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Wrensford Responds To ‘No Damage’ From Contractor

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Wrensford Responds To ‘No Damage’ From Contractor

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 27th September 2019) – Claims by the Chief Executive Officer of Rock & Dirt Limited, Alexes Hazel (local contractor), that there has been “zero damage” to the Old Road Bay Rehabilitation Project following the recent passing of Tropical Storm Karen has been labelled “not true” by the Opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party candidate for Constituency Four, Steve Wrensford.

He expressed such sentiments yesterday (Thursday) during an exclusive interview with the media house surrounding a press release issued that day from the Office of the Prime Minister refuting recent statements from an online article regarding an “opposition candidate” saying that “significant” damage was done.

 “Once you’re doing a project of this nature what you want to happen is that you want to get a test to get a better feel of how the design is going to react to what we are trying to accomplish here and the design held up perfectly. The reason why I am saying that is because with this rough water we had for two day I had absolutely zero damage,” remarked Hazel in the government’s press statement.
 
However, according to Wrensford: “The question is whether they had done an EIA[Environment Impact Assessment]. Had you done an EIA, you would have been able to design the project in a way that would mitigate against those flooding in the low lying areas along the coast line going towards the Sandy Point area  because that area is already under siege when it comes to the weather. Saying no damage was done is a statement that is not true. Some persons who passed would have seen that there has been damage, that there was damage. The area is not finished and once the water comes it will take away from the soil and it’s going to move from the rocks…”

He continued: “For me the larger question is whether the government intends to compensate persons when their houses are damaged or is the government going to relocate people from those areas so that they don’t be placed in increased danger based on the more serious hurricanes that are coming fast and furious nowadays.”

Hazel is also quoted for having commented on the purported threat to other coastal areas created by the revetment work on the Old Road Bay Road project in saying: “This is like a drop in the bucket. If you push back the Old Road Bay water about 30 feet out, you’re also cushioning the sea that comes to it and so you’re not really forcing the water around to Halfway Tree and others because we are not claiming back acres of land, you’re just doing some revetment work on the coastal area. So you’re really not putting any pressure back on Sandy Point and Halfway Tree as some people would think.”

Wrensford, during the interview, stated that he has a problem with the design and not the project itself.

“They had a chance to correct the design taking into consideration persons along the coastline. I have no problem with the project; I have a problem with the way it is designed and we don’t have any information about whether they’ll be any mitigation correction along the coastline so that those persons who live along the coastline-in Middle Island, Verchilds and Half Way Tree… Are we going to wait until a hurricane gets here and does damage along the coastline for us to take stock as to what mitigating remedies we can put in those areas? Because the water must find somewhere to go. The water is being pushed out so it has less space than it had before so it has to find some avenue in where it can relieve itself and always it’s going to be along the low lying areas of the coastline.”

The Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Four Lindsay Grant-in the government’s press release- commended Rock and Dirt Ltd. for the job they are doing.
 
“I’m happy that Rock and Dirt – they are the main contractors – could have come and explain exactly what had transpired and I think significant from what he said is the fact that what the rains and the winds and the gusts that we had recently from Tropical Storm Karen is really a test for this project. Obviously this is a major project. It’s $31 million dollars by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan); it’s the most significant capital investment in this constituency and so we need persons yes to be critical but critical with information,” he said.

Front Page Photo: Local contractor Chief Executive Officer of Rock & Dirt Limited Alexes Hazel (left) seen with the Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Four Lindsay Grant looking at a layout of the Old Road Bay Rehabilitation Project in this SKNIS snap. 

National Olympic Committee Praises the SKNFA’s Stewardship of Sport

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National Olympic Committee Praises the SKNFA’s Stewardship of Sport

St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) was highly praised for their progressive management of the sport, which has warranted the support of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Olympic Committee. General Secretary of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Glenville Jeffers on Saturday at a football press conference at Football House sang the praises of the SKNFA in the development of youth football in St. Kitts and Nevis. “The collaboration from the administrative perspective in terms of the FA Executive and the NOC Executive, has been quite good….if we don’t have that good collaboration, the financial assistance and the other things would not fall in line,” Jeffers said.

He noted that the SKNFA has been showing growth in the progress of their respective teams every year. “We have been working with them since the Under 17 team. I see players coming up through the development pipeline. We have seen the Under 20 (football team) in Tampa last year and we know we have a core team that can move forward through to the U-23 level,” he said. Mr. Jeffers pointed out that it is not an overnight success as it takes time to develop a team and get them to the point of Olympic qualification. “I have indicated to President (Anthony) Johnson many times, that this team is going to be your senior national team because of the development the FA has been putting from Grassroots (level) come right through…it takes times,” he said.

Mr. Jeffers’ praises come at on the heels of a good run by the St. Kitts and Nevis U-23 Men’s Football Team, which got beyond a tough group featuring Caribbean powerhouses Jamaica before facing the Dominican Republic last weekend.

Supporting Mr. Jeffers’ sentiments about the SKNFA was Mr. Lester Hanley, the Chef de Mission from the National Olympic Committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Team. “One of the things we are very concerned about at the NOC is…the administration of sports. We have seen in one or two of the national federations, where you have a structured administration, a structured team surrounding the federation. We have seen good things. And part of our strategic plan is to help all sports in St. Kitts to develop that foundation,” Hanley said. He praised the support staff of the SKNFA working with the U-23 players and the camaraderie and chemistry shown by the support team in the background. “The administrative support and the ancillary support that comes along with it are very important to get a team to this level,” Hanley said.

The NOC has given in excess of US$60,000 to assist the SKNFA in preparing the U-23 team and has pledged to continue to supporting all sporting federations on St. Kitts and Nevis that have shown a propensity in developing their sport. SKNFA President Anthony Johnson and Head Coach of the U-23 team both echoed their gratitude to the NOC for their support of the U-23 team as it attempted to qualify for the Olympics. Mr. Johnson noted: “The St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee contributed some $US50, 000 towards our preparation for the first stage of the competition, which we won in Jamaica. Just recently, we played a friendly game against Barbados, which we won 3-0, which the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee contributed significantly in the sum of US$10,000 toward that trip,” he further disclosed.

The NOC, the SKNFA President added, also covered the airline and hotel accommodation costs for overseas-based St. Kitts and Nevis U-23 players who returned to the country last weekend to compete in the match against the Dominican Republic. “The St. Kitts Nevis Olympic Committee is a true partner of the St. Kitts Nevis Football Association and I want to thank them again publicly for their assistance,” Johnson said.

Young Man Blamed For Trying To Kill Older Village Visitor

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Young Man Blamed For Trying To Kill Older Village Visitor

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 25th September 2019)-A young man in his 20s has been charged for trying to kill an older man who was in his community at the time.

Police have informed that on Monday 23rd September, 29-year-old Jason Henderson of Keys Village was charged for the attempted murder of Ivan Dunrod five days after a shooting incident took place in that village on the eve of Independence Day (18th September).

53-year-old Ivan Dunrod of West Bourne Ghaut in Basseterre was wounded.

Investigations so far have revealed that sometime after 5 PM on the day in question, Dunrod was by a shop in Keys Village when he was approached and shot by an assailant.

Reportedly, Dunrod ran from the scene and met a police officer who was in the area. The officer transported him to the JNF Hospital in the Police vehicle. He was treated for injuries to his arm and is listed as being in a stable condition.

Members from the Crime Scene Unit visited and processed the scene.

Teen Still On Run for 2017 Murder, Attempted Murder

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Teen Still On Run for 2017 Murder, Attempted Murder

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 25th September 2019)- Police have issued a second wanted poster for a 19-year-old male from St.Kitts who remains on the run concerning one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder  committed in June 2017.

 “T’quan Murray is still at large and wanted by the police…,” according to information shared today (Wednesday) by the police public relations department. A wanted bulletin was sent out last month (August).

 The local authorities say multiple warrants exist for the arrest of the Fig Tree resident for one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder committed on June 06, 2017 in St. Paul’s.

He is described to be light brown in complexion and having black hair and brown eyes. Additionally, he is said to be 5ft 10” in height with a slim built and 142 lbs.

Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact the violent crimes unit at 465-1887, the nearest police station or the crime hotline at 707.

It is unclear at this time what transpired leading to the young man’s whereabouts being unknown to police as it is understood that he was taken into police custody following the shooting incident.

One day after the shooting incident (7th June), a 17-year-old juvenile was reportedly taken into police custody for questioning and then two days after, police informed via a press release- dated Friday 9th June- that a suspect taken into custody on suspicion was arrested, formally charged and cautioned.

On the day in question, investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the shooting incident that was reported shortly after 12.00 PM that day in Rawlins Ground leaving three persons injured; one of whom was later pronounced dead at the Joseph N. France General Hospital.

Killed was 32-year-old Jahma Francis of Willet’s Project while left injured were an 18- year- old resident of Willet’s Project also and a 22- year- old resident of Willet’s Estate.

Police said the Juvenile who hailed “from the western area of St. Kitts” had also been charged with two (2) counts of attempted murder.

Mixed Views From Citizens, Residents and Tourists For Independence 36

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Mixed Views From Citizens, Residents and Tourists For Independence 36

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 25th September 2019)-On the occasion of the 36th Independence celebration for St.Kitts and Nevis, this media house-for yet another year- took to the streets during the annual parade (Thursday 19 September) to interact with citizens, residents and visitors to get their take on the annual celebration and the patriotic/festive feeling in general.

Here are the responses:

Roger

So we’re here from the United States. We’ve been here for (almost) a week and we heard that today is Independence Day and so we wanted to come see the parade and to celebrate it along with the local people and just see what the culture is like more on the Independence Day and it’s very impressive how patriotic everyone is; everyone seems to have the local shirts with the flag on the shirts and it just seems like a very nice day and everyone was very polite.

Roger

Vince

Today’s Independence Day parade was indeed a specular one. It was colourful, it was lively and the turnout was excellent both the persons who came to look at the parade and the persons who were actually on parade. I was especially amazed by the Explorer’s [Youth Club] and all their different colours. They marched well and it seems as if they had a good time. Independence 36 parade was truly indeed a remarkable experience.

Vince

Glenroy Bartley with his wife Joyce (from Jamaica and Guyana)

Independence in St.Kitts and Nevis means a lot to me as one of the smallest country in the world to celebrate Independence in such a big way. I like the colours and the fact that everybody is dressed up with the flag and get together and have fun; I really like it, and so I come out this morning to support Independence Day in a big way just as everybody.

The Bartleys

Jahmaiya Johnson

It’s good. I enjoyed the marching and so on. I always look forward to coming into town to watch the parade. I like the colours of our national flag; I like attractive colours that why I decided to show the colours using bows for Independence celebration.

Jahmaiya Johnson

Emelita Warner-Paul

I enjoyed the parade today as I have enjoyed it since I was a child so whether it was the Queen’s birthday or whatever, parades have always meant as much to me. I was born by the police station and so I’ve always enjoyed the Independence Day parade and all other parades.

Emelita Warner-Paul

Daren Thomas (Saddlers Secondary School)

Independence means to me that this country is celebrating its birthday and it’s a good thing for us from slavery [and colonialism].

Daren Thompson and students of the Saddlers Secondary School

Ingrid Farrell

It’s our history and we’re celebrating 36 years and we’re enjoying it for an Independence Day celebration and I hope with the next Independence, Dr. Denzil Douglas will be the next Prime Minister.

Ingrid Farrell

Curtis Crooke

We are very restricted to a lot of stuff; you have be careful of what you say so it’s good to say that we’re independent but from 2015 to 2019, are we fully independent as a nation and as a people based on the situation that is happening in our country today? People are not fully free to express themselves; I’m an example of the whole situation, we’re not fully free to express because a lot of fear is in people’s hearts, a lot of fear is in people to express themselves; you are not free to do what you want respectfully and that to me does not signify the full meaning of Independence.

Curtis Crooke

Young Sugar Boys fall to DR 2-0

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Young Sugar Boys fall to DR 2-0

The St. Kitts and Nevis Under 23 team was defeated 2-0 by the Dominican Republic at the Warner Park on Sunday in the Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers, ending any chance of the young Sugar Boys making it to Tokyo 2020. The home side had an early chance to score the first goal of the match when nifty passing outside the 18 yard box and a through pass gave G’Vaune Amory a great chance to notch one in an open goal, but the ball hit the post and came out, much to the chagrin of the fans.

St. Kitts and Nevis fell to ten men at the brink of half time when Sala Connonier was sent off in 45th minute with a straight red card after a bad tackle on his opponent. In the second half, the visitors pressed high up the pitch and placed the home side under some pressure, but with one man short, the young Sugar Boys defended resolutely, though the goalkeeper almost gave up a goal in saving a ball from a corner kick.

In the end it took extra time before any goal was scored.

SCORING FOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

Ronaldo Junior Vasquez 96th min 

Dorny Romero Chalas 102nd min

Those goals were enough to seal the win for Dominican Republic, who now move on to the final stages of the competition and one step closer in qualifying for the Olympics next year. At the end of the match, Coach Earl Jones of St. Kitts and Nevis, surmised that his boys played with heart but rue the missed chances in the first half. “If you look at it, we got a red card early in the game and I think that contributed to our loss tonight. Also, we had our own chances and we didn’t put them away and karma just comes around. That’s how it goes sometimes,” Coach Jones said. He said the aim now is to encourage the players, get their spirits back up and regroup.

“Hopefully we keep the (players) together and continue practicing. This is our last game for the tournament. We just have to keep practicing and keep the group together,” he said, adding that the players have been playing together for a long time, including having stints on the senior men’s team. Despite the loss, the young Sugar Boys will hold their heads high after a valiant effort at home against the Dominican Republic.

Flash Flood Alert Issued For SKN

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Flash Flood Alert Issued For SKN

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 24th September 2019)– Residents of St.Kitts and Nevis are advised that  a flash flood watch is presently in effect for low lying and flood prone areas, valid from 7:30a.m.today (Tuesday) until 8 p.m. tonight stemming from the approaching system of Tropical Storm Karen.

According to the alert issued by Metrological Office in Antigua and Barbuda, a flash flood watch means that moderate to major flooding is possible but not imminent in the watch area noting that fash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

Residents in low lying and flood prone areas should make preparations for flooding to safe guard life and property. They should be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding rains develop or a flash flood warning is issued.

Tropical Storm Karen moving towards the Britsh Virgin Islands and feeder bands associated with this system is causing periodic moderate to heavy showers across St. Kitts and Nevis which is expected to continue throughout the day. 

Already, up to 1.5 inches of rain have fallen in some places in the last 12 hours and another 2 or more inches is possible in the next 12 hours. Hence, moderate to major flooding of low lying and flood prone areas is possible.

Notably, this flash flood watch also applies to the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

SKELEC ELECTRICITY SUPPLY INTERRUPTION SCHEDULE #35

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SKELEC ELECTRICITY SUPPLY INTERRUPTION SCHEDULE #35

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC #35

SKELEC ELECTRICITY SUPPLY INTERRUPTION SCHEDULE

Monday 23rd September 2019 to Friday 27th September 2019

DATETIMEAREA(S) TO BE AFFECTEDPURPOSE
Monday 23rd September 20199:00amto1:00pmGreenland’s Maintenance
Tuesday 24th September 20199:00amto1:00pmBourryeau, Molyneux, Phillip’s Village, Mansion, Christ Church and EstridgeMaintenance
Wednesday 25th September 20199:00amto3:00pmIndustrial Site, New Ponds, Ponds Housing and Ponds EstateMaintenance
Wednesday 25th September 20199:00amto3:00pmTaxi Stand Frigate BayMaintenance
Thursday 26th September 20199:00amto3:00pmRoss Nursing School, Ross University, West Farm and Boyd’sMaintenance
Thursday 26th September 20199:00amto3:00pmDorset, Upper Market Street and ShadwellMaintenance
Friday 27th September 20199:00amto3:00pmBuckley’s Estate Maintenance

SKELEC regrets the inconvenience of these electricity supply interruptions which are necessary to perform maintenance as a part of our ongoing efforts to improve service.

Please note that the electricity supply may be interrupted later and restored earlier than the scheduled times. Please assume electricity supply service points are always live.

To report outages, call 465-2013 (or 600 from cellphone only), www.skelec.kn, www.facebook.com/skelecltd

Tracking Hurricane Jerry’s Closeness To SKN

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Tracking Hurricane Jerry’s Closeness To SKN

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 20th September 2019) – A weather alert has been issued for the Leeward Islands and British Virgin Islands (BVI) concerning Jerry-a tropical storm turned hurricane as of 11am yesterday (Thursday).

No watches or warning are in effect. Hence, no specific action is required of residents other than to monitor the progress of Jerry until it clears the area.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has informed that “based on the current path, Hurricane Jerry’s centre is projected to pass safely to our North, thus sparing the Federation the worst of the system’s conditions.”

Jerry expected to produce heavy rain over portions of the Leeward Islands today as it passes to the north of the area later today

Persons are also urged to continue to monitor local media for further updates and statements, as weather is dynamic and can change without warning.

At 11AM today, the center of hurricane Jerry was located near latitude 18.8 north, longitude 60.3 west or 130 miles (205 km) northeast of the leeward and 280 miles (450 km) east of the British Virgin Islands.

Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph (28 km/h). On the forecast track, the center of jerry will move north of the northern Leeward Islands later today and north of the BVI on Saturday.

Data from the air force reserve and NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Further weakening is forecast during the next day or so, with some re-strengthening possible early next week.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km).

Based upon the latest position and analyses, hurricane jerry is projected to pass at a safe distance of over 100 miles to the north of the leeward islands and British virgin islands today and tomorrow; however, cloudiness, showers and gusty winds associated with the system could move across the leeward islands later today and tonight to produce some showers and thunderstorms some of which could be moderate to heavy at times.

As a precaution, mariners are asked to stay in port and avoid the beaches for the next 12 – 24 hours until jerry passes to the north of the area.

No watches or warning are in effect for the Leeward Islands and British Virgin Islands; hence, no specific action is required of residents other than to monitor the progress of jerry until it clears the area.

At 5:00 AM today -The center of hurricane Jerry was located near latitude 18.4 north, longitude 58.7 west or about 223 miles east northeast of the Leeward Islands and 387 miles east of the British Virgin Islands.

Occupational Safety and Health

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Occupational Safety and Health

Workers (People), our struggle is long and bitter but it is a noble one, and don’t forget this one: ‘A people without knowledge of their past is like a tree without roots.’ This is strong language and so what I am saying is that it takes the St.Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union to make your workplace a better place to be.

Now, making employers and employees aware to the address these new risks and  to create a safe and healthy working environment and build positive and constructive preventative culture in the organisation that will boosts the effectiveness and protective the health and well-being  of workers and increases productivity.

I will move on. Why do people risk injury to stay or get physically fit? The answer is because they see some benefit like feeling better, maintaining the body structure they want or living longer. They are willing to endure sweat and tears it may take to get that heart pumping and those weak muscles working.

Hear this as well: When we love others and we listen to them, sure it takes time and effort to focus on them and hear what they’re saying but when we do, it shows genuine concern and respect.

Before I close, let me say something about our skin and what chemicals can do to it.

Chemicals damage the skin and cause inflammable…known as dermatitis. In that instance, the skin becomes red, blistered, itchy or flaky (peeled off). Chemicals that damage the skin directly are called primary irritants. They dissolve through the outer protective barrier and destroy the layer underneath.

In St.Kitts-Nevis, workers are in contact with large numbers of these chemicals/strong acids (example: sulfuric acid), strong alkaline (a substance that combines with acid and neutralises it form a salt) such as caustic soda.

All forms of mineral oil including diesel, lubricating and fuel oils solvent, thinners and degreasers such as paraffin, turpentine and petroleum products, tars, pitch and other tar coal products including phenols (used as an antiseptic) are part of the list also. Workers! The list is almost endless is relates to chemicals used in St.Kitts-Nevis which can cause dermatitis, and this is the kind of effects all of us are exposed to the substance to the substance as appears only where the chemical touches the skin and usually disappears when contact with the primary irritant ceases whether by changing the chemical to a safer one or by the wearing of suitable gloves.

Hello! There is another kind of dermatitis known as contact dermatitis which is a type of allergic recation just like asthma or hay fever.

*Note Well*-Life’s trials should make us better NOT bitter.

Until next week.

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