Nevis To Adopt A New Consultative Process

Charlestown, Nevis (June 28, 2007)

When the Nevis Island Assembly meets in Charlestown on July 09, 2007, as part of its 1st anniversary week of activities, a number of Bills will be down to receive their first and second readings. Legal Advisor in the Nevis Island Administration the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, announced that the Administration had adopted a new consultative process which would allow the public time to contribute to important pieces of legislation before they become law.
 
Mr. Nisbett made the disclosure during a press briefing at the Nevis Island Administration’s Conference Room in Charlestown on Thursday June 28, 2007. He said the public would be given time after the first reading of a Bill to make recommendations they considered to be relevant before they received the second and third readings.
 
“Before we pass certain important bits of legislation we want as a part of the consultative process, that we do the first reading and we allow sometime for the general public to access to the area of legislation so that they could look at it to make whatever recommendations they would consider would be relevant and if it is something that an amendment can facilitate then the government will make the necessary amendment. It is just a part of the process.

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USA Has A Better Understanding Of The Caribbean

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis – June 28th, 2007 (CUOPM)

There is now a much better understanding and appreciation by the United States on the urgency of the steps that are required to expand the economic opportunities for the Caribbean people. So says St. Kitts and Nevis‘ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.

He told Colleague Heads of Government, United States government officials, Ambassadors and public and private sector experts there is also much better understanding and appreciation of the efforts being made on the part of the Caribbean to expand the service sector, in particular the international financial service sector as a prerequisite for economic diversification and enhanced competitiveness.

“It is for this reason that we have underscored the importance of the renewal of the Caribbean Basin Promotion Act and a revitalization of the Trade and Investment Council,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who said that the region continue to emphasise that with the Caribbean accounting for approximately 0.5 percent of total world trade, “any concession provided by USA is hardly likely to have any significant affect on the global economy.”

“We in the Community mindful of the need to level the playing field among the participating countries have established a Development Fund to provide assistance for the lesser developed countries. This is targeted as another possible area for consideration by USA for partnership in strengthening the regional enterprise,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

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Nevis Administration To Celebrate Anniversary

Charlestown, Nevis (June 28, 2007)

The Nevis Island Administration (NIA), announced that it would celebrate its first anniversary in office with a week of activities from July 8-15, 2007, which would include a service of prayer and thanksgiving, a sitting of the Nevis Island Assembly and a report to the people of Nevis on its achievements and continued advances in the development of the island.
 
The Hon. Carlisle Powell, while he led a team which comprised of the Hon. Dwight Cozier, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett Legal Advisor and Mr. Llewellyn Parris, Advisor, told members of the media on Thursday June 28, 2007, at the NIA conference room in Charlestown that the activities were designed to involve the general public.
 
“We [NIA] will start our week of activities with a service of prayer and thanksgiving and this will be held at the Church of God at Eden Brown at 3pm; that same evening we will have an anniversary dinner. On Monday July 9th there will be a meeting of the Nevis Island Assembly. That same evening, we will start a round of public meetings when we will report to the general public on our activities for the year and that first meeting will be held in St. Thomas’.

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Cultural Activities Part Of Special Olympics Experience

Basseterre, St. Kitts (June 27, 2007)

Board members and supporters of the Special Olympics Association are working feverishly to ensure St. Kitts and Nevis is represented at the October World Games slated for Shanghai, China.

National Director of Special Olympics, Clarice Cotton told SKNIS that the local athletes are being prepared to compete in Bocce (pronounced boh-chee), swimming and athletics. In total twelve athletes, four coaches and two delegates are expected to participate.

Ms. Cotton thanked the persons who volunteer time to help prepare the athletes. She made special mention of the persons from Ross University who were working along with the swim team.

The Board will need to raise $120,000.00 to ensure they are a part of the historic games, which run from October 02 to 11. Several activities including an awareness walk have been held to aid this effort. The next fund raising activity takes place on Friday at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

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New St. Kitts – Nevis Finance Administration Bill

Basseterre, St.Kitts – Nevis, June 27th, 2007 (CUOPM)

The St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly is expected to approve on Thursday, “The Finance Administration Bill, 2007,” which seeks to clarify and reform the system for the management  and control of public money.

The Bill, which stands in the name of Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, will also provide for the control of the Consolidated Fund, for the authorization of expenditures, for the establishment of Special Funds and Deposit Funds and for the raising of money by the Government.

The Finance Administration Bill, 2007,” also provides for the management and control of the public debt and the giving of guarantees, for the investment of public money, for the preparation of the Public Accounts and for the governance of statutory bodies, thus clarifying the budgeting and reporting obligations of statutory bodies.

Part II, which deals with the Control and Management of Public Finance, lays out the responsibilities and powers of the Minister of Finance, the Financial Secretary, the Accountant General, accounting officers and delegates of accounting officers and public officers.

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