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Informing The Uninformed....
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ST. KITT'S & NEVIS POLITICS
August 2005 to October 2005
NATIONALS
SAY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS POSITIVE AND
BASSETERRE,
ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 31ST 2005 (CUOPM) Nationals in
Responding
to queries from nationals, Prime Minister agreed with a Nevisian that town hall
meetings be held in
Responding
to individual concerns the
He
said that the Ministry of Sustainable Development conducts environmental
assessment studies on all of the land as part of the development strategy.
Dr.
Douglas expressed the commitment of his St. Kitts Nevis Labour Government to
continue to dialogue with the Private Sector in the economic transition period
and that the empowerment of the people is a priority. He indicated that as the
transition was approaching, a study was conducted with the assistance of
regional agencies to consider who would be affected and how best to deal with
them.
With regards the construction of golf courses, Dr. Douglas said that desalination plants had been built to ensure the availability of drinking water for domestic and manufacturing purposes.
With
the coming into being of the CSME, Prime Minister Douglas mentioned the
Development Fund that would be necessary for
Responding
to concerns on crime, Prime Minister Douglas stressed that whereas crime is a
challenge, vigilantes were not permitted and indicated that the entire CARICOM
region was working on combating crime together.
He
mentioned that feasibility studies were being done in seeking out alternative
sources of energy and
Dr.
Douglas said relations between the people of
He said more vigilance would be undertaken to ensure that our local hotel workers are not exploited.
The
Prime Minister also told nationals that the Permanent Mission is the link
between nationals in
He also said that restrictions were in place for taxi and bus operators to ensure that the service remained safe for passengers and tourists and persons interested should apply through the proper channels.
NATIONALS
THANKED FOR PARTICIPATING IN ELECTORAL
PROCESS,
RAISE SEVERAL ISSUES DURING
Prime
Minister Douglas, who is also the National Political Leader of the St. Kitts
Nevis Labour Party, thanked all nationals living in
“To
all our supporters who voted for Labour, in particular, those of you who
traveled from here to participate in the electoral process on
He noted that it was the third electoral victory for the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party under his leadership and the third straight defeat for the People’s Action Movement (PAM).
“Yesterday
(October 25) marked the first anniversary of my appointment to the Office of
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and
He
then indicated that the meeting was firstly to update nationals on the progress
of his administrations’ fulfillment of their policies, and secondly to learn
of people’s reactions, views and opinions of his administrations’
performance over the previous twelve months and also over the last ten years.
The
public meeting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church was chaired by Counselor at the
Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and
In
brief introductory remarks, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and
Permanent Representative of
Prime
Minister Douglas following his own presentation responded to questions and
comments relating to the need for town hall meetings to be held in Nevis, the
percentage of former sugar land’ for sale to nationals, the environmental
safety of the land, and what happens when the money given to former sugar
workers runs out and the opportunities for nationals in working as small
farmers, and particularly accessing the land, especially over foreigners seeking
land for development.
Water usage and availability in light of golf course developments, the affect on locals with the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the rise in crime and the fact that protecting oneself could be perceived as against the law as well as the need and the need for everyone outside of St. Kitts and Nevis to know about developments in the Federation were among the concerns raised.
Nationals
also sought from Prime Minister Douglas, clarification on the energy issue,
developments in the Federal System, and on human development and indicated
concerns on other issues including unemployment, the exploitation of local
workers in the hotels, the role nationals abroad could play in assisting in the
country’s development, tax holidays, and the departure of investors at the end
of the tax holiday period.
Questions
on healthcare, national security including the continued patrol of police
without arms and the use of technology in light of the criminal deportations
from
Mechanism
to assist the vulnerable groups such as very poorest senior citizens and
families
RESIDENTS TO PAY MORE FOR FUEL AND ELECTRICITY
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 31ST 2005 (CUOPM) Residents of St. Kitts and Nevis will begin paying more for fuel and electricity from November 1st, but Government has put in place a mechanism to assist the more vulnerable groups to cope with the rise in energy costs.
Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin made the expected announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Monday night.
He said that despite rising oil prices on the world market over the years, the increases would be the first rise in electricity rates since 2000 and in fuel prices since February this year.
Dr. Martin said fuel at the pump will increase from EC$8.30 to $10.50 and electricity will rise from $0.37 cents per kilowatt hour to $0.51 cents per kilowatt hour.
He said Government has put in place a mechanism to assist the more vulnerable groups of society such as the very poorest senior citizens and families who are likely to have extreme difficulty in coping with the adjustment in electricity rates.
The Public Utilities Minister said that escalating oil prices now pose the greatest threat to the achievement of fiscal targets for 2005 and in light of the increase in international oil prices, governments in the region have decided to discontinue subsidising fuel cost and to pass on the increase to the consumers.
Dr.
Martin pointed out that on
“The
He said although the price of fuel at the pump should really be increased by $6.09 to take it to $14.39, Government took into account the likely inflationary effect of such increase and has agreed to an interim upward adjustment of $2.20 per gallon thus setting the price of gasoline at the pump at $10.50.
“This means that Government will still be paying suppliers $1.22 for each gallon of gasoline consumed. This will achieve the objective of reducing the impact on transportation costs and other costs likely to be affected and provide a shield of protection to all consumers,” said Dr. Martin.
He said Government has also had to give deep thought to the cost of the generation of electricity as the cost of diesel has increased dramatically over the past few years. The base price of diesel has surged by 75% from $3.38 per gallon in 2000, to $5.91 per gallon in 2005. “Over this same period, the charges for electricity consumption have been held constant, and hence have been subsidised by the government,” said Dr. Martin.
He pointed out that the gross revenues from the electricity department amounted to $31 million while the amount spent on fuel amounted to $40.1 million.
“This situation is untenable and indicates that the Electricity Department is unable to cover the cost of fuel alone, not to mention salaries and other administrative and operational expenses to keep the department functioning. In addition, capital costs for the upgrading, and replacement of generators at the power station simply cannot be recovered,” said Dr. Martin.
He said that the demand for electricity supply is increasing as the lives of residents become more modernised, as the government pursues its housing development programme, and as the tourism and construction sectors continue to expand at rapid rates.
Dr.
Martin said that electricity charges in St. Kitts have remained at $0.37 per
unit since 2000, not withstanding all of this increase in costs of fuel and of
operations.
He
said despite the increase in St. Kitts, other OECS countries are paying more for
electricity. In
“These costs reflect the reality of the increasing cost of diesel fuel used in the generation of electricity and at the same time the reality of the budgetary constraints of the small developing vulnerable states of the OECS. St. Kitts is no different and we must act responsibly as a government. Our electricity rates are not only the lowest in the entire region but are simply far below the generation cost,” said Dr. Martin.
He said that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis although it has no control over the price of fuel on the world market and does not produce even a drop of oil, it has done its best to keep the price down, “but there comes a time when adjustments are necessary.”
POPULAR
TALK SHOW HOST SAYS MTV TEMPO CONCERT A NOVEL
IDEA
WHICH SHOWED OFF THE TALENTS ON NEVIS AND ST. KITTS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 31ST 2005 (CUOPM) – General Manager of VON Radio, Mr. Everad “Webbo” Herbert, is hailing Sunday’s concert promotion of MTV’s Tempo Caribbean channel, which attracted hundreds of Kittitians to Nevis, as an “atmosphere of togetherness and warmth of our people, which sometimes seems to be slipping.”
He told the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) on Monday that the launching of MTV’s Caribbean channel in Nevis “is a novel idea which is going to benefit not only Nevis, but the entire Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Mr. Herbert said the concert was also “a great opportunity to show off the great talents that we have in Nevis and St. Kitts.”
The veteran broadcaster and popular talk-show host said it was “very refreshing to have the Prime Minister (Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas) and the Premier (of Nevis, the Hon. Vance Amory) on stage at the same time.”
“The massive crowds appreciated it and it says to me that St. Kitts and Nevis at this stage, are a very satisfying and happy people,” said Herbert, who was among the thousands at the show which featured several local, regional and international artistes.
Local performers at the concert staged at Round Hill Estate included King Meeko and Casanova Band of Nevis, Masud Sadiki and Pepper Ranks of St. Kitts, along with international artistes Wyclef Jean, Beres Hammond and Luciano.
In presenting Prime Minister Douglas to the huge crowd, Premier Amory said the launching of Tempo would “catapult Nevis on to the world stage.”
“Thank You Premier Amory. Put your hands together for the Premier Amory, Malcolm Guishard, the Minister of Tourism of Nevis and Mr. Frederick Morton and his parents, proud Nevisians, who have brought Tempo here to the people of Nevis and of St. Kitts day on this special occasion,” said Dr. Douglas, who added that he was delighted to extend greetings and best wishes on behalf of the Government and the People of St. Kitts and Nevis on the launch of MTV’s Tempo – the Caribbean channel that “promises to be of great significance in the future progress of Caribbean entertainment.”
“This I believe is a very important initiative that will go a long way in promoting the talent that we have here in the Caribbean, in particular the talent of the people of Nevis and the people of St. Kitts,” Prime Minister Douglas told the crowd.
Prior to the individual performances some of the artistes were introduced to Prime Minister Douglas and Premier Amory.
A
CALL FOR CARIBBEAN CHILDREN TO BE PROTECTED FROM HIV/AIDS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 31ST 2005 (CUOPM) – A call for the children of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean to be protected from the scourge of HIV and AIDS.
That call has come from St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas in a message to the over 4,000 persons attending Sunday’s launch of MTV Tempo in Nevis.
Dr. Douglas, the Caribbean’s lead spokesperson on HIV/AIDS and other health matters stressed that the region’s children must be protected.
“The message has been preached time and time again, that HIV/AIDS is no respecter of persons. This is the case in particular for young people. You have your energies, you have your lives ahead of you, but AIDS can curtail that in the moment of an eye,” said Prime Minister Douglas on behalf of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNCEF).
“As you celebrate and entertain yourselves, you must remember two basic messages: (1) Abstention and (2) Protection. You can protect yourself always; you can protect yourself in sexual contact by wearing a condom, because a condom can prevent the spread of AIDS. Those of you who are not able to abstain from sexual intercourse and you have to be involved, my message is very simple, that you must protect your self,” said Dr. Douglas.
“As you protect yourselves, you would be protecting our children, your children, the generations of Nevisians and Kittitians and Caribbean people, who will come after us because AIDS and HIV destroy our children, the very fabric of our society,” said the Prime Minister, who was introduced by the Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Vance Amory.
The Concert featured several local, regional and international stars including Wyclef Jean, Pepper Ranks, Masud Sadiki Beres Hammond and Luciano.
UVI
ECONOMICS PROFESSOR IS GUEST
SPEAKER
AT UNION’S 66TH CONFERENCE
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 29TH 2005 (CUOPM) – The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union holds its 66th Annual Conference on Sunday at the St. Johnson Village Community Centre.
General Secretary of the Union, Mr. Batumba Tak said that the Conference which begins at 10 ‘o’ clock in the morning, is being held under the theme: “Consolidating Our Vision for the Future.”
Mr. Tak said the Conference is the first since the closure of the sugar industry and taking into consideration the challenges that the workers’ organisation will face, the Union has invited University of the Virgin Islands Professor of Economics and former St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to CARICOM, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean states (OECS) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Professor Kittitian Dr. Simon Jones-Hendrickson to deliver the keynote address on the theme.
“He will also assist the leadership in identifying some prescriptions to chart a new course and to strengthen and revitalise the membership,” said Tak, who pointed out Union played a leading and critical role in the negotiations with Government and the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC) that led to the orderly closure of the industry and the generous benefits of EC$50 million in severance and other benefits.
He noted in an interview with The Labour Spokesman that the former sugar workers had been the base (backbone) of the Union’s membership since its inception, some sixty-six (66) years ago, adding that the closure of the industry now poses a number of additional challenges for the organisation, making it imperative to restructure and consolidate on its vision for the future.
The Union official said that the Conference will also be addressed by Prime Minister and Political Leader of its sister organisation, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr the Hon. Denzil Douglas and the Union President, His Excellency Ambassador Walford Gumbs.
Delegates will discuss and ratify several resolutions from other Sections of the Union; as well as the Executive Committee’s Report and the Annual Financial Report.
IMF
EXPECTS FIVE PERCENT ECONOMIC GROWTH
IN
ST. KITTS AND
“That
is a very, very, very, good assessment in terms of the management of the
economy,” said
Responding
to questions from the media on the recent annual visit by an Article 4 Mission
to
“They also expressed the view that ‘higher oil prices are worrisome, although the effect so far has been limited to increasing fiscal costs rather than leading to higher inflation or lower growth’,” Dr. Douglas reported the IMF as saying.
He
also reported that the IMF estimated that tourism receipts in 2004 have risen by
more than 80 percent from their 2002 low, and that the buoyant tourism sector
has more than offset the decline in sugar exports in that year and has led to a
substantial narrowing of the external current account deficit.
Dr.
Douglas disclosed that in respect of the fiscal performance of the Government,
the IMF reported that “Central Government finances for 2005 look set for
improvement relative to 2004, bolstered by stronger than expected revenues, and
lower than expected net lending and capital expenditure.”
Although
debt reduction continues to be a major challenge for the Government, that
rebound in economic activity provides an excellent opportunity for corrective
action.
The IMF also identified the transition from sugar as a major challenge, but expressed the view that “the closure of the industry represents a unique opportunity to enhance the country’s growth potential and release the value of its assets.”
The
Government is currently studying the report of the IMF and evaluating their
recommendations with a view to implementing those recommendations deemed
appropriate in the context of the social and economic circumstances of the
Federation.
ACTING
PRIME MINISTER CONDOR RECOMMITS LABOUR GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUED SERVICE OF THE
PEOPLE
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 24TH 2005 (CUOPM) – The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party is celebrating the First Anniversary of its Third Term in Office at a time of immense achievement in the twin-island Federation.
Acting Prime Minister the Hon. Sam Condor in brief remarks during a Thanksgiving Service at the Antioch Baptist Church on Sunday noted that the economy is in a better shape, hundreds of new jobs have been created and the level of business is high.
“Your Government has been tackling some of the major economic reform challenges during this decade and our diplomatic relations and international reputation are at an all time high,” Mr. Condor told the Congregation which included Ministers of Government, Officers of the National Executive, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Diplomatic Corps, Labour Party supporters and well wishers.
Mr. Condor noted that while St. Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean region were faced with the moral challenge of slavery over the past 200 years, the challenge today is the alleviation of poverty.
“As a Government we can be proud of our record to date in responding to this challenge. Our focus and emphasis continue to be on the reform and improvement in education, healthcare and social development,” said Minister Condor, in the absence of Prime Minister Douglas who is on an Official Visit to Japan.
He said Government needs the support of the entire population in raising families, caring for the sick and elderly, educating the youths and policing the streets.
Acting Prime Minister Condor used the opportunity to recommit the Labour Party Government to the continued service in partnership with the people of the Nation.
“A partnership in which we, as citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, can depend on each other, are obligated to each other and benefit from each other,” said Minister Condor, who mentioned the successful outcome of major developmental projects including the expansion of the tourist industry with the construction of new hotels and expansion of existing ones, golf courses, a marina, horse race track and hosting the first one-day international and Cricket test match next year.
Mr. Condor, who is also the Deputy National Political Leader and the five-term Parliamentary Representative for West Basseterre, noted that the history of the Labour Party “is immensely rich and important, not only to its own sense of self worth, but also to its place in the history of this country.”
He said one of the great values of the Worship Service is not only to give thanks but also to celebrate the privilege of serving people and to thank those who have served the Labour Party and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis in the past.
Mr. Condor said past leaders including the eminent National Heroes have in their distinctive ways and distinctive styles, made immense contributions to the development and well-being of the Nation.
“We honour too, the contributions of our present Political Leader and Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas and the entire leadership of the Labour Party and Labour Government in the continuance of this great work, which is so important for the empowerment of our People and the survival and advancement of our beloved country,” said Acting Prime Minister Condor, who also expressed heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all members, supporters, friends and well wishers of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.
“Your action, prayers and support are indispensable to our success,” said Minister Condor, who added that the achievements of the people and St. Kitts and Nevis are largely due to the loyalty and support of thousands, who have dedicated their lives in an unsung way, to the service of the cause and who kept the party together, particularly during its years in opposition.”
Labour Party Chairman and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Party National Secretary, Ms. Sharylle Richardson read the scriptures. There were musical renditions by the Antioch Baptist Bell Ringers and the Antioch Baptist Choir dedicated two appropriate selections to the Government of the Federation.
The Ministry of the Word was presented by Pastor Lincoln Connor, who used the occasion to present a gift to Mr. Condor. A gift was also presented to Mrs. Condor. The Music Minister was Bro. Dameon Jacobs and Praise and Worship were led by Sis. Maria Smith.
The ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party was returned to office for a third consecutive term on October 24th 2004, when it won seven of the eight seats on St. Kitts in the 11-member Federal Assembly. The Concerned Citizens Movement has two seats and the Nevis Reformation Party and the People’s Action Movement with one seat each.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, the Party after 15 years in opposition from 1980 to 1995, was returned to office in July 1995 and re-elected in March 2000.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CONDOR URGES WOMEN TO
SEE
CAR MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP AS AN INVESTMENT
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 24TH 2005 (CUOPM) – Several women who have successfully completed an 8-week workshop in car maintenance have been urged to see their training as an investment and to utilise it to the fullest.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development, Community and Gender Affairs, the Hon. Sam Condor, speaking at the first graduating ceremony noted that in St. Kitts and Nevis there is a high incidence of single female headed house holds, providing skills in non-traditional areas that would be beneficial to women who must assume much of and often all of the costs of family maintenance.
“Some of the benefits of non-traditional training for women include economic self sufficiency, higher wages, better benefits, physical challenges, broader job opportunities, advancement potential and job satisfaction,” said Minister Condor, who called for an end to the myths about the capabilities of men and women if all of the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis are to realize their fullest potential.
“With appropriate training, men and women should be able to perform any task that they wish to perform. The trappings of our gender ideology should not prevent us from achieving that which we wish to achieve,” said Minister Condor, who pointed out that the field of Auto Mechanics is one in which there could be no excess of trained persons.
“Given the sheer number of vehicles that are on our roads and the frequent visit of the car boat, the likelihood is that there will be increasing numbers of jobs in these areas. In addition, trainees could provide their own car maintenance, thus saving the cost that taking their car to the mechanic would incur,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
He used the opportunity to commend Ms. Aimee Inniss and the Department of Social and Community Development for the fore-sight in organising the auto-mechanics class for women and also congratulated the graduates who have demonstrated a high level of commitment.
“The instructor, Mr. Griffin, must also be commended for keeping his appointment with the participants weekly, and ensuring that his presentations and hands-on activities met the needs of the participants,” said Minister Condor, who challenged the participants, to put this national investment to work for themselves and for the community in which they live.
“You may find opportunity to provide maintenance for some person who is unable to pay full cost for this service or for some institution that is serving the community. See your training as an investment and utilise it to the fullest,” advised Deputy Prime Minister Condor.
Hospitality
training school planned for Nevis
CHARLESTOWN
NEVIS ( October 24, 2005) -- Minister of
Tourism in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Hon Malcolm Guishard, has
announced that Nevisians will be afforded the opportunity to prepare for jobs
in the hospitality sector and for job opportunities that will come with the
construction five star resort on Pinneys Estate, through the establishment of
a hospitality training school here.
The
Minister made the announcement recently, when he addressed his constituents at
“We
want to move ahead, we want to make that jump and we are now looking at the
possibility of very early next year of starting a hospitality training school
on
According
to the Minister, his Administration has already seen demonstrations with a
number of colleges in the
The
Minister addressed critics who had said publicly that the Administration
wanted young Nevisians to remain waitresses and servants in the hotel sector.
“They
have written in the press that the Administration wants to keep our young
people as servants and maids but if a hotel opens its doors on Nevis we must
have maids and we must have waitresses but we don’t expect those people who
take on those jobs to stay there we expect them to learn. I have seen
persons enter Four Seasons as maids and they have elevated themselves and now
hold good positions and they now make good money.
“We
are looking out for what is best for our people. Our people are
industrious, our people are bright and our people always crave to learn.
When Four Seasons opened its doors we had over 100 plus foreigners coming here
to train our people but very shortly after Four Seasons opened its doors it
was awarded the five diamond award by the American Triple A Association and
the five diamond award is for service. It is because of our young people
who went to that hotel and took on the responsibility to make the hotel what
it is today. ” Mr. Guishard said.
The
Tourism Minister said that his Administration had succeeded over the years in
making Nevis a premier destination in the
Agriculture
Minister promotes agribusiness on Nevis
CHARLESTOWN
NEVIS (October 24, 2005) -- Junior
Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration
(NIA) Hon Livingston Herbert said that Nevis has to take a business approach
towards agriculture and add value to agricultural products if greater inroads
are to be made in the sector.
He
made the comment recently during the launch of a 2006 Children’s Poster
Competition for primary and secondary school students at the NTV Channel 8
studio, ahead of the Department of Agriculture’s 12th Agriculture
Open Day and Exhibition slated for March 2006 under the theme “Agribusiness
– The Way To Go”. He said the contest would expose students to the
need to link agriculture with business.
“We
must be able to transform agriculture and make it exciting. It is often said
that we are not doing enough but I believe that during the course of the last
few years we have seen great strides, great innovations and great initiatives
taken by the Ministry and Department of Agriculture.
“We
have seen a greater involvement of our people and for the 2006 Agricultural
Open Day and Exhibition we are taking a momentous step of involving our young
people particularly our schools in designing a poster as to their vision of
how the business side of agriculture should evolve,” he said.
Minister
Herbert urged students to participate in the contest citing that agriculture
was more than production, landscaping and protection of the environment, more
than producing for food but that it was and always will be a way of life. He
said that the competition provided an opportunity for those who participate to
not only promote agriculture through the use of posters but also through
postcards.
Also
present was Director of Agriculture on Nevis Mr. Samuel Powell who outlined
the rules and guidelines of the competition. He said they were looking
forward to many entries and that the activity would bring to the fore young
and budding artists.
According
to Mr Powell, each student is required to submit one poster depicting ways in
which agriculture can be approached as a business. The posters may be in
colour, black and white or a collage in whatever medium the entrant chooses.
Entries will be judged on creativity, relevance to the theme, content and
quality of the presentation. Entries must be submitted to the Department
of Agriculture in Prospect by January 14, 2006 and the winner will be notified
by January 27, 2006.
The
winner will receive a trophy, a cash prize of $250 and free entry to all Open
Day activities.
UNICEF
INVITES PM DOUGLAS TO RAISE HIV/AIDS AWARENESS
AT
SUNDAY’S LAUNCH OF MTV TEMPO IN NEVIS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 29TH 2005 (CUOPM) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is using Sunday’s MTV Tempo Concert in Nevis to emphasise the importance of persons protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS.
The Office of the Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in Bridgetown, which has an international social partnership with MTV internationally, has invited St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas to give a five-minute address to the audience at the start of the concert emphasising the importance of persons protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Douglas, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Lead Spokesman on HIV/AIDS has accepted the invitation. UNICEF’s Representative in Bridgetown, Jean P. Gough said excerpts of the Prime Minister’s Message will be aired when MTV Tempo is officially launched on November 21st.
The Concert in Nevis, one of several being held across the region to launch MTV Tempo – MTV’s Caribbean channel, will be held at Round Hill Estate, Mount Nevis on Sunday afternoon at 4 ‘o’ clock.
The Concert features several local, regional and international starts including Wyclef Jean, Ivy Queen, Pepper Ranks, Masud Sadiki, Marcia Griffiths, Beres Hammond and Luciano.
Major sponsors are the Nevis Tourism Authority, American Airlines and bmobile.
TEMPO is the newest channel from MTV Networks, the force behind channels like MTV, VH1, NICK, TVLAND, Comedy Central and SPIKETV. TEMPO is the first and only network that will be dedicated to all things Caribbean - music, culture, travel, community, sports and much more. TEMPO is a music driven lifestyle channel for Caribbean people and for lovers of Caribbean culture.
TEMPO has already held a series of concerts in the Caribbean including Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Maarten, St. Croix and St. Kitts and Nevis. A North America launch is planned for 2006.
In Barbados, the artistes included Nahtahlee, Li'l Rick, Krosfyah, Alison Hinds, Rupee, Arturo Tappin, Statement, Kimberley Inniss, John King, Toni Norville and Rihanna listed to make appearances for the concert.
The international artists headlining the St. Croix event were Machel Montana and Xtatik, Nina Sky and reggaeton artist Nore and the local artists included quelbe performers Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights; calypso bands Xpress Band and Xtaushun, Festival Road March champion; Ricardo Richards Pan Connection and Ebenezer Methodist Steel Orchestra; and international reggae artists Midnite Band.
NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY TO DEBATE REGIONAL INTEGRATION,
ANTI-TERRORISM
AND CRIME FIGHTING LEGISLATON ON FRIDAY
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 27TH 2005 (CUOPM) – The St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly will debate anti-terrorism, financial intelligence and , regional integration legislation bills and Minister of State for Finance and Sustainable Development, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty, will seek parliamentary approval to make minor amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act. No. 16 of 2000 and The Companies Act, No. 22 of 1996, when the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly meets on Friday.
Minister Carty will also pilot the amendments through all three stages at Friday’s sitting.
He will also seek legislative approval for several amendments to the Financial Intelligence Unit Act, No. 15 of 2000.
The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2005 amends Section 67 by renumbering sub-section 1 and inserts a new paragraph which provides for the registered office of an exempt company to be the premises of a person authorised to carry on financial services business on St. Kitts.
Section 81 is also to be amended by deleting the words “who is resident in the Federation” occurring immediately after the word “secretary.”
The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2005 seeks to renumber paragraph 21 as paragraph 22 and inserts a new paragraph 21 with the word “Gaming.”
Minister of State Carty will also seek amendments to the Financial Intelligence Unit Act, 2000 that will allow an application to be made to the Court for an Order requiring the production of information that the Intelligence Unit considers relevant to the fulfillment of its functions.
Other proposed amendments seek to provide for an application to be exparte, in writing and supported by an affidavit and that such an application shall be made in respect of a suspicious transaction connected with a regulated business activity or other person and for the Judge to order information to be produced by the person with the relevant information to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for inspection. The Bill identifies which financial records do not fall under the relevant section.
Other amendments detail how the FIU deals with information submitted, grants the person who is required to produce the information the right to apply to the same judge or another judge for a variation of the Order, make it an offense to contravene the Order of the Judge and imposes a fine or confinement or both for contravention of the Order.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris will move the Second Reading of the Caribbean Community Bill 2005. Minister of National Security, Justice, Immigration and Labour, the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan, will lead the debate on the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2005.
Both bills were given their introduction and First Reading at previous sittings in July and September respectively.
ST.
KITTS’ BRINLEY GOLD IN
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 27TH 2005 (CUOPM) - Thousands of rum tasters get the opportunity to sample St. Kitts’ famous award winning rum, Brinley Gold.
Brinley Gold will be among 80 different rums from around the world available for tasting at the upcoming RumFest in New York on November 14th.
Participants are being invited to pick their own luscious fruit at RumFest in NYC.
“Put some cream in my Coffee-rum, that is, from Brinley Gold rum, which also brings orange spice, vanilla and coconut rums from St. Kitts,” said wire news service release.
Brinley Gold’s vanilla, coffee and mango rums won Gold Medals and its Island Spice Rum, a Silver Medal at the International Rum Festival in Newfoundland, Canada in 2003.
Brinley’s Vanilla Rum and Coconut Rum won Gold and Silver medals respectively at the International Rum Festival in 2002.
Other rums that will be available for tasting will come from Brazil, St. Croix, Venezuela, Santo Domingo, Belize, Puerto Rico, the United States, Africa, Scotland and Europe.
PM
BUSINESS LEADERS TO INVEST IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
That
advice comes from
In
“Our
economy once driven by the agribusiness of sugarcane production will become a
service-oriented market economy driven by the hospitality and tourism
industries,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
Prime
Minister Douglas spoke of the synergy between agriculture and tourism and
touched on the comprehensive agricultural diversification programme that will
provide incentives to small farmers.
Commenting on the many opportunities, he envisions for Kittitians and Nevisians in the new tourism economy, managing the hotels and entertainment facilities and/or owning the restaurants.
Dr.
Douglas also outlined how his St. Kitts Nevis Labour Government is working with
the schools and colleges to ensure that the workers have the right kind of
training to prepare them to assume these positions of responsibility.
Prime Minister Douglas highlighted a few of the new tourism initiatives including the La Vallee Golf Course.
“With
the present pace of golf course development,
Dr. Douglas will speak with nationals of the twin island Federation
residing in
OVER
200 WORKERS TO BE EMPLOYED DURING EXPANSION OF
ST.
KITTS’
BASSETERRE,
ST. KITTS,
Chairman of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), Mr. Linkon Maynard told a news conference that the civil works which will be carried out by Surrey Paving and Aggregate Limited, a Caribbean company based in Jamaica.
He said it will employ over 200 local contractors and workmen over the next 12 months. The expansion to be carried out at a cost of US$15,997,543 begins next month.
Mr. Maynard said that the project will see a significant improvement in the quality of the runway and taxiways and in particular a huge expansion of the aircraft parking facilities.
“This is an important development in the context of our tourism industry. In terms of its timeliness, we are expected to host World Cup Cricket early in 2007 and this project will begin in three weeks time and by contract is expected to be completed in November 2006,” Maynard told the Press.
The
Project is being jointly funded by the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank
and a loan by the Government of the Republic of China (
Novaport Consultant, Mr. Gordon Goodwin said the works to be carried out include the resurfacing of the existing runway.
He said that the existing western apron will be extended to accommodate six wide-bodied aircraft at the same time. “This is a huge concrete slab that attaches to the existing western apron and projects out into the lands that are now occupied by the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC),” said Goodwin.
He said that a new taxi way will be constructed “parallel alongside the new parking apron, and extend to the west paralleling the runway at the proper separation distances and then turn on to the runway for access for aircraft.”
Mr. Goodwin said the modifications to the drainage system of the apron is designed to take away rain and ground water that gets on the runway.
“In addition, there are new taxi way lighting, new pave and markings that identify where the aircraft should pull in to park, where they should park and how they should park,” said Goodwin, who said that the model aircraft which the new expansion was designed to accommodate is the Boeing 767-300 series. He said the design codes is based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines.
NEW
BASSETERRE,
ST. KITTS,
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Immigration, Justice and Labour, Mrs. Astona Browne said the new system was purchased from Canadian Bank Note Company at a cost of just over US$1 million.
She said the new machine readable passports will prevent the tampering of documents and greater control of the Federation’s borders.
“Over the years we have had to rely on the keen eye of our immigration officers to identify the documents that have been tampered with. Individuals habitually removed the data page of a passport that they might have found or stolen and as we would say in local parlance, doctored it,” said Browne.
She said the current passport with the laminated data page at the back posed little challenge to the frauds who would remove the photograph of the legal passport holder and replaced it with their own in order to conceal their own identity.
“Non-nationals would do this to gain entry into ports where under normal circumstances they would not have easy access. We continue to see evidence of this right here in the Federation,” said Browne.
She told officials attending the ceremony that three types of passports are available, the regular (blue coloured which was previously green); the official (blue coloured, it was blue previously) and the Diplomatic, which is burgundy.
According
to Mrs. Browne, the new passport is similar on the cover to the current document
used, except that it carries the CARICOM Logo and the words Caribbean Community
at the top with the Coat of Arms and the name of the Federation of St. Kitts and
Applicants will have to submit a completed application form, two passport size photos instead of three, a birth certificate, a police record and EC$85 in stamps for persons 16 and over and EC$50 for children under 16 years. The application form would cost EC$15.
She
pointed out that with the high level of security features in the new travel
document and the technology involved, the mild increase in the cost of the new
passport would still make
“Some persons are in the habit of losing their passports, sometimes not deliberately, sometimes by design. The passport is the property of the Government loaned to you for a specified period to give you passage throughout the world. They must not be altered or defaced,” said Browne. She said the fee for replacing a lost passport will be $250.00 and the processing of an emergency passport will be $150.00.
Mrs. Browne disclosed that the application forms will be available this week and the Passport Office will begin accepting completed application forms on November 15th.
She said that current passports will be valid until the phase out period is announced.
JAMAICAN COMPANY AWARDED MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GENERAL CONTRACT FOR ROBERT BRADSHAW AIRPORT EXPANSION
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 25TH 2005 (CUOPM) – The multi-million dollar upgrade and expansion of the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts has been awarded to a Jamaican company.
Chairman of St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), Mr. Linkon Maynard said Surrey Paving and Aggregate Ltd has been awarded the general contract.
Mr. Maynard said the Airport’s Management Team will disclose further plans for the Airport expansion during a Press Conference scheduled for Wednesday morning in the Parliamentary Lounge at Government Headquarters.
Chairman of the Airport Project Management Committee, Mr. Samer Jumean, said that the process for mobilising and selecting a contractor for the project was structured in a manner to ensure transparency.
“Following an international tender call which closed on August 25th, 2005, three bids were received. All the three bids were determined to be in excess of SCASPA’s budgetary requirements. As a result, the two lowest bidders from the first tender were invited to re-tender by September 25, 2005,” said Jumean in a statement released by the Port Authority.
Mr. Jumean said that following a detailed assessment of the two bids, Surrey Paving’s bid was deemed as the more competitive offer.
“Surrey’s Paving and Aggregate Limited tendered amount of US$15, 997,003.24 was about US$1 million less than the competing bid,” Jumean added.
Port Authority Chairman Maynard also explained that following the selection of Surrey Paving, the Airport Project Management Committee will be dissolved and a new team from within SCASPA’s newly organised Engineering Department will be responsible for overseeing the work of the contractor.
“Mr. Jumean will now focus on developing and executing a financial and organisation restructuring strategy for SCASPA, the objective of which will be to transform the Authority into a financially-robust operation that is better able to contribute towards the economic development of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Maynard, who assumed the Port Authority Chairmanship earlier this year.
Mr. Maynard disclosed that mobilisation of works at the Airport is due to start on November 15th 2005, with an expected project completion date of November 2006.
Signing of the Agreement between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority and Surrey Paving and Aggregate Limited will be held on November 4th as part of activities to mark the Labour Party's First Anniversary of its Third Term in Office.
ST.
KITTS AND NEVIS TO LAUNCH NEW MACHINE READ-READABLE
PASSPORT DURING CEREMONY TUESDAY AFTERNOON
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 25TH 2005 (CUOPM) - The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis joins the growing list of Caribbean nations to issue machine-readable passports
Minister of National Security, Justice, Immigration & Labour, the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan will officially launch the new travel document during a ceremony on the steps of Government Headquarters on Church Street on Tuesday afternoon.
The official launch of the new St. Kitts and Nevis Passport coincides with the first anniversary of the reelection of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party to a third consecutive term in office on October 24th last year .
Following the signing of the National Anthem by Constable Laughton Percival of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the Invocation by the Force’s Chaplain, Pastor Leroy Benjamin, an official of the Ministry will give an overview of the project.
Acting Prime Minister the Hon. Sam Condor; Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Project Manger for Canadian Bank Note, Mr. Jarret Jennings are down to give remarks.
National Security Minister Astaphan will officially launch the new passport in his feature address and the Vote of Thanks will be given by Ms. Jennifer Evelyn.
The Federation is one of several CARICOM Member States to issue a national passport with the CARICOM logo.
The
Government of the Republic of Suriname was the first CARICOM Member State to do
so. Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana have
said they will also issue similar travel documents during the course of 2005
Man found dead in his home