Embrace the vision of growth and sustainable development
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St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas addressing patrons at the 10th Annual Prime Minister’s New Year Gala (photo by Erasmus Williams) |
ST. KITTS, JANUARY 6TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Patrons attending the 10th Annual Prime Minister’s New Year Gala on Sunday have been urged to embrace the vision to ensure that the twin-island Federation returns to a path of sustainable growth and development.
“Let us embrace the vision outlined and adopt it and ensure that the serious challenges can be tackled that are confronting us as a people,” St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said in brief remarks to the gathering.
Dr. Douglas noted that the past year, 2010, started with the challenges of the January 25th general election that gave the governing St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party a fourth consecutive term in office, the global financial and economic crisis, not only in St. Kitts and Nevis but also in the Caribbean region and beyond.
“We have seen a number of our banks being challenged, a number of companies folding, we have seen insurance companies seriously challenged and affecting our people. We in St. Kitts and Nevis have been able to weather the storm,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
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He noted that it was only a few weeks ago in the Budget Debate in the National Assembly “we outlined the specific path that should be followed as St. Kitts and Nevis continue, as a leading country in the Caribbean region, to ensure that we return this nation to a path of sustainable growth and development.”
He warned that while there are economic, financial challenges and social challenges, the issue of crime and violence threatens the economic stability of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Let us pledge tonight that each of us, on this special occasion, will make a special effort not only throughout the next 12 months but beyond, to ensure that we play our part to make St. Kitts and Nevis the country that we want it to be,” said Prime Minister Douglas, as he raised a toast to the health and prosperity of the Federation.
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Among the patrons were Governor General, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian; Deputy Governor General of Nevis, Mr. Eustace John and Mrs. John; Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor and Mrs. Condor; Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Hensley Daniel and Mrs. Daniel and members of the Nevis Island Administration; Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Hon. Curtis Martin and Mrs. Martin; Resident Judge, His Lordship Mr. Justice Errol Thomas; Charles Ogletree, the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law; Guest Entertainer, Kevin McIlvaine, the multi talented entertainer, singer, historian, model, actor, director and ordained minister; former High Court Judge, Mr. Emile Ferdinand and Mrs. Ferdinand, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, former Minister of Government, Mr. Richard Caines, members of the business community, residents, visiting nationals and visitors.