Prime Minister’s New Year Gala is aimed at bringing people together

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JANUARY 6TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says the aim of the Prime Minister’s New Year’s Gala is aimed at bringing people together at the start of the New Year.

Pointing out that the event coincides with the ending of the annual Christmas and Carnival season, Dr. Douglas told over 500 patrons attending the 10th Annual Prime Minister’s New Year Gala at the posh St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino on Sunday that it also allows reflection on the past year and the upcoming months.

“It is intended to bring people together in a very special way, in a very special setting, in an environment that would have been enhancing and allow our carnival winners and celebrants to be in place at the same time,” said Dr. Douglas.

He said it also allows the residents and returning nationals as well as visiting friends to be part of togetherness and to have the young people as well as senior citizens, public and private sector officials to socialize and reflect on the past year and to think seriously of the year that is unfolding.

Prime Minister Douglas noted that during the early stages of planning the event in 2002, it was important that the Organizing committee be headed by someone of leadership quality.

“The organizers and founders identified the Hon. Marcella Liburd (now Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs) to head the committee,” said Dr. Douglas.

PM Douglas used the occasion to express thanks to Minister Liburd and past and present members of the Committee for the service over the last 10 years in ensuring that the Prime Minister’s New Year Gala “is working.”

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; 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.