BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – COOPERATIVES continue to play an integral role in the development of people in St. Kitts and Nevis.
That is the view expressed by Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Eugene Hamilton as he joins the Cooperatives community in a week of education and celebration ahead of “International Co-operatives Day”.
In his address to begin the week of activities, Hamilton said co-operatives in St. Kitts and Nevis is required to ensure decent work for members to be properly served and receive benefits.
“Our hardworking farmers, who are members of local farmers’ co-operatives, work hard on their respective farms to produce food for local consumption. They work mostly from sunrise to sunset performing decent work and so deserve a market with fair prices for their goods.
“Our agro-processing co-operatives produce wine, chips, green season and sauces through decent work and also deserve a market of fair prices for their goods.”
The Minister used the occasion to underscore the importance of Credit Unions across St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Our Credit Unions provide financial services for individual members and other co-operatives, and are known to provide decent employment for members as they work in comfortable conditions and in a healthy environment of which we can all be proud.”
Hamilton noted that there is much to celebrate as a country that promotes the local co-operative movements, emphasising that success has been achieved with support from the Department of Co-operatives.
“…And I take this opportunity to commend and congratulate them for coordinating a third annual programme of activities in celebration of International Co-operatives Day
Earlier in his address, Minister Hamilton said it is with great pride that he supports the Department of Co-operatives in its efforts to execute a series of activities in celebration of International Day of Co-operatives.
As guided by the International Co-operative Alliance, the theme for this year is “Coops 4 Decent Work”.
The Agriculture Minister also announced the programme of events slated for the week of activities, which included members of the local co-operative movement worshipping at the Antioch Baptist Church in Lime Kiln on Sunday (Jun.23); a panel of representatives being on Freedom FM Radio’s ‘Issues’ programme on Monday (Jun. 24); the first Sorrel Festival will be held on the Frigate Bay Road between the Newtown playfield and TDC from 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday (Jun. 26); and from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the following day at the same venue, the local vegetables, fruits, processed goods and meat would be available at the Agro-Strip.
Saturday July 6 is designated International Co-operative Day and Hamilton said he would be delivering that Day’s message on ZIZ Radio and Television.
“Later that same day from 4:00 p.m. will be the annual ceremony celebrating the reopening of the Sandy Point Public Market by the Sandy Point Agricultural Co-operative Society Ltd. This event will be at the Sandy Point Public Market,” he added.
