October 5, 2015 -- St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris told nationals living in New York City that his Team Unity administration is working hard for the people.
The event was a town hall meeting held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 East 222 Street) in the Bronx where hundreds of Kittitians and Nevisians living in the New York area, including (designer of the St. Kitts and Nevis flag) Ms. Edrice Lewis, showed up late afternoon on Saturday (3rd October, 2015) to hear PM Harris and Foreign Affairs Minister the Hon. Mark Brantley talk about the challenges St. Kitts and Nevis face and the progress being made by the new government to position the country and its people to take advantage of the emerging opportunities for growth, development and prosperity.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank nationals in the diaspora for supporting the grass roots movement that brought about the change to a Team Unity administration some 7 months ago. He gave the assurance that the members of his team will continue to work diligently every day to earn the support and confidence of the people at home and abroad.
In outlining some of the achievements of his administration PM Harris cited the EC$10 million budgetary support to the Nevis Island Administration, the removal of the value added tax (VAT) on food, medicine and funeral expenses and the recent decision by cabinet to end the shift system at the Basseterre High School, an arrangement put in place by the previous administration to the detriment of the teachers and students.
In addressing the matter of crime the Prime Minister, who is also Minister of National Security, made reference to the “six-point plan” implemented by the Police High Command under the new Team Unity administration and shared statistics which point to a marked decline in the incidence of crime in the federation.
During brief remarks Foreign Minister Brantley thanked nationals in the diaspora for their support and said they should see themselves as critical stakeholders in the growth, development, stability and prosperity of the Federation. He encouraged nationals to ensure they are registered in the St. Kitts and Nevis UN Mission database which serves as a repository of skilled nationals abroad whom the government can draw on as the opportunities arise.
The Foreign Minister also commented on the EC$16 million granted to the government of St. Kitts and Nevis by the government of Venezuela and the more than 2,300 former sugar workers who have benefitted as a result of the good relations that exist between our two countries. He mentioned the trip to the federation by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on the occasion of our country’s 32nd anniversary of independence and expressed gratitude for that country’s continuing generosity and friendship. Minister Brantley said strengthening and expanding diplomatic and economic ties with the world community of nations will be a priority for the new Team Unity administration.
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