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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Farmers and fisherfolks in St. Kitts and Nevis were today, Thursday, February 4, reminded of their important role in the overall growth of the Federation’s economy, and of the Team Unity administration’s unwavering support for the development of the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

“We are well placed as a country to begin the recovery from the worst COVID-19 economic impact,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris. “Indeed, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that St. Kitts and Nevis can realise an 8 percent economic growth in 2021. This growth will not come easy, it will not come by us waiting for it to happen and hoping that it will happen. We will have to work hard in 2021 for it.

“This strong turnout of farmers to this particular session is an indication of your high interest in the sector and your commitment to hard work,” he said. “It is you, the people in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources that will make the growth in agriculture happen.”

The Prime Minister was at the time delivering remarks at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources Annual Review and Agenda 2021 Meeting.

Over the past year, the Government has made significant financial investments in the agricultural sector that was instrumental in assisting the farming and fishing community to rebound following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My Government believes in your sector and the contribution that it will make,” said Dr. Harris. “That is why we have invested $10 million in our stimulus package to boost production in the agriculture sector and ensure greater food security for the Federation.

“Our plans are to inject an additional $5 million in stimulus over the next two years, starting with $3 million which will be available in 2021 to boost production and ensure greater food security,” explained Dr. Harris. “Combined with our $10 million committed as part of the stimulus…we have committed five more million dollars over the next two years to bring the special stimulus support to $15 million.

“This assistance should not be looked at as a hand out but rather as a sign of the trust and belief that we have in the agricultural sector to protect jobs, create new jobs, and help rebuild our economy,” said Dr. Harris. “Indeed, hundreds of farmers and fishers received well needed assistance, putting their livelihoods back-on-track.”

As part of its stimulus package introduced in March 2020, the Government has injected $10 million into the agricultural sector. Farmer’s water payments have been waived for six months as a measure to boost agricultural production.

During his 2021 Budget presentation in December of last year, Prime Minister Dr. Harris announced the extension of nine of the 17 measures outlined in its comprehensive $120-million stimulus package. Among them was the waiver of payments for the consumption of water by farmers until June 2021.

Additionally, the Government provided assisted farmers in purchasing fencing wires, free harrowing services, and free inputs such as seeds and seedlings. More than 200 fishermen benefited from the provision of fish trap wire, fishing line, hooks, rope, buoys and safety equipment.

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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Alexandra Hospital Matron Aldris Dias and Assistant Matron Jessica Scarborough retirements after years of stellar service to the Nevis’ healthcare sector have been congratulated by Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration.

The Premier expressed his gratitude and that of his administration for the two healthcare officials’ contribution to the health of the Nevisian community.
Continue reading Premier Brantley extols retiring Matron Dias, Assistant Matron Scarborough for their service →

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Over the next two weeks beginning on February 8, the Public Works Department will begin resurfacing the Island Main Road from Horsfords Building Center to the Rams Shopping Complex, and Pump Road from the Roundabout to Club Trenim.

The rehabilitation work will be completed in two phases. In Phase One, milling off the old asphalt surface, and in Phase Two, asphalt resurfacing will be done.

Phase One, will begin from February 8 to 12 and will be disrupt normal traffic flow traversing this area over this time period.

Phase Two, will begin February 15. The traffic control measures implemented for Phase One, will be almost identical for Phase Two.

Drivers and pedestrians are asked to note the following alternative routes provided by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Nevis Division Traffic Department for the areas to be affected.

Monday February 8:

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Work Zone, the Roundabout to Club Trenim)

•The section of the Island Main Road from Prospect Junction to the Roundabout at Delta Gas Station will be closed for traffic from Gingerland to Charlestown.

•Oncoming traffic from Gingerland travelling to Charlestown will access the diverted through Prospect unto Long Point Road.

•Vehicular traffic from Gingerland will be allowed to access Marion Heights, Horsfords Building Center, Upper Farms Road etc. but there will be no though traffic in this direction.

•Vehicular traffic travelling to Gingerland from Charlestown will be not be affected. Travel in this direction will remain as normal during the morning work session.

Monday February 8:

1:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Horsfords Building Centre to the Rams Shopping Complex to Roundabout)

•Traffic from Charlestown to Gingerland will be diverted through Prospect via Long Point Road, reconnecting with the Island Main Road at Prospect Junction.

• Gingerland to Charlestown bound traffic will continue the same pattern as established in the morning.

Tuesday February 9:

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Work Zone – Roundabout area)

• No through traffic at the roundabout. All vehicular traffic will be detoured around the roundabout using the available side streets and business parking lots and aprons.

• Vehicles travelling from Charlestown to Gingerland and Charlestown to Long Point will detour through the Delta Gas Station, turn right at the Stepping Stone Nursery on Pump road and connect back onto the Island Main Road along Rodney’s Cuisine Road.

•Vehicles travelling from Gingerland to Charlestown will be detoured at Stoney Grove along the middle access road by the Myers Building, and traverse along the village road exiting at the roadway across from the Water Department next to the location of their BBQ tent.

•Vehicles travelling to and from Long Point from all directions will detour through the Valumart Parking Lot.

•No vehicles shall enter the Rodney’s Cuisine Road from the Island Main Road.

Wednesday February 10:

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Work Zone – Delta Gas Station to Rams)

•All Charlestown to Gingerland traffic will be detoured to Long Point Road, via the dirt road through the Bath Cemetery.

•All Gingerland to Charlestown traffic and Long Point to Charlestown traffic will be detoured though Pump Road.

• Patrons of the businesses along the stretch of the Island Main Road from RSJ Enterprises to Rams will have access to and from the businesses from the Charlestown/Western direction only.

Thursday February 11:

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Pump Road – Delta Gas Station to Club Trenim)

•Pump Road Closed to all traffic from the Roundabout to the Club Trenim.

•No access to Pump Road via the Upper Stoney Grove roads.
Phase Two works, the Asphalt resurfacing from February 15 to 19, will employ the same traffic diversion plan.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The general public has been advised to adhere to all COVID-19 health and safety protocols and to stay on guard as each person is ultimately responsible for his or her safety and protection from the deadly virus, by Superintendent of the St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Cromwell Henry.

The call for strict adherence and a greater personal responsibility was made in light of what Superintendent Henry described as an “uncomfortable situation” that recently occurred with a person in quarantine.

“This particular lapse resulted in a positive COVID-19 case being discharged from quarantine into the community via public transportation,” explained Supt. Henry. “As a result, as soon as the incident came to our attention, the COVID-19 Task Force activated its response mechanism immediately. The positive case was identified and quickly placed in isolation.

“The quick response by the authorities activated the country’s aggressive contact tracing mechanism by the COVID-19 National Task Force, resulted in 20 persons being placed in quarantine,” said Supt. Henry. “A vigorous contact tracing exercise ensued. All identified contacts were immediately quarantined, including the public service driver who was not observing the basic COVID-19 prevention protocols. Contact tracing, in this case, is still ongoing along with a police investigation to determine whether or not criminal charges will be filed.

“The protocols at the quarantine site were immediately reviewed and “remedial action” was taken “to prevent” a repeat of the incident,” explained Supt. Henry. “The incident in question among others, drives home the point that we should always observe the protocols and the provisions of the law which are intended to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Supt. Henry solicited the cooperation of the public and encouraged people to always remember to wear masks, maintain physical and social distancing, and sanitize frequently.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is working and there has been a significant impact on the lives of the people of the region and St. Kitts and Nevis, according to St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Lionel Sydney Osborne.

H.E. Osborne listed the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, as several CARICOM organizations that have had major successes in the region.

“In terms of health, and more specifically, the Caribbean Public Health Agency understands the importance of CARPHA in terms of the discussions that we must have globally and regionally,” said Ambassador Osborne, who also heads the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Ambassador Osborne said that CARPHA represents the Federation and the entire Caribbean. With the present COVID-19 pandemic, the health agency has been actively engaged internationally in ensuring that the Caribbean Community has equitable access to the vaccines that have come on stream.

He said the CXC plays a vital role in the education of Caribbean students with regional exams at the secondary and tertiary levels. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency, has played a major role in making an immediate and coordinated response by means of emergency disaster relief to an affected Participating State in times of natural and man-made disasters.

“IMPACS is an umbrella organization that revolves around all of us so that we are not standing alone in terms of dealing with matters of security and crime,” he said.

Caribbean Festival of Arts

“The Caribbean Festival of Arts has unified its role in the development of the various art forms within the Community,” said H.E. Osborne. “The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute helps in the increase in food supply to the region, food and nutrition security, reduction in hunger and poverty, and the stability of the region’s agricultural sector.”

Other regional institutions of the CARICOM that St. Kitts and Nevis and the region have benefited from include the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, the Caribbean Free Trade Association, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

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