Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Terrance Drew and Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture on the sister isle Nevis Dr. Kelvin Daly (second and third from right respectively) were among the presenters at the press conference organised by The Organisation of Rastafari in Unity on the topic of marijuana. (Spokesman Snap)

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– The Organisation of Rastafari in Unity, during a press conference held on Monday 22nd August at NEMA Headquarters in Basseterre, put forward a view that St.Kitts-Nevis as a Christian society is being hypocritical in outlawing marijuana, a plant created by the Almighty.

That point of reasoning was expressed by Ras Sankofa who also criticised how the judiciary system handles individuals labelled offenders of the Drug Act using heavy fines and imprisonment.

“If the Almighty gives us something for our use and we use it, how are we committing an offense?” was one of the questions he posed.

In his remarks, Ras Sankofa shared that he too had been dealt a punishment in the past having been jailed for such an offense.

Another observation he made is that: “The government should not have the authority or the right to fight against a plant that the Almighty created.”

As many people are aware, marijuana is widely used by Rastas as a sacrament for holy purposes.

Ras Sankofa at the press conference organised by The Organisation of Rastafari in Unity on the topic of marijuana (Spokesman Snap)

Ras Sankofa pointed out that historically “Marijuana was one of the number one used plants from creation. Like every other plant, it was given to us by the Most High for our use.”

He cited the Biblical content from Genesis 1:29 which speaks to ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.’

He then went on to say: “Marijuana is therefore a gift from the creator and as a Christian nation of people who believe in the Almighty and His creation, it seems quite hypocritical to single out one plant out of billions of species and families of plants, flowers and trees and make it a crime to society.”

Ras Sankofa added: “But when I read the Drug Act, it’s not just that one plant; it is also the coca leaf and poppy plant is illegal here in St.Kitts (and Nevis) and most parts of the world. So I would say three plants out of billions of species of plants.”

He separated marijuana from being classified as a drug among those two other plants by talking about its use in its natural state.

“Anything the Almighty create, it is natural. From man change it into another form then it becomes either a drug or something unnatural; something that you can say man made. Marijuana, we use it in its natural state, the way Father give us so we give thanks.”

Ras Sankofa also remarked: “If the Almighty gives us something for our use and we use it, how are we committing an offense? That’s the question we must ask ourselves. Are we higher than the Creator? If the Creator gives you something and he tells you to use this for your benefit why would man in their immoral state of mind will choose to make that plant illegal? …It is a wrong thing.”

He also stated: “We are faced now with a situation…are we gonna follow the law of man or are we gonna follow the law of creator? So this is the basic question we are faced with in our daily lives and we being spiritual people living in the western world, we cannot betray the love and the blessing that the Creator has given to (us) to be able to give us such plant. So that is our basic foundation is that marijuana is a plant, it comes from a seed created by the Most High and it is immoral to outlaw anything that the Almighty create in its natural state.”

In touching on the social aspect of the controversial topic, he highlighted “A person should not be criminalised risk losing family for jail time.”

He also talked about the lump sum monetary penalties.

“When a man is found guilty of (having) marijuana, according to the law, the Drug Act, the magistrate has the right under summary conviction to charge him up to $100,000 and for indictment which is like a high court matter, up to 200,000.”

He mentioned that a young man from his community is currently facing a similar situation in that regard.

“Right now I have a youngster in my village of Dieppe Bay who has to pay $20,000 in one month or six months in prison. He never committed a crime ever before in his life and the youth is under (the age of) 25 and there is hundreds of youth who’ve been through that!”

Other presenters at Monday’s press conference included Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Terrance Drew and Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture on the sister isle Nevis Dr. Kelvin Daly.

Today (Friday), the Rasta organisation group is scheduled to hold its annual march through the streets of Basseterre, starting at 4PM from the Greenlands area and climaxing at the Independence Square with a rally.

Photo: President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Nevis Ernie France

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– Following the recent shooting death of Nevisian businessman Joseph Benjamin, the President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Nevis, Ernie France, is calling on the federal government to move fast on plans to protect citizens and business communities.

Speaking on WINNFM last week, he stated: “Yet again, the Nevisian community and more specifically the business community has been thrust into a state of mourning on learning of the passing of Mr. Benjamin. The tragic event has left many persons shocked and dismayed and as a private sector body the Chamber is particularly troubled that this type of criminal activity where businessmen are targeted, shot and killed.”

He added: “It is very serious and it is very disconcerting and we are once again calling on the local and federal government to move expeditiously, even more expeditiously and with greater haste to ensure the execution of the plans that we have heard of to ensure that the citizens and the business communities of this country are protected from this type of criminal activity.”

He informed that media house that the issue of personal security is now being seriously considered.

France also disclosed that the Chamber has encouraged its members to do all in their power to tighten security and that the government has responded with duty free concessions for security apparatus.

Joseph, 63, the owner of Philisha’s Guest House Joseph succumbed to gunshot injuries on Monday 21st August, on after he was attacked on Saturday 19th August outside his home at Pinney’s Road in Nevis.

Notably, the deceased’s business place is located in the Pinney’s community.

France described the slain businessman as hard working.

“Mr. Joseph is a well-known businessman here in the community in Nevis and probably more well known for his involvement with a quarry business which he operated for years in the Potworks area but in more recent times he operated and owned as I understand it, Philisha’s Guest House, in the Pinney’s area here in Nevis. A very hard working gentleman and someone who goes about his business, works hard and operates his business. I have never known him to be involved in anything that is questionable and so it’s really very disconcerting to learn of his passing.”

Joseph’s shooting death has taken the Federation’s homicide count for 2017 to 18 with 11 on St.Kitts and 7 on Nevis.

According to police, investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the incident around 8.00pm last Saturday on Pinney’s Road and that initial investigations revealed the victim was shot by an unknown assailant upon exiting his car on arrival at his residence.

Reportedly, Joseph was transported to the Alexandria Hospital by a family member.

Police are encouraging anyone who may have information with regard to this incident to share such details.

Individuals are advised that information can be passed to Violent Crime Unit in Nevis at 469-5269, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477(TIPS) or by using the SKN Crime Reporter App on your Smartphone.

A section of participants in busy mode while preparing for group presentations. (Spokesman Snap)

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts-More than 15 representatives collectively from both the private and public sectors, on Friday 11th August, gathered at the Marriott Resort in Frigate Bay for a workshop about ‘Stimulating Private Sector Development and Economic Growth.’

The event was presented by the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs in collaboration with Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility.

The seminar observed five objectives namely: (1)To sensitise stakeholders about the state of the private sector development (PSD) in the region and its importance with respect to future growth, (2)To Increase awareness of current best practices by presenting PSD solutions that are working elsewhere, (3)To elicit discussion on PSD on priorities, at the national level, as observed by the public sector, private sector and civil society stakeholders, (4)To sensitise participants on the CCPF’s mandate, achievements to date and role in supporting the adoption of transformative PSD solutions in St.Kitts and Nevis and (5)To Identify promising PDS projects and strengthen partnerships for implementation.

Among those in attendance were bankers and employees from the Ministry of Culture and also Agriculture.

Representing the St.Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union were: President Joseph O’Flaherty; General Secretary Batumba Tak; Treasurer Frank Farrell and Staff Representative Precious Mills.

Private sector development lead specialist and executive director of CCPF Slyvia Dohnert was a presenter.

Mister of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Lindsay Grant, in his remarks, spoke about the function of Compete Caribbean.

“As we may all know Compete Caribbean is a private sector development programme that provides technical assistance and grants and investment funding to support micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) among other engagements in 15 countries across the region, our government is very supportive of its private sector as it no doubt is the major engine and growth and hence this initiative by compete Caribbean is very timely and it enhances the work that we’ve been engaged in and have identified as our policy initiatives on behalf of the private sector.”

He added: “The importance of micro and SMEs cannot be over emphasized. They are essential to our national economy and in recent times played and increasingly strategic role in rebuilding and rebalancing not only our national and regional economies but economies the world over. We remain cognizant that these enterprises are trying to survive in the current hostile financial and competitive marketplace and urgently requires long term and meaningful support from our respective governments.”

The Permanent Secretary of that Ministry, Jasemin Weekes, touched on the significance of the private and public sector partnerships.

“Your presence here today signals your interest and commitment to the task. The Ministry’s relationship with the private sector can be best described as cordial and buoyant. We not only engage our private sector partners on the implications of various agreements that we are party to but we also dialogue on opportunities to be realised through these various agreements and the approach and strategies to be taken to pursuing them,” she told in speaking to private sector representatives.

She informed that the ministry is mandated to provide support and assistance to our small and medium enterprises and collaborates closely with our manufacturing and commercial sectors in ensuring that the opportunities for growth, market access and market presence are realised.”

“We are, however, very much aware that such dialogue and relationship must be consistent and strategic given the dynamic impact of the environment in which we function,” she noted.

In addressing representatives of the public sector, Weekes said their attendance “suggest that you understand your role in building the public-private sector relationship with is mandatory in this dynamic globalised environment. As public sector officials, it is important that we continue forge, foster and deepen our relationship with the private sector, recognising that as technocrats the decisions that we make affect the ability to survive.”

General Secretary Batumba Tak (Right) and a workshop presenter Slyvia Dohnert, Private sector development lead specialist and executive director of CCPF share a photo moment after having a talk following the event. (Spokesman Snap)