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TDC eCommerce Platform Now Offers Selected Building Materials

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TDC eCommerce Platform Now Offers Selected Building Materials

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Customers of the TDC online shopping store, www.shoptdcgroup.com, can now purchase selected building materials.

The addition of the new product categories will now make it possible for shoppers to have access to convenience, variety, and accessibility to contractors, homeowners, and DIY enthusiasts, alike.

With this launch, customers can now browse and purchase a curated selection of high-quality building materials from the comfort of their homes or even project worksites. The platform also features extended product categories, catering to diverse construction and renovation needs, including:

  • Paints and Finishes
  • Plumbing Supplies
  • Electrical Components
  • Flooring and Tiles
  • Tools and Hardware

“Our goal is to make home improvement and construction easier and more accessible,” said Ms. Mia Bailey, Manager, TDC eCommerce Department. We have created another opportunity for our valued customers to explore our product range, compare options, and make purchases seamlessly.”

The user-friendly interface allows customers to:

  • Search and filter products by category or brand
  • View detailed product descriptions and specifications
  • Place orders for delivery or in-store pickup
  • Access to product recommendations through online support features

This added innovation forms part of TDC’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of customers, by combining digital convenience, with trusted quality and service, to ensure an exceptional shopping experience for all.

Conaree Landfill Fire Highlights Government’s Commitment To Alternative Waste Management Solutions

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Conaree Landfill Fire Highlights Government’s Commitment To Alternative Waste Management Solutions

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 27, 2025 (SKNIS): Minister of Sustainable Development and Environment, the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke, updated the nation on a recent fire at the Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC) Landfill at Conaree, noting that it spontaneously combusted due to the natural heat and gases generated from decomposing materials.

While addressing the Federal Parliament on Thursday, February 27, 2025, Minister Clarke indicated that the fire was reported at approximately 1 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Plant operators supported by members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services have contained the fire and are closely monitoring ongoing developments.

“Unfortunately it will have to burn naturally and we expect that in a few days, or maybe even less, the situation will be under control,” Honourable Clarke stated. “We do sincerely apologize to residents in St. Peter’s, Cayon, in some areas, Keys, and Conaree, who have been experiencing this unfortunate situation.”

Dr. Clarke reiterated that the Conaree Landfill is rapidly approaching its “expiration date” and stated that the government is continuing to explore alternative waste management and recycling solutions.

“With the support of the CARICOM-Canada expert deployment exercise, we recently received the final draft of our Solid Waste Management Plan Report. It’s almost 100 pages of what we can do – the options that are available to us for transitioning away from the landfill,” Honourable Clarke added.

The document will guide the government’s next steps as it works to transform St. Kitts and Nevis into a sustainable island state.

Premier Brantley Gives Opinion On Disciplinary Action Against Accused Lawyers

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Premier Brantley Gives Opinion On Disciplinary Action Against Accused Lawyers

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 26th February 2025)- Premier Mark Brantley, who is a trained lawyer, is of the view that in matters where lawyers are accused of being on the wrong side of the law, suspension by the Bar Association should be considered as disciplinary action.

“One of the things, for example, that has troubled me is that we have lawyers who are charged with very serious offenses who, I’m told, continue to practice like nothing happened. And whilst I understand that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, I can’t comprehend how somebody charged with such serious criminal offenses can still be holding themselves out.”

Brantley expressed his opinion while responding to a question posed by a reporter-during his monthly press conference held on Wednesday 26th February 2025- on the topic of recent developments concerning three lawyers on St. Kitts who have been charged by police. 

He called for measures to be put in place to ensure at least suspension while legal proceedings are ongoing.

“To me, there should be some provision where there’s at least some suspension until those matters are cleared up. But some of them continue as if nothing has happened. And we have been struck because I think not one, not two, but three lawyers we’ve heard about charged with very, very serious matters in the last fortnight or two.”

Brantley emphasized the self-regulating nature of the legal profession and pointed at waiting to see what the Bar Association is going to do in addressing such issues.

“The law is one of those few professions that is allowed the courtesy of regulating itself. And so I am waiting to see what the Bar Association is going to do in relation to these rogue elements within the legal profession; how it’s going to deal with them.”

He had expressed “sad” concerns as he elaborated on a recent social media post he made.

“Lawyers charged on St. Kitts. I, in fact, said something about it on social media, on Facebook. I find it very sad. It seems to me that many feel that to become a lawyer, it’s about passing the requisite exams. While that is important, to me the bigger part of being a lawyer is the ethics, the integrity that the profession has.”

The Premier pointed at the negative publicity reaching his overseas colleagues which he is embarrassed by.  

“And so it’s a serious matter. I think that, you know, when colleagues in Jamaica, for example, can send me press articles about what’s going on in St. Kitts and Nevis, I am embarrassed by it. That is not the standard that we expect from lawyers. That’s not the standard we expect from people who are charged with upholding the law.”

Brantley highlighted the importance of ethical conduct within the legal profession and encouraged those in the profession now and those coming in lawyers to uphold the highest standards.

“I ask the question, who’s going to guard the guardians? Because if you are the guardians of the law and you are bent on breaking the law, then we have a very serious problem in our country. And so I hope that those in the profession now, and those who are coming into the profession, that if any of them has been tempted to do what is wrong, they right that ship and they start to do the right things and be ethical, because ethical considerations are the core of who we are as lawyers; I think I can include myself in that talk.”

PM Drew Applauds Togetherness In National Security Improvement 

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PM Drew Applauds Togetherness In National Security Improvement 

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 27th February 2025)-“Madame Speaker, we have seen a significant improvement in our security situation. We have seen a significant decrease in crime and violence, and I want to ask our people to continue on that path. Do not allow anybody to draw you out and to make it [appear] as if it doesn’t take all of us to resolve the matter. It takes all of us. And I want to reinforce that point because together as a people we can resolve it…” 

So said Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Terrance Drew during his opening statement in parliament on Thursday 27th February 2025 as he spotlighted the progress made in national security in urging the public to remain engaged.

He emphasized that public safety is a collective responsibility, stressing that the government alone cannot achieve this goal.

“Wherever you are in St. Kitts and Nevis, you are part of the apparatus of citizen security. Every citizen has a responsibility for keeping all of us safe. It is not just up to the government because the government alone cannot do it. Any government who tells the people that they alone can do it, they are lying. This needs a holistic; all hands on deck approach, and an approach from a public health perspective… which needs all of the things I mentioned,” he explained.

Speaking  further on national security, Dr. Drew applauded all participants-including political parties- of the government’s  ‘Day of Interruption’ anti-crime activity conducted in school throughout the Federation the day before (26th February), recognizing the ongoing collaborative efforts.

According to him: “Madame Speaker, before we got to this point, and the violence was at a peak, there was a lot of words of condemnation instead of words of how we can come together. We called the people of St. Kitts and Nevis together, including political parties…and I want to thank the political parties for coming together as well… The reason why I did that is because crime had been affecting our federation for decades. It did not start with us, Madame Speaker. We just came into office in 2022, and I held the position that we can implement a scientifically proven approach, which is health-based, which happened to be my field of study. I’ve always said it would work but for it to work, everybody has to come together.” 

The National Security Minister went on to say: “And in coming together, we will be able to deal with this matter. When it is here, any other country can adopt it…but we were able to come together on a 90-day campaign, and beyond the 90 days, and start to implement what we’ll call the strategic approach to dealing with crime and violence. And not just crime and violence, but look at the whole issue of citizen security, which is beyond just law and order, or what we’ll call the security apparatus.”

” Citizen security involves schools, private sector, sports teams, the man hanging out on the corner, the retired people, the church. Whenever you are part of the apparatus of citizen security. Every citizen has a responsibility for keeping all of us safe. It is not just up to the government,” PM Drew encouraged.

When Judgment Rules In The Court Of Public Opinion 

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When Judgment Rules In The Court Of Public Opinion 

The justice system is built upon the principle that every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This foundational concept is meant to uphold fairness and protect against wrongful condemnation. However, in the court of public opinion, this presumption often falters. The moment someone’s name is linked to an accusation, there is no doubt that the weight of suspicion can be suffocating to said individual, casting a long shadow over their character and reputation.

The mere mention of a person’s name in an ongoing investigation can irrevocably alter their standing in society. The legal process takes time, but public judgment is swift and often unforgiving. Long before any verdict is delivered in a court of law, a social sentence is imposed-one that can persist even if innocence is later affirmed. In an era where information spreads rapidly, the damage to one’s reputation is difficult, if not impossible, to undo.

This phenomenon has come into sharp focus most recently, as allegations against legal professionals and a senior police officer have stirred public debate. Lawyers, by virtue of their profession, are expected to uphold the law, making accusations against them particularly striking. In such cases, the discourse around right and wrong becomes even more intense, with many in the public assuming the roles of judge, jury, and executioner based solely on police reports, and quite naturally- gossip as well.

History has shown that the struggle between morality and human shortcoming is an age-old battle. Integrity is often a buzzword associated with professions that demand ethical fortitude, and there is an implicit expectation that those in positions of trust-lawyers, judges, doctors, and law enforcement officers-will consistently act with unimpeachable character. However, human behaviour is complex, and even those who are trained to uphold the highest moral standards are not immune to missteps. Psychologists and behavioural experts offer varying insights into why individuals-regardless of their profession-succumb to moral lapses. But the reality remains: not all who are accused are guilty, and not all who are guilty are caught.

It is easy to cast judgment when scandals surface. Society tends to magnify certain transgressions while excusing others under the premise that ‘We are all human beings.’ The challenge, however, is to balance accountability with fairness. Yes, those who violate the law must face the consequences, and if their downfall serves as a deterrent for others, so be it. But we must also recognize that we do not live in a perfect world, and flawed as we are, our duty as civic-minded individuals is to uphold justice-not just in principle, but in practice.

In the end, the greatest test of integrity is not how we judge others, but how we hold ourselves accountable to the same standards we expect from them.

On this occasion of National Day of Prayer (28th February), may we be prayerful in seeking divine guidance as we go about our daily lives in all that we do.

Taiwan reports 2nd highest foreign trade in 2024

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Taiwan reports 2nd highest foreign trade in 2024

February 26, 2025 – Taiwan recorded its second-best foreign trade numbers in 2024, thanks in part to continuous expansion of the global economy, the Ministry of Finance said Feb. 25.

Taiwan recorded its second-best foreign trade numbers in 2024, thanks in part to continuous expansion of the global economy, the Ministry of Finance said Feb. 25.

The MOF attributed the strong showing to factors like inflation mitigation and the recovery of economic resilience around the world, adding that global supply chain restructuring and expanding artificial intelligence applications greatly benefited local semiconductor and information communication technology sectors.

According to the ministry, Taiwan’s exports grew 9.9 percent to US$475 billion during the year, with figures reaching a new monthly high in August, along with a second peak in December. Imports surged 12.2 percent to US$394 billion as semiconductor firms ramped up investments in equipment to prepare for a booming global AI supply chain.

A breakdown of the figures shows that electronic components and parts topped the export list, accounting for 37.3 percent of the total, followed by ICT and audiovisual products at 27.9 percent and basic metals at 6 percent.

Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. reached a record high of US$111.4 billion, up 46.1 percent over 2023. Exports to major trade partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations increased 15.1 percent to US$87.8 billion, also a record high.

While China and Hong Kong remained the leading destination for local exports, the combined share dropped to 31.7 percent, the lowest in 23 years. The U.S. surpassed ASEAN members to take the second spot, with its share of 23.4 percent the highest in 24 years.

Despite geopolitical risk and uncertainties stemming from the tariff policies of the U.S. new administration, the MOF expected recovering global trade and expanding investment in AI applications by global cloud service providers to continue to benefit Taiwan’s exporters. (SFC-E)

AVEC In Collaboration With The Chamber Of Crafts Germany Launches Training In Carpentry And Metalwork

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AVEC In Collaboration With The Chamber Of Crafts Germany Launches Training In Carpentry And Metalwork

Basseterre, St. Kitts, Tuesday, February 25, 2025: The Advanced Vocational Educational Centre (AVEC) launched a Carpentry and Metal Work Training during an opening ceremony on Monday, February 24, under the theme “Transforming Education Through Self-Renewal, Holistic Partnerships and Digital Solutions”. 

This initiative which aims to enhance the technical expertise of participants, equipping them with the modern techniques and best practices in carpentry and metalwork, is facilitated by experts from the Chamber of Crafts, Flensburg, Germany.

AVEC Carpentry and Metalwork Training

Dr. Kertney Thompson, CEO, TVET Secretariat, encouraged participants to fully embrace the training, emphasizing that it presents a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. He also extended gratitude to the facilitators for their commitment to sharing their expertise and fostering international collaboration in vocational education. 

The training began on Monday, 24, and will end on Friday 28, February, with hands-on training and theoretical lessons designed to build competence and confidence in both carpentry and metalwork.

MOE Continues Distribution Of Fire Extinguishers To Various Schools In St. Kitts

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MOE Continues Distribution Of Fire Extinguishers To Various Schools In St. Kitts

Basseterre, St. Kitts, Tuesday, February 25, 2025: The Ministry of Education continues its commitment to school safety with the ongoing distribution of fire extinguishers to various schools across St. Kitts. This initiative is part of the Model Safe School Programme, which is funded by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). 

During the latest handover ceremony, Focal Point for the Safe School Programme, Dr. Tricia Esdaille emphasized the importance of having safe schools in St. Kitts.

“With regards to the Ministry of Education and its Safe School Programme, we continue to work within our schools in various ways each academic year. This year as we look to build our program, we continue to work with the nine pilot schools, and they are the recipients of fire extinguishers. The receipt of the fire extinguishers is the first phase. Over the course of this academic year, we look to have training within all our schools that receive fire extinguishers on how to use them effectively.” 

She further explained that the Ministry of Education is looking at the next phase of the project which includes, a federal approach to school safety, building more community connections, the development of school safety plans for all schools, school safety drills and capacity building for staff and students so that they can respond to incidents in schools. 

School Principals expressed their gratitude for the provision of fire extinguishers, acknowledging the significance of this initiative in ensuring the safety of students and staff. They also committed to mounting the extinguishers securely and ensuring that, if ever needed, they would be used correctly. 

The Ministry of Education remains dedicated to strengthening emergency preparedness in schools, with this latest initiative reinforcing the overall objective of creating safer learning environments for all. 

Harris Disagrees With Bus Fare Increase

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Harris Disagrees With Bus Fare Increase

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 26th February 2025)-Leader of the People’s Labour Party (PLP) and former Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris, who is also the Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven, is against the recent increase in passenger bus fares, arguing that it places financial burden on passengers already struggling with the cost of living.

He stated such a position during the party’s press conference held on Wednesday 19th February 2025 at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel in Frigate Bay, stating that the government is failing to act in the best interest of its people.

“Rather than fighting for you, rather than fighting for us, just look at what is happening. Look at what the government is doing in our country. Bus fares have gone up. We are happy that the bus operators get something more. But has the government taken into account the impact upon the ordinary people who every morning they have to wake up, take a bus?”

Dr. Harris further elaborated on the financial strain this increase places on daily commuters.

“The extra $10 they will have per week, for the majority of them, the bus fares have gone up by at least a dollar. And you go to work, you have to come back. So that’s $2 extra that you have to pay. $40 at least in a four-week month when things are tough. And hardly any of those who are taking these buses, these passengers, can afford to pay this extra to go to work or even to go to see their loved ones.”

The immediate former Prime Minister claimed his administration took measures to benefit both bus operators and commuters.

“Better must be done and it must have been in the power of the government, any government, to have done something to relieve the burden on those who have to take buses that way. Indeed, when we were faced with that challenge in our administration, we outlined a number of measures, duty free concessions and support to the bus operators, and we said to them: ‘This will make up as it were. And for this particular benefit, we want you to hold on any movement which was adverse to those who had to travel’.” 

Dr. Harris accused the government of ignoring the financial struggles of its citizens, highlighting the increase in bus fares as part of a broader trend of worsening economic conditions.

“So there are things that can be done. But for a government to move, the government must consider it important to act. And clearly, the government is not concerned about those who really need the help. The bus fare is just one example of the many things that are moving in adverse ways that are negatively impacting our people. Every day there is a cry about the cost of living, and this one-term government is not doing anything about the prices. It is as if the government and the cabinet, they are deaf and dumb to the worsening plight of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

An October 2024 press release from the government’s St.Kitts Information Services (SKNIS) indicated that the Federal Cabinet of the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis (“the Cabinet”) carefully considered and approved the recommendations from the Traffic Safety and Public Service Drivers Board (“the Board”) for an adjustment of the omnibus fare structure on St. Kitts, noting that multiple factors were considered including the rise of inflation.

As expressed: “This decision was not taken lightly, following extensive analysis over the past year to ensure the most balanced outcome for all.”

The statement highlighted that the Board’s assessment considered multiple factors, including the rise in inflation since the last fare adjustment over 16 years ago, in June 2008, the steadily increasing cost of operating omnibuses, the concessions available to omnibus operators, and the financial impact on the commuters, particularly the minimum wage earner. 

“Although the assessment can justify a higher fare adjustment, in consideration of the financial impact on the commuters while balancing the economic realities of the omnibus operators, the new fares were limited to a maximum adjustment of XCD 1.00 across all distances. This careful compromise is essential to ensuring the sustainability of the public transport sector and the continued provision of safe and reliable omnibus services,” it further read.

The new fares came into effect on Monday 18th November 2024 at 12:01 AM.

Three Bills to Receive First Reading in the National Assembly on Thursday, February 27, 2025

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Three Bills to Receive First Reading in the National Assembly on Thursday, February 27, 2025

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 26, 2025 (SKNIS): The Order Paper has been issued for a sitting of the National Assembly to be held at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Notice has been given.

Three Bills are slated to receive their first reading, as the government’s good governance legislative agenda continues as it commits itself to transparency, accountability and the Rule of Law.

The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Finance, National Security, Citizenship and Immigration, Health and Human Resource Management, and Social Security, Dr. Terrance Drew, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time the Bills entitled Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission Agreement Bill, 2025, and the Prisons (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Additionally, the Honourable Attorney-General and Minister responsible for Justice and Legal Affairs, Garth Wilkin, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time the Bill entitled Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The National Assembly will be carried live on ZIZ Radio (96 FM) and participating radio stations. It can also be viewed live on TV Channel 5 in St. Kitts and Channel 98 in Nevis. It will also be streamed live at www.zizonline.com.

Copies of Bills, as soon as they are made available, can be found on the website (www.sknis.gov.kn) of the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service under the section titled Bills. They can also be accessed via the Facebook page St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service.

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