The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew used Thursday’s (March 30) press conference with his fellow Cabinet Ministers to assure the citizens and residents of the Federation of the Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all.
“Your government along with the security forces, meaning the police, military, customs and others, are working assiduously to bring what we consider to be real calm to you the citizens, as we strive to eradicate this scourge from our society. You deserve nothing less and today we commit that your government will endeavor to work with others to achieve this,” said Prime Minister Dr. Drew, who serves as the Federal Minister responsible for National Security.
According to the Prime Minister, inquiries have shown that the recent spate of gun-related crimes in the Federation is linked to gang violence.
As such, the National Security Minister stated that an all-of-society approach is needed to address this problem.
“Eradicating this cancer demands the collective approach involving the Government, the security forces, and of course you the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Drew.
He added, “I would like to assure you that the security forces would be unrelenting in their combined efforts to ensure that our streets remain safe and that the law-abiding citizens and residents of the Federation enjoy their well-deserved peace and tranquility.”
Moreover, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister said the recent surge in gun-related activities in the region was a major area of focus during the recently held Regional Security Systems (RSS) Council of Ministers meeting in Grenada.
“One of the major realizations that is common throughout most of the member states is an upsurge in gun trafficking and gun-related activities in the region, especially post-COVID-19. The heads of the region’s security forces also met in advance of the ministerial meeting to deliberate on the matter which will be a major priority in their crime-fighting efforts,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew reported.
The Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew gave the assurance that his administration will “continue to provide the security forces with the required resources to give them the full support as they fulfill their duties.”
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Committed to the Safety and Security of Its Citizens and Residents
St. Kitts and Nevis Recognizes the Sterling Contribution of UWI to the Region’s Socio-economic Development as UWI Celebrates 75 Years
A National Inter-faith Thanksgiving Service in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of The University of the West Indies (UWI) was held in St. Kitts at the Wesley Methodist Church on Tuesday, 28th March, 2023.
The theme for UWI’s 75th Anniversary is “Rooted Ready Rising”. The University of the West Indies, originally University College of the West Indies was established in 1948 to serve the higher education needs of the residents of the English-speaking Caribbean region.
Several notable persons attended the Service including H.E. Dame Marcella Liburd GCMG, JP, Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis and UWI Alumna; the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis; the Hon. Lanein Blanchette, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly; the Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education et al; the Hon. Mark Brantley, the Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and Premier of Nevis; His Excellency Larry Vaughn, Ambassador to CARICOM; Mrs. Lisa Archibald Pistana, Permanent Secretary in Education and other senior government officials; Rev. Mark Christmas and Apostle Debbie Isaac; Mrs. Gaile Gray-Phillip, Head, the University of the West Indies Open Campus, St. Kitts and Nevis; Ms. Isabel Byron, Site Coordinator for Nevis; Mrs. Edgecombe Howell, Former Resident Tutor of UWI, St. Kitts and Nevis; and graduates and students of the UWI.
Head of the UWI Open Campus, St. Kitts and Nevis, and a UWI Alumna, Mrs. Gaile Gray-Phillip, brought remarks from the Vice Chancellor of the UWI, Sir Hilary Beckles.
“It is with a profound sense of pride and optimism that I greet you all. I must express, first of all, my gratitude to each one of you for being here to share in this special occasion as we commemorate the 75th Anniversary of our beloved University of the West Indies,” Sir Hilary said.
“There is a profound truism that Universities are not built to serve themselves. They are built and resourced to serve their communities and nations. The UWI was established and sustained to serve the people of the Caribbean. This is the guiding philosophy on which The UWI has based all that it has done over the past seventy-five years. And what a proud legacy it is! There are more than 200,000 alumni who serve with distinction in their respective fields, and a significant body of research that has underpinned regional and international policies,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
Sir Hilary said that “the collective leadership that on every single front on which this region is engaged, The UWI’s research and expertise has been involved in some way” and outlined areas such as “climate change; chronic non-communicable diseases; economic and social policies that are attentive to, reaffirm and uphold human dignity, the rights and needs of the most vulnerable in our societies; the COVID-19 pandemic; recovery from natural disasters, and uplifting our cultural, artistic and sporting assets.”
“Our national, regional and global visibility has never been higher,” he emphasized.
“The theme for our 75th Anniversary is “Rooted. Ready. Rising.” We are Rooted in the fundamental belief that we are here to serve, Ready to meet any challenges ahead, and ever Rising in stature, visibility and reputation,” Sir Hilary said.
“As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of our university in 2023, I urge all the members of our community, our friends, and well-wishers to reflect on what each one of them can do to help this institution to serve our stakeholders even better in the years to come. We look toward our centenary with great optimism and resolve. Together we can do so much more for current and future generations of students, our countries, our region, our collective future,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley congratulated the UWI on its significant milestone.
“It gives me great pleasure to extend warm congratulations to the administration, staff, students, and alumni of this your platinum jubilee. Your 75 years of providing relevant, cutting-edge education, which is responsive to the changes within the diaspora is no small feat. Moving from the establishment of one campus in Mona, Jamaica in 1948 to now five campuses throughout the region,” he said.
“The University of the West Indies has been a beacon and an avenue for upward mobility for countless persons within the Region,” Dr. Hanley added.
Apostle Dr. Debbie Isaac of the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre and UWI Alumna reflected on her time at UWI, Cave Hill Campus, and presented many anecdotal examples of her time at the University.
“For 75 years, the University of the West Indies has been deeply rooted in the hearts of many Caribbean people as a place that provided a pathway to economic and social transformation,” Dr. Isaac said. “Foreign is not always better.”
Several UWI Alumni participated in the service. Hon. Mark Brantley, UWI Alumnus read the first lesson; Prime Minister Dr. Drew read the second reading; Dr. Carol Liburd, the sister of Dr. Linton Liburd, UWI Alumnus, did the Appreciation of the UWI; Lesroy Williams, UWI Alumnus, chaired the ceremony and did the welcome; Mr. Craig Tuckett, the UWI Global Alumni Rep and UWIAA-SKN Immediate Past President did an Act of Thanksgiving. Intercessory Prayers were done for Education by SKNYPA-Hasani McDonald, UWI Alumnus; for Caribbean Unity and Integration by Shevorne Alexander of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and UWI Alumna; for Peace by Lesroy Williams; For Continued Growth and Development of the UWI by UWIAASKN President and UWI Alumna, Jihan Williams. Mr. Jamie Morris, UWI Alumnus did a solo, and Reverend Mark Christmas, UWI-UTC Alumnus did the Blessing/Benediction.
Gingerland Secondary School Visits the National Assembly 24th March, 2023
On Friday, 24th March, 2023, the National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis welcomed a twenty-eight (28) member contingent from the Gingerland Secondary School to its Chamber. The second form Social Science students, accompanied by teachers Mss. Mills, Powell, Desormeaux and Pemberton learned firsthand how the legislative branch of Government functions within our democracy.
The guided tour was facilitated by Ms. Trevlyn Stapleton, Clerk of the National Assembly and Mr. Mauriel Knight, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly. Following the tour, the students engaged in a short impromptu parliamentary debate.
In expressing gratitude on behalf of her peers, student Ms. Khayla Claxton thanked the Office of the Clerk for facilitating the tour and shared that her experience, a memorable one, would not be forgotten. Several other students noted with delight their newfound spark for parliamentary procedures, debate and the law. As the pupils prepare to learn about Parliament, Government and our Civic Institutions, it is hoped that this immersive experience would aid in piquing the students’ interest in this section of the syllabus.
Schools, youth organisations, community groups or individuals desirous of visiting the National Assembly Chamber are asked to send formal requests to sknparliament@gov.kn or contact the Office of the Clerk at (869) 467-1559. Additionally, the general public is reminded that the Public Gallery of the National Assembly is open to all nationals and visitors during Sittings of Parliament.
Community Notice
The Ministry of Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs invites all Pastors of Evangelical Churches on St. Kitts to a special meeting on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the People’s Evangelistic Center at Needsmust Estate.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. All are encouraged to make a special effort to attend as pertinent matters will be discussed.
Government Procures Microscope for the Ophthalmic Unit at the JNF General Hospital
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has procured a much-needed microscope for the Ophthalmic Unit at the Joseph N. France General Hospital that will soon lead to the resumption of certain critical eye procedures at the institution.
Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew stated on previous occasions that the unit needed a new scanner and a microscope to carry out certain surgical procedures. The Government has since taken the necessary steps to address the concern.
Earlier today (March 27), Prime Minister Dr. Drew visited the Ophthalmic Unit where the new microscope is now outfitted. He was accompanied by the Director of Health Institutions, Dr. Jenson Morton, and the Director of Operations in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Lindsey Maynard.
The Honourable Prime Minister described the microscope as “a significant part of the equipment that is needed for eye surgeries.”
He added, “We know that there are people out there who are partially blind and those who might be completely blind who would benefit from a machine like this as they are now able to have their surgical procedures.”
Prime Minister Dr. Drew said this is another step taken by his administration to improve the overall delivery of healthcare services, adding, “This is all part of our efforts to improve our outreach to our people and to satisfy the medical needs of the people here of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The Prime Minister ended by thanking the staff of the Ophthalmic Unit “for their hard work and dedication to ensure that in short order we can start these types of surgical procedures once again to serve our people here in St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Press Secretary Connor-Ferlance Joins Other Media Professionals on Media Familiarization Tour in India
Press Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mrs. Adelcia Connor Ferlance was invited to attend a media familiarization tour in India from March 22- 29 for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Government of India’s Media Familiarisation Tour initiative is extended to media professionals globally. Each month this year the Ministry of External Affairs has welcomed professionals from different regions to promote India’s development agenda and vision for their respective areas.
The media professionals will be visiting government ministries, several major private industries, and various historical and cultural heritage sites such as the National Museum of India, the largest museum in the nation; Qutub Minar, and the Taj Mahal.
This activity is part of the preparation for the eighteenth G20 Summit, to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
This month a group of 35 media professionals from Latin America and the Caribbean region has been granted the opportunity to experience the nation’s rich culture and learn of the developments in technology, energy, climate change efforts, and disaster management.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Policy Project Launched
St. Kitts and Nevis is demonstrating that our culture is alive and well and its preservation is a priority. This was evident at the launch of the ‘Safeguarding St. Kitts and Nevis Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)- Developing a National Policy ICH Project’ at the CUNA Caribbean Conference Center, on March 22.
The operative theme for the launch, ‘A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and souls of its people,’ is indicative of the importance placed on the creation of a dedicated instrument for the preservation and safeguarding of our country’s cultural heritage.
The project has received full financial and technical support from UNESCO and full endorsement of the Departments of Culture, through the Ministry of the Creative Economy.
UNESCO Consultant Nigel Encalada complimented St. Kitts and Nevis for its compliance with the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). He envisions our country becoming a model for other Caribbean nations to emulate, in pursuit of similar policies.
“St. Kitts and Nevis has become a leading nation in the region for the implementation of the Convention, in terms of community involvement and the creation of a national inventory of Living Heritage. No other nation in the English-speaking Caribbean has yet developed a policy and legislation, specific to Intangible Cultural Heritage,” Encalada revealed.
Valencia Syder, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Sport, offered remarks on behalf of Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister with responsibility for Culture and Sport. She reiterated that cultural heritage is synonymous with the transmission of knowledge and skills from one generation to the next.
“Countless persons, be they visitors or consumers afar, would pay to experience authentic elements of our unique St. Kitts and Nevis culture. Just as they value our culture, just so we should value, safeguard and capitalize on the authenticity of our cultural heritage,” Permanent Secretary Syder encouraged.
Secretary General for the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO, Dorothy Warner, gave a special welcome to the Intangible Cultural Heritage expert on the ground, Encalada, for his role in securing over US$91,000 in funding, to safeguard ICH items, with the hope of nominating them to the UNESCO ICH list. She also applauded all stakeholders who are involved in the policy development project.
“We need to show respect for and preserve and protect the items that have been identified and documented. The bold steps we take now to value our history and treasure our heritage for successive generations show the privilege and pride of our people to own such knowledge,” Secretary General Warner cited.
Both focal points for the project, Marlene Phillips (St. Kitts) and Patrick Howell (Nevis) received commendations for their groundwork with the ICH movement, which has led to the establishing and maintaining of Secretariats; and the successful Equipment Documentation Training workshops, which preceded this launch.
Patrons at the launch ceremony were entertained with folklore presentations, inclusive of traditional drumming, the St. Peter’s actors and the Monkey Bull troupe. They were also treated to “goody bags” stacked with traditional delicacies such as coconut tarts, conkie, sugarcake and potato pudding.
UNESCO, the United Nations Organization in charge of culture, ensures the safeguarding and transmitting of intangible cultural heritage, i.e. traditional knowledge, arts and skills. In 2003, it created the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ratified by 180 States, which has already allowed for the inscription of more than 600 elements throughout the world.
St. Kitts and Nevis signed on to the Convention in 2016.
Historic Water Conference Opens at the UN
St. Kitts and Nevis is well represented at the Opening Ceremony of the highly-anticipated United Nations Water Conference. This is the first of its kind to be convened at the UN since 1977. The Conference, which convened under the theme ” Our watershed moment: Uniting the world for water” brings together world leaders, diplomats, civil society organizations, and thought leaders on the critical matter of Water as a common denominator in the successful implementation of the SDGs, especially Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Today’s opening also coincides with World Water Day, which acknowledges that water is the essence of life and all efforts must be made to ensure its sustainable use.
The Conference is attended by Hon. Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities et al; Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment et al; H.E. Nerys Dockery, Permanent Representative of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations; Ms. Ghislaine Williams, Minister-Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations; Mr. Auren Manners, Director of Public Sector Investment Planning; Mr. Ryan Phillip, Assistant Water Engineer in the Water Department; Ms. Denaula Laplace, Third Secretary and Lead Expert on Second Committee, Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations.
The delegation will participate in a packed schedule of interactive dialogues and side events around the themes, Water for Health; Water for Sustainable Development; Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment; Water for Cooperation and Water Action Decade.
Already, the Ministers have attended the high-level reception hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands; attended the High-level Breakfast Meeting for Small Island Developing States hosted by His Majesty, King Willem-Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and attended the Conference on ” Water as a Bridge to Innovation” hosted by the Economic Mission of Israel to the United States and Mekorot, Israel’s largest utility company.
“Addressing Water insecurity, scarcity, management and distribution is the vital imperative of our times. It is my hope that this Conference will allow us to share best practices to learn from each other as well as build networks for cooperation, partnership and concrete action on water,” said the Hon. Konris Maynard, who heads the delegation.
The Hon. Konris Maynard is a panelist at the Side Event organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the theme “Global Water Analysis Laboratory Network”. The Honourable Minister will deliver the national statement during the Water Conference plenary later today.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Attends RSS Council of Ministers Meeting in Grenada
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew joined other Heads of Government for the Regional Security System (RSS) at the RSS Council of Ministers Meeting currently taking place at the Radisson Beach Resort in Grenada today, March 22, 2023.
The meeting was convened under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Grenada, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, the current Chairman of the RSS Council of Ministers.
During the meeting, the Ministers will address and discuss several matters pertaining to the security of the region, including the illegal arms trade, drug trafficking and intelligence gathering.
The meeting commenced with an opening ceremony that featured remarks by Commodore Errington Shurland, Executive Director of the Regional Security System and by Prime Minister Mitchell.
Remarks were also delivered by representatives of two of the body’s international partners, namely, the United States of America and the European Union. Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela, U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS brought greetings from the Government of the United States of America, while Ambassador Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska is representing the European Union.
President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon addressed the Council of Ministers on the topic, “Achieving Security and Development in the Caribbean through Regional Cooperation.”
Prime Minister Dr. Drew’s delegation includes the Permanent Secretary (Ag) in the Ministry of National Security Ms. Cecile Hull, Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) Mr. James Sutton, and Commander of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie.
Small Business Development Centre Hosts Second Customer Service Training Workshop
The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) within the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship hosted the second in a series of customer training workshops for small business owners on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at CUNA Conference Centre.
Permanent Secretary (PS) of Small Business, Delrine Taylor, welcomed the participants and added that the Ministry will continue to ensure that small business owners receive the necessary technical support needed to grow their businesses.
“We want to be more active in terms of delivering workshops so that you can be more well-informed [about] what is happening and areas where we can develop small businesses because it is our mission to transform the micro, small, and medium-sized sector within St. Kitts and Nevis, through entrepreneurship and economic value creation,” said PS. Taylor. “By doing that, we want to be able to help entrepreneurs to be more self-reliant, [financially literate] and more resilient.”
Ms. Taylor said that a total of 78 participants registered for the workshop which was centered on grant readiness.
“It is very good because we see that people crave these responsibilities to get information to develop themselves. So, we are looking forward to you being a part of more workshops and activities that we are having because our main mission is ‘Your Development, Your Success.’ Once you succeed, we would be extremely happy [because] it means that we are achieving our objectives at the Ministry,” said the Permanent Secretary.
The workshops will run throughout the year and will benefit small and medium-sized businesses, especially as the unit continues its mandate to strengthen small businesses across the Federation.
The Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship is working to diversify the domestic economy to create more successful small businesses and empower entrepreneurs with the modern techniques and skills needed to be competitive in the international marketplace.