 Mr Speaker, I rise to throw by support behind this appropriation bill. But before I explain why Mr Deputy Speaker, please grant me leave once again to thank the people of Grozily for bestowing their confidence in me as a parliamentary representative. They've seen the stark difference in the mudasaparandai of those who were born on Maritare Street but are on different sides of the political aisle. And they've realized that they should watch and look in one particular direction Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the people have been patient with me and they are fully aware that I continue to work hard for them daily. Mr Speaker, please grant me leave to congratulate publicly Julian Alfred for yet again breaking our sprint records Mr Speaker. Alfred has put in the rest of the world a notice that St. Lucia is here and that sports development is on the right track in the simply beautiful island of St. Lucia Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, allow me to congratulate our Carifter track and field team who achieved the historic landmark of eight medals at the 50th edition of the championship. Allow me to also congratulate the Carifter swim team on the medal tally at the swimming version of this annual event. The swimmers continue to toil against the region's best as they wait patiently for their 50-meter pool. In addition to this, our women continue to make us proud in the sport of cricket. St. Lucia emotes champions of the Widowd Islands 50 over tournament and they finish second in the T20 version Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, our under-19 male team feature in one Stony Ledward. Dominated this year's competition Mr Speaker and we know he's supposed to be an at Widowd Islands team and we'll do what we have to do because we know the talent resides in the people of St. Lucia Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I got revered to so many of our achievements in the past two months Mr Speaker. The Andre Colgen second place finish Caribbean table tennis tournament Mr Speaker. Top two in the region Mr Speaker. Six solutions Mr Deputy Speaker qualified for a global event in the sport of chess six Mr Speaker. And yet some would stand and posture and say nothing is going on in the ministry of youth development and sports Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, after five plus years of being in a horrible relationship, Fair Helen decided to break up with her abusive partner. In 2021, Helen as a woman was beaten, battered, bruised and when she thought she would have been free after five years, they battered her for months on end Mr Speaker. Noose after noose was placed around her neck Tuesday after Tuesday. They borrowed and borrowed to drown and suffocate Helen Mr Speaker. They didn't borrow they gave away more and more and they gave away. The last Mr Speaker, Fair Helen got to a comatose state where she was placed in a hospital Mr Speaker. But Mr Speaker on July 26 2021 in came a team of doctors from the St. Lucia Labour Party and out when the bankers coupled with a medical genius from Castries North and a trauma surgeon from Castries Central. Mr Speaker, the most critical component of that medical team is the chief of surgery from Castries East Mr Speaker. This is a man with over 25 years of experience. He is seasoned, well educated and most of all Mr Speaker. He studied at an institution close enough to Fair Helen which placed him in a position of empathy far superior to a former abuser whose Canada education proved insufficient Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, could you imagine the ones who caused so much damage to Fair Helen, they were busy taking the vehicle away from the brilliant deputy chief of surgery from Castries South in an attempt to prevent him from coming to do the additional work that Helen needs Mr Speaker. But Mr Speaker, as we heard from the chief of surgery, the surgeon from Castries South pushed on and his hair bringing in the blood of life, the medicine called tourism back into the blood, the veins of Helen Mr Speaker. And so Mr Speaker, we continue to see the progress being made finally by Helen. Also a critical part of this team is the fluent, stylistic but aggressive heart surgeon from the constituency of Labry Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, this heart surgeon has travelled near and far to negotiate a health aid from Taiwan to Venezuela from Cuba to Serbia to bring in as much aid to Helen Mr Speaker. Now Mr Speaker, when someone has been abused as Helen was and has debt to the tune of four billion dollars, the open wounds are very painful to cure Mr Speaker. The saws yield great pains and stings when the necessary bombs and medication are applied. Sometimes Mr Speaker, the great doctor has no choice but to apply even more pressure to produce great relief in the future. And so Mr Speaker, when the chief of surgery from Castries East along with the other doctors selected for the great recovery began their work. Mr Speaker, more and more issues read the ugly heads which undoubtedly provided setbacks on our way to recovery. The disease of direct awards, DFCs came in for immediate financial payments. It lessened the chief's ability to provide better roads on our way to recovery. And so the team had to settle with the patching and patching of deep holes embedded over for Helen on the way to this great recovery. Could you imagine Mr Speaker, that not even the hospital which is critical to Helen's health was given the tools for her survival. In fact, they played foolish games with it and failed to give a brother up north called Owen King. Any attention until crisis hit Mr Speaker. But Mr Speaker, while this medical team is at work there night, hour after hour on Helen, her previous abusers, they are busy criticizing the progress and blaming the new team for not being able to do more to give for Helen all that she needs while we are working on making her better. Mr Speaker, I listened to the chief of surgery diagnose and explain the medical procedures he intend to undertake to make Helen better. And in his diagnosis he spoke about revenue because we know Mr Speaker and we see the posturing. Helen or any individual, any country cannot survive without revenue. You cannot prosper without revenue. You cannot criticize on the one hand and say you need to do A, B and C to curb crime. But say don't have any levies. You cannot say let's do this about our medical situation but don't bring revenue to our country. And so Mr Speaker, we see with class how this chief of surgery is going to ensure that revenue is brought into this nation without suffocating for Helen. So the chief of surgery understands that Helen needs food. And so no levy is placed on food and groceries in St. Lucia, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the chief of surgery indicated that we need healthcare and that Helen needs to be healthier. And so there's a levy on cigarettes which we know, which we know is not good for Helen, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, we know at the end of the day that proper shelter is needed for Helen. And so Mr Speaker, we've removed that, Mr Speaker, on cement, Mr Speaker, on plywood, Mr Speaker. Those things that we know Helen needs to provide shelter for her and her children, Mr Speaker. And so Mr Speaker, I have no issue with supporting the minister of finance and the member for Castries East in his quest to provide a better way for Helen, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the member for Mikusov said during the budget debate that all we do is speak, all we do is travel. He said again, Mr Speaker, that nothing is going on and it's enhanced. He even said that nothing is going on in the ministry of youth development and sports. Can you believe this, Mr Speaker? He even had the audacity, the humility, the unmitigated girl to bring up Julian Alfred, Mr Speaker, in this honorable house. Mr Speaker, do you know that some of the travel during this financial, last financial year was to ensure that athletes such as Julian Alfred can continue to flourish, can do what she needs to do untamed, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, when we came in, a government body called WADA, World Anti-Doping Agency, requires every nation with Olympic athletes, with athletes that are desirous of representing the country to make contributions to ensure that the anti-doping laws and regulations meet the international standards. And when we came in government, Mr Speaker, there was a huge concern that enough was not done in this regard. And so when WADA called a very important appointment was made in Jamaica to ensure that St. Lucia was in compliance with those rules, Mr Speaker. And so we see, Mr Speaker, that finally that we have a committee set up in St Lucia that will allow that everything we need to do as it applies to anti-doping laws is followed to the T. When this is not done, Mr Speaker, at any point in time you can be sanctioned. We know some of what has happened in the more developed countries in terms of doping and we will never as a ministry allow for St Lucia to not be in compliance. And so we've done everything we've had to do to ensure that we are doing the justice that our athletes need. Mr Speaker, we have decided as a ministry that part of our mandate is to reach young people where they are. And so, Mr Speaker, we have decided that we are going to have an alternative sports desk at our ministry. Mr Speaker, not every young person in St Lucia can kick a ball and run fast and shoot a basket. And so, Mr Speaker, in order for us to touch those that are involved in other activities that are considered physical, we ensure that we employed Craig Gustav, Mr Speaker, whose mandate was to reach these young individuals, find out what their interests are and provide programming for them, Mr Speaker. And so, Mr Speaker, we see in with this alternative sports desk the development of chess, Mr Speaker. We see in motocross, Mr Speaker, and all of those activities being given attention finally in this country, Mr Speaker. And so, Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, scores, scores of young people participated in a national test tournament in the community of Bruce Lee. We had individuals from all walks of life, Mr Speaker, more than 100 young people participating in this competition. And so, we saw six of them, six of them reaching the threshold and they are currently in Venezuela participating in this competition, Mr Speaker. And so, Mr Speaker, motocross, video game, that's the likes throughout the year, Mr Speaker. We will be developing it, but we decided that we are going to have an alternative sports season. And so, between December 13th and February 22nd, this is the ideal time where we see a structure for those competitions, Mr Speaker. And for the first time this year, Mr Speaker, having this season, we saw more than 300 individuals from across the region descending on Seleucia to take part in this tournament, Mr Speaker. And so, the bikers enjoyed some good times in Soufret, a very nice competition organized and you could see some of the photos, beaming with pride as they received their medals, Mr Speaker. Finally getting some recognition, Mr Speaker, and we saw the talent, Mr Speaker, and we're going to continue to nurture that. Mr Speaker, one of the alternative opportunities we identified was the development of beach football in St. Lucia. And so, Mr Speaker, we saw in early April the first steps towards this development. We had the Northern Beach Football Tournament, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the young people, they came out and they enjoyed football in the sand. We are surrounded by beaches and water, Mr Speaker. A few years ago, we came out on top at the Commonwealth Junior level in beach football. And since then, not enough has been done. So, Mr Speaker, the games were highly competitive, new generation from the community of Babu Nukibat on top. And so, I know Rosili, Castries and all the others up north, we'll be looking to do something considering Babu Nukibat doesn't even have a beach. And so, we're looking to spread on the west coast, the east coast and in the south, Mr Speaker. Mark, we stand. Speaking of football, the Ministry of Sports continues to collaborate with the St Lucia Football Association and the Youth Economy Agency for the establishment of the semi-professional league in St Lucia. The association has been putting together the technical and legal framework for our footballers to be placed in the dynamics that allows for them to be bought locally, regionally and internationally. This league is expected to set the path for greater financial gains by our clubs in St Lucia. And so, Mr Speaker, when they say nothing is going on with the youth, you have to wonder. This opens the door for young people interested in photography. Set up your online agency. Come to the playing fields. Get persons to advertise on your website. This provides the opportunities for physiotherapists, Mr Speaker. Videographers, Mr Speaker. Get involved in digital marketing, Mr Speaker. And of course, the coaches and those involved in health and fitness can also benefit from this activity, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I remember for a number of years played football in Grozely and of course all over St Lucia and in the region. I never got 25 cents for all my efforts. Finally, a young person in the communities can say I am going to be a professional footballer, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, we've developed all of those activities in collaboration with the St Lucia Football Association, Mr Speaker. We are doing all of this to develop the most popular sport in St Lucia. Yet, Mr Speaker, a member for Miku Saaf and his surrogates, he take to social media to falsely tell the people of St Lucia that I used taxpayers' monies or that I requested taxpayers' monies to attend the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Mr Speaker. In the assisted by Bradley. Mr Speaker, again, they travelled and travelled, but for them, a young minister, a little boy from, would they consider, from Maritare Street, running around in his council on Bay Street, playing hide-and-seek under the cocoa pair. That young man cannot possibly be invited by FIFA to watch a World Cup, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, a young man who is working assiduously to bring which football up, Mr Speaker. He cannot be invited, Mr Speaker. So, Mr Speaker, I'm left with no choice but to set the record straight, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, United Park. Let's start with the United Workers Party page. And I'm going to read some of the posts that was placed in plain sight, tarnishing my name. Information reaching us from some disgruntled officials within the Ministry of Sports is that an allocation of over $50,000 had been requested by Minister Kenson Kazmi to cover a five-day trip to Qatar to witness the finals of a FIFA World Cup. United Workers Party. United Park, St. Lucia. There seem to be more questions and answers in this Kazmi FIFA saga. We must note that the most common FIFA email format is exsofiazul.org. Does FIFA ever communicate with the government organization regarding FIFA events or do they go through the football association? We are now in communication with FIFA officials to ascertain the authenticity of documents. Lies and more lies. United Park, St. Lucia. At a time when St. Lucia's are reeling from incidents of crime and high food and fuel prices. We have been informed that the Ministry of Sports intends to travel to Qatar to taxpayer money. The Kenson Kazmi FIFA saga is Kenson Kazmi the most fortunate Minister of Sports in the Caribbean to be awarded a ticket to Qatar by FIFA. For the records, FIFA always pay for lodging etc. When issued a ticket, Kenson was handed a ticket by the St. Lucia Football Association and he received a top-up probably NLE. All this was done in the name of politics. St. Lucia Football Association is very political. It goes on to say that the FA is killing our local football. Who knows me? It's Kenson Kazmi the most fortunate Minister of Sports in the Caribbean and I think he sees the name and he wants me to say it. There are lots of court proceedings. I just want to be very strategic, Mr. Speaker. This is what they peddled because a young man who is working assiduously with FIFA cannot be invited to watch the FIFA World Cup, Mr. Speaker. And so Mr. Speaker, I'm left to ensure that I get the official document from FIFA and today Mr. Speaker, I'm going to make this a document of the house. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, invitation. Honour Bill Kenson, Jay Kazmi, Minister of Youth Development at Sports of St. Lucia. Zurich, 12 December, he knows Jay, that's the middle name. 12 December 2022, invitation to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, FIFA. Dear Mr. Kazmi, from November 20th to 18 December 2022, the eyes of the entire world will be on Qatar. The hosts of the 22nd FIFA World Cup and it is my great pleasure to invite you as a guest of honour to the first ever FIFA World Cup Games, FIFA World Cup organized in the Middle East. I would be honoured to share this exciting adventure with you all while enjoying the warm Qatari hospitality and savoring the colour, passion and emotion that will be on display throughout the whole tournament. I would be grateful if you could confirm your attendance for any match of your choice by email to president at FIFA.org. My office remains at your entire disposal for any need. Looking forward to welcoming you to Qatar, I take this opportunity to thank you once again, dear minister, for your contribution to the development of football and the promotion of the values of the sport in your country. Yours sincerely, Gianni Infantino. Gianni Infantino. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like for this to be made a document of the house, Mr. Speaker. Make it is a document of the house because Mr. Speaker, sometimes you just have to put yourself out there. There is the opportunity, contact FIFA. Some of them like to travel, travel to Zurich. Do any investigation that you need to and find out if this was not sent by FIFA. Is Kenson the most fortunate minister of sports in the Caribbean to be awarded a ticket to FIFA. I say to them, Kenson may be one of the hardest sports working sports ministers in the Caribbean. And so, when you know you invest your time, you invest who you are, you cannot let them sell your name. And so Mr. Speaker, I'm going to read another email sent to my secretary because they said I requested $50,000. We look forward to welcoming the Honourable Kenson Kasimi to the final of the FIFA World Cup. FIFA would be happy to organize flights and accommodation for Mr. Kasimi. May I kindly ask you to share his preferred travel dates and route so we may propose options. In addition, we'd be happy to assist him with his higher applications. We'd kindly lead his passport, copy of his ID and everything. We'll organize transfers from the airport to the matches. Mr. Speaker, all covered by FIFA. So Mr. Speaker, the member for Microsoft also said that nothing was going on in the ministry of sports, Mr. Speaker. Nothing was happening with the youth. And so, I have to sometimes wonder if he pays attention to what's going on or if he has selective amnesia. By the way, Hansard would have it today but I have officially, officially filed legal documents against those who have tried to tarnish my reputation, Mr. Speaker. So Mr. Speaker, when I assumed the position of youth and sports minister, I was ready to take youth and sports development in this nation to another level and I still feel that way, Mr. Speaker. As you may know, the financing of youth and sports development comes primarily from activities of the Sennusha National Lodges authorities and Mr. Speaker, we've had challenges. Most of the challenges created by my predecessor. And so Mr. Speaker, very soon, once I get the go ahead, the call cleft from the attorney general due to the fact that we have some legal proceedings, I'll be making some other pronouncements, Mr. Speaker. But when I came in, zero financial reports were done by the entity of the Sennusha National Lodges. In fact, the last time it was done, I will have your guess. The next time it was done, or we saw any evidence, it was when the member for Denver North was in charge, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the last debate, the member for Bikusaw said that the finances or the revenue from the National Lodges authority, he is herring somewhere that it is low. When I rose on a point of order, a point of clarity would not allow me to speak, but today I will speak, Mr. Speaker. Today I will definitely speak. Mr. Speaker, the ministry went through some challenge in times, Mr. Speaker. One of the major challenges was the poor state of the island's sporting facilities. It is quite obvious that if we are going to develop a semi-pro league or sports, we need facilities. And so, Mr. Speaker, we had to ensure that the use of renewable energy became part of our overall youth and sports development first. Therefore, we have embarked on a systematic approach to the rehabilitation of sporting infrastructure in St. Lucia. During the financial year 2022-2023, we have undertaken works at the Souffre Ministryium, lighting and structural upgrades to the VG Sports Complex, structural upgrades to the playing field, lights at the Otaba Court, the Deramo Courts, Mr. Speaker, Saab playing field, Goodlands Court, the Larissus Denry playing field. We started some work there just before Black Hat last year. The Corinth playing field and the Grossley playing field change room. Mr. Speaker, in the new financial year, we'll undertake works at several other sporting facilities. But unlike our predecessors, who irresponsibly invested in plastic fields, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've decided to be environmentally friendly, Mr. Speaker, for sports development. And so, we've initiated our renewable energy and sports program. So, in terms of lighting, we've seen the huge cost of electricity bills and so, Mr. Speaker, we've piloted the first ever 100% off the grid field lighting facility in the region, in the community of Corinth, Mr. Speaker. Corinth, I can say, will be the first 100% solar lit playing field. Mr. Speaker, off the grid. As such, Mr. Speaker, the lights could be on from 7pm and until 12, or one without a single cost to the community. Of course, during the pilot, we have seen the implementation cost. Of course, originally would be up, but a lifespan of over 20 years before you need to change a battery is well worth it, Mr. Speaker. In addition to this, Mr. Speaker, the Corinth Secondary School, they will enjoy the fact that their classrooms could be solar powered, Mr. Speaker. And so, we have a number of playing fields at the school. The roof at the school could be used to place the panels and the playing field could be lit. And so, we are killing two birds with one stone. One stone. And so, Mr. Speaker, quite apart from what was done, we are showing that we are more environmentally friendly, Mr. Speaker. As such, we will continue with this program at other venues through a phased approach. First installing the LED lights at the facilities and then adding the solar panels to ensure we benefit from the same. Some of the facilities include Bellevue, Marigold, Phillip Master Grounds, Mindo Phillip Park, Gardens, Labry playing field, the Wend playing field, Mr. Speaker. The Grand Ravine playing field, I have understood that the minister, the member has already started the process to ensure that the poles are on island and so, NLA will ensure that it is LED and then transition 100% solar, Mr. Speaker. This is the direction, this is the vision of this government, Mr. Speaker. I know it's only you. So, Mr. Speaker, we continue to show a stark contrast in what we do. And so, one of the biggest projects we will be undertaking is the National Aquatic Center in Grozily. Mr. Speaker, we've had administrative after administrative setbacks, Mr. Speaker. And when you have an activity or project of this magnitude, you want to ensure that you get it right and you do it responsibly. So, we've taken every precaution and shortly after budget we will finally be seeing the commencement of the works, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's one thing to invest in sporting infrastructure but another thing to manage and maintain it. In this regard, we have adopted a comprehensive policy on the management of sports facilities which will guide the administration of our sporting infrastructure. The policy has been adopted and passed. It is expected that all associations and affiliates and even parliamentary reps can understand what is needed for the upgrade of the playing field to regional and international standards, Mr. Speaker. And so, Mr. Speaker, we are continuing to look at the activities of the George Audlem Stadium and we expect that when we finally move into the New St. Jude's, Mr. Speaker, that George Audlem will get the attention that it deserves, Mr. Speaker. So, in addition to providing and maintaining facilities, the growth of the nations athletes depends on the strength and the availability of programs. And so, we continue to encourage associations to focus on grassroots programs from the primary and the infant schools, Mr. Speaker. So, we've identified the Stuart Charles and Old Baloch Jean under the emerging athletes program to identify some of our emerging athletes to place them in a program, Mr. Speaker. So, we will see the rep and we will reap the benefits going forward, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker of critical focus and success for the ministry of youth development and sports was the reintroduction of school sports, Mr. Speaker. So, under 15 cricket tournaments, Mr. Speaker. So, netball. So, volleyball, Mr. Speaker. So, basketball. And so, Mr. Speaker, we continue to work with the ministry of education to ensure that we continue to develop school sports. Mr. Speaker, it was very happening to see the passion and the excitement displayed by all participants and some parents. And Mr. Speaker, we continue to encourage them to come out. And so, we as a government decided that this year we will be hosting the rebranded island champs, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a reason why most other nations have gravitated towards having school sports on the weekend. It allows some of the scouts from overseas to come and spend a weekend enjoy the sun and sea while taking in some of our athletes. There are countless benefits. Parents could attend. Coaches from all over could attend. The support from communities are heightened. And so, this year, while it happened on a Friday, we continue to have this course and engagement with the ministry of education, the teachers, the principals, the PE folks and coaches to ensure that we can host island champs next year on the weekend, Mr. Speaker. View for Comprehensive, they came out on top of this year's competition and somebody said as usual they had not done it for a little while, they dominated this year and we identified the prize money for the school who won and this is also on the review for next year's competition. And so, we require more and more stakeholders on board as we move in this direction, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I now turn my attention to the ministry's coaching program. There's a very vibrant coaching unit, 21 coaches in the fields of table tennis, boxing, cricket, football, volleyball, netball and track and field, Mr. Speaker. I must note that last year we were able to secure the services of two Cuban coaches, one field, one for boxing. The focus in the new year will be on strengthening the capacity of coaches to produce even better quality athletes. Mr. Speaker, the sport of boxing will be given particular attention this year. The sport launched its hands in glove, not on guns program down south and it has ripped huge benefits for all of us, Mr. Speaker. Hands in gloves, not on guns. Mr. Speaker, over 50 boxes from the communities in view for itself are part of this program and they continue to span through different schools to get them on board so that we can teach conflict resolution, self-control, anger management through sport, Mr. Speaker. So we continue to see and rip those benefits, Mr. Speaker. As recently we had the Caribbean boxing championships at the VG Multipurpose Court. The champions of champions and St. Lucia came out on top, Mr. Speaker. So we are seeing Mr. Speaker great strides in the sport of boxing. Mr. Speaker, the ministry's elite emerging athlete program continues to provide much needed support to talented student athletes. Mr. Speaker, one of the first things I did when I became minister of sport was to identify some of the best athletes on the island and as minister I made it my duty to visit these athletes visit their homes meet with their parents visit their schools speak with their coaches find out from their family what the situation is, Mr. Speaker and some of these athletes, Mr. Speaker we recommended counseling we recommended nutritional allowances transportation allowances we provided psychosocial support Mr. Speaker to them and their families Mr. Speaker, I will not announce here who some of these athletes are but I can tell you Mr. Speaker that despite some of the challenges in getting those resources to them we've seen them perform at high levels and we've seen them bring back medals to this great nation and so Mr. Speaker and somebody postures and says nothing is going on in youth development and sports you have to wonder what's going on during the last year this program supported a total of 44 athletes to the tune of 252,265 and $55 an average of $5,700 per athlete Mr. Speaker this year Mr. Speaker we have placed in a budget and amount to ensure the successful transition of Julian Alfred to a professional athlete and of course we all know how important that support is Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker we will have other individuals make their pronouncements the Minister of Finance announced that Julian Alfred has finally been given a diplomatic passport by the Government of Central it was necessary Mr. Speaker and I will allow the other individuals to make the announcement as it relates to Julian Alfred Mr. Speaker but we have to be careful and this government took every precaution we consulted with the NCAA to ensure that we were not in the infringement of any of the rules we spoke with a coach we spoke with a parent Mr. Speaker to ensure that we were doing the right thing Mr. Speaker and of course we had to ensure that any pronouncement that we make did not affect her Mr. Speaker and so in a month and a half she will be transitioning from a legit athlete to a professional athlete so vision of the Minister of Finance was there to ensure that we place a budget for this effective transition Mr. Speaker and so she will not necessarily have to go and find a job we will provide the support when she finally gets there Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker I must provide clarity sometimes on the policy of this government as it pertains to sport and youth development because of some of what the surrogate say Mr. Speaker while they may not want to believe or they may want people to believe that the SFP government is no different from them I would like to make it clear that these two governments are like chalk and cheese Mr. Speaker the solution of a party is a government that is compassionate that pays their bills Mr. Speaker whether the person providing the invoice is labour or flubbo whether the project was ill-conceived like choosing artificial turf over grass when we come in government we clear our bills and we get brutalized for it because instead of taking the finances and forgetting about the bills that were absorbed in times pass instead of doing what we need to do we stop and we clear our bills Mr. Speaker that is our modus operandi but Mr. Speaker it is really sad when someone from overseas is given a contract they come to our country they use our people's services and did not pay them Mr. Speaker they use small, medium size businesses resources and do not pay them Mr. Speaker I was saddened by a letter and a bill that came to me Mr. Speaker this bill was for taxi services rendered to Mr. Don Lockaby for travel on the island of St. Lucia bills that I later found out he was supposed to have paid but did not Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker when we came in the individual who has a small business who has to keep his business going Mr. Speaker cannot get into contact with this gentleman and Mr. Speaker had no choice but to pen a letter to the ministry of youth development and sports October 25, 2022 Mr. Speaker during the member for presentation on the budget he had the audacity to say that the finances are low at the national law trees Mr. Speaker when we have to use the national law trees to pay some of their bills Mr. Speaker and so and the member for castry service and the member for view for itself has a beautiful program he wants to implement and he comes to me and I say the revenue is not there quite yet it is because we have to take care of bills that we inherit Mr. Speaker some of the times October 25, 2022 Honourable Kensen Kazemi Parliamentary Representative for Grozil and Minister for Sports Honourable Kazemi I write to officially request that money is owed to my company by Mr. Don Lockaby Minister of Youth Development and Sports as you may know my company was contracted during the period of 2017 to 2019 to provide taxi services to Mr. Lockaby during his time spent in executing St. Lucia national sports infrastructure program since the completion of this program I found it difficult to obtain payment from Mr. Lockaby who is no longer in St. Lucia I appeal to your good conscience Mr. Minister of Parliament for our constituency of Grozili and the Minister for Sports to intervene on my behalf please see attached agreement for services and the outstanding invoices any courtesies you have 10 minutes left member for Castry Central Mr. Deputy I wish to invoke standing order number 328 to allow 10 sorry to allow the member for Grozili an extra 30 minutes to complete his presentation members the question is that standing order for the two 10 be invoked and not the member for Grozili be granted an additional 40 minutes to conclude his presentation and I put the question as many of this opinion say aye aye as many of the country opinion say no eyes have it I think the eyes have it continue member for Grozili thank you Mr. Speaker thank you colleagues and so Mr. Speaker we did our due diligence we had to make sure that what was being said was true and so the invoices along with the contract was brought to the ministry ministry invoiced 007 July 2019 UNR International Airport to Haber Club $150 Haber Club took Astries and returned full day $350 Haber Club to UNR International $150 grand total $1952 for services of transporting Mr. Lockerbie around St. Lucia to put artificial tooth Mr. Speaker August 2019 this invoice VG to Soufrere View for to Grozili View for to Soufrere View for to Grozili Haber Club to View for another $7800 October 2019 October 15th UNR International Airport Haber Club to Grozili Haber Club to Soufrere Soufrere to UNR International 3600 October 34th 2019 where will we be in 2019 before I was still at MBC UNR International to Grozili Haber Club another 3000 December 30th 2019 Haber Club to UNRW UNR International Airport UNR International Airport to Haber Club Haber Club to Grozili Return The lease goes on $7700 UNR International Airport to Haber club no Yes UNR International Airport to Haber Club Haber Club to Grozili Go for the lease 11564 that's easy to transfer Mr. Don Lockaby in the execution of the National Sports Infrastructure Board. Mr. Speaker, we had to come up with the financing to ensure that this gentleman who has a small business who needs his finances to pay for his family to do basic things Mr. Speaker to ensure that he is compensated and so as a government once we saw the contract had been signed once we got the invoices once we saw what was not paid what we saw was that we needed to compensate this individual and so we did Mr. Speaker we never asked what this person's political affiliation was matter of fact some persons believe that this person is of a political persuasion that may not be mine but Mr. Speaker once the work is done and there is confirmation we will try our best to ensure that is Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker this is the same government Mr. Speaker who is questioning and saying that finances are low who gave a three hundred thousand dollars Mr. Speaker they paid three hundred thousand dollars for medals during COVID-19 for school sports competitions during COVID-19 Mr. Speaker COVID medals you call it and the minister has a temerity the member has a temerity to say that he's hearing that finances are low Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker there's another one there's another one Scott's Sports shop and awards 22nd of October 2019 Mr. Speaker 56,000 dollars owed Mr. Speaker since 2019 Mr. Speaker and so Mr. Speaker and we came in decided after three years another medium-sized I'm not even sure we can call it a medium-sized business it's a small business with people being employed we had to ensure that we took care of Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker there was more you know more invoices that we inherited the pool Mr. Speaker pool was docked in Italy when we came in and already we were getting requests for payment of close to 30,000 dollars a month because of an agreement that was signed so we said you know what we're going to pray to bring our pools down in St. Lucia and then we're going to store it here for cheaper Mr. Speaker purchase orders Mr. Speaker many more Mr. Speaker the lawnmower I haven't seen that one I look for it Mr. Speaker we must continue to come together when it comes to sports development because sports development is something that we all can benefit from when Julian finally wins this Olympic medal we will say St. Lucia won a medal until we mustn't play politics with things like Julian Alfred Mr. Speaker so Speaker young Naomi London Mr. Speaker is another prospect that we have in view for no it's not play politics let's give her everything that we supposed to Mr. Speaker as the minister Mr. Speaker I know I've tried from my part to ensure that everything that she needs sometimes there are delays Mr. Speaker and I get very disappointed but if corporate St. Lucia decides to do their part as it pertains to this young girl and the others we will go very far Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker you've development is something that I'm passionate about I really don't know how else to describe someone who knows the truth deliberately knows the truth comes into the house makes statements as if you know he is shy from the truth but knows the facts the fact is Mr. Speaker we did launch the skill 758 app Mr. Speaker we did launch this in March Mr. Speaker we do have images that prove that the ministry of youth was in full attendance we had some issues with the app as with everything in technology and so we had some glitches that we had to take care of but the skill 758 app is set to ensure that more people who are unemployed can find a one-stop shop to provide the CVs so that they can be geolocated for job opportunities I was very happy to hear the Honourable Prime Minister announced that youth unemployment fell from 48.5 percent to 25.9 percent Mr. Speaker and so this app is supposed to help out with providing even more opportunities to young people and so the fact is during this government during this administration's time any young person who is ambitious who is willing to work who has any plan or design can get some assistance from the government Mr. Speaker this is the opportunity that we are providing for people Mr. Speaker and so we continue to provide avenues for young people to speak and so the ministry as the crossroads programme that could be viewed on NTN where we interview the young people that are doing things in the communities find out the experiences and provide advice to other young people on how they can succeed Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker the member looked at the document and saw zero and he said nothing is going on Mr. Speaker and I felt insulted on behalf of the young people of this ministry Mr. Speaker so Speaker the ministry of youth development and sports for the western cluster of youth workers they embarked on an adopt an angel school feeding programme this programme assisted in paid lunch fees for a few underprivileged students in sofra and ancillary and in canaries and Mr. Speaker he comes to this Honourable House and says nothing is going on the ministry of youth Mr. Speaker he's always he's always lying why is why is he lying sorry Mr. Speaker let me apologize why is he being disingenuous Mr. Speaker why is he enjoying a daily diet of dishonesty Mr. Speaker why Mr. Speaker must he indulge in verbal masturbation that provides pleasure to only himself Mr. Speaker why Mr. Speaker especially as it pertains to our young people especially Mr. Speaker there's plenty going on in the ministry of youth Mr. Speaker Rosa valley business information workshop Mr. Speaker job fair in sofra Mr. Speaker the youth business forum in grusely young people youth workers from the ministry of youth development and sports junior jazz festival is coming Mr. Speaker for the first time Mr. Speaker young persons in the art form in collaboration the member for central castries a mayor's office the constituency council we are having Mr. Speaker junior jazz Mr. Speaker and so Mr. Speaker the list goes on and on and on Mr. Speaker and so this year commonwealth has indicated that 2023 will be designated as a year of the youth Mr. Speaker and the commonwealth heads of government meeting in Kigali in 2022 they sealed their commitments the government sealed their commitments to this Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker I'm pleased to announce that the ministry in partnership with the youth council they've committed to ensuring that another legacy emerges from this recognition of the year of the youth and so as opposed to just celebrating April Mr. Speaker we launched in April and we are going to enjoy a year of young activities throughout St. Lucia dance competition singing competitions Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker youth parliament Mr. Speaker and so we're going to continue to engage those young people for the ideas as to how it is that we can deal with this thing Mr. Speaker and so we've identified the issue of safety security and peace peace to empower young people and communities as agents of safe national coexistence and so Mr. Speaker with USAID Mr. Speaker the ministry of youth development and sports collaborated on a YRE program Mr. Speaker YRE is a five-year project that still strengthens communities and will family systems initiatives to improve responses to gender-based violence interpersonal violence Mr. Speaker and anything to do with violence and so during this still Mr. Speaker we're able to go to certain centers in St. Lucia including view fort to ensure that we start teaching self-control Mr. Speaker conflict management this is done by the ministry of youth Mr. Speaker and so I won't tolerate anybody anybody stating that the youth of this nation employed by the ministry is not working or nothing is going on Mr. Speaker so Speaker we are determined to abroot this culture of violence by building a safer and more resilient society as we struggle with this interpersonal crime and violence in St. Lucia Mr. Speaker and so we will do our part work with the ministry of national security any other ministry to ensure that we cope this issue of crime during this year Mr. Speaker we will be ensuring that we pass the youth policy and action plan Mr. Speaker and this is a huge a huge document that will set the way for how we develop young people in our societies some very excited about that Mr. Speaker I'm very excited about how we move this if we have this movement continues to grow and so very proud as the minister of youth development sports Mr. Speaker while I do not want to steal the thunder from the minister of the youth economy the honorable prime minister but Mr. Speaker the youth economy is another agency that the ministry continues to work with we have a lot of persons walking into the ministry wanting information and so of course the skills 758 app is one area they can put the information but we encourage persons get to show us a road tap into the website make your applications as we continue to deal with youth unemployment Mr. Speaker and so the app Mr. Speaker will create a database of skills open employment opportunities open avenues for gig economy Mr. Speaker so they don't have to depend on government use your talent boost the local economy Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker based on our discussions and dialogue with other businesses Mr. Speaker we are seeing more and more persons interested in helping out with youth development Mr. Speaker the ministry has embarked on the old reunion school to convert it as a safe space Mr. Speaker the community of shows them to help at the end of the day provide a building where young people can come and have a safe avenue to discuss to have programs and to develop each other Mr. Speaker all this Mr. Speaker is happening in the ministry of youth development and sports Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker the positive youth development program is what underpins my ministry this ministry values young people we acknowledge that they are vital and will continue to work with them Mr. Speaker and so Mr. Speaker I want to tell the young people and the people of grocery that I will continue to do all that I can to make their lives better I've said this before as the MP I'm not going to hide for three years and then come back on the third and ask them for their support I have made it my duty to be on the ground as much as I can possibly be Mr. Speaker by the bus stops by the supermarkets at their homes at the barbecues the funerals Mr. Speaker everywhere that I need to be can everybody see me in 18 months no have I been at every home in 18 months no is that feasible no but we've held meetings in almost all of the communities Mr. Speaker we continue to engage people on matters as it pertains to infrastructure development safety and security youth development sports Mr. Speaker in as many communities as possible very excited about the prospects of the grand revere community center for this new financial year Mr. Speaker very excited about the developments around the plain field Mr. Speaker developments in asu canal Mr. Speaker in Piat in Monsepo and Monye Mr. Speaker I'm very very buoyed by some of the pronouncements made by the prime minister including Novart on cement and and some of these construction supplies because we need it Mr. Speaker we need it for fair helen to rise Mr. Speaker grosely town continues to have full consideration in development of the park the plain field stands Mr. Speaker and so I'm not going to say much because the member for Antsley Cadres is stated by I know why he stated by direction but we'll continue to ensure that we do what we need to do Mr. Speaker I'm very excited about Moshi jazz the return of Moshi jazz Mr. Speaker this is a fringe event Mr. Speaker that brings scores of individuals and it's absolutely free Mr. Speaker and so we invite everybody on May 9th to come to the community Mr. Speaker and enjoy the ambience Mr. Speaker of our people the lights are coming Mr. Speaker on the Moshi plain field and so I take this opportunity to thank all individuals and agencies that contributed to youth and sports development within the last year including but not limited to youth workers youth officers youth leaders youth and sports councils physical education teachers coaches principals national sports associations schools the minister of education club members administrators fans everyone involved in youth and sports development I want to call upon all St. Lucian's not just to support sports and youth development not only those in the sporting fraternity but I want to invite everybody to do their part sports development remains a viable option for our young people to attain the true potential in improving their lives and that of their families Mr. Speaker in fact Mr. Deputy Speaker so by apologies we are not a perfect ministry we are not a perfect government can we do more yes we can and we will let me thank the staff of the ministry for all the hard work particularly the permanent secretary Caroline Eugene Deputy permanent secretary this is Mary Wilfred director of sports Jim Xavier and of course our new director of youth Juan Luvo the ministry of youth and sports continues to work towards securing a better future for our young people as a result I have no issues with supporting this appropriation bill but a financial year 2023 2024 it is my belief that Helen has risen and will continue to run in the right direction I thank you Mr. Speaker