In the landscape of international relations, the bonds between nations are often shaped by shared values and commitments to mutual respect and cooperation. As Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, I am compelled to highlight the importance of these shared values in addressing recent developments concerning aviation safety and regional stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The recent unilateral announcement by the Civil Aviation Administration of China regarding the revocation of the 2015 cross-strait agreement on flight routes has raised significant concerns. This action alters the existing agreement on the M503, W122, and W123 flight routes in the Taiwan Strait. Undertaken without prior consultations with Taiwan, it not only undermines aviation safety but also challenges the principles of mutual respect and sovereignty that both Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis hold dear.
At the heart of our nations’ relationship lies a shared commitment to these fundamental values. Both Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis champion freedom, democracy, and the rule of law as pillars of our respective societies. It is within this framework of shared values that we must address issues of mutual concern, such as aviation safety, through constructive dialogue and cooperation.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provides guidelines that emphasize the importance of coordination and cooperation among all parties concerned in matters of aviation safety. As responsible members of the international community, Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis are committed to upholding these principles and promoting dialogue as the preferred means of resolving differences.
In this spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, I call upon China to recognize the importance of dialogue and negotiation in addressing aviation safety concerns. By engaging in constructive discussions with Taiwan, China can demonstrate its commitment to and responsibility for aviation safety and stability.
Furthermore, I urge the civil society of St. Kitts and Nevis to join in advocating for dialogue and cooperation as the means to address aviation safety concerns. By standing together in support of these shared values, we can pave the way for a safer and more stable aviation environment in our region.
In closing, let us reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and the shared values that unite us. By upholding these principles, we can work towards a future where mutual respect and cooperation prevail, ensuring the safety and stability of our skies for generations to come.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 12, 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): On Wednesday afternoon the federation welcomed home the national team that participated in the 2023 CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas.
Cheers and applause erupted from the gathering as the St. Kitts Nevis CARIFTA team arrived at a welcome ceremony and press conference was held at the Kayan Jet Lounge at the RLB International Airport.
The team returned home with 3 medals, one gold for Akanye Samuel Francis, one silver for Jaylen Bennett and one bronze for De’Cheynelle Thomas. Sport and other government officials were on hand at the ceremony to congratulate the young athletes.
Acting President of the St. Kitts Nevis Olympic Committee Dennis Knight commended the team and encouraged them to keep excelling in upcoming events.
Junior Minister of Youth Empowerment, the Hon. Isalean Phillip said they made the entire nation proud.
While highlighting the athletes’ achievements, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Rt Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas promised to use his influence to further their development.
Following the press conference a motorcade was held through the streets of Basseterre to celebrate the accomplishments of Team SKN.
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]]>Since the start of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health has been keeping the general public appraised of the virus spread with daily situation reports. We also were producing daily reports on the vaccination coverage once a vaccine became available to the public.
We have come a long way over the last two years. The virus is now endemic, and we have a high population threshold of immunity through a combination of vaccination and infection. The daily positive case count is at an all-time low and life is back to near normal with a significant roll back of most of the COVID-19 protocols.
The Ministry of Health no longer sees it fit to publish a daily situation report.
We will however continue to collect information regarding vaccination coverage, infection and recovery from COVID-19 so we can follow the trends in viral replication and spread as we emerge from the pandemic.
The situation reports will be posted on a weekly basis on the government’s website at covid19.gov.kn website with immediate effect.
Thanks for your corporation and understanding.
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
September 28, 2022
Fellow citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis:
It is with a sense of deep sadness and regret that I announce to the Nation the passing of His Excellency, Ambassador Vance Winkworth Amory, former Premier of Nevis and former Senior Minister in the Federal Cabinet of Ministers of our Team Unity Administration. Ambassador Amory transitioned into eternity today, Saturday, April 2, 2022 while surrounded by his wife, Vernita, his daughters and other close family members following a brief period of illness in the United Kingdom (UK).
Fellow Citizens and Residents: the death of Ambassador Vance Amory signals the passing of a true patriot and Elder Statesman who made a positive and indelible mark on the development of St. Kitts and Nevis over the course of his life. Born on May 22, 1949 in Rawlins Village, Gingerland, Nevis, Ambassador Amory led a full life that was punctuated by a number of key achievements and accomplishments, including the following:
On a more personal level, Ambassador Amory became a true friend, mentor and advisor to me as we embarked on the journey of forming Team Unity, in order to provide you, the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, with the shared prosperity, strong leadership and good governance that you deserve, and was sadly lacking through successive Administrations. With his invaluable partnership and support, Team Unity was established with the mandate of transcending the traditionally limiting political boundaries and tribalism that had held back the development of our Federation for decades. As such, we owe it to Ambassador Amory’s memory to maintain the integrity and principles of the Team Unity movement to which he was fully committed from its inception, straight through to the historic launch in September 2013, and the general election victory – against all odds – in February 2015.
My life – and my journey as Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis – have been enriched through Ambassador Amory’s wise counsel, solid friendship and steady temperament on which I had come to depend. I will miss him dearly but our loss is Heaven’s gain.
As I pondered the passing of Ambassador Amory, my mind goes back to the last few days he would have spent here before travelling to the UK to receive medical treatment. I am happy that I would have been able to spend some time with him prior to his departure two weeks ago. We would have remained in regular contact while he was in the UK.
As can be expected, Ambassador Amory will be accorded a State Funeral, the details of which will be communicated to the public in due course. In consultation with His Excellency, the Governor General, Sir Tapley Seaton Q.C., an official period of mourning will be observed in the Federation. Meanwhile, flags in the Federation are to be flown at half-mast, in honour of Ambassador Amory’s passing.
On behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, I officially extend heartfelt condolences to the family of Ambassador Amory, in particular, his wife, daughters, siblings and grandchildren – and to the people of Nevis. May God’s Holy Spirit comfort you at this time of deep sorrow, grief and loss.
May the soul of our former Premier, Senior Minister and Elder Statesman, His Excellency Ambassador Vance Winkworth Amory rest in eternal peace.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 14, 2022 (ZIZ) — Leader of the Concerned Citizen’s Movement and Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Mark Brantley has expressed his support for the Team Unity coalition describing it as the “last best chance for our nation”.
He was at the time the featured speaker at the People’s Action Movement’s 57th National Convention at St. Mary’s Park on Sunday.
Falling in line with the convention’s theme “Keeping the Promise” Mr. Brantley called on all members of Team Unity to keep the promises that were made at their inception.
Leader of the Concerned Citizen’s Movement, Hon. Mark Brantley.
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]]>Thirty eight years ago, the sun rose for the first time on the sovereign state of St. Kitts and Nevis. It was just the evening prior, on September 18, 1983, a Sunday like today that the Union Jack made its final descent in our beautiful twin islands; and the National Flag of St. Kitts and Nevis rose majestically, on 19th September, 1983.
Perhaps it was fateful symbolism that the sun, for the first time, was seen rising over an independent St. Kitts and Nevis on a Monday. Monday, as you know, is the recognized start of the work week. Indeed, it was on that historic day, the diligent work of building a sovereign nation fell fully and forever on our shoulders. This was the beginning of a journey of adaptation, diversification, and re-creation.
We became then, and still are today the smallest independent nation in the western hemisphere. No doubt there must have been some anxiety mixed with the tremendous sense of expectation and responsibility felt by the leadership, who was then charged with leading this new nation. Similarly, there must have been a mixture of pride and hope in our sovereignty felt by the ordinary man and woman.
As a strong and resilient people, we embraced the challenge, and we began the task at hand, knowing that from then onward, our destiny was in our own hands. We recognized since then that reaching our destiny would be contingent upon our willingness and ability to adapt, diversify, and re-create, and it is in this vein that this beautiful nation has progressed.
Thirty eight years on we can look back at a remarkable record of growth and national achievements. Though many countries preceded us in becoming independent states, we moved with alacrity on our national developmental goals. We made tremendous leaps in public health, education, infrastructure, economic transition, trade and international relations, human rights, sports and culture. We are constantly being rated among the best in the region, across so many international developmental indices. Literacy rate, per capita income, rule of Law, Debt to GDP ratios, ICT indicators, transparency and good governance are some examples of areas in which we have been leading our peers.
We have, in our relatively short time as an independent nation produced a World Champion in Athletics; Olympians, internationally recognized artistes, and a renowned FIFA referee, assessor and trainer. We have hosted ICC cricket and FIFA football. We have youths excelling internationally in robotics competitions. Just days ago, the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots Franchise emerged as the Caribbean Premier League champions. Likewise, our people as proud patriots of our beautiful nation must continue to strive to emerge as champions even in the face of adversity.
We have witnessed with much pride and admiration the achievements of our people in the diaspora, and noted their excellence in artistry, international business, technology, medicine, scholastic and scientific research, politics and diplomacy. Our citizens hold senior and important positions in multinational corporations, foreign governments, international bodies, universities, and in entertainment. We have achieved all these, making these feats even more notable and commendable given our small size.
We have so much to be proud of as Kittitians and Nevisians. Indeed, we are a special people, molded by our heritage, our struggles, our shared sacrifices, and our successes, over generations. We have accomplished much, but we have so much more to accomplish. I declare today that we will with God’s help, and we will do so through adaptation, diversification and re-creation.
Over the last eighteen months, we, like the rest of the world, have had some challenges. We have been fighting this dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, and we have been coping relatively well. On the whole, when we look at the world landscape, and consider political stability, economic advancement, standards of living, and quality of life, as well as employment and investment opportunities, St. Kitts and Nevis remains among the best places to live, and still proudly stands as the best run, best managed small island state in the world. Thanks be to God. The Lord has blessed our people with extraordinary talents and He has blessed this nation with extraordinary gifts which include our people.
Three days ago, we participated in our annual ceremony to celebrate and commemorate our National Heroes, all of whom played significant roles in preparation for, and taking us into independence. I spoke of their noteworthy and extraordinary courage and resolve to overcome the challenges they faced, laying the foundations for, and beginning to build a new nation. Having the discipline, courage, and resolve to overcome challenges is the sacred responsibility of independence.
I spoke to the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are still in this fight against this invisible enemy— the corona virus, that has wreaked havoc across the world. However, together we must overcome this challenge.
We must understand that it is the choices that we make, and the convictions from which they are made, that will determine our destiny. Your government has, and will continue to revise and implement the best policies and protocols, and to deploy resources where needed and most effective to deliver the best outcomes. We have been fortunate enough to have had the benefit of foresight and diplomacy to make available two options of vaccines to our people. However, it is ultimately our individual resolve and actions that will have the greatest effect on curbing and containing the spread of the virus within our borders.
Together, we must do all we can. Together, we must choose life. And we choose life by wearing masks, by washing our hands as often as possible, or by using a hand sanitizer, by adhering to physical distancing, by staying at home if feeling unwell, and by choosing to be vaccinated. What weighs in the balance of our choices is significant – because we are a small island developing state with limited resources and support.
I have spoken much of our shared responsibility. Each of us as responsible consenting adults must make deliberate decisions on what is best for ourselves, our families, and our country. Independence gives us the right of self-determination, the right to choose, but these rights come with immense responsibilities— not limited to self but extending to family, to community, to country, and our God. Every individual is part of something much larger, and we must focus on who we are together as a unit. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. As fellow citizens and residents, we are partners in this democracy—partners in this journey of sovereignty.
Partners at times differ. Partners will face difficulty, but in times of difficulty and disagreement, we must never turn on each other because we are partners. We must turn to each other. Trying times are not new to us. We have endured tests before, and we have always emerged a stronger and more prosperous nation.
On that strength of will, and love for our fellowmen, we endeavor towards that stronger, safer future to which I so often refer. That stronger, safer future is a perpetual journey. It is for us to, as did our ancestors, leave our St. Kitts and Nevis stronger and safer than it was before our time. We, the current stewards of this great nation, were well on our way to a stronger and safer future when this pandemic descended upon us. We have endured the worst so far. We have been resilient. We have learned. We must now apply what we have learnt. We must move forward, ushered and inspired by a strong sense of responsibility. Together, we must get back on that journey in earnest.
Last week, we welcomed back cruise passengers to our shores for the first time in well over a year. The thousand plus passengers on the Celebrity Equinox cruise liner is a mere drop in the bucket in comparison with the one million plus we hosted before the emergence of Covid-19. Nevertheless, this return of the cruise vessel to our shores signals a restart. It is evidence of adaptation and re-creation. The longest journey begins with one step. We have succeeded in taking that first step in rebuilding our cruise industry and advancing it to even greater heights. The length of that journey depends not just on how diligently we work, but how diligently we work together.
Despite the financial challenges, we were able to deliver a second stimulus package earlier this year as we continue along the path to that stronger safer future. We have kept our projects and investments funded, as well as our social safety nets and assistance programs growing. We conscientiously endeavored to touch every sector of our economy, and indeed every household in our responses to this unpredicted and unprecedented crisis. Our response to this crisis is testament to our belief that we are all in this together, and no one will be left behind. We believe that it will take all of us, working together, and contributing to that stronger safer future.
I reiterate that the reality of the ongoing threat of the pandemic must give us new resolve to revive energies towards agriculture and food security. This is not just for our survival, but also to leverage the extensive opportunities available for further economic expansion, diversification, and wealth creation. We must diversify, but we must adapt to diversify. We must ensure that in the near and long term, our independence is not just political, but economic as well. We can only achieve this if we work together to adapt, diversify and re-create.
Our future can be assured as we diversify our economy. We are making strides in ICT development, the development of Cannabis industry, our attempts to utilize renewable energy and our thrust to strengthen the agriculture sector by introducing new and exotic crops, as well as improving our livestock. These augur well for the stronger, safer future we intend to deliver.
We must be thoughtful and diligent in our planning and execution. We must face the future with that enduring sense of shared responsibility that has always helped us through difficult times. We have examples in our history of overcoming adversity, “with God in all our struggles”.
We possess all that is needed for us to get past those hurdles and achieve the stronger safer future. We have the intellectual capacity, built from our continual investments and our keen and unwavering interest in education and learning. We have the knowledge and experiences of those gone before us along with the energies and ingenuity of our young people. We must marry these with the strength of will, and love of country enshrined in our national anthem. In doing so, we will move closer to making our St. Kitts and Nevis our own Garden of Eden, a perpetual shining example of democracy, peace and stability, prosperity and opportunity.
Together we can, and we will move this nation to an even better standing. Together we can, and we will achieve the stronger, safer future we all look forward to and deserve. We will do this even in the face of adversity. Let us adapt, diversify, and re-create, together, for a better St. Kitts and Nevis.
I wish all Happy Independence Day. God bless you, and may He continue to bless the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
I thank you.
My fellow citizens and residents:
In my address to the Nation on June 12, 2021, I outlined a number of measures intended to contain the community spread of the COVID-19 virus. I stated that these measures would be in place for 14 days until June 26, 2021. The measures taken as a whole were intended mainly to significantly contain the spread of COVID-19.
We continually emphasized the importance of the use of the non-pharmaceutical measures of social distancing, wearing of masks and hand sanitizing to decrease the spread. We warned about complacency and inaction in this fight as the virus is relentless in its attack and we needed to be relentless in our efforts at containing it and protecting ourselves.
The reduction envisaged over the 14-day incubation period was not realized. Further, sadly over the last week we suffered the loss of 3 of our fellow citizens from this dreaded virus. Every life is precious. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased.
We are very satisfied that our vaccination programme was successfully rolled out, culminating in over 800 persons yesterday Thursday and today we had over 900 persons showing up for their second dose of the vaccine.
There is still over 30 percent of the adult population who have not yet received a single dose. The virus will continue to target the vulnerable and unprotected persons in our community and find a way to spread itself. Until we contain this wave of infection and all who should be vaccinated are vaccinated and protected, we will remain vulnerable to this virus.
Against this backdrop, I wish to inform you that today the Federal Cabinet met and, after a thorough evaluation of the situation, determined that there is a need for more restrictive measures to help stop the movement of people and bring to a halt the current wave that has threatened the fabric of all of our institutions and every sector of our society.
We understand the social, psychological and economic impact this may have on our citizens and residents but believe it is necessary for the benefit of all.
We will also do all within our power to get everyone safely through this period and provide assistance to those in need, through the social services arm of Government. Our National Task Force will organize the delivery of care packages to those in need.
The Restrictions
Under these new restrictive measures, the State of Emergency remains in place for both St. Kitts and Nevis and the existing curfew for both islands will continue. But there will be for the island of St. Kitts:
There will be a special carve out for the island of Nevis, which will basically remain the same as obtains presently but will be detailed in the SR&O.
On Monday, we will convene an emergency sitting of the Parliament. We believe that this is necessary in our fight against the COVID pandemic because of the current spread of the virus here in our Country.
We believe that this difficult state of affairs in our beloved Federation requires that we extend the state of emergency, like ten other countries in the region have done, to allow us to use the emergency powers to assist our Health Team and Security Personnel in the fight against this deadly virus.
My citizens and residents, in this fight the actions of every single individual affect us all.
I urge you to do the right thing and protect yourselves over the next 14 days to prevent the continued spread of the virus.
I urge you to use the opportunity to get vaccinated so you can protect yourself, your family, and community. Vaccination is our most powerful tool to defeat the virus. The success of our vaccination roll-out so far calls for optimism.
There is light at the end of the tunnel if, and I am confident that our people will do the right thing over these coming two weeks, that will allow us to emerge safer and stronger. Let us be united in the fight for our lives and our Country. To better protect ourselves, let us get vaccinated and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. Let us adopt the appropriate behavior needed to fight this deadly virus.
May God continue to protect us.
I Thank You.
]]>As of yesterday, January 7, 2021 the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis has confirmed one additional case of coronavirus disease. The international traveler landed in the Federation on January 6, 2021 from the United States of America (USA). The patient has been in quarantine at one of the COVID-19 certified hotels since arrival in the Federation. The patient was duly notified and is in isolation.
This additional case brings the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases to 34 with 22 cases for St. Kitts and 12 cases for Nevis. Please note that 31 cases have fully recovered with zero deaths. There are now three (3) active cases. These patients are stable and are being monitored.
All front-line workers at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport (RLBIA), SCASPA and in the hotel and tourism sector continue to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols along the corridor of containment between the ports of entry and hotel/accommodation sites. The Ministry of Health wishes to assure the general public that the following measures are being taken to restrict the spread of coronavirus:
The Ministry of Health -in particular-and Federal Government in general wish to remind all citizens and residents that every effort is being made to prevent the spread of this virus locally.
More and more persons are adhering to the COVID-19 prevention and control measures which include wearing a face mask when in public places, maintaining good hand hygiene, maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet from others when in public places and avoiding crowds and events. These control measures work, and we are encouraging you to continue.
Let us work together to maintain and protect the health and wellbeing of the people of the Federation. Wishing you a happy New Year!
]]>In my capacity as Chief Medical Officer it is my duty to inform you that as of yesterday, December 4, 2020 the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis has confirmed three (3) additional cases of coronavirus disease. Based on the travel records of these three international travelers or nonnationals – one landed in St Kitts on November 20, 2020 from India, one landed in St Kitts on November 28 from the United States of America (USA) and the other landed on November 29, 2020 from the USA.
These three additional imported cases have been in quarantine at COVID-19 certified hotels since arrival in the Federation. The three cases have been duly notified and are in isolation. These three additional cases bring the total of COVID-19 confirmed cases to 25. Please note that 20 cases have fully recovered with zero deaths. There are now five (5) active cases. These patients are stable and are being monitored by the consultant internal medicine specialist.
All front line workers at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport (RLBIA), SCASPA and in the hotel and tourism sector continue to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols along the corridor of containment between the airports and hotel/accommodation sites. The Ministry of Health wishes to assure the general public that the following measures are being taken to restrict the spread of coronavirus:
The Ministry of Health – in particular – and Federal Government in general wish to remind all citizens and residents that every effort is being made to prevent the spread of this virus.
We are called upon to remain calm and follow the COVID-19 prevention and control measures which include: wearing a face mask when in public places, maintaining good hand hygiene, maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet from others when in public places and avoiding crowds.
Let us work together to maintain and protect the health, wellness and quality of life of our people. May God be merciful to us all.
]]>(ZIZ News)
By: Chaïra Flanders
All pageants, the extremely popular J’ouvert street jam, grand parade and las lap celebrations have been cancelled for this year’s Sugar Mas 49 festivities.
This was announced by Minister of Culture, Hon. Jonel Powell who was at the time delivering an address to the nation via the St. Kitts-Nevis National Carnival Committee (SKNNCC) Facebook page on the morning of Friday October 2 2020.
He said both Cabinet and the committee approved the decision to cancel all traditional Carnival events ahead of Sugar Mas 49 celebrations in December 2020.
Minister Powell said the decision was made in consideration of the health and safety of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis as the federation grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Powell said in order to accommodate patrons during this challenging time, creative virtual events will be held to highlight and celebrate the culture of our people.
“Our National Carnival was established with the aim of highlighting our arts, music and folklore and in so doing, uniting our people. As such, the committee along with its partners, intends to create virtual events that are new and creative as well as scale back activities for the end of year celebration”, Powell explained.
“This new virtual format will allow the St. Kitts-Nevis National Carnival Committee to showcase our unique Carnival product to our citizens and residents and a more diverse and wide-ranging global audience”, he said.
He added that a Sugar Mas 49 Calendar of events will be released shortly.
The Minister said the committee is pledging its fullest support to the national COVID-19 Taskforce, the police and healthcare workers who have established protocols to protect residents and citizens from the Novel Coronavirus.
He said the Ministry of Culture and the National Carnival Committee look forward to presenting Sugar Mas 49 in its new format to Carnival lovers, locally, regionally and internationally.
]]>The National Carnival Committee of St. Kitts & Nevis, will from this month, be under the management of a new Chairman, who will be given the task of leading an initiative to build on the past successes of recent years.
Minister of Culture and Carnival, Hon. Jonel Powell, revealed that after a series of discussions and careful evaluation on the way forward, he has appointed Ms. Shannon Hawley, to serve as Carnival Chairman, from July, 2020.
Shannon Hawley is an international business executive with extensive on-island and overseas experience in business development, marketing and sales.
She is currently the Managing Director of her company, Rosamond Consulting Ltd which focuses on the Citizenship-by-Investment industry and luxury real estate market.
Powell said that outgoing Chairman, Mr. Noah Mills, who delivered yeoman service for over five years, has agreed to offer his expertise in a consultancy role, especially in the early stages of the transition.
This will be Hawley’s second stint as Chairman, after presiding over the 40th Anniversary of carnival in 2011.
At that time, she made double history, becoming the youngest person and the first and only female, to hold the post of Chairman of National Carnival.
She began her tenure as a member of the Carnival Committee in 2009, and by the following year, 2010, assumed the role of Deputy Chair, which she carried for two years, before eventually advancing to the top spot as Chairman, in 2011.
With this assignment, Hawley is making history again as the first person to ever be appointed as Chairman of Carnival on two separate occasions. But Minister Powell explained that her appointment will bring exactly what is needed now, which is the smoothest pathway to continuity.
Her background and experience in the entertainment industry, is also well known.
She is the owner of Refresh Juice Bar and owner of Xpress Events, an event management company.
Over the past 10 years, however, the name Shannon Hawley, has become synonymous with the Xpress Events VIP Experience, hosted annually for the St Kitts Music Festival.
Shannon started her National Carnival revelry as a youth playing Mas with Stacy Hobson’s “Xpress Youself” Mas Camp and continued throughout the years as a reveler, most recently for Carnival 2019/2020.
Shannon is best known for her out-of-the box ideas, brand development, and her attention to detail in the execution of her events.
Her role as Chair of the National Carnival Committee will focus on working in collaboration with key Carnival stakeholders and event promoters to further enhance the National Carnival’s brand, while maintaining and preserving its unique traditional aspects.
In addition, Minister of Culture Powell has also confirmed the re-appointment of Mrs. Marissa Hobson-Newman as Deputy Chair, which is a role she has had for almost five years. Minister Powell said that more carnival developments will be shared in comings days.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 21, 2020 (SKNIS): The St. Kitts Department of Youth Empowerment has moved the nomination process for the 25 Most Remarkable Teens Awards online making it easier for locals adjusting to the new normal due to COVID-19.
The nomination form and information on the various award categories are available at youth.gov.kn. The information can be filled directly into the form online and submitted. The nomination form can also be downloaded, printed and returned to the departments responsible for youth in St. Kitts and in Nevis.
Senior Youth Officer, Sahira Joseph, encouraged residents not to be completely absorbed in this current season, that the accomplishments of deserving young people go unnoticed.
“These teens would have been doing good for some time while the coronavirus has been here for two months,” she stated. “I know the athletes didn’t have their shot this year at the interschool competition, but they have been putting in the work. The same goes for those in the culinary field, in church systems or working in the community. So there are teens to nominate because the work has already been put in.”
Mrs Joseph added that some young people are also providing invaluable service during the pandemic by helping seniors, hosting online tutoring classes, and the like. Such service should be highlighted on the nomination form.
The award categories are broad and include areas such as Academics, Courage to Overcome, Dance, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Science, Leadership, Most Promising, Overcoming Disability, Photography, School Pride, Spiritualism, Volunteerism, and Youth Activism. The full listing is posted online at youth.gov.kn.
The nomination deadline is Thursday, June 11, 2020.
]]>
It was on February 18, 2015 that the mantle of leadership of our beloved Country fell on my shoulders when I was sworn in as the third Prime Minister of our nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. With the able assistance of my colleagues, I have endeavoured to wear that mantle with commitment, distinction and humility.
My Cabinet Colleagues and I have dedicated ourselves to the task of delivering a better quality of life to all of our citizens and residents. We believe that we have been successful in great measure. Our record has shown that when faced with opportunities and/or challenges we have always responded effectively and efficiently.
We are proud of the manner in which we restored our Country’s good name, which was sullied before we came to office. The Country had experienced a long and extended period of indebtedness and we had been subjected to an administration that had no regard for the rule of law.
Today, our economy is the best in the region. Our fiscal management of public finances has been second to none. We paid off a $117 million IMF debt left by our predecessors. We have recorded surpluses and positive economic growth every year of our tenure. This successful management has allowed us to pay the public servants a double salary four years in succession and cater effectively to the needs of our citizens and residents during this period of global crisis.
The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index has consistently placed us as No. 1 in the OECS. We govern with sobriety and the engagement of our citizens. The Administration of Justice is alive and well in our Federation and we have experienced significant advancement in this area, with the appointment of a 2nd Judge to the St. Kitts Circuit and the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Courtroom at the Sir Lee L. Moore Judicial Complex.
Your Team Unity administration has governed with thoughtfulness and compassion in every area and fulfilled manifesto commitments that were made in 2015. You will recall that we made the prompt payment of $16 million to former sugar industry workers. We removed VAT from food, medicine, educational supplies and funeral expenses. We also introduced the poverty alleviation programme and pay a monthly stipend of $500 to over 4,000 households earning less than $3,000 per month. These were promises made – and, thankfully, promises we have kept.
When we were impacted by hurricanes in 2017, we rebuilt homes and repaired roofs. This has improved the resilience in the housing stock in the Federation. More than 2,000 families have benefitted from this historic programme. We are particularly proud of our housing programme. Never before has any Government provided the type of housing here in St. Kitts, both in quality and quantity. We have distributed thousands of house lots to our citizens and residents.
We undertook the most significant public sector investment in our Country’s history. The construction of the 2nd cruise pier; the $69 million resurfacing of the island main road; also the reconstruction of the Old Road Bay to alleviate the longstanding dangers that were posed to travellers. The construction of the modern Ferry Terminal, East Bus Line and West Bus Line Terminals has received rave reviews. All this and more we have accomplished in five short years.
We are proud of our spectacular performance in tourism development, the build out of our ICT sector, advancement in education and health care especially the provision for the first time of a Cancer Treatment Unit at the J. N. F. Hospital and our mental health day care facility.
My fellow citizens and residents, you will recall that when this Team Unity Government assumed office, crime was rampant and our citizens were living in fear as homicides had reached an all-time high. Parents were burying their children at an alarming rate, fear stalked the land and many persons refrained from venturing out at nights. The economy was being negatively impacted and we promised to aggressively combat this scourge, which we inherited. I am proud that this country is now regarded as one of the safest places to live. Major crimes – in particular, homicides – have fallen dramatically and a new era of peace has been ushered in our beautiful Federation. Another promise made and another promise we have kept.
While at present COVID-19 poses a threat to our future, we are confident that we are a resilient people and with the right management of the Country’s affairs, we will continue to be successful. Working with you, my Government has been protecting our people, our economy and our islands from the worst elements of COVID-19. We must continue the fight. We are making good progress but there is so much more to do in these difficult and uncertain times. Our early, proactive actions by restricting travellers, enforcing quarantine and closing the borders have undoubtedly saved lives during this pandemic and prevented our health system from being overwhelmed.
Because of the tough decisions we took, St. Kitts and Nevis is now best placed in the Caribbean to recover. This is not by accident.
WE HAVE A PLAN
While we must continue fighting this pandemic, we must also put our Federation back on the path to a stronger and safer future.
I can assure you that we have a plan.
It is a plan for a stronger economy, where our jobs are secure, our streets are safer, and our future is brighter.
The plan acknowledges a greater role for agriculture. We are providing farmers free seeds and seedlings, free harrowing services and a financial grant for loss of their animals. We have provided additional lands for food security.
The plan is about being at the cutting edge of ICT. It is about empowering our young people. That is why we have procured nearly 2,000 ICT devices for our students and teachers to facilitate e-learning.
The plan includes getting our tourism plant back on the incredible growth trajectory in cruise and stay-over visitors experienced only under Team Unity.
The plan involves the continuing development of our infrastructure.
My fellow citizens and residents, we are living in unprecedented times, which none of us has ever experienced before. My Government is committed to keeping all of our people safe. The health of our nation is and will remain our number one priority. We know that we are all in this together, and in Unity, we shall overcome this challenge.
OUR CONSTITUTION
We are a Country governed by laws and our Constitution is our supreme law. Our Constitution is very clear. Every Parliament shall continue for five years from the date of the first sitting of the National Assembly after an election and shall then end, unless sooner dissolved.
It is now almost some five years since that first sitting and I have yesterday advised His Excellency the Governor General, Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, to dissolve the National Assembly as from Tuesday, 12th May 2020 and he has graciously consented.
The next election will bring certainty to our Federation, preserve our democracy and allow us continue to deliver a brighter future, creating employment and prosperity, building bigger homes and keeping us safe. Let us stay together and see this through. In this election, you will have a clear choice. You can go forward to a safer and brighter future with Team Unity, or backwards to the past, which you rejected in 2015. I know that our Federation will be safer and stronger with Team Unity.
I invite each and every one of you to consider these Elections seriously, soberly, and with maturity. Keep the peace, and stay out of trouble. When it is over, let us overcome and rise above our partisan differences and combine our energies to the task of building our beloved nation for the benefit of every man, woman and child.
My fellow citizens and residents, I thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and I express to you my willingness to serve you again as Prime Minister with even greater vigour and skill, steeped in experience and commitment.
May God bless each and every one of us, as we seek to exercise your sacred Trust as citizens and residents of this, our beloved Country. May God continue to bless our beloved Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
I Thank You.
By: Chaïra Flanders
Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 19, 2020 (ZIZ News): Hosting of Social events like weddings and funerals are allowed on partial curfew days as long as persons adhere to the necessary restrictions mandated by the Emergency Powers regulations.
This reminder was given by Superintendent Cromwell Henry as members of the COVID-19 Task Force gathered at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference room for a national briefing held by the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) on Sunday April 19.
Supt. Henry noted that persons who wish to hold these events on partial curfew days must first make a request to the Commissioner of Police. While addressing weddings in particular he said no more than 10 persons should attend the occasion.
“Weddings may be permitted on limited operation days except of course no more than 10 persons should be in attendance, no more than one officiant should be in attendance, only essential camera technicians should be in attendance, only two essential witnesses should be in attendance and the wedding should have a maximum duration not exceeding one half hour”, he explained.
Superintendent Henry added that all persons excluding the bride and groom should practice social distancing and abide by physical distancing protocols.
Meanwhile, during funerals, no more than ten members of immediate family shall be in attendance, only essential mortuary personnel should be in attendance and the maximum duration of the funeral is one hour.
He said although these social events are exceptions, they must be held in keeping with the recommended stipulations on these particular days.
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