Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS): Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, The Honourable Dr Terrance Drew, the Cabinet convened on Monday, January 13, 2025, for the first meeting of the New Year. This session set the tone for a year of progress, innovation, and commitment to improving the well-being of our citizens.
The meeting began on a high note with a spiritual invocation led by Bishop Cyprian Williams of the New Birth Gospel Tabernacle. Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 61, Bishop Williams shared words of wisdom and prayed for the safety, health, discernment, and togetherness of the Cabinet as they continue to diligently serve the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Prime Minister Drew extended New Year greetings to the Cabinet and congratulated the nation on the resounding success of the Sugar Mas 53. He highlighted a remarkable 200 per cent increase in visitor arrivals compared to the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels—a testament to our growing appeal as a premier destination. The prime minister also commended our security forces for their exceptional efforts in maintaining public safety throughout the Christmas and Carnival season.
A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation by the Honourable Attorney-General, Garth Wilkin, Chair of the Interministerial Sustainable Road Safety Committee. The Committee held its first official meeting in October 2024 and is dedicated to transforming road safety in St. Kitts and Nevis with the mission to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities to zero by 2030.
The initial urgent recommendations for enhancing road safety include the strategic construction of speed bumps in high-risk areas to deter reckless driving and reduce vehicle speeds. Legislative amendments are proposed to facilitate the implementation of automatic ticketing systems, enabling high-tech monitoring of speeding and red-light violations. Additionally, stiffer penalties for traffic violations are recommended, encompassing increased fines, demerit point deductions, and license suspensions for repeat offenders.
To further improve safety, enhanced road markings and upgraded signage at roundabouts are suggested to aid navigation and prevent accidents. The next steps for the Road Safety Agenda include conducting site visits to traffic accident hot spots, to assess conditions firsthand and implementing urgent recommendations in collaboration with private sector partners. Public consultations will be facilitated to ensure inclusive decision-making, while traffic data will be analysed and supplemented with professional consultations to inform proposed measures. Ultimately, a comprehensive project proposal will be drafted, reviewed by the Cabinet, and published for implementation.
Other Committee members present included:
Cromwell Henry, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Licensing Authority
Daryll Lloyd, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Kevin Liddie, Chairman, Traffic Safety & Public Drivers Board
Bervin Daniel, Traffic Lights Technician, Public Works Department
Cabinet Secretary Dr Marcus L Natta provided an update on the Budget Boost Wallet (BBW) programme, officially launched on January 11, 2025. This temporary financial support initiative aims to alleviate the burden of global inflation on vulnerable households. The programme offers EC$1,500 in direct assistance over six months to individuals earning EC$5,000 or less per month, helping them to manage essential expenses such as groceries, household goods, and utilities. With over 22,000 residents poised to benefit, the Budget Boost Wallet exemplifies the Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party Administration’s commitment to economic stabilisation and growth. This initiative is made possible through a public-private partnership involving the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Social Security Board, and JAD Cash. For more information or to apply, visit the programme’s official website: http://budgetboostwallet.jad.cash.
Thank you for joining us for this week’s Post-Cabinet Briefing. Your continued engagement fuels our collective progress. Stay tuned for updates as we work together to propel St. Kitts and Nevis towards a brighter and more prosperous future.