Cricket, Cash and Country

By Professor Sir Hilary Beckles

Reasoning and writing as a West Indian academic I believe to my brittle bones that the crisis of West Indies cricket performance is first and foremost a crisis of political governance and intellectual disenchantment. It takes the obvious form of player-employer conflict, and is expressed in public acrimony about the role and legitimacy of the WICB. Political leaders have rightly been called to participate behind closed doors, and some have commented assertively on the team selection process. However, wearing the hat with which I write, I am not satisfied that we have cooked the cookie.

I believe the smoke generated by the heat has clouded our vision. I believe the steam has blurred our focus and serves as a diversion from the real issue; the crisis of political governance in the West Indies. Meanwhile, the West Indies team, like the boy on the burning deck, continues to falter, its best efforts notwithstanding. ‘Blame the Board’ has become the rallying call, championed by the man roaming the street. The women running the State have called for an investigation into what seems like black masculinity gone wild. We have all been driven into a Caribbean cul-de-sac – all of us! We have made a monumental mess of our reality; a disturbing diffusion of West Indian intellect and energy is daily wasted.

What is the disturbing reality that resides at the core? It is this. The West Indies is the only nation in Test Cricket that currently finds itself unable to place its best team on the field of play. The nation is under-presented. The young and the bright within our sight are not yet the best, and the team on the field is short on depth of experience. There is no doubt, say all the experts at the Oval over the weekend, that our defeat was the result of this circumstance. Indeed, I agreed, that the opportunity to defeat India at home and abroad on recent tours was due precisely to this cause. Mighty Australia, I also agreed, would crumble on this tour were we to field our best team.

Here is the problem. West Indians are the only test cricketers in the world who are able to successfully reject their national duty in preference for a bigger personal purse. An Australian official informed me that no Australian player if called to the Test team could refuse national representation and survive with respect in the nation. The Prime Minister, the media, the private sector, and civic society would find the choice unacceptable; they would describe it a rejection of citizenship; an abandonment of the nation. The same political circumstance no doubt applies to England, S. Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Such a player would be divested of house and happiness in India; and maybe a great deal more.
Why the West Indian player? The principle political feature of West Indian society at this time is best described in terms of citizens refusing to accept the right of the State to enforce public discipline in order to safeguard the nationalist agenda. ‘Citizen versus country’ is now the primary conflict; ‘self versus society’ is the form this conflict takes. West Indian political leaders and academics should understand and be galvanised by the significance of this for the role of national representation in the ongoing project of nation-building.

Why are we divided? The public, in large part, believes that cricketers should have the right to choose, and to make additional money whenever, and wherever cricket is played. Some political leaders have said that the player should not be criticised for putting the nation on the back burner. Not many academics have voiced concern that the rejection of the constitutional expectation by cricketers, as citizens, to represent the nation as a primary social goal, has become a course of action that unites players and publics. The academic community is divided and tilts in support of player liberty at the expense of team victory. The intellectual discourse that surrounds challenges in the regional integration movement, and the diminished appeal of West Indian nationalism as a public good, has not taken the cricket crisis on board. Yet, it is plain to see that in the cricket arena these governance issues are most clearly expressed.

Through the gaze of the cricket craze we can see that West Indian nationhood is in deep trouble. Cricketers are the frontline crusaders of a revived carnivalisation of the West Indian mind that produces the “we like it so mentality’ which our greatest calypsonian philosophers have urged us to avoid. The rampant market supremacy sensibility that says we must give way to unrestricted individualism lies at the heart of cricketers’ choices. Unfortunately for the cricket fraternity, and the rest of us, the world we seek to conquer on the field of play are entertained by our public governance gone mad. Gayle gone, Narine not there, Samuels slip away, and Bravo is a businessman, say the Aussies with glee. They all pray that the recent political intervention will not bring home the bacon, leaving egg on our faces.

What is our fear? We fear that the West Indies will not rise from its lowly status as long as this political reality remains the norm. So long as citizens are empowered to reject the nation in preference to marginal materialism, and be upheld in some quarters as heroes, the West Indies cricket team will remain in the basement of the pyramid where our legends (the Headley - Constantine foundation, to the 3Ws and Sobers eruption, the Lloyd-Richard galactic journey, on to the Lara-Walsh-Ambrose savors) are mummified.

The Test Team is missing six vital stars, who, were they available consistently this past year could have lifted the team to the top tier of the troubled tree. Each one has expressed a love for team and country, but none is willing to sacrifice for the team and country he loves. Instead, the crisis of representation is cleverly manipulated to achieve some individualistic ends. The WICB that has made many historical errors, despite its best and noble efforts of late, is crucified on an old wooden cross on account of a view which says “once guilty, always guilty”. The WICB is now a low hanging fruit, easily picked by every passing pundit not willing to think beyond the drab press it receives even when fault lies elsewhere.

We love cricket and cricketers, and wish the West Indian legacy of excellence restored and respected. In 1995 the intellectually brilliant Michael Manley, then too ill to write another classic work, summoned me to Jamaica to discuss the future of West Indies cricket. He saw the tsunami coming! He insisted that I write about the trends discussed. I had no choice. He was insistent. And I did. Out came a book in 1998: “The Development of West Indies Cricket: The Age of Globalisation”. At the time there was no 20-20; no IPL; no Big Bash; no rejection of country for cash! But we saw it coming! We ran with words into the street to warn the nation. No one listened! It was a classic Noah moment. Then the rain came.

The thesis was bold. The global commercialisation of cricket will only subvert and destroy the West Indian team because only in the West Indies is our national resolve so weak and fragmented that it will not withstand the power of the cricket carnival. This, Michael Manley insisted, was the failure of political parties to celebrate and consolidate cricketers’ consciousness in the aftermath of the Viv Richards - Michael Holding revolutionary stance against apartheid, a leadership moment that saved our collective dignity as West Indians.

The WICB, I perceived, would pay the price for what is really a political crisis that rests within the cradle of Caricom. I happily joined the WICB in order to help with the crafting of an education response as a countering force. We now have the HPC and we have eyes set upon a brighter day.

But these are the words I wrote in 1998, long before the storm blew in upon our home.

“Cricket heroes will …not wish to carry the burden of responsibility for nationalist pride, regional integration, and the viability of the nation state. They see themselves as apolitical, transnational, global professionals, who desire to maximise financial earnings within attractive markets, and are motivated and guided by no other consideration … They consider the nation state as an oppressive rather than a liberating force towards which they feel suspicion rather than sentiment… The post–Richards generation, then, … represents an unfettered economic individualism within cricket, a mentality that is consistent with the general policy and practice of the post-IMF supported nation states”.

So here we are, seeking to nurture the young and to rebuild the house. To this end captain Sammy has a mandate; to revitalise the heart, soul, and mind of the cricket enterprise. He is a mighty warrior confronting global force with his team of little heroes. He is a leader charged with saying what each West Indian leader should say to cricketers: put your country first; play for your nation; you are given a competitive salary; the pursuit of more is too costly to the community. Sammy is the Worrell-like figure, leading a youthful West Indies team through the political debris that blinds us all. Worrell was called to lead during and after the crisis we call the federation fiasco. He picked up the pieces and restored West Indian order at the centre of the calamity. Sammy is a powerful mind; a gladiator in the arena, staring down the lions with dignity in the face of death.

Can we imagine our world after Sammy? After Sammy, then what? Then who? The desert closes in upon the dream that was once West Indian pride. The young ones – Bravo junior, Baugh, Edwards, Bonner, and many others, all have our future dignity in their hands. But while our city burns we dance to a tune played upon a fiddle rather than the steel pan and drum. Will we rise from the ashes? Not within this political environment. Until such time as our cricketers are told firmly by political leaders and pundits that the ruling West Indian philosophy is “country before cash” and “WI before IPL”, we shall dream of a time not in the future but distant past.

The truth about Sammy

By Garth Wattley

Being the West Indies captain is like being the holder of high political office.
You have a constituency to answer to, their expectations are very high and some will be detractors no matter how much good you do. You will also be judged on performance.
Since taking over one of the highest profile jobs in Caribbean society from Chris Gayle in late 2010, Darren Julius Garvey Sammy has experienced first-hand the effects of all the above. Especially the judgement on performance part.

Strictly on bald figures, a record of two wins and six losses in 16 Test matches and 13 wins, 19 losses, a tie and a no-result in 34 One-day Internationals does not present a case for an extended stay in office.
But with good reason, the expression "damned lies" often is mentioned in the same breath with statistics.
For the past week, I have been thinking about Sammy and his record and his critics.
He was not obligated to take the job when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) offered it to him, and no one can say that he campaigned to be captain. But at the same time, it is hard to imagine that any past WI skipper has come to the job with a greater degree of scepticism hanging over him.
In so insular a place as this, the fact that he is a St Lucian under a board with a St Lucian president and CEO has not helped him ease into the job. His modest record with bat and ball made an even stronger case for the opposition. By popular consensus it seemed, Sammy was a man not worth his place in the team and should never have been captain. As he gets ready for what will surely be another difficult experience in England this week, he still cannot shake the "loser" tag.
I wonder however if he is not a victim of a thing being repeated often enough until it is accepted as fact. It does not seem to matter what the evidence may show in the case of Sammy. But consider a few things, please.
When it comes to having a losing record as West Indies captain, Sammy has plenty of company. Since Richie Richardson gave up the job after the 1996 World Cup, no West Indian captain has won more than he has lost. Excluding Ridley Jacobs, Dwayne Bravo and Floyd Reifer who were stop-gaps, we are talking about eight men.
Sammy's record is comparable and in some cases better than his predecessors. Shivnarine Chanderpaul for instance won one, lost 10 and drew three in his tortuous 14 Test matches in charge. In 15 games, Jimmy Adams won four and lost eight, Carl Hooper won four and lost 11 in 22, while Gayle's 20 Tests at the helm brought three wins but also nine losses. Already however, Sammy's teams have drawn as many matches in 16--eight--as Gayle managed in his 20. And it is unlikely that Sammy will be allowed to stay in charge for 47 matches like Brian Lara did in three spells and lose 26 games while winning just 11.
Of course, there are many variables, like strength of the teams and the quality of the opponents against whom wins were achieved. The point is though, that Sammy's team--a currently very green side--is doing no worse than the ones that have gone before.
And what about the captain's own cricket?
Ad nauseam, it has been said by experts and John Public alike that Sammy as all-rounder (a very loose description) is not worth his place in the side, that he unbalances it, that he is keeping a more deserving player out. Who exactly, on current form is that more deserving player?
Since they both fill the same role, let us use Dwayne Bravo as a comparison. There can be no question about Bravo's ability and overall value to the teams he plays for. But in his last five Tests (2010) he averaged 19.10. In Sammy's last five he averages 24.44 which is higher than his overall 19.09. With the ball, Bravo got five wickets in his last five games, Sammy took nine in his last five.
If the time gap makes you suspicious, then check what happened in the last ODI series against Australia. Sammy averaged 53.33 with the bat in those five games and took four wickets (36.75) and Bravo 18.80 with the bat and six wickets (34.16) with the ball. Just by extension, Andre Russell averaged 28.25 with the bat and took six wickets (26.33).
Numbers sometimes are useful. In this case, they show the captain is contributing more runs to the team now, in both forms of the game. In the just concluded Test rubber against Australia, a difficult series for batsmen on both sides, Sammy averaged over 31 and was third behind Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo only among West Indians. And while his bowling has not been as penetrative as he no doubt would like so far this year, last season he contributed 30 wickets in Tests while Devendra Bishoo got 39, Fidel Edwards 32 and Ravi Rampaul 31. Sammy also had the satisfaction of actually winning a match for his team--the first Test against Pakistan in Guyana--with his seam bowling.
This season, Sammy's runs surely played a part in West Indies' sharing the ODI and Twenty20 series with Australia, the No.1 ranked ODI side. Those results were unexpected and represented an improvement on results in the corresponding ODI series last season when WI lost to both Pakistan and India.
Even in losing 2-0 to the Aussies in the Tests, the Windies so far in 2012 have mirrored the spirit of their skipper who never stops trying. Sammy is a man who recognises his limitations and plays within them. He keeps working for improvement and this year, has been reaping some reward. So have the Windies.
In separate interviews in Dominica, both Australian captain Michael Clarke and coach Mickey Arthur were moved to speak of the improvement they saw in the Windies as a team.
To stay in the job, Sammy will have to keep getting good results against the better teams, especially in Test cricket. But it would be disingenuous of the naysayers to downplay the improved results this year, even if they are limited, or to brush aside his own contributions to the side.
And at a time when it is the norm to question the commitment of players to West Indies cricket, is it not a bonus to have a leader of Sammy's disposition?
Watching him handle the media in this recent series, I noted the greater poise he seems to have, the bits of humour he allowed himself. He was a credit to the office, a man handling a very difficult job with all the grace he could muster.
Eventually, this West Indies team will outgrow Sammy. But that time has not come yet.
So in the meantime, as the song says, keep doing what you're doing Sammy

Choiseul Jazz - Still a Dream

       St. Lucians this year are celebrating twenty-one years of Jazz on this island. Though the genre of music changes continuously every year, Lucians both here and abroad as well as thousands of visitors to the island still flock the various venues where the event is staged.
This week persons in the south were graced with Jazz in Laborie, Jazz at the Vieux Fort Square and today it will be Jazz at Coconut Bay. Reports suggest that the events were well attended inspite of the inclement weather during Laborie's event.
Then there was jazz in Soufriere yesterday and Canaries to have theirs soon. Yes Canaries Jazz! Stretch your imagination a bit and take this trip with me. Vieux Fort has a outdated fenced area called a square - jazz, Laborie has Rudy John Park - jazz, Choiseul has the renouned Sab Wisha Park and Reunion Park - no jazz, Soufriere has The Waterfront - jazz, Canaries has ? - jazz. Canaries got their request because Pep made a case for his people. (Couldn't Lorne do the same?)
Throughout these twenty-one years Choiseul has never been blessed to host a Jazz event save two sessions at Balembouche which historically is in the Laborie district.
What is wrong with our so called elite thinkers/organisors in our constituency? Where is the Carnival committee as well as the Community Development Officer? Where's corporate Choiseul? Where is the Rep? Where is the Village Council? Where is the political Choiseul Development Foundation?( Apparently the members seem to have vapourised,now that Rufus is no more) Something seems to be hindering interested persons to come forward and bring jazz to Choiseul.
One would have expected that our Rep who is very much involved in jazz as the Minister of Tourism to have taken a stand like Pep did to grace his constituents with a taste of Jazz which he makes so much of a fuss over in the media.
While we all speculate about when will we or our children be offered the opporutnity to witness a live jazz band at Sab Wisha or even at Reunion, we will just have to continue to dream while our Rep doesn't care a damn.
Choiseul needs leadership and that's why the constituents voted for Lorne. He as Tourism Minister, responsible for Jazz should have seen it fit to rally his crew down here to look into the possibilty of bringing Jazz to Choiseul. Of course he would push it. Disappointment number 1.
Trust me, there will be many more for the Choiseul people.

Labour Code - Enactment by August 1, 2012?

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   With the implementation of VAT by September 1, 2012,  Kenny's administration has seen wisdom in enacting the Labour Code one month before VAT starts taking its bite. Many persons are not aware that the Labour code has been passed in the House since last yearto be exact. 

   The labour and industrial climate here in Saint Lucia is expected to improve significantly now that the much awaited Labour Code has been passed by the nation's lawmakers.

   In presenting the Labour Code Amendment Bill in Parliament on Tuesday February 15 2011, Saint Lucia`s Labour Minister Honourable Edmund Estaphane says the amended Labour Code is designed to facilitate a level playing field between employees and employers.

   “The purpose of the Labour Code is to bring about the necessary legislation relating to labour and industrial relations in Saint Lucia in a consolidated way that is sensitive to existing local practices, without compromising existing International Labour Standards.”

   The minister says the amended Labour Code stipulates workers' rights and responsibilities and that of their employers.

   

   “We are a responsible government, we promised the people of Saint Lucia that we would revisit the Labour Code and we have done just that.

   “We chose to review the code not because it was convenient and easy but because it was the responsible thing to do. By doing so this government listened to the voices of the people and provided the opportunity for trade unions, employers and the general public to further examine those contentious provisions of the Labour Code so that issues could have been settled amicably.”

   Now that the Parliament has approved the amendments to the Labor Code the document will be forwarded to the Upper Chamber of the House of Assembly for debate and discussion by Senators.

   Once the Senate has ratified the amendments the Labour Code, it will be presented to the island`s Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, to affix her signature to make the code law.

   The Labour Code was initiated in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation, (ILO).

   
   

   
   

   The complete document can be perused at www.csastlucia.org/docs/.../labourcode2006%20parliamentrydraft.pd...

2ND SESSION OF 10TH PARLIAMENT OPENS WITH TRADITIONAL THRONE SPEECH

On Tuesday April 24th The Governor General Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy delivered the Throne speech marking the official commencement of the annual National Budget Presentation and debate. The Saint Lucian public have eagerly awaited the presentation debate as it provides insight into Government’s plans for year and the state of the country’s economy and finances. In her speech the Governor General noted, that the economic challenges faced by our country is not unique to Saint Lucia or the region. The Governor General said “With the Eurozone expected to enter into mild recession, returning only to modest growth in the second half of 2012, and even this tentative outlook is clouded by ongoing uncertainty, concerns of high sovereign debt and depressed demand. This outlook will continue for as long as the sluggish global weakens demand for European exports keeping business and consumer confidence at low levels despite some stabilisation observed in the financial sector”, The Governor General cited the example of the collapse of the Greek economy as a predicament of the world’s finances. Despite the financial realities noted in her speech Her Excellency offered hope to her audience. She said, “though we may not have the vastness of financial wealth that others possess, we have and can champion within ourselves a uniqueness, a genius, a pride that far overshadows our currently humble means. Let our history be written by none other than ourselves, Saint Lucians”. The speech which was broadcast live on NTN on the 24th of April 2012 precedes the live broadcast of the presentation of the 2012/2013 estimates of revenue and expenditure, scheduled for April 26 and 27.

Click http://stlucia.gov.lc/addresses_and_speeches/governor_general/throne_speeches/throne_speech_april_24,_2012.htm  to view complete speech.

Labour Cuts Livelihood of Gros Piton Tours Workers

I have always had a problem with the Modus Operandi of some SLP top officials whenever they get into power. Whereas they cried while in opposition about VICTIMISATION, they continue in the same vein which they accused the previous administration of.  It seems to be cancerous within them. In spite of other accusations against Rufus no one in the constituency can dare point a finger at him for victimisation. This was literally non-existent in Choiseul/Saltibus.

I recall clearly how some UWP supporters in the constituency approached Rufus after his victory in 2006 with a list of certain government workers in the constituency whom they think should be replaced. It had to do mainly with Post office and library workers as well as security guards. Your humble servant, carrying a little weight at that time vehemently opposed those self-serving hacks. I maintained that no one is to be touched, and furthermore that these persons whom they want to send home have  a family and mouths to feed. (Probably that’s why they wanted me out of the office) I am a defender of justice and that why I will continue to write about ills which harm persons, especially in this constituency.

Now, back to victimisation. One would be very familiar with the “Piton Trail” management team who conducts the operation whereby one can access the Gros Piton – affectionately coined Gro Piton Tour. (A sign board can be viewed opposite the Police station). The group of workers are managed by Jimmy Haynes – 26 tour guides, 2 office administrators, 2 janitors, and 4 trail maintenance workers. Last weekend Haynes got a letter from the Commissioner of Crown Lands asking him to cease all operations pertaining to the Gros Piton Tours. This operation has been running for eight (8)years now and residents in the area who are employed are earning a living.  Prior to Jimmy’s operation of the “Trail”  it was managed  by  some “Tour Guide Association “ which fell apart between about 2003 and 2004 or there about.

There are questions which need to be answered. Who directed the Commissioner to send this letter to Jimmy Haynes? Is Jimmy Haynes the target because of his political affiliation? Did the Rep for Soufriere have a hand in all this? During the debate on the Estimates of Expenditure, one would recall Dalson taking a swipe at an individual he claims runs the Piton Trail. Though not calling the person by name, it was crystal clear whom he was attacking. Hiding behind the immunity of the House he made numerous allegations about that person.

Dalson’s relationship with Haynes has not been the best especially during the tenure of the UWP Government and of course Haynes’ involvement at the Soufriere Foundation. It had been rumoured that Dalson had vowed to come after Jimmy once SLP won the elections.  This is cheap political revenge at the expense of thirty-four workers who have a family to take care of.

Presently the workers have taken a stand to bar anyone from accessing the Piton Trail. Haynes is due to meet with the relevant authorities later today, while the workers of the Gros Piton Tours hold steadfast to their position. Jimmy Haynes has promised to give this blog an update soon.

Remember its “FOND JENS LIBRE”.  (The Valley of Free People).  

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LORNE DELIVERS A QUICKY IN THE HOUSE

We all are aware the 2^nd Session of the Tenth Parliament was opened on Monday past, where the Governor General delivered the Throne Speech. Her speech was more or less one where she asked St. Lucians to do some serious belt tightening and she also spelt out a litany of legislation which her government is expected to pass during their term.

Yesterday the debate on the estimates of expenditure as put forward by the Standing Finance Committee was begun. The Prime Minister presented the budget for this fiscal year 2012 – 2013 as $1,437,851,100.00.  Recurrent revenue totalled at approximately $922m while recurrent expenditure averaged about $962m, a deficit of about $40M.  The PM went on to give a breakdown for the various Ministries with percentage increases/decreases over last year’s estimates.

This post is more or less concerned with our District Rep’s contribution to the debate. Being his maiden speech, one would have thought that there would be some signs of nervousness and stalling. No way! He was smooth, composed and with a little sarcasm creeping here and there.

Lorne started his contribution by thanking all his constituents for their support and patience. He wnt on to say that his Ministry has been taking most of his time, hence the reason for him not being too visible over the past five months. This he assured will be remedied. He also reiterated that the trust and confidence placed in him and the Labour Party is well placed.

 He went on to speak about the allocations for his Ministry.  He continued by echoing the sentiments of a colleague of his about the deficit in the estimates of Expenditure. This he said is nothing new. The members opposite he said are like a “united choir of tailors’  who ar crying and asking that you cut your cloth according to your suit.

The former Minister was heavily criticized for spending lavishly on trips ( one such trip he said  was one to Dubai for $45,000.0) and exorbitant cell phone bills. This Lorne promised will not happen under his watch. He informed the House of a website to come on stream very soon to help with the esae of doing business in the country.

Lorne’s contribution was uniquely different from  that of the other members of the House. The format which the District Rep used must have been carefully thought out. Whereas all the members took the latter part of their contribution to speak to their constituency, Lorne spoke to both his allocations for his Ministry and his constituency in a cohesive manner. Well formatted  delivery,bro!

In speaking to his constituency he made special mention to the communities of Daban, Piaye and Saltibus to get assistance from the Distress fund which quoted  is in the vicinity of about $40,000.00. (Su Boy, a father who lost his family in the Morne Sion Disaster last year was specially mention as such a person who will benefit from the fund)

An ambulance station will be set up and an ambulance purchased since in the estimates there is $700,000.00 allocated for this.

The police station he mentioned needs a facelift. The youth of the constituency he says must take full advantage of the Agriculture Youth  Enterprise to which $1m is allocated in the budget. He made special mention to the youth of Delcer, La Maze, Derriere Morne, Morne sion and Morne Jacques to  get involved in this program.

The misery of the fishermen when it comes to the fish pond was mentioned. The rep thanked the Ministry of agriculture and Infrastructure for the assistance given to dredging the pond. He welcomed the allocation in the budget for the placement of more FADS. A permanent solution for the perennial problem of the pond he hope will be found soon.

$200,000.00 he pronounced has been allocated for the creative industries and the communities of Caffierre, Mongouge and Industry he hopes will take advantage of this.

An allocation of $8m has been approved to the Ministry Of Infrastructure and the Rep  is looking forward for the rehabilitation of the Daban, Fiette, and Balca roads. Under the Slopes stabilisation program the Rep will give due attention to Daban and Saltibus while the bridges in Jetrine and Sab Wisha he lamented have outlived their time and wants attention to be given to then. $13m have been allocated in the budget for bridges he said.

Lorne went on to beat his chest saying, “Even a blind man can see jobs, jobs, jobs, in this budget.” He maid mention to the consolidated funds where he mentions that $12m has been allocated for the “Constituency Development.” “STEP is in full force. PROUD is in full force.” He continued. The“Koudment St Lucie” he says must be brought back to aid the elderly and neediest.

Again Daban was mentioned. This time the Rep sent out special thanks to the residents and promised them that their community centre will be rehabilitated and equipped. The Mongouge multi-purpose centre he says will be made into a full-fledged centre.

On education and sports he informed the House, his listeners and viewers that the Choiseul Secondary, Dugard Primary Piaye School (not sure which school) and the Mongouge Primary will undergo repairs. The Delcer, Piaye and Saltibus playing fields will be upgraded. Earlier in his contribution the Minister of Youth and sports made mention of the lighting for the La Fargue field.

The Tete Morne Women Cricketers the rep says need a playing area to practice their cricket. $2M he says has been allocated   in the budget for playing fields.

In closing he said, “Bitter days were there before, but now it’s better days.” Wow!