Office of PM allocated over $15 M for 2009

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas

The Office’s allocation is higher than the allotment of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Social and Community Development and is greater than the allocations to the Ministries of Justice and Legal Affairs and International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs combined.

Dr. Harris said the increase was primarily to allow the Office to continue the implementation of a number of initiatives that commenced in 2008.

“One such initiative is the Reform Process in which the Electoral Office was involved for most of 2008. During 2009 the Electoral Office will continue its efforts to modernize our electoral system and thereby strengthen our democracy. In addition, we are presently pursuing plans to relocate the Electoral Office as the expansion of its existing premises next to the Sir Lee L Moore Judicial Complex appears to be constrained by certain structural deficiencies and is therefore deemed unfeasible. Construction of a new Electoral Office is to commence in 2009.

“Another important initiative that will be undertaken by the Office of the Prime Minister is the modernization and computerization of the Human Resources Management function. In fact, efforts are already underway for the computerization of Civil Service personnel files through a data capturing process. This exercise is expected to be completed in 2009 and will greatly improve the efficiency of the Human Resource Department in the management of personnel data.” ~~Adz:Right~~

Harris underscored the importance of the Office of the Prime Minister in disseminating information to the citizens “as the means of equipping them to engage in dialogue and consultations on issues of national significance”. He added that the allocation should assist in the continuation of such areas including the government’s print media, website for the Prime Minister’s Communications Unit, press conferences and ‘Ask the PM’ Programme.

Minister Harris also spoke to the construction of a National Archive facility, saying the preservation of important documents is of great importance as they form part of the historical record of our Federation.

“The present location for storing the country’s archives is grossly inadequate but the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan has committed to funding the construction of a building to house the National Archives. Construction of this building is expected to commence within the first quarter of 2009.”