 Welcome to the NTN Nightly, I'm Nisha Traus. This edition stops stories. St. Lucia welcomes a Royal visit for the Ireland's 40th anniversary of independence. The health service is improved with the launch of the Health System Strengthening Project. The Traffic Department of the Royal St Lucia Police force Lords and Friends of the Government to address the National Road Network. All that plus the latest in youth development sports and the NTN Wapong Aquarium. The Lucia celebration of its 40th anniversary of independence will be heightened with an official visit by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. The Royal Highnesses will visit the Ireland on the 17th of March, where the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be guests of honour at an event to mark the country's 40th anniversary of independence. Anise Antoine reports. The Royal Highnesses will be welcomed by Governor-General of St Lucia, His Excellency Sir Emmanuel Neville Snark, and Prime Minister the Honourable Alan Michael Shastney. This is the second time the Prince of Wales will be celebrating St Lucia's independence with Nationals. The Prince of Wales visited in 1989 to commemorate the 10th anniversary. The Duchess of Cornwall is also marking her second visit to the Commonwealth Nation. In March 2008, their Highnesses were greeted by thousands of St Lucians who lined the streets in the town of Souffre on the west coast of the island. The Royal visit to St Lucia forms part of a Caribbean tour in celebration of the Monarchy's relationship with these Commonwealth Rems. The Royal Highnesses will visit six countries and one overseas territory and are taking over 50 engagements across 10 islands. The tour begins in St Lucia followed by visits to Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nivus and Grenada. Furthermore, at the request of the British government, the Royal Highnesses will also visit Cuba to highlight the growing bilateral relationship with the UK and showcase some of the cultural links between the two countries. This will be the first official visit by a member of the Royal family to Cuba. The Royal Highnesses will also visit the British overseas territory of the Cayman Islands to celebrate its place within the British family. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be in the Caribbean from 17 March to 29 March 2019. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. The accessibility, efficiency and responsiveness of key health services is expected to be improved with the launch of the Health Systems Strengthening Project, more from Fanel Neptune. The Health Systems Strengthening Project is aimed at improving health coverage to the people of St Lucia. The project will entail a package of health services, introduction of financial incentives to improve service delivery, institutional capacity building and also enhancing preparedness and response for public health emergencies. Minister for Health and Wellness, Senator the Honourable Mary Isaac says she is very pleased that this project will impact the services of primary health care. The World Bank Health Systems Strengthening Project is well poised to push the primary health care agenda forward because this project is committed to the implementation of national health insurance while ensuring that our primary health care facilities are equipped to deliver services which will promote preventative care of the population, thereby relieving some of the burden on the secondary health sector. Health planner Lauren James called on the stakeholders to stay committed to the process as the Department of Health and Wellness work towards transforming the health sector. Basically the project is aimed at improving accessibility, efficiency and responsiveness of key health services and how do we aim to achieve that? For accessibility, the NHI will definitely address that in terms of our benefits package given our population access to a specified benefits package. Efficiency will look at how we make our health care providers more accountable, how we treat our patients according to protocols which will streamline how we treat patients in terms of unnecessary tests and that kind of thing. For responsiveness, we will look at how our health centers are best poised to respond to those demand on the services. The project is financed by the World Bank in the tune of the U.S. $20 million. Reporting from the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, I am Funa Neptune. Still with health matters, scores of St. Lucian children are benefiting from the expertise of specialists attached to the World Pediatric Project. Each year the project's international teams program mobilizes dozens of pediatric, diagnostic and surgery specialists. This week they conducted assessments here in St. Lucia. The opportunity to bring pediatric specialist care to places where access to advanced medical care for children would otherwise not exist is the heart of the World Pediatric Project's humanitarian outreach to countries in the Caribbean and Central America. The project encompasses a number of different specialties including open heart surgery, neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery. For the first time, a general orthopedic clinic was held in St. Lucia to identify children in need of pediatric orthopedic care which could give them the opportunity to live better lives. The clinic was held at the Victoria Hospital on Thursday. For example, if a child is born with club feet, we would be able to correct that for them and they would be able to walk normally. If a child, let us say for example, has blunt disease, what we call as severe bow legs, we can correct this. According to the country representatives, such services are not readily available on island. If a child after being evaluated by our surgeon is deemed to be a surgical candidate, then we would make the arrangements for the child to have that surgery. Again, it would be free of charge and that would be determined by the severity of the condition and also by the doctor. They would either be referred to our clinic, our surgical clinic in St. Vincent or if it's a really complex case, they would be referred to one of our hospitals in the U.S. where they would be getting the surgery free of charge as well. The World Pediatric Project has already assisted children in St. Lucia. When we discovered that she had ski-fi, obviously we had to get the surgery done. At Tapia, it was being very costly but with WPP, we were able to get the surgery done free of charge, we were able to get housing and the hospital fee, everything was paid for. We had nothing to pay, which is very, very good. And it's a very good program, especially when I'm seeing a number of young people now with all these health issues, especially orthopedics. I mean, with the project, parents who do not know about it should get to know about it so they can get help for their kids because it's really benefitted my daughter. Right now, she can work without a limp like how it was before. She is much, much better. The orthopedic clinic saw children at the St. Jude Hospital on Friday. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. The Traffic Department of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force has welcomed efforts by the government to address the national road network. Noting the congestion on the roads the department says creating and improving secondary routes is an absolute necessity to traffic management. More from Genelle Norville. The Traffic Department of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Milton Daisy, continues to grapple with the congestion of roads. The DCP said there are short, medium and long-term actions that can be put into effect to help alleviate the congestion. Well, I'll start with the long-term. I think we need more roads in the country to facilitate that. In the short term, it's really what we have to do with what we have. Persons have to be, I would say, even cutier, because sometimes people tell you that they are on the major road and then they don't stop for anyone. But if you look at the Castries-Grozile Highway 2, from Grozile to Castries, which is a major road, nobody would come out of Corrine or of Grairivier or the other side roads. Prime Minister of St. Lucia, the Honourable Alan Shasne, explained that the Government of China, Taiwan, provided a US$50 million loan to finance major road rehabilitation works. In addition to the US$50 million, the excise tax has been amassing approximately US$30 million a year. That money is going to be used in order to complement the government's spending. The Government of St. Lucia, according to the Prime Minister, is looking to invest some US$300 million over the next three years on major road redevelopments. One aspect that has formed a part of the discussion is the use of ferry services. St. Lucia A&C Port Authority's Chief of Port Police, with responsibility for security at all port entries, Kennedy Francis, provided some insight into the matter. I know that there have been a number of assessments made and a number of business persons have come forward, but we have not seen the full development of ferry operations, apart from what you have, the regional ferry to Matnik and Dominica. I think it may have to do with finding a very profitable venture. But yes, we are surrounded by water and such these are options that are available to us as island people. Several road rehabilitation projects, including the Bogis Road Rehabilitation Project Phase 1, the upgrade of bus stops and labis and the Millennium Highway Rehabilitation Project have been airmarked for execution over the next three years. From the Government Information Service, I am Janelle Norville. And this is the NTN Nightly coming up. The latest happenings in youth and sports with Ryan O'Brien. When persons with TB sneeze or cough, healthy persons nearby breathe in the droplets and the bacteria can lodge in their lungs. People with weakened immune systems such as HIV AIDS, alcohol and drug users, smokers, children and the elderly are most susceptible. Persons with a cough should take precautions when in contact with persons in public places. Cover your mouth when sneezing and coughing. Visit your doctor or health center. You must complete your treatment. TB can be cured even with HIV. Be responsible. Help stop the spread of TB and HIV. Protect yourself and others. Welcome back. We join Ryan O'Brien for the latest happenings in youth development and sports. I'm Ryan O'Brien with your segment from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports on NTN Nightly News. The Mass United Insurance Schools Cricket Competition got underway on Thursday, February 14th with victories for Barbano Secondary over Castries Comprehensive Secondary, Cicero Secondary over Vibhutai Secondary and Archipel Secondary over Miku Secondary. At the Gosele Plain Field, Barbano Secondary defeated Castries Comprehensive Secondary by 9 wickets. Castries Comprehensive Batting First dismissed for 51 in 25 overs with Ostrich Antoine 90 not out, the only batsman to show any resistance to some good steady bowling from Barbano Secondary. Holding for Barbano Secondary, Caleb Thomas 3 for 8 in 6 overs, Bolton Sears 2 for 3 in 4 overs, Yannick Noel 2 for 7 in 3 overs, and Captain Kimani Melius 2 for 12 in 6 overs. To the modest picture target of 52, Barbano Secondary finished on 52 for 1 in 12 overs. Bolton Sears led the run chase with 12 not out, and Kimani Melius defeated on 5. At the Balata Plain Field, Cicero Secondary completed a comfortable 5 wicket victory over Vibhutai Secondary. Vibhutai Secondary taken for strike, made 139 all out in 28 overs with Noa Imanis top scorer in 45 and Markel Saint-Rose making 25. Holding for Cicero Secondary, Noel Leo 2 for 13, Ismael Clement 2 for 14 in 5 overs, Kiwin John 2 for 30 in 8 overs, Marlon Paul 2 for 38 in 8 overs. In reply, Cicero Secondary easily got to the total, finishing on 143 for 5 in 24 overs, with Captain Noel Leo leading the charge with an attack in knock of 52, which included 1, 4, and 5 6s. Other useful contributions came from brothers Marlon and Kensli Paul with 12 not out each, and Kiwin John 10, the wicket takers for Vibhutai Secondary, Romake Alfred with 3 for 45 in 8 overs and Hanning Hippolit 2 for 27 in 6 overs. At the Piai Plain Field, Archipel Secondary won over Miku Secondary by 41 runs. Archipel Secondary batting first after winning the toss made 158 all out in 30.5 overs, with Denzel Roberts top scorer in 42 and Charles Contribute in 31. Bolling for Miku Secondary, Decage Henry 3 for 29 in 6 overs, Marking Estefan, he got 2 for 9 wickets and Jolin Justin 2 for 27 in 4 overs. In response, Miku Secondary made a smith for 117 in 25.4 overs, with Neon Lee Turbo making 25, and Decage Henry 12. The main wicket takers for Archipel Secondary were Jaden Laffey, 4 for 28 and Roy Spall, 3 for 19. It's the eve of the National Sports Awards set to get underway at the Royalton-Saint-Michel Resort and spot tomorrow evening. Anxiety is building ahead of the event as to who will cup the top sporting honors in the year that Saint-Michel Marks is 40th anniversary of independence. You can join the National Television Network for live coverage tomorrow evening from 7 o'clock. That's where we wrap it up from youth development and sports this week. We look ahead to another week of sporting events. Primary schools' netball training continues at various schools around the island. More matches in Mass United Insurance Cricket and the youth get together for their local tutor training under the Young Sports Leaders Program, February 25th to 28th at the VG Multipurpose Sports Complex. On March 6th and 7th, there will be a youth workers workshop in the conference room at the Blue Coral Mall. Youth awards will be held in April. Nomination forms are available from the Ministry, its Facebook page and the Office of the National Youth Council. Deadline for nominations is set for March 29th, 2019. I'm Ryan O'Brien. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend. Thanks Ryan. The government's initiatives are bearing fruit as a 7% decline in unemployment was realized in the 4th quarter of 2018 when compared to the same quarter of 2017. In the 4th quarter of 2017, unemployment stood at 23.2% and declined to 16.2% in the 4th quarter of 2018. Overall youth unemployment has reduced by 2.2% from 38.5% to 36.2%. Parliamentary representative Castries Central, Sarah Flood-Bauber explained that one such initiative is Synergy, a project that was launched in June of 2018. The MP explained the thrust of the project. It is a personal development training and recruitment project that is a pilot project that has been developed to help the youth of Castries Central find jobs, keep jobs and promote in jobs. So basically it has at its core personal self-development which we believe is a lifetime thing. It's ongoing. We all need to improve on the things we do every day of our lives. So that's at the heart of what we do. We have established nine programs that reflect basically the skills levels or the skills interests of the people of Castries Central. According to the Castries Central MP, the project aims to provide all participants with an avenue for optimum personal growth and development to achieve human excellence and the best opportunity to engage in gainful, rewarding, sustainable and enriching employment. We're trying to take manual work, work that probably is not regarded and show what value it has and to help people who engage in these forms of labour reach absolutely the highest level of skill that they can reach but also to reach the highest level of achievement that they can in their personal lives. Ten team members of Synergy recently attended a micro-business game workshop in order to learn the game and analyse whether it can be leveraged in the Synergy project to help participants with financial management. And Steve with the NTN Nightly Up next, Primers Hutchinson is here with the NTN Wapowakweo. In the past, after 6 months, for example, one person can wash their hands after changing from the previous life to the type of people who are injured or ill, to the type of animals, and then to the type of animals. And if there is no water, they can use hand sanitizer for 3 seconds. They can wash their hands often. It's a good way to treat diseases. For more information, go to the Bivou information at the number 468, sector 49. Welcome back. Time now for the NTN Wapowakweo with Primers Hutchinson. My name is Dekaur pause. You are I'm going to present you a kind of seat, a board visitation, and I'm going to look for each person. I'm going to present you a normal letter, a police serenity, for Paxa. Okay? Most of the people here who speak about it, they don't know how to do it. But we don't know how to do it because, as you can see, Gade John Compton Highway, where do you come from? I'm from Gic Millet. I see you represent Paxa. Okay? So we need George Audlam Stadium. I represent VA4. But we can't forget about it because we don't know how to do it. It's politics. So we don't know how to do it. It's not good. But today, I'm going to represent Casuis Central to play by a chairman here at Casuis Central. I'm going to talk about economic transportation and the things that we can do to put a position for the police in the moment. I'm going to talk about George Audlam. It's not just because he serves the parliament very well, but also because he's a general governor in the country. It's because we don't know how to change the way people speak So let me give you a little bit of an example of how to behave with a person who is a good man who doesn't want to go to a class or a community park to put a judge in charge of their work. It's a good thing because a person who doesn't want to go to a department is the one who is sweet, We have to be very careful. We have to be very careful. We have to be very careful. We have to be very careful. We have to be very careful. The great commissioner for the Republic of India, Mahanda Singh Kaniel, visited Governor-General Emmanuel Neville Snack to make an official announcement. Commissioner Salah came to the table to continue to work on this issue, particularly in technical work. There is also a lot of pay India to work on this issue. There are several projects in the development cooperation. Governor-General Sena Neville Snack spoke about the big competition in the Republic of India. We have to be very careful about this issue. We have to be very careful about this issue. And pay India. Mr Prime Minister, please continue to address Prime Minister Alen Shasne to address this issue. We have to examine what he has done and what he has done. Prime Minister Shasne said please, I have started this operation in the hospital in King, as we know that the party doesn't even have enough money to operate in the hospital. Prime Minister said I have also added to the editor who spoke about this. Prime Minister Shasne also said that I have finalized the plan to build another hospital in Sofia. He also said that I have done three health facilities in the beautiful city of Monpo. He also said that I have to resolve the problem in the hospital in St. Jude for the health management and the Ministry of Health and Economic Development. I have already finalized the plan to start the operation in the hospital. He also said that I have to achieve the health service for all the health services in the country. Prime Minister Shasne also said that I have the health service for all the health services in the country. He also said that I have to problem in the hospital. He also said that I have to resolve the problem in the hospital in the national healthサナ and in the health management You see, Prime Chef Pulanea, Prime Chef La, who is in the lowest position here, Prime Chef Poovileme, and Viennese Chef, Chef Richardson Skinner, declare that you may be focusing on competition in your whole degree. It's all because you're not considered as a degree or a degree to be a couple either. So, I think that these chefs can perform as a person who accepts and can do as much as to keep up with our invitation to live with us again. That's why I think it's important to keep it up. Merci en pile, Primus. And here's a look at what's happening to us weather-wise. Moderate to brisk easterly winds and rough seas will continue around the eastern Caribbean over the next few days. A relatively dry and stable atmosphere over the region will cause mostly fair weather conditions over the Lessa Antilles during the forecast period. Small craft operators and sea bathers are advised to exercise caution due to brisk winds and rough seas. Tides for the Castries Harbor, low at 6.57 p.m. high at 1.53 a.m. Tides for the V4 Bay, high at 12.47 p.m. low at 8.24 p.m. The seas moderate to locally rough with waves and north-easterly swells 5 to 7 feet or 1.5 to 2.1 meters. Summer rise Saturday at 6.27 a.m. And that brings us to the end of the 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 Saint Lucia Government page or YouTube channel.