Local news

Published 28 May 2017

UPGRADES TO BLACK ROCKS TO ENHANCE BOTH VISITOR AND VENDOR EXPERIENCE

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 23, 2017 (SKNIS): The comprehensive upgrades to be delivered at Black Rocks will “definitely enhance both visitor and vendor experience and comfort and raise the profile of this iconic venue.”

These were the words of Minister of Tourism, Honourable Lindsay Grant, during his address at a sitting of Parliament on May 23, 2017, stating that his ministry has renewed the focus on community tourism and “our sustained efforts to grow tourism related initiatives in the rural areas to diversify out of Basseterre.”

“For this we are very optimistic that the refurbished Black Rocks will translate into improved working conditions and an increased number of entrepreneurs at the site,” he said.

One of the goals of the enhancement of the area is to promote sustainable livelihoods to the residents in the nearby communities, particularly by creating an enabling environment to increase visits by the taxi and tour companies, said the minister.

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Published 28 May 2017

FULL POTENTIAL OF “DE STRIP” TO BE REALIZED THROUGH THE SOUTH FRIGATE BAY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 23, 2017 (SKNIS): Refurbishment of the South Frigate Bay Area, specifically in the region of “De Strip”, continues to progress, says Minister of Tourism, Honourable Lindsay Grant, during a sitting of Parliament on May 23, adding that efforts are being made for the “De Strip” to realize its full potential.

“De Strip” is currently home to approximately twelve business establishments, each offering entertainment, tropical beach bars and restaurants.

Minister Grant said that despite its current popularity, development of the strip was “not as deliberate as it could have been. Additionally, owing to a number of unfortunate incidents at the venue, there have been concerns regarding the safety and the security of patrons and operators and certainly there was definitely room for improvement.”

The Ministry of Tourism therefore commissioned a report by APLOMB360, which provided an analysis of the existing conditions, he said. It then made recommendations on what could be done to realize the full potential of the major attraction.

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Published 28 May 2017

COASTAL EROSION MITIGATION PROJECT SOON TO BE REACTIVATED

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 23, 2017 (SKNIS): The enhancement of the beaches at South Frigate Bay and Friars Bay has not been forgotten as plans to reactivate the Coastal Erosion Mitigation Project are in the works, says Minister of Tourism, Honourable Lindsay Grant, during a sitting of Parliament on May 23.

According to Minister Grant, the project is extremely important for the enhancement of the beaches.

“The Ministry of Tourism is very close to reactivating this project and we recently requested funds to secure the services of experts who can advise on how best to proceed with recommendations which we had made in 2015 by Smith Warner’s Report,” he said.

The objective of the project is to develop and implement a beach protection system that supports the re-nourishment of the beaches, both at South Frigate Bay and also at Friars Bay, for the long term preservation of the replenished locations, explained Minister Grant.

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Published 28 May 2017

PROSPECTIVE FARMERS URGED TO BE BUSINESS SMART BEFORE GROWING CROPS

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 24, 2017 (SKNIS): Science Lecturer at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC), Stuart Laplace, has urged prospective farmers to be business smart before growing crops as there are many factors to take into consideration.

Appearing on the radio-television show “Working for You” on May 24, Mr. Laplace said that consideration must first be given to prospective clients.

“In any kind of agriculture production whether it be soil or hydro, you first have to know who you are growing for,” he said. “So, you can’t just say ‘Hey, I’m going to be a farmer; I’m just going to plant and then I worry about the sales’. You first have to look at the market or the demand.”

He emphasised the importance of farmers knowing their target audience and added that consideration must also be given to the quantity they would need to grow. Here, Mr. Laplace said, is where the different types of agriculture technologies come into play.

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Published 28 May 2017

DEPUTY SPEAKER, SENATOR AKILAH BYRON-NISBETT, IN CAYMAN ISLANDS AS PART OF ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TEAM

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 24, 2017 (SKNIS): Deputy Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Senator Akilah Byron-Nisbett, is in the Cayman Islands as part of an Election Observer Mission Team to oversee the country’s Polling Day, which is today, May 24, 2017.

Mrs. Byron-Nisbett is part of a delegation of international officials from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), who is in the British Overseas Territory to observe its first election in more than 50 years under the one man, one vote system. In the country’s earlier multimember voting system, a registered voter could vote for between one and six candidates depending on the district where he or she lived.

The observers arrived on island prior to Polling Day to observe political campaigning, voter registration and accessibility and electoral administration, while on Polling Day  they are required to examine the voting process, the counting and tabulation of votes and any post-election complaints.

According to Elections Supervisor, Wesley Howell, 21,212 people are eligible to vote in 19 constituencies. Because of the changes to the Cayman’s electoral system in more than 50 years, independent scrutiny of the process is extremely important.

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