Debt Cut By Half…Still A Burden
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 04, 2014 (CUOPM)
St. Kitts and Nevis‘ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has urged nationals and residents of the twin-island Federation to continue to work with the administration.
“We are well placed to finish the job and create a society and economy that would bring pride and joy to every Kittitian and Nevisian. We are building a society replete with opportunities for every citizen to realize his or her reasonable goal and aspiration,” said Dr. Douglas in his New Year’s address to the Nation.
He noted that the road the St. Kitts – Nevis government has taken has been long and courageous.
“There are challenges, but the Government, with its years of experience and demonstrated competence, is on an almost continuous basis surveying the domestic, regional and global environment to identify threats and risks to our economy with a view towards taking pre-emptive action to protect our people. We are now focused on strengthening our democracy and securing continued peace and stability for our nation. We understand that at this stage of our development instability is the greatest threat to our continued economic and social progress. We believe that we are best suited to promote peace, stability and progress in our nation,” said the Prime Minister.
Pointing to the government’s strong record of performance and delivery, Prime Minister Douglas noted that at the beginning of this term in office, the 4th consecutive term, there were several challenges.
“We promised to reduce the debt; we have cut it in half in a few short years ““ an achievement that no other country in the world can boast of at this time. We promised to reduce inflation, it is now well within the norms of even the most advanced countries. We promised to fight crime; the crime rate has dropped dramatically and is continuing on a downward path. We promised you a more reliable electricity supply; power outages have dropped dramatically and are now virtually non-existent. We promised housing for every discerning family; and even though over the last 18 years we have built virtually one house in every two days, we shall continue to build, and build until every one’s appropriately sheltered. We promised to get rid of fiscal deficits; we have obliterated the bank overdraft that attracted so much attention and we now boast of big overall surpluses and healthy bank balances. We promise economic growth and I am sure that if you have taken time to look around throughout this festive season you would have seen the evidence of growth all around,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He added that the Government is well placed to finish the job and create a society and economy that would bring pride and joy to every Kittitian and Nevisian.
“We are building a society replete with opportunities for every citizen to realize his or her reasonable goal and aspiration. As a Government we urge you to work with us, and we will continue to work for you, for every citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Dr. Douglas said in wishing all a Happy New Year and God’s blessing on each.