 Welcome to the NTN Nightly. I'm Nisha Charles. This edition stops stories. The Attorney General's chambers is bolstering the capacity of staff. The agriculture sector is showing expanded growth. The Parliament of St. Lucia ensures a smoother process for child adoption. All that was the latest in youth development and sports. The Attorney General's chambers is bolstering the capacity of staff. On Monday, 7th June, a workshop on the management of vulnerable witnesses in the criminal justice process was held at the Finance Administration Building. Questionnel Norville with the details. Members of the judicial system are undergoing a 3-day national capacity building program for justice officials on the handling of vulnerable witnesses in criminal process, money laundering and assets recovery with reference to civil forfeiture and international cooperation in criminal matters and inclusion. Justice practitioners must constantly be brought up to date with practical approaches and skills necessary to combat crime and ensure quick and efficient dispensation of justice. The ultimate objective is to enhance the capacity of relevant persons and agencies who are directly involved in the various aspects in combating crime. The emergence of new technologies has created vulnerabilities within the financial sector which can facilitate the commission of transnational crime including money laundering and terrorism financing. It is observed that these developments have created a possible platform for criminals to operate a cyber network of organized crime. The need to be able to obtain information and evidence from these platforms in a timely manner is critical for law enforcement. According to Commonwealth Secretariat's legal advisor Elizabeth Bakibinga-Gaswaga the program is also designed to assist individuals engaged in combating domestic and transnational crimes to gain a foundation and understanding the issues involved with asset forfeiture. It is anticipated that in sharing national practice and experiences from other parts of the Commonwealth we shall leave this program with more practical approaches and skills necessary to combat crime and ensure quick and efficient dispensation of justice. We very much hope that each of you seizes the opportunity to network and build closer relationships leaving this meeting not only having enriched your knowledge but as importantly food working relationships and friendships which will continue into the future. Upon completion of the training program it is expected that participants will understand the theoretical basis and practical approaches in handling vulnerable witnesses in criminal justice trials the national coordination and cooperation required for the investigation of money laundering recovery of proceeds of crime and effective national coordination in cross-border cooperation through mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition. For the Government Information Service I am Genelle Norville. Meantime the AG's Chambers launched its website alongside its annual report. Lisa Joseph has that story. The Attorney General's Chambers starts with the mandate of delivering to the Government of St. Lucia quality legal service with integrity and professionalism in a timely fashion. Other units of the AG's Chambers are responsible for focusing primarily in facilitating an enabling environment creating value and effective advice through the registry of companies and intellectual property the legislative drafting unit and the advice and litigation department. During its second annual staff meeting the Chambers launched its website and released an annual report for the years 2013 to 2018. The thrust according to permanent secretary in the AG's Chambers Juliana Alfred is to increase the visibility of the unit and the work it continues to do. The overall objective of these two major activities is of course to increase our visibility with our stakeholders and to ensure that AG's Chambers remains accountable accountable to the public, accountable to ourselves in terms of letting people know what is going on. Attorney General expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of staff. He indicated that the powers that be recognized the importance of the Chambers and have been very forthcoming in ensuring that irrelevant resources are made available. This is our way of accounting for what is done some level of transparency of our works and to let people understand that we are dedicated to what we're doing we have a rule to play in the development of the rule of law and the protection of the rule of law the protection of our banking systems the work that you have been doing over this period of time has been phenomenal I have said it before you have earned my respect and I will continue to advocate for the allocation of resources. Friday saw the release of the annual report 2013 to 2018 at the launch of the website attorneygeneralchambers.com from the Government Information Service Lisa Joseph reporting The agriculture sector is showing expanded growth and the review of the output of most sub-sectors show high levels of production this formed part of a report to parliament on Tuesday by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives Honourable Ezekiel Joseph who noted that notwithstanding the negative impact of climate change the inclusion still recorded 5.8% growth of banana sales to the UK market and also experienced growth of 7.6% in revenue for 2018 The undisputed fact is that banana exports in 2018 despite all the negative impact of climate change has been the highest in five years that's an undisputed fact Mr Speaker, the governments understand and appreciate in the socio-economic impact of a well-coordinated agricultural program on our rural communities has decided to undertake a focus approach in the implementation of our many agricultural programs The Banana Production Improvement Project, BPIP with the financial and technical assistance from the government of the Republic of China, Taiwan is one such program, Mr Speaker Since the establishment following the tropical storm in September 2016 we have experienced, and that's the fact we have experienced we have grown from 1,117 acres to 2,669 acres of banana cultivation we have moved from 230 farmers to 643 farmers operating 764 farms, Mr Speaker The minister noted that there are presently over 290 farmers wanting to be Euro Gap certified This certification, Mr Speaker, is necessary to allow these farmers to sell fair trade bananas on the UK market Present, Mr Speaker, we have a system that only allow for 10% of your certified farmers to be certified for a year which means if we allow that system to continue it will take us over eight years to have all these farmers certified So we are looking at ways and ways, Mr Speaker, to see how we can get all these farmers certified so they can sell the bananas on the UK market The minister added that with the positive impact of the Banana Production Improvement Program the stakeholders are projecting a weekly export production of 17,000 boxes barring any negative impact of climate change The nations were encouraged to donate blood and save a life as they joined the world in celebrating World Blood Donate Day more from Phenel Neptune As part of celebrating World Blood Donate Day on June 14th the Blood Bank of the Victoria Hospital held a blood drive in the William Peter Boulevard World Blood Donate Day was celebrated under the theme Safe Blood for All Medical Laboratory Assistant of the Blood Bank, Renata St. Helen highlighted the objective of the World Blood Donate Day campaign for this year The objectives for this year's campaign is to raise awareness for the universal need of safe blood in the delivery of healthcare Also, it is to highlight and encourage committed year round blood donations Also, we want to encourage persons who have never donated to do so And lastly, it is to mobilize support at a national, regional and global level among the governments to strengthen and build a sustainable blood program Renata St. Helen also spoke on the importance of donating blood It is important for solutions to donate blood because we've noticed that there is an increase in the demand for blood This is due to the fact that there is an increase in casualties such as stabbings, shootings and road accidents St. Lucien's are reminded to donate blood as one pint of blood can save three lives Reporting from the communications unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness I am Fennel Neptune And this is the NTN Nightly, Rhino Bryan is up next Small household electrical appliances when faulty can give rise to big problems If you have just purchased a small appliance from a store and you are concerned about the safety of the item An appliance has been at home for some time subjected to wear and tear from regular usage Have it tested by St. Lucia Brewer of Standards It is better to be safe than sorry For more information, contact the St. Lucia Brewer of Standards at 456-0546 or email SLBS at candw.lc or visit the website at www.slbs.org.lc St. Lucia Brewer of Standards Making quality and standards our way of life Welcome back We join Ryan O'Brien for the latest happenings in youth development and sport Thanks, Misha Welcome everyone to your update from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports on the NTN Nightly News I'm Ryan O'Brien Minister responsible for youth development and sports The Honourable Edman Estefan has urged sports administrators here to continue working for the country by putting themselves in the shoes of athletes and work on their behalf Minister Estefan made remarks while speaking during the dedication of the conference room at the headquarters of the St Lucia Olympic Committee Incorporated in honour of late Honourary Member Jonathan Everett Minister Estefan also recommended to the administrators that they take a close look at their respective structures to bring improved services to athletes He urged them to make changes wherever necessary and to ensure those changes yield positive results Over the last weekend we brought you some summarised scores on the final of the schools on the 1540 overs cricket competition which Leon has comprehensive won by 53 runs Scores Leon has comprehensive 133 and 31.2 overs St. Mary's College 80 all out in 21 overs Here are some of the highlights of the final and if those highlights from the recently concluded interscoles on the 1540 overs cricket competition we have come to the end of our update from youth development and sports for today I'm Ryan O'Brien Thanks Ryan The Child Care Protection and Adoption Act No. 8 of 2018 replaced the Adoption Act Cap 4.07 Under the repealed Act an adoption order was processed through the High Court when the Act came into force in 2018 and adoption order would have been dealt with primarily by an adoption committee However this committee has yet to be established On the 11th of June 2019 the Child Care Protection and Adoption Amendment Act was tabled in Parliament providing a new process for dealing with an application order The Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment Hon. Leonard Montude says that by doing so people would have an alternative avenue to continue processing applications for an adoption order made under the repealed Act Although the Act requires the establishment of an adoption committee and a director of human services for full implementation this has not been the case Currently the post for a director of human services remains vacant and the adoption committee has not been established Only recently Mr. Speaker we appointed an Acting Director of Human Services and like I indicated we have not as yet established an adoption committee Mr. Speaker this State of Affairs has led to uncertainty in relation to the processing of new applications for an adoption under the Act Members of the legal fraternity and the public in general are left in doubt not knowing how to continue and proceed with an application for an adoption order Therefore to assist with administering the Act it is recommended that the Act be amended to introduce a separate division that contains the provisions of the repealed Act in relation to an adoption order by the High Court The High Court may make an order authorizing someone who is a citizen of St. Lucia or has resided in St. Lucia for at least six consecutive months prior to the date of application to adopt an infant and do stay with the NTN Nightly Welcome back. The bill to ban the importation, manufacturing, sale, use and distribution of styrofoam and plastic food service containers has been passed The Styrofoam and plastic food service containers prohibition bill which was passed in Parliament on Tuesday June 11 seeks to provide new legislation to ban such materials while these products have the advantages which include being heat resistant and cost effective they are not biodegradable and persist in the environment after disposal The negative environmental impacts of styrofoam and plastic food service containers has led to the adoption of various measures to eliminate its use Tabled in the bill in Parliament was the Minister for Youth Development and Sports Hon. Edmund Estefan who says that this bill encourages the use of acceptable alternative A phase approach is used to eliminate the use of styrofoam and plastic food service containers in the bill Essentially, the bill prevents the importation of styrofoam, disposable plates, disposable trays, disposable hinges disposable containers, disposable bowls and plastic disposable cups disposable plates, disposable beverage cup lids and disposable bowl lids from the first of August 2019 and the importation of plastic disposable fox, disposable spoons, disposable knives, disposable straws, disposable hint, takeaway containers disposable plates, disposable trays, disposable stirrers and styrofoam disposable egg cartoons must stop from 1st of August 2020 in phase 1 The Hon. Prime Minister Alan Shastney says the environmental impact of styrofoam and plastic food service containers have for too long been understated and misunderstood The fact is that there are readily available substitutes you take for instance a plastic straw, easily can be substituted with a paper straw and getting into the habit of like how we go to the grocery store with our own bag that we now start going to places with our own container to be able to get a cup of coffee to be able to get water and so that we're not continuously disposing the product that we've had we have to take our environment very seriously and while we're not going to be able to solve the problem by ourselves but I am extremely encouraged by the movement that's taking place throughout the length and breadth of the world It is expected that by 1st of August 2021 the styrofoam and plastic food service containers would have been eradicated in St. Lucia measures to ensure that the bill is enforced are also included in the bill The different needs and daily requirements of patients of the Victoria Hospital is expected to be met as a donation of wheelchairs was received recently more from Phenel Neptune The management of Victoria Hospital was recently presented with a donation of wheelchairs thanks to the generosity of the MNC drugstore The wheelchairs are expected to assist with transporting patients around the hospital Medical director of the Victoria Hospital, Dr Alicia Eugene says her organization is very pleased with the timely donation and believes it will put a significant part in the public health system These wheelchairs, the donation is needed, it's timely and it's appropriate and as you know if you look at the topography of this present structure we need the wheelchairs to move patients from departments to another and also up and down the hill so the wear and tear on the wheelchairs is something that happens regularly and we always need more wheelchairs to allow us to move patients as the patient load increases Minister for Health and Wellness, Senator the Honourable Mary Isa expressed gratitude to the MNC drugstore and says this donation will provide great assistance in the health sector We really appreciate this effort that you have made to keep us in your thoughts when you were looking at allocating these requests and gifts to the different sectors of our society As you know this is very far-reaching in that sometimes we actually have people who are living here who need a wheelchair to go with so I am hoping that this will also, we will also be able to do this at least with a few of the wheelchairs General Manager of MNC drugstore, Federica Joseph-Leo says her organization is very pleased that they can contribute to part of St. Lucia's health needs Of late there has been a noticeable increase in letters for health aid and so when the opportunity arose to collaborate with a business partner of ours to actually get 19 wheelchairs to St. Lucia, my heart soared I was so happy One can only imagine the logistics involved in getting those wheelchairs to the person most in need and so after consultation with my team I decided the people who could best handle this would be the people at Victoria Hospital A total of 19 wheelchairs were donated to the Victoria Hospital Reporting from the communications unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness I am Fennel Neptune In keeping with changes in international oil prices and government's application of the modified market pass through petroleum pricing mechanism the retail price of gasoline remains unchanged at $13.95 per gallon Carries increased from $8.51 to $8.76 per gallon Diesel decreased from $13.95 to $13.81 per gallon The £20 LPG cylinder decreased from $32.38 to $32.23 The £22 cylinder decreased from $35.90 to $35.73 And the £100 cylinder decreased from $205.75 to $204.95 The next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday, July 8, 2019 And here's a look at what's happening to us, whether wise A tropical wave over the lesser Antilles is expected to produce cloudiness and scattered showers across the southern eastern Caribbean region during the next forecast period Two of the tropical waves located over the central and far eastern tropical Atlantic are moving westward near 17 miles per hour or 28 km per hour Tropical cyclone formation is not expected over the tropical Atlantic during the next five days The tide for Castries Harbour was high at 4.42pm and will be low again at 9.07pm The tide for V4 Bay was low at 11.28am and will be high again at 10.34pm The seas moderate to locally rough with waves 6 to 8 feet or 1.8 to 2.4 meters Small craft operators and sea bathers are advised to exercise caution due to brisk winds and rough seas The sun will rise Tuesday at 5.36am And that brings us to the end of the 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'm Nisha Charles