BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris said the continuation of the Ask the Prime Minister radio programme instituted by his predecessor Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is under consideration.
While speaking recently with this publication, Dr. Harris explained that his current priority is assisting his Ministers with settling in and adjusting to their portfolios.
The programme was carried live from the studios of state-owned ZIZ Radio and gave individuals the opportunity to call and question the Prime Minister about issues they felt were relevant at that point.
“That is something that is still under consideration. We are first prioritising getting the Ministers settled. So I’m paying attention to assisting and providing support and then we are going to determine in terms of the regular Tuesday programme what we will do, what form it will take. So it is under consideration.”
He explained that whatever the determination is however, “I will continue to be accessible to the media and to the people and we are going to use multiple channels so to do. We have not ruled out the Ask the PM but we are contemplating an overall communications strategy, and when we would have determined that within a week or so, we will then basically make that information available to the public…”
An assessment of the Ask the Prime Minister programme, Dr. Harris informed, would have to be conducted as part of the decision-making process.
“The first priority is to get the Ministers settled in their portfolios and to bring onboard the support of the civil service to help the Government in executing the mandate in terms of the Ask the PM. The Communications Unity of the Government basically has been charged with looking at the communication outreach, do an assessment of that particular programme and other programmes, and once we have concluded we will make a determination whether that is the best route to follow.”
