 Welcome to NTN Nightly, I am General Norville, this edition's top stories. The Government of St. Lucia to enact a legislation to facilitate its digital transformation agenda. Banana Farmers receives a much needed assistance from the Taiwanese technical mission. And the Ministry of Health and Wellness receives a donation of reusable face masks from the Sandals Foundation. The Government of St. Lucia remains committed to the digitization of the public service with a recent launch of St. Lucia's Digital Integrated E-Services Platform, an online one-stop government shop. The platform is geared towards enhancing the Government's service delivery to citizens, businesses, investors and other governments. DG Gov is designed to aggregate 154 services across 9 ministries and 13 government agencies to facilitate online applications, payments and to monitor progress of government services anywhere, anytime. The Minister for Transport indicated that in order to facilitate the Government's digital transformation agenda, key legislation must be enacted. A modern and responsive legal regulatory framework is paramount to the success of the digital transformation agenda. Minister for Economic Development, Housing, Urban Renewal, Transport and Civil Aviation, Honourable Guy Joseph, indicated that as the Government seeks to streamline public service processes through the use of ICT, it is necessary to ensure that the business climate in St. Lucia has the necessary legal and regulatory support to facilitate a fair and efficient public service delivery. The Government has begun this process with the partial commencement of the Electronic Transaction Act No. 16 of 2011, which came into effect on 25 June 2020. The Minister indicated that the Government is also working towards the partial commencement of the Data Protection Act of 2011, as it is another key piece of legislation to support the implementation of the DG Gov platform. A total of $110,650 have been collected from the DG Gov platform since it went live on 25 June 2020, and these revenues are going into the Government's consolidated fund. As of the 19th of June, we had 167 persons registered on the platform. As of the 17th of July, which is just a little less than a month, we have 753 persons registered on the DG Gov platform and accessing services. So far, Mr. Speaker, 257 people who use the platform made payments. Come into the counter at the Ministry, a total of $71,475. An online payment, a bank of St. Lucer, 145 persons made online payments, totaling $39,175. In August 2020, more services are to be added, including applications for driver's license, learner's permits, issuer provisional driver's license, renewal of learner's permits, registration for driver's practical and theory tests, and renewal of driver's licenses to name a few. Also in August, under Phase 3 of the project, applications of Omnibus Endorsement, Omnibus Learners Permit, renewal of Omnibus Learners Permit, registration of Omnibus Driver's Practical and Theory Tests. Minister Honourable Joseph explained that since the launch of the platform, individuals applying for renewal of replacement driver's licenses have been able to receive their licenses in a three to five day period with an email or text notification that it was ready for collection. The Transport Minister added that a number of steps have been taken to facilitate the quickest delivery of service, including the establishment of an express line at the Department of Transport. The division is now offering a service of online to the public. These services are now available 24-7, making it easier and more convenient for persons to access the services and thus reducing the processing time. There are two services that are currently online, as we have already indicated, the replacement of driver's license. The division has service bureau agents on the floor facilitating the process of online application and processing of payments using debit cards for renewal and replacement. So you can fill it out online and you can go to the ministry in person. There will be an agent to just swipe your card if you don't pay from your card at home or at another institution. The minister indicated that additional services are to become available on the digital platform in November 2020 and February 2021, as the project is being implemented using a two-year 2020-2021 phased approach. Citizens are expected to have online access to 154 services, the ability to apply, pay, monitor and track transactions, ask or address queries with the click of a button by the end of December 2021. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. Director of the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO Dr. Carissa Etienne, is urging the countries of the Americas and the Caribbean region not to let their guard down as they seek to reopen their borders. Citing spikes in COVID-19 cases in several countries, Dr. Etienne indicated that countries must avoid thinking that they must make a choice between reopening economies and protecting the health and well-being of their people. The director noted that there is a new issue emerging where countries' health services are being disrupted as health workers are redirected to care for COVID-19 patients and people hesitate to seek routine care due to fares of infection and global supply chains of medicines and equipment are strained. Within every country in our region, health workers are being redirected to care for the influx of COVID-19 patients. Many of them have gotten sick themselves as they tend to those in need and without doctors and nurses available to offer other essential services at the first level of care such as pregnancy-related care and management of chronic conditions like diabetes or infectious diseases such as HIV, TB, and malaria, these services are severely disrupted or, worse yet, halted entirely. At the same time, patients who are sick or who think they might be sick are hesitant to seek care for fear of COVID-19 infection because transportation disruptions and lockdowns have made it harder to reach their local clinics. Some may even assume that care is not available and postpone the help they need, often worsening their health situation. Additionally, our clinics and hospitals are still struggling to stock their shelves with the medicines and personal protective equipment that they need as the pandemic has strained global supply chains and slowed global trade. The director asserted that a prolonged response to the pandemic must include provision of other essential life-saving services. Paho is calling on countries to adapt to this new situation by re-engineering how essential care is delivered and investing in the first level of care using telemedicine home visits and community outreach programs to support vulnerable populations. Countries must adapt and commit to simultaneously providing these essential primary care services while at the same time mitigating the effects of COVID-19. Again, this is not an either or choice. Rather, governments must strike that careful balance for public health. National leadership must create the pathway for the future. Over the last few months, Paho has shared best practices and worked hand-in-hand with governments to make adjustments, whether big or small, to be able to do just that. Director of Paho, Dr. Carissa A.T.N. Community members in need around the island to be provided with free protective care aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19. More in this report from Fernelle Neptune. The Ministry of Health and Wellness recently received the donation of reusable masks from the Sandals Foundation to assist community members with maintaining and adhering to the protocols for managing COVID-19. The reusable masks will be made available at various wellness centers around the island and will be distributed to people who have limited or no access to masks. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belma George expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Sandals Foundation for the donation and says it will play a significant part in protecting the health of our citizens during this COVID-19 pandemic. Our teams within the community have been indicating that especially at the level of community, there's a lack of adherence to the use of face masks and the foundation has taken up in a very proactive measure, instead of just complaining about it, to provide us with support to reduce this possible problem. So by providing us with 1500 face masks, we'll now be able to work at the level of the community and to provide face masks to them free of charge because of this donation and to support and to strengthen the use of masks at the level of the community. Public Relations Manager of Sandals Grand, Judy D. Tilville says the foundation is dedicated to making the health of the community a priority and responding to the situation of COVID-19 in St. Clauchin. Today we're looking at our assistance through I want to say community and the foundation has risen to every occasion I suppose I want to say because in times of need, in times of natural disaster and in this disaster certainly we want to assist the process as well of helping people to meet and maintain the protocols that will assist in saving lives. The Sandals Foundation made a donation of 1,500 masks valued at 10,000 EC dollars. Reporting from the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, I am Fennel Neptune. The Taiwanese technical mission through the Banana Productivity Improvement Project is assisting banana farmers as they continue to battle several challenges impeding their productivity. Anisia Antoine tells us more. The Taiwanese technical mission through the Banana Productivity Improvement Project, BPIP, has been improving farmers productivity and revitalizing the banana industry in St. Lucia with a view of restoring the confidence of the farmers following the outbreak of the Black Sikotoka disease. With domestic banana production being negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and further compounded by the dry spell, the Government of St. Lucia through the BPIP has been assisting farmers with the upkeep of their plantations. Officers attached to the Banana Productivity Improvement Unit, Elkhana Janki, explained that approximately 12,000 litres of oil and 9,000 bags of fertilizer have been distributed to farmers to date. The Government through the BPIP have provided the support to farmers with regards to one treatment of fertilizer, one application of fertilizer, at 250 kg bags per acre or 425 kg bags per acre along with one treatment of oil fungicide mix for the control of Black Sikotoka and that is free. However, in order for the farmers to be qualified for the support, the farms must be in condition. You must rehabilitate it if the farm is abandoned or semi-abandoned, you have to clean it up and the farm must be at a level to show that you're in production. Crop Protection Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Cletus Alexander explained that the Government of St. Lucia adopted an integrated approach to control the spread of the Black Sikotoka disease. What you have realized is that the use of oil alone will not sufficiently control Black Sikotoka for you. Now globally what is happening as you have the changing climate, the increasing temperature on my observation you realize that normally during the dry season you have less moisture so it's a fungus so normally in the dry season you don't have problem with fungal diseases. Now the oil, a lot of people believe well the oil is a fungicide. Now when you have fungicide, fungicide means that it's going to kill the fungicide. The oil is not a fungicide, the oil is like a fungi stat, it will sort of reduce the spread of the organism on the leaves. Now as I said in the dry season it's not a problem because high temperature the fungus is on the control but as you approach the rainy season that is where it's a problem because leaf wetness is a critical factor in the development of the fungus. According to the agriculture officials another infestation presently plaguing the domestic banana plantations is the millibug. This type of insect can cause tip growth distortion and death as well as premature leaf and fruit drop. The BPIP has also been taking measures to prevent and control the spread of banana millibugs. When we realized that we had an upsurge in the levels of millibug in the fields we what we did we our officers went ahead and we had farm clinics to sensitize the farmers on the situation and what can be done to control or to manage the levels of the millibug in the fruits. So we had these clinics throughout the island. There was also a small video that was produced by one of our officers to demonstrate to the farmers how to process the fruit especially if the millibug is present. The agriculture officials reaffirmed the government of St. Lucia's commitment to improving the infrastructure of banana cultivation and farmer cultivation management skills. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. This is NtnNightly, up next, Primus Hutchinson with the NtnNouvelle Aquial. If you are in receipt of an abnormally high bill, it is highly possible that you have a leak. That leak may not always be visible. Before you contact Wasco, conduct a do-it-yourself test. One, record your meter reading. Two, do not use water for 30 minutes to one hour. Three, take another meter reading. If the reading changes, you have a leak. Contact a plumber to identify and fix the leak at the earliest. A message brought to you by the Water and Sewage Company, Incorporated, Wasco. Welcome back. We now join Primus Hutchinson for the NtnNouvelle Aquial. For information on government services, GIS, Ectelvision National Payee, Ntn, Caposito, Nouvelle, Aquial, and Primus Hutchinson. About 114 people have the opportunity to buy a piece of land in La Fag, Shwazei, to build a residential area. We have a ceremony in Mequidi, the 6th hour. The first minute is for Ellen Shasne. A lot of ministers, governments, and representatives of Shwazei, Excelltibus, on our Bradley Felix, have been able to build a home for these people. On our Bradley Felix, the great development of Shwazei, it is young people who can only benefit from Shwazei, but more than that, they are able to grow a business in power of Shwazei. We have a project like this, which is in place to develop. We have a place that is more wishful. We are very happy with what we have done, and how we benefit from this place. It is a beautiful place. We live here, we live here, with the NtnP, and the beach lodges here. It is a beautiful place. It is not a child development, it is a school, a casque. We have a place here. The representatives have declared that the Prime Minister of Shwazei has been able to build a home for the benefit of Shwazei. We have to listen to them, because I have found the pleasure of calling the people of Shwazei who are interested in opening applications. That is why the Prime Minister said, do it quickly, he knows what he is talking about. In Shimon, we have said that Shwazei is a new place. What is the best way to start Shwazei? Shwazei has been the home of Shwazei. They were using its own conversation, so they have wanted to bring the applications and allowing the people to use it. I am very happy to be here with you, especially Prime Minister Onofab Alen Shasni, Minister of Economic Development Onofab Gaye Joseph, and Chairman and Investor, Sen. Lucia Pinkley-Francis. He has also said that the young representatives of Shwazei in the past, who have made a great call for the generation of Anchoizei to take advantage of this to as quickly as possible. Mr. Brown Charles, who is also the head of the Anchoizei community, has called on the youth to do what they have been told to do for the sake of their own family. Anchoizei has a cultural problem. The majority of the people here are from the Anchoizei community. And all the young people from the Anchoizei community are from the Anchoizei community. The Anchoizei community is not the only place where we invest. If we let the Anchoizei community do what they have been told to do, that is how they develop themselves. But I'm telling you, the Anchoizei community here, is fits an opportunity for the first generation of Anchoizei community to be able to take advantage of the opportunities of the Anchoizei community. To take advantage of these opportunities, we invest. We are able to take advantage of their activities and go to the banks. ...for people in the world, who are crazy, because they do everything, they do everything, ...and they bring what they have. So when I get to the country, I will have 100 people. I want to develop my country. I want to have a community, ...I want to have children, ...I want to have children. Or I want to take the opportunity to have children, ...because that is what I want. Economy and economy, plus the same. The Minister of Justice, I would like to give you an action, quickly. You will be able to open your body and settle here. This is the 28th anniversary of our young citizen who has been away from the country during his time in England to visit the institution to find his own service and institutions. Ministeria Papet-la-Cap a former police custody situation. As an investigation, we've discovered that in the Pleasure of France, for example, to leave Kaila during quarantine, to present the information that must be given to the officers particularly to the people who are staying in Kaila. For this reason, I divide with a lot of residents who are staying in Kaila to find their transfer to their government institutions for quarantine for four days. Minister Desserté, congratulations to the police for taking action so quickly. Chief Officer of Medical, Dr Sharon Belma-George, who has published a report that it's not because you don't want to do your application for quarantine in Kaila that you want to be able to do it automatically. This is to ensure that the Minister Desserté finds the application to be approved and that we must operate to lower the protocol. Chief Officer of Medical, Adiosi, we can't wait for you to take the application to the test point that is negative for seven days before you travel. For the passengers who are travelling from the country to the bubble, we can't wait for you to take the application because you can test it as soon as you come here. Minister Desserté, congratulations to the police for taking action to present the application to the people who are staying in Kaila. The number is on the phone. Suite 468-531-8 Ebay 468-5349. That's all for today. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you very much for your invitation. I wish you all the best in your life and I wish you all the best in Kaila. That's all for today. Thank you very much. Thank you, Pyl Primus. That brings us to the end of NTN Nightly. Join us next time at 7pm with a repeat at 7am. You can also catch up with us anytime on the St. Lucia Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I am General Novel.