Government

Nevis Health Minister Speaks Out On Climate Change

Nevis Health Minister Daniel

Nevis Health Minister Daniel
Photo by Erasmus Williams

Charlestown Nevis
April 7, 2008
Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration, the Hon. Hensley Daniel says this year’s theme for World Health Day, April 7th, 2008 is of particular importance to Nevis.  He said given its small size and the possible negative impact of climate change the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) had taken steps to protect the health of its citizens in light of changes in recent weather patterns.
 
Mr. Daniel made the statement while he delivered a televised address in observance of World Health Day, Monday April 7, 2008. This year’s theme is “˜Protecting Health from Climate Change.’
 
“Since coming to office in July 2006 the new NRP government has introduced an Environmental Work Programme to improve the aesthetic value of the country and maintain a clean and healthy environment.  We have re-organised the Solid Waste Management Corporation and improved efficiency in the collection and disposal of garbage.
 
“We must ensure that ghauts and drains remain open to allow for run-off and prevent flooding.  Constant weather events, variable climates that affect food and water supplies, new patterns of infectious diseases outbreaks, and emerging diseases linked to ecosystems changes, are all associated with global warming and pose serious health risks,” he said.

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St. Kitts – Nevis Supports Finacial Services Sector

Fidela Clarke

Fidela Clarke
Photo by Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
April 8, 2008 (CUOPM)

Although significant achievements have been made in the regulation of the St. Kitts and Nevis Financial Services sector since the removal of the twin-island Federation from the OECD and FATF Blacklists, several measures are to be taken to ensure a favourable assessment later this year.

Financial Secretary, Mrs. Janet Harris and Director General/Regulator of the St. Kitts Financial Services, Ms. Fidela Clarke, informed the St. Kitts and Nevis Cabinet on Monday of areas which demand immediate attention that fall within the remit of various government agencies including the Legal Department, the Financial Services Commission, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Customs and Excise Department, and the Police Department if Saint Kitts and Nevis is to achieve a favourable assessment.

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St. Kitts – Nevis Removes Tax On Some Food Items

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
April 8, 2008 (CUOPM)

Consumers in St. Kitts and Nevis will now be paying less for 10 items ranging from canned foods to corn flakes and pampers.

The St. Kitts – Nevis Government on Monday ordered the removal of consumption tax to reduce the cost of living on several food items and pampers.

Minister of State for Information, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty said Cabinet removed the consumption tax on chicken, cheese, pasta, canned corn beef, Raisin bran corn flakes, sardines, soyabean oil, tinned tuna, Vienna sausage, margarine, tomato ketchup and diapers for babies and adults.

“The consumption tax usually applied to these products ranges from 15% to 22.5%, hence the removal of the consumption tax will yield significant savings for consumers. Some of these items will also very shortly be subjected to a further reduction in price through the removal of another tax called the CET or the Common External Tariff,” said Minister Carty.

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Caribbean Leaders To Combat Rising Regional Crime

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
April 08,2008 (CUOPM)

Caribbean leaders have agreed on a number of measures to combat rising crime in the region.

St. Kits and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and other Caribbean leaders during the 13th Special Meeting in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on 4-5 April 2008 ventilated the crime and security issues facing the Region and to agreed on a Strategy and Plan of Action to stem the rising tide of violent criminality.

Heads of Government received proposals from the Extra-ordinary Joint Meeting of the Standing Committees of Commissioners of Police and of Military Chiefs; the Security Policy and Advisory Committee (SEPAC); and the Council of Ministers with Responsibility for National Security and Laws Enforcement (CONSLE).

It was agreed that, building on the legacy of the success of the Security Co-operation arrangements put in place for the Cricket World Cup 2007, some of the elements would be upgraded and expanded on a permanent basis.

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Nevis Statistics Symposium Was Productive

Charlestown, Nevis
April 04, 2008

Director of statistics in the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Ms. Laurel Bain in her presentation at a Statistics Symposium organized by the Department of Statistics and Economic Planning on Nevis, hailed the Symposium a long but productive process. Ms. Bain made the comment on April 1, 2008, while she gave a comprehensive analysis to establish progress made about the importance of statistics across the region.
 
She said over a long period, efforts were made to improve statistics in the region, with numerous reports made and recommendations put forward but implementations were lagged. Notwithstanding, renewed efforts were made to strengthened statistics as the monetary council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) deliberated in 2007, for renewed efforts to be made to strengthen statistics, in light of the challenges.
 
“The Monetary Council agreed that a strategic approach to policy making was a prerequisite for sustainable growth and development in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) member countries. [Therefore] The monetary council recommended a number of measures to enhance the policy making process in the ECCU, which included the strengthening of the statistics offices and enhanced the statistical systems for data gathering, processing and dissemination.” Ms. Bain said.

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