Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 17, 2015 (SKNIS): Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Shawn Richards reiterated his goal of advancing the comprehensive development of young people, noting that the 2016 Budget will facilitate a robust agenda.
As the minister responsible for youth empowerment, Honourable Richards said one of his top prioirities is to complete a policy document which outlines government’s responsibility to the population between the age of 8 to 35 years.
“Mr. Speaker, I have given my word that come next year we will have a National Youth Policy in place,” the deputy prime minister stated, while making his contribution to the Budget debate.
Funding has been allocated to allow for activities towards this endeavour including a number of broad-based consultations. Effective initiatives of the Department of Youth such as the Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO) programme – which teaches entrepreneurial skills – will also return.
“Again monies are provided for it Mr. Speaker … to ensure that the programme continues and to ensure that our young people can take advantage of it,” Deputy PM Richards said. “Things are finally moving in the right direction on behalf of the young people of this country.”
In sports, the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots are expected to take the field once again in the summer of 2016 for home gamess in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 tournament. Funding has been set aside for this. Other upgrade projects include refurbishing of the tennis courts at Warner Park, and the completion of the fencing of the new recreation ground in Sandy Point. Budgetary support has also been allocated in support of the national team slated to contest the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will forge close relationships with the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services to assist at-risk youth and promote positive development. Greater collaboration will also be established with the Ministry of Health to use sports to promote healthy lifestyles particularly to the youth population.
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