BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JANUARY 4TH 2007 (CUOPM)
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will hold fast to social policies that positively influence or impact economic growth and development in the pursuit of sustainable economic growth.
“We must ensure that vulnerable groups in our society are not further marginalised, but rather are empowered to elevate themselves. This is why we are currently embarked upon a Country Poverty Assessment Study aimed at scientifically establishing the scale and nature of poverty in our Federation with a view towards developing even more targeted poverty reduction programmes,” said St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas.
He said another critical issue of relevance to the Federation’s ability to achieve sustainable economic growth is the issue of crime, which can undermine much of the social and economic progress that has been made, and certainly impact individual quality of life, and the investment climate in the country.
“The approaches that will be undertaken in 2007 and beyond include the modernization of the Police Force to enhance capability and capacity, the implementation of special youth programs aimed at addressing behavioral problems, and to address economic and social related issues of youth and violence,” said Dr. Douglas, who added that his Government will continue the implementation of the Child Development Project, which includes the construction of the co-ed Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre at Harris Village