Dieppe Bay police station testimony of strong ties between St. Kitts and Nevis and Mexico

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 14TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says the financing of the construction of the new police station in Dieppe Bay bears testimony to the strong Government-to-Government linkages that exist between the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of Mexico.

Minister of Public Works, Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin; Mrs. Gerado Lozano; Mexican Ambassador, His Excellency Gerado Lozano; Minister Education and Information, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty; Ms. Estella Hutchinson; Mexican Architect; Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas; Mrs. Walwyn, wife of the Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Police, Mr. C. G. Walwyn.

Speaking at the official opening of the facility on Monday, Prime Minister Douglas said it reflects his Government’s effectiveness at ensuring that this country’s law enforcement leadership has the calibre of manpower, the type of equipment, the organizational arrangements, and the physical infrastructure that they need to combat crime and criminals.

“This opening is the fulfillment of a clear and sincere pledge made to the people of Dieppe Bay – and the people of this country – by my Government,” said Dr. Douglas, who noted that through the relationship developed over the years, both countries have developed a heightened awareness of the priorities, the potential, and the best way forward for each other’s nations.

“There are many dimensions to the bonds that your Government and mine have been so successful at developing from one year to the next. This police station at which we have gathered today to declare open is the physical manifestation of just one,” said Prime Minister Douglas, adding: “My Government has been demonstrating that in this Federation, law and order is an absolute priority.”

He told the gathering which included Cabinet ministers, the Mexican Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Gerardo Lozano and Mrs. Lozano; Commissioner of Police, Mr. C.G. Walwyn and Mrs. Walwyn, that St. Kitts and Nevis may not be able to control the plans that are hatched in any particular individual’s mind, “but we are certainly in control of the reaction that anyone who chooses to break the law will face.”

“And this has been made crystal clear in the way in which we, aided by the outstanding leadership of Commissioner C. G. Walwyn, Commander Patrick Wallace, and their men, have been pushing forward – from the SouthEast Peninsula to St. Paul’s, and from Molyneux to Middle Island – in our commitment to protect and to serve” said Prime Minster. Dr. Douglas pointed out that the social and economic expansion that his Government has brought to this, the northern area of St. Kitts following the closure of the sugar industry, is there for all to see. He said the spin-off benefits of these changes will reverberate throughout this region for generations to come. “There has been a dramatic expansion in affordable housing in this particular area.

In addition, there is now Kittitian Hill Resort Development that is taking place in the foothills below our Mount Liamuiga’s. There is already in this community, Beaumount Park Development which has facilities for modern thoroughbred horseracing and also for villa development. All of these bring not only current but future employment opportunities to this part of the country and with both of these developments the current as well as the future capital inflows associated with this project, we shall see many more opportunities for our people,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who is also the Parliamentary for St. Christopher 6.

Dr. Douglas said there is the clear and ongoing emphasis on ensuring that this area of St. Kitts and Nevis becomes as major a focus of economic activity as the long-standing south-eastern zone of Basseterre Central, East, West, and the South East Peninsula.

The ceremony was chaired by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Richardson; Force Chaplain, Pastor Leroy Benjamin gave the invocation; Commissioner of Police, Mr. C.G. Walwyn gave the Opening and Welcome remarks; Mexico Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Gerardo Lozano delivered remarks and the Vote of thanks was given by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ian Queeley. Presentation was made by the pupils of the Dieppe Bay Primary School, who turned out in their numbers with their principal and teachers.

The new Dieppe Bay Police Station (Photos by Erasmus Williams)