Black Immigrant Daily News

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The following is a statement on the UK banana trade suspension by Hon. Alfred P. Prospere, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development.

In July of 2021 when the Saint Lucia Labour Party government came into office, we found a banana industry that had collapsed under the UWP government.  Banana trade with the UK was halted for two years.  The critical infrastructure required to efficiently operate the industry was dismantled. The main banana exporting company WIBDECO/Winfresh ltd went into administration. key assets such as the ripening facility at Stanstead (UK) and Winfresh’s stake in the Geest shipping line were sold off to third parties to meet debt payments.

This meant that the main components of the banana exporting company such as shipping, marketing, and logistics were lost. The local producer base/farmer’s organization, the NFTO was facing financial losses and technical challenges. They had to immediately assume responsibility for the commercial arm of the trade although they did not have the resources and expertise to adequately perform that role. The situation at the time seems rather bleak.

My government, in recognition of the socioeconomic consequences and the critical role of the banana trade in rural communities found it necessary to intervene for the sake of maintaining social peace and economic mobility in rural communities. In the national interest, we saw it prudent to inject the necessary financial and technical support required to recommence trade with the UK supermarkets. A loan facility was established to inject EC$3.8 million dollars into the NFTO.

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To further emphasize the commitment of the government to our farmers and the people of St Lucia, a government lead delegation traveled to the UK to meet with the supermarket representatives to ascertain how best to proceed with the trade and finalize contractual relations with our farmers.  As the trade evolved, I demonstrated the interest of the Government of St Lucia in the banana trade by keeping in direct contact with our farmers, the NFTO, and our UK supermarket partners.

In early May of 2022, a technical delegation from the UK, visited St Lucia to determine the state of readiness prior to the commencement of trade.  The technical field visit was deemed satisfactory and trade with the UK commenced immediately on the 15th of May 2022.

During the period of trade, the Saint Lucia Labour Party Government has continued to provide support to our banana farmers by subsidizing inputs such as oils and fertilizer to farmers. In addition, we have actively pursued other regional markets with a view of providing further opportunities for our farmers.

We were successful for a certain period, whilst we tried to rebuild the banana industry. Unfortunately, the long-term impact of covid on the supply chain and the ongoing war in Ukraine have presented some major challenges that threaten the economic viability of the trade at this time.

The high shipping and fuel cost associated with a container of bananas is stated at US$8,200.00  per container and rising. Although fifty percent of the shipping cost was subsidized by the supermarket chain, it was difficult to sustain once fuel prices keep rising. The costs of key inputs such as fertilizer, oil, bags, and other inputs are rising daily. The extended journey time to reach the UK is proving uncompetitive as compared to other suppliers.

The Geest shipping line has a monopoly over the route they have shown no interest to modernize the container units that transport our bananas. It is critical to note that if the UWP government had not sold off our stake in the shipping business, we might be able to subsidize our shipping cost and modernize the containers to our requirements and select a shorter travel route that would give our bananas a competitive advantage as was previously done when we once owned shares in the Geest line.  Today we are now being haunted by this critical decision to sell our stake in the shipping business.

The ongoing challenges required a review of the trade to evaluate the business case and ascertain whether the parties are making the monies that they had anticipated prior to the commencement of the trade.

The contracting parties, NFTO, and the UK supermarket chain have informed the government that they have mutually decided to suspend the trade as they monitor the current situations impacting the trade both in the Caribbean and the UK. The cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs over the next few months have created major uncertainties for everyone. As soon as both parties are satisfied that it is profitable to proceed then the trade will be activated.

Fortunately for our farmers, the efforts that we have employed in pursuing the regional markets are showing signs of progress and growth. The consignment of bananas originally assigned to the UK market will now be diverted to the regional market and the weekly trade will be maintained.

The NFTO along with government support are currently following up on additional inquiries within the region and shortly they will be able to increase our regional market presence and volumes.  We continue to encourage our farmers to maintain the highest quality that is associated with our bananas as we look forward to expanding the regional trade.

My government, a St Lucia Labour Party Government that “Puts People First”, will continue to do what is necessary, to ensure that we respond to what is in the interest of our farmers, as they seek to make a decent living, by doing what they love, and what they are very good at doing.

SOURCE: Ministry of Agriculture

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A new Collective Agreement has been finalized between the  Commercial, Technical and Allied Workers’ Union (CTAWU)  and the Management of Republic Bank, EC Limited.

The announcement was made by the Managing Director of Republic Bank (EC) Limited, Michelle Palmer-Keizer and General Secretary of the CTAWU, Joseph ‘Burns’ Bonadie.

A release from Republic Bank EC Limited said the new agreement between the parties represents the outcome of negotiations which commenced on December 9, 2021 and covers a three-year period, with effect from February 01, 2021 to January 31, 2024.

From February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2023, instead of an increment adjustment, a one-time lump-sum will be paid to each member of the Bargaining Unit.   And, for the period February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024, a base salary adjustment of 1.5% will also apply.

Mrs. Palmer-Keizer said the Bank is happy to have reached this important settlement with the CTAUW, and she thanked all stakeholders and the Bank’s representatives for their commitment, during the negotiations,

And General Secretary of the CTAWU, Joseph Burns Bonadie noted that, the parties had to rely on the virtual medium to conduct the negotiations, given the challenges of the COVID -19 pandemic. He said the discussions were cordial, and commended the shop stewards for the role they played in bringing the agreement to an amicable conclusion. Mr. Bonadie said the CTAWU looks forward to continued good relations.

The formal signing of the new collective agreement will take place in the coming weeks and the Bank said it looks forward to extending its strong relationship with the Union.

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EVASIVE ACTION: This screen grab from a video shared widely on social media on Tuesday, shows students of the Rose Hill RC Primary School on the floor in their classroom after being told by their teacher to duck when rapid gunfire broke out in the surrounding area outside the school on Monday.

Residents of Laventille Road and surrounding streets say they have been living in fear for years as gunmen continue to wage war in their communities.

On Monday, gunmen from Argyle Street, Gonzales, tried to walk into Richardson Lane, Laventille, leading to a shootout that lasted almost ten minutes. No one was wounded or killed.

On Wednesday a video was circulated on social media which showed students of Rose Hill RC Primary School, Le Coulle Street, Laventille Road, being told by teachers to take cover as the gunfight raged.

The video attracted thousands of shares and reactions, with many social media users commending the teacher for maintaining her composure and instructing the children during the ordeal, while others expressed shock and disgust at the boldness of the criminals.

“Kids shouldn’t have to go through that. Sad!” one social media user commented.

Newsday visited the school on Wednesday and was told by a security guard that classes had been suspended since the shooting on Monday. The guard was unsure when they would resume.

It was later confirmed that students have begun virtual classes while the school is closed.

One Le Coulle Street resident who lives nearby said while the video of the shooting on Monday attracted concern from the public, the sound of gunfire was not new in the area, to the point where staff at the school had procedures in place for when gunfire began.

“This has been going on since about January, so it’s not something that started on Monday. It’s just the first time someone recorded it.

“I know that as soon as the gunshots start, the security (at the school) locks the gate and ducks down in his security booth.

“Sometimes they might tell the children to duck down, other times I see they usher the children upstairs, where it’s safer and easier to protect them.”

Another resident, who was also a parent of a child at the school, described the shootings as a disgrace. He said despite repeated police patrols, the gunfights continued.

“This is really disrespectful how these fellas are just shooting at a school like this where children are trying to learn.

“It isn’t a new problem we’ve been having, either. Look at that bullet hole by the guard booth – and that hole isn’t even from the most recent shooting on Monday.”

One woman on Laventille Road said she hoped there would be a more forceful response from the authorities after the shooting.

She said the gunfire on Monday was cause for concern, but residents have heard gunshots continue for much longer and it has affected the daily routines of people in the community.

“That what you heard on Monday there is joke. Sometimes we hear gunshots going on for a full half an hour with no breaks in between.

“We really do need help from someone, because this can’t continue the way it is.

“Imagine, I have friends with children in that school and they want to keep the children away, and they will be writing SEA next year –how is that going to work out for them?”

Another woman said the schoolchildren were not the only people affected by the gunfire, as many elderly residents were afraid of venturing outdoors.

A screen grab from a video shared on social media on Wednesday, shows students of the Rose Hill RC Primary School on the floor in their classroom after being told by their teacher to take cover when rapid gunfire broke out near the school on Monday.

Residents said while police have occasionally had static (stationary) patrols outside the school during mornings and afternoons, they were unable to remain there consistently.

One officer in the Port of Spain Division said one of the major challenges to having a continuous presence outside the schools was the lack of manpower and availability of vehicles.

“We try to do a 2 pm-4 pm patrol outside the schools, because we have parents coming from Six or Seven neighbourhoods (a reference to gang territories) to pick up their children, but that is a bit difficult right now, because of manpower.

“We do try our best, but it’s about eight schools in the area that need attention.

“If every station in the Port of Spain Division had a strength of about five police officers at one time to address these issues, together with a vehicle, we could make that difference.

“But other things may take officers away from patrols. We have enquiries to go on, we may have a shooting, or take a statement from the victim of a crime. So we truly need more personnel and resources.”

He said police suspected the shooting in the video was linked to an ongoing gang war between members of the Six and Seven gangs in east Port of Spain.

The officer said Six territories included L’Eau Place, St Paul Street, Laventille Road and Rose Hill, where the primary school was located, and Seven territories were believed to be Richardson Lane, Quarry Street, Harpe Place, Bath Street and Lower Duncan Street.

Contacted for comment, CEO of the Catholic Education Board Sharon Mangroo said active consideration was under way to temporarily move the school to another area.

She said the board was discussing the possibility of relocation, and it needed urgent attention for the safety of staff and students.

Mangroo added that as well as the danger the shootings posed to children, it was important to consider the effects it had on their education and psyches.

“It’s not that they’re not getting an education – unfortunately, they are being educated very negatively. They are being educated in fear, they are being taught that might is right, and that if you want protection you have to be a member of a gang. These are the things that they are learning.

“We have to provide a safe and secure environment if we want our children to develop into good citizens, if we want them to develop into their full capacity as human beings.”

Responding to Newsday’s questions via WhatsApp on Wednesday Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly confirmed that discussions were being held with the Catholic Education Board and the police over the incident.

She added that Rose Hill RC was not the only school affected.

“The Commissioner (of Police) is currently having internal discussions and will revert today with the TTPS’ recommendations for ensuring the safety of all school personnel during school hours; not for this school only, but for a few others which are similarly affected.

“School relocation has been raised as a solution and that option is also being evaluated though no final decision on relocation has been made at this time.”

Gadsby-Dolly said the Student Support Services Division had planned virtual counselling sessions with children, school staff and parents from Wednesday.

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Six cargos chargés de céréales ont quitté jeudi matin les ports ukrainiens, après que la Russie eut repris sa participation à l’accord sur les exportations, estimant avoir reçu des garanties de Kiev sur la démilitarisation…

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