2.    Motion on Crime Calling for A Broad-Based National Approach to Address the Problem of Crime

WHEREAS one of the most pressing problems we face today is the epidemic of crime sweeping our country and becoming more prevalent in our communities, including theft on farms, and on our streets; 

AND WHEREAS crime affects everyone, directly or indirectly, and undermines our personal safety and peace of mind and economic activity; 

AND WHEREAS the first duty of any government is to protect the lives and livelihoods of its people by promoting safety and security throughout the country; 

AND WHEREAS last year was one of the most violent periods in recent memory with a record number of forty-two homicides in a year; 

AND WHEREAS the police lack the tools to fight crime effectively and many officers feel unsupported and demoralized in part because their creditable efforts are not recognized or rewarded by improved working conditions, training, and promotions;

AND WHEREAS unemployment has increased and poverty has worsened moving from 30.2% of the population in 2008 to over 36% in 2018 and against this backdrop, criminality projects an emboldened face in our country; 

AND WHEREAS many young people drop out of school without a certificate or skills and are unable to find jobs or other opportunities for personal advancement; 

AND WHEREAS there is a need for positive community-oriented programs that would steer vulnerable young people away from crime towards socially positive behavior; 

AND WHEREAS the Leader of the Opposition in a national address on crime recognized the urgency of the problem, outlined measures to address it and, as the Opposition has done over the years, signaled a willingness to cooperate with government, civil society organizations and other social partners in pursuing a national response to the problem of crime; 

BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House acknowledge the worsening problem of crime, recognize the need for urgent solutions and, accordingly, support a broad-based approach that includes the Government, the Opposition, religious organizations, civil society organizations and other relevant partners to address the problem of crime in our country.  

MOTIONS

1*. 2023 ESTIMATES OF SAINT VINCENT & THE GRENADINES 

To be moved by the Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance. 

WHEREAS section 70(1) of the Constitution of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines provides that the Minister for the time being responsible for finance shall cause to be prepared and laid before the House of Assembly before, or not later than thirty days after, the commencement of each financial year Estimates of the Revenues and Expenditure of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for that financial year; 

AND WHEREAS section 70(2) of the Constitution provides for the approval of the Estimates of Expenditure by the House; 

AND WHEREAS the Government had additionally decided to prepare Estimates on a triennial basis: BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House of Assembly do adopt the Estimates for the financial year ending 31st December, 2023; 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Honourable House note the projections for the financial years ending 31st December 2024 and 31st December 2025.

13th December 2022

MOTIONS

1. Motion on Concerning Opposition to the Development and Operation of a quarry at Richmond in North Leeward.

To be moved by Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday and seconded by Major the Honourable St. Clair Leacock

Concerning Opposition to the Development and Operation
of a quarry at Richmond in North Leeward

WHEREAS the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has entered into an agreement with Rayneau Construction and Industrial Equipment Ltd (“Rayneau Construction”) for the development and operation by Rayneau Construction of a quarry at Richmond in North Leeward and for that purpose has leased 58.8 acres of land to Rayneau Construction for a period of thirty years;

AND WHEREAS in January 2022, without warning to farmers, heavy equipment drove through farmlands in Richmond to gain access to the quarry site, and Rayneau Construction began work developing the quarry;

AND WHEREAS the quarry will cause significant changes to the landscape and other environmental changes that may seriously affect people, fauna and flora in the surrounding areas and, accordingly, it is necessary and in keeping with generally accepted standards that, prior to the commencement of such a project, an assessment of its impact on the environment and people be done;

AND WHEREAS no Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted in relation to the quarry project in Richmond being developed by Rayneau Construction;

AND WHEREAS under the agreement, lands for the quarry operations have been leased by the Government to Rayneau Construction for $12,000 per year and Rayneau Construction will pay the Government a fee of only $2 per tonne of aggregate sold by the quarry;

AND WHEREAS the failure to have any consultation with the people living in the surrounding areas prior to the commencement of the project, the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment of the project, and the nature of the financial arrangements agreed to by the government for the operation of the quarry have all led to a public outcry and widespread opposition to the project and in calls from many, including villagers from the surrounding areas to stop the quarry, to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment, and to review the financial terms of the agreement;

AND WHEREAS the Government and Rayneau Construction have not halted the project and, notwithstanding the public outcry against it, work on the development of the quarry continues at a rapid pace;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the development of the quarry at Richmond by Rayneau Construction be halted immediately pending satisfactory consultation with residents including farmers, business people, fisherfolk and public sector workers, a satisfactory Environmental Impact Assessment of the project, and a satisfactory review of the financial arrangements between the Government and Rayneau Construction concerning the project.

Dated this 22nd day of April, 2022