Author: SKNISEditor

Brasilia, 14 April 2021 (IICA). Guyana is seeking to boost agricultural production to strengthen food security, improve the profitability of small farmers and open up new export markets to earn foreign exchange. The South American country is expecting to reap the largest rice harvest in its history and to expand sugar production, even as it works to develop non-traditional production of crops such as soybean and corn, allowing it to be self-sufficient in protein production as well as in the production of feed for the poultry industry. Speaking from Georgetown, Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, spoke about the outlook for…

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 14, 2021 (MMS-SKN) — Processing of severance payments continues apace and according to Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, the number of staff at the Department of Labour has been increased and another shift has been added to allow for more claims to be paid in a more efficient timeframe. Prime Minister Harris, who was responding to a caller on the popular Leadership Matters Programme on ZIZ Television on Tuesday April 13, pointed out that it has taken quite a bit of time on account of the sheer volume of displaced persons, and also on account…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (SKNIS): Several hotels in St. Kitts and Nevis have stepped forward to support the government’s relief efforts to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the wake of the ongoing La Soufrière volcano eruptions.As part of a humanitarian package, St. Kitts and Nevis government has offered to receive 300 hundred persons who were displaced as a result of the volcanic eruption in the neighbouring Caribbean nation also known as the Gem of the Antilles.Abdias Samuel, National Disaster Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that accommodation commitments have already been made. Koi Resort St.…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (SKNIS): Two shipping containers of supplies from St. Kitts and Nevis left the Federation on Tuesday (April 13, 2021) to support disaster relief efforts in St. Vincent in the Grenadines, as the country grapples with continued eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano.The volcano first erupted on Friday (April 09, 2021), forcing the evacuation of some 20,000 people from communities in the danger zone.On Tuesday’s edition of the Leadership Matters programme, National Disaster Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abdias Samuel, explained that 264 contributions of food, non-perishable items, personal hygiene kits, and other supplies were…

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. 13 April 2021. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is providing technical assistance in response to volcanic eruptions of La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. CARPHA is part of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), which is spearheaded by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). On 29th December 2020, the alert level for La Soufrière was elevated to Orange due to increased activity at the site, which is located in the northern part of the main island of St. Vincent. Effusive activity continued, until 8th April 2021, when the UWI Seismic Research…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Understanding the dire situation of its fellow OECS and CARICOM member island, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis announced over the weekend a comprehensive support package for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the wake of the devastating volcanic eruptions there that have displaced thousands. St. Kitts and Nevis’ support included, inter alia, the financial contribution of EC$1 million for evacuation and relief efforts – a decision that Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris says his Team Unity administration stands by. “Some…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (UNESCO) In co-sponsorship with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme will convene a meeting of ministers from English-speaking Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to discuss the major challenges posed by water scarcity, contamination, and water-related disasters. The discussion will examine the role that science can play in constructively supporting decision-making and developing sustainable solutions to enable access to safe and reliable drinking water for citizens and agriculture, and increased resilience to natural disasters. Many Caribbean countries are experiencing serious challenges to water security, including water scarcity and drought, pollution,…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – On a special edition of the popular programme, Leadership Matters, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris applauded the substantial and comprehensive efforts of ordinary citizens and residents to mobilise much needed support for the thousands of people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines affected by volcanic eruptions on the Caribbean island. The La Soufrière volcano erupted on Friday, April 09, displacing more than 20,000 persons residing in the ‘danger zones’ who were forced to evacuate their homes.  “I am…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (SKNIS): Officials from the Department of Consumer Affairs will be featured on the popular government radio and television programme “Working for You” on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The special guests will be Paul Queeley, Director of Department of Consumer Affairs; Tanja Morton; and Trista Wattley-Stennett, Senior Consumer Affairs Officer. The discussion will focus on highlights of the Week of Activities, which was held for this year’s World Consumer Day on March 15; the rights and responsibilities of the consumer, addressing complaints of consumers and the Consumer Affairs Act, among other related matters. Hosted by…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2021 (SKNIS): The Team Unity Cabinet of Ministers met on Monday, April 12, 2021, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris. Several issues affecting the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis were deliberated on. The Chair commended the People’s Action Movement (PAM) coalition colleagues on the successful hosting of their party’s convention on Sunday, April 11, 2021. The Chair reported to the Cabinet on the meeting with private sector stakeholders and government on April 8, 2021, in an effort to get their input on…