St. Kitts – Nevis

St. Kitts – Nevis’ ITC Has Trained Over 500 Workers

St. Kitts - Nevis Informnation Training Centre

St. Kitts – Nevis Informnation Training Centre
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
July 23, 2008 (CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is hailing the success to date of his government’s continued development of the information and communication technology capabilities of its people.

Prime Minister Douglas said not only are persons with a secondary and tertiary level education has access to training at the newly-established National Information and Communications Technology Center, but also workers on the industrial estates who are trained free of cost.

He said with the completion of the establishment of computer labs in both primary and secondary schools and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, the Republic of China on Taiwan-financed National Information and Communications Technology Centre at the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Park, has trained over 500 persons in the past seven months.

“Some 143 civil servants have been trained in e-administration or e-government, Webmail, Website, SPSS Course and Word, Excel, Access ““ Fundamentals for Works.  Twenty (20) teachers have been trained in Capacity Building for Technology in Schools; 45 persons from the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College have been trained in Creating E-Commerce Websites; and 40 workers from the industrial sites have been trained in Word processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, etc,” Dr. Douglas, who is also Minister of Information and Technology disclosed.

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St. Kitts – Nevis Represented at PetroCaribe Summit

St. Kitts - Nevis Delegation For The PETROCARIBE Summit

The St. Kitts – Nevis Delegation For The 2008 PetroCaribe Summit
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
July 16, 2008 (CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis is among 17 Caribbean and Central America nations that will make down payments of only 40 percent on Venezuelan oil, while cooperating to expand their food supply, and calling on the North to take measures to curb speculation on futures markets, which is resulting in surging crude prices.

“Petrocaribe must become an anti-crisis shield to protect us from hunger,” Venezuelan President His Excellency, Hugo Chávez who hosted the Fifth Summit of this South-South alliance is quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Douglas led the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation which included Minister of Public Utilities, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin; Chief Secretary, Mr. Joseph Edmeade; Representative of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Levi Bradshaw and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Mr. Oaklyn Peets.

Not only Energy ministers will attend Petrocaribe meetings in future. At the summit, held in the city of Maracaibo, 600 kilometres west of Caracas, a Council of Agriculture Ministers was created, which is to meet for the first time on July 30 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Petrocaribe was created in 2005 as a Venezuelan initiative to supply fuels, as well as extend payment facilities and logistical and technical help, to neighbouring countries that are net oil importers.

Under the Petrocaribe agreement, Venezuela has been sending 92,000 barrels per day (bpd) to Cuba and has made available up to 135,000 bpd for the other countries, although the effective demand has been 86,000 bpd, according to Venezuelan Energy Minister His Excellency Rafael Ramírez.

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Labour Party Highlights Achievements Of Astaphan

The Honourable Dwyer Astaphan

The Honourable Dwyer Astaphan

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
July 16, 2008 (CUOPM)

Chairman of the governing St. Kitts – Nevis Labour Party, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris has highlighted several achievements of outgoing Minister of National Security, Immigration and Labour, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan and has expressed confidence that he will remain firmly committed to the causes and programme of the Labour Movement in general, and to the members of his Constituency in particular.

“His service to both country and party is worthy of the highest commendation,” said Dr. Harris, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, industry and Consumer Affairs,  in his statement issued on Tuesday.

Dr. Harris said that the challenge for Minister Astaphan to take on the task of contesting for election to parliament was one that was presented to him, not one that he had sought after, it was a matter which caused him deep soul searching and lengthy consideration.

“Persons who were involved recall the numerous meetings and lengthy discussions which took place before Mr. Astaphan eventually agreed to accept “˜the call.’ Once he had accepted the challenge it became clear to everyone that he gave it his all and he did so at considerable personal sacrifice. This included giving up his personal law practice and the level of remuneration which it provided. Even more importantly it meant putting his name and reputation on the line,” noted the Labour Party Chairman.

He added: “From the very outset opposition elements launched against him personal attacks that were as vicious as they were unrelenting. Through it all he has defended himself with honour and dignity. During his public life he has experienced personal tragedy which he has borne with grace and equanimity.”

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St. Kitts – Nevis Reviews Minimum Wage Draft

PM Douglas Speaks At Labour Day Parade - March 2008

PM Douglas Speaks At Labour Day March
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
July 16, 2008 (CUOPM)

The St. Kitts and Nevis Cabinet has received the first draft of the Review of the Minimum Wage.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas also said that his St. Kitts – Nevis Labour Government is fully capable of transforming the economy of the twin-island Federation.

Dr. Douglas disclosed that the Minister of Labour has informed Cabinet that the first draft from the stakeholders who are looking at the review and the increase in the minimum wage has been received.

“Our people need to ensure that they can have an increase in the minimum wage so that they can be better able to cope with the cost of living. Your Government is ensuring that this will happen shortly,” said Prime Minister Douglas who added that his Government must also ensure that the Private Sector is engaged fully as a partner in nation building while in pursuit of positive margins of operations.

“Creativity within the Private Sector is key. Certainly, it is important to review wages and salaries and to come to a solution without adding to inflationary pressures,” said Dr. Douglas.

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