Author: SKNISEditor

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 19, 2024 (SKNIS): A giant 33×46 foot flag of St. Kitts and Nevis carried by members of the Scouts fittingly punctuated the 41st Independence Day Ceremonial Parade held at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium on Thursday, September 19, 2024. The flag display was a new addition to the traditional parade and drew tremendous applause from spectators. Hundreds of citizens braved the intense heatwave gripping the Federation and turned out in various wear bearing the national colours to enjoy the impressive display of drills by troops on parade. The armed units featured three platoons from the St.…

My fellow citizens, residents, friends from near and far, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! When we speak of independence, the word “freedom” naturally springs to mind. We hear phrases like “charting our own path” or “making our own decisions.” And rightfully so. But it beckons a deeper reflection—that true independence begins as an idea, a concept, a state of mind. It is this belief, this mindset, that propels us to achieve independence in its most tangible forms. Today, I stand before you on the grounds of what was once Bayford’s Estate in St. Peter’s Parish. From this vantage point, freedom takes on…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS): The National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis has passed the Judge Alone Trials Bill, 2024, marking a significant step toward enhancing the efficiency and equity of the criminal justice system. The Bill was moved through the Assembly by the Honourable Garth Wilkin, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, and it received widespread support from Members of Parliament during the debate. The Honourable Garth Wilkin, in leading the debate, highlighted that the Bill aims to introduce judge-alone trials in the High Court for appropriate criminal matters. The Bill seeks…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS): In a historic step toward enhancing judicial efficiency, the Voluntary Bill of Indictment Bill, 2024, was successfully passed in the National Assembly on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The Bill, first introduced on July 05, 2024, was spearheaded through the House by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Garth Wilkin. The Voluntary Bill of Indictment Bill aims to streamline legal proceedings by allowing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to directly bring serious criminal cases to trial without the need for preliminary hearings in the Magistrate’s Court. This…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS) – The dream of homeownership is coming closer to reality for many persons across St. Kitts, as East Coast Housing Development and the National Housing Corporation (NHC) are moving ahead with the buildout of phase one of the housing programme. Two climate-smart model homes were previously built and handed over to two deserving families—one in Conaree and the other in Taylor’s Village. Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew visited a site in St. Peter’s today, September 18, where land is being cleared for home construction. Dr. Drew expressed his elation in this…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS): The 41st Independence Ceremonial Parade takes place tomorrow, (Thursday) September 19, at 8:00 a.m. at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium. The general public is invited to go out in their numbers wearing national colours to witness the parade that will feature precision military drills and several special demonstrations. This year’s parade will be led by Captain Livingston Generlette of the Infantry Unit of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), who is honoured to command it for the first time. “It’s a heavy feat to carry but I will be doing my very best…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance M. Drew, has assured the public that the much-anticipated desalination plant at the Canada Estate will be commissioned within the next few weeks. This announcement was made during his remarks in the National Assembly on September 18, 2024. Prime Minister Dr. Drew addressed growing concerns over water security, a critical issue that has plagued the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis in recent years. He expressed confidence in the swift action taken by the government over the past two years to address…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS): On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis passed the Proceeds of Crime and Asset Recovery (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill, which aims to strengthen the country’s legal framework for combating financial crimes and recovering assets obtained through illegal activities, was moved through the National Assembly by the Honourable Garth Wilkin, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs. In his debate, Attorney General Wilkin outlined the importance of enhancing the country’s proceeds of crime and asset recovery infrastructure. He emphasised the critical need for St.…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS) – On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly passed two important pieces of legislation: the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Non-Government Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2024. These bills enhance compliance with international obligations regarding anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing, aligning the Federation’s legislative framework more closely with global best practices. . The amendments made to both the Companies Act Cap. 21.03 and the Non-Government Organisations Act Chapter 20.5.9 were moved through the Honourable House by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew. He stated…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 18, 2024 (SKNIS) – Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, paid a visit to the site of the new climate-smart J. N. France General Hospital on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, where the land is being cleared to facilitate soil testing and other environmental assessments. Accompanied by Special Advisor to the Government, Ambassador His Excellency Leon Natta-Nelson, Prime Minister Dr. Drew reiterated the urgent need for the construction of a climate-resilient medical facility, amidst the growing challenges posed by climate change. “The reason why we have chosen this as our first major project is because we…