According to officials the bypass will give commuters unimpeded access to the extreme north of the island during the construction phase of the project. But one businessman has some misgivings about the design of another bridge being built along the alternative route. He fears the potential flaws could result in unintended damage to his property. Businessman Brian Daher is concerned the construction of a bypass at Corinth to facilitate the new Bois D’Orange Bridge could result in damage to his nearby business.

He is worried the alignment of the bridge when completed could undermine the integrity of a wall structure outside his property due to the anticipated flow of run off water.

Daher has consulted his lawyers and sought expert advice on the potential threat to the structure. Consultant Engineer, John Peter who made an assessment on Friday believes the businessman’s concerns are legitimate.

Steve Brinkhurst of CO Williams, one of the construction companies responsible for the road project says he is aware of concerns surrounding the structural integrity of the wall on the property.

He says a meeting with the aggrieved party as well as an official from FDL consultants, another company working on the project has been scheduled for Tuesday.

The temporary diversion will ensure the flow of traffic to the north while construction of a new bridge which was severely damaged by the passage of Hurricane Tomas in 2010 gets underway.

According to an official from the CO Williams construction company the bypass road is scheduled to be completed by mid-April 2012.

Although a High Court judge ruled Regis had been unconstitutionally transferred from his post as Police Commissioner and that he should be immediately reinstated – the government – both former and current – had not moved to do so.

Instead – Regis was sent on vacation and Vernon Francois given an additional Acting appointment to the post of Commissioner.

Foster says his client has agreed to the appointment of special advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister in relation to security matters.

Regis has also been given a cash settlement from the government. Speaking by telephone on Friday – his attorney says it was in accordance with his High Court judgment.

Foster also addressed what he said were allegations about the amount of money his client had been paid.

Foster says his client agreed to the settlement based on what was right for ‘the continuity of the work that is being done in the force’.

The Police Force meanwhile remains under the leadership of Vernon Francois in his capacity as Deputy Commissioner.

Dr Fletcher and the National Security Minister say contrary to published media reports – Francois, whose fourth acting appointment ended on Wednesday has not been given a fifth.

Regis is expected to take up his new appointment on Monday.

the Ministries of Health and Agriculture with two chemicals. One product called Bio-vet would be used to counter the Aedes Egypti mosquito Dengue threat and the other, a poison, would help mitigate the island wide rat infestation problem.

Dr Mondesir says while the Ministry of Health has put the first chemical to good use the rat poison project has yet to get off the ground.

Dr Mondesir says a Cuban scientist with the expertise and know-how in the use of the brand of rat poison called Bio-Rat is here in Saint Lucia to commence the project.

He says the product was first field tested and approved for use on the island in 2000. The former Minister says it is imperative the government implement the project to address the threat posed by rats to human health and agricultural production.

The former minister says he is raising the alarm bell as a concerned citizen and farmer; that there are no ulterior motives behind his calls for quick action.

Dr Mondesir says the health risks associated with rats including the spread of the Leptospirosis bacterial infection warrants a decisive response from government. The Agriculture Minister could not be reached for comment.

Based on the economics he says it makes perfect sense for a country to court China. One financial expert has provided a new perspective on a local debate which centers on the merits of establishing diplomatic ties with China.

Jason Julien serves as General Manager of the First Citizens Investment Services. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and former senior Consultant in Corporate Finance. Julien, speaking at a Global Outlook Seminar, says China’s growing presence on the world market cannot be ignored.

He says Eastern Caribbean countries could stand to benefit greatly from ties with the superpower.  

Julien says the old approach of heavy reliance on the US as a source of revenue no longer holds.

He says economies of the sub region need to diversify revenue and position themselves to target and tap into Chinese markets. 

Locally the debate on the merit of China as an ally has spurred strong and divided opinions.

Some say Taiwanese assistance is preferable since it is more geared toward capacity building.

And at least one local business association has cautioned against the trading practices of the Chinese. 

But recently foreign affairs minister Alva Baptiste said Chinese assistance had in the past helped to finance major capital projects without raising the island’s debt to GDP ratio. Simply put - the island did not have to take on loans and large debt to finance the major projects it needed to execute because of Chinese assistance.

He has also noted that if a business owner refuses to give refunds in regards to a legitimate case, then they can go to the National Consumers Association or Consumer Affairs within the Ministry of Health to seek redress. The disclosure comes in the wake of concerns that businesses are being unfair to customers when it comes to refunds for damaged goods. Former President of the National Consumers Association, Hubert James has warned business owners they must refund consumers when they have a legitimate case.  

James says there are too many incidents where customers have warranted cases and are not being met with the appropriate response from business owners.

He has advised these consumers to seek redress with the National Consumers Association or the Ministry of Commerce.

James also made reference to the recent incident where several patrons purchased tickets to the postponed Movado concert.

The event was postponed after the headline act and several others were a no show. While the promoter has rescheduled the event – she has not made allowances for consumers who want a refund on purchased tickets.

Steve Etienne, General Manager of ECCO has called for the introduction of a bond or some sort of initiative to compensate those who have put their efforts, time and capital into planning events like the postponed Movado show.

He believes service providers for example those who do stage and lights – should be compensated for their work irrespective of the show being held.

The survey is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), as well the World Health Organization (WHO).

The information gathered from the survey will be used to strengthen health care systems and influence public health priorities on the island.

The survey will be conducted in three phases, the first will be based on a questionnaire, the second a simple physical measurement of the interviewees and the final aspect will focus on the individual’s biochemical analysis for chronic non communicable diseases.

Acting Director for Bureau of Health Education, Natasha Lloyd added the survey is very important to strengthen the island’s data on CNCD’s.

Fifty health professionals will be trained to undertake the data collection process. Their training will form part of the preparatory phase for the project.

A number of resource people from the National AIDS Program in the Ministry of Health assisted with the clinic including Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Coordinator Annette Jn Charles.

Also pleased with the turnout – Jn Charles had this advice for people who do not yet know their HIV status.

Baptiste says the clinic is of tremendous benefit to people who do not want to get tested at other centres like Castries where it is more readily available. She was also pleased with a new addition to this year’s activity.

Eleven people died from HIV/AIDS related deaths last year. The increased number prompted the Head of the National AIDS Program in the Ministry of Health to call for a return of resource persons to properly manage the disease.

Nahum Jn Baptiste warned the country experienced the increase due to a loss of the now defunct World Bank funded National AIDS Program Secretariat – NAPS which used to employ such individuals.

The islands newest talk show, Family Reflections, has been compared to the Oprah Winfrey show.

Iyanola Films is well known for local productions such as the award winning Ribbons of Blue, Troubled Waters and Nana’s Paradise.

Corporate Secretary- Marcia Dolor-Lashley says the show is intended for a regional audience and will explore was of resolving some of the critical issues affecting families.

Family Reflections will be recorded in front of a live studio audience and consist of ten one hour pre-recorded episodes.

Each episode will focus on a different subject; the theme for the inaugural one will be Pains of Neglect.
Host and Producer- Mathurin Emmanuel says Pains of Neglect is self explanatory.

Chairperson of the Editorial Committee- Anderson Reynolds gave a brief overview of the shows layout.

The season premier of Family Reflections will be recorded at the Coconut Bay Resort and Spa on Sunday February 19th.

The show is being produced in collaboration with Mc Dowell Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and will also be aired on MBC Channel 52 on Karib Cable and 42 on Lime.

It will also be available on radio.

Louis added other secondary schools are invited to the event which they intend to make an annual show.

He noted such initiatives are significant in enhancing talent and giving students an avenue to showcase skills to their peers.

Louis further noted such shows help boost student confidence and fosters a passion for performance.

Students from all forms within the St. Joseph Convent will participate in the event that will be held on the school grounds located at Cedars.

Teacher Tamy King says the activity was physical and educational. Hundreds of students and parents took part in the walk bearing displays that highlighted outstanding personalities, places of interest and other local features unique to St Lucia.

Participants showcased five main categories including tribute to outstanding leaders and Cultural Icons, National Symbols, World Famous Places and others.

The walk with Saint Lucian Pride culminated the school’s calendar of activities in commemoration of the island’s 33rd anniversary of Independence. 

He says Gregory Lord Productions is trying through the show- to expose the talents of many young and beautiful Saint Lucian ladies.

The production company admits to having sponsorship difficulties this year- but expresses gratitude to Bay Gardens and Choice TV who is supporting the venture.

The contestants are expected to be on parade in their communities during the independence week.