Author: SKNISEditor

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JUNE 14, 2024 (SKNIS) – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is moving ahead with the establishment and operationalisation of its Continuing International Due Diligence (CIDD) Unit, further underscoring its continued efforts towards strengthening the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme and further protecting the country’s reputation internationally. The new CIDD unit will be headed by former Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and current Ambassador for the Eastern Caribbean States to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Ian Queeley. In making the announcement during the Friday, June 14 sitting of the National…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 14, 2024 (SKNIS): The Livelihood Improvement for Family Transformation (LIFT) programme will open to new applicants on Monday, June 17, 2024, under an improved management system that promotes transparency, increases efficiency and builds sustainability so that it can achieve the objective of reducing poverty. Minister of State of Social Development and Gender Affairs, the Honourable Isalean Phillip, noted that the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP), which preceded the introduction of LIFT, suffered from many abnormalities. The PAP was a cash transfer programme that provided $500 to households earning less than $3,000 per month. Official statistics indicate that there…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 14, 2024 (SKNIS): In a concerted effort to strengthen the nation’s immigration laws, the Federal Parliament has successfully passed the Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This significant legislation, moved through Parliament by Attorney General, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, complements the recently passed Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2024, and aims to deter the shielding, harbouring, or transportation of smuggled migrants into St Kitts and Nevis. Attorney General Wilkin said that over the past five years, St Kitts and Nevis has experienced a troubling rise in incidents involving smuggled migrants. These individuals have often been intercepted in the Federation’s…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 14, 2024 (SKNIS): The Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2024, was successfully passed in the Federal Parliament in St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday, June 14, 2024. The Bill, championed by Attorney General, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, represents a robust response to the growing issue of migrant smuggling within the Federation’s territorial waters. The legislation aims to deter the smuggling of migrants into St. Kitts and Nevis and aligns national laws with the international Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Attorney General Wilkin…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 14, 2024 (SKNIS) – As the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis takes active steps towards strengthening its laws against the illegal smuggling of migrants through the passage of the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2024, Senator the Honourable Isalean Phillip said she is pleased that the legislation takes into account the rights and protection of the victims involved. The second reading of the Bill was moved by Attorney General, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, during the Friday, June 14, 2024, sitting of the National Assembly. In her contribution to the debate, Minister Phillip said, “We have an obligation…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 13, 2024 (SKNIS): The application process for the government’s primary social programme, Livelihood Improvement for Family Transformation (LIFT), will open for new applicants on Monday, June 17, 2024. The online portal for new applications is lift.gov.kn. It will go live at 9 a.m. and will remain open as registration will be continuous. Persons without internet access or who are not familiar with technology can get in-person assistance at community centres or at the Department of Social Development and Gender Affairs administration office on Victoria Road. Assistance will also be available to seniors by calling the Seniors Services Unit…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 13, 2024 (SKNIS): Azilla Clarke, Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs, presented the operational framework of the LIFT [Livelihood Improvement for Family Transformation] SKN Programme at a press conference on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Solid Waste Management Corporation Conference Room, highlighting its role in supporting vulnerable families. “The LIFT SKN Programme’s application process begins a new phase on June 17, 2024, providing ongoing access for new applicants,” Clarke stated, adding that assistance is available for those needing help with the application process, ensuring inclusivity. PS Clarke noted that…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 13, 2024 (SKNIS): The Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP) in St. Kitts strongly denies the circulating false news regarding a supposed hiring freeze due to financial challenges, categorically stating that the information is completely untrue and misleading. “STEP remains financially sound and continues to be committed to its mission of providing employment opportunities and skill development for the people of St. Kitts,” said the Honourable Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for the STEP. “We are actively engaged in recruiting new participants to join our various training and employment initiatives.” The origin of…

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, 13 June 2024 – Senator the Hon Dr Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment will introduce the National Conservation and Environment Management Bill 2024 in the upcoming National Assembly to be held on Friday 14 June 2024 at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre.  This Bill, last updated in 1987 as the National Conservation and Environment Protection Act (NCEPA), is a long-standing comprehensive legislation that guides the operations of the Department of Environment. It aims to provide for the administration and allocation of responsibilities for managing the environment, conserving biological diversity and natural…