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Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2016 (SKNIS): The Honourable Shawn Richards, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, described his first year in office as one that has borne many achievements.

 

The deputy prime minister made these remarks on the Government’s weekly radio and television programme “Working for You” on Wednesday, February 17.

 

“As I reflect upon this the first year in office, first of all I must say it is one of gratitude. One in which we give gratitude to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for allowing us to be their servants, their Government,” Honourable Richards said. “It is also one in which I feel a sense of satisfaction. Satisfaction in that when we reflect on the last year, we are indeed quite happy with several of the achievements that we have had to date.”

 

He noted that the Government has been able to implement a number of promises owed to the people of the Federation. “Promises which have been able to positively influence the livelihood of citizens here in St. Kitts and Nevis,” he said.

 

Honourable Richards noted that the Government has received feedback from a number of persons in society with regards to the implementation of certain initiatives.

 

“We have heard similar stories from persons who have been impacted by some of the positive changes which we have made, be it parents, teachers or students who have said to me that they are in a much more comfortable environment at the Basseterre High School,” the deputy prime minister stated. “Similarly, we have received a similar feedback by the over 2000 persons who have benefited from the EC$ 16 million which was paid to former sugar workers.”

 

With respect to the Ministry of Youth, the minister stated that his dedicated team is now in the process of getting the youth policy implemented.

 

“We have had thus far one consultation taking place and we are hoping to go to Nevis very shortly,” said the Minister of Youth. “We have several more consultations which will take place before the implementation.”

 

Other achievements highlighted by the minister are the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from food, medicine and funeral expenses, the temporary Basseterre High School, the creation of new jobs and the improvement in cost of living with the removal of surcharge from electricity. He noted that with this removal persons, business places and individual consumers have been able to benefit. A very significant achievement as recent as Thursday, February 18, was the launch of ICT Governance Board and official Website of St. Kitts and Nevis, at the Ocean Terrace Inn.