Published 11 November 2022
Basseterre
Buckie Got It, St Kitts and Nevis News Source
Credit: www.sknnewssource.com
OPPOSITION LEGISLATOR SHAWN RICHARDS embodied what a government parliamentarian Konris Maynard described as a sure sign of a maturing democracy in St Kitts and Nevis.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Ecclesiastical and Faith-Based Affairs, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, had completed his contribution on the second reading of the Evangelistic Faith Church Incorporation St. Kitts Bill, 2022.
Richards rose to his feet and supported the second reading of the governmentโs piece of legislation.
He understood the deep symbolic meaning of what he did.
โIt is not customary in this House to have a member of the Opposition stand and second the reading of a particular piece of legislation Madam Speaker. But indeed, as a church coming from my Constituency, as a church that I can speak to in terms of the impact (and) in terms of the person who leads the church, it gives me great pleasure Madam Speaker to second the reading of this particular piece of legislation and to wish it safe passage,โ MP Richards asserted.
Leader of Government Business, MP Maynard lauded the signature parliamentary moment because he recalled being denied a similar courtesy when he was on the other side of the aisle.
This time, however, โyou have ushered in a brand-new day,โ Minister Maynard admitted to MP Richards.
Recalling the moment, Maynard noted, โalthough I rose to second the first reading, I was about to rise to second the second reading, and I saw that the Member for Constituency 5 had an interest. That is how democracy is supposed to work and good governance, and so we will continue to do that to show that we are serious about bringing our country together.โ
Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency 8, Dr. Terrance Drew, thanked Richards, noting that the show of support in the House is a welcomed departure from the frequent moments of past contentions.
Drew then commended the Evangelistic Faith Church for its service to the community, and fully endorsed the Bill.
Further, the Evangelistic Faith Church St Kitts Incorporation Bill, 2022, was passed on Friday, (November 04, 2022) with support from both sides of the aisle.
Once Gazetted, the Evangelistic Faith Church in Sandy Point will have the power to own land and otherwise have legal standing in Basseterre.
