Darron Rodan John, a 35-year-old first-time political candidate and the youngest contender in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ upcoming general election, has lauded the Unity Labour Party (ULP) for its transformative education policies and strong diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Speaking at a ULP rally in Calliaqua, John credited the party’s initiatives for his academic and professional achievements, emphasizing the role of education in shaping his journey.
标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
圣文森特和格林纳丁斯
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West Kingstown youth avoid being seen with Cummings — Peters
Keisal Peters, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for West Kingstown, has vowed to bring significant change to the constituency, currently represented by the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) Daniel Cummings since 2010. Peters, a trailblazing lawyer and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ first female Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that young voters in the area are disenchanted with Cummings, who secured his third term in 2020 with a narrow margin of 714 votes. Speaking at a ULP campaign rally in Calliaqua, Peters accused the NDP of planning to privatize healthcare, sell national assets, and compromise the country’s future. She criticized the NDP’s alleged intentions to sell the EC$700 million Kingstown port, the Arnos Vale hospital under construction, and even the nation’s passports. Peters declared, ‘We cannot allow the NDP to lead us down a path of unrighteousness for their political agenda.’ She highlighted the ULP’s commitment to progress, including scholarships, housing, and the development of a Beaches Resort in Mt Wynne, a $500 million project in collaboration with Sandals Resorts International. Peters also outlined her vision for West Kingstown, promising innovative ideas, modern business complexes, and support for local initiatives like the seafood festival at Lowmans Bay. She criticized Cummings for relying on the legacy of the late John Horne, a former NDP representative, and accused him of offering nothing to the youth. Peters underscored the ULP’s role as the ‘last line of defence’ for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, contrasting it with the NDP’s alleged mismanagement and private debts. She urged voters to choose progress over empty promises, asserting that the ULP is ‘red and ready’ to lead the nation forward.
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King presents first term report card
Retired educator and incumbent MP Curtis King has outlined his accomplishments and future initiatives as he campaigns for re-election in West St. George. Speaking at a Unity Labour Party (ULP) rally in Calliaqua, King emphasized his commitment to community development and education. Among his key achievements, he highlighted the allocation of land to residents of Upper Queens Drive at a nominal rate of 50 cents per square foot, addressing a decades-long issue. He also transformed the Gomea mineral spring into a community-integrated project, fostering small business opportunities. King’s focus on education was evident in the establishment of a food preparation laboratory at West St. George Secondary School, aimed at equipping youth with skills for the expanding tourism sector. Additionally, he underscored ongoing infrastructure projects, including the construction of a hospital in Arnos Vale and upgrades to the Belair Health Clinic. King also celebrated the recent lighting of the Arnos Vale Playing Field, a long-awaited development for sports enthusiasts. Looking ahead, he pledged to continue advancing projects like the Daphine and Dorsetshire Playing Fields. King concluded by urging voters to register and support the ULP, emphasizing the party’s vision to elevate St. Vincent and the Grenadines to first-world standards.
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ULP promises more hotels even as previous ones not built — Huggins
Conroy Huggins, the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Central Leeward, has launched a scathing critique of the government’s failure to deliver on long-promised hotel projects in Mt Wynne and Peter’s Hope. Speaking at a campaign event in Layou on Saturday, Huggins highlighted the lack of progress on the Black Sands Resort, which was initiated eight years ago, and the state-owned Marriott Hotel at Peter’s Hope, which remains untouched six years after its groundbreaking ceremony.
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Urgent concerns regarding working conditions, staffing at MCMH
In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Prime Minister and Minister of Health, a senior doctor at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has sounded the alarm on the dire state of the nation’s primary healthcare institution. The letter, penned by Dr. Vox Medicus, highlights three critical issues plaguing the hospital: severe staffing shortages, inequitable compensation, and deteriorating working conditions. These challenges are not only undermining patient care but also pushing the hospital’s dedicated staff to their breaking point. The doctor’s appeal underscores the urgent need for government intervention to address these systemic failures and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services in the country. The letter raises pressing questions about the future of healthcare in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly as the nation prepares to open a new referral hospital. Dr. Medicus calls for immediate action to rectify these issues, emphasizing that healthcare workers are not seeking luxury but rather the basic resources and respect necessary to provide safe and quality care.
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Layou to join list of police stations in temporary accommodation
The Layou Police Station in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is set to join a growing list of dilapidated police facilities whose operations have been temporarily relocated to houses or other buildings. Central Leeward MP, Orando Brewster, announced that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government plans to acquire adjacent land to expand and renovate the Layou Police Station. However, no specific timeline has been provided for the project. This move will result in both police stations in Central Leeward, the only constituency with two towns, operating from temporary locations. In February 2021, the Barrouallie Police Station was relocated from its historic building to a house in Peters Hope. Commissioner of Police Enville Williams had announced plans to move it to the heart of Central Leeward by May 30, 2024, but this has yet to materialize. Brewster revealed that funds from the Saudi Fund have been allocated for the renovation of police stations across the country. He emphasized that the Barrouallie Police Station’s original site is unsuitable for reconstruction due to its proximity to the beach and the high water table, which poses risks to infrastructure. Instead, the government is developing the Barrouallie Community Centre to house the police station. Brewster also highlighted plans to expand the Layou Police Station, including provisions for a fire tender as part of efforts to decentralize the Fire Brigade. In the interim, the Layou Police Station will operate from a house, while the Layou Magistrate’s Court will temporarily relocate to the Learning Resource Centre, which also hosts other community services. Currently, several other police stations, including the Police Training School and those in Spring Village, Colonarie, and Paget Farm, are also operating from temporary accommodations.
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Phone with videos in Cjea Weekes case ‘disabled’ after handover to PM’s security
A coroner’s inquest into the death of 18-year-old motorcyclist Cjea Weekes, who died in February 2022 following a police chase, has concluded with a verdict of death by misadventure, sparking outrage and allegations of a cover-up. The incident, which occurred in Twenty Hill, South Leeward, left Weekes paralyzed from the chest down before he succumbed to his injuries four days later. Witnesses claim that Weekes was run over by a police vehicle during the pursuit, though the inquest absolved the officers of criminal responsibility.
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Guide Stars Lessons: What we do with the fire
In an era marked by tension and uncertainty, the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has launched a transformative initiative: distributing laptops to hundreds of young Vincentians. This initiative, while brimming with potential, demands more than mere access to technology—it calls for accountability, discipline, and a shared vision for progress.
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Have compassion, please, PM Gonsalves
In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a disenfranchised citizen has called for compassion and acknowledgment of errors surrounding the government’s vaccine mandate policy. The letter, steeped in religious and moral undertones, references Micah 6:8, a biblical verse often cited by the Prime Minister, urging justice, mercy, and humility. The author expresses deep sorrow over the government’s reinstatement of the vaccine mandate, which they argue has caused significant emotional and financial distress to many citizens. The letter critiques the Prime Minister’s interpretation of a court ruling that upheld the mandate, accusing him of distorting the judge’s words to justify the policy. It also highlights the lack of transparency and fairness in the exemption process, with only a handful of religious exemptions granted and later nullified. The author further disputes the government’s portrayal of the pandemic’s severity, citing data that shows minimal COVID-19-related deaths, primarily among the elderly with pre-existing conditions. The letter concludes with a plea for the Prime Minister to act justly and mercifully, offering a path to reconciliation for those adversely affected by the mandate.
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Fitz is right back where he belongs
In a candid reflection on the state of diplomatic relations between St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Canada, entrepreneur and construction worker Marlon Bute has expressed his relief at the departure of Fitz Huggins, the former consul general to Canada. Bute, who is deeply committed to self-employment and entrepreneurship, emphasizes the importance of skill acquisition for young people, urging them to learn trades that can ensure both sustenance and prosperity. He sees immense potential for SVG to benefit from Canada’s wealth, innovation, and investment opportunities, but laments that this potential was squandered under Huggins’ leadership. Bute criticizes Huggins for prioritizing political loyalty and self-promotion over fostering meaningful economic partnerships. Instead of attracting substantial Canadian investments, Huggins focused on soliciting donations of corned beef, sardines, and outdated vehicles, which Bute describes as environmentally reckless and symbolically representative of a failed diplomatic vision. The importation of gas-guzzling, decommissioned vehicles, he argues, not only burdens SVG’s fragile environment but also contradicts the nation’s calls for climate action. Bute calls for a more coherent and forward-thinking foreign policy, emphasizing that diplomatic postings should serve as instruments for national development rather than rewards for party loyalty. With Huggins’ departure, Bute hopes for a new era of SVG-Canada relations, led by a capable and visionary diplomat who can unlock the untapped potential of this partnership. He concludes by thanking Canada for ending Huggins’ tenure, marking a long-overdue step toward progress.