BASSETERRE St. Kitts, May 24th 2011 - Minister responsible for Housing, Dr. Hon. Earl Asim Martin, presented to the cabinet a proposal to bring significant relief to citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis who are intending to build a new home. In introducing the proposal, Dr. Martin explained that the National Housing Corporation (NHC) would never be able to satisfy the needs of all home-owners in its attempt to provide homes for all in need, and that he was moved by the need for both low income and low middle income persons in particular, to be empowered through home-ownership.
Cabinet approved Dr. Martin's proposal to significantly reduce taxes applicable to building materials on home construction projects valued up to 400,000 Eastern Caribbean Dollars. This policy on the partial waiver of taxes is to commence very shortly and will be in effect for about 18 months. Dr. Martin advised that a full package of specific information on this revolutionary housing sector improvement programme should be made available to the public as soon as possible and he wishes to encourage as many citizens as possible to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get their homes constructed with significant tax concessions on materials purchased locally or overseas.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance congratulated Dr. Martin for his extraordinary leadership in the development of the housing sector and offered the full partnership of the Ministry of Finance in the reduction of taxes for the housing programme. He added that he was most pleased that a proposal which was originally conceptualised to assist public servants only has been broadened to benefit any person whose home construction project meets the outlined criteria.
SCHOOL UNIFORM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
Minister of Community and Social Development and Gender Affairs has delivered on her promise made at the last Government town hall meeting held earlier this year at the Methodist Church Hall, Basseterre. At that time, in response to questions raised about the government's social assistance programme, the Honourable Marcella Liburd promised to review the programme to make it better managed, more equitable and more responsive to those who should benefit from it. The Minister presented new proposals for the government uniform assistance programme and other social assistance programmes. Minister Liburd identified the need for greater collaboration between her ministry and the Ministry of Education in identifying those families who ought to benefit from the school uniform programme. Senior Minister Dr. Harris, Minister added that it was important that persons accessing the programme be able to access it without injury to or loss of their personal dignity.
Prime Minister Douglas reiterated the government's policy to improve its programmes of social assistance at this critical juncture in our economic development when the global economic climate is having a deleterious effect on our local economic situation, and is thereby impacting upon the quality of life of all of our citizens and residents. He welcomed the improvements and was satisfied that those who are in genuine need would be assisted.
CRIME-FIGHTING STRATEGY DISCUSSED
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Sam Condor, provided a progress report of his ministry's ongoing efforts to mitigate the incidence of criminal activity our country. The honourable minister expressed his deep concern about the incidence of crime and elaborated on progress made with respect to the 10-point anti-crime plan recently announced. He advised that a copy of the Racketeering-Influenced and Criminal Organisations (RICO) Act had been received from another Caribbean state and that this document would be immediately transmitted to the Legal Department for consideration for adaptation and subsequent enactment. This law, when enacted, will provide greater penalties for repeat offenders and would help to apprehend gang-leaders, purchasers of stolen goods and those who aid and abet criminals.
Further, cabinet was very pleased to learn that high-level officials from the Israeli government were already in the Federation delivering training to local forces in intelligence gathering, documentation and processing. This high-level training would put our criminal investigation personnel two notches higher and would enable them to better gather and document criminal evidence, and would lead to increased conviction of criminals and reduction in criminal activity.
The Minister recorded his disappointment with the non-completion of the CCTV installation programme and is considering the way forward with the services contractor for its immediate completion. The minister has however projected that the CCTV cameras installation should be completed by July of this year.
Attorney General, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, presented to the Minister of National Security a draft of the Anti-Gang legislation prepared by his department and advised of his intention to have the bill ready for introduction at the next sitting of the Parliament.
Cabinet expressed its support for the ongoing initiatives of the Ministry of National Security and commended the Minister, those in the ministry and advisory groups for their commitment to the fight against crime.
ONGOING DEBT RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMME
Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, reported on the progress of the government's debt restructuring programme. The Prime Minister highlighted the critically important achievement of the government's fiscal policy, including the recent settlement of the overdraft at the National Bank.
The Prime Minister added, however, that there was still significant work to be done, particularly because of the global economic downturn. He updated the Cabinet on the work carried out by our debt advisers, and the Cabinet being satisfied that the recommendations were in the country's best long-term interest, accepted the report and recommendations therein.
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