NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 30, 2021) – – Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Lands in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), is encouraging persons to regularize their status with respect to any government land they currently occupy.
Hon. Jeffers addressed the matter during a statement at the most recent sitting of the Nevis island Assembly.
“I want to encourage the entire island of Nevis, anyone who currently occupies government land and has no documents for those lands to come in to the Nevis Housing and Land Development Corporation (NHLDC), let us get you regularized so you have that tenancy.
“Come in to the Corporation or you can go to the Department of Agriculture where they rent crown lands…
“Whether you’re in Maddens, whether you’re in Potworks, whether you’re in Cades Bay- wherever you are on the island, if you are there I’m asking you to come and regularize your status,” he said.
He asserted that the NIA has simplified the process of acquiring government land on Nevis. Persons wishing to rent Crown land have to fill out an application at the Department of Agriculture and once the application is approved, terms and conditions will be determined.
The leasing and purchasing of government land is done through the NHLDC.
“We have made the process as easy as one, two, three for the citizens of this island to gain access to the lands that we call the people’s land.
“You can come in and buy the land and you get a certificate of title and then you’re on your merry way. You wave your papers through Charlestown as they,” the minister said.
Mr. Jeffers admonished Nevisians not to occupy government land without proper authorization through documentation.
“We [the NIA] are responsible for the patrimony of the people of this country, we are responsible for the management of our land resources…and we will do so within the law.
“The lands are available to us. Some may say it’s the people’s land but because it’s the people’s land it doesn’t mean that we get up one morning and say ‘I see an acre of land out there and I gone on it’.
“No! There is right way and a wrong way and if we are to live as decent, law-abiding citizens on this island we should always choose the right way because it’s the only way to go. We will encourage all of our young men and women to follow the rules as to what is required of you,” he stated.
The Minister of Lands emphasized that having proper documentation to prove legal access to government land will prevent any conflict between persons and the government or between individuals.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 24, 2021) – – The Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority Bill, 2021, The Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and the Nevis Trust and Corporate Service Providers Bill, 2021 were passed in the Nevis Island Assembly on March 23, 2021.
Premier Hon. Mark Brantley, Minister of Finance in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) moved the second and third readings of the Nevis Trust and Corporate Service Providers Bill, 2021.
This legislation gives the NIA the authority to streamline the licensing process and to change the fees for licensing for those entities operating in the financial services sector on Nevis.
He said it is expected that this piece of modern service providers legislation will enhance the competitiveness of Nevis and add to its appeal as one of the leading international financial services centres.
Hon. Hazel Brandy Williams, Junior Minister of Health in the NIA introduced the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021 which amend the Nevis Solid Waste Management Ordinance Chapter 3.03 (N).
It allows for the NIA to implement rate increases that were outlined in the December 2020 Budget Address.
Effective April 01, 2021, there will be an increase in the monthly fee payable for the Solid Waste Disposal Levy from EC $10 to EC $25 for domestic consumers. Small business operators will pay $75.00 monthly.
There will also be a 20% increase in the tipping fees payable for the disposal of waste at the Solid Waste Disposal Site, from US $40 to US $48 or EC $130.
Fees associated with industrial commercial and institutional waste will increase from US $20 to US $24 or EC $65.
The Environmental Levy imposed on each visitor arriving at the Vance Amory International Airport will increase from US$1.50 to US$3.00 or EC $8.15.
NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 22, 2021) — The Nevis Island Assembly will sit in Chambers at Hamilton House on Samuel Hunkins Drive on Tuesday March 23, 2021, from 10:00 a.m.
The revised Order Paper dated March 22, 2021, as circulated by Ms. Myra Williams, Clerk of the Assembly, during the sitting Hon. Mark Brantley in his capacity as Minister of Health, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
The Health Minister will also seek leave to introduce and have a first a first time the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority Bill, 2021 which will repeal and replace the parent Bill the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority Ordinance Chapter 3.03 (N).
In his capacity as the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Brantley will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time the Nevis Film Industry Bill, 2021.
During the Public Business session, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Mr. Brantley will move the second and third readings of the Nevis Trust Corporate Service Providers Bill, 2021 before the sitting adjourns.
The sitting will be presided over by Hon. Farrel Smithen, President of Assembly. It will commence with his Formal Entry, followed by Prayers, Motion for the approval of the Order Paper as circulated; Messages from Her Honour Hyletta Liburd, Deputy Governor General of Nevis; and Announcements by the President.
Following will be Papers to be laid; Statements by Ministers; Personal Explanations; Introduction of Bills and First Reading; Public Business; and Adjournment.
NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (January 18, 2021) — Premier Hon. Mark A.G. Brantley, Minister of Finance, Human Resources et al. in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), has resumed one-on-one consultations with members of the public at his office at Pinney’s, Estate, Nevis.
Premier Brantley began seeing members of the public on Friday, January 15, 2021, instead of the usual Thursday consultations. This was the first of his weekly consultations since taking a brief hiatus over the 2020 Christmas season.
Mr. Brantley said as Premier, a Cabinet minister in the Nevis Island Administration, and the elected member for St. Johns in the Nevis Island Assembly, making himself available to the Nevisian public is paramount.
“The idea really is to give people as much access as possible to the Premier and for them to have an audience and an ability to speak to me… That is part and parcel of what we’ve tried to do in terms of our good governance agenda – accessibility, ensuring that our people have access to the Premier, the highest office on Nevis and that persons have the ability to air their grievances, air their concerns, and often times bring their suggestions.
“People come for a variety of reasons. I have some people who simply come to pray for me, some people who come to talk to me and tell me about their children or their grandchildren. So it’s not always people coming with a problem. Sometimes people just want an audience and an opportunity. I think in our democracy and how we practice it, that is a very good thing.”
He said on average he would see upward of 20 persons over the course of the day, discussing issues that cut across several ministries.
“For several years, since 2013 when I first entered government, I’ve designated Thursdays as my one-on-one. What I do is meet with anybody who wants to meet. People can come without an appointment and I’m proud to say that I’ve done that over the last seven years.
“Since I became Premier in 2017, I’ve continued that tradition. People come in large numbers sometimes to meet with me on a variety of matters; in fact, people have come from as far away as St. Kitts on a regular basis to meet with me on a number of issues… We hear what your concerns are and try our best to resolve them,” he said.
The Premier’s one-on-one consultations will continue every Thursday. Persons needing urgent meetings can schedule an appointment on any week day.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (December 30, 2020) — Hon. Eric Evelyn, Minister of Sports in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) says the government remains committed to continuing the expansion of the Nevis Athletics Stadium to include a first-class football field.
During his presentation at the NIA’s 2021 Budget Debate in the Nevis Island Assembly on December 09, 2020, Hon. Evelyn highlighted some of the plans for the stadium at Long Point.
“We continue to do work at the Mondo Track, because we want in the very near future that over there can be a first-class football ground,” he said.
The Minister said prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NIA had been in discussions to host a regional football tournament at the stadium in 2020. He stated that despite having to side-line those plans, the NIA continues with the improvements at the sporting facility in terms of making it a FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)-certified football field.
“So when COVID is passed and gone we can renegotiate and have our regional and hopefully international football tournament being played right there at our first-class facility at the Mondo Track,” he submitted.
Hon. Evelyn said looking forward to 2021, the Ministry of Sports will continue to work with the sporting organizations on the island, especially with respect to capacity building and organizing sporting activities at the community level.
“Sometimes some of our sporting organizations need help capacity wise and we have been doing that over the years, we’re going to continue to do that.
“We’re going to continue to work with communities in terms of getting more sports out in the community. We’re going to continue to work with the schools in terms of getting their sporting activities- football, cricket, athletics and so on- and of course we’re going to expand on the Swim to Win initiative,” Mr. Evelyn said.
He emphasized the need to encourage the youths on Nevis to excel at sports. Against that back drop he informed of enhancements to sporting facilities around the island.
“We have several sporting facilities around Nevis and when I came to this honourable House for the first time and I made my presentation, I did indicate that we will do our best to ensure that we enhance our facilities across the island.
“We have been doing that incrementally. We cannot do all one time but we have been trying our best to do, and I can say …we’ve had enhancements and improvements to a lot of the sporting facilities across Nevis.
“This past year we’ve had enhancement and improvements at the hardcourts at Jessups, Cotton Ground, and Bath Village. We’ve had great improvement and enhancement at the St. George’s Recreation Ground, we call Ball Pasture,” the Sports Minister said.
The Ministry of Social Development, Culture, Youths and Sports has been allocated funding in the amount of $16.1 million, representing 6.7 percent of the NIA’s total budget for fiscal year 2021.
However, Hon. Evelyn noted that all plans, particularly sporting activities and capital projects, were contingent on the management of COVID-19 in the federation, among other factors.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (December 14, 2020) — The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) will take a number of fiscal measures in 2021, focussing on rebuilding the island’s economy in the post COVID-19 era, with emphasis on the general health and wellbeing of the people of Nevis.
Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Finance listed the planned measures when he delivered the 2021 Budget Address at a sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly on December 08, 2020.
“We will continue to extend our existing fiscal incentive programmes such as the first-time home owners programme which is designed to stimulate growth in the construction sector, our programme for concessions for start-up businesses entities along with our programme for concessions for entities operating in the tourism sector.
“The concession package extends to our returning nationals and also our programme to facilitate the movement of skilled persons into our island will continue,” he said.
The Minister of Finance expressed hope that persons benefitting from the concession package will seize the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of Nevis.
Mr. Brantley also pointed to the NIA’s plans to extend its COVID-19 Relief Construction Stimulus package for three more months up to March 31, 2021.
The stimulus programme was implemented in September 2020 to provide relief for residents undertaking any form of construction activity, and to compliment the ongoing First-time Homeowners Programme. If materials cost in excess of $30,000.00, under the stimulus programme, only the 17 percent Value Added Tax would be paid.
The NIA’s policy of the waiver of Alien Landholding Licence Fees will also be extended for an additional three months to March 31, 2021.
It was initially implemented in September 2020 to provide a waiver for the payment of the Alien Landholding License Fee for all non-nationals wishing to purchase existing properties, specifically land and building, however, it is not applicable to the purchase of undeveloped land only.
The Minister of Finance noted that after consultation with realtors on Nevis and in an effort to expedite sales of existing properties, approval was granted for purchases of any existing properties in excess of US400,000.00 to qualify for citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme in St. Kitts and Nevis.
He said it is hoped that the measures he outlined would stimulate activities in the real estate and construction sectors, and provide employment.
Mr. Brantley stated that steps to boost growth of revenue, the NIA would continuously review and amend the existing schedule of fees to ensure that they are at a level comparable to the cost of delivering the associated services on the island.
“To this end our Cabinet has approved the following measures:
“The implementation of an increase in the fee structure for all service provided at our Financial Services Registry. Additionally, there will be an increase in the Annual Licensing Fee for all Service Providers as well. This new fee structure will take effect from 1st July, 2021, will be finalised and communicated to service Providers in January 2021…
“The implementation of a new schedule of fees for services provided at the Alexandra Hospital. Every effort will be made to ensure that the most vulnerable are not disadvantaged or denied access to any of these critical services. Therefore, where persons lack the resources to pay the full price for these services, special arrangements will apply,” he said.
There will also be an increase in the monthly payable for the Solid Waste Disposal Levy from April 1st, 2021 to $25.00 for domestic customers and $75.00 for small business operators, in addition to a 20 percent increase in the tipping fees payable for the disposal of waste at the Solid Waste Disposal Site.
The NIA will also take measures to strengthen its tax collection policies; continue to streamline its policy for tax concession; discontinue the random policy of granting duty free concessions on vehicles; and strengthen the property tax collection framework.
Regarding its operations, Mr. Brantley explained that as an initial short-term measure, the Cabinet of the NIA decided to implement short-term expenditure reduction measures effective January 01, 2021.
“The temporary suspension of overseas travel for all Public servants, including Members of Cabinet, unless these travels are fully funded by third parties; the reduction of the monthly Travel Allowance payable to all public servants including Members of Cabinet by 50 percent; the temporary suspension of payment of increments to all civil servants; and the deferral of any request for promotion of officers or upgrade in their salaries and wages. In addition, we defer the employment of any new officers to the Public Service,” he said.
The Premier stated that the short-term measures would have an immediate impact on the NIA’s fixed monthly commitments, bringing them within reasonable limits as the Administration awaits the economy’s recovery in the main sectors including tourism.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (December 10, 2020) – Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), says despite financial constraints the government plans to undertake several health care projects in 2021.
The Junior Health Minister unveiled the prospective projects during the 2020 Budget Debate in the Nevis Island Assembly on December 09, 2020. She pointed out however, that 2021 will continue to be a challenging year financially.
“Providing that funding is available this is what we hope to see from the Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs in the new year.
“We endeavour to start the process for a new Charlestown Health Centre, and in year one we are looking at consultation with the people, drawing the plans, engaging the engineers, and so we have budgeted an amount to take care of that in the first year…
“We will continue to seek funding and collaborate with any funding agencies for a state-of-the-art poly-clinic in Gingerland. The proposal was done this year, so we go to the next step to try and see if we can find funding for that facility,” she said.
Mrs. Brandy-Williams emphasized that these projects will be undertaken in phases.
“It’s a phased approach, one year we do one thing and then the second year, until we get it done. We don’t have unlimited financing and so like anything else…you have to budget,” she said.
Mrs. Brandy Williams further revealed the NIA’s plan to purchase a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, which will cost approximately US$1.2 million.
She said in the first quarter of 2021 the government is hoping to make the initial down payment on the piece of medical equipment, and has already secured the resources for that payment.
The Junior Minister added that the Ministry of Health intends to continue on-the-job training for staff at the island’s medical facilities which include an initiative involving health professionals from large, busy institutions visiting local facilities to observe healthcare workers on the job. Staff from the Nevis facilities would then visit those institutions to gain experience working in fast-paced medical facilities which treat a greater variety of health issues.
“We are looking at [this] new initiative as part of the rebranding of health service and service at Alexandra [Hospital]…so all this is being put in place so when the new facility is done our people are ready to give the top-notch service that we expect of them,” the Minister said.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (November 18, 2020) – Hon. Hazel Brandy Williams, Junior Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) says the Nevis government is grateful for the Republic of China (Taiwan’s) assistance in the administration’s efforts at preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the island.
Hon. Brandy Williams expressed that gratitude during a presentation at a recent sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly, when she informed that the Taiwanese government has again rendered technical expertise to Nevis in that regard.
“I want to place on record our profound thanks to the government of [the Republic of] China (Taiwan) who has sent a technical person to assist us in dealing with our non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“Three years ago, they had an initial project in which they looked at the chronic kidney disease, that’s the end stage of the NCDs. However, they have sent a new person in Mr. William Chen…He will be on another four-year stint,” she said.
The Junior Health Minister explained that Mr. Chen will be in St. Kitts and Nevis working with the relevant stakeholders to look at early intervention on NCDs including diabetes (high blood sugar) and hypertension (high blood pressure).
“He will be collaborating with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education as they do the school meals in the schools; he will be meeting with persons from the antenatal organization and the [Nevis] Renal Society and so, the stakeholders will be those persons who are in the business of looking at non communicable diseases, as well as persons who are preparing foods for our young people and persons who have already been diagnosed with these two nagging diseases being hypertension and diabetes,” she said.
Since his recent installation, Mr. Chen has presented at the RISE Program/Health Promotion Unit workshop in Nevis on November 11, 2020, which focused on Food and Nutrition and the COVID-19 environment.
He shared with the participants tips on how to prepare nutritious meals that are tasty but using less sugar and sodium (salt). He explained that eating healthy did not have to be boring, but is about finding the right balance that works for the individual.
Mr. Chen has also held meetings with workers in the Ministry of Health on Nevis to outline his strategic plans with regard his overall agenda.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS November 02, 2020 (Nevis Island Administration) — The Nevis Island Assembly will sit in Chambers at Hamilton House on Samuel Hunkins Drive on Thursday, November 05, 2020. The sitting will commence at 10 a.m.
Ms. Myra Williams, Clerk of the Assembly says the Order Paper and the Bills to be debated will be provided shortly.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, July 31, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – As the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis observes the 50th anniversary of the MV Christena disaster that claimed the lives of more than 200 persons, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris says it may be time to begin regulating access to the wreckage site by divers, given its history and significance to our heritage.
“The site of the Christena Disaster is an underwater heritage site, as it is the final resting place for the doomed boat, as well as for some of its passengers. My Administration will therefore consider implementing regulations that govern access by divers to the underwater wreckage site,” Prime Minister Harris said when he delivered remarks at the special sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly today, Friday, July 31, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the MV Christena disaster.
The honourable prime minister reflected on an interview he conducted with the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer Newspaper some 23 years ago for an article that was published on February 1st, 1997 titled “Sacrilege or History? Diving the Christena Wreck.”
“At that time, I was Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. I said then that, ‘The area may be considered special and requires some policy.’ I also said that it would be important to gain “some public consensus” on the matter of whether diving should be allowed at the Christena wreck site. Perhaps the 50th Anniversary is as propitious a time as any to put these ideas into action,” Dr. Harris commented.
“Perhaps we can look at making it a protected or regulated wreck dive site, where, for instance, divers would only be allowed to view the sunken boat from the outside and they would have to avoid contact with the remains of the boat when taking photos and video,” the prime minister added.
With this in mind, Prime Minister Harris said legislation such as a Historic Wrecks Act would be required in order to “preserve and safeguard St. Kitts and Nevis’ underwater cultural heritage of momentous importance to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The MV Christena sank in The Narrows between the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis on August 01, 1970, claiming the lives of 233 persons, while about 90 persons survived.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (July 20, 2020) — The Nevis Island Assembly will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the MV Christena Disaster at a special sitting in Chambers at Hamilton House on Friday, July 31, 2020.
The sitting will be presided over by Hon. Farrel Smithen, President of the Nevis Island Assembly, will commence at 10: 00 a.m.
During the special sitting, a number of remarks will be delivered from Dr. the Right Excellency and Right Hon. Sir Kennedy Simmonds, former Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. He served from September 19, 1983, to July 07, 1995; Hon. Vance Amory, former Premier of Nevis, who served from June 02, 1992 to July 11, 2006 and from January 23, 2013, to December 16, 2017; The Right Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, former Prime Minister who served from July 07, 1995, to February 18, 2015; Hon. Joseph Parry, former Premier of Nevis. He served from July 11, 2006, to January 23, 2013; Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, who is holding that position from February 18, 2015, to date; and Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, who is holding that position from December 18, 2017, to date.
According to the Order Paper as circulated by Ms. Myra Williams, Clerk of the Nevis Island Assembly, the sitting will commence with the formal entry of the Assembly’s President. Following will be Prayers; Motion for the approval of the Order Paper as circulated; Messages from Her Honour Hyletta Liburd, Deputy Governor General on Nevis; and Announcements by the President before the remarks commence.
The sitting will be adjourned immediately following the remarks.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS July 09, 2020 (Nevis Island Administration) – Hon. Spencer Brand, Minister responsible for Water Services in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) says he is pleased with the financial contribution the Nevis Water Department (NWD) is making as its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Brand, speaking at the most recent sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly, noted a 26 percent falloff in revenue for the first few months of 2020 as being for a worthy cause because it was a direct result of the NIA’s COVID-19 relief of a six-month waiver on water bills for bona fide farmers.
“We saw a revenue of $2.8 million between January to May 2019, and under the same period we are seeing just a little more than $2 million in revenue.
“It was the directive of the Honourable Premier of Nevis to ensure that we ramped up our food production, and the Minister of Agriculture would have ensured that we do just that. We have some 90 bona fide farmers who will benefit from free water over the next few months. So, the decrease in revenue was for a good cause,” he said.
The Minister also informed that more water had been produced over the comparative period.
“The total amount of water produced for the period January to May 2019 was 173,749,430 imperial gallons and under the same period in 2020, we saw the production of 225,685,600 imperial gallons. That was a 23percent increase that was sold but some of it is free water, and we recognize that it was for a very good cause,” he revealed.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS JULY 08, 2020 (Nevis Island Administration)–
Hon. Mark Brantley, Hon. Alexis Jeffers, and Hon. Eric Evelyn took the Oath of Allegiance at the Opening of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis at the St. Marriott Resort on Wednesday, July 08, 2020, and are now officially members of the Federal parliament.
They took their oaths before Hon. Michael Perkins who was re-elected as Speaker of the National Assembly for the second time. Also present were dignitaries, government officials, family members of the parliamentarians and other invited guests.
Mr. Brantley is the parliamentary representative for Nevis 9, Mr. Evelyn for Nevis 10, and Mr. Evelyn for Nevis 11.
Also taking the Oath of Allegiance in the National Assembly were the other Cabinet Members of the Dr. Timothy Harris–led Team Unity Administration.
Commenting on his new role as a federal parliamentarian Hon. Evelyn said he feels privileged to serve his constituents and the people of the wider nation at this level.
“I pledge to give my utmost in terms of quality representation and I will do all I can to ensure the departments over which I have responsibility will have more impact over the next five years,” he said. Mr. Evelyn serves as the Federal Minister of Environment and Cooperatives.
Hon. Jeffers, also sitting in the national parliament for the first time, vowed to use all his expertise as an elected member of the Nevis Island Assembly and Minister in the Nevis Island Administration to make advancements under his portfolio of responsibilities, that will have meaningful impact on the lives of the people of the federation. Mr. Jeffers is the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Premier Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation pledged that as part of the government, the three Nevis parliamentarians would continue the level of leadership exhibited over the past five years.
“In so far as the government agenda, the people of the country have seen our performance over the past five years and clearly, they would have responded positively to that performance and also responded positively to the campaign messages…
“I think that our people can look forward to continued good representation and service which puts them first,” he told the Department of Information on the margins of Wednesday’s ceremony.
Hon. Michael Perkins, from the Speaker’s bench, congratulated all the elected members, in particular the newly-elected, first-time members of parliament.
“I implore our members to be aware that there are people looking at us, and at the end of the day people will judge us, and our legacy will be all that we have.
“This is now the dawn of a new day. I can only implore all of us to step up our game and do all that we can in service of this National Assembly and nation on a whole to the best of our ability,” he admonished the members.
Following the delivery of the Throne Speech by Governor General His Excellency Sir Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, the House was adjourned sine die.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS July 03, 2020 (Nevis Island Administration) — The Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) clarion call for greater food security for Nevis has resulted in an increase in crop production over the past year.
During his presentation at the July 02 sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly, Deputy Premier and NIA Minister of Agriculture Hon. Alexis Jeffers also spoke to the upward trajectory of crop production, lauding it as an important accomplishment in the agriculture sector.
He revealed that comparative statistics for April-June 2019 compared to April-June 2020 show increased production of several key crops.
Tomato production increased by 5.9 percent, going from 17,950 pounds in 2019 to 19,000 pounds in 2020. In 2019 6,200 pounds of peppers were produced compared to 8,400 pounds, an increase of 35.48 percent, while production of lettuce heads increased by 10.2 percent, to 8,640 heads.
Even greater increases in yields were seen in melons, squash, and sweet potato.
In 2019 9,500 pounds melons were produced compared to 26, 200 pounds by June 2020 – an increase of 175.79 percent and squash production increased by 76.44 percent over the comparative period (4,500 pounds to 7,940 pounds).
The largest increase in output came from sweet potato production which saw a 618.75 percent increase, rising from 640 pounds in 2019 to 4,600 pounds in 2020.
It was also noted that pumpkin production decreased by 53.8 percent, falling from 45, 900 pounds in 2019 to 2, 200 pounds in 2020.
Hon. Jeffers said in terms of land preparation for agricultural purposes, in 2019 8. 07 acres were cleared compared to 27 acres in 2020, an increase of 234.57 percent.
He asked the public to recall that the NIA had championed food security as an urgent response to the COVID-19 pandemic and announced a host of concessions aimed at stimulating greater food production in Nevis.
Premier of Nevis Hon. Mark Brantley commended the Minister of Agriculture and sector stakeholders for the boost in crop production.
“We are definitely on a good path for greater food security and I salute Deputy Premier Jeffers and his team as well as our farmers both commercial and backyard who have responded well to the challenge,” he said.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS July 02, 2020, (Nevis Island Administration)- Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Alexis Jeffers says the NIA’s COVID-19 Relief package for farmers is already bearing fruit.
Delivering a report on the sector in the Nevis Island Assembly on Thursday, July 02, 2020, Hon. Jeffers informed that a large number of established and new farmers have availed themselves of the initiatives offered by the Department of Agriculture with the blessing of the Cabinet of the Nevis Island Administration.
As of March, the NIA offered free land preparation to commercial and novice farmers, free seeds and seedlings, free fertilizer, a six-month waiver on water bills for farmers, and assistance with fencing to commercial and backyard farmers.
Earlier in the year the NIA embarked on an initiative of planting 10,000 trees including fruit trees, and although there was a slowdown of the process due to the COVID-19 regulations, the Minister said the NIA intends to pursue the initiative with some alacrity over the next couple of months.
Pledging the NIA’s continued support to farmers, Hon. Jeffers also revealed that currently at the Prospect location a six-room refrigerator facility is being constructed to take crops produced by local farmers where the Department of Agriculture will assume the responsibility of making the sales on behalf of the farmers.
“I want to commend all those who would have bought into the plans and programmes of the NIA through the Department of Agriculture. We’ve seen a new thrust, a new hope in agriculture. Over the years we’ve had a lot of talk about agriculture, what it means to the development of the island of Nevis and to Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, but in recent times we have seen even more the importance of us feeding ourselves. We have to get to the point where we are not dependent on outside sources or entities to feed us.”
The Honorable Minister gave further assurance to the entire Nevisian public that the Nevis Island Administration is highly committed to ensuring that food security becomes front and centre for its plans, programmes, policies and vision moving forward.
“There are three things I always impress upon when it comes to agriculture: innovation, resilience and sustainability. Once these three conditions are met, I do believe agriculture will be in good standing here in the federation,” said Minister Jeffers.
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