My fellow citizens, residents, media representatives:
Greetings.
I start on a note of gratitude to God for his divine providence, love, grace and mercy. I am reminded that “He who has begun a good work in me will complete it to the end”.
Today, I am pleased to provide an updated score card of the efforts of the people’s elected government to consolidate the mechanisms and systems of governance. In this way, we can ensure a more efficient, sensitive and sensible response to the people’s agenda as determined on February 16th, 2015.
An important and most positive development occurred on 14th may 2015 with Her Majesty’s appointment of Mr. Tapley Seaton, CVO, QC as our Federation’s Acting Governor General. This appointment has been heralded at home and abroad as a most eminent choice. In our constitutional monarchical democracy the Governor General is Head of State de jure and Head of Parliament, with powers of assent and denial vested in him. Equally true the Governor General exercises power on behalf of Her Majesty.
The thoughtful and consultative approach of my government to matters of state has allowed us to secure the services of an illustrious son of the soil for what we anticipate will be yeoman service to our Nation. I must repeat the point that we have a five-year contract with the people not five days or five months.
The reasonable people of the land know the herculean task that we face in order to put our Country right; they, in the main, want their elected government to be deliberate, to think through the issues, act decisively, and in the Country’s best interest. We have been doing just that – with our improved style, unique tone and deeper appreciation of the sensitive issues which we confront, and with the people’s agenda first and foremost- not the personal agenda of a few. We have been doing so, recognizing that we are the government of ALL. We have been doing so with honour and justice on our side.
We have delivered like no new government has in its first one hundred days. Major promises kept. So major are they that they deserve repeating. The burdensome VAT of 17% - removed completely from food, medicine and funeral expenses. Sixteen million is available to pay former sugar workers disinherited from them due after years of hard work in the sugar industry.
Ten million to the Nevis Island Administration as budgetary support with a commitment of its equitable due going forward. Those who lost the elections are outraged that the Federal government has brought an end to the anachronistic approach of all for St Kitts and none for Nevis.
We rescued CARIFTA games. We rescued CPL. We honoured Kim Collins. We brought a new sense of civility to government and governance. The fresh breeze is blowing. It is indeed a marvellous fresh start. It will only get better because we are consolidating the people’s government.
We are truly working for the people. We are encouraged by our success and we want to do more. To do more we need the right people at the right places and we need God on our side. We need new leadership at our Embassies, Missions and Consulates abroad.
Today, I can report that our Unity Government has made a number of nominations to fill the vacancies in these offices. In that regard, Cabinet has agreed to the following diplomatic appointments:
Ambassadorial Appointments
(1) Mr Sam Condor is designated Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Representative to the United Nations. This appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Delano Bart Q.C. Mr. Condor, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs has what it takes to commence this assignment and deliver results from day one.
There are several important issues on the United Nations agenda. With Sam’s leadership, we expect excellent results.
(2) Dr Thelma Phillip-Browne is designated Ambassador to USA and will be resident in Washington D.C. Dr Browne is a well-known medical practitioner and dermatologist, with a wide range of experience in the delivery of health services. She is a professional woman who will make a difference in our diplomacy with our most significant international partner the USA.
In addition, Dr Everson Hull is designated as Ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS). Dr Hull is an academician whose extensive work in the field of Economics has cemented his value to the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) in the area of economic policy formulation.
(3) Ms Shirley Skerritt, career diplomatic formerly attached to the OECS Mission and Embassies in Brussels has been confirmed as High Commissioner to Canada based in Ottawa.
(4) Ms Verna Morris, career diplomat is assigned to Cuba as Charge d’ Affaires. Ms Morris has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 10 years. She is a graduate of universities in Cuba and Mexico. Her appointment will fill the void created by the recall of Ambassador Mr Kenneth Douglas.
Hon Mark Brantley, in consultation with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, will in due course bring closure to other appointments.
Civil Service Appointments
(1) Mr. Osmond Petty is recommended to serve as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security. Mr. Petty is a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Foreign Affairs. He currently serves as Force Personnel Officer. Mr. Petty’s task as Permanent Secretary will be inter alia (1) coordinate and bring success to a number of EU projects related to security; (2) deliver a modern Rehabilitation and Correctional Facility to replace the outdated prison built in 1840; and (3) pursue the reform agenda in our Police, Prison, Fire and Defence Force.
The appointment of Mr Petty now facilitates the proper implementation of the following legislative instruments and organs for which the Permanent Secretary with responsibility for National Security was a necessary member:
a) Defence Force Act
b) National Defence Council Act (Chapter 19.20)
c) National Crimes Commission Act (Chapter 19.17)
To further address our crime fighting agenda, I intend to appoint a National Security Advisor in fulfilment of the statutory requirement of Section 4 of the National Defence Council Act. Moreover, the National Crimes Commission will be activated to facilitate, among other things, community involvement in the fight against crime.
The security and safety of the State are basic responsibilities of the State. We inherited a bad situation: a demoralized force which was under-resourced and lacking in motivational leadership. We are working assiduously with international professional Police out of the United Kingdom to redeem the agencies of law and order.
After an initial period of fact-finding we intend to pursue an extended contractual engagement with specialist support to complement our own local experience.
Our Police must, by the end of this investment, by their team work, energy, delivery and professionalism, showcase the very best within themselves – to the benefit of our people whom they are charged to serve and protect.
I wish to assure the public at this time that the issue of crime fighting is of paramount importance to our Unity Government. Ours is a robust approach thus inclusive, for the first time, of the deployment to Nevis of a contingent of military personnel from the Defence Force. This additional manpower will assist the Nevis Police with matters such as patrols, surveillance and other general policing operations for several months. This joint approach to addressing crime will also redound to closer collaboration among our security forces on both islands. Thus far, we are already seeing results.
(2) The Office of the Prime Minister also wishes to announce that an appointment is forthcoming for the post of an Advisor on Crime-fighting. The individual selected would have an impressive resume and track record in local law enforcement.
(3) Ms Kaye Bass, Director in Foreign Affairs, is now Acting Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Other Appointments
In order to bring reliable experience and qualified support to certain areas of Government we have agreed to the following political appointments.
(1) Mr. Vernon Connor has been serving as Special Advisor in the Ministry of Youth.
(2) Ms Lorna Hunkins – to serve as Special Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
(3) Mr. Sydney Osborne, former technocrat in the public sector, but best remembered as an educator par excellence, has been named Ambassador to CARICOM. He will also be responsible for OECS matters.
(4) Mr. Michael Powell, will henceforth be addressed as His Excellency Ambassador Michael Powell. Mr. Powell will serve at large in the Office of the Prime Minister. He will bring his experience in development issues to bear in that area in the Office of the Prime Minister.
(5) Mr. Jonel Powell, Special Envoy in the Ministry of Sports and Culture.
Other appointments will take place in due course.
Other Board Appointments
(1) ZIZ broadcasting headed by Mr. Douglas Wattley as Chairman and Mrs. Avernice Thompson as Deputy Chair.
(2) Development Control and Planning Board – Calvin Pemberton (Chairman)
Ron Fish (Deputy Chair)
(3) National Insurance – Howard Richardson, Economist, is designated as Chairman.
Full particulars related to Boards will be available in the official Gazette.
Hurricane Preparedness 2015
Your Government is pleased to announce that the Ministry of National Security, via the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has already commenced preparation for the start of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Disaster Mitigation Committee and its various sub-committees are currently being finalized. Concurrently, assessments are under way regarding the state of readiness of our designated shelters, and key service and security agencies such as law enforcement, health institutions, etc. Mobilisation and public awareness re: hurricane preparedness are also in progress.
Our 2015 hurricane preparedness efforts will also be enhanced this year by the fortuitous hosting of the Trade Winds Phase I exercise focused on Humanitarian Assistance. This component of the Trade Winds initiative in St. Kitts is scheduled for May 31 to June 9, 2015. Its objectives include building capacity and disaster recovery competence through improved capabilities to handle relief efforts at the local level.
Preparation of our Primary School Students for Tests of Standards
As our students in the primary schools prepare to sit their Tests of Standards, I wish to offer words of encouragement to students, teachers and parents. This year 2015, there is a total of over three thousand boys and girls who are preparing to write the Test of Standards. We admonish all pupils to do their best to prepare for these key placement examinations. They must realise that a good education is a sure path to preferred opportunities, and a far better alternative than living a life of crime – which too many of our young people are choosing.
Our Government would also like to encourage parents and guardians to offer their fullest support to their children who will be taking these critical examinations. This means increased attention must be paid to the quality of their homework. It also may call for staying up late at nights to ensure that they study thoroughly, it may even mean curtailing some of your own activities. However, we all know that no sacrifice is too great, given that your children’s test results will determine their secondary school placement and to a great extent their future prospects.
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