| Post-Cabinet
Briefings |
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POST-CABINET STATEMENT
DECEMBER 1, 2008
Good day, citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis. This is the post-cabinet briefing for the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held Monday December 1st, 2008.
PRIME MINISTER’S REPORT ON CRIME
The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of National Security updated the Cabinet in respect of a comprehensive report he had received from the Police regarding the violence that occurred in Cayon over the weekend. The Prime Minister confirmed that two young men had lost their lives, while another two were seriously wounded. Cabinet continues to be very concerned about the loss of young lives through violence and had extensive discussions on some recommendations which are to be shortly pursued.
Cabinet supported and reiterated the call by the Police for the assistance of the public in providing information concerning the incident.
CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR THE MINISTRY OF SPORTS
Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Richard Skerritt, brought for the consideration of Cabinet a slate of about 15 capital projects envisaged to be executed by his Ministry in the 2009 calendar year. Most of the projects had been pre-approved at the 2009 Budget Estimates Committee meeting in October but the Minister was seeking guidance in relation to prioritization.
Cabinet observed that 2007 and 2008 were years specifically dedicated to the development of cricket and athletics, respectively and concluded that 2009 must be a year dedicated to the development of basketball. Cabinet reflected with pride on the nation’s numerous accomplishments in the development of its sporting infrastructure over the last 5 years, and asserted that such an investment in young people will redound to improving the social and physical well-being of our nation’s youth.
TVET SCHOLAR 2008
On obtaining the highest grade point average in the National Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) programme at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College where she pursued Office Administration and Management, Ms Delicia Herbert has been officially awarded the National TVET scholarship for 2008. The scholarship is awarded to the student at the Technical and Vocational Division of the CFB College with the best overall examination results once such an individual meets all other certification requirements.
The TVET scholar is entitled to receive US$10,000 annually towards a tertiary education programme. The Government and the Ministry of education in particular congratulate Ms Delicia Herbert on her outstanding achievement.
ELECTRICITY UPDATE
In response to the directive of the Hon Minister responsible for Electricity, the Electricity Department furnished the Cabinet with a comprehensive report documenting the Technical, Human Resource and Operational issues at the department. In discussing the report with the Cabinet, Dr Martin outlined the medium term and longer term plans which had been pre-existing but highlighted recommendations for immediate action to help stem system electricity outages. Among such recommendations is the need to monitor workers activities and to take quick disciplinary action when necessary. The completion of the installation of modern system protection equipment was also highlighted as a critical component of the short-term response. Cabinet was assured that upon the completion of this installation, system reliability should increase.
Cabinet commended the Department Heads for the swift response and for compiling a report that was highly detailed and solutions-oriented. A recommendations implementation sub-committee of the Cabinet has been installed to work under the leadership of Dr. Hon Earl Asim Martin.
MASTERPLAN FOR THE EXPANSION OF BASSETERRE
Cabinet received an update from an international development group out of the UK regarding the group’s investment plan to expand and develop the coastal section of the city of Basseterre. The group has been working alongside the St. Christopher Air and Seaports Authority (SCASPA) for the past nine months to develop a development-oriented master plan.
The plan unveiled envisages:
• Expanded sea port facilities
• The construction of a second cruise pier
• a marina
• beach front enhancement
• the extension of the railway as a tramway into the downtown area
• the expansion of the ferry terminal
• the development of a heritage square
• the construction of a quarter mile of development space for shops, restaurants, etc
The investment is projected to be on the order of US$3 billion. This project juxtaposed with the development taking place at Christophe Harbour on the SE Peninsula is a critical component of the strategy of the government to transform the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis into a robust, high-end tourist destination over the next 5 to 10 years, for the full empowerment of our nation's people.
END
This brings to an end the post-cabinet briefing for Monday December 1, 2008. |
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