Author: SKNISEditor

18 February 2021, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis – “Pandemicand Digital Transformation” will be the focus of the next session of ECCB DigitalDialogues which resumes on 25 February. The Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy N. J. Antoine willmoderate the session which will continue to explore how digitalisation has transformed the economies and societies of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel will comprise: The Honourable Minister for Information and Communication Technology in the Government of Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis – Akilah Byron-Nisbett; Head of Regulatory…

18 February 2021, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis – The first-ever DCash consumer-to-merchant transaction was successfully completed on Friday, 13 February at Geo F. Huggins’ Foodland in Grenada. Commenting on this achievement, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB),Timothy N. J. Antoine said, “This transaction is a major milestone in our mission to placeDCash in the hands of the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). Icongratulate Geo F. Huggins on making history. We are now on the cusp of the public launchof DCash. Get ready.” He added that the ECCB is planning the public roll…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): The Caribbean Lottery has donated a total of 3000 KN95 masks, 2000 to the Ministry of Health and 1000 to the National COVID-19 Task Force. The presentation was made at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Press Briefing on February 17, 2021. On behalf of the Caribbean Lottery, Sabina Harrinarain commended the efforts by the Ministry of Health as well as the COVID-19 Task Force in keeping the Federations safe. “To show our commitment to the cause, we would like to donate 2000 of the KN95 masks to the Ministry of Health and 1000…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): There are several advantages to be derived from backyard gardening which is subsistence farming, says Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Kyle Flanders, during his appearance on “Working for You” on February 17.Subsistence farming is defined as farming or a system of farming that provides all or almost all the goods required by the farm family usually without any significant surplus for sale.One advantage Mr. Flanders pointed out was saving money.“Everyone is concerned about their pockets. Therefore if you’re doing backyard farming you are going to reduce your supermarket bill,” he said.The…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): According to Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Kyle Flanders, the ministry is trying to encourage different types of farming through the Backyard Garden Project. “We want persons to lean more into protective farming, vertical farming. So, if you cannot farm across, you go up,” he said. “So you take your hydroponic technology, you can use that on a roof or landing if you’re in the urban areas.” Mr. Flanders noted that in some metropolitan areas farmers have large gardens on top of their buildings. He added that through the competition, he is…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): Thirty-seven (37) persons – 26 in vegetable and 11 in ornamental – are registered to participate in the 2021 National Backyard Garden Competition, an initiative by the Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture, aimed at encouraging more locally grown food. During her appearance on Wednesday’s (February 17) edition of “Working for You” Shaline Welcome-Lewis, Community Tourism Officer said the competition, which was launched in October 2020, is designed to promote healthy eating, as well as to encourage persons to beautify their communities and homes. “The project is to encourage the development of backyard gardening while increasing the…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Mrs. Janelle Lewis-Tafari, said that the recently opened Lodge/Ottley’s Community Centre will contribute to the well-being of the community and aid community spirit. Speaking at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening of the Ottley’s-Lodge Community Centre on February 16, Mrs. Lewis-Tafari hailed the government for the progressive strides it has made over the past two decades with respect to social development.“The progressive strides that have been made towards the establishment of safe and secure community facilities are critical to the Government’s multi-dimensional agenda to spur…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): The Team Unity Administration still intends to build a new Basseterre High School, says Minister of Education, the Honourable Jonel Powell, during the virtual forum “Leadership Matters” on February 16.He announced that the Cabinet of Ministers approved the pay-out of the initial mobilization funds and that the tendering process for the various aspects of the construction of the new school will begin in a few weeks.“This is a project which has faced some challenges on its own, but it is a project that is in the best interest of not just the students within…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): In what has been seen as six successful years, Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, has said that the Team Unity Government has been working with citizens of the Federation to build a health care system that ensures people first, quality always.Minister Nisbett was at the time speaking at the February 16 edition of the virtual forum “Leadership Matters,” where she highlighted areas of the Ministry of Health that have been improved.She noted that since 2015, Team Unity has built out a programme to reduce Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, heart…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 18, 2021 (SKNIS): During the February 17 National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Press Briefing, medical officials shared with the public that the COVID-19 vaccine will be given in three stages.Medical Chief of Staff at the JNF General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, stated that when determining who will be vaccinated first, the World Health Organization (WHO) has three goals in mind. These include to decrease serious death and serious disease as much as possible, preserve the functioning of society, and reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities.Speaking to the stage approach, the Chief…