BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ‘TIS truly the season to be jolly and giving and the Police have been the recipients of more gifts as the Christmas season approaches. The Port Zante Business Community’s gift came in the form of a police car to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
At a Key Handing Over Ceremony at Port Zante in the vicinity of Twist Bar & Lounge and Ma Pau on Monday, Nov. 21, Owner and Manager of Twist, Sunil Gehani handed over the keys of a brand new police car to the Minister with responsibility for National Security, Prime Minister Denzil Douglas and also to the Commissioner of Police, Celvin G. Walwyn.
It was the second donation the Police had received on that day. Earlier that day they had received gifts of bullet proof vests and laptops from the Coalition of Support for the St. Kitts-Nevis Security Initiatives.
Gehani thanked the businesses that supported the initiative and also Nick Menon, member of the TDC Board of Directors who also made the donation possible.
He said that there would be more donations in the future.
Minister of Tourism, Richard Skerritt gave some brief remarks and said that the donation is a result of goodwill towards the good of the country and towards the good of the COP and his team.
“And also a lot of goodwill towards what we’re trying to achieve, bringing development to benefit all in the country.
“Most contributors are not businesses that have been making a lot of money… just been in business for a few years Those of you who know business, know it takes a few years before you really establish a sustainable profit. Some of these folks dip their hand into a pot that isn’t flowing with resources and I particularly thank them for the sacrifice they are making with the donation,” he said.
Skerrit said that the donation suggests that the people in the Tourism sector understand that you have to give back to the community and you have to think in terms of the betterment of the community beyond your doorsteps.
“And if we all come together and work together we can move mountains.”
The Minister of Tourism said the donation came about after conversations he had with Norgen Wilson, Special Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister and also with Gehani, when it was hinted to him by the COP that they were still in need of other transport.
“He gave a strong hint and I took the hint and I basically spoke to some other business people and between Sunil and Dr. Wilson…the two people I spoke to, two weeks later they had a beautiful car ready to present,” he said.
Minister Skerritt also said that he wanted to thank Nick Menon of TDC who was instrumental in ensuring that the price of the car was the best possible price.
COP Walwyn in his brief remarks said that the challenges they face are being eliminated, thanks to equipment donations and training geared towards taking back the streets.
“Thanks to all that came here today to show a bigger support for our initiatives and also a special thank you to the Port Zante Business Community for the donation today,” he said.
Prime Minister Denzil Douglas said that due to the unprecedented decision to bring an end to the 350 year-old failing sugar industry, it became necessary for his Government to look at another important vehicle - a leading sector of the country and return to Tourism.
“Over the last few years we’ve seen the emergence of higher education services that have propelled St. Kitts-Nevis in recent times and in order for us to prevent crime from escalating, it has become necessary for us as a people and Government to ensure that we have a single common policy with regards to crime and violence here in our country. A zero tolerance to crime and violence! Ensuring that safety and security of our people and of our Federation is paramount.
“We as a Government cannot do it alone, the police cannot do it alone, the defense force cannot do it alone; it takes a partnership between the Government and the people, citizens and investors, police and community a partnership between each and every one of us in this paradise country, St. Kitts and Nevis,” the PM said.
Following the PM’s remarks there was the handing over of the keys and the blessing of the vehicle by the Force Chaplin, Pastor Leroy Benjamin. The vehicle was then given a test run.
