The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) said on Thursday after the tropical storm warning for St. Vincent and the Grenadines was discontinued and the all clear given, that schools across SVG will remain closed for the rest of the week, until Monday.
On Wednesday, some 88 persons have moved into emergency shelters across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while that number greatly rose to 462 by yesterday Thursday 29th September 2016. Business operations returned to normal today Friday, but school will not reopen until Monday. Michelle Forbes, deputy director of NEMO, said Thursday evening that the tropical storm warning for SVG was discontinued at 8 a.m. and the all clear was issued three hours later.
A teenage boy is dead after being crushed by a boulder as Tropical Storm Matthew passed St. Vincent and the Grenadines last night.
According to local media reports, the secondary school student, whose name has not yet been released, was trying to remove debris behind his home, to clear a path for water that was flooding the house in Layou, a small town in the southwestern parish of St. Andrew. But a boulder rolled down from the nearby cliff as he was doing so, and he was pinned against the house.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who is in Barbados, called in on the state-owned National Broadcasting Corporation late last night and expressed sympathy to the boy’s family.
He also assured that his government would assist those who needed help in the aftermath of the storm. Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the government will ensure that the relief effort after the passage of Tropical Storm Matthew goes well. He noted that he was in touch with Prime Minister (AG), the Hon. Montgomery Daniel and other members of Cabinet, as well as Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Dr. Gonsalves has been struck in Barbados in Tuesday as he tried to return home from meetings in the United States and Puerto Rico last week, according to iWitness News. Tropical Storm Matthew battered St. Vincent and the Grenadines with heavy rains and winds during the night. According to I Witness News SVG, one person has been confirmed dead and one person. a 68-year-old man of Trigger Ridge was hospitalised and was later discharged." Deputy Director NEMO, Michelle Forbes said, Kenron Samuel Elijah Antoine. 16, died Wednesday night when a large boulder pinned him against the outer wall of the house where he and his mother live in Betromy, Layou. His mother said he had gone outside against her advice, to make a path for rainwater that had begun to make its way into the house. 'The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has provided counselling for the family of the deceased young man in Layou."
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, following the All Clear on Thursday 29th, visited shelters and homes across the country to assess the damages caused by the then Tropical Storm Matthew. Preliminary reports on the impacts of the Tropical Storm Mathew revealed that some 462 persons (177 children and 285 adults) are residents of Emergency Shelters.
After just over 24 hours as a storm, Matthew has been upgraded to a hurricane. The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said at 2 p.m. that Hurricane Matthew had achieved maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour.
According to Caribbean 360 News, Hurricane Matthew is on its way west through the Caribbean. While there is still some uncertainty, the Weather Channel said impacts could begin in Jamaica and Hispañola – particularly Haiti – as soon as Sunday night, and in eastern Cuba next Monday. Matthew is likely to begin impacting parts of the central or southeast Bahamas by Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Regional Airline LIAT resumed its normal operating schedule yesterday, but advised that some of its services will be delayed.
Although the weather conditions have improved, LIAT said some areas in the network are still being impacted by wind gusts which are affecting our operation. The airline said it regrets any inconvenience caused as a result of these conditions, and announced that flights LI 527 and LI 650 for today were cancelled: Customers affected by the disruptions who wish to rebook for a later date will be allowed to do so without change fees or fare differences for a period of two weeks from the date of their original scheduled travel. Following the two-week grace period, passengers will be required to pay applicable fare and change fees when re-booking. Passengers with onward connections on other Airlines are advised to contact the respective carriers. Kingstown, St. Vincent- September 28th , 2016- The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has confirmed the death of one person as a result of Tropical Storm Matthew, dead is a teenage boy from Layou. Deputy Director NEMO, Michelle Forbes has made a very strong appeal for persons to remain vigilant as drains and rivers have over flown their banks dumping debris and other materials on the roads making some roads impassible. The local Met Office indicates that moderate to heavy rainfall will continue into tomorrow. There has been confirmed reports of flooding in Vermont, South Rivers, sections Kingstown, Campden Park, Arnos Vale including the E. T Joshua Airport, Langley Park and Buccament. In addition, NEMO has received confirmed reports of damage to several homes, landslides and road blocks. The Central Water and Sewage Authority has reported that Hermitage River has risen by 1.10 meters and 33.8 mm in the last hour and Dalaway 81 mm in the last 3 hours. The Central Water and Sewage Authority (CWSA) as a precautionary measure turned off all of their water systems. Schools will remain closed for the rest of the week and businesses across St. Vincent and the Grenadines will remain closed tomorrow, Thursday September 29th. NEMO is urging residents not to go sightseeing as emergency services will be responding to reports and roads have been impacted by landslides and flooding. Go to our facebook page for all the latest. We are also on G+, LinkedIn, Twitter ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES HAS BEEN PLACED ON A TROPICAL STORM WARNING A TROPICAL STORM WARNING is now in effect for St Vincent and the Grenadines. At mid-day today, the Metrological Office at the ET Joshua Airport in a release said that at 11:00 am the centre of tropical Storm Matthew was located near latitude 13.4 N 60.7 W or about 35 miles east north-east of St Vincent. Tropical Storm Matthew is moving towards the west at 21mph. This westward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected during the next 24- 48 hours. The maximum sustained winds are 60 mph and the minimum central pressure is 1008 millibars. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will move through the Windward Islands during the next couple of hours, and move over the eastern Caribbean Sea through Friday. Environmental conditions are conducive for some gradual strengthening over the next 12 – 24 hours. Rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches (100 to 200 millimeters) are possible with higher amounts likely in mountainous areas. In addition, sea swells of 3 to 4 meters (9 to 12 feet) are also likely. A full shut down of all activities – public service and business is with immediate effect. The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) is fully activated. All emergency shelters are to remain open. The E. T. Joshua Airport is closed until further notice. Residents in flood prone and low-lying areas are asked to take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Matthew can generate heavy rainfall and flooding. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services will continue to provide the necessary updates on Tropical Storm Matthew and the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) will continue to provide updates. 85 PERSONS IN EMERGENCY SHELTER AS SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS SVGSome 88 persons have moved into emergency shelters across St. Vincent and the Grenadines as severe weather threatens to further affect the country on Wednesday. The National Emergency Management Organisation said that shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, 32 female residents of the Lewis Punnet Home were relocated to the Fair Hall Government School with the assistance of the Ministry of Health and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. According to I witness News SVG, a further, 50 persons have moved into the George Stephens Secondary School in Colonarie and three persons at the Pamenos Burke Government School. The shelter managers in both shelters reported that these persons reside in low-lying areas. SHELTER MANAGERS REPORT THAT PERSONS LIVING IN LOW LYING MOVE INTO EMERGENCY SHELTERS Kingstown, St. Vincent- September 28th , 2016- Approximately 85 persons have moved into emergency shelters across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Shortly after 8 last evening , 32 female residents of the Lewis Punnet Home were relocated to the Fair Hall Government School with the assistance of the Ministry of Health and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. There are also confirmed reports of 50 persons moving into the George Stephens Secondary School in Colonarie and 3 persons at the Pamenos Burke Government School. The Shelter managers in both shelters reported that these persons reside in low lying areas. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Luis de Shong has issued an urgent notice that all Nurses who work at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and who are scheduled to work on the evening shift today, Wednesday, September 28, 2016, are advised that they are to report for duty at 1.00 pm instead. Additionally, all Nurses who are scheduled to work on the night shift today, September 28, 2016, are advised that they are to report for duty at 5.00 pm instead. Your URGENT attention to this matter will oblige. According to the (CWSA) during the passage of the impending weather system it may become necessary to once again shut down its water supply systems. This means that there is a likelihood that consumers will be without water at some point during the course of today Wednesday September 28th 2016 until the weather system passes!! SHUT DOWN OF ALL ACTIVITIES – BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC SERVICE IMMEDIATELY A full closure of all government buildings, businesses and activities has been issued by the Acting Prime Minister – Montgomery Daniel. All Emergency Shelters will continue to remain open. Information from the Meteorological Office indicates that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be placed under a Tropical Storm Warning by noon today. The local Meteorological Office will provide update and coordinates of system is a subsequent release. All residents are asked to take the necessary precautions as Tropical Storm Matthew is now formed and St. Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to be under a Tropical Storm Warning. Who would think that I would start a post by saying, the struggle is real. Well, for LIAT, the struggle is very real. Here is the update on what's what. 1. PM Gonsalves says the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will not be injecting any more funds into the airline. 2. Antigua & Barbuda has said that it stands ready to fill any monetary void left by St Vincent & the Grenadines 3. Barbados largest public sector trade union "Fed Up" of LIAT 4. Caribbean folks are tired of the lateness, the treatment and the list goes on and on. Just yesterday, the head of Barbados largest public sector trade union in reference to the operations of regional airline LIAT, said that It’s the worst service one can find anywhere in the world, adding that it was airline is operating in “pure bedlam” The Barbados Today reported that General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers Dennis Clarke made the scathing comments after he was stuck in Antigua for an entire day last week, following a Caribbean Public Service Association meeting in St Maarten. While acknowledging some delays could be expected when travelling, Clarke said he felt many of those experienced by LIAT passengers were unacceptable. the NUPW boss lamented that “Somehow, somewhere along the line, you always go to Antigua and sit down for a long time,” He has therefore urged LIAT shareholder governments to urgently review the management operations at the Antigua-based carrier. Saying that travel on LIAT was a horror story, he referred to the service of the company as a free-for-all, with no care for passengers generally, their health, or their business commitments. “LIAT is a blight on travel within the region and as it stands, will continue to be an economic failure,” he declared. Clarke likened the airline, in which Barbados is the major shareholder, to “a dead man getting to his funeral late”. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will not be injecting any more funds into regional airline, LIAT, until the service to this island is significantly improved. LIAT had recently requested that Kingstown release a further EC$810,000 to help with its operations. On Wednesday September 14th, Prime Minister Gonsalves led a delegation for discussions with the management of LIAT headed by the Acting CEO, Ms. Julie Reifer-Jones, in an effort to resolve LIAT’s deteriorating service experienced by the Vincentians. In a letter on September 4, 2016, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Godfred Pompey, had written to LIAT’s Legal Counsel, Ms. Diane Shurland requesting an urgent meeting with the airline’s management in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This includes a 6:15 a.m. flight out of E.T. Joshua to Barbados and the 8:55 p.m. flight from Trinidad and Tobago, notifying the Airport authorities by 9:00 p.m. about the need for any extension beyond the operating hours of the airport, review the turnaround time of Aircrafts with a view to reducing the delays in operation of flights, and improve Customer Service by providing more information to the travelling public in relation to flight delays and cancellations. The management of regional airline, LIAT, has agreed to review the schedule of flights in and out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines within one week to better serve the travelling public. This is one of the outcomes of a meeting held here on Wednesday September 14, between a delegation led by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the management of LIAT headed by the Acting CEO, Ms. Julie Reifer-Jones to resolve LIAT’s deteriorating service experienced by Vincentians. A statement issued on Thursday noted that the review will include a 6:15am flight out of E.T. Joshua to Barbados and the 8:55pm flight from Trinidad and Tobago. LIAT’s management also agreed to notify Airport authorities here by 9pm about the need for any extension beyond the operating hours of the airport, review the turnaround time of Aircrafts with a view to reducing delays in operation of flights, and to improve Customer Service by providing more information to the travelling public in relation to flight delays and cancellations. In addition, they will consider favorably a return of the direct Puerto Rico-SVG flight. The meeting was also informed that a tenth ATR aircraft (72-seater) will be added to LIAT’s Fleet by the end of October, early November, this year in an effort to ease the demand for additional seats throughout LIAT’s network. The government of Antigua & Barbuda has said that it stands ready to fill any monetary void left by St Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG), after its Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves blasted the regional carrier for poor service to SVG and promised that his government will cease injecting funds into the airline. While Dr Gonsalves has dismissed Liat's reason given for the poor service — bad weather — as "an excuse", Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Lennox Weston has shot back at the SVG Prime Minister, for, as he sees it, making much ado about nothing. According to iWitness News online, the SVG position on its funding to Liat followed a meeting in Kingstown SVG on Wednesday, where Dr Gonsalves, who has been a major supporter of Liat, came down hard on its management for persistent delays and cancellations in SVG. The news outlet said Liat was expecting EC$810,000 from the government of St Vincent to aid its operations – funds which are now being withheld. In addition to the support from Antigua, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said Wednesday that Grenada is prepared to provide the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, with a financial subsidy for it to service the island, but was not prepared to provide funds for the airline’s operations. Earlier in the week, LIAT announced that it would be reducing the number of flights to Grenada as of Friday but Mitchell told reporters that following talks between St George’s and the airline management, the cut has been reduced to just one flight. Mitchell said that Grenada has an open sky policy and that like St Lucia, his government is holding talks with the Trinidad-based State-owned airline, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and other airlines to service the island. Grenada offers marketing subsidy to a number of international airlines to guarantee they service the island. Earlier this week, St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet told a news conference having CAL as the national carrier may be the best option for the island given the many issues facing air transport in the region. The former tourism minister, a harsh critic of LIAT, reiterated earlier statements that the airline whose major shareholders are the governments of Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, and St Vincent and the Grenadines cannot solve all of the transportation needs of the region. On September 15th, Grenada’s Tourism Minister Clarice Modeste who said she was forced to endure a three hours delay while travelling on official government business recently said that “About a week ago I went to St Lucia, I had a meeting in the afternoon. LIAT had a two-hour delay. On the way back it was a one-hour delay." When contacted about the latest in Barbados, LIAT’s head of corporate communications Desmond Brown said the company expected to issue a statement. JSR Communications will bring you the latest on that statement. LIAT certainly believe itself. I'm not too sure that anyone else does... Well maybe Grenada's Prime Minister and Antigua & Barbuda's. I can't say. What I can say, is that I enjoy the Vincentian Chocolate, and if you haven't tasted it as yet. You need to!!
The Vincentian Cocoa Company will be launching the Vincentian Chocolate in Supermarkets September 23rd 2016.
Managing Director of the St. Vincent Cocoa Company, Andrew Hadley said this Friday’s launch will take place at all major Supermarkets and they will also be hosting a promotional activity at Heritage Square. Mr. Hadley says they have been receiving positive reviews and he hopes Vincentians will like this chocolate which has been made from locally produced cocoa beans. Mr. Hadley says that going forward his company has intentions to produce other varieties of the local chocolate and to market the product both in the region and internationally. This Friday, the Vincentian Chocolate will be available locally In all C.K Greaves, Massey Stores, Bonadie Supermarkets Coreas , Jax and many Hotels. The health benefits of Vincentian Chocolate listed by the company are as follows: Health Benefits #vincentianchocolate Dark Chocolate is Very Nutritious. ... Dark Chocolate is a Powerful Source of Antioxidants. ... Dark Chocolate May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure. ... Dark Chocolate Raises HDL and Protects LDL Against Oxidation. The factory is operating 24/7, to ensure a decent supply as we expect demand to be strong! Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has fired government Senator Wigley George after he voted a second time against a bill that he says will open workers to victimisation. George, who is also the President of the government-aligned Antigua Trades and Labour Union (ATLU), has since received the support of his union and the Antigua Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU). “The Antigua Barbuda Workers Union stands side by side with Wigley George on this issue without reservation. We find it a victimising act – an act we will not tolerate. It could well begin a spate of actions which the prime minister would regret in this country,” said ABWU Deputy General Secretary, Chester Hughes. According to the Jamaica Observer, ATLU General Secretary Hugh Joseph said workers are calling for mass action – and they are likely to act. Prime Minister Browne had warned dissenting government legislators last month that they would be dismissed if they did not support the Statutory Corporations General Provisions Bill, which they had opposed previously. The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has decided to allow schools to submit School Based Assessment (SBA) samples that were not submitted by the July 31 deadline.
In a news release on Tuesday, CXC said the decision was reached in an effort to ensure that the principles of natural justice and fairness are upheld and after appeal by some ministries of education. CXC noted that the matter is being adjudicated based on a special circumstance consideration, bearing in mind the challenges arising from operational changes implemented in 2016. The regional examination council reportedly requested that local registrars in affected countries submit SBA samples from the affected schools. The samples are to be submitted to the CXC local registrars’ offices by September 14 and to reach CXC headquarters by September 16. Liat’s CEO Julie Reifer-Jones said in a statement that a meeting of the management team of regional airline, LIAT, is set to take place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines this week. According to the CEO, the meeting is scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Reifer-Jones pointed out that due to adverse weather conditions, Liat has cancelled a number of evening services into SVG’s ET Joshua airport and added that the airline has requested later than normal arrivals here in order to ensure the flight schedule is maintained. This week’s meeting comes after Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and other Government officials here wrote to the management of LIAT, highlighting concerns about the ongoing scheduling problems and cancellations facing the Vincentian travelling public. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Godfred Pompey, in a letter written on September 4, 2016 to LIAT’s Legal Counsel, Ms. Diane Shurland, requested an urgent meeting with LIAT’s management in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to urgently address the matter. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, as well as officials from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines wrote to the management of the Regional Caribbean Airline, highlighting concerns about the ongoing scheduling problems and cancellations facing the Vincentian travelling public. The issue was first raised by Prime Minister, Dr. The Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves in a February 25th, 2016 in a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer LIAT, Mr. David Evans, against the backdrop of a February 17th, 2016 letter by LIAT, ‘requesting a further advance of EC$810,000 by St. Vincent and the Grenadines’. In responding to the letter, Prime Minister Gonsalves explained that, among other things, that St.Vincent and the Grenadines was not well served by the current schedule of the airline. Dr. Gonsalves said that St.Vincent and the Grenadines cannot be considered to “be in a condition akin to that of an abused spouse, in which commitment is taken for granted, amidst shabby treatment”. The lack of adequate service and poor scheduling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines were again raised with LIAT in a conversation between Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves on Friday, 2nd September, 2016 and top LIAT officials. On September 4th, 2016 a letter was written to LIAT’s Legal Counsel, Ms. Diane Shurland by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Godfred Pompey, expressing similar concerns. Secretary Pompey had requested an urgent meeting with LIAT’s management in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to urgently address the matter which was further exacerbated when a LIAT flight emanating from St. Vincent and the Grenadines was returned to the E.T. Joshua Airport. The letter stated, ‘It is understood that Flight LI738 on which the SVG Football Team was booked, was enroute to Trinidad and Tobago when in the wisdom of someone in Operations, Antigua directed the Aircraft to return to the E.T. Joshua Airport with the understanding that the Team would be accommodated on the early morning flight to Trinidad and Tobago, knowing that the Team’s connecting flight out of Trinidad and Tobago on COPA Airlines was 6:15 a.m. Sunday, 4th September, 2016’. Pompey’s letter added that LIAT’s management, including Operations, is taking St. Vincent and the Grenadines for granted, outlining that the demands for extended operating hours at E.T. Joshua Airport, are unbearable and unreasonable. The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a major shareholder of LIAT is anticipating a quick and amiable resolution to the ongoing situation in the interest of the Vincentian travelling public. Vincentians are being encouraged to head to their favourite beaches this Saturday and join in cleaning them. This Saturday, Sept. 17, is being observed as International Coastal Clean-up day, the brainchild of Ocean Conservancy, an international group that encourages coastal communities and members of the public to help to clean beaches. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Richmond Vale Academy (RVA) will participate in the activity on Sept. 24. Their efforts will focus primarily in North Leeward, where the academy is located. Rose Hall resident, Selwyn Patterson, a teacher at RVA, said the institution will join with community, sports and cultural groups in Richmond, Chateaubelair, Rose Bank, Troumaca and Cumberland to clean up the beaches in those areas. Patterson, who teaches Vincentian history and project management at RVA, said that it is important that Vincentians take care of the nation’s forest, rivers, and beaches as they are vital parts of the ecosystem. “Whatever takes places in the forest, rivers and beaches affects us all and each of us can play a part in keeping our environment clean,” Patterson said. He said that clogged rivers can lead to floods and landslides and polluted beaches result in damage to reefs, which are essential to ocean health, including fish stocks. “Let us all come out and help to clean up our beaches,” he said. Patterson said that the groups in the various villages in North Leeward have promised to send at least 10 volunteers but he is hoping that it in each community will be a community-wide effort. He is also encouraging businesses, sports and cultural clubs, churches, and other groups across the country to volunteer to clean up a beach. This is the 10th consecutive year that RVA is spearheading clean up efforts in North Leeward. Last year, volunteers collected 50 bags of trash on the beaches that they cleaned. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on Wednesday September 7th 2016 marked the first anniversary of his People’s National Movement (PNM) Administration in office, warning the population to expect new taxes and tougher economic policies as he seeks to steer the country’s ailing economy away from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Rowley, who was given a 51 per cent approval rating by the Trinidad Express newspaper in a poll released on Wednesday September 7th 2016, said that the new taxes would be outlined when Finance Minister Colm Imbert presents the 2016-2017 national budget later this month. Speaking on a television programme there, Rowley said while all was not lost in turning around the economy that has suffered ever since the global price of oil slumped from more than US$100 to as low as US$40 over the past year, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago must continue to brace themselves for tough times ahead. Rowley brushed aside remarks by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar that his Administration should receive an “E” grade for its first year in office, reminding the population that it was because of the reckless spending of the former People’s Partnership Government which she led, the oil-rich twin island republic now faces socio-economic problems. |
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Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500
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