 Welcome to NTI Nightly. I am Genelle Norville. This edition stops stories. The transformation of Souffre continues with the opening of Old Trafford Complex. Team St Lucia arrives in Trinidad and Tobago for Carifeste XIV. The road map to the development of local government reform has been refined. All that plus the latest in youth development and sports and the NTI Nouvelle Aquéol. Efforts by the government of St Lucia to reposition the town of Souffre continue to unfold with the official opening of the Old Trafford Complex complete with a farmers market and bus terminal. The opening ceremony was held on Thursday 15 August 2019. Lisa Joseph reports. These projects have transformed this area in which we are gathered here today. Prominent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development, Housing, Urban Renewal, Transport and Civil Aviation, Claudius Emmanuel expressed gratitude to the government and people of the Republic of China Taiwan for their continued commitment to the socio-economic development of St Lucia as a co-sponsor of the Old Trafford Complex. He explained that the objective of the project is to create a facility that will allow improved vending of produce and a central bus terminal for bus drivers plying the Souffre route. The Permanent Secretary gave a breakdown of the investment made into the project. Total expenditure on phase one amounts to $1,324,000. Some nine contractors have been engaged during the first phase of the project. The key components of the expenditure as follows. Project preliminaries, $40,000. Bus shelter number one, $235,000. Bus shelter number two and the concession booth, $255,000. Farmers market and concession booth, $443,000. Political works, $90,000. Pavement and other concrete works, $90,000. Plumbing works, $16,000. Landscaping works, $75,000. And site management, $80,000. A total of $1.324 million. Ministering the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives and Parliamentary Representative for Souffre, Honourable Herod Stanislas explained that this was only the beginning as there are more phases to come on stream. He noted components of the second and third phases. It's going to be the restaurant which is going to be going somewhere to the back there and the craft market. Remember we had the craft market somewhere behind there. We got damaged by Laney. And that was in 1999, I believe, and it has never been rebuilt. So the craft market is going back over this side. And the third phase of the project is going to be the main building you see right there. This is going to be a restaurant at the top, almost like a fine dining restaurant because we do not have fine dining in the town of Souffre. So we want to have a fine dining restaurant right here next to the river with the view of the pittance and the ocean. And the bottom of it is going to be the duty-free shops. So we are hoping to have duty-free liquor, tobacco, perfume, jewelry, clothing and so on right here in Souffre at Old Trafford. Market vendor Angela Matthew and Representative of the Souffre View for Minibus Association, Gabriel Messman, expressed gratitude for the facility, highlighting new possibilities that it gives. At first, none of the bus drivers didn't like the idea of this place. But you know, in life, changes, it's always hard to accept changes. But it's always for the best. I never thought it would turn out so beautiful as you could see for yourself how nice it is. I just want to thank everybody for coming. And I just wish the other towns and villages would take example from this and follow on. I'm enjoying the, I want to thank the government for giving us this beautiful environment to work in. The official ceremony was held on Thursday 15th August 2019. From the Government Information Service, Lissa Joseph reporting. Saint Lucia leads the territories of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS, in the World Bank East of Doing Business Report 2019. The rankings are determined by sorting the aggregate scores on 10 topics, each consisting of several indicators giving equal weight to each topic. These topics include starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders and forcing contracts and resolving insolvency. Saint Lucia ranks 93 in the 2019 report with an overall score of 63.02. With the highest score attainable in each topic being 100, Saint Lucia received a score of 89.18 in starting a business, a 0.39 increase from 2018. 76.33 in dealing with construction permits, a 0.12 increase from 2018, 82.97 in getting electricity, a 0.09 increase over 2018, 35.89 in resolving insolvency, a 0.06 increase over 2018, and a 59.90 in registering property, a 0.09 decrease when compared to 2018. There were no changes in getting credit, which received a score of 25, protecting minority investors with a score of 51.67, paying taxes with a score of 75.73, trading across borders, a score of 73.87, and then forcing contracts with a score of 59.67. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Hon. Alan Chastney, indicated that the government has been and will continue making the necessary adjustments so as to improve the overall business environment in St. Glutia. The e-government process that we're introducing now will substantially help in what we're doing. The issue with our judicial system and our rule of law, the alien land those licenses that we have, our trade licenses, we for instance, by merging our IBCs with our local companies, the IBCs were registering companies in 20 minutes, our local company was taking weeks. So what we want to do in our negotiations is to be able to purchase the software system that we were using for our IBCs and now make that the platform for our local companies. The ease of doing business score captures the gap of each economy from the best regulatory performance observed on each of the indicators across all economies in the doing business samples since 2005. An economy's ease of doing business score is reflected on a scale from 0 to 100 where 0 represents the lowest and 100 represents the best performance. The ease of doing business ranking ranges from 1 to 109. In 2018 St. Glutia ranked 93, slipping two ranks from 2017 when the country ranked 91. The higher the ease of doing business ranking means the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. Prime Minister Honourable Shasne explained that St. Glutia is competing on a global level. The Caribbean continues to lose against the rest of the world. The rest of the world are moving faster than we are as a region. Jamaica has been the bright spot and I guess because of the IMF program they were almost compelled to do a lot of those things. And this is where I ask for patients from Solutions and their understanding because sometimes we're having to make decisions that are dealing with the competitiveness of our region. And competitiveness matters because without being competitive can't grow the economy. If we don't grow the economy then the resources we need to do some fundamental things are not there. Jamaica leads the Caribbean ranked in 75 globally with a score of 67.47 with St. Glutia trailing at second place in the Caribbean. For the Government Information Service, I am General Norville. The cast of A Little Folk Tale as well as the poets, band members, writers and drummers left St. Glutia via Hironora International Airport Thursday, August 15 for Trinidad Hosts Country for Caryfest of 14, Harris Anisia Antoine. With a contingent of 80 people team St. Glutia is hoping to make an indelible mark with its presentation. This year's presentation will include performances of Lavois and Masquerade as well as the theatrical performance of A Little Folk Tale. Prime Minister of St. Glutia, the Honourable Alan Shasne who previewed the production expressed his contentment with every aspect of the production and stated that the group will leave a great impression of the amazing talent which exists in St. Glutia. Artistic Director of Caryfest's team St. Glutia, Trinia Frederick, says St. Glutia continues to make successful contributions to the arts in the region and Caryfest is no different. There is a nouveau cultural revolution led by innovation and a renaissance of folklore and I say that with reference to A Little Folk Tale. Invariably, this year's Caryfest presentation is a reflection of the new wave of artistic expression. Our approach this year for Caryfest is to merge various genres of the performing arts, arts, craft, culture, foster synergies amongst the more experienced artists and the younger ones showcase a contribution of St. Glutia's next generation of performance. The St. Glutia contingent will also receive opportunities to join national delegations from over 20 Caribbean countries to display and improve their talents via workshops and other facets. The Caryfest activities commenced on Friday, August 16th and will culminate on Sunday, August 25th. From the Government Information Service I am Anitia Antoine reporting. This year's Caryfest has been built as the biggest celebration of Caribbean culture, heritage and talent. But how did it all start? Dr. Hilary Brown, Program Manager for Culture and Community Development and the Carycom Secretariat trace the history of Jacinda McLean Malcolm of Carycom News Time. We consider Caryfest to be the flagship cultural festival and activity of the community. It has been around since 1972 and it was a group of artists who petitioned then Prime Minister of Guyana to establish a forum where artists can come together, where the region can come together and celebrate who we are, what we represent, have cultural exchanges and so that very first Caryfest in Guyana in 1972 was actually three weeks long whereas no Caryfest is ten days over two weekends but that was 21 days. And everyone tells me what a tremendous time it was. And I think perhaps because it was in the context of the developing regional integration movement because Carycom was established in 1973, Carifter was established in 1968 so it was that whole period where people were feeling the need for the region to work together and to come together and that was also reflected in the arts and of course we know that even until today the arts is an important part of what defines us, what brings us together and helps us to feel like we're part of one Caribbean family so Caryfest has that very special place I think in bringing the region together. Absolutely and of course since we know that Caryfest is such an important cultural event for the region people want to know what to look forward to at this event so tell us what are we to expect at this festival I mean we've been telling people oh it's a mega cultural festival it's going to be fun, it's going to be exciting what's going to make it such an epic event? Well the thing about Caryfest there is something there for everybody and for people who like everything then they're going to be really confused as to what to choose because and I think what's really good about how this Caryfest is being done by Trinidad and Tobago is that they have established partnerships with different cultural groups and festivals so it's almost like a series of mini festivals within the bigger festival so the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival is organising the whole film component and so that's going to be excellently done the Bocos Literary Festival which is highly acclaimed throughout the region as a literary festival they're organising that component with tributes to wall cut and so on and then of course we're going to have our signal events our signal events are events that are identified as with performances or with artists performing at the highest level so there will be a signal event in dance there's going to be a high-end fashion show at the highest and then of course there's the partnership at the UWI and the symposium so if you're into papers and academics and thinking about the role of culture and society then there's an incredible programme at the UWI This is NTN Nightly right on O'Brien's dot next Hurricanes can be very destructive although we can't stop them weaken lessen the effects of hurricanes on our lives and property by preparing start by having a family disaster management plan in place long before the hurricane season starts discuss your plan with your family and ensure that everyone knows their role ok everyone let's go over our family disaster plan from last year you should also have an emergency supply schedule with items that do not need refrigeration and will last for some time include canned foods water clothing first aid supplies flashlights battery powered radios batteries sanitation and hygiene supplies medication special needs items for infants the elderly and persons with disabilities remember to regularly replace items like water food medication and batteries ensure that your home and vehicle insurance coverage are appropriate and up to date and secure important documents in a watertight container ensure that your house and properties in good condition and can weather the storm trim branches away from your house and prune all dead or weak trees on your property the Atlantic hurricane season is from June to November but preparedness is year round always be prepared this message brought to you by the Viewport South District Disaster Preparedness Committee and NEMO and funded by the U.S. aid office of Foreign Disaster Assistance welcome back we join Ryan O'Brien for the latest happenings in youth development and sport thanks Janelle welcome to your weekend edition from youth development and sports the NTN Nightly News I'm Ryan O'Brien Minister for Youth Development and Sports the Honorable Edmund Estefan commanded the island's young football male and female football teams on the exceptional performances over the last weekend and called on all stakeholders to continue to play their part in the advancement of sports in St. Lucia I congratulate you I congratulate your parents for putting the best foot forward for seeing to it that you did what you have done I congratulate all the coaches for the work that you are doing on island the administrators we are going full frost we are putting our foot on the gas and we are pressing because like I told you a while ago we want to achieve a lot a lot more than you have achieved our reception was hosted last Tuesday by Prime Minister the Honorable Alan Shasme at his official residence the Prime Minister announced some incentives for the national under 15 boys and under 14 girls for the young ladies who came second at the under 14 competition we have organized for all of you to be able to get a day pass to go to Coconut Bay for the day and for the boys under 15 boys that we have organized a day trip on your own catamaran the young girls who are going to Honduras on Sunday I made the same commitment to them that if in fact they come back as winners that we will also give them a day trip on the catamaran it's a small token to say thank you but to let you know that your work has only just begun you will be there not behind you not in front of you but with you by your side all the way President of the Federation of International Football Associations FIFA Giovanni Infantino has lauded the work currently being undertaken in St. Lucia to develop the sport of football Mr. Infantino spoke to the NTN Knightley following a brief visit to the island and having visited a number of projects that FIFA we are investing together with the Federation and with the government into women's football, girls football boys, youths, men women building pitches, building infrastructure and ultimately doing something great for the community, the society in St. Lucia but also for the top level through the academy and through the results and investment in the youths sector so extremely positive I think that St. Lucia has and can be or can be and has to be an example not only for the region but beyond the region and what is done football I'm very very happy today. The FIFA President said he was looking forward to continued work at the FIFA sponsored football facility at Granivia, Denry That's our segment from Youth Development and Sports this weekend Brian O'Brien Thanks Ryan. The roadmap to the development of local government reform has been refined following a retreat held by Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment. Chevroy Marius reports The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment has undertaken the fourth phase of the Local Government sensitization training workshop The workshop was held at the Big Gardens hotel from August 6th to August 8th, 2019. Miss Lennita Joseph is the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment. This retreat will promote congruence between parliamentary representatives and their respective constituency councils clarify roles and responsibilities and encourage the formulation of an implementation of customized strategic constituency development plans which will undoubtedly be more impactful Prime Minister of St. Lucia, the Honourable Alan Chastney stated that for local government to obtain transparency there must be a level of accountability from elected local government councils. We genuinely believe that there needs to be the reintroduction of some form of elections at a local level because you can't say that there's going to be transparency without there being accountability and so while we may not believe that we've reached a point where the entire council should be elected we do believe that certain members of a council should be elected because we are in fact going to be spending the states and the citizens money and so therefore they should have a say in that. Local government would then be responsible for the delivery of a complete range of services and infrastructure required by the individual communities for example, parks and gardens roads, streets bridges, libraries and drainage maintenance mental wellness, elderly care and general services such as garbage collection and property tax registration enforcing certain laws relating to building planning, healthcare and the well-being of each individual. We believe that road maintenance maintenance of the sporting facilities that elderly care mental wellness education and sports ought to be involved in local government and that the idea of a physical building if we have to think of one of this the castries town council is something that needs to be emulated from all of the constituencies. Over the past few years the functions and responsibilities of local government has been transferred to centralized authorities and many of the services provided are carried out through linkage and order government agencies reporting from the ministry of equity social justice local government and empowerment, I am Shevroy Marius. Stay with NTN Nightly up next Primers Hutchinson is here with the NTN November If you are a local you are not allowed to eat not all of the local people who are allowed to eat before you go to the hospital examine if you are not allowed to eat and if you are not allowed to eat do not serve the law for 30 minutes for a young editor. If you are not allowed to eat and if you are not allowed to change if you are allowed to eat eat in the kitchen to avoid the problem of the victim in the hospital. Welcome back. We join Primers Hutchinson for the NTN November Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter Mr. Otter There are three facilities that you can choose mainly for that. There is also Kai Conte, which is one of these facilities. There is also Sibatisman, which will always be my pleasure. To effectively address these issues, Kai has access to social movements, which is made to try to provide the best possible support for the operation. In addition, there is a national plan of management to supply health services that can be increased by setting up a nine-way ecosystem to supply medical equipment. Among other activities, Kai is able to provide security for the information system, capacity for laboratory operations and my ways to prepare to quickly address the needs of the public. The authorities have established a way to address all these needs for the service of the operation, which increases the PNCOS, which is made under a social management plan and the environment. The authorities for management have set up a set of steps to address the needs of the facilities that are set up for the public. Mainly, the authorities announced last week a plan to close the needs of the facilities in Vufo in October. The authorities have set up a set of steps to transport the needs of the people who are working on their personal needs to supply the needs of the facilities. The authorities have set up a set of steps to address the needs of the facilities that are set up for the public. The problems to supply the needs of the facilities are very important. The facilities are very important and the authorities have set up a set of facilities to supply the facilities. But in 2003, the facilities were also set up for the family. So the authorities had to set up a set of facilities for the public. But in 2003, the authorities had to set up a set of facilities for the public to supply the needs of the facilities that are set up for the public. The government had to set up a set of facilities for the public to supply the needs of the facilities. The director of South Shell's Services, Osber James, But I think that the plan is not to wash it easily, but to keep it in the right way. We are established on the side to deposit this kind of salary, and on the other hand, we are still established on the side to deposit this kind of salary. So, James, do not make decisions on this. It is not on the side to deposit this kind of salary, and not on the side to deposit this kind of salary. James, I think that the other side has more space to make decisions on the side to deposit this kind of salary. So, I think that the other side has more space to make decisions on the side to deposit this kind of salary. This is the kind of salary that we are going to make. That's why I think that really it is important for us to invest this kind of salary. If this is not to waste, we should achieve more things in time byantis. It was reasonable, particularly for the schools that could have the authority to ask for a payout, why not announce a new placement? Well, I asked for it, but it was easy to ask for a payout. It was officially made in the middle of October 2019. Then I went to the hospital. That was Chiméa Sotikastri. I went to the hospital, Victoria. In the case of Leigh-Mare, it was a very serious situation. Because it was Chiméa Sotikastri who took the ambulance. And also it was Chiméa Sotikastri who came to the hospital. But Leigh-Mare said that if we could encourage the situation to be fixed, it would be necessary to give the best possible treatment to the patient as soon as possible. People were talking about the situation. If we could do the same, then we would do the same for the Chiméa. Chiméa is the city's hospital. If we could do the same, then everyone would be here. Everyone would be here to take care of the patients, but if we had to do the same, it would be necessary to have the hospital. This is why we are doing this. My name is Pitcher St. Francis, and I am here today to welcome you and the journalists in this situation, who are building a city to develop their own development, as you can see here. First of all, I would like to talk to you about the place of this city, which has worked quite well. It is a decision to make the business to find permission to play music in this city, and which makes it more difficult for people to make their own property and build a city. That is why we are here today to talk to you, Mr. Madam, and Mr. Otter, to talk to you. I would like to invite you to come and see the city, and I would like to talk to you a lot about the city. I wish you all the best, and I wish you all the best in the future. Thank you, appeal primers. Here's a look at what's happening with us weather-wise. Fair to partly cloudy, hazy, and breezy with a few scattered showers. An increase in cloudiness is expected during Saturday with scattered showers and a few thunderstorms, which will continue into Sunday. A tropical wave located over the Central Tropical Atlantic is moving westward near 20 miles per hour or 31 kilometers per hour. This system is expected to bring cloudy conditions with showers and isolated thunderstorms over the eastern Caribbean islands from Saturday into Sunday. Another tropical wave located near the West African coast is moving westward near 17 miles per hour or 28 kilometers per hour. Tropical cyclone formation is not expected over the tropical Atlantic during the next five days. Tides for castries harbor, high at 4.45 p.m., low at 9.59 p.m. Tides for viewford bay, high at 5.52 p.m., low at 11.26 p.m. Seas, moderate to locally rough with waves 4 to 6 feet or 1.2 to 1.8 meters. The sun will rise Saturday at 5.50 a.m. That brings us to the end of NTN Nightly. Join us next time at 7 p.m. with a repeat at 7 a.m. You can also catch up with us anytime on the St. Lucia Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I am Janelle Norville.