NEW CABINET SECRETARY APPOINTED — By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Tuesday 23rd August 2022) — Dr. Marcus L. Natta, a former civil servant with over a decade of experience whose professional involvement had seen him prepare policy papers for Cabinet approval during his tenure, has been appointed the new Cabinet Secretary. During a brief ceremony held on the morning of Monday 22nd August 2022 at Government House, Dr. Natta recited the Oath of Secrecy as he was introduced as the new Secretary to the Federal Cabinet. The occasion was witnessed by the Cabinet of Ministers led by Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew. Dr. Natta has 13 years in the civil service at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC), the Ministry of Sustainable Development, and St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards. He led legislation reviews, prepared policy papers for Cabinet approval, and implemented reforms to comply with international standards and treaties. He also represented St. Kitts and Nevis in regional and international treaty organisations, including two consecutive terms as Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean to the Bureau of the Stockholm Convention from 2015–2019. Dr. Natta graduated from Cameron University in Oklahoma with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Mathematics, and earned his doctoral degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2008. He succeeds Mrs. Josephine Huggins, who served as Cabinet Secretary in the former administration.
CABINET MAKES DECISIONS ON BHS, VAT DISCOUNT DAYS AND MORE
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 24th August 2022) — The newly-elected SKNLP Cabinet met for its first session on Monday 22nd August 2022, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, making decisions on five areas covering the health and education sectors and the upcoming Independence celebrations. Cabinet approved two Back-to-School VAT discounted rate days on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th August 2022. There is also approved funding for any child who is in dire need of advanced medical care not available in St. Kitts and Nevis and whose parents/guardians must seek that care overseas. The Cabinet reiterated its decision that the Basseterre High School will be renovated and reconstructed on the original historical site. Several submissions were also approved including travel allowance for all early childhood resource teachers, the removal of all COVID-19 health and travel protocols, and the exemption of tuition costs for students attending the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) starting from the academic year 2022–23 going forward.