NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 22, 2021) – – Hon. Premier Mark Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs for St. Kitts and Nevis, has made intervention to its ally the United States of America for the provision of COVID-19 vaccines for the federation and the rest of the Caribbean region.

Hon. Brantley, through recent correspondence to the US Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean, the OECS and Barbados, Linda Taglialatela, implored the US government to make vaccines available to the small island developing states with some urgency.

“We in the Caribbean continue to make the passionate plea that vaccines be made available to us with some alacrity…

“We are aware from reports in the New York Times just yesterday that the great United States of America has made vaccines available to Mexico and Canada.

“I have myself indicated to the United States that…having benefitted the other two borders Mexico and Canada, that it would perhaps be useful for them to think of their third border, the Caribbean, and to make vaccines available to us in the region as well,” he said.

The Premier made the disclosure during his presentation at a virtual forum hosted by the Organisation of American States (OAS) on “Legal challenges faced by the Caribbean in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic”, held March19, 2021.

The Foreign Minister noted that St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean region, including Latin America, have been experiencing some challenges accessing COVID-19 vaccines.

He urged the OAS General Secretary for assistance in this regard.

“The difficulty of course, is that we have not been able to access sufficient vaccines to satisfy our populations…The other issue of course has to do with the equality of vaccine access and that has proven problematic, because naturally some countries are in a better financial position than others, some countries are themselves producers of vaccines.

“And I’m happy Secretary General that you are here because I think through your office we can assist each other in saying that there has to be a human right to the equitable access of

vaccines, because as we have said and continue to maintain, none of us is safe until all of us are safe.

“And so Secretary General I would urge the OAS to be a voice and an advocate for us in that regard…I feel that we have vested interest in insisting that vaccines be made available to our people on an equitable basis,” he said.

Mr. Luis Amalgro, OAS Secretary General, who was also a participant in the important forum, said he was in agreement with Minister Brantley’s position on equitable access to the vaccine for the region.

Mr. Luis Amalgro, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States

“I completely agree with you. I have assumed the challenge you have put on us and I think we should work very hard in relation to this matter. Most of us agree that the COVID-19 vaccine should be distributed fairly worldwide because we believe in the principle of fairness…

“The global pandemic requires a response based on unity, solidarity and multi-lateral cooperation to ensure that all states have access to vaccines,” he said.

The OAS Secretary General said he too joins the call for equal access to and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

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Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 22, 2021 (SKNIS): As St. Kitts and Nevis celebrates World Water Day on March 22, consumers are called upon to take greater action to protect against water wastage, and to implement water conservation practices, that will promote the sustainability of the critical natural resource.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Water Services Department, the Honourable Shawn Richards, emphasized the importance of these measures during a national radio and television address on Saturday (March 20).

“We all have a role to play in water management as private citizens of this Federation,” he stated during the address. “Personal responsibility is part of our “shared” responsibility; I urge you to become actively involved.  Do not use water wastefully; implement water conservation practices in your household, repair leaky taps and toilets, report incidents of abuse or misuse of water, report any visible leaks from pipelines or standpipes, catch rainwater to irrigate your gardens or wash your cars, pay attention to your waste disposal practices, and respect signage and rules established by the Water Services Department.”

World Water Day is observed annually by countries around the world. This year’s global theme is: “Valuing Water.”

“The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics, and the integrity of our natural environment,” Honourable Richards indicated. “If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource. Sustainable Development Goal #6 (SDG 6) is to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030. Without a comprehensive understanding of water’s true, multidimensional value, we will be unable to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone.”

The deputy prime minister added that all segments of society including, individuals, businesses, and civil society must embrace their role in conserving and respecting water.

He stated, “Whether you are a farmer, a household user, a business or commercial user, on the occasion of World Water Day 2021 and indeed every day, I implore you to take this year’s theme to heart and let us start “Valuing Water.”

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Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 25, 2021 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Health is aiming to vaccinate 10,000 persons on or before April 16, 2021, says Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Hazel Laws, during the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Press Briefing on March 24.

The Federation has in its possession 20,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. As the vaccine is given in two doses, 10,000 persons are the target. As of March 24, 8,123 persons have received the vaccine so far. This means 24.6 percent of the target population has been vaccinated.

Dr. Laws stated that the COVAX Facility has allotted 21,600 doses to the Federation. This means an additional 10,800 persons can be vaccinated.

“Based on information coming out of the facility, we hope to receive 7,200 doses in March of this year, 7,200 doses in April, and 7,200 doses in May,” she said. “So, between now and May we can cover an additional 10,800 persons.”

The Chief Medical Officer said that the Federation is aiming to provide coverage for 70 percent of its adult population. She added that to achieve this goal, 25,000 more doses are needed.

“The Ministry of Health, our Cabinet, and the leadership of the Federation, we are doing all we can to access these additional 25,000 doses,” she said. “Access to the COVID-19 vaccine is crucial to curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infections.”

The Federation is also aiming to reach the herd immunity threshold by June or July of 2021, said Dr. Laws.

“The quicker we get there, the better it is for our health system and for the socio-economic context of our Federation,” she said. “It’s an all of society approach and we are appealing to everyone in the Federation. We want to thank those who have already come on board and said yes and consented to take their first dose. We are now reaching out to the others in terms of empowering yourself with the information and we are asking you to make an informed decision, come on board and help us attain this goal of reaching our herd immunity threshold.”

Dr. Laws noted that once herd immunity is achieved when the Federation accepts inbound passengers by air or sea, the risk of clusters developing will be reduced.

“The risk of our going into community transmission will be considerably reduced because the herd immunity provides indirect protection to the vulnerable and to those who cannot be vaccinated,” she said. “That’s why we are imploring our people to come on board.”

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Basseterre: St. Kitts, March 25, 2021: Results are in from the first ever essay and jingle competition hosted by the Department of Consumers Affairs held on March 18 -19 at Nagico’s Conference room.

The 25 participants represented primary schools including; Maurice Hillier Memorial Junior School, Beach Allen, Dr. William Connor, Dieppe Bay, Sandy Point and the Saddlers. Each representative presented on the topic “Tackling Plastic Pollution”. 

Director at the Department of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Paul Queeley stated that the topic chosen was the theme under which World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated on Monday March 15 2021.

“Plastic pollution is a major problem across the globe…students generate a lot of plastic waste in schools, so we [Consumer Affairs Department] saw it fitting to involve them in this activity to sensitize them on how to reduce plastic pollution,” said Mr. Queeley.

The sole representative from the Dieppe Bay Primary School, Khalaylah Maccabbee, was awarded the first place. Second and third place went to J’Ovheal Whattley and Camira Williams respectively, both representing the Maurice Hillier.

Vitoria, Elliott representing the Doctor William Connor Primary School, Ciara Hobson, representing the Beach Allen Primary School and Chadeisha Francis representing the Maurice Hillier were awarded a Special Award for presenting essays that were good which did not reach the length requirement.

Special Recognition Awards were given to those participants who displayed unique abilities throughout the delivery of their speech. Recipients of this award were Mia Romney representing the Dr William Connor Primary School, Kim-David Collins and Jequan Stevens both representing the Maurice Hillier Memorial Junior School.

Dr. William Connor primary school won the jingle competition, with Maurice Hillier Memorial Junior School being awarded second place.

Head Judge Noah Mills, congratulated the participants and commended the teachers, parents and students for their hard work.  The Department of Consumer Affairs was also lauded for “conceptualizing and implementing the essay and jingle competition”.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, March 25, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – After its successful readings in the National Assembly on Thursday, March 25, the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was unanimously passed, bringing St. Kitts and Nevis even more in line with best practices within the international financial services sector.

The Bill was moved through the House by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.

In his presentation, Prime Minister Harris said it was necessary for his Government to re-examine the nature of the Companies legislation and seek ways in which it could reasonably and sustainably adjust to the imperatives and complexities of doing business within the global sphere.

He said, “This Bill therefore seeks to introduce a new feature in our Companies Act which it is anticipated would provide attractive business and investment opportunities within our jurisdiction while at the same time satisfying the international standards on taxation. Mr. Speaker, the Bill therefore seeks to remove the tax exemption elements from the Companies Act. In short, the term ‘exempt company’ would no longer be valid after June 20, 2021.”

Anew product, referred to as an international company was introduced as part of the Bill in order to keep the Federation competitive. An international company is defined as a body corporate which is incorporated in Saint Christopher, but whose mind and management are outside of the Federation.

The prime minister said, “This kind of company Mr. Speaker, would have no permanent establishment here. If approved by this Honorable House, this proposed new product would be more in line with the requirements of the OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] and the EU [European Union], since the tax exemption features would have been completely excised from the legislation,” the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Harris further noted that the legislation outlines the different options that are now available to those persons who formerly had exempt companies in St. Kitts but would now be required to deal with them before the June 20 deadline.

“In that regard Mr. Speaker, Clause 10 of the Bill makes provision for exempt companies to be converted to an ordinary company. Mr. Speaker it would be proposed at Committee stage to also clearly include the option of conversion to an international company. In other words, there will now be two options introduced to take care of the removal of the exempt companies provision in the Act – a term or terminology which the international marketplace at the level of the regulatory arm has found to be offensive,” the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Harris stated that allowing exempt companies to convert to international companies is aimed at providing a reasonable measure to make the process less onerous and costly for those involved.

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