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| SKNIS Photo: Linda Adams |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (September 14, 2005): Fifty-eight former employees of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC) will be recognized for years of dedicated service to the recently closed sugar industry during a ceremony on Friday.
The event is slated for the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Auditorium at 4:00 p.m. It is organized by the Department of Social Development, Community and Gender Affairs in collaboration with the Independence Committee.
During an interview with SKNIS, Permanent Secretary in the ministry Linda Adams gave an idea of the process used to identify the awardees.
The criteria used were their years of service and their dedication to the work. All of the selection was done by personnel at SSMC, not by the ministry or the Independence committee, she stated.
At least 47 of the 58 honorees have served in the sugar industry for more than thirty years. Of that number 13 have been employed at the SSMC for 50 years or over. The longest serving person to be recognized on Friday is Milton Nisbett of Keys, who registered 57 years of service.
With Friday being observed as National Heros Day and the 22nd commemoration of St. Kitts and Nevis Independence three days later (September 19) Ms. Adams noted that it was appropriate to have this ceremony.
We think that these sugar workers are heroes in themselves because they have made such a great contribution to their communities and to their country, the permanent secretary stressed, adding that most followed their parents footsteps by seeking employment at SSMC. We look at them as very, very important persons who have made invaluable contributions to the economy and to the building of this country.
A number of senior government officials have confirmed their presence at the occasion including the Governor General His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian. Representatives from the Sugar Transition Office, former sugar workers and family and friends are also expected.
Speeches, cultural entertainment and other presentations are scheduled. A cocktail reception will be held after. Awardees are asked to note that school buses will be available to transport them to and from their respective communities. Persons will be collected from the rural areas at 2:30 p.m. while awardees living in the St. Peters area will be transported at 3:00 p.m.
Persons are encouraged to listen to ZIZ Radio and other media houses for the bus schedule or contact the Department of Gender Affairs at 465-2521 ext 1275.
