 Coming to you from our GIS studios, I am Anisia Antoine and this is your Midday News Brief. In keeping with the government of St Lucia's plans to build a resilient St Lucia, the essential distancing works on the John Compton Dam are finally starting with phase one. The first component included the preparation and construction of the sediment disposal area and building and repairing of access roads at the site which will be done by local contractor Mega Contracting Inc. The second component will include the dredging of the reservoir and installation of pipes to the sediment disposal area downstream. The Honourable Ezekiel Joseph recently announced the completion of the Salfish Road project. Constructed under the constituency development programme, Salfish Road in Babuno now facilitates easier and more convenient access for residents, especially in times of emergencies. St Lucia's champion sprinter Julian Alfred is the recipient of a full scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin. Alfred brought home St Lucia's first ever Youth Olympic Games medal when she finished second overall in the women's 100 meters in Buenos Aires, Argentina last October. She paid a courtesy call to the Office of the Prime Minister before leaving for university. From the government and people of St Lucia, we wish her all the best. St Lucia's 40th year of independent celebrations is said to be an exciting year of major activities. According to Senator Fortuna Belrose, who is the Minister with Responsibility for Culture and Creative Industries, 40 is a number of great significance and she called on St Lucia's at home and abroad to celebrate the occasion with all the pomp and ceremony deserving of such an occasion. After a devastating early morning fire that destroyed several homes in the area, residents of Rose Hill are grateful for the assistance given to them by Vol. St Lucia and the Ministry of Equity. Vol. St Lucia donated food, clothing and household items. Join us later on NTN Foundation Beat where we bring you today's top stories. Thanks for watching.