My fellow Comrades and well-wishers of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party,
As we gather to commemorate the second anniversary of our historic victory on August 5, 2022, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the steadfast support and dedication of each one of you. This celebration is not just a reminder of our triumph at the polls, but a testament to our collective commitment to building a brighter future for St. Kitts and Nevis for striving for better with the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party at the helm.
Today, however, we also gather with a heavy heart. Our beloved comrade, Honourable Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip, a former Minister of Government and the Parliamentary Representative for St Christopher #4, has passed away. Honourable Phillip, affectionately known as ‘Ghost,’ was a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for our community. His dedication to the development of sports, particularly basketball, and his relentless efforts to uplift the youth of our nation will forever be etched in our memories.
Honourable Phillip’s tenure as Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports, Information Technology, Telecommunications, and Posts was marked by passion and vision. He played a crucial role in advancing sports infrastructure and youth programs, fostering a spirit of unity and excellence. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and the numerous initiatives he championed. As we remember him, let us be inspired by his commitment to service and his love for our nation.
Reflecting on our journey over the past two years, we have much to celebrate. Our administration has implemented numerous transformative initiatives under the Independence RESET programme, designed to bring relief and stimulate economic growth. Among these, the Independence 40 Workers Bonus of EC$1000 injected EC$45 million into our economy, directly benefiting our hardworking citizens. We have also addressed arrears in essential services, ensuring immediate reconnection for residential SKELEC and Water Services customers, and eliminated penalties on National Housing Corporation mortgages. A critical RESET was for the interest payments on outstanding land balances. These were reset to zero and appropriate extensions provided for payment instalments.
Our efforts to make homeownership more accessible through the Build and Thrive Incentive, which offers duty-free and reduced VAT on building materials for first-time homeowners and renovators, have been instrumental in supporting our citizens. Furthermore, we have lowered interest rates on residential lands and provided generous waivers to ease the financial burden on new landowners.
In addition to these economic measures, we demonstrated our commitment to public service workers with an 8% salary increase for all civil servants and pensioners, effective January 2024, and a 50% Christmas bonus in 2023. We have also increased the national minimum wage to $430 weekly, ensuring a fairer living standard for all workers.
A landmark achievement of our administration is the operationalization of pensions for Government Auxiliary Employees (GAEs) and other monthly-paid government workers employed on or after May 18, 2012. Today, qualified, retired GAEs receive their pension payments, inclusive of back payments to January 2024. This initiative underscores our dedication to recognizing and rewarding the contributions of all workers, especially those who have been historically overlooked.
In healthcare, we have made significant strides, including the deployment of four new triage officers at the JNF General Hospital, reducing wait times by 40%. We installed new air conditioning units in the medical and surgical wards, restored the hospital’s roof with support from the Republic of China (Taiwan), and upgraded the water system. The renovation of the hospital lobby, funded by The Cable, and the commencement of construction on the MRI Building are critical steps towards enhancing our healthcare services. Our vision for a climate-smart JNF General Hospital and the transformative Project Start to establish our nation’s first health city are also progressing well.
Social security benefits have been improved, with an increase in the pension to $500 and the funeral grant benefit to $3000. Our partnership with Southern University in Louisiana is already yielding significant benefits in higher education and agriculture for our students.
We have passed over 20 critical pieces of legislation to improve the lives of our people, discovered a new well providing potable water in Cayon, and commenced construction of two new desalination plants to ensure a sustainable water supply.
Our economy is thriving, with the private sector publishing record numbers of job openings. I encourage all Party members to seize these opportunities and support their loved ones, especially young adults, in seeking out these jobs to improve their lives.
However, we are also mindful of the recent upsurge in violent crimes. Our government is committed to using all necessary resources to combat this scourge, and we ask for the Party and the public’s assistance in this fight. It requires an all-hands-on-deck, all-inclusive approach.
As we look forward to the third year of our administration, we pledge to start the construction of smart homes, commence construction of a new, modern Basseterre High School, complete the MRI Building at JNF General Hospital, and roll out our renewable energy projects. We will continue to add new water sources through desalination and wells, ensuring a sustainable future for our nation.
Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow Cabinet colleagues and the stellar support, love, and dedication of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Comrades. Your excellent support and guidance have been instrumental in our achievements. Let us continue to stand united, stick with our Party, and provide our leaders with sound advice as we strive to create a brighter future for all.