 Welcome to the NTN Nightly, I'm Nisha Chance, this edition's top stories. The government of St. Lucia launches the REACH project to help farmers build resilience to climate change. The registry of civil status gets an upgrade in records management. St. Lucia, to celebrate volunteerism on Good Deeds Day, all that, plus the latest in youth development, sports, and the NTN Nouvelle-Arcouillon. The vulnerability of the agriculture sector to climate change is undeniable. As in recent times, the ferocity of storms has devastated the local sector. Production levels are reduced, crops are destroyed, infrastructure on farms are damaged, leaving farmers with immense financial loss. To combat those effects, the government of St. Lucia will be undertaking agricultural disaster risk management initiatives designed to help farmers better mitigate and respond to impacts. The initiatives from part of the recently launched Resilient Environment and Agricultural Caribbean Habitats or REACH project. Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Corporation, the Resilience Environment and Agricultural Habit's REACH project is an initiative which seeks to enhance the capacity of small farmers and their communities to organize and manage agricultural disaster risk management initiatives, all in an effort to enhance their resilience to shocks and hazards. The project is being implemented through a partnership between the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, SEDEMA, the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, the Italian International Center on Environmental Monitoring Research Foundation, under the overall coordination of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the FAO. The FAO's Disaster Risk Management Specialist says the Caribbean region is particularly vulnerable to these shocks and hazards and St. Lucia is no different. Imagine that for every dollar we invest in preparedness, five to eight dollars are saved in response and these are studies that FAO has done worldwide. So it means that if we do a project and we invest one dollar in this project on preparedness, if something happens we can save five to eight dollars in response. So I think doing projects which address this area of interest are really important and I'm sure that SEDEMA also would be very much keen and interested to work more in preparedness, adaptation, mitigation of climate change for the agricultural sector. The SEDEMA Research Foundation will be working alongside the other organizations to implement the project. I wanted to stress this because many times when we talk about prevention and preparedness people say okay but I need the levies, I need the tools, I need cars, I need this, I need money. No, you need to prepare. At least you save the lives and then the rest is okay, is a part of the, is a part of the, is one of the ingredients for saver communities. So what are we going to do in this project, exactly this? We will support SEDEMA, CIMH, FAO with some data management. So we are going to install a few weather stations in the two islands of the project that we have been developing, they are open hardware and open software weather stations, meaning that they're not tied to us. You will be able to manage them on your own, that again granting sustainability. We are going to work on the planning part, on how communities should manage and prepare in facing disasters. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Baramore Feliciane, says the project directly aligns with the work of the ministry. And it specifically seeks to our priority areas 9 and 10, that is the protection, conservation and sustainable utilization and management of natural and fisheries resources and also priority area 11, which speaks to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation to our agricultural, which is, which is embodied in our agricultural policy framework and strategy for St. Lucia for the years 2016 to 2021. The project is a 10 month initiative and will conclude in December 2019. Efforts at improving the registry of civil status have been boosted with the engagement of Records Management Experts, Axial ALM Canada Inc. Janelle Norville has the details. The Government of St. Lucia on Tuesday signed a contract with Axial AL Canada Inc. Axial for the implementation of a vital records management system. The registry of civil status will be the first point of implementation, however the system will be implemented at other government departments. Minister for the Public Service Senator, the Honourable Dr. Ewaldus Raymond, highlighted the government's thrust. We are looking beyond the 8 to 4, 8 to 5, we are looking to providing online service. Now the government has a very big, a huge mandate and the mandate is that of ensuring that we expand the e-government service to all departments, all departments of government. So today is just the beginning of good things to come, better things to come. Axial has been involved with civil registries since 1988. The company has installed its registry management software in registries of boths, devs and marriages in seven countries, including New Zealand, Anguilla, the United States and Canada. According to Axial's head of registries and vital records, Chris Finchham, the process will involve the replacement of the three existing components of the civil registry, civil register, resetting and scanning image store with a single system built from Axial's vital where vital records management system. From within the government, having the foundational documents in a correct shape, such as the birth registration and subsequently a death registration, that becomes the foundation for all other government entities to start using that information with some confidence that that information is accurate. The first thing that people have to do in their lines is be born and from that point on, then they become entitled to government services and having a proper civil registry, an accurate civil registry, gives confidence that all of those things are being rolled out properly. People who are entitled to vote are the ones voting. People who are entitled to passports are the ones that get those passports and subsequently in the event of the end of that person's life that these identities do not continue to exist. Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and National Security, Senator the Honourable Herman Gill-Francis listed the benefits to the public. As a consequence of the implementation of vital wear, solutions can, in the immediate to short term, expect the benefit from electronic registration, with parents and or informants being given the opportunity to review, verify and sign off on data before it is uploaded on the vital wear system. Two, online applications and payment for vital records. There will be no need to visit a civil status registry to apply for vital records as applications will be able to access services on the tablets, mobile phones and laptops from the relative ease of their homes once the system is fully implemented. A complete system rollout is expected in the coming months. For the Government Information Service, I am Janelle Norville. The St Lucia Cadet Corps is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The organisation through the years has been an avenue for the development of the nation's youth. Here's Anisia Antoine. The St Lucia Cadet Corps hosted a panel discussion in commemoration of their 90th anniversary. The St Lucia Cadet Corps was founded on July 13, 1929 as a non-profit paramilitary organisation which aimed to inspire young people to achieve success in life with a spirit of service to country and their local community and to develop in them qualities required of a good citizen. Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Hyacinth, commanding officer of the Cadet Corps, explained the benefits of being part of the St Lucia Cadet Corps. The organisation aims to make leaders out of young persons, out of young men and women. We want you to be in the forefront. We want you to take charge. We want you to be able to stand up when it's necessary. When people are in a panic stage, you should be the one standing square with a level head. The service component of it, really, we look at all aspects of service. One of the key things that we pride ourselves in, we do lots of service when it comes to national disasters. We do service in relation to parade ceremonies or flag ceremonies. Whenever there's heads of government so any of the organisations require parade flags. The Cadet Corps usually takes the lead. Dr Thomas Samuel, former Cadet Officer, indicated that many former cadets have went on to join the British and the US military and have done exceedingly well. Cadetting has inspired a lot of our young people to reach the higher heights. In other words, to conquer the fears and the camaraderie that we have among the ranks, the esprit de corps, as we like to call it, is one of the things that help you boost your confidence. Samuel explained that women were able to join the St. Lucia Cadet Corps from the late 1960s. Aquila Smith shared her experience being part of the St. Lucia Cadet Corps. In Barbados, I took part in a shoe competition and I came second in the Caribbean. The first runner-up, so I got this badge. Barbados, the first time I travelled, we also played second as a team. And in the latest one, 2018, I got my star four, I achieved my star four training in arts from the Barbados Defence Force, the Barbados Cadet Corps. So how do you feel as a female in the Corps? Do you feel like they treat you differently or they treat you as a cadet? And would you recommend to other females that they join? As far as being a female in the Cadet Corps, it's really different for me as a female since I attended the St. Joseph's Convent School. So at Convent, a very female-oriented school, this cadet is not as accepted, pussy, like other schools. Other schools are female, she's exactly like the other cadets. So what made you join since Convent doesn't have? My father. My father was a part of the St. Lucia Cadet Corps as well as my mother returned when I was in Form 5. So my parents always a part of the Cadet Corps and both my brothers are in the Cadet Corps. The panel discussion took place on Monday, the 1st of April, 2019. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, the Honourable Alan Shasne, has announced the introduction of legislation to govern the Economic Fund, which is stipulated under the Citizenship by Investment Act. Speaking during the Parliament's sitting of March 26, Prime Minister, the Honourable Alan Shasne, explained that while an economic fund is designated in the Citizenship by Investment Program Act, the fund is yet to be established as such revenue collected from the CIP is being deposited into the consolidated fund. Prime Minister Shasne assured that the monies have been handled responsibly and can be accounted for. And the disbursements of those funds have been managed through the procurement bills that we're passing. In fact, we're going to be coming to pass the new budget soon. And in it will have identified capital projects in which we're going to use the funds for. So it is wrong to say that there has been no accountability. It's not like the money is at CIP and that CIP has been spending the money. It's not like the money has gone into some separate account and there is uncertainty as to who's managing that account. The money has gone into consolidated fund and is being managed by the accounted general. And all of the monies can be accounted for. And the monies in terms of which programs they're being spent on can also be accounted because there's due records being kept of everything. The Prime Minister also highlighted the government's intention to establish a sovereign fund. However, that thrust along with the introduction of new programs have been hindered by the European Union's close watch of fiscal programs in the region, including St. Lucia. With St. Lucia on the EU's gray list, Prime Minister Shasne is optimistic that the government will be able to proceed. The Prime Minister also addressed the use of the escrow account within the CIP. The second set of monies that are obtained is through the real estate. And the only monies from the real estate that the state collects and belongs to the state are the ones for the administrative fees. The $300,000 that is collected from the real estate does not belong to the state. It actually belongs to the developer. And there are people who also get confused as to the escrow account. The escrow account only applies for the real estate program. And the monies in the escrow account do not belong to the state. And the only control that the state has over the escrow account is the establishment of the rules to draw down the funds. But an escrow agent is a person who is obligated to follow the law and to make sure that the developer's monies are drawn down as approved by the two parties. But the funds do not belong to the state. Prime Minister, the Honourable Alan Shasne assured that the government will bring to the parliament and act specifically addressing the economic fund. For the Government Information Service, I am Genelle Norville. And this is the NTN Nightly. Ryan O'Brien is standing by with more youth development in sports. I'm innovative. Sure! I'm competitive! I'm productive. I am creative. I constantly improve what I do and how I do it. I am output oriented. I never stop learning. I give of my best always. The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council embracing excellence. Welcome back. We join Ryan O'Brien for the latest happenings in youth development and sports. Hello everyone. I'm Ryan O'Brien of News from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports on the NTN Nightly News. The Government of St. Lucia continues its focus on interventions targeting the empowerment of youth in St. Lucia. One such program is the Youth Empowerment Project. Yep! Joanne Huspens is a project coordinator and she gives a general overview of what the Youth Empowerment Project is all about. The Youth Empowerment Project is a project implemented by the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment and supported by the Caribbean Development Bank and its main objective is to mitigate risk factors that trigger criminal behavior and antisocial behavior of youth and at the individual, societal and community level and special emphasis is placed on young men, women and children. We stay with the subject of youth development and continue our in-depth look at concepts behind activities for Youth Month 2019. One of the prominent events this year will become Kalinago, April 19th to 21st. It provides a unique opportunity for emerging youth leaders to access leadership teachings through the mirroring of the life of the Indigenous people. Candidates will develop their directorship capabilities as well as increase their knowledge of St. Lucia's early history. Participants will advance their skills in project and events management, budgeting and proposal writing, public relations, social media etiquette and other skills relevant to their roles on their respective councils. They will develop an appreciation for the lifestyle and history of the Kalinago people and the impact of other entities on their lifestyles. They will participate in enriching educational activities that entertain and promote group dynamics and team building, enjoy and individualize empowering and educational experience and form a network of youth leaders for socialization and mutual empowerment. Parliamentary representative for Babuno, the Honourable Ezekiel Joseph has lauded the quality of sporting talent that has come out of the constituency which has made the residents of Babuno proud of their achievements. The parliamentary representative made the comments while speaking at a gala dinner in recognition of 20 years' outstanding national representation by High Jumper Laverne Spencer. And this year we were able, we were fortunate to have three of the top awards as it pertains to recognizing persons by the Ministry of Youth and Sports three of the top awards coming to Babuno. We have Mr Reynolds, we have Levin Spencer and of course we have Kimani Melius. So we have a lot of talent in Babuno. And with that recognition of this sporting talent residing in Babuno by its parliamentary representative, we have come to the end of our update for today. I'm Ryan O'Brien. Thanks Ryan. Saint Lucia has joined the Global Good Deeds Movement with Coordinated Activities planned for Good Deeds Day on April 7th 2019. Volunteer Saint Lucia is collaborating with the Caribbean Volunteer Exchange of Trinidad and Tobago to organize a number of events for Good Deeds Day 2019. Good Deeds Day is a global day that unites people all over the world to do good deeds for the benefit of others and the planet. The 11th annual Good Deeds Day is being celebrated under the theme of Connecting Communities. Giselle Mendes is the Chief Volunteer of the Caribbean Volunteer Program. We hear the term Good Deeds Day and it seems like three very simple words but it's three powerful words that really begin to unveil the principles, values and true power of volunteerism, service and understanding our responsibility to our space. I think what's fantastic about Good Deeds Day 2019 last year when we came together as a network to pioneer this initiative there were five countries participating. This year we have ten countries from across the Caribbean region. Activities include a day of pampering for senior citizens, a church service at the Salvation Army and a soup kitchen. Diane Felicia is a consultant attached to the National Volunteer Program. The activities for Good Deeds Day does not stop there. It will be going on through the year. We plan to partner with the Border Lay Correctional Facility and also the Boys Training Centre. We will also be having an initiative which is working with the youth at risk and we will be having a number of underblock talks with the youth. We will be connecting communities all over the island and again in keeping with our independence theme which is all-in. We wish to ensure the public that persons from all angles or all walks of life will be included in our Good Deeds Day. Good Deeds Day will be held on Sunday, April 7th, 2019. From the Government Information Service I am Anisia Antoine reporting. And stay with the NTN Nightly up next, Primers Hutchinson is here with the NTN Nouvelle Arquillon. Do you know me? I've been forced to do this by my trafficker. I was promised a better life but got forced into domestic servitude. I can be any age. I can be any gender. Any ethnicity. I am. I am. I am a victim of trafficking in persons. Know the signs. See it. Report it. If you see me, please help me. Call the TIP Hotline at 847. Welcome back. We join Primers Hutchinson for the NTN Nouvelle Arquillon. Welcome to the NTN Nightly up next, Primers Hutchinson. Do you know me? Do you know me? I'm Anisia Antoine, an MP at the NTN Nightly and Nord, which is very capable to do work, for example, military, military, and also to work with one. But also to add, it is a matter of providing a low benefit because people who are ill, or who are ill, or people who have visited and are experiencing this benefit. But also, it is a matter of providing a low benefit and the benefits that are necessary to lead the organization to work more easily. And then, people who feel more comfortable to develop their own relations, and then, it's up to them. I call on people to do their best to conserve water. The Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Ezekiel Joseph, who did this in person, as you have observed, I am an international for water, and I have been doing it financially. Honourable Ezekiel Joseph, I am very happy to see that the quality of water has been available before. Not that it has existed yet. That is because climate change is not a joke. The Minister of Agriculture, who has created the authorities in some countries, has bought the water authority to conserve water. The conservation of the water has succeeded. So, it is important for us, in the countries, because we are a government, but the countries challenge us, not the government, but what we do. And it is important for us to work together, and to accompany, and for the government to help us to realize the situation, to have an improvement in the water. And we do not have to work together, because the water is the water, and the water is the water, and the water is the water. So, at least in the country, we see that when we celebrate international water day, that we reflect a bit, that we focus on what we have done, clean the water, at least, where we receive the quality that is necessary for us. And at least we serve the way that we buy gas. In the fourth quarter of this year, we have a big discussion, in the commemoration of the 90th anniversary, the Salavini Organization, in existence, on the 12th of July, 1920. We formed a military group to establish and encourage young people to seek success in life, and then we hope for a good service to the country and the community, and to develop principles that the good citizens deserve. In order to accommodate the current concept, Nathan Hyacinth, he explained that the Salavini Organization can be established in a way to enable young people to be able to effectively conduct themselves in order to be able to control the world that is lost. Particularly in the situation of accidents, accidents, and many other situations that the citizens deserve. The current concept here, is Lieutenant Colonel Hyacinth. The current co-op is a diverse service, among which is the Salavini Power, and the Dua Po, mainly for the leaders of the government who have visited here. It is Dr. Thomas Samuel who was also an officer of the cadet in the past. He said that the pleasure of the cadet that I have found in the United States and the United States has performed an excellent job. Dr. Samuel D.C., the cadet organization, I helped a young people to lose their freedom and to build more confidence. Samuel D.C., the organization has begun to accept women since the year 1967. There is this girl who is your mother, cadet Po, it's Aquila Smith. He said that you are your mother in the year 2011 and that I am your mother of the Salah organization for the rest of the year after that. And I would like to thank you and I would like to thank you. Smith, I know that you have participated in your competition to shoot Ababad and that you have come second after all these years. Officer Smith, I have found it a pleasure to have you as a cadet. The discussion is about Lady, the 1st of July, 2019. And that's it for today's news. Thank you very much for watching. I would like to invite you to join me again to see what you think of the next news. After that, see you next time. Thank you, Pil Primus. And here's a look at what's happening to us weather-wise. It's fair and breezy becoming cloudy at times with a few scattered showers. The Atlantic high pressure system will continue to generate a moderate to brisk easterly wind flow and above normal seas around the eastern Caribbean region over the next few days. Low level clouds drifting along the wind flow will bring some scattered showers over the islands during the forecast period. The tide for Castries Harbour was high at 3pm and will be low again at 8.57pm. The tide for V4 Bay was high at 4.07pm and will be low again at 10.24pm. The seas moderate to locally rough with waves 5 to 7 feet or 1.5 to 2.1 meters. Small craft operators and sea beavers are advised to exercise caution due to above normal seas. The sun will rise Thursday at 5.57am. And that brings us to the end of VNTN Nightly. Join us next time at 7pm with a repeat at 7am. You can also catch up with us anytime on the Senusa Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I'm Misha Tross.