BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, March 28, 2021 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — The Peoples Labour Party (PLP) which was established in 2013 is still committed to the unity which led to three political parties forming the Team Unity construct that formed government after the February 16, 2015 general elections, says PLP National Political Leader and Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.
“We have heard a lot about our party – where we stand in moments of difficulty and where we stand in good times,” said Dr Harris. “You have heard a lot and you know a lot about our formation in 2013 and how from that difficult past we came forward and energised a nation, energised a country, energised a people and brought victory to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis under a coalition banner.”
Prime Minister Harris made the remarks on Saturday March 27 when he delivered the feature address at the Peoples Labour Party’s Fourth Annual National Convention that was held under a tent on the grounds of Ottley’s playing field in Constituency Number Seven which he represents in the National Assembly.
“We remain committed to unity because working together always the people of St. Kitts and Nevis will achieve more,” observed the Honourable National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party, and Prime Minister. “So thank you to our partners.”
The Peoples Labour Party formed a coalition with the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and the Nevis-based Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), contested the February 2015 general election and won seven seats out of the eleven seats to form government as the Team Unity Administration, with PLP’s National Political Leader Dr the Hon Timothy Harris as the Prime Minister.
Team Unity increased its majority in Parliament after the June 5, 2020 general elections to nine seats. The Peoples Labour Party holds two of the seats, St. Christopher Seven by Prime Minister Harris, and St Christopher Three by PLP’s Deputy Political Leader the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett who is the Federal Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development.
People’s Action Movement’s Assistant General Secretary, Mr Azard Gumbs, brought fraternal greetings on behalf of his party at the National Convention, while Concerned Citizens Movement’s Deputy Chair and President of Women’s Arm, Ms Latoya Jones, brought fraternal greetings on behalf of her party.
“Yes, we are the youngest political party in St. Kitts and Nevis but we are also the fastest growing party,” advised the National Political Leader. “That is because our values are those of the working people. Our values lead us to put a premium on creating more jobs for our young people, building homes for our people, and keeping our streets safe, and what a wonderful job! St. Kitts and Nevis are the safest it has ever been in a very long time.”
In further commenting on the prevailing safety aspect in the country, brought about by the efforts of his Team Unity Administration, Dr Harris thanked the entire team at National Security and singled out for commendation, Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy, Lt Col of the Defence Force J. Anthony Comrie, Commissioner of Corrections Terrance James, and Chief Immigration Officer Merclyn Hughes, who he said are in the frontline of the country’s national security apparatus.
“Yes, the PLP is the party of choice for a large number of persons everywhere and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve – serving together as part of a team,” asserted Dr Harris. He noted that each and every day, the PLP is serving with a new ethos of empowering and uniting people to build the St. Kitts and Nevis that all love and all want to see stronger and safer.
Proceedings of the National Convention were chaired by the PLP National Chairman Mr Warren Thompson, and remarks were also made by the Deputy National Political Leader the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, while delivering the keynote address was Trinidad-based Consultant Clinical/Forensic Psychologist, Dr Sharon-Ann Gopaul McNikol.
Present at the National Convention were members of the PLP National Executive who were elected unopposed on Friday March 26 at the Private Session of the 2021 National Convention held at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel’s Conference Room, and who were introduced by the National Political Leader.
“This is the team that we will work with as a party and all others who are interested in building the stronger and safer future which we promised, and which you the people of St. Kitts and Nevis deserve,” said Dr Harris while introducing the National Executive.
]]>My fellow citizens and residents.
Today we celebrate International Women’s Day 2021.
This is an important day of the year. It is a day that the United Nations (UN) has set aside for recognition of women, the essence of their being and their contribution. International Women’s Day provides us all with a chance to publicly say we want all women to have a future that is free from stigma, stereotypes, violence, and inequality.
Today we proudly declare that all women should have a future that is sustainable, peaceful and with equal rights and opportunities.
As a father of two young women, I want a world where my daughters not only reach their full potential, but are supported in doing so by all in society.
I am proud to lead a government that is committed to true equality for women here in St Kitts and Nevis and throughout the world.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were more jobs and more opportunities for women here in St. Kitts and Nevis, particularly for our young women. Indeed, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic there were more women in the workplace than at any time in our recent history. We have created those jobs and those opportunities before – and we will do it again.
Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic has set our economy back. We are rebuilding and we are rebuilding stronger and better.
One of the reasons our small country (St. Kitts and Nevis) is fighting COVID-19 so successfully and rebuilding our economy so quickly, is because of the leadership role women have been playing in our COVID-19 management and response.
The theme for this year’s UN International Women’s Day is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.”
I say to the global community, you only need to look at St Kitts and Nevis to see women’s leadership in action, and to see the strong results that are being delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Health Minister is a woman. Our Chief Medical Officer is a woman. Our Financial Secretary is a woman. Our Cabinet Secretary is a woman. Our Chief Personnel Officer is a woman. Permanent Secretaries in Health, Tourism, Sports, Culture, ICT, Talent Development and Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, Legal Affairs, etc. are all women. Most of our Ambassadors are women.
It is their tireless efforts, their skill and determination that have been steadily taking us through this COVID-19 crisis, and onward to a stronger, safer future.
But it is not just these women leading us through these times.
Our nurses. Our front-line workers. Our caregivers. All these occupations are made up predominantly of women. It is their leadership and their commitment on the front line that is keeping us safe.
To you all I say thank you on behalf of our beloved country. Thank you for your leadership at home, in our communities, at the workplaces and in the wider economy and society of St. Kitts and Nevis.
My government has always been committed to equality and equity for all.
We are making a good start but there is much, much more that needs to be done.
On this International Women’s Day, I make this commitment, as your Prime Minister and as a father of two daughters.
As we rebuild our Federation post COVID-19, it will be an equal future.
It will be a future that draws on the talent, the experience and the ambition of our strong and capable women here in St Kitts and Nevis.
There is nothing this Federation cannot achieve when all our people – women and men alike are valued, supported and encouraged.
From a grateful nation, particularly the men, who appreciate all that our dear women have done to teach our children to be good and decent human beings, to build our families, our communities, our schools, our churches and our beloved St. Kitts and Nevis, I say thank you to our women and wish you God’s favour on International Women’s Day.
]]>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 14th , 2020 (ZIZ News):
By: Chaïra Flanders
The St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) will be hosting its inaugural Youth Forum on Thursday 15th October, 2020 as a part of their 19th anniversary celebrations.
Topics to be discussed during the event are “Education, Entrepreneurship, Sports, Spiritual Advancement, the Creative Industry and Civic Responsibility”.
Presentations will be delivered by several speakers including well known Photographer Jonathon Brown, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Athletics Association, Delwayne Delaney, Entrepreneur, Desi Brown, Representative for Constituency #1, the Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley and many others.
The forum will be held at the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions Conference Centre in Fortlands Basseterre and is scheduled to run from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
It will be held under the theme, “Igniting the Flame, Building a Youth Today For A Whole Tomorrow”.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 16, 2020 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, delivered a powerful and motivating message to the young people of the Federation during his Commemorative Address at the National Heroes Park in observance of National Heroes Day on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
“To our young people, who are in the spring of their lives, I say to you that a hero lies in you. It is your destiny as a citizen of this great land of St. Kitts and Nevis, but the hero will not emerge by osmosis. It must be nurtured, nurtured with the values and traditions that we Kittitians and Nevisians hold dear: self-discipline and industry; respect for elders; drive for improvement and advancement; service to others; embracing our shared responsibilities; setting our dreams and aspirations as high as you choose, and taking the first steps towards them. You can achieve anything with the strength of your will and the love of a nation,” said Prime Minister Harris.
Dr. Harris encouraged the youth population to never give up.
“You, my young people in this modern world, can achieve anything with the strength of your will and the love of a nation behind you,” said PM Harris noted. “There are some of you who will doubt what you can achieve because of the present economic and social circumstances. Hurtful as the economic and health crises are now we can all be assured they too will pass. Let us not allow temporary circumstances to diminish our dreams, even as the government tries to alleviate as best it can any and all hardships being felt by our citizens and residents.”
The prime minister reflected on the Ministry of Entertainment, Talent Development and Entrepreneurship and noted that through this ministry young people will be given the opportunity to advance themselves.
“Our new Ministry of Entertainment, Talent Development and Entrepreneurship shall be a legacy Ministry. We will look back in time to realize so much good would have come to our young people from its work. The opportunities for self-actualization, income generation and fame would have been magnified through the formation and work of this Ministry,” he said. “It is still true that the greatest gift we can give to our young people is the gift of education and next in line is the gift of opportunity. The opportunity to be, to become, to learn, to do.”
PM Harris pledged to “use every working moment to advance the cause and welfare of the people of St Kitts and Nevis”, adding that “with God’s grace working together we shall make St Kitts and Nevis a better place.”
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 09, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris is of the strong belief that with the exceptional cadre of young persons in the Federation – who possess the talents, skills and entrepreneurial spirit necessary for nation building – the future for St. Kitts and Nevis is definitely a bright one.
One such person whom the honourable prime minister referred to was 26-year old businessman, Mr. Mark Pennyfeather, a mechanical engineer by training. Mr. Pennyfeather will be the guest speaker at the annual Prime Minister’s Independence Lecture Series this evening (Wednesday, September 09) at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel.
“Mr. Pennyfeather is amongst a cadre of young persons whose discipline, entrepreneurial zeal, patriotism, ideas and philosophy of life are the stuff on which nations excel. That is why my administration has established a Ministry of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Talent Development with ICT a subject with the Ministry,” Prime Minister Harris said on the Tuesday, September 08 edition of Leadership Matters.
The new Ministry will coordinate the government’s response to an enhanced role for young persons in nation building.
The prime minister added, “As we build out our new Ministry of Entertainment et al, we will unveil our national policy to provide the necessary facilitating environment in which ideas emerge, talent shines, mentors volunteer and venture capital and other support are available to new, young entrepreneurs.”
Prime Minister Harris highlighted the contributions of several other young outstanding citizens, who have put their talents and skills to work, and whose work continues to inspire other young persons. Among those recognized were Ms. Michelle “Sweet Sister Sensia” Stokes and Ms. Desi Browne as two top female entertainers in the country; Mr. Jonathan Brown, an outstanding photographer; Mr. Amali Armony, events promoter; Mr. Alexis St. Juste, a reputable video/audio production specialist and Mr. Azem Bailey, a top sound engineer and musician.
“Our country has many talented people. We cannot afford to lose them as we continue to build our nation, making it the Garden of Eden. We want our young people everywhere to shine the light and in so doing elevate their lives and the lives of others here in St. Kitts and Nevis. My hope is that more of our young people will add something of value to our beautiful country by the effective way in which they utilize their talents – in music and entertainment, visual arts, craft, photography, choreography, literary arts, science, technology, engineering and math, fisheries and agriculture, etc.,” the honourable prime minister added.
Prime Minister Harris pledged that over the next 5 years, his Team Unity administration will do all that’s necessary to facilitate and help young people realise their full potential, but stated that “ultimately our young people must take the leap of faith in themselves – their ideas, their dreams, their country and their God.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 26, 2020 (SKNIS): The policies guiding the operations and programmes of the new Ministry of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development are being advanced as the government works to fulfil its mandate to promote and enhance opportunities for creatives.
Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, is the minister charged with leading the new ministry. She stated that there was no budgetary allocation for the government ministry as it did not exist in 2019 when the Budget was passed. Funding measures are being reviewed as the groundwork for the establishment of various divisions is being considered.
“It is the aim of the ministry to be able to provide support to persons, especially innovation to creatives such as musicians, artists, videographers and [others],” Minister Byron-Nisbett said on Tuesday’s (August 25, 2020) edition of the Leadership Matters Virtual Forum Series. “We want to be able to provide you with the support to grow your business or even to be able to market your business.”
The minister added that the assistance extends to persons wishing to start a business. This includes sharing advice and information on the necessary steps to be taken as well as training.
Individuals will have the opportunity to weigh in on some of the services provided by the new ministry. Town hall-styled meetings will be held shortly to gather the opinions and suggestions of persons about how the ministry should “evolve and grow.”
“It is a brand new ministry, mostly geared towards young entrepreneurs, entertainers, and persons within the creative space and so we will be reaching out to persons within that space to help shape this new ministry in an effort to see how we can help you to help yourselves …” Honourable Byron-Nisbett said.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 16, 2020 (ZIZ News):Initial steps have already been taken towards the buildout of the work of the Ministry of the Hon. Akilah Byron Nisbett, specifically focusing on Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, and Talent Development.
Giving an update on her new ministry during the Prime Minister’s most recent press conference, Minister Byron Nisbett said they have laid down the groundwork for the ministry’s mission and they will now be holding discussions with individuals and groups who will be impacted by its work.
“We have already begun setting out the framework, placing our mandate and aims, and then shortly you would be hearing of the town halls we will be having. Because one of the aims of the ministry as well, since it’s a brand new ministry, is to be able to have all the persons that are involved and affected and touched to be able to have a say in terms of how they think the ministry should work, how it would benefit them, how it would help,” she said.
She said the Ministry will be working closely with the Ministry of Culture as it pursues its mandate.
Aside from creatives, Minister Byron-Nisbett encouraged innovators to work with the Ministry as advancing the use of technology is key to development.
“We are moving towards a digitized economy and we need persons to start thinking more about innovation and how we can develop IT solutions, and so they too will form part of the buildout of this Ministry as well,” she said.
Minister of Health, Information Technology, Entertainment, Entrerpreneurship and Talent Development, the Hon. Akilah Byron Nisbett.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 12, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Minister of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, and Talent Development, the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, has said framework for the new ministry is being set and town hall-styled forums branded ‘creative arena’ will be held shortly to sensitise interested parties.
“We have begun trying to set the framework for the new Ministry of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, and Talent Development,” said the Hon Byron-Nisbett on Tuesday August 11 at Prime Minister’s monthly Press Conference, held at NEMA conference room, in response to a question posed by a member of the press.
According to Minister Byron-Nisbett, who also holds the Health Ministry portfolio, conversations had been held with some ministries that are felt would have some overlap with the new ministry in terms of mandate.
Discussions would have been held with the Minister of Culture the Hon Jonel Powell, in area where those overlaps are seen and how the new ministry could be structured so that both would be able to work hand in hand. The same meetings were held with Minister the Hon Wendy Phipps, as it relates to the Small Development Unit, particularly on the Entrepreneurship side.
“What I can say is that we have already begun setting out the framework, placing our mandate and aims,” advised Minister Byron-Nisbett. “Then shortly you would be hearing of the town halls that we will be having because one of the aims of the ministry as well, since it is a brand new ministry, is to be able to have other persons that are involved and affected and touched to be able to have a say in terms of how they think the ministry should work, how it would benefit them, how it would help, and so we would have the framework and mandate set and then shortly you should be hearing about that.”
The intended forum might come as a different name instead of calling it a town hall, as the aim is to try to have more persons in attendance. She advised that persons might hear something advertising for ‘creative arena’ that would be for the Ministry of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, and Talent Development.
The Honourable Minister noted that she would have already spoken to Mr Adrian Lam, the chairman of the new Professional Association for Creativity and Entertainment (PACE). Mr Lam, along with the President Mr Azem ‘Royal’ Bailey, will be meeting with her, “so we would be able to talk more about how those two entities will be able to work together and how they can also help in ensuring that this ministry is able to meet the needs of these individuals and how we can be able to develop the talent development, in particular entertainment.”
The new ministry is also looking at innovators as well, and Minister Byron-Nisbett pointed out that even as the forum would be referred to as a ‘creative arena’, she was encouraging and hoping that innovators will also step forward, as the country is moving towards a digitised economy “and we need persons to start thinking more about innovations and how they can develop IT solutions, and so they too will form part of the build-out of this ministry as well.”
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