 Christmas is a very important festival, commemorating the joyful birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of spiritual reflection, a time for demonstrating great compassion, a time of good cheer, a time for enjoying this occasion with family, friends, and very importantly, remembering my fellow constituents of Dennery South. In light of this, it gives me immense pleasure to affectionately extend warm Christmas and New Year's wishes to my wife, children, both here and in the diaspora, my extended family, and of course my constituents and the wider St. Lucia, a very merry Christmas and indeed a prosperous New Year. This year 2021 has been an interesting year and it cannot go unnoticed without overly and repeatedly acknowledging the support of the Dennery South constituents. A special thank you for electing me into Parliamentary Office under the auspices of our newly elected government, led by the Honorable Philip J.P.A., the Prime Minister of St. Lucia. Our journey with you has by all means successfully begun. In my capacity as the minister responsible for agriculture, fisheries, food security, and rural development, my ministry has embarked on a number of projects with the aim of putting you first. One of the most recent has been establishing a banana task force to develop a national plan in securing our regional and international markets for banana exports. To grow this industry means to grow you. After all, food security is one of our priorities. Other national development successes are evident. Inclusive of many are one, a newly installed St. Lucia Marketing Board with specific focus on the impetus to create market access for farmers for the sale of fresh produce. Secondly, through the National Euroneur Honey Show, opportunities were given to empower individuals to showcase their products in the hope of increasing sales, securing additional markets and expanding product lines. Three, the implementation of the Seven Crops Program funded by the Taiwanese government intentionally get at targeting various farmers to ensure sustainability and crop production rotation. Completion of this first phase ended in November 2021 and the second is scheduled to begin in January in the coming year. Similarly, in my capacity as a district representative for Denry South, a number of projects have been undertaken, some of which include housing assistance for the less fortunate, provision of a number of $500 vouchers as school support and dissemination of school supplies. I wish, however, to highlight the cleanup campaign which was most recently held in preparation for the Christmas season. This activity not only helped to increase environmental awareness, but also helped to improve the overall aesthetics while nurturing the spirit of camaraderie among constituents. Let me reassure you, my constituents, that your effort is seen as you are indeed appreciated. My fellow Saint Lucians, on that we have been working feverishly to enhance your growth potential. During this Christmas season, a special appeal is therefore made to all to continue working together. Let us aim in all our strides to foster a spirit of love, care, happiness and peace as we continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols. During this season, we remember the families who have lost loved ones through this pandemic. May you be continually strengthened as you cope with your loss. Remember we are here for you. At this juncture, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone an abundance of joy throughout this festive season, remembering to put God first in all that you do. You are encouraged to remain safe and hopeful in your quest to achieve new prospects as this government continues to put you first. On behalf of the government of Saint Lucia, I wish everyone a merry, merry Christmas and a happy New Year.