Women in St. Kitts have overwhelmingly responded to a month-long series of training by the Department of Gender Affairs that will increase knowledge and skills in several areas traditionally dominated by men.

The recently held 52nd Annual Agriculture and Food Fair held in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (USVI), became a significant platform for showcasing St. Kitts and Nevis’ local products and produce, attracting around 30,000 visitors over its three-day course, (February 17-19)

Stakeholders operating from Port Zante had the chance to interact directly with officials from the Ministry of Tourism on February 20 at the NEMA Conference Room, where they expressed their concerns and opinions, and offered recommendations aimed at enhancing business activities in this vital sector.

While the minimum wage was increased from $360.00 per week to $430.00 per week effective January 1st, 2024, the threshold for exemption from Housing and Social Development Levy is set at $450.00 per week. That is, only the Social Security deduction of 5% should be applied to employee wages between $0.01 to $450.00 per week.

At the recent Prime Minister’s Press Conference, Minister of Agriculture Samal Duggins expressed strong confidence in St. Kitts and Nevis’s capacity to achieve its ambitious target of reducing the food import bill by 25 percent by 2025, with such optimism stemming from the increase in local farmers joining forces with the ministry to realize this vision.

The government of St.Kitts-Nevis is currently focused on implementing improvements at the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital, said to be part of a broader initiative to maintain the federation's main healthcare facility while also progressing with plans for a new state-of-the-art smart hospital.

The Early Childhood Development Unit (ECDU) recently conducted a professional development retreat for early childhood supervisors and proprietors, aiming to enhance the leadership and teamwork within the early childhood education sector.

In a move towards agricultural self-sufficiency and economic resilience, the Ministry of Agriculture in St. Kitts has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at reducing the nation's food import bill by twenty-five percent by the year 2025.

The Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC) is submitting a Request for Information (RIF) that requires the drilling of five (5) wells in Phase 1 for an initial 10MWe.  This will be expanded to 30MWe with the drilling of four (4) additional wells in Phase 2.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, September 9, 2022 (MMS-SKN) -- Prime Minister the Hon Dr Terrance Drew, and Minister of Tourism who is also the Area Parliamentary Representative for Central Basseterre (St. Christopher Two) the Hon Marsha Henderson, have praised the work of St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party loyalist, Ms Lynette Elizabeth Nanton, who died in tragic circumstances on Monday August 22 at the tender age of 26. Prime Minister Drew and Minister Henderson on Thursday September 8 joined family members and the wider St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party family at the home going service for party loyalist Ms Nanton, which was held at the Zion Moravian Church, Victoria Road, Basseterre, and conducted by Rev Onita K. Samuel-Warner. “We are here this afternoon, saying goodbye to our dear comrade,” said Prime Minister and Minister of Health et al, the Hon Dr Terrance Drew. “She has been an ardent supporter and the circumstances under which she lost her dear life are very tragic of course, but we are here as the Leadership of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party to demonstrate our strong support.” Also present at the church were the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Dr Geoffrey Hanley, Ambassador His Excellence Leon Natta-Nelson, former Cabinet Minister and Area Parliamentary Representative for Central Basseterre, Ms Marcella Liburd, the entire leadership and membership of Constituency Number Two (Central Basseterre) St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party branch, and Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Mrs Shez Dore-Tyson. “As we go through this difficult period, I want to say to the family that we are here to support them,” said the Honourable Prime Minister at the Springfield Cemetery where the body was interred. “We extend our deepest condolences and we will always remember their family who would have contributed so much to our organisation. So today is difficult and challenging and painful, but we are here to show our support.” Hon Marsha Henderson, the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, International Transport, Employment and Labour, and Urban Development, who worked closely with Ms Lynette Elizabeth Nanton at the constituency level, was most emotionally affected by the loss and had to be physically supported by Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Dr Geoffrey Hanley as she paid her tribute at the church. “I remember when I first met Lynette, and she was so very eager to join the campaign and work with the members of our team,” said Hon Henderson as she fought back tears. “In no time, her presence both in the constituency office and during the canvassing efforts became a staple. Lynette was loved and Lynette was liked. I have never seen her without a smile on her face. She was always so upbeat and her cheerfulness was practically contagious.” According to the Honourable Minister, Ms Nanton was always ready and willing to help, and offered her assistance to the cause and wherever she could. She noted that she was particularly touched by the strong support Lynette had for her during the political campaign, pointing out that Ms Nanton was front and centre of every public meeting and on occasion she even shared flag waving duties with another Labour Party loyalist, Cutie. Hon Henderson commented that while to some Ms Nanton may have been seen to be just a fan for the action or a fan of the Labour Movement, that was not so. She pointed out that while Ms Nanton’s understanding was limited in some ways, she genuinely believed that her family and herself deserved a better life, and that the better life would come with a Labour Government. “Lynette will be deeply missed by all of us,” concluded Hon Henderson. “As a constituency and a team, we will ensure that we keep her memory alive. Let us as a people strive to embody the very best of Lynette. Let us be inspired to become the Lynette embodiment of cheerfulness, helpfulness and kindness. May the Nanton family find solace and peace and may the soul of our dearly departed Lynette rest in eternal peace. We love you Lynette, and we will always love you.” Tributes were paid by members of her family at the church, some virtually by those living overseas, and the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party Constituency Number Two Branch by song. The congregation was however moved by Ms Lynette Nanton’s eight-year-old son Master Treshaune Nanton who paid tribute with a guitar to his departed dear mother by rendering Bob Marley’s Let’s get together and feel alright. Delivering the eulogy, Ms Carol Boddie noted that Lynette was a hard working lady especially when it came down to the Labour Party which she supported and rallied for to the end. “Lynette was asked what job she would like to do and the reply was even if it was sweeping the floors because that was her passion,” said Ms Boddie, whose final words to Lynette were: “Treshaune (the eight year old son) is in great hands my sister so don’t stress look over him and rest easy - we love you.”

Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority Ellison Thompson said that travel is on the rebound during his presentation at the Minister of Tourism’s Press Conference on September 8.

Child protection and juvenile justice stakeholders are feeling energized following the September 06 and 07, 2022, consultation that considered key reforms to pieces of related legislation.