 Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1987 to 1992 and also serve as President of the Senate from 1993 to 1997, Mr. Nebelsnack represented Sen. Lucia overseas during his political career and as Foreign Affairs Minister he represented Sen. Lucia at the United Nations in New York at the 43rd session of the General Assembly. He retired from active politics in 2006 and has since written extensively on the Constitution of Sen. Lucia. The Governor-General designated as the sixth of Governor-General, immediately preceded by Hadeem Poletrizi and joins a line of governors-general in the presence of we have Sir John Mallet, Sir Alan Lewis, Boswell Williams, Susanisus James, all of whom are now desist. Desist Sir Vincent Flossack also acted as Governor-General for about five months from the 30th of April to the 10th of October 1988. Sen. Lucia's Prime Minister, Hon. Alan Shasting, in making the announcement that the country had a new Governor-General, recognized her still in contribution of the Impolet Vizy stating that Sen. Lucia will always love the Impolet who has served exceptionally. Prime Minister Shasting went on to thank the Impolet for her grace and her counsel. The National Television Network is always pleased to bring a live coverage right here from the House of Assembly and today's ceremony is being attended by members of both the Upper and the Lower Houses, a former Governor-General, the Impolet Vizy is also in attendance. Also members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Benjamin Emanuel who will be taking care of the proceedings here today. I could see the Director of the OECS Commission, Dr. Ditkos Jules, members of the, we also have former Senate presidents and also former House speakers and the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Police and a whole host of other people who have come to witness the installation ceremony. The family of Mr. Snack is also in attendance. His wife, Julia Snack and the other family members, Mrs. Snack has five children, three are here today, the other two are overseas and Mrs. Snack is highly respected in the legal fraternity and three of his children who are here, two of them have followed in his footsteps. We have Sadia who is a lawyer, we have also Sir Yorja who is a lawyer and we also have Suzette who is an entrepreneur. So three of them will be witnessing the installation of their dad as the island's Governor General. We must note also that Mrs. Snack is the brother of the late Winston Snack who served as Prime Minister of Senutia for eight months from 1981 to 1982. But we have a brief preview of how the ceremony will be unfolding. The ceremony will begin with the arrival of Prime Minister Hon. Alan Shastney, followed by the arrival of the Governor General Designate. Pairs will then be offered after which the Cabinet Secretary who is Mr. Benjamin Emmanuel will read the Royal Commission appointing the Governor General Designate as Governor General of St. Lucia. The Governor General Designate will take and subscribe the path of allegiance under oath of office administered by the Chief Justice who is the Hon. Dame Janice M. Pereira. The Cabinet Secretary will then present the Royal Commission of Appointments to the Governor General Mr. Nebel Snack and there will be two addresses. The first one will be delivered by Prime Minister Hon. Alan Shastney and the second which is the inaugural address will be delivered by the new Governor General. The Cabinet Secretary then brings a ceremony to a close. So there you have it and this is how we expect things to unfold today. So we await the arrival of the Prime Minister and the Governor General Designate so officially begin the installation ceremony. Now since the establishment of the Office of Governor General provided for by Chapter 2, Sections 19 and 22 of the Constitution, persons have been raised about the duties of the Governor General. The work of the Governor General is indeed a full-time job and there are endless duties to be performed. He or she exercises on the sovereign's behalf the following duties and responsibilities as stated in the Constitution. Presiding over some of them include have the duties of the Governor General include presiding over swearing in ceremonies of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers presiding over the state opening of Parliament and delivering the throne speech, taking the salute to join the dependents, the parade, the signing of documents which include giving royal assent to bills and acts passed by the House of Assembly and the Senate into law, holding weekly meetings with the Prime Minister on matters of state and governance. The Governor General also exercises constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities for the following purposes, emergency powers, a declaration of state of emergency, summoning, prerogation and dissolution of Parliament, prerogative of mercy. Also Governor General he or she also has exercises executive authority over the following constitutional appointments, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet Ministers, members of the Senate, senior civil servants, commissions and boards. They also have an executive authority which gives the power under the Constitution to make or revoke appointments to governments or public offices and to commissions and boards after careful consultation or advice has been given in accordance with the relevant sections of the Constitution. However where it does not apply the Governor General is authorized to act in his or her own deliberate judgment as stated under the following provisions of the Constitution. Composition of Senate, inability of a Senator to perform functions, Electoral Commission, Public Service Board of Appeal, appointments to the commissions and boards are made on the recommendation of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. So we say that the work or the job of the Governor General is a full time one. The Governor General also acts on the advice of the Services Commission when making appointments to public offices and also when removing or exercising disciplinary control of a person's holding or acting in any such office. As far as the promoting of foreign relations, the Governor General represents Saint Lucia to the rest of the world such as the receiving of foreign ambassadors when they present letters of presence, high commissioners and heads of regional and international organizations when they make courtesy calls upon the appointment to office, entertaining visiting heads of state or royalty and when the Governor General makes state visits overseas to other countries in support of Saint Lucia's diplomatic, economic and cultural relation. So what about promoting social and cultural identity? Yes the Governor General does have a role in that area and provides a leadership in those aspects of social, cultural, intellectual and economic life of the country which fall within the remit of the Office of the Governor General and these include providing a focus for national identity and unity and pride by attendance at events of national significance such as National Day and Independence, the activities and on remembrance the Amir of Sin past the Governor General making their presence known at celebrations such as these. The Governor General also recognizes success as achievements and excellence through the investiture ceremony held by the state for the order of Saint Lucia and the sovereign's newly and mostly honors award ceremonies held by the educational and private sector and private sector. So opposite here now we notice that the chamber is slowly the persons are walking in and we almost have a full house this morning persons who have come to witness this installation ceremony family and friends of the Governor General designate members of the diplomatic corps, members of the clergy, members of the upper and the lower house. We also have members of few members of the media and over to the house for a statement by the cabinet secretary and also we invite you at this time to ensure that your telephones your cell phones in the off or silent moon. Thank you. Just taking care of some housekeeping matters asking those present to ensure that their cell phones do not cause any disturbance during the ceremony and so persons are busy checking ensuring that their phones are on the silent. So as we were talking about before the duties of the Governor General the Governor General is also responsible for the swearing in of ceremonies. She presides over swearing he or she presides over swearing in ceremonies where the oaths of allegiance are to be taken and in the cases of the prime minister the justice of the peace cabinet ministers of government members of the integrity commission parliamentary secretaries members of the service commission magistrates and members of tribunal what have you. So there are just some of the host of duties performed by the Governor General of St. Lucia and we await the arrival of the prime minister who should be making his entry into the chamber anytime from now on the GIS of course is also is pleased to bring you live coverage of the ceremonies. Okay if we were to look at the gallery we could all we also see a few members of some of the a few members of the some of the departments of governments and on screen you would see senator Fortuna Bellrose and Honorable Herod Stunditlers we also have independent you also have a dependent senator we have Mr. Timothy Mangal right here and on screen you would see the infrastructure minister and minister MP for Casper is the North Miss Honorable Stevenson King the prime minister has just made his entry into the house which means that anytime from now we should see the official start of today's installation ceremony of the island's governor general designee Mr. Manuel Neville Snack. Well this time we turn you over to the main proceedings presided over by the cabinet secretary when members are standing signalling the entrance of the governor general designee who is now making his way up the stairs accompanied by the Ed DeCamp and police officer. Governor general designee Mr. Emmanuel Neville Snack please remain standing for the opening prayer that will be done by Archdeacon Christian Glasgow of the Anglican Church. Let us pray the name of God his father son and Holy Spirit Amen as we ask God's blessings upon these proceedings let us be reminded of his words unless the Lord builds the house deliver in vain who build righteousness exhorts a nation power belongs to the Lord give God thanks in all things Lord God we thank you for this day and thank you in a very special way that you can share in the transitional of a high office and doing so without ranker and violence as happens in many other places as we pray for this institution ceremony we ask a very special blessing upon your servant Emmanuel Neville no call to this high office we pray that you may grant to him your sinful gifts of the Holy Spirit especially that of wisdom discernment and fortitude that in the exercise of this office you may do so without fear or favor remembering always the dignity of this office this nation of stint Russia we give you thanks Lord for the Helen of the West we thank you for its beauty and now as you prepare to receive a new governor general we ask Lord for your people that you may be one under your leadership this works in Jesus name amen you may be seated the governor general designate mr. Emmanuel Neville snark will now take and subscribe to the oath of allegiance to be administered by her leadership honorable just justice Louis Esther Glenn man justice of appeal Neville snark you swear that I will faithfully bear true allegiance to the majesty to the wisdom of the second affairs and successes according to law so have you gone man you know now you swear that I will serve the majesty in the list of the second affairs and successes according to law the office of government ladies and gentlemen so Emmanuel Neville snark governor general of St. Lucia got the general solution sir man Emmanuel Neville snack and lady Julia snack justice of the appeal court her leadership the honorable Louise Esther lemon president of the Senate mr. Andy Daniel speaker of the house the honorable Leon Theodore John former governor general dame pull that Louisa spouse of the deceased former prime minister lady Janice Compton members of Parliament members of the diplomatic corps members of the judiciary representatives of the solution Christian Council recipients of the solution cross members of the public service members of the discipline forces representatives of the private sector agencies invited guests ladies and gentlemen and not police members of the media the government and the people of St. Lucia are pleased to welcome his Excellency sir Neville snack as governor general of St. Lucia so Neville is our island's six governor general and a fitting choice for the esteemed position serving as the representative of Her Majesty the Queen sir Neville you've joined a high caliber of solutions who have served in the position of governor general permit me to recognize in the Parliament chamber today the former governor general dame Paulette Louisa dame Paulette will always be an icon and an inspiration to our country we thank you dame pull it for your dedicated years of distinguished service to St. Lucia you have consistently led the celebration of our two noble laureates Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walker and been devoted to the preservation of our Creole culture you will forever be honored by the solution and your dedication is an example for all of us dame pull it we thank you every governor general of St. Lucia has created his or her own legacy and I am certain Sir Neville will undoubtedly do the same so Neville snack has six has sixty years of experience as a public servant beginning in 1958 he was general secretary of the Civil Service Association so Neville also served as mayor of the city of Cassarys a director of the solution electricity services manager of radio solution general secretary of the solution Labor Party secretary of the supervisory committee of the civil service credit union from its inception leader of the opposition chairman of the public accounts committee minister for foreign affairs and president of the Senate he has 40 years as a politician and is hardly a secret that he was famously associated at least with at least three parties that we know which I might add is hardly unique in St. Lucia as it turns out it's also on record in handset his selfless reasons for changing his allegiance right after the 1987 general elections it took much courage and love of country to do what he did in the circumstances and Sir John Compton was quick to acknowledge this Sir John himself had found good reason in his time to move from one political organization to another that he felt was better pleased to deliver the aspirations of the people the easy road has never been has never attracted Sir Neville throughout his life he's never lacked the courage when necessary to assume against the raging tide always he has been followed always he has followed his heart it is clear Sir Neville was never cut out to be ordinary Sir Neville has always written articles extensively and continuously about the constitutional matters of our country it is due to his years of experience and his intimate knowledge of the history of this country that Sir Neville is best place to help our government especially at a time of rebuilding a new signature and through his guidance I hope to avoid many pitfalls his time as foreign minister from 1987 to 1992 will serve him well in his duties of supporting Sir Lucia's diplomatic relations by receiving foreign ambassadors and international and regional dignitaries it is because of his family his lovely wife Lady Julia and the raising of five exemplary citizens three of whom serve in the legal fraternity that he also recognizes the need for discipline which I may add you a soft touch apart from the constitutional duty his duties on the sovereign's behalf our governor general is called on to recognize and award the excellence of our people we also see the governor general is a figure that promotes pride in our country and the celebration of our national identity is most significant that Sir Neville takes on this role St Lucia is in a year shy of her 40th birthday so Neville knows this country's journey and our government is also confident that Sir Neville is aware that this is a defining moment for all of us a time when we must admit that we have the experiences of the past to guide our future decisions and all of us young and old are integral to the process of building this great country over the next four years we will be implementing the people's mandate a mandate which includes building confidence in our country our economy and giving the people of this country not only hope but tangible change and opportunities for growth no matter where they come from Sir Neville we are honored to have you with us on this journey and once again we welcome you and your lovely wife and wish you a successful term in office justice of appeal court of appeal court a leadership the honorable ways ester Lenin prime minister minister for the finance economic growth job creation external affairs and the public service honorable Allen micro chassis president of the senate honorable and the Daniel speak of the house on the Leon field or John former government general dame kalyuka perlet maize espouse of the deceased former prime minister lady Janice Compton members of parliament members of the diplomatic corps members of the judiciary ladies and gentlemen family members fellow solutions my people do you say because you don't make false say the plural felt to cook god knows that i only force myself to be virtuous for his sake since brevity is regarded as a soul of wit you will be very happy to know that the prone to long middleness for the sake of the soul of wit i have on this special occasion allowed myself to be seduced by brevity this was not to tire you and you'd enjoy the balance of the day permit me however to first apologize for disappointing those who based on the mean circulating had rather hoped i would make my parents in the broad brim pink thank you honorable prime minister and honorable ministers for the trust we posed in me to be the governor general of our simplisher that lady with a mystic smile but simplisher is not just smiles warmth wonder and friendliness smiles from the glistening sunlit waters that surrounds warmth generated by the health giving self-springs wonder inspired by the divinity in the majestic pitons shaped by an immortal and a friendliness that is ubiquitous and unique for when given an opportunity to show her nobleness nobleness and love this pearl in the Caribbean perhaps vultures eldorado has never been found wanting leaving always according to her soon after her king ria savagely vented her full roth on domica st lucas maternal concerns were promptly summoned that sense of urgency in coming to aid magnify the soul it was adorable palpable and delicious and for a long time will linger onto my own planet those unable however to make even the humblest contribution shake only with those who could for st lucas has always been just one big kind heart no matter what our problems for all those reasons which inspire awe and wonder i think st lucas still an unpacked treasure can become the Gibraltar of the Gulf of Mexico as it was once thought if the dreams brought to our doorsteps do not just lie there and die during my inauguration as president of the senate in 1993 i gave this assurance the senate which some me still recall i am not less the present of the opposition for being appointed by the government this was meant to show that there was a certain sacrosanctity inherent in certain offices that demanded unwavering impartiality that same sentiment i repeat here today and say i am not less the governor general of the opposition for being appointed by the government for a governor general is a symbol of unity to bind us together as one this for me is the stamp and hallmark of our true parliamented mocks and i pray that the almighty god sells subsisting god with a nightless awe with knowledge of rights for st lucas never needed us she needs us now each one doing his or her duty just with malice towards none and charity for all in a society where everyone is as important and i mean every word when i joined the political fray in 1969 in my first political speech on the market steps i made this declaration of conscience in accordance with the highest roman principles there is one law for all the law of justice the good of the people is a supreme law bonus properly supreme alex and urged that to be a politician you must first have a sympathy for human beings and a passion those words were crowned by saint paul's exhortation to the effusions let no speech proceed from your mouth but whatever is good for supplying what suits the current necessity that it may give grace to the heirs to this day they remain firmly rooted in my memory culled out of the mold that shaped my character what i was in the beginning still i am and will forever be i mean every word since my entry into politics in 1969 i have virtually seen heaven and earth pass away before my eyes yet wilted not filled and braced with experience gained it is possible to cease and lose your fortune in a grain of sand and guard against dark clouds and pitfalls most importantly we are forever to be in mind that where power is given by the people for the benefit and happiness of the nation there must be the strength to exercise it and stubbornness when necessary however that strength is always to be exercised with a soft touch and a sure hand a most salutary principle enunciated by one of the finest politicians of the united states of america had like students that soft touch and sure hand that soft touch and i say finally i see my primary office to be in the return of peace to saint lucia if poverty is to be deracinated and eliminated and prosperity i should everyone must be his brother's keeper only so could there be a return of that sweet gentle peace we once knew and enjoy those inclusions to deliver one word more i am bound to thank my shy and self-effacing wife janitor for all she's done for our children and for my family friends and me why linked arm in arm with me in the political arena for some 45 years very tabloom i say this is the distil essential i salute you janitor my girl my friend esteem ladies and gentlemen i'm compelled by the circumstances of an inadvertent omission on my part in the order to now present to the governor general the royal commission of his appointment at this time we will have the musical pollute we stand for prayer the final benediction by the reverend sef ampedu of the methodist church you are the alpha and the omega the beginning and the end of everything we want to thank you god that by your grace your messes we come to a successful end of this ceremony give you all the fans and praise pray o god invoke your blessings upon your servant immanuel never snack we ask for wisdom we ask for your power your strength that lord he will be able to discharge his duty according to your will now the lord bless you and keep you the lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you the lord lift up his light of countenance upon you and give you his perfect peace the name of god the father son and holy spirit amen remain standing for the national answer remain standing to allow for the governor general his excellency the neville immanuel snag governor general of st lusia to exit the chamber the island's new governor general his excellency is a never snack in his riveting inaugural address the governor general expressed gratitude to the prime minister for allowing him to serve in the highest office of the land his excellency showed that his service is to both the government and the opposition and that he will sit with that there is unity in the land he reminisced on his early entry into politics that was 1969 which he recounted that he's seen both good and a challenge in moments one of his primary goals has said is to return peace and prosperity to st lusia in welcoming the new governor general prime minister honorable allen chastney went on to detail some of the achievements of his excellency and also wished him well in his new office as the island's governor general the prime minister also took time to express gratitude to the former governor general dame pellet louisie stating that she will forever remain an icon on the loken landscape well that has been our live coverage of the installation ceremony for the island's new governor general his excellency so never snack who was accompanied by his wife julie lady snack and three of the five children susette sardia and serri hoja that takes us to the end of today's ceremony i was your host julie de peter and on behalf of the production team at the national television network thank you for viewing the broadcast