Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 01, 2016 (SKNIS)—Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, is satisfied that his Team Unity Administration has been successful in delivering on several of its campaign promises to the people just two weeks shy of one year since elected to office.
Asked by a caller to the Government’s radio and television programme “Working For You” on January 27 to identify the most rewarding achievement of his administration thus far, Prime Minister Harris said it was “difficult to choose a single element”. He added, “What we have been able to do over the short expanse of an eleven month window and what I am most pleased about is that we have been able not only to transition from a government that had been in place for twenty years or thereabout and take charge of the government, but most importantly we are in a delivery mode.”
Dr Harris indicated that the Government of National Unity has focused on delivering on commitments made in the Team Unity Manifesto through “the formal contract between Team Unity and the people of St Kitts and Nevis and every element of that manifesto, every promise on which we are able to deliver brings gladness to my heart—It means we are keeping our word and we are looking out for the people because this was the basis of the good life.”
The removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from food, medicines and funeral expenses was one of many promises kept by the Team Unity Administration. Others include a gratuitous payment to former employees of the St Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation through a $16 million grant from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, restructuring the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, reforming the People’s Employment Programme (PEP), and the tabling of several pieces of legislation geared at promoting democracy such as the Tenure of Office of Prime Minister Bill and Freedom of Information Bill.
Prime Minister Harris also said that he takes pride in his government’s assistance to small business owners.
“When I see that we have been able to, through a Fresh Start Programme, provide support to over 22 applicants, I feel a sense that it has been worth it for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Harris.
He said he was equally proud that his government has “in 2016, put enough resources in place to ensure that an oncology unit will now be available for the first time in St. Kitts” and expressed delight that persons who fall ill as a result of cancer will now be able to access treatment in the Federation and have the support of family members around them.
Dr. Harris also made mention of the staff and students of the Basseterre High School was also worth mentioning. He said that in just eleven months his government was able to end the burdensome shift system and had succeeded in placing the students in a safe and comfortable temporary structure.
Thanking all the members of his Cabinet for their contribution, Dr. Harris said that all of these achievements have been made possible by the efforts of every member working together as a team.