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| St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas delivering a message to the congregation |
BASSETERRE , ST. KITTS ( MARCH 22 ND 2004 ) – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said Sunday that the alleviation of poverty has been at the core of his vision and the policies of his governing Labour Party.
Addressing hundreds at a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 15th Anniversary as Parliamentary Representative in the National Assembly, Dr. Douglas recalled his first step to become involved in politics.
“I was impacted in particular by some of the statistics that I had read with regard to poverty in the village of Saddlers . At that time, especially after Hurricane Hugo, Saddlers, after a study was conducted by the Caribbean Conference of Churches, had been identified Saddlers as one of the poorest villages and communities in this country. I took a pledge then that it will be reversed and I believe that we will be on our way to reversing that situation in Saddlers,” said Prime Minister to the loud applause of the hundreds who filled the church and two large tents mounted on the grounds.
Dr. Douglas noted that the struggle has been about creating an environment whereby the people of this country can raise their personal standards of living, thus enjoying a better quality of life.
Much he said has been achieved, but more is yet to be accomplished and it is a process by which steady and thoughtful application would yield positive results.
“I must express a high degree of satisfaction in the fact that many more opportunities are now available for our young people to pursue tertiary-level education. They have that opportunity to expand their horizons, to create a better way of life for their families and to contribute to the further development of this our beautiful land,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He was of the view that it is a “sound investment, much like the increased investment of our nationals in purchasing property all around this country, or the increase in small business by a growing cadre of young entrepreneurs.”
Dr. Douglas said that while the people of St. Kitts and Nevis celebrate the successes, there are challenges that confront the nation.
He said several young people are becoming prey to those who wish to perpetuate violence and the disruption of harmonious communities. “There are many factors involved here, but it is our duty as individuals, as parents, as teachers, as Church, and as Government to join in concertive effort to change the course of destiny by instilling positive values and attitudes in our young people,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He told fellow citizens and residents that this task is not solely the responsibility of the Police and not solely the responsibility of the Government. “The Government cannot achieve success in this matter by itself, but collectively, we can engage the problem and we achieve success,” said Dr. Douglas, who called upon the congregation to use the Lenten Season, to renew their strength and confidence in each other and “give thanks to Almighty God for His continued blessings and guidance for this long journey, which I am confident will be rewarding for all of us.”
Dr. Douglas said it was a privilege to serve the people of this country over the past 15 years. “As a parliamentarian, I have seen and experienced the many challenges that our country has faced. I have been committed and determined to do what is right in securing a better future not only for the people of this Constituency, but for the people of this nation on a whole,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis leader, who has spent nine of those 15 years as Prime Minister.
Dr. Douglas expressed gratitude to his family members, the loyal constituents of Newton Ground, St. Paul’s, my home village, Dieppe Bay, Parson’s, Pogson, Lavington, Saddlers and Harris, the Executive of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Union; the Civil Service, the Diplomatic Corps and the business community, who have all contributed and have been very helpful during these 15 years of journey.
“I can only ask for your continued support, and equally pledge my unswerving commitment to continue to work diligently for the good of this country. Certainly by the grace of the Almighty God and by His will, such would be possible,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who also noted the presence of former Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis , Mr. Michael Powell.
Among those present were the Governor General, His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian; Cabinet Colleagues, the Speaker of the National Assembly; the Hon. Walford Gumbs; the St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the United States and the Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS); His Excellency Dr. Izben Williams; St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Mr. Fred Lam and Mrs. Lam; the Ambassador of the Republic of China, Her Excellency Madame Marietta Liau and the Ambassador of Venezuela Her Excellency Miriam Luzardo Troconiz.
The Service of Thanksgiving began with the singing of the National Anthem by Yanik Mills and there were renditions by The Exalted, Nathan Connor, Labour Women, the Hon. Rupert Herbert, Lauretta Douglas, Joseph Douglas, Jewel Wattley and Alex Condell.
Deputy Political Leader of the governing St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Sam Condor, read the First Scripture; Chief Secretary, Mr. Joseph Edmeade read the Epistle, while brief remarks will be delivered by Chairman of the Party, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris.
