PM Douglas tells supporters St. Kitts and Nevis is ‘just getting over the economic troubles,’ Crime has been reduced and unemployment to be tackled early next year

A section of the crowd at the Joint Branch Meeting on Monday night at Masses House

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DECEMBER 18TH 2012 (CUOPM) – The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has outlined numerous achievements by his ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party in Government which have lead to an improvement in the improvement in the quality of life of nationals and residents.

Dr. Douglas told a packed Joint Branch Meeting of supporters from St. Christopher 1 (East Basseterre) and St. Christopher 2 (Central Basseterre) at Masses House that the reduction in crime is as a result of the strong leadership from both arms of the security forces – the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force – and the very strong, close collaborative support, and cooperation between the Commissioner of Police, Mr. C. G. Walwyn and Defence Force Commander Lt. Colonel Patrick Wallace.

“Support from the middle management of the security forces and also support from the local Coalition partnership that has been created over one year ago comprising the medical schools, the hotels and the business community generally have been positive,” said Dr. Douglas.

The Coalition Partnership supports the security and safety programme and policies pursued by the government.

The assistance continues to be manifested in several forms as only last week saw the launching of Crime Stoppers St. Kitts and Nevis.

The dent in crime was not successful without the strong support that the St. Kitts and Nevis authorities have received regionally and internationally, especially in the area of training and the provision of adequate equipment, crime scene equipment and training in management and forensics.

“This has been provided by our international and regional partners of the Regional Security System (RSS), as well as the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada.

The new equipment donated to the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard Unit of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force by the Government of the United States

Dr. Douglas, who is also Minister of Finance, told the large crowd that the twin-island Federation was “just getting over the economic troubles that we had.”

“The debt issue is now tackled, We are now tackling as well the stimulation of growth in the economy to provide employment opportunities. Employment is one area that has been affected,” he said disclosing that the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) is to providing adequate support that will provide further stimulation to the economy.

He stressed that by ensuring growth in the economy, employment opportunities will improve.

Several projects are to be rolled out in 2013 include the Park Hyatt St. Kitts at Banana Bay on the Southeast Peninsula, the Koi resort and the Beach and Golf Residences Bay at Half Moon Bay and the expansion of the Marriott Residences.

Prime Minister Douglas also told Labour Party supporters that their Labour Government is now making concrete efforts to tackle the high cost of electricity that is affecting the nation.

“There is going to be a long term strategy in terms of renewable energy in the areas of geothermal energy as well as wind and solar with the start of construction in January next year of a one-megawatt wind farm with the support of the Republic of China (Taiwan),” Prime Minister Douglas said.

He stressed that the issues are being tackled and the government is just getting over the hurdle of leading a growing economy, building in the new year and allowing the tax burdens to be further reduced.

“This is the time for the government to settle down with full support of the private sector,” said Prime Minister Douglas to the Labour Party supporters.