Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 24, 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): Former People’s Labour Party candidate for Constituency #3 and Party Deputy Leader, Akilah Byron Nisbett has resigned from the PLP.
She made the announcement in a letter to Chair of the PLP, Warren Thompson and a video statement on social media on Friday giving her reasons for the decision.
She said “After the elections, I did some soul-searching to determine the best path forward. What I did realize is that the party and leadership I once believed in had strayed away from its core principles, which no longer aligned with mine.”
She continued “If one wants to keep moving forward and upward, one will eventually have to let go of the load that is tying one’s feet to the ground and hindering progress. I, therefore, must state here that I have made the decision to step away from the umbrella of the Peoples Labour Party with Dr. Timothy Harris as Leader.”
She said that she will however, continue to advocate and fight for the betterment of the people of constituency three and the country as a whole, and will use any platform she has to advance the party’s cause.
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]]>July 22, 2022 (PLP) — The Peoples’ Labour Party (PLP) held another large rally in West Farm, West Basseterre Constituency #3. It featured the Honourable Akilah Byron Nisbett, the Deputy National Party Leader and Parliamentary Representative for the area. She is also the Government Minister with responsibility for Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development in the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris’ led cabinet.
The PLP is the only political party with two women on their slate of candidates in this upcoming general election. Our candidate for Constituency #1 East Basseterre, Ms. Jacqueline Bryan stood in solidarity with the Hon. Akilah Byron Nisbett endorsed her candidacy and leadership. Underscoring the need for Women to offer themselves to service in public office, Ms. Bryan stated, “We can only go up from here for PLP welcomes women in leadership roles throughout the Federation.”
The crowd became energized and electric when the Hon. Akilah Byron Nisbett came on stage. Women and men celebrated her leadership during the pandemic which was the worst in modern history. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harris, she led St. Kitts & Nevis through the global pandemic ensuring the safety and security of its residents. She showed transformational leadership which is evident by the admiration and thunderous applause of those in attendance last night.
The Honourable Akilah Byron Nisbett stated, “When I saw the large crowd, I first thought how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. I then ran out on stage and thanked GOD for everyone’s attendance. I stand in solidarity with the people.”
Women’s Empowerment and Unity were some of the major themes that resonated throughout the night. That night there were also former Labour and PAM supporters in attendance, underlining that the PLP Welcomes All. Another theme was securing a future of prosperity through innovation, training, economic development, jobs and education as a policy of a PLP Government for the next five years.
The PLP candidate for Central Basseterre Constituency # 2 Mr. Nubian Greaux, spoke about entrepreneurship through the agricultural economy. He acknowledged that there is so much talent in St. Kitts & Nevis that too often goes untapped. The PLP candidate for Constituency # 5Mr. Stachio Williams put forth the idea of a business incubator for individuals who have dreams of starting their own business. He said that they can achieve their dreams right here in St Kitts & Nevis with the support from the government and the private sector to help people achieve their dreams, creating more jobs. This is one of the ways to secure a future filled with prosperity and peace.
Prime Minister Dr. The Honourable Dr Timothy Harris then delivered an awe-inspiring speech to the nation. He stated that with the large crowds and tremendous support, it is clear that the people of St. Kitts & Nevis want a government that puts people first. They want a government that will give them a secure future filled with opportunity and prosperity. They want a government that is transparent. They want leaders with integrity who get up every day with the people in mind. They want leaders who truly keep their promises.
The Honourable Akilah Byron Nisbett and the entire PLP team understand who we are and that n the Peoples’s Labour Party, the People always come first.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2021 (SKNIS): A Bill to provide for the regulation of an electronic communication network and an electronic communications service and for related matters, otherwise known as the Electronic Communications Bill, 2021, was successfully passed in the Federal Parliament on Thursday, February 18, 2021.
The Honourable Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, and Talent Development, Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Mover of the Bill, laid out a synopsis of its objectives.
“Mr. Speaker, the enactment of the EC Bill in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis will ensure a broader scope of regulations from telecommunications to ‘electronic communications’ and will also address matters but not limited to: principles of fair competition; change of ownership of electronic communications companies within the ECTEL Contracting States; universal service and access; preservation of an open internet with the adoption of net neutrality principles; the establishment of the NTRCs as body corporates; the setting up of a tribunal independent of the NTRC to hear unresolved disputes between licensees and customers; and the inclusion of more penalties for breach of the legislation among other things.”
Minister Byron-Nisbett noted that a critical component of the Bill is the inclusion of a robust regulatory framework that promotes and preserves a vibrant sector.
“Mr. Speaker the EC Bill includes the critical elements necessary for an effective regulatory framework, such as the functional aspects of the regulatory authority, decision-making processes, accountability, consumer protection, dispute resolution, and enforcement powers,” she added. “The EC Bill will serve as a valuable piece of legislation for the electronic communications sector in the Federation because the goals of the EC Bill are to ensure that market failure is avoided, to foster effective competition, and most importantly, in my opinion, is to protect consumer interests and to increase access to technology and services. And I believe even now as we move towards a digital economy this means so much more in light of that Mr. Speaker.”
The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister noted that the Bill represents the Federation’s past, present, and future advancements.
“It spoke to our past, present, and future, and it showed how the foundations that were laid we continue to build on and we progress in leaps and bounds in getting us as a Federation to where we need to get to in terms of our digital transformation and in no way we would take for granted the work that has been done and put in by others to get us where we are, not just in telecommunications but in every aspect,” said Minister Byron-Nisbett. “It also speaks to how resilient we are as a people and how we continue to do whatever we can to ensure that we continue to progress this country.”
She used the occasion to thank the members of the Honourable House for their contributions in support of the Bill and noted that she was pleased to have had the support of both sides of the House for such a very “important milestone landmark piece of legislation.” The minister believes that the Bill “will be able to push not just St. Kitts and Nevis but the entire region and members of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) states to even higher heights.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 1st, 2020 (ZIZ News)
Minister of Health the Hon.Akilah Byron Nisbett has praised the partnerships that have led to the federation’s successful response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During her presentation to the Pan American Health Organization Directing Council earlier this week Minister Byron singled out the contributions from the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the assistance received from Cuba.
During the 58th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization discussions focused mainly on countries’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact COVID-19 has had on national health systems and services.
The sessions ran from September 28 to 29.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 11th , 2020 (ZIZ News):Chair of the Independence 37 Planning Committee, the Hon. Akilah Byron says the scaling back and restructuring of Independence activities this year has not diminished their success so far.
In an interview with ZIZ Minister Akilah Byron Nisbett noted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic several changes had to be made to the activities, while at the same time maintaining the true essence of Independence.
“And so we’ve had to make adjustments as we try to understand how this virus works and how it affects our normal life and the types of changes we would have to make in order to meet all of our protocols and stay safe and stay healthy.” she said. “And so it was under those constraints that the Independence 37 Planning Committee would have had to be able to come up with a calendar that would allow us to give the real true essence of the celebration for albeit limited in the way we have those celebrations done this year.”
She said so far the restructured events have been successful.
“I believe that the events have been absolutely successful. I think persons understand the times that we are living in now and as such we are seeing persons logging in and actually getting involved virtually with whatever it is that is taking place for Independence and we’re extremely excited to see that, especially persons in the diaspora who may not even have the chance to come home and celebrate with us. Being able to a part of it virtually allows them the opportunity to celebrate and from all accounts so far the events have been very successful and we’re very thankful for that”
Minister Byron Nisbett noted that among the standout events so far were the Prime Minister’s Lecture Series and Independence Fiesta which were held under Covid-19 restrictions but still came off as successful.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 13, 2020 (ZIZ News): Minister of Youth, the Hon Jonel Powell says he’s looking forward to collaborating with Minister Of Arts, Entertainment and Entrepreneurship, The Hon. Akilah Byron-Nisbett on plans to empower the youth of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In an interview with ZIZ Minister Powell said one of the priority areas concerning empowering the youth ensuring that they are fully aware of what it takes to start a business.
“It’s one thing to have a good idea, it’s another thing to be able to manage your books, to know about licensing and know how to protect yourself. And so these are some of the things that we hope to be able to empower them with,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with my colleague the Hon. Akilah Byron-Nisbett in terms of that new ministry that she is now head of in terms of arts, entertainment, entrepreneurship. Working closely with the Department Of Youth, Department of culture to ensure that our young people are in a better position to take advantage of opportunities and God-given talents.”
He said there is a great deal of talent within the youth of the Federation and it’s his goal to educate them on making the best use of their talents to improve their lives.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, July 13, 2020 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — A mighty wind blew over St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday June 5 when the country held general elections which saw Team Unity swept back to power with an added majority, and Akilah Byron-Nisbett of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) surprising the nation by winning in St. Christopher Three.
Member of Parliament for Constituency Number Three, West Basseterre, the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett on Sunday July 12 at the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre in Lime Kiln Commercial Development told worshippers of a song that touched her in her early Christian life, ‘A mighty wind is blowing from Heaven – it is changing our Nation’.
“And that song came over me because in truth and in fact God was making a move in St. Kitts and Nevis and we felt and we saw that move on June 5th at the polls, when He decided then we can no longer go back to what was,” she said.
“We have to move forward and as long as we keep Him in the fore, as long as we keep our eyes and our hearts fixed on Him, He will make sure that everything that you can imagine would happen for St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, who is now the Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development, is the Deputy National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party and was delivering remarks at a Praise and Worship service that was attended by members of the PLP National Executive led by PLP’s National Political Leader, and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.
Also present were her husband Mr Alexis Nisbett, who is also the Peoples Labour Party’s National Party Organiser, members of PLP Constituency Number Three Executive Branch, and members of the People’s Action Movement (PAM).
“I want to thank the people of West Basseterre – I have to show all of my love to the people of West Basseterre,” said Hon Byron-Nisbett. “I visited your homes for three years, I have been walking the streets and visiting your homes and talking with you and having one-on-ones.”
According to the Area Representative for Constituency Number Three, in every conversation she had with the Constituents, each of them said they would give her a chance because they believed she cared about the people of West Basseterre, and on June 5th they showed up and they showed off, and they made a bold statement that they believed that what God had planned for West Basseterre was that Akilah Byron-Nisbett would deliver for them.
“I have to publicly say ‘thank you’ to the Prime Minister because he saw something in me that I never saw in myself,” observed Hon Byron-Nisbett. “And he encouraged me and he continues to motivate me, and whenever I need him – he is there. And whenever I call on him, he is there. And whenever I need directions, he is there. And so I have to say ‘thank you’ to the Honourable Prime Minister for of his love and all of his support.”
The service which was led by Prophetess Dr Debbie Isaac whose sermon was themed ‘Life is a Journey – Go with God’, was attended by Cabinet Ministers the Hon Eugene Hamilton, the Hon Lindsay Grant, and the Hon Jonel Powell. Others included the Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett, Ambassadors Sydney Osborne, and Michael Powell, and other senior government officials, and former Cabinet minister Mr Ian Patches Liburd.
The Honourable Minister of Health thanked God for being faithful and she admonished all not to forget to pray no matter what it is that is challenging them, and advised them that God is ever present, and that He will never leave them nor forsake them because He is too faithful to fail them or disappoint them.
“Once He says that it is done, it is done and you must believe that,” said Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett. “I saw that on the 5th of June. Sometimes I doubted it – I said there is no way this constituency would change, but God said when ‘I say it is done, it is done’ and I stepped out in faith knowing that He has all the command and controls everything, and He did deliver.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 10, 2020 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to subsidize the cost of the 14-day mandatory quarantine period for returning nationals coming home to escape the COVID-19 pandemic, which is surging in many countries and territories around the world.
Currently, any national or resident approved to return to the island must pay a fee of US$500 to assist with the enormous cost of the quarantine. The quarantine is designed to contain any imported cases of the coronavirus.
Abdias Samuel, Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force, said that the sum is just a fraction of what is required to operate the government-designated quarantine facility at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI).
“The facility is owned by TDC. We (government) have to pay, according to the contract, US500 per room,” Mr Samuel stated. “That has nothing to do with the payment of the utilities such as electricity, water, cable, nor internet. And we still have our security forces who are at that facility providing security so that individuals would not leave the facility and just go into the society and integrate, thus spreading the virus.”
Mr Samuel stressed that cost-sharing is necessary to facilitate this tremendous public safety undertaking.
Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, said that the government was considering ways to provide additional assistance to persons who are not able to pay the US$500 cost of quarantine. A tiered system, which decreases the cost for the most vulnerable, is being reviewed.
“We will see how much we can be able to reduce the cost [for] the citizens returning home,” the minister stated. “We are looking into that and so for now we are just asking persons to work with the government. We are trying our best.”
She explained that every country around the world is trying to grapple with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. St. Kitts and Nevis is no different. The related economic slowdown means that the government is not collecting revenue from the usual sources, particularly in the tourism sector. Additionally, the most generous COVID-19 stimulus package to date in the OECS over the past three months has meant that the government has been spending more and collecting less.
“We have to rework and see how best we will be able to as a government to continue to be able to sustain the country as well as be able to meet the needs of all of our citizens,” Minister Bryon-Nisbett said, adding that continued sacrifices will be necessary from all corners of society to flatten the curve of any second wave.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, July 10, 2020 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Leadership and membership of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) led by National Political Leader Dr the Hon Timothy Harris and Deputy National Political Leader the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett will on Sunday July 12 attend a praise and worship service at the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre in Lime Kiln Commercial Project, West Basseterre.
The second in a series of praise and worship services by the Peoples Labour Party since the June 5 General Election landslide win by the Team Unity affiliated parties, the service is being held in St. Christopher Three, a constituency that was wrestled from the grips of Labour Party by the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett in her first attempt at elective politics.
“We won Constituency Number Three, a seat that Labour hitherto had never lost, with a swing to Akilah Byron-Nisbett of 6.6 per cent,” remarked National Political Leader of the PLP and Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr the Hon Timothy Harris. “This victory was as sweet as it was historic.”
Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre in Lime Kiln Commercial Project is not new to the PLP family. Last year after the party held its National Convention on Saturday March 16 at Patsy Allers Playfield (not held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic), next day leadership and membership of the party moved across to Living Water Christian Centre where they were welcomed and blessed by Apostle Dr Allan Isaac and Prophetess Dr Debbie Isaac.
At that worship service Apostle Dr Allan Isaac who delivered the sermon under the theme ‘Overflowing yourself into the world around you’ towards the end he made an altar call, which was heeded by a majority of those present in the church including Prime Minister Harris, then Senator Byron-Nisbett and Ambassador Michael Powell.
The three stood side by side prompting Apostle Dr Isaac to remark that the country has good succession planning, “because you are looking at the previous generation (Powell), passed on to the next generation (Harris), to be passed on to the next generation (Byron-Nisbett).”
His pronouncement has come true as the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett who was at the time a Senator, is today an elected member of the National Assembly and is the Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development.
The first praise and worship service by the Peoples Labour Party was held on Sunday June 21 at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Lemon Hill, Bourryeau, which is in Constituency Number Seven that is represented by Dr Harris. He observed: “In my Constituency of Number Seven, I led my opponent by 1,263 votes – the largest absolute margin in the general elections.”
At this praise and worship service, joining the Peoples Labour Party were Team Unity Cabinet ministers; Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Shawn Richards, the Hon Lindsay Grant, the Hon Eugene Hamilton, and the Hon Wendy Phipps.
The next Peoples Labour Party inspired praise and worship service, whose date and venue are yet to be determined, will be held in St. Christopher Six which is the third constituency the PLP had fielded a candidate, Mr Kevin ‘Ninky’ Williams, who campaigned under the slogan ‘Try Something Else’.
While Mr Williams was the only PLP candidate who did not win, this is what National Political Leader Dr the Hon Timothy Harris said: “In Constituency Number Six there was a swing against Denzil Douglas (holder of the seat and former Prime Minister) of around 14 per cent.”
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, July 09, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The people-centered Team Unity administration has pledged to do even more in its second term to uplift the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and provide additional opportunities that will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for citizens and residents.
This was one of six pledges made by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis as outlined in the Throne Speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor General, Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton G.C.M.G., C.V.O., Q.C., J.P., L.L.D., at the opening of the new Parliamentary session today, Wednesday, July 08, 2020 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Ballroom.
One such manner of empowering the citizenry identified by the Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris-led Team Unity administration is that of homeownership.
“Attention has been paid to improvement in the housing stock in the country and family-centred programming. As such, in this new term the public can expect my Government to embark upon the following: further improve the housing stock in the Country through construction of condominiums on East and West Streets in Newtown, for example [and] continue construction of decent, low income housing throughout St. Kitts and Nevis,” His Excellency the Governor General stated in the Throne Speech.
Over the last five years, hundreds of homes were delivered to deserving individuals, close to 500 families assisted benefited through the HELP programme and hundreds more assisted through the First Time Homeowners Programme. The government employee mortgage financing (GEM) programme benefited dozens of civil servants and more than 2,000 households were provided assistance from the widely acclaimed Hurricane Rehabilitation Programme.
Within the next five years, the Government also intends to create an additional 2,000 jobs to help boost the financial security of more families. “in order for families to be more financially secure.” Moreover, greater emphasis will be placed on improving the delivering of social services to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, as well as physically and mentally challenged individuals.
Throughout its 2020 election campaign, the Team Unity administration signaled its intention to find new ways to nurture the creative spirits of the nation’s youth. That pledge was reemphasized in Wednesday’s Throne Speech.
The speech noted that the Government plans to “improve opportunities for young people to develop their talents in culture and the performing arts; construct a multi-purposed complex to address the talent formation needs of our young people in various sporting disciplines [and] construct a national theatre for the performing arts.”
To advance this agenda, the second term Team Unity administration created the Ministry of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development.
That ministry is being led by the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 8, 2020 (SKNIS): A signing ceremony for the implementation arrangement of a capacity building project for the prevention and control of chronic metabolic disease was held at the Ministry of Health Conference Room on July 7.
This project is as a result of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Government and Taiwan’s Technical Mission in the Federation collaborating to strengthen the chronic disease prevention and control system.
In speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), His Excellency Tom Lee stated that “The major causes of death in St. Kitts and Nevis are chronic diseases.”
Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron, explained that an initial project which was implemented on April 1, 2017, focused on kidney diseases. She continued to explain that this project discovered that the main causes of these diseases were found through metabolic diseases.
Honourable Byron stated that, “This project is going to get at the root of those problems, how we can build capacity, and how we can build persons’ awareness of and control of these different diseases.”
Minister Byron said that “this is timely and necessary and as we continue to speak about controlling our NCDs. This comes at a time where it is going to be important for us to be able to meet these objectives.”
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, July 4, 2020 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Prime Minister and Area Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, on Saturday July 4 took time from his busy schedule to hold one-on-one consultations with his constituents which he said form part of the good governance and accountability agenda.
In the first one-on-one consultation session since the start of his second term, held at the Constituency Office on Main Street in Tabernacle Village, Prime Minister Harris saw close to one hundred persons from all over St. Kitts and Nevis, and mainly from within the constituency, irrespective of the fact that the session had not been well publicised.
“The one-on-ones are important and we are going to have more of them,” said Dr Harris. “Those that are to come will be even more publicised in advance so that those who need to come would have an opportunity to do so.”
He however observed that one-on-one consultations in the constituencies are intended primarily and principally for the constituents, the persons resident in the constituency who need that audience since the Prime Minister runs an open government whose officers are available to meet with people requiring their support, and their advice and added that as Team Unity ministers they want to lead by example.
Following the historic June 5 General Election where Team Unity secured nine out of the eleven parliamentary seats, the Prime Minister said that the elected representatives will be holding regular one-on-one consultations with their constituents.
“Take St. Kitts now we have six elected representatives of the people and it is my hope that each representative will on a regular basis, at a mutually convenient time for himself and his constituency and in the case of
a time convenient to her and her constituents, make themselves available so that the constituents would have that opportunity for dialogue, for conversation, and for updating,” observed Dr Harris. “They are very critical – they are part of the good governance and accountability agenda which we have been treating seriously and we hope to continue that way.”
He pointed out that for the Saturday July 4 one-on-one consultations persons had come from all over the country as they wanted to relate to the Prime Minister, or simply for the fact that they find that it might have been more advantageous for them to go to higher level in which case the higher level would be the Prime Minister.
“But we try here to serve as many people and we attempt to deal with persons on a first come first served basis, bearing in mind though that the constituency one-on-one are intended principally to give service, support, advice and counsel to the constituents,” commented Dr Harris.
At the one-on-one consultations, the Prime Minister noted that wide array of issues were discussed and he is looking forward to assist those persons and the matters which fall within the ambit of the government. Those who simply needed advice and information regarding a number of subject matters, he was able to provide guidance in terms of directing them to the appropriate institutions that would offer that help.
“To those who still want to have one-on-one there will be an opportunity next week,” said Dr Harris in reference to those who were not able to see him, and those will want to see him now that he has started the one-on-one consultations in the constituency.
He added: “We can safely say that next Thursday afternoon July 9 the Prime Minister will have a follow-up constituency one-on-one consultation at a venue in St. Christopher Seven to be determined, which is likely to be either Molineux or Lodge, but we have to check the availability of the traditional venues.”
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Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 01, 2020 (ZIZ News)
By: Chaïra Flanders
Minister of Health, Hon. Akilah Byron Nisbett says her aim is to listen to the concerns of as many persons as possible to find ways to improve service for all in the health sector.
She made the statement during a recent interview with ZIZ, where she outlined the importance of hearing the concerns of others as the new Minister.
“I am doing what I’m calling a listening tour, especially in health in particular. First I am meeting with the Management/Staff, but my intention is to meet with all staff right down to the cleaners, the people in the kitchen, the nurses everybody because I want to hear from them. And the intention is to hear, what are your concerns? How do you feel from where you sit? How do you feel we can improve health? Then from that, we can determine that these are the things that we can fix right away because you know that during the campaign we would have spoken at the high level [stating that] the facilities need to be refurbished, the brand new hospital that is coming but then we also need to know at the staff level what are the things in terms of your working environment that we can change to make it more comfortable”, she explained.
Byron-Nisbett said she will continue to have multiple meetings with staff in the Ministry of Health so that an all-in approach is adopted during the decision making process.
“It’s a get to know me, get to know you, get to understand the way you feel about your work or your environment and how we can work together to fix that. So those are a series of meetings that I am having thus far and I am hopeful that at the end of it that we can come to an agreement that these are the things that we can fix and change to make things better particularly for our nursing staff who give care. We need to make sure they are motivated to work and so whatever we can do to make their environment more comfortable we will do that”, the Health Minister expressed.
She said considering that she is also the Minister of ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development, the same can be expected in those areas as well.
Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 30, 2020 (ZIZ):
By: Chaïra Flanders
The Honorable Akilah Byron-Nisbett is encouraging young women to pursue careers in active politics as she says not enough women are working in this field.
She was at the time speaking in a brief interview with ZIZ where she expressed her desire to see more young women stepping into many of the policy deciding roles that have been dominated by men.
“I know much is said that for the first time we have such a young woman who [has] put herself up for active politics and I want to encourage a lot of other young women to take that step as well. I want my time and my tenure in government to be an example to them that we can be involved in politics at this level, that we can have the opportunity to win at this level, that we can represent the people of various constituencies and that we can run ministries just as any other man can and we can do it with all of the grace and class that comes with being a woman”, the Minister said.
She also expressed that it is her hope to see her win open many other doors for young women all across the federation whether outside of politics or in the business world.
“I want my tenure to show what it means to truly be a woman in politics and a woman running for politics and in this position and I want it to be as a means of encouragement for young women coming behind me so that they can see that you can be in politics without being nasty and without character assassination, rising above everything and staying focused”, Byron-Nisbett explained.
She wrapped up her message with advice on the importance of remaining focused to achieve your goals.
“Its just about encouraging young women not only in politics but in anything that you do. Stay focused. There’s going to be nay-sayers, there’s going to be persons who would think that they can call you names and do whatever it is to encourage you but you have to be focused and say this is what I am trying to achieve and I am going to work towards that”, she expressed.
Byron-Nisbett is the first female to contest and win that seat and the first non-candidate of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party to win Constituency #3. She contested in the general elections as a People’s Labour Party (PLP) candidate, beating her opponent Hon. Konris Maynard of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party with 1342 votes.
She says she remains forever grateful to the people of West Basseterre for giving her the opportunity to serve.
The Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett will serve as St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 18th, 2020 (ZIZ News): Newly appointed Minister of Health Hon. Akila Byron-Nisbett has recommitted the support of the Ministry of Health to the NEOC and the HEOC in the fight against the Covid19 pandemic.
Minister Byron Nisbett who was sworn in as Minister Of Health on Sunday said she attended her first NEOC and HEOC meeting on Wednesday where she was informed of what has been done and what the plans are so far for what is expected to be the second wave of Covid 19.
Speaking for the first time in her new role at the NEOC Covid 19 briefing, Minister Byron Nisbett said following the meeting she is confident in their ability to effectively prepare for the second wave of the virus.
“I have seen the work that they have been putting in and I also see the plans for when we do have to—because it is inevitable—we will have to reopen our borders at some point and the expectation is that we would expect a second wave at that point,’ she noted. “I am confident that the team will continue to do, as they have done in the first wave, to continue to curtail whatever the impact may be as it relates to covid19.”
She commended the persons and institutions who “continue to work diligently to ensure that the country can fight Covid19”.
“I am thankful to the NEOC. I am thankful to the NDC and NEMA who continue to work very hard in ensuring that we are able to meet all of our targets and goals and the work that they have been putting in is commendable, as well as the taskforce, these men and women who continue to give yeoman service to ensure that our country is able to fight this disease and we are able to ensure that the people on a whole are healthy and we stay safe.”
The Health Minister encouraged the public to continue to continue to listen to the advice of the health authorities and the NEOC in efforts to curtail the impact of the pandemic in the future.
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