National Mobilisation Minister urges Youth to embrace available opportunities for development

Minister of National Mobilisation, Frederick Stephenson is encouraging the youth in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to stay away from violence; and commended the police for their tremendous work in the face of criticisms and difficulties.

Stephenson did this on Friday, December 30 2022 at the annual police awards and dinner held under the theme “ Amidst the challenges, we continue to care, serve and protect”, at which a number of officers received accolades.

“Crime, drugs and the illicit trades cannot help you, you are too young to die by the gun,” Stephenson charged.

“…I want to say to our young people who are involved in crime and violence that there are opportunities and avenues available for you for personal development and you can do better than killing one another…there are lots of opportunities available to you,” Stephenson emphasised as he noted the record 42 homicides which occurred in 2022.

“You just have to turn away, get out of the situation and the circumstance that you are in, and there are avenues available to help you to reach for the better so that you can do better and become better citizens here in SVG.”

Minister Stephenson also commented on the challenges that the members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force experience.

“The work of the police is not easy and sometimes the police get some bashing, and sometimes they deserve it…because not all of the officers within the ranks do what they are charged to do, sometimes there are difficulties, sometimes there are challenges…”, he added.

“On social media, you get a lot of ‘licks.” However Stephenson reminded the officers that they are the ones who are charged with the responsibilities and they should not make social media be responsible for the work that they do.

However, he congratulated the police for their “tremendous work” despite difficult and challenging circumstances within SVG.

“I want…to say congratulations to the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force…for the tremendous work you have done during the COVID period and the period of the eruptions of…La Soufriere. SVG is a better place because of you.”

He also congratulated the police over the number of police youth clubs currently established throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Stephenson noted that while there is not a functional National Youth Council, throughout the length and breadth of SVG, and in every police district there are police youth clubs.

He said that he police band concerts is another highlight of the work that the police continue to do throughout the country.

Stephenson congratulated the SVG Coast Guard Service as well for continuing to ensure that the country’s external space is safe.

“I was happy to see…that we have reopened that space in Bequia. The yachting industry is important to our Grenadine islands. We cannot give up [on] our Grenadine islands…because our spaces are not safe, where there is robbery and theft on our yachts…”.

And the minister used the opportunity to seek the support of the general public saying, “let the police remain your friend” in order to fight crime and make SVG the safest and the best place for Vincentians and for those would visit the nation state.

“…Let us remember that 2023 is ahead of us…let us continue to work together as people of a nation. Let us continue to work hand in hand.”