 Welcome to Nation Beat. I am Genelle Norvel bringing you this brief on the pulse of our nation and highlights around the heart of St. Lucia. The Government of St. Lucia has made good on its promise to improve conditions in judiciary. The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation 30 years on sets a new vision. Students of the St. Aloysius R.C. Boy School rewarded for excellence. The Government of St. Lucia has made good on its promise to improve conditions in judiciary amid plans for the construction of a Hall of Justice. The Government's efforts have led to the reopening of the High Court. The Naira Court from Monday for February 2019 will resume after refurbishments amounting to one million dollars. Anisea Antoine has more. The Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and National Security, Senator the Honourable Herman Guild Francis, along with the Permanent Secretary and an official of the Court, gave a tour of the newly renovated Naira Court. The Government has made an injection of approximately one million dollars into the refurbishment of the space. The aim, according to National Security Minister, Senator the Honourable Herman Guild Francis, is to create a more conducive workplace for members of the judiciary and staff of Naira Court. The money that was allocated for the Honourable Prime Minister had to find money outside of the budget and I want to thank him for being so gracious in allowing us to proceed. The Minister explained that the Naira Court underwent a lot of internal changes, including the utilising of the entire building with a courtroom on each floor. Before we occupied three floors and upstairs was used by the owner for some shipping area. And as a matter of fact, persons wanting to go to that area would have to pass the security and again would not want to be searched because they were not getting involved in the court. We have decided that this is not right and we have taken the whole building. So right now the shipping company is no longer there and a portion of the courthouse will be used to make the functions of the court more efficient. Minister Francis noted that as a result of the Naira Court being closed for renovations, there is a backlog of over 1,000 cases. The Minister spoke of plans to open two new courthouses in cross delay and castries respectively. We must make use of the bodily courthouse. It's there, it's been finished and we must use it so that we can bring down the backlog of cases and persons can have ready access to justice. The court will resume operations on Monday 4 February 2019. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Anzuan reporting. St. Lucia Strides in Disaster Risk Reduction came in for review Friday at a high-level meeting with international and regional partner agencies. The aim of the meeting was to provide the opportunity to highlight advances made towards achieving goals and targets through the project and to raise awareness among the political directorate on the required support for achieving integrated fully functional multi-hazard early warning systems. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society's Original Disaster Risk Management Coordinator for the English-Speaking Caribbean and Republic of Suriname, Tamara Lovell, highlighted the significance of ensuring multi-hazard early warning systems are in place. As I reflect on how this project contributes to the achievements of the IFRC's own strategy, Strategy 2020, saving lives, changing minds, research has shown how multi-hazard early warning systems not only save lives but also protect livelihoods. Prime Minister the Honourable Alan Chastney pledged his commitment with the signing of a commitment statement. Speaking to the attendees, the Prime Minister explained that action must be taken before it is too late. The hurricanes and the storms are actually the easier ones for us to deal with. The more complicated one, the one that's going to cost the greatest amount of money, the one that is inevitable, is rising water levels. So it means that Lucia through UNOPS has already done the UNS assessment. If there's a three-foot rise in the water levels, what does the country look like? So VG becomes an island. So where Gantor's is, the water will break through. Kuldusak will become a lake. And there are other areas where we have valleys in which those also will become lakes. So now, if you believe in the science, you know what you're going to have to invest. Executive Director for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, CEDEMA, and Keynote Speaker Ronald Jackson addressed the topic of emergency policy considerations for multi-hazard early warning systems in the Caribbean. A multi-hazard early warning system with the ability to warn of one or more hazard increases the efficiency and consistency of warnings through coordinated and compatible mechanisms and capabilities, involving multiple disciplines for updated and accurate hazard identification and monitoring for multiple hazards. The prominence given to such an early warning is reflected in the global framework as well as our own comprehensive disaster management strategy and framework for the period 2014 to 2024. Other objectives of the meeting included handing over of key project results, identifying the early warning systems policy implications based on the project results, identifying key strategic and planning and programming actions that require regional coordination to name a few. The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation, CARELEC, is reflecting on 30 years of service to the people of St. Glutia and the wider Caribbean. As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, the Association of Electric Energy Service Providers have also taken the opportunity to announce its new strategic plan to the public for the period of 2018 to 2022. Details from Nisha Charles. It was a proud moment for stakeholders of CARELEC as the organization unveiled its plan for its 30th anniversary celebrations as well as its new strategic plan which includes reshaping the outlook of the organization moving forward. According to Executive Director Dr. Claytus Burton, the Board of Directors convened at a retreat in July of 2017 and felt it was more than necessary for the Association to reposition itself as a result of the critical changes taking place in the global environment. So we first had to recast our vision in terms of what we aspire to be. So the vision statement as we know it's a 2B statement is an aspirational statement. So CARELEC really seeks to position itself as no longer as in the previous statement an Association of Electric Utilities but an Association of Electric Energy Service Providers. So in the first instance we seek to be more all-encompassing. We seek to be more all-embracing of the major players in the sector whether independent power producers, electric utilities, governments etc. Dr. Burton outlines several of the future goals for the Association some of which includes collaborating with stakeholders, building capacity internally and throughout the sector and assisting its members to develop world-class sustainable energy solutions for the people of the Caribbean region. The goals naturally flow from the renewed vision and mission and so one of the main goals is increased collaboration, increased partnership, increased alliances with stakeholders across the region and beyond. So we are quite now deliberate and strategic informing alliances and partnerships recognising that CARELEC as a body cannot do it alone so to speak. So the transition that we seek to make to a green and sustainable future needs to be built on partnerships and collaboration. Also as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations CARELEC will be recognising and honouring those individuals who have made significant contributions to the organisation's success, development and advancement in the electricity industry in the Caribbean over the years through print, electronic media and various events. For the Government Information Service, Nisha Charles reporting. This is NationBeats coming up. Students of the Santa Loysias R.C. Boy School rewarded for excellence. Imagine being away from home, surrounded by danger and hostility, unable to escape or speak the language and being exploited. It might sound like fiction, but for 40 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, it is a reality. Innocent people enticed by the promise of a new life, then enslaved into forced labour or sex trafficking, human trafficking happens in plain sight. Know the signs, see it, report it. To report suspected cases of human trafficking, call the TIP hotline at 847. Welcome back. The Santa Loysias R.C. Boy School has recognised the dedication of students and staff to academic excellence. Nisha Charles reports. As the Aloysias celebrates its Nobel laureates for their achievements in literature and economics, the Santa Loysias R.C. Boy School used the opportunity to recognise their students for their academic achievements. Past and present students, principal and staff, gathered at the minor basilica of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate those students who excelled by gifting them with certificates and trophies. The teacher address was delivered by past student Don Howell, who applauded the school for its work in producing successful men in society by cultivating those habits which lead to success. As a student of the Santa Loysias R.C. Boy School, and I may add, echoing that of the principal, the number one school in the world, you are being taught values daily by your teachers. You learn different and new things daily. The point is, excellence is not when you are recognised, it's not when you are only recognised with trophies. Excellence is when you do what you are supposed to do and do it well. So we can be excellent with good manners, saying good morning, saying excuse me when interrupting. We can be excellent with discipline following our school rules, being obedient to your teachers. The school's principal, Julian Monroe, encouraged the students to always aim for excellence and to not let fear be the deciding factor in their lives. So if you set yourself goals and you're not afraid and you work very hard towards achieving these goals, your goals will become real. That would be your reality. The awards ceremony was held under the theme Celebrating Excellence 15 Years and Beyond from the Government Information Service, Nisha Traus reporting. That's nation beat. Join us next time on NTN at 7.30pm with a repeat at 7.30am and on this station as we fill the pulse and heart of our community. You can also catch up with us anytime on the St. Lucia Government Facebook page or YouTube channel. I am Channel Norville.