Nouvelle Nous - Lucian News Brief by Leo donnelly

Prime Minister Stephenson King

EC$1.2 billion budget for 2010/2011
Last month, Prime Minister Stephenson King introduced his government's EC$1.2 billion budget for the financial year 2010/2011 to Saint Lucians, as the government prepares itself to engineer growth, social cohesion and to build resilience to the external shocks facing the country.
With St. Lucia's public debt rising to EC$1.8 billion at the end of 2009, King says that his government is preparing itself to engage in the redevelopment of infrastructural projects during the upcoming fiscal year. He said that last year the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 5.2 percent with the decline in the Tourism Industry, the Construction Industry and the Agriculture Industry causing most of the contraction.
As a result the unemployment rate rose to 20.5 percent. King assures the country that projects like the redevelopment of Port Castries, the Hewanorra International Airport expansion and other construction projects will reduce the employment rate in the coming fiscal year. Tax Hikes According to the Prime Minister, begining May 01, 2010, St. Lucians will have to pay an additional 50 percent tax hike on cellular phones, as the current 10 percent rate will move to 15 percent.
There will also be a change assestment of residential properties and property taxes for annual rental to open market valuation 0f .04 percent. In the case of commercial tax, the rate will be increased from 0.25 percent to .04 percent. Sale of property will be calculated on the grater of 1/2 of 1 percent. He also urged the Internal Revenue Department to strengthen and improve it's enforcement procedure where property taxes are concern.

Safety and security of citizens
The prime Minister also addressed the safety and security of citizens which he said is a prime concern to his government. Last year there was a record 40 homicides in St. Lucia much of which is still unsolved. To date twelve have been recorded. Where the country's most lucrative industry is concern, namely The Tourism Industry, the Prime Minister demand that St. Lucians continually to improve on visitors safety and security to deal with visitors harrassment. Already two of the biggest cruise liner have remove Port Castries from it schedule because of twelve case where its customers have been robbed at gun point.

Vybz Kartel

Vybz Kartel denied Work Permit
The government refuse to issue a work permit for popular Jamaican DJ Vybz Kartel to perform in St. Lucia have caused an up roah not only in St. Lucia but acrosss the Caribbean. In a released statement, the government gave no specific reasons in deciding wheather or not to grant a work permit to non-national srtiste to perform in the local radio station HOT FM sponsored show. "The government and the Minister of Labour has decided not to grant a work permit to Mr. Adidja Azim Palmer, also known as Vybz Kartel," it stated. Meanwhile, Wilton Dyer, Jamaica's Communication and Trade Minister said that his country is offended and has contracted it High Commissioner in Trinidad & Tobago which is responsible for St. Lucia. He also intend to speak with Vubes Kartel as they probe the decision to ban the artiste. Dyer said that there is also concern as to whether the ban imposed by the government of St. Lucia on the dee Jay has breached the Caribbean Community Free Movement of Skill Initiaive which relates to artiste, sports persons, musicians and media workers. St. Lucians who agree with the ban agrees that Kartel's songs are laced with violence and guns and degrading lyrics with insults to all self-respecting women.

Dr. Desmond "Pep" Long

Dr. "Pep" to represent SLP in upcoming Elections
Dr. Desmond "Pep" Long became the newest and most famous new confirmation St. Lucia Labour candidate for the next general election when he was chosen to run for the Anse-la-Raye/Canaries constituency.
The 7-time Calypso monach beat out former Assistane Commissioner of Police, Hermandgile Francis in a run-off. Long has served in the community as a Diistrict Medical Officer and believes that he has developed an intimacy with the constituency and has given him "the pulse of the people that other candidates don't have."
Dr. Long feels confident that come election day he will replace the UWP incumbent Dr Keith Mondesir who he feels hass fallen out of favour because of his attitude towards the residents of the constituency. Also, Mondesir's national profile in "Toxedo-gate," the Passport Affair and his misadventures in criminal court in various countries.

Bishop JD Lakes visits St. Lucia
Renowned American tele-evangelist, Bishop TD Jakes attracted on of the largest crowd to a Christian events in St. Lucia. The event held at the Pigeon Island National Landmark attracted patrons from various denominations. In attendance was the Governor General Pearlette Louisy and Prime Minister Stephenson King and Bishop Emmanuel Mc Lorren. Bishop Drakes visit to the island os one of the initiative aimed at curbing the island's spiriling crime rate.

Sports Shorts
West Indian and St. Lucia all-rounder Shanel Daley continued her good showing ahead of the ICC World T20 Tournament as she helped ina a comprenhensive win over Shri Lanka. The left-arm seam bowler took three for 14 from her four overs as the West Indies limited the visitors to 103 for 9 off 20 overs, in St. kitts. West Indies are drawn in Group A, with England, Australia and South Africa.

Lavern Spencer High Jump
Lavern Spencer - 5-time reigning Sports Woman of the year and record holder won her first gold medal in the outdoor season. The Caribbean's premier High Jumper is preparing to tour Brazil and Europe.