Post Cabinet Statement for January 7th, 2008
~~Adz:Left~~Citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, good evening. This is the post-Cabinet briefing for Cabinet meeting held Monday January 7, 2007. Happy New Year!
National Security
Today, Cabinet discussed the activities and performance of the security forces during the Christmas and Carnival season and expressed satisfaction with the progress made to date in dealing with the incidence of certain criminal activities in the Federation.
In reviewing the ongoing strategy of the security forces, the following components were highlighted and discussed:
• Better structured patrols through improved analysis of intelligence
• More specific targeting of illegal firearms
• More active education of the business community and the wider public on matters of security
• Greater tactical coordination of special units within the security forces
• Improved response and follow-up to reports from the public
• Ongoing in-service training of police officers
• Stop and search activities on pedestrians and drivers
• Crackdown on minor offences such as traffic offences
• Targeting of abandoned properties
Electoral Reform
Cabinet reviewed the progress of the electoral reform process and was satisfied with the achievement to date, but directed that there be ongoing evaluation in an attempt to improve the registration and confirmation processes.
Regulations circumscribing the issuance of the national identification card were briefly discussed and Cabinet was given the assurance that the regulations would soon be ready for promulgation.
Cabinet wishes to advise all previously registered voters to confirm their registration at the electoral office to obtain their ID cards. The public is reminded that as a result of the suspension of section 43E of the National Assembly Elections Act, through the publication of the Registration Period Order, a new register of voters will not be published in February 2008, as would normally be required.
National TVET Scholar ~~Adz:Right~~
On the recommendation of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College through the Ministry of Education, Cabinet was pleased to formally approve the National Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) scholarship for Ms Elizabeth Jong of Mattingley Heights for the academic year 2007. The scholarship is awarded to a student of the Technical Division of the CFB College who:
• Returns the best overall results on final examinations
• Is a full-time student
• Has met all graduation requirements
• Is a citizen is St. Kitts and Nevis
The Minister of Education in particular wishes to congratulate Ms. Jong on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis for her attainment of the prestigious National TVET scholarship.
Business Development
In pursuit of its specific economic development policy to assist small local businesses, to empower local entrepreneurs and to create employment opportunities, Cabinet today approved tax concessions for a number of small tourism-related and retail businesses. Government is proud of its record to date of empowering local investors through a variety of fiscal incentives and encourages our citizens to become involved in small business, especially when the signals for economic growth are extremely positive.
END
This brings to an end the post-cabinet briefing for Monday January 7, 2008. I thank you.
