Dr. Earl Asim Martin is new Deputy Prime Minister, PM Douglas says Federation is on a solid social, economic and political path

File photo: Hon Dr. Earl Asim Martin

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 5TH 2013 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas Tuesday announced the appointment of his most senior Cabinet colleague, the Hon Dr. Earl Asim Martin as his Deputy Prime Minister.

Dr. Martin, a Cuban trained physician was first elected to the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly in July 1995.

His appointment comes in the wake of the resignation last week Friday of the Hon. Sam Condor, who was deputy prime minister since 1995.

In a nationwide address, Prime Minister Douglas said he will take responsibility for the Social Security Board.

The Hon. Patrice Nisbett will assume responsibility for the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, and Labour, previously held by Mr. Condor.

The Hon. Richard Skerritt will assume the added Ministries of International Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Consumer Affairs.

Prime Minister Douglas said that on Thursday, January 31, 2013, a letter dated January 30, 2013 was hand delivered to the Office of the Prime Minister.

“This was a letter of resignation from the St. Kitts and Nevis Federal Cabinet, signed by The Honourable Sam Condor. Out of respect for Mr. Condor, and in light of the great distance that we had traveled together as members and leaders of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, I immediately attempted to reach Mr. Condor by telephone to thank him for his many years of service; to state once again that I still, to this day, am unable to comprehend the cause of this breach; and to extend my very best wishes to him in his future endeavours. I deemed it essential that I speak to the former Minister prior to addressing the nation in response to his resignation, and made several additional attempts to do so. To no avail,” said Dr. Douglas, adding: “I therefore once again thank Mr. Condor for his many years of service, and hereby make official my acceptance of his resignation.”

The St. Kitts and Nevis leader also said that the twin-island Federation is on a solid social, economic, and political path.

“Crime has been reduced to levels we could never have anticipated a few short years ago. The dramatic reduction of our debt has freed up millions of dollars, formerly used for debt servicing that can now be used to meet the needs of Kittitians and Nevisians. The IMF consistently declares our performance targets as having been met,” said the Prime Minister.

He also said that despite the sometimes frenzied political propaganda, his democratically elected Government has always been guided by the dictates of the Constitution, “and this we shall continue to do.”

“There is a great deal of work to be done. There is our Constitution that must be upheld. And to both, you can be assured, this Government – your Government – is completely committed. Thank you, and may God bless and protect St. Kitts and Nevis,” he concluded.