Address to the Nation on the Programme of Events leading the Funeral of Sir John
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Address to the Nation on the Programme of Events leading the Funeral of Sir John
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Address to the Nation
By
Senator the Honourable Tessa Mangal
On Programme Of Events
Leading To The Funeral Of Rt. Hon. Sir John Compton
September 12, 2007
I am pleased to inform you that the committee has met, deliberated on a number of issues, had discussions with Sir John’s family and been able to put in place a programme of events leading up to the Funeral Service.
I can therefore confirm that the Funeral Service of the late Rt. Hon. Sir John Compton will be held on Tuesday September 18th, 2007 at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception commencing at 1:00 pm.
As was explained by Mr. Sean Compton, and as you are aware not everyone will be able to participate in the service. Given the stature of Sir John and the high esteem in which he was held we expect to have high level delegations from the region and beyond attending the funeral service. The seating capacity of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception prohibits us from having open seating. We are therefore forced to find alternative means to provide the public with an opportunity for paying respects and participating in the last farewell for Sir John. To this end therefore we have made arrangements for the public to line certain streets within the city of Castries. This will provide an opportunity for members of the public to see the cortege as it makes its way to the Church.
On Thursday September 13th, 2007 there will be a joint sitting of Parliament to allow for members of Parliament to pay tribute to Sir John. This will be broadcast live from 10:00 am.
Please note that the body of the late Prime Minister will not be at the House of Parliament on that day.
The public is asked to note that the body of the late Prime Minister will not be exposed. The public will be allowed to visit the House of Parliament where the body will lie in state and pay respects by having an opportunity to walk past the casket and sign the condolence book.
On Friday September 14th, 2007 the body will lie in state at the House of Parliament from 7:30 am.
The public is asked to note that between the hours of 8:30 am and 10:00 am Her Excellency, Governor General, Prime Minister, other members of Parliament and the Diplomatic Corps will be paying their respects. The public will be able to pay their respects from 10:00 am until 5:30 pm on that day.
On Saturday September 15th, 2007 the body will lie in state at St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church in Micoud. The public will be able to pay their respects from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
There will also be an opportunity for the public to pay their respects as the Cortege will travel in a slow procession from Castries to Micoud. The body will leave Castries at 7:00 am. The public is encouraged to line the route from the Millennium Highway to Micoud.
On Sunday September 16th, 2007, the body will again lie in state at the St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church in Micoud. The body will arrive at the Church at 10:00 am and the public will be able to pay their respects from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. There will be a Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the life of Sir John from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The body will leave Micoud at 5:30 pm for Castries.
The Government of Saint Lucia and the family of Sir John would like to appeal to persons living in the South to use these opportunities to pay their respects to Sir John and allow persons from Castries and its environs to do so when it is appropriate for them in Castries.
On Monday September 17th, 2007, the body will lie in state at the House of Parliament in Castries. At 8:00 am members of the Saint Lucia Bar will pay their respects. A Special Sitting of the Bar will be held from 8:30 am to 9:55 am at which time the House of Parliament will be closed to the public. The public will be able to pay their respects from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Because of the love which Sir John had for children and his emphasis on Education a National Schools’ Rally has been organized for Monday 17th September, 2007 at the Mindoo Phillip Park commencing at 10:00 AM.
On Tuesday September 18th, 2007, the day of the funeral, the body will lie in state at the House of Parliament. The Public will be able to pay their respects from 9:00 am to 11:00am. The body will be met by a ceremonial Parade at approximately 12:15 pm at which time it will be taken to the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for the funeral service. The Internment of the Body will be Private.
The Ceremonial Parade will form along the John Compton Highway near the National Insurance Corporation. Assistant Commissioner of Police Andre Cox has outlined the route which the parade will take. Members of the public can gather along the John Compton Highway near the NIC building on both sides up to the junction with Jeremie Street. On Jeremie Street the public is asked to line the route starting from La Place Carenage to Customs House. No one will be allowed on the other side of Jeremie Street.
The public will also be permitted to line Bridge Street from the Financial Centre to the Castries Bridge. Persons will only be allowed to line the side of the street which houses the Post Office, KFC, First Caribbean International Bank.
There will be no access to the public to the following areas: Micoud Street, Derek Walcott Square and the William Peter Boulevard.
As the police have indicated there will be a number of changes to the flow of vehicular traffic and road closures in the city centre. We are appealing to the public to cooperate with the police.
Tuesday September 18th, 2007 will be a national holiday. As a mark of respect for Sir John the Government of Saint Lucia calls on all organizations and businesses to postpone all activities of a sporting or festive nature as the country is now in a period of mourning.
The Government of Saint Lucia and the family of the late Prime Minister would like to appeal to all Saint Lucians to co-operate with the Police. We know that you all would like to pay your respects to our great leader and encourage you to use the opportunities given to you by this programme to do so.
The funeral service of the late Rt. Hon. Sir John Compton will be televised live on Radio and Television. We encourage you to get together as families to witness the celebration of the life of the father of the Nation.
I thank you and May God Bless Our Nation. |
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