of C & W's agreements with the other OECS countries do not expire until the year 2015. "The OECS countries have agreed to move in unity. St. Lucia will not move ahead of the other countries. The region will then be in a better position as we will be a larger market than if each country were to go on their own", according to George. C & W's General Manager, David Wright responded: "Cable that Wireless is fully supportive of the OECS telecommunications reform process and we are delighted to be part of the process".
Celebrating liberty: Emancipation Day on 1st August
Cabinet has approved the celebration of Emancipation Day annually, on August 1st. This year, a series of activities has been planned to help focus on the survival, resistance, resilience and achievements of the hundreds of thousands of Caribbean people who suffered and struggled under slavery. This year's theme is 'An selebwe nou' ('Celebrating our liberty'). On Sunday 1st August , a model of the National Heroes Monument will be unveiled - the start of a public fund raising drive by the National Heroes Park Committee. On 2nd August, a Special Music Festival is scheduled to take place at Derek Walcott Square. Both events start at 4 pm. (The Voice 24/7)
Local government reform process ongoing
The Ministry of Community Development is engaged in ongoing consultations with community groups on how to improve local governance. Last week, ministry representatives met with members of the Rastafarian community, residents of Choiseul, Odsan and south Castries, and with members of the National Women's Organisation.
Animal Protection Society's first birthday
Just one year after its initiation, the St. Lucia Animal Protection Society (SLAPS) now has over a hundred members. A non-profit organisation, SLAPS is dedicated to the welfare of animals in St. Lucia. More than seventy animals have been rescued by SLAPS in the past year - many after tip-offs from the public. SLAPS celebrates its first anniversary with a public party at Snooty Agouti in Rodney Bay on Fri 30th July.
Marigot Bay residents fed up of visitor harassment
Complaints from hotel and restaurant owners in Marigot Bay resulted in a meeting, last Wednesday, with a delegation from the National Conservation Authority (NCA). Marigot residents report that tourists are regularly harassed on the beach and on yachts docked in the area. There is also mention of frequent break-ins and alleged drug-peddling. The NCA says that it recognises the importance of the internationally renowned tourist location and plans to hold a series of discussions with vendors, stake holders in Marigot, officials of the Ministry of Tourism and law enforcement officials to work out a speedy solution to the problems. Meanwhile, the patrol of Rangers in the area has been stepped up. (Crusader 24/7)
US equips local coastguard station
The United States has donated US$7,300 worth of communications equipment to the St. Lucia Marine Police in a bid to establish a fully operational coast guard station in Vieux Fort. The equipment will enable the St. Lucian Marine Police to communicate on a wide range of frequencies, and further off the coast, with other security patrol boats. The Vieux Fort coast guard station was built last year by US military construction personnel and handed over to the government of St. Lucia in September 1998. The station is not yet fully operational.
Market protection for furniture to end
The Ministry of Commerce is supporting a furniture exhibition to promote local awareness of St. Lucia-made furniture. The initiative rises out of the inevitable dismantling of the Article 56 preferential trading arrangements which ascribes national market protection to furniture. This protection is scheduled to be terminated in the year 2004/5. The exhibition is planned for August, at the NDC Factory Shell.
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