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Crime/Justice, Local news, News

HMP INMATES TESTIFY TO SUCCESS OF PROJECT STOP ‘N’ THINK

Published 13 April 2017

Travis DuPorte embraces Dr. Chitan

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 11, 2017 (SKNIS): Several inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) have thanked the Ministry of National Security in St. Kitts, as well as Crime Reduction Specialist, Dr. Neals Chitan for believing that they can change and equipping them with behavioural and coping strategies to achieve this.

Thirty of the men graduated from the 10-week Project Stop ‘n’ Think programme created by Dr. Chitan, which explored the roots of crime and used various techniques that encouraged the participants to “always stop and think before you proceed.” The graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, April 08, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Basseterre.

Marius Webbe, who is presently serving a 30-year sentence, described the intervention by Dr. Chitan as “much needed,” noting that it brought a measure of hope to himself and his peers. The inmate also credited Superintendent of Prisons, Mr. Junie Hodge, and his staff for reinforcing the rehabilitation and reform agenda at HMP. Mr. Webbe described Project Stop ‘n’ Think as an excellent complementary programme.

“I say to Mr. Chitan, you are an inspirer, a go getter and one who we have adopted as a mentor, a father. Thank you for giving me my hope back and [on behalf] of our residents, I say you are our guiding light,” Mr. Webbe stated.

Wycliffe Liburd shared similar sentiments as Webbe, while adding that the inmates were challenged to reflect on past missteps and on who they are. He became emotional while sharing his thoughts and apologized to his mother for disappointing her by being in prison, rather than having an honest job and contributing productively to society.

Travis DuPorte and Raheem Crossley also gave positive reviews of the programme and said they were committed to leading more positive lives and helping others to do the same.

Dr. Chitan said he enjoyed working with the inmates and learnt from them during the weekly sessions, which often ran longer than scheduled. He encouraged the general public to give the persons who are eligible for release a second chance as they reintegrate into society.

Local news, News

MINISTER HAMILTON REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF HOUSING PROJECT IN CAYON

Published 13 April 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2017 (SKNIS): The Team Unity Administration’s highly acclaimed Unity Housing Solutions Programme is moving apace with the construction of the first 15 of the 300 homes that are set to be built throughout St. Kitts.

Touring Cunningham Heights in Cayon, where the first 15 homes will be built, Minister of Human Settlement, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, assured that he will be visiting the construction site regularly to monitor at the progress. He added that homes will also be constructed in other areas, namely, Sandy Point, Newton Ground, Tabernacle, Dieppe Bay, Mansion, Saddlers, Stapleton, Conaree, Molinueax, Challengers and Basseterre.

“Within a short time, we should have over 100 such projects on stream. I know that in Pine Gardens, Taylor’s and [Buckley’s], they have already done some excavation work there to do some town houses,” said Minister Hamilton, adding that nine contractors were hired to construct the homes at Cunningham Heights.

Project Consultant, Warren Thompson, revealed that construction activities in the next month should begin in Sandy Point, Challengers, Saddlers, Mansion, Tabernacle and Molinueax. He outlined that town houses will be built in the Basseterre area, while the rural area will consist of bungalows.

Mr. Thompson said that outside of acquiring a house, a number of other persons stand to benefit from the programme.

“We have job creation and of course a boost for the economy. Business owners are now able to boost their businesses [such as] TDC and S.L. Horsfords. Even small suppliers are now gaining from this initiative, and not just the suppliers, but equipment owners, truckers, backhoes – they are all gaining presently from this programme,” said Mr. Thompson. “Within the construction industry, you have professionals [surveyors] who are also gaining from the initiative. Most of all, it is something that helps to grow the economy. Generally, that is the biggest thing for us.”

The project consultant stated that an important aspect to note is the bigger size of the houses in terms of designs and layouts.

“Major positives based on the designs and the costs of the homes [are the fact that] the bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms are bigger, and owners will be paying less. So it is quite a lot of positives and to see the actual work now progressing, I think it really raises the interest of people who have been waiting so long, and it also raises their confidence in the government in terms of delivery,” he said. “The way the construction is being done, having supervisors on site at all times, ensures quality and durability on the construction.”

The housing initiative kicked off on March 01, 2017, with a groundbreaking at Cunningham Heights. The style of the new homes will remain the same as previous NHC homes. However, the significant difference is in the size. The dimensions have increased from 780 square feet to 862 square feet. The bedroom sizes have increased from 12×9 to 12×14. The bathroom sizes have also increased from 40 square feet to 56 square feet. The houses will be painted and tiled, and kitchen cupboards and other features will be installed.

Business, Education, Local news, News

EMPLOYERS MUST COMPLY WITH LAW FOR WORK PERFORMED ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, SAYS LABOUR DEPARTMENT

http://sknis.kn/employers-must-comply-with-law-for-work-performed-on-national-holidays-says-labour-department/ #

Published 13 April 2017

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2017 (SKNIS): Officials at the Department of Labour have issued a reminder to all employers and employees stating that any work that was undertaken on Monday, April 10, after 12 p.m. and up to 11:59 p.m. is to be paid at double the normal rate.

This was due to Monday being declared a public half holiday to commemorate the passing of former Governor General, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian. As outlined in the Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 35 of 2008, The Labour (Minimum Wage) (National Minimum Wage) Order 2008, the overtime rate to be paid to a worker for a public holiday, is double the rate in respect of the hours worked.

Acting Commissioner of Labour, Shernel James, stated that the Department of Labour has received complaints from some employees that their employers/management are refusing to comply with the laws of the land. She said that any employee, who is paid by the hour or by the day, must be paid two times the regular amount for any work performed during the 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. period.

For example, if Sarah, who earns minimum wage of $9 per hour, was asked to work from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, then her pay for the four hours during the period would be $72 instead of the regular pay of $36. Similarly, if John earns a wage calculated at $13 per hour, and worked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. then he would be paid at the regular rate for the first three hours, which is $39. The remaining five hours would be calculated at $26 per hour, which add up to $130.

The same applies to the half holiday observed on March 23, 2017, observed for the passing of former Governor of the Associated States of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla, His Excellency Sir Probyn Inniss. Additionally, any hours worked during Good Friday (April 14) and Easter Monday (April 17) will attract double pay as they are public holidays.

Acting Labour Commissioner James strongly urged employers and their representatives to comply with the law in ensuring that workers, who would have performed duties during the period outlined, be appropriately and fairly remunerated. Additional information is available by visiting the Department of Labour on Church Street or by telephone 762-1029 or 662-2075.

Local news, News

Nevis Premier applauds Federation’s top UNESCO representative for efforts

http://timescaribbeanonline.com/nevis-premier-applauds-federations-top-unesco-representative-efforts/ #

Published 13 April 2017

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 12, 2017) — Premier of Nevis Hon. Vance Amory, applauded the work of Dr. David Doyle, the Federation’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) based in France and Honorary Consul, for bringing international attention to the history and heritage of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Dr. Doyle met with Premier Amory at his Pinney’s Estate office on April 11, 2017. He later met with the World Heritage Committee, the group spearheading the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) efforts to get historic Charlestown listed as a World Heritage Site by 2020.

He said the Federation’s UNESCO Representative has been assisting the committee in mapping its way forward and the critical issues they have to deal with to accomplish the stated goal.

In response, the UNESCO Representative said his visit was an important one in which he would brief the dedicated committee on both the technical and administrative they would need to undertake over the next 2-2 ½ years with very clear and tight deadlines.

“We need to make sure that we prepare a structured and very well prepared submission for the city of Charlestown which has an enormous number of heritage benefits, notably Alexander and other related historical characteristics.

“Going forward, we are going to be looking to raise funding over the next couple of months to bring in a number of experts to work alongside us, in helping us and mentoring us, in terms of the very substantive dossier we need to put together between now and February 2019, potentially, for a decision in June 2020,” he said.

Meantime, Dr. Doyle also addressed an unrelated matter pertaining to tourism while on Nevis. He pointed to a group of French golfers who would be visiting Nevis in December for the fourth year in a row on a golf cruise. He said they play golf at the Four Seasons Resort and return with great enthusiasm every year.

Dr. Doyle said the visit is one of many activities and initiatives undertaken in a bid to raise the profile of Nevis as a tourism and a golf destination.

At the end of his meeting with Mr. Amory, a thankful Mr. Doyle said he looked forward to continuing discussions going forward.

While on Nevis he also met with Hon. Mark Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation in the Federal Government.

Before his departure from Nevis, Mr. Doyle made a presentation at a STEP (Society in Trust in Estate Practitioners) (Nevis) Professional Development Seminar at the Red Cross Building in Charlestown.

Mr. Doyle was accompanied on his visit to Nevis by Mr. Antonio Maynard Secretary General of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO.

Local news, News

St Kitts Cricket Association Took Decision For Non Participation By Under 15 Cricketers In This Year’s Tournament- Says Sport’s Minister Shawn Richards

http://www.freedomskn.com/st-kitts-cricket-association-took-decision-for-non-participation-by-under-15-cricketers-in-this-years-tournament-says-sports-minister-shawn-richards/ #

Published 13 April 2017

Minister of Sports the Honorable Shawn K Richards is responding to the claim made by the representative for Constituency #3, Honorable Konris Maynard that the government and by extension the minister of Sports have taken a decision which has prevented the under 15 cricket team from participating in cricket games played in Anguilla, thereby preventing the team from defending their championship.

Richards pointed out that neither the Team Unity Government nor the Minister of Sports, “have done absolutely anything to prevent the Under 15 team from participation in the games”. Richards said he checked with his Permanent Secretary and the Director of Sports, and “no correspondence has come before us asking for any type of assistance for the team to be able to travel.”

Richards revealed that further checks with the St. Kitts Cricket Association and the information given to him clearly states that it was “a decision taken by the St. Kitts Cricket Association not to have the St. Kitts under 15 team participate in the games in Anguilla. The Association looked at a number of factors and came to that particular decision”.

Richards lamented that politicians bent on peddling mischief should get their facts right by speaking to the appropriate authorities.