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 25^th May, 2023, at 10:00 am. Notice has been given.

Eight Bills will receive their first reading and two will receive their second reading. 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 Social Security, Dr. Terrance Drew, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time the Bills entitled Smoking (Designated Areas) Bill, 2023; Drugs (Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs) (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, 2023.

 
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew

Also, 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 Bills entitled Nevis Island Administration (Civil Proceedings) Bill, 2023; Crown Proceedings (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 2023; Unauthorized Disclosure of Official Information Bill, 2023; Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The Honourable Attorney General and Minister responsible for Justice and Legal Affairs will also move the second reading of Nevis Island Administration (Civil Proceedings) Bill, 2023; and Crown Proceedings (Amendment) Bill, 2023.


 Attorney General Hon. Garth Wilkin

The National Assembly will be broadcast live on ZIZ Radio (96 FM) and participating radio stations. It will be televised live on  ZIZ 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.

 With just a little over eight months in office since the August 5, 2022 victory at the polls, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew is lauding the advancements of his administration in such a short period of time despite inheriting a country in deficit.
 
Speaking at his May 18, 2023 press conference, Prime Minister Dr. Drew said, “I am very proud of the advancements that my team and I have made thus far. We have many more exciting developments coming. We are serious when we say we are going to transform St Kitts and Nevis into a sustainable island state.”
 
“So, we continue to work diligently to propel our Federation towards, as I said, the sustainable island state. We pledge to provide better and that is what we will continue to do,” he added.
 
Prime Minister Dr. Drew said that when his government took office the country was running a deficit.
 
“Before I wrap up, I want to remind us of where we came from when we took office. When we took office, we were running a deficit, even though they were talking about surplus. When we saw the number, we were running a deficit. The Development Bank was in shambles. The National Bank ran its first deficit, I think in its history and was not able to pay dividends for the first time; tens of millions of dollars missing; the country under restriction – tourism under stress, economic growth stunted to some extent because of bad decisions,” he said.
 
“So, we had to stabilize the banks; we had to stabilize Social Security because Social Security was paying out much more than it was taking in, becoming unsustainable. We had to deal with the deficit, and we had to open up the country. And because we took so long to open the country, our growth, especially in the tourism sector, is lagging behind our OECS counterparts,” the prime minister added.
 
The prime minister said the country’s deficit upon his government assuming office led to some things being postponed.
 
“And so, some of the things that we wanted to implement from a fiscal standpoint, we had to delay them because we first had to stop the bleed and save the economy. And now we have done that, or we are doing that, we would be able to roll out. This government is not a government of excuses. We state the facts, deal with them as they are, and we will deliver for our people,” Dr. Drew said. “So just a reminder of what we met, and I have been repeating it, and what has caused some of the postponement.”
 
“But I would dare say that when objective people look at what we have done, I think that they would recognize that we have done well in the short time, first of all, to save our economy and then start to deliver in earnest for our people,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew added.  

The Ministry of Health has started what is called the HEARTS initiative, which is an initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) involving various global actors, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC) and the Initiative Resolve to Save Lives, among other global actors. HEARTS in the Americas is an initiative of the countries, led by the Ministries of Health with the participation of local stakeholders with the technical cooperation of PAHO (Pan American Health Organization).

Speaking at his monthly press conference on Thursday, May 18, 2023, Prime Minister and Minister of Health of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, said that measures must be taken to reduce cardiovascular disease, which is the second highest cause of death in our Federation.

“The next thing that I want to announce is that we have started the HEARTS Initiative, which is a World Health Organization initiative – Hearts, which means it’s an initiative of heart health, cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, the second [highest] cause of death in our Federation,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew said. “So, we have cancers; we have cardiovascular disease, which includes strokes and heart disease. So, cancer, we are taking care of that, heart disease and also strokes, along with other things.”

According to PAHO, “the Initiative seeks to integrate seamlessly and progressively into already existing health delivery services to promote the adoption of global best practices in the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and improve the performance of the services through better control of high blood pressure and the promotion of secondary prevention with emphasis on the primary health care.”

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Health said the Ministry is focusing its attention on people taking care of their hearts.

“So, we are attacking those diseases that are affecting our people so that we can live happier and healthier lives. And we will institute this. Of course, we are working on securing validated blood pressure kits, EKG machines, and I just want to mention that I have also made a request that we have an on-island cardiologist who will be placed at the hospital to take care of heart attacks and other acute and non-acute heart issues,” Dr. Drew said.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew added: “Presently, we do not have that service at the hospital, and we need it most urgently. We’ll also be procuring an echocardiogram – that is an ultrasound of the heart. We are seeking to have Holter monitors to monitor the rhythms of the heart, and I’m saying all of this so that people can know as we build out healthcare, it is really to save lives.”

HEARTS is being implemented and expanded in 31 countries of the Region to include 2545 health centers across the Region implementing HEARTS, which together cover approximately 29.9 million adults in the respective catchment areas. The HEARTS model will be the model for cardiovascular disease risk management, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in primary health care in the Americas by 2025.

The Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) leads the implementation of HEARTS in the Region of the Americas, ensuring that implementation actions are aligned with the strategic priorities of the region, particularly with the universal health coverage resolution, strengthening of health systems based on primary care and with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, specifically those related to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCD).
Prime Minister Dr. Drew is a medical doctor by profession specializing in internal medicine.

 The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce that eye surgeries will officially resume at JNF General Hospital, effective Tuesday, 23^rd May 2023. This marks a significant milestone as eye surgeries have not been carried out at the hospital since 2022 due to various equipment malfunctions.
 
To ensure the highest quality of care, JNF General Hospital has invested in state-of-the-art equipment, including but not limited to, a cutting-edge Ophthalmic Microscope, Ultrasounds, and Cautery. These specialty items have been strategically replaced over time, despite the challenges posed by cost and post-COVID supply chain issues. With the successful installation of these vital tools, the hospital can once again provide comprehensive eye care services.
 
The resumption of eye surgeries at JNF General Hospital will significantly alleviate the burden on our citizens by addressing the sizable waiting list inherited from the previous administration, which currently stands at over 200 individuals. We recognize the urgency of addressing this backlog and are committed to delivering timely and efficient eye care to those in need.
 
“We are pleased to have the resumption of this much-anticipated service and truly look forward to continuing to provide quality healthcare to all citizens,” said Director of Health Institutions, Dr. Jenson Morton.
 
Leading this vital initiative are trusted and experienced physicians, Dr. Alina Crespo, and Dr. Maria Cobas, who provide exceptional eyecare services to our patients. Their expertise and commitment will ensure that each patient receives the highest standard of care throughout their journey.
 
We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Alvin Edwards of Antigua & Barbuda for the invaluable support provided. The collaboration and assistance received have played a crucial role in overcoming the challenges faced during the restoration of eye care services.
 
The Ministry of Health extends its sincerest appreciation to the public for its understanding and patience during the temporary suspension of eye surgeries. We understand the impact this may have had on individuals and families awaiting treatment. These recent investments in advanced equipment and the dedication of the management and staff of JNF General Hospital demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people of this country.

On the heels of a successful Diplomatic Week, students of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC), received laptops donated by His Excellency Dr. Kevin Isaac, High Commissioner of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nothern Ireland in a brief handing over ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday 8^th May, 2023.

This donation comes as part of a pledge made by the High Commissioner during his visit to the Tertiary institution on Monday 24th April 2023 to work with partners in the United Kingdom to assist the students in securing computer equipment.  High Commissioner Isaac said, “I am very grateful and wish to publicly express heartfelt thanks to Mr. Dev Gurdip Bath for donating the computers.  His continued support is appreciated.” 

During the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Kay Bass conveyed remarks on behalf of His Excellency. The students and Dean of the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies (ASGS) Ms. Laverne Brookes, were ecstatic and expressed their gratitude to His Excellency Isaac for his donation. They also assured the Ministry that the computers will be put to good use and to the benefit of all the students who will be using the Computer Laboratory at the campus.

L-R: Ms. Laverne Brookes; Permanent Secretary Kaye Bass

Notice has been given for a sitting of the National Assembly to be held at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre, on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 10:00 am. The Order Paper and other Papers will be issued at a later date.

The Ceremonial Mace

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

Copies of Bills are posted, when they become available, on the website (sknis.gov.kn) of St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service under the section: Bills.   

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues its drive to regularize lands so that “Kittitians could enjoy their right to land and empowerment to such.”

This was according to the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, during the Prime Minister’s Press Conference with Cabinet Ministers on May 18.

“We are continuing our land stock assessments, and this also speaks to commercial and residential lands. We acknowledge the cries of the general public that they are really anxious to access or purchase land and we recognize that the issues that needed to be solved, needed time,” said Dr. Clarke. “Very shortly, we would be announcing when our distribution programme will resume and when we would have completely addressed all the triple and double allocations, as well as any other outstanding matters.

Additionally, Dr. Clarke noted that the government recognizes the importance of professionalizing and regularizing various sectors which fall under the Development and Control and Planning Board and Physical Planning.

“We have been in extensive and ongoing conversation and bilateral meetings with architects, draftsmen, surveyors, to ensure that when we move to the next step of registration that architects have provided the general public with all the information that would be needed to ensure that we professionalize this additional part of sustainable development which speaks to sustainable construction and development,” said Dr. Clarke.

During the Prime Minister’s Press Conference on Thursday, May 18, 2023, Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs, Senator the Honourable Isalean Phillip provided an update on the ongoing restructuring process of the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP).

“The restructuring process for the poverty alleviation cash transfer programme is not complete. It is an ongoing process. I would like to reiterate that we are trying to make this programme sustainable as a sustainable social assistance programme,” Minister Phillip stated.

The restructuring process commenced in January of this year with the opening of the application process and the validation of applicants. More than 12,000 applications were received. The restructuring process became necessary after the Government found several irregularities within the programme after assuming office.

“We are coming up to the first six-month mark. You would recall that the programme is now taking a [direction] where we are offering short-term assistance to some persons so that more persons can benefit from the resources that we have allotted and attributed to this programme, and so the end of June would mark the end of the first six-month cycle. As we are going along and as we are executing the programme, we recognized that there are some persons who have not been touched and we are making an effort to see how we can have more persons who have not received added for consideration, and so the ministry is planning to reopen the applications so that persons who were not able to complete their application can do so, as well as we can consider persons who have not received,” the minister added.

Minister Phillip said they have already recorded various successes under the programme, as a number of beneficiaries are set to graduate from the programme by the end of next month.

“As part of the process in terms of the restructuring, we did mention that we have a case management process, and that process has been successful in certain ways. We were able to support a small group of unemployed persons who’ve been beneficiaries of the programmes; some of those persons have been able to find employment with the support of the case managers and these persons would now be able to graduate off the programme at the end of the first six months so that we are then able to make room for other persons who have not received to be added,” the honourable minister said.

The Poverty Alleviation Programme provides a monthly stipend of $500 per month to households earning less than $3,000 per month.

Hundreds of nationals and residents in St Kitts visited the National Housing Corporation (NHC) parking lot on Thursday (May 18, 2023) for a Housing Fair showcasing designs and blueprints of the one, two and three-bedroom homes that are being introduced by East Coast Housing Development as part of government’s efforts to meet the demand for affordable housing.

Information Seekers at NHC Housing Fair

The public was also able to ask questions about the new housing solutions relating to the construction process, financing options, climate-smart options, and more. Officials were on hand to help explain the online application process and aided persons to register on the spot after learning more about the homes.

Jonelle Rawlins, Acting General Manager of the NHC, said that more than 2,000 applications were made online since the application process launched one week ago. Thursday’s turnout was reflective of the high demand that exists for affordable homes. Local tradesmen also attended the housing fair.

Jonelle Rawlins

“Contractors have been here; tradesmen have been here. They are very much interested in being onboard and starting to build homes,” said Ms. Rawlins, adding that locals will be relied upon to construct the homes. “The concrete will be bought from our local suppliers; blocks and other materials will be bought from local suppliers.”

The acting general manager said that it was important for people to get accurate news and information about this new housing initiative from official sources.

“Listening to someone who does not work at NHC, who is not a part of the housing initiative nor the construction of these homes or the development of these homes, you may not get the correct answer. So, we need you to come to us to get the correct answers,” Ms. Rawlins expressed.

She encouraged persons to visit www.NHC.kn, or the corporation’s official Facebook Page to get accurate and reliable information. Contact can also be made at 466-4701 or by emailing customerservice@nhc.kn.

“Please feel free. Any questions that you may have, send us an email, call us, we will clear it up for you. We will answer all your questions,” Ms. Rawlins emphasized.

Construction work on two model homes is expected to begin within the next three weeks. When completed, this will afford the public greater insight into the size and features of the houses.