The overcast sky as Monday drew to a close gave the indication that residents of St. Kitts could expect overnight rains but without any advisory being given no one could predict the deluge that proved to be simply too much for the already saturated ground in St. Pauls, Old Road and the Basseterre. The lack of high winds was no impediment to the strong tropical weather systems that buffeted these islands for several hours. Too m...

The inclement weather experienced on Monday exacted a heavy toll of the residents of several communities as they were forced to deal with the consequences normally expected from hurricanes and for which they have the opportunity to prepare. Monday’s deluge came without any warning from the government’s meteorological office or from NEMA. It is inexcusable that a weather event of this nature could have simple appeared out of the blue without any opportunity for people to be told up to the evening news time on Monday to expect severe weather. In these modern times severe weather can be forecast often well in advance. The people in Old Road, St. Pauls, Basseterre and other communities were sweeping out mud and other debris on Tuesday in sweltering heat without even a cold drink because electricity, among other services, was off for nearly 24 hours. In Old Road in particular residents were covered in up to four feet of mud, silt, stones and other debris. Station Street, an area well known to be a waterway whenever there is heavy rain, became a swift running river soiling homes and businesses from the hillside above the road.

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT I SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT FOR ANSWER BY THE VARIOUS MINISTERS OF GOVERNMENT 1. Eugene Hamilton (Constituency 8): To ask the Minister of National Security (a) if the report of the inquiry of the police sit out has been received (b) Whether he would consider tabling it in Parliament so that the lessons of the inquiry can be learnt by members of Parliament (c) Would he also list the recommendations of ...

Summer Football Camp The St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association, (SKNFA) wishes to remind all parents/guardians who are desirous of having their children/wards attend the SKNFA's annual Summer Football Camp that registration is still opened, and will be closed shortly. There is a registration fee of th...

The words of Langston Hughes echoed and re-echoed in the message brought by the Hon. Ashworth Jack, Minority Leader in the Trinidad and Tobago House of Assembly and political leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP). He was speaking at the 45th Annual Convention of the Opposition People’s Action Movement of St. Kitts on Sunday July 4, 2010. “Dream big dreams,” he advised, “for big dreams and small dreams cost the same.” He spoke of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of the USA and Nelson Mandela of South Africa who had big dreams and who had many severe challenges to overcome, but had brought their countries to the mountain top because they held fast to their dreams. “You must understand the valley and the mountain top to understand success...In the valley we find strength....See the valley as a blessing, not as a curse...it is a time to plan... a time to look at weaknesses and ask ‘How can I improve?’...Life without challenges is a life not worth living!”

The freight train of VAT is barreling towards this Federation on course for November 1st regardless of the legitimate concerns of interested stakeholders like the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Instead of listening to good advice, which this Labour Administration never does or the federation would have had better economic management, the prime minister is hell bent of telling tall tale about the effect of the VAT. The cost of living, the public is repeatedly told, will not rise because so many taxes will not replaced, items will be zero rated and items will be exempt. Nevermind the ordinary consumer will be forced to pay taxes for the first time for basic necessary services like vehicle insurance or even utilities provided by the government. The deception being perpetrated on ordinary people is threefold. In the first place those taxes being replaced are not going away which is the impression being given by the government. What will happen, just in time for Christmas, is that eleven (11) of the twelve (12) taxes being repealed are well below the 17% of VAT.