 Welcome to NTN Nightly, I am General Norvel. This edition stops stories. Hundreds of St. Lucians to benefit from a major component of government's socio-economic program for the nation. St. Lucia's teachers hailed for their dedication amid the challenges of COVID-19, and the Caribbean Court of Justice court term opens for the 2021-2022. Hundreds of St. Lucians are to benefit from a major component of government's socio-economic program for the nation. The Department of Housing and Local Government on Wednesday 6 October 2021 launched the National Housing Assistance Program which will provide proper housing for the vulnerable and indigent. The National Housing Assistance Program aims to ensure that lower-income earners and the most vulnerable amongst the population have access to adequate housing. Permanent Secretary in the Department of Housing and Local Government Dr. Cadillia Ambrose indicated that the department has been inundated with requests for housing assistance from the very low to the low-income population. It is for this reason she explained that the ministry felt it imperative that the intervention be made. The activities under the NHAP are structured for implementation as follows. The identification and creation of an inventory of households with the most urgent housing needs, assessments and ranking of this in priority of urgency, designing of assistance packages most suited to the housing needs of identified households, disbursement of assistance packages in the form of technical assistance, building materials and or labor grants, monitoring and evaluating of the program. Thus it is envisaged that through the NHAP initiative some measure of relief, poverty reduction, empowerment and overall enhancement to the socio-economic well-being of many across St. Lucia will be achieved. Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Housing and Local Government Hon. Richard Frederick clarified the criteria under which individuals would be eligible for assistance. Those seeking assistance would have to satisfy a list of criteria. Houses who live in inhumane conditions, low income generating households, person affected by natural and man-made disasters, the elderly, those who fall within the poverty group, the homeless and those who are disabled with such disability preventing them from entering the workforce. I need to pause here second to disclose this caveat. Persons who are in illegal occupation of land would not have access to this program unless the owner of the land gives permission to effect repairs on that house. I want to repeat this, persons who are in illegal occupation of land will not be able to access this assistance unless the owners of the land give permission. We don't want a situation where just having refurbished a house, the owner of the land says, boom, we don't want that kind of situation. So we have the establishment of a project team to oversee the implementation of the program. Households will be identified using various tools including the priority means test and where it is absolutely necessary, absolutely necessary houses will be reconstructed. The program is being funded via a loan from the import-export bank of the Republic of China, Taiwan to the tune of $10 million. $4 million of the loan will be spent on the national housing assistance program. Ambassador of Taiwan to St. Lucia, his Excellency Peter Chen, reaffirmed Taiwan's commitment to assisting in the development of St. Lucia. As a staunch development partner of St. Lucia, Taiwan has over the years participated in the national development of Air Helen by sharing expertise and providing assistance in the fears of agriculture, education, healthcare, digital access, ICT, community development and so on. By providing a soft commercial loan facilities to finance the housing assistance program, the Expo and import bank in Taiwan will help bring many disadvantaged families in St. Lucia one step closer to having a safe haven where they can live and to be loved. Together we can achieve more. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy, the Honourable Philip J. Pierre, explained that the loan was repurposed to address the more urgent needs of the vulnerable. We are launching that program, $10 million and I can tell you is that the initial thinking of that program was not to see about housing for indigenous and poor people. That is a fact. It was meant to do other things, other things that are important but it was not meant for that program. It took the cabinet through the minister to convince the Taiwanese and the other officials that a more immediate need was to repair the houses of people in this country. So whereas what we wanted to do, what the money was initially aimed at doing, was to improve the infrastructure in a certain area. Needed, needed because I said before it's a matter of inclusion, needed but we sought immediate needs where the poor and the underprivileged and the indigent. Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment Honourable Joachim Henry pledging his support to the program indicated that it was very timely and will go a long way in assisting those in dire need. It is my belief that in promoting and securing social justice and acknowledging the fundamentals of human rights of our people, poverty and vulnerability reduction programs must consider the provision of safe and secure place to reside. Therefore, as WHO Commission on Social Determinance of Health has stated, access to quality housing is necessary for implementing insecure social justice and health equity and that access to quality housing and shelter and clean water and sanitation are human rights and basic needs for a healthy living. And as I believe, healthy living at the individual of household levels will translate into healthy communities and ultimately a healthy nation. The National Housing Assistance Program was officially launched on the 6th of October 2021. Saint Lucia's teachers have been hailed for their dedication amid the challenging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for Education Honourable Sean Edward recognized the contribution of educators as the ministry observed World Teacher's Day, more from Homer de Mark. The Government of Saint Lucia joined the rest of the world in observing World Teacher's Day 2021. The observance highlights the contribution of educators to national and societal development. This year's theme, Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery, focused on the personate role of educators in recovery efforts from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for Education Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training Honourable Sean Edward noted the commitment of Saint Lucia's teachers to their students despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. For us in the education system, we at the level of the ministry, we continue to find the resources, make the resources available, ensure that we create that enabling environment for our children to learn. The Saint Lucia Teacher's Union has played its part, Central Government has played its part, but very, very critical to any effort, serious effort at recovery is the role and the disposition of our teachers. And I really must take the opportunity to thank the hundreds of teachers in this country who have always put themselves on the line for our children. We cannot overemphasize the importance of the role that teachers play in nation building. And as the Minister for Education, I just want to take the opportunity on behalf of the Honourable Prime Minister Philip J.P.A., my colleagues in the Cabinet, the Senior Management Team of the Ministry of Education to tell the teachers of this country how much we appreciate the effort that they make, particularly during the period of the pandemic. Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Senator Honourable Dr Pauline Antoine Prosper also paid tribute to Saint Lucia educators on Tuesday. Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Cyrus Cipal, commanded teachers on their resolve and dedication to education and nation building. I would like to thank you so much for all the sacrifices that you have made during this pandemic. We appreciate and we value your effort. And we know the teachers right now, they are feeling the pain of these children who they do not have right now face to face to guide them through the process. We do understand that teachers and this is the commitment that we know you have. So to all the teachers and educators, you serve as a mother, a father, you serve as a lawyer, you serve as the social worker, you serve as the motivator, you just serve in your different capacities. We say again, congratulations to you, celebrate and continue to give all your best. World Teacher's Day is observed annually on October 5th from the Government Information Service for Medi-Math Reporting. As the Caribbean Court of Justice's 2021-2022 court term opened on Monday 4th October 2021, the court president, the Honorable Mr Justice Adrian Saunders, issued a message that highlighted the work of the court for the 2020-2021 year and how the work of the CCJ impacts citizens of the Caribbean community. President Saunders noted that the CCJ, like other institutions, has had to adapt due to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the institution has continued to serve the people of the Caribbean, particularly on matters related to the Caribbean's single market economy, CSME, freedom of movement of labour, goods, services, capital and establishment. Over the last year, notwithstanding the severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on countries, institutions and people in general, the court was nevertheless able to function effectively using our digital machinery to execute our mandate. In addition to managing and trying the cases brought before us, we also made solid progress on each of the six strategic areas we had identified in our 2019-2024 strategic plan. Over the last year, in spite of the pandemic, our virtual courtroom provided uninterrupted service to our customers. We held 55 virtual court settings and one of the cases coming before us in the original jurisdiction was initiated by a member state of CARICOM brought against another member state. This was the first time that such an action had been filed and it demonstrated a growing level of confidence in the court's role as an arbiter of disputes among CARICOM member states. Apart from its judicial work, the president shared some of the other deliverables completed by the court during the past court year. These include the finalization of judicial discipline regulations to accompany the revised judicial code of conduct, which was adopted in 2020. We implemented a scheme for monitoring and evaluating our progress in accomplishing our strategic plan and as the executing agency for the Canadian funded jurist project, we supported several justice delivery initiatives across the region. We engage in a wide range of training initiatives with judges and staff of the court and through our partnership with bodies such as the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers, popularly called CAJO, the CCG Academy for Law and the Global Judicial Integrity Network, a UN agency of which I am an advisory board member. We assisted in legal and judicial education programs not just throughout the region but also beyond. Of course, while we have made strides in these and other areas, we recognize that there is still more work to be done. And so over the next judicial year, we will remain responsive and resilient. We shall continue to implement our strategic plan, paying particular regard to developing the mechanisms for more meaningful interaction with our stakeholders, whether through our website or through social media, or by other means. The CCG is your court, the people of the Caribbean. Justice Saunders urge citizens of the region to learn more about the court and how it serves the region. This is NTIA 9th Lee. Primers-Hudgingston is up next. Stay with us. This is a message from the Minister of Health and Wellness, supported by Paul on this station. Welcome back. We join Primers-Hudgingston for the NTIA novel. Hi, I am Richard Frederick. I am the Minister of Social Equality in New York, and I am the ambassador of the NTIA. I am the Prime Minister of the Government, and I am also the official official of the Government, and I am here to present you the NTIA program. The Prime Minister, I am Philip J. Pierre, an advisory board member of the NTIA. I have always been a part of the NTIA program before. He has been here for the NTIA program for quite a long time. I have just received a heart attack and I am in a very bad condition. I am here to present you the NTIA program. I am very happy that we have received such a great encouragement from the NTIA Kai, qui c'est toi plus confortable qu'il m'en a été avant, mais je n'y appuie pas. Minister, qui n'est pas possible pour affaire Kai, on a affiché à Patrick. Un commissaire suité, et puis moi, déclaré qu'il faut que je sois là, qu'il cas coûte 4 millions de dollars méritier, cela je pourrais t'aider au gouvernement Taiwan, et principalement pour assister Kai Le Pove. Mais il faut qu'on qu'une situation moune, qu'il puve, c'est qu'il n'y a plus la théorie à dire, et qu'il cas garder pour poursuivre à l'adresser une bonne de toi, moune, au lieu de l'un cette-l'ici. Comme je m'en ai dit, que le Pove, à ce thème, à ce conscience, et que je connais ce culte, que j'ai choisi cette-l'ici et que je vivais, et que Kai placierait tout, que Kai a tout le monde, la panfine net, la porte-carte quasi. Moi, ma des, de gouvernement Taiwan, pour quitter nos ces villages là, pour aider les pauvres qui cas, qui cas, ouéter a ma condition, qui pas bon, pour nous aider, car un moins qu'à y obaille. Et qu'il raccour, et que j'aurai à nous lunch programme là. Programme cela, Kai Tuve Koi, from Gosele, Poudesson, V4, from Miku, from Uyvi, Soufui, to Le Kat Koi, a simple-ici, to Patu, Nukai Bati, Nukai Pabati, but Nukai Wange Kai, Le Pove. Nukai Organize, Nukai Faire assessment, Nukai Faire domaniere, to Lani Accountability and Transparency, Kono Samutui, Kisanu Feksi, L'Agença, to Wangei Sekaisa. So, e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e Plezi Jaudiya, Puno Weia, that go-ved-ma-sa-a manifestoi t-e-di, yohu ka meti munum pom-ye, e-e-e-e cal-te-prue-m-sa la, sk'a re-le-mé munum-pavah. Le Man Pbpceti-e-i, I had to find an invitation to put the MNSM and the Ministry of Health here to do diverse observations of health for me in October. The Ministry of Health and the largest citizens, Honorable Mosejiabatis, I had to find an invitation to put the MNSM and the Ministry of Health and the largest citizens, Honorable Mosejiabatis. With this, it is very important for us because for the first time in the government of this country, we have put a department that we have in English, Elderly Affairs, which is the most important responsibility for the health of the country in this country. The Ministry of Health and the National Committee of the National Committee of the National Committee of the National Committee of the National Committee of the National Committee These three people have entered the country in a digital role. We have to put these three people in the front to be able to serve computers, WhatsApp Facebook, all things about it. With whom have we made the MNSM to serve these people? With whom have we made? We have pleaded the people to join these people to serve to talk with issues, issue with to do different research with the government that wants to do these things with Minislac to focus on this the first october to learn how to engage the government in a different way Go back, all right, Ceylon, right, Ceylon Minis-Jobartis, is it necessary for us to embrace the biggest citizens because you have to work hard at the same time to set up this new development here It's not because we have to work hard with the government that we started to celebrate with Minis-Jobartis to do it in a different way. We have all these things that we have observed in october We are still with Covid-19, with doctors, with firefighters, with the police, everyone working hard to do Covid-19 We have to look at the situation, we have to observe these differences in october We also have to change these doctors with the people who work in these hospitals, the people who clean, the people who wash their clothes, the people who wash their clothes, the people who watch Everyone who works hard to do Covid-19, we thank God, we know it's a hard work With everyone who suffers, with everyone who is ill, with everyone who dies, with Covid-19 We also have to look at the situation in october, we have to look at it very seriously For that, we can invite everyone to participate in these activities To remember doctors, doctors who have been provided by doctors The first october is the day of the national government Everyone who has difficulties with the hospital, with cancer This is a very serious situation with which we are also very concerned Ministers of agricultural services, fishing, forest and development are very important The department of alfred prosper called for the farmers to do figs It's called Cultivated Fig. We can teach it, but we have to teach it always when the government has tried to cooperate to find a way out. The minister called it especially when it's time to devalue the industry figs. Moreover, the minister declared that there is plenty of space for delegations to visit England right away to have a discussion about the future of figs. We have delegations to visit and engage the market with Fives, with Rose, with SalesBree to visit to have a discussion about the future of figs and to continue the industry. Last week, we had $2,000,000 to support BPIP. It's a banana in production and improvement project. We know to do this there are four years. We know to do this by purchasing the figs for the canal, for the immigration, for the black sugar for the sales, and we hope the program will continue. We will continue to buy the figs to make them trust the industry. We know to do this by purchasing the figs that are frustrated and we are really panicking to continue. We hope the government will buy the figs and continue to encourage the industry. Thank you. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you for your invitation. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.