SVG Constitution – St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution

Archive for October, 2009

SVG Referendum- 25 Days to go

Vincentians are marking off their calender days as November 25th draws closer.  On this day Vincentians will vote to accept or reject the new constitution.  It almost feels like a general election here in SVG.  If this is prelude of what is to come in the general elections , which are dued next year(2010), then we are in for a political treat.

I was listening the news on a radio station and I understand that there is a vote no committe comprising of members like Frank DaSilva and some concerned citizens.  From what I have heard I believe their argument is that they are challenging the $4 Million dollars given to the Yes Vote campaign committee and the vote no committee says they some of the money too to fund their camopaign, and they may go all the way to the courts to get this done.

Now, this vote no committee is not associated with the vote no campaign started by the New Democratic Party (NDP) early this year.

The question I am asking is, why are these persons and groups waiting for the last minute to bring their ideas, oppositions and various views to the Vincentian community.  These consultations were taking place throughout SVG since 2001.

It is too late to change anything that is in the constitution, all is left now is for Vincentians educate themselves on the changes in the constitution and vote their conscience.

“The Introduction of a wire-tapping programme will be an infringement on one’s civil liberties, balanced by national security concerns…Is St. Vincent and the Grenadines ready for wire-tapping?”

That was the topic of the National Annual Secondary Schools Public Speaking Finals in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.  This competition happens every year around Independence time.  There were six students from various secondary schools around the island.

The students were Vatalie Caesar of the Girls’ High School, Omolera Francois of the Thomas Saunders Secondary, Stephanie Browne of the Georgetown Secondary, Marleya Adams – Union Island Secondary, Ronald Connor – Petit Bordel Secondary and Adriel Francois of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

The participants spoke for 10 minutes on the main topic, they also spoke for 5 minutes on a topic of their choice and the part that is the most anticipated of the competition, the 2 minute impromptu speech.

The main topic of debate,  I believe all the students were against the wire-tapping, which to me was easy route, someone could of stood out.  After listening the first 2 students, you basically heard the same arguments repeating with the others.  No surprise at all.

 The students prepared speech was more interesting, each student spoke for 5 minutes on a topic of their own.

Vatalie Caesar from the St.Vincent Girls high school was out first and her topic was  ”What Does It Mean to be Young in a Free Society”.

The second person speaker was from the Thomas Saunders Secondary school, she was Omolera Francois , her topic was “Minivans, a service or a nuisance” she spoke about the perils of tarvelling in passenger vans.

Stephanie Browne of the Georgetown Secondary, her  topic was “Point 5″..,.I was really trying to understand where she was coming from.

Marleya Adams of the Union Island Secondary was next and her prepared topic was “Empowering the Youths to Enlighten the Future”..

Ronald Connor from the Petit Bordel Secondary topic was “Voices from the Classroom”

 The final participant was Adriel Francois of the St. Vincent Grammar School, his topic was “Is the Modern Music Trend Responsible for the Behavioural Problerms of our Youths”.

 The final section was the impromptu speech. Each particpant pick a random topic from a envelope to speak on, they then have one minute to prepare and two minutes to speak whatever topic chosen.

Vatalie Caesar of the Girls’ High School was up first her topic was” A job I would Love to have” ..she wants to be psychiatrist

Omolera Francois of the Thomas Saunders Secondary was next and her impromptu topic was “Stolen Goods”

Stephanie Browne of the Georgetown Secondary was up next and her topic was “The thing I hate most” ..she also said that she would hate if she did not win the public speaking competition…..she did not win..she came third.

Marleya Adams from the Union Island Secondary chose “Oh Boy Test Again”

Ronald Connor Petit Bordel Secondary was the next speaker of the impromptu competition “Your Worst Experience”….this was probably the poorest presentation, he spent 36 seconds out of 2 minutes and all he said was that he cried after making his first presentation

 Adriel Francois of the St. Vincent Grammar School topic was “Remote Control”

After about 40 minutes the resuls were ready and the CEO of LIME Saint Vincent  and the Grenadines Angus Steele presented all the finalist with netbooks. Lion EB John also presented all the finalists with plaques.

The results of the Lions Club South/LIME National Secondary Public School Competition were as follows:

The Best Main Topic – Stephanie Browne of the Georgetown Secondary School

The  Best Student Prapared Speech – Adriel Francois of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Best Impromptu Speech – Adriel Francois of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

The 2009 Lions Club South /LIME Secondary School Public Champion is  Adriel Francois of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

2nd Position – Vatalie Caesar of the Girls’ High School

3rd Position – Stephanie Browne of the Georgetown Secondary School

SVG 30th Independence Anninersary

St Vincent and the Grenadines National Flag

On Tuesday October 2009 the nation of St.Vincent and the Grenadines will be celebtrating 30 years of independence from England.  This year the celebrations are expected to more special.  For example on night of Monday 26th October there is cultural package planned.

It is also very evident when you drive around St.Vincent and the Grenadines,  you can see the lamp poles and telephone poles draped in banners of the colours of the flag, most government buildings are also decorated very attractively and some private businesses have also decorated their buildings.

Amidst the debates and arguments about the SVG Constitution that seems to be occupying everybody conversation these days  it is indeed a great atmosphere in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines right now.

I must confess that most Vincentians are more patriotic now when compared to 10 years ago.  Most of the local radio stations are playing plenty of local patriotic Vincentian music around this time of the year, except for one radio station.  My favourite Vincentian song of all time is “St.Vincent I Love You” by Alston Becket Cyrus, every time I hear that song I get a good feelng in my belly, not that I am hungry or anything, but that song gives me a nice feeling in my gut….

Also I am seeing more vehicles draped in the national flag on their bonnets more persons are wearing clothes of the national colours. 

There are lots of activities planned for the celebrations, I may attend a few of them and take some photographs.  I have had some persons emailing me saying that they need to see some pictures on the website, especially Vincentians living overseas…so I will put up some pictutures soon.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE  SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES.

Downloading the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution.

I have had many requests from visitors to this website who want to download the SVG Constitution from this website, but this website is designed with the read online only format where persons can just read the SVG Constitution online without downloading it.  

Now in order to download the 2009 SVG Constitution on your pc or laptop you need to visit the official website of the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,http://www.gov.vc or click on the link below to download the constitution on your computer, remember you will need Adobe PDF Reader to view the document.

Download SVG Constitution at GOV.VC website  

Download Adobe Reader

Vote Yes for St. Vincent and the Grenadines Campaign Launched

Yes Campaign Building St.Vincent

The VoteYes campaign was launched today for the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 2009.  The main headquarters for the campaign is situated in the heart of the entrance of Kingstown which is known by Vincentians as the ‘Ju-C Building’.

This building will be the Operation Headquarters for the  Vote YES campaign for St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 2009.  The Government said that they have already trained 300 persons  to go house to house and door to door throughout the length and breathe of  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to educate and inform all Vincentians about the contents of the constitution of SVG.

The official website for the YES campaign is http://www.voteyessvg.com .  At the Voteyessvg.com website you can get all the information you need to educate yourself more about the SVG Constitution.  It is a very informative and interactive website with video presentations and you can follow them on the various social media websites like  facebook, youtube, twitter and tagged, just to name a few.

Once again the website is VoteYesSVG.com

The 22nd chapter deals with the First and Second Schedule to the Constitution

First and Second Schedule to the Constitution

All the Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

The Appeals section of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 2009 is in chapter 20

Appeals

Constitutional References chapter 19

Constitutional References

Chapter 18 deals with the Remedies Regarding Contraventions of General Provisions.

Remedies Regarding Contraventions of General Provisions