Author: SKNISEditor

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 21, 2024 (SKNIS): The St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) marked a significant milestone during its Annual Christmas Luncheon on Friday, December 20, 2024, as five soldiers were officially commissioned and received their badges of rank from Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew. Second Lieutenant Lakeem Crosse, Second Lieutenant Mario O’Flerharty, Second Lieutenant Jelani Griffin, and Second Lieutenant Jon-Lewin Watson were officially commissioned, while First Lieutenant Percival Thomas was elevated from Second Lieutenant. Prime Minister Drew and Acting Force Commander, Major Kayode Sutton, congratulated the officers on their promotion,…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 20, 2024 (SKNIS): After a period spanning five (5) days, from the presentation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ 2025 Budget Address by the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on December 16, to the rebuttal by Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, the Honourable Mark Brantley, and debates by parliamentarians, The Appropriation (2025) Bill, 2024, with total estimates for 2025 of EC$ 1.1 Billion for recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure and net lending, was passed into law on Friday, December 20, 2024.With a total recurrent capital and net lending charges on the consolidated…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 20, 2024 (SKNIS): The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Investment, delivered a powerful address highlighting the government’s significant accomplishments in 2024, and presenting a bold vision for 2025. His remarks, made during his support of the 2025 Budget Debate on Friday, December 20, 2024, outlined a clear roadmap for continued progress and prosperity for St. Kitts and Nevis. In 2024, St. Kitts and Nevis made significant strides in enhancing international trade relations, including the completion of capacity-building programmes to implement the CARIFORUM-UK…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 20, 2024 (SKNIS): Prospective homeowners in St. Kitts, who do not qualify for pre-approved funding from a financial institution to meet the housing solution by East Coast Housing Development, have been assured that they will not be left out of the housing revolution. The National Housing Corporation (NHC) has more than 4,000 housing applications, many of which were received following a housing information fair in May 2023, that showcased designs by the East Coast Housing Development Ltd. Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, told the nation listening to the 2025 Budget Debate on December…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 20, 2024 (SKNIS): The Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development and Investment, highlighted the achievements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2024, during his support for the 2025 Budget Debate on Friday, December 20, 2024. In 2024, St. Kitts and Nevis further strengthened its diplomatic ties, formalising relations with Pakistan, Cape Verde, Palau, Lebanon, and Comoros. A Visa Waiver Agreement with Kazakhstan was also signed, easing travel for citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis. Senior Minister Dr. Douglas said that the ministry…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 20, 2024 (SKNIS) – Minister of International Trade, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, said the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) is positioning itself to ensure that as the Federation transitions to a sustainable island state, it does so with the assurances of good quality and maintenance of public health. In a passionate presentation on the 2025 Budget Debate in the National Assembly on December 20, 2024, Senior Minister Dr. Douglas said that the bureau is committed to raising national standards to ensure product quality, consumer safety and global competitiveness. This, according to…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 19, 2024 (SKNIS): The proposed allocation for the 2025 fiscal year is set to increase as the government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to make meaningful and strategic investments to address the ongoing water shortages brought about by climate change. During his contribution to the 2025 Budget Debate on December 19, 2024, the Honourable Konris Maynard, Minister responsible for the Water Services Department (WSD), presented figures to the National Assembly that highlighted the government’s strong commitment to expanding water access for communities across the island. “The budget (allocation) for 2022, was a paltry $8.5 million,” Honourable…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 19, 2024 (SKNIS) – Taking into account an increase in the number of diagnoses in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Ministry of Education intends to place greater emphasis on autism spectrum disorder in the upcoming year 2025. That assurance was given by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, while outlining his ministries’ plans and objectives for the next financial year, during day three of the 2025 Budget Debate on December 19, 2024. Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socialises…

Basseterre, St. Kitts – December 19, 2024, (PMO) – During today’s sitting of theNational Assembly, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Senator Latoya Jones, firmly upheldparliamentary standards by addressing and resolving unfounded allegations made byOpposition Member Hon. Shawn Richards, representative for St. Christopher Five.Hon. Richards alleged that government ministers were using public resources to fuelprivate vehicles. However, when asked to provide factual evidence to support his claims,Hon. Richards was unable to do so. The Deputy Speaker requested that the allegations beretracted to maintain the integrity of the House and prevent the dissemination ofmisinformation. “Honorable Member for St. Christopher Five, if…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 19, 2024 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is pushing forward with its Digital Transformation Strategy recognising that technology and innovation are essential tools that are central to achieving the sustainable island state agenda. The Honourable Konris Maynard, Minister responsible for Information, Communication, and Technology, is leading the charge in digital transformation and innovation. On Thursday, December 19, 2024, during Day Three of the 2025 Budget Debate, he emphasised the importance of ensuring that the public is prepared to effectively utilise the new tools being introduced to improve digital efficiency. “We recognise Madame Deputy Speaker,…