BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 16TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says Friday’s failed march by Mr. Dwyer Astaphan “is a total rejection by the people” of his former Cabinet Minister.
A march on Friday afternoon led by Mr. Astaphan attracted some 150 participants, mostly supporters of the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM).
Dr. Douglas said that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are fully aware that the recent increases in food items and other goods is as a result of the global financial and economic crisis compounded by the wars in North Africa and the Middle East.
He said his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Cabinet continues to collaborate to ensure that there is an appropriate response by the government and as soon as the economic analysis is completed “some relief to consumers might be given.”
Prime Minister Douglas noted that several Caribbean nations have been having problems in meeting their monthly salaries and weekly wage obligations to their public servants on time.
“Here in St. Kitts and Nevis, this is not happening. Every single civil servant is assured that when he goes to the bank at the end of month, his or her salary would have been deposited there,” said Dr. Douglas, who pointed to recent news in the region, where there has been increases in the price of fuel and fuel products and that later in the year, there will be additional increases.
“The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance are already into discussions as to how government would be able to reduce the impact of the world prices of fuel and fuel products on by finding a way and an appropriate formula,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said: “Dwyer Astaphan obviously thinks that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are not aware of what is happening globally and regionally and how that has impacted the prices of goods and services in the world, the Caribbean and St. Kitts and Nevis.”
“The people of St. Kitts and Nevis will continue to reject Dwyer Astaphan as they have rejected him today in his so-called failed march,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
