Carnival Spirit made its maiden cruise call on the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, November 09, 2022, making it the first call from Carnival Cruise Line to dock at Port Zante in Basseterre, St. Kitts for the 2022-2023 season.

Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Marsha Henderson, and other key personnel were on hand to welcome Captain Salvatore Siviero, crew and passengers.

“Captain Salvatore, I am honoured this morning to welcome you, your crew and passengers to our beautiful destination St. Kitts on your inaugural call. In fact, you are the first call from the Carnival Corp for this season and we are looking forward to the additional calls. We want to welcome you on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Minister Henderson during the Plaque Exchange Ceremony. “I think this call signifies the longstanding relationship we have as a destination with Carnival Corp and we look forward to continued relations with Carnival.”

November is a very active month for the cruise sector in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“I am excited for November alone. We have seven (7) inaugural calls. This call today is the Carnival Spirit with a passenger capacity of just about over 2500 persons and we have at least three (3) calls for Carnival Spirit this season, giving us a projected passenger capacity of just over 7600 and so we are excited,” said the Tourism Minister. “Coming off of the [COVID-19] Pandemic persons hadn’t worked for the past two years and so the more inaugural calls we have the better it is for us as an economy. So we are super excited and we are looking forward to even more inaugural calls for the cruise season.”

Chief Executive Officer at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Ellison “Tommy” Thompson said that “this is a great start to the cruise season and we anticipate a very robust season moving forward.”

Captain Salvatore thanked Minister Henderson for the warm welcome and expressed a desire to increase calls to the destination.

Carnival Spirit was launched on July 07, 2000. It has a capacity of 2,124 passengers and 930 crew members.

The Ministry of Sports made a financial contribution to Jahzara Claxton through her parents that will be used to develop her sporting skill further and to offset expenses while she is away as a member of the West Indies Under 19 Female Cricket Team.

Minister of Sports, the Honourable Samal Duggins, presented the contribution to Jahzara’s mother Ika Francis and father, Frank Claxton, during a brief handover ceremony on Wednesday (November 08, 2022) at the Minister’s office

Minister Duggins said that the Ministry is proud of the young, talented two-sport athlete who continues to make the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis very proud. She has represented the country on the international field in cricket and football.

“We see a very talented young woman in Jahzara and we are happy to support that talent financially and otherwise from a national level and as [the] Minister of Sports, I just want to congratulate the parents and Jahzara personally for the hard work and talent that she has displayed as a national athlete in both sporting endeavours,” the Sports Minister stated.

The Sports Minister offered heartfelt congratulations to Jahzara. “We hope to hear about your further success on the international stage as we celebrate you here in the Federation,” he said.

Frank Claxton, expressed sincere appreciation for the Federal Government’s contribution and the Minister’s kind words.

“We would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the Ministry of Sports and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for the donation made to our daughter. We are very proud of her and we want to see her go to the highest. We wish her well, and we thank you all very much for the support,” Mr. Claxton stated.

According to www.windiescricket.com, Jahzara was selected as part of the Women’s U19 squad for the upcoming tour of India. The upcoming tour will feature matches against India ‘A’ Women U19, India ‘B’ Women U19 and Sri Lanka Women U19 in Visakhapatnam at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium. West Indies will then travel to Mumbai where they play against New Zealand Women U19 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

The Ministry of National Security continues to invest in the human resource development of the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, this time through the staging of a Chain of Command Workshop organized by the Training and Development Unit.

The two-day workshop commenced today, Wednesday, November 9, 2022, with a brief ceremony at the NEMA Conference Room. It is being attended by junior fire officers, supervisors and senior officers, as well as auxiliary workers and STEP employees attached to the fire services.

Acting Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Garfield Hodge addressed his officers at Wednesday’s opening ceremony where he underscored the significance of such a training exercise to the daily functioning of the department.

“The chain of command in its simplest form can be defined as an organizational structure that documents how each member reports to one another. It creates accountability within each as all personnel are responsible, not only for their own actions but also for the actions of others and their subordinates, which in turn creates a culture of responsibility and dependency on others and ultimately speaking, this is the main objective of this training and development workshop,” Acting Fire Chief Hodge stated.

According to Mr. Hodge, the inclusion of junior officers, auxiliary workers, and STEP employees ensures that at least 85 percent of the organization’s personnel benefit from the capacity-building exercise.

“We, therefore, expect that hereafter our scope of understanding relative to our functions and responsibilities, both internally and externally, will be enhanced. This of course will vastly improve our delivery of service to the general public as we endeavor to serve as we are mandated to,” Mr. Hodge said.

The two-day training programme is separated into two separate sessions. The morning sessions are being attended by junior fire officers, auxiliary workers and STEP employees, while the supervisors and senior fire officers participate in the afternoon sessions.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services Chain of Command Workshop is being facilitated by National Security Advisor, Retired Major General Stewart Saunders.

Three Youth Ambassadors are representing the Federation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, two of whom are from Nevis.

Cordiesere Walters, a Youth Development Officer and Sybastian Manners, a Physical Planning Officer are both employees of the Nevis Island Administration, while Derionne Edmeade, Environmental Educational Officer hails from St Kitts.

Hon Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, declared her support for and her conviction that the youth are the critical component in the battle against climate change and climate resilience in St. Kitts and Nevis.

She said, “We are happy that the youth are our equal partners in this climate resilience pathway with the establishment of the Ministry of Climate Action. Youth ambassadorial work is particularly important and the expectation is that the three individuals become our first youth focal point and youth ambassadors for climate action. They have been tasked with daily reflections, social media reflections, posting, networking, and connections regionally and internationally for climate action.”

The major task of the youth faction is to deliver five youth-driven actionables for the Ministry of Climate Action for 2023. They include nature, food, water, climate adaptation and industry decarbonization.

Dr Clarke said the intentional approach to expand the delegation in partnership with ROC (Taiwan) was done because they remain a primary partner in terms of bilateral relationships. Their actions within the Federation and in Taiwan, she said, demonstrate readiness and willingness to partner on climate change for Small Island Development States.

Minister Clarke emphasised, “We recognize that expanding the delegation, which is, the first time it has been done and at no cost to the government, was necessary because these negotiations and networking sessions require large delegations so that St Kitts and Nevis can benefit from the three-week conference. The technical team will be there ahead of the Ministry and will be working on a CARICOM agenda of Loss and Damage, financing the 1.5 threshold.”

The 1.5° threshold refers to countries making a concerted climate action, via the Paris Agreement, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to ultimately reduce global warming.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) fully sponsored the participation of the youth delegation while GirlsCARE Jamaica, a climate activist group, co-sponsored Cordiesere Walters.

Thirty (30) national security officers, who recently completed an Emergency Medical Responder Course No. 1 of 2022, were presented with their certificates of completion during a ceremony held at the Police Training School on Monday, November 7, 2022.

The course, which ran from March 28 to June 17, 2022, at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) Division of Health Sciences, was attended by officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) and officers of the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services.

Participants of the Emergency Medical Responder Course were introduced to specific emergency medical responder functions, including establishment and maintenance of airway, administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, control of haemorrhage, treatment of shock, immobilization fractures, bandaging of wounds, management of patients and the initiation treatment for poison and burn victims.

Dean of the Division of Health Sciences at CFBC, Dr. Rondalyn Dennis-Bradshaw addressed Monday’s graduation ceremony, at which point she stated that the skills gathered over the period of the course will be of great value to the successful participants

“Law enforcement officers trained in an Emergency Medical Responder Course not only provide immediate medical treatment to citizens but can also save the lives of their fellow officers. Now more than ever, with the increase in life-threatening events, our community depends on an emergency medical system that responds quickly with well-educated and competent emergency medical responders.

 Acting Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Garfield Hodge expressed his gratitude to the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Division of Health Sciences for further enhancing the skills and capabilities of the officers.

He said, “As entities within national security, particularly the Fire and Rescue Services, our mandate is to protect and safeguard lives and property from the dangers and effects of fires and explosions. This course, however, has broadened our capacity to respond to emergencies that require initial medical attention. As such, we are now in a better position to deliver a more effective and efficient response to emergencies. I am indeed thankful to Dr. Bradshaw and her team for facilitating such a critical course that has indeed enhanced our response capacity.”

Following Mr. Hodge’s remarks, the course participants were presented with their certificates by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilroy Brandy; Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Andre Mitchell and Dr. Bradshaw.

In attendance at the ceremony was also the Vice President of Finance and Administration at CFBC, Chidi Liburd-Edwards

Officials from the Ministry of Education engaged members of the Estridge and Tabernacle communities in formal discussions surrounding the decision to merge both the Estridge and Edgar T Morris Primary Schools into one institution. The community sensitization endeavours were held on Tuesday, November 01 and Thursday, November 03 at the Estridge and the Edgar T. Morris Primary Schools
respectively.
Addressing members of the Tabernacle community, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Education, and Chairperson for the proceedings Mrs. Lisa R. Pistana stated,

“We know sometimes when things are new and they are different, they are often difficult to accept. But we can assure you as we think through the process and as we made this decision, we believe and we continue to believe it’s in the best interest of your children.”
Dr. Tricia Esdaille, Senior Assistant Secretary informed the gatherings of some of the factors which influenced the decision to merge the two educational institutions. Dr. Esdaille explained

“What’s happening on the Eastern Zone however, is that we have an increasing ageing
population and a low birth rate for this area of the island. We don’t have a lot of [students]
coming in our Kindergarten classes and essentially keeping the enrollment of schools on the Eastern Zone at a fairly high level. Small schools are by no means new for St. Kitts and Nevis; we have small schools all over the island, but on the eastern side of the island you [the schools] are particularly small. Among small schools, Estridge Primary and also Edgar T. Morris Primary are both exceptionally small. I believe Estridge Primary has for its population 25 students enrolled and at Edgar T. Morris Primary they have 65 students. What I want you to understand is, both schools are small.”

Dr. Esdaille addressed the issue of the optimal class size in the area,

“Within St. Kitts and Nevis, when we look at class sizes and we look at what we consider a large class or the ideal or the maximum number students we would want in a classroom, the number is 25. The entire population of the Estridge Primary school is equivalent to what we have determined is the ideal class size or the maximum class size that we think is best for teaching and learning in the classroom that would allow for really good students engagement.”
Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley reassured parents and guardians that the merger will pave the way forward for the students.
“I know change is always a problem; how you manage it makes the difference. This [school
merger] should not be looked at as a bad change, but rather as an opportunity for something new
that will happen. Education is forever changing! The merger of the Estridge and Edgar T. Morris Primary Schools will be no difficult challenge; it will be an exciting time for the children.”

Minister Hanley encouraged parents to have a positive outlook for the merger.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas reflected on the long-standing relationship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Federation at a dinner on Tuesday, November 08, 2022, in Taiwan. The dinner was hosted by His Excellency. Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have established a strong bilateral relationship for nigh four decades.  I have had the good fortune and privilege to shape the contours of our bilateral engagement for the twenty years of my service as Prime Minister,” said Minister Douglas. “I can, therefore, attest to the immense value derived by both countries from this rock-solid relationship, which we have engendered, one which is based on a formidable platform built by values we share, values such as the promotion of democracy, good governance, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Douglas said that the “geographical distance” of both countries does not hinder us from “working closely together to uphold our shared values or strengthen our mutually beneficial relationship yielding tangible and intangible outcomes.”
Minister Douglas, who is also responsible for International Trade and Investment, highlighted the manufacturing sector, a key contributor to the economic success of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“As we take our bilateral relationship into its fourth decade, I would wish for us to seriously consider placing a sharper focus on initiatives geared toward promoting trade and investment at the government-to-government, business-to-business, and public-private partnership levels,” he said.  “In St. Kitts and Nevis, we have over the past fifty years developed a strong manufacturing sector with electronic and electrical parts and components which we export to the United States and the European Union. Our workers in this sector are highly skilled and ready to work! We are convinced that the continued growth and development of our manufacturing sector will redound to the further growth and expansion of our economy,” Dr. Douglas added.

Minister Douglas called for the opportunity to “promote dialogues among small and medium-sized enterprises” in St. Kitts and Nevis and ROC (Taiwan) as this will “increase and strengthen the bonds of friendship and deepen the level of integration” between both countries.
Minister Douglas is currently in the ROC (Taiwan) as part of Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew’s delegation. The team left the Federation on November 05 for a four (4) day State Visit.

The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has a new Ambassador to Taiwan! Ambassador-designate Mr. Donya Lynex Francis presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. Dr. Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Palace in Taipei on November 8, 2022, in the presence of Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Foreign Minister Right Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Premier of Nevis, Hon. Mark Brantley and a high-level delegation from the Federation, who are in Taiwan on an official 4-day State Visit from November 7-10 and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan.  

His Excellency Donya Francis is the second Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis to the Republic of China (Taiwan) since the Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis was opened in Taipei on January 28, 2008. He succeeds former Ambassador H.E. Jasmine Huggins who served in that position for over a decade.

“Just now, I was delighted to receive the credentials of Ambassador Francis. On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to congratulate Ambassador Francis on his new role. With the assistance of Ambassador Francis, I look forward to facilitating closer exchanges and realizing more fruitful collaboration between Taiwan and St. Christopher and Nevis. Thank you,” President Dr. Tsai said.

St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) established diplomatic relations in 1983.

The Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, said that the strong bilateral relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) has borne many fruits in several areas, while leading a delegation on an official State Visit to the South-east Asian country from November 7-10, 2022.  
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew highlighted several areas where the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has benefitted from technical and financial assistance, capacity building, and international advocacy as a direct result of its bilateral relationship, which was established shortly after the Federation attained its Independence back in 1983.
 
 “Many of our nationals have benefited from scholarships to pursue tertiary education here in Taiwan. Many have returned home and continue to contribute to national development. While other countries are endowed with rich mineral resources, our people are our resource base. It is therefore prudent for us to continually strive to build our human resource capacity. We are eternally grateful to the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for their valuable assistance in achieving this objective. We are equally grateful for the assistance we receive in agriculture, health care, public infrastructure, ICT, and environmental conservation, to name but a few,” the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis said.
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew was saluted by a Military Guard of Honour at the Presidential Palace in Taipei, as he was received for the first time by the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H. E. Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday, November 08, 2022.
 
Giving remarks at the Military Parade, Prime Minister Dr. Drew hailed the longstanding relationship between the twin-island Federation and the Republic of China (Taiwan), noting that his visit to the country will only serve to strengthen that relationship.
 
He said, “This State Visit to Taiwan is significant in more ways than one – it strengthens the solid platform built for well over three decades, which allows us to implement projects under the broad rubric of functional cooperation. It also places us at the threshold of a new era of enhanced partnership, where we consider creative solutions to the challenges which threaten to prevent us from achieving our development objectives.”
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew gave President Tsai and the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) his assurance that St. Kitts and Nevis stands “ready to use its influence in international fora to advocate for values and principles which we share with Taiwan.”
 
“We, therefore, have no difficulty in promoting our shared values of democracy, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law,” Dr. Drew added. “We believe firmly that Taiwan has a role to play in sustaining a vibrant global economy through manufacturing and export of quality goods and services. Taiwan can also contribute to the global effort to find solutions to pandemics, climate change adaptation and mitigation endeavours, disaster preparedness, food and livelihood security, and rapid urbanization.”
 
On Wednesday, November 09, Prime Minister Dr. Drew and the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation are scheduled to visit the Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan and meet with H.E. Tzi-chin Chang, Minister of Environmental Protection and also pay a visit to the National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare and meet with H.E. M.D. Po-chang Lee, Director General of the National Health Insurance Administration.
 
The Honourable Prime Minister will also meet with students from St. Kitts and Nevis studying at several Taiwanese universities in Taiwan on scholarships at the Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis in Taipei on Wednesday, 9^th November.

St. Kitts and Nevis will continue to use its influence in international fora to advocate for the values and principles that the twin-island Federation shares with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, made the commitment on Tuesday, November 08, 2022, at a State Banquet hosted by Her Excellency Dr. Tsai ing-wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The State Banquet was held at the Presidential Palace and is one of the official engagements of the Prime Minister during his State Visit to the ROC (Taiwan).

The Prime Minister described Taiwan as a true friend that shares similar values of democracy, good governance, human rights, and the rule of law.

“We shall continue to lend our voice to the clarion call for the international community to recognize that Taiwan has a role to play in finding solutions to the myriad challenges which confront us as we strive to achieve our development objectives,” Dr. Drew stated. “At the recently held 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, I had the distinct honour to lay emphasis on this fundamental point on the global platform provided by the United Nations.”

The Prime Minister, a medical doctor by profession, said that the recent global health emergency is a clear demonstration of the need for bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

“The COVID-19 Pandemic has taught us that insularity will prevent us from achieving desired outcomes,” Prime Minister Drew stated. “Cooperation and dialogue are crucial pieces of the puzzle. Diseases respect no borders. Cooperation among regional and international partners is integral to solving global problems.”

Honourable Dr. Drew expressed that his government remains committed to sustaining and strengthening the bonds of friendship between St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan).