Business, Local news, Regional News

Feasibility study confirms geothermal potential of St Kitts

Published on March 29, 2017

geothermal_feasibility

At the meeting, from left Joseph Williams; Dr Devon Gardner; Dr Vince Henderson; Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd; Jacques Chouraki

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) — A feasibility study done by Teranov, a French engineering and services company for new and renewable energy based in Guadeloupe, has confirmed that there is potential in St Kitts to develop at least 18 to 36 megawatts of geothermal power.

Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of geothermal stakeholders in St Kitts from March 21- 22, minister of public infrastructure, Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd, hailed the findings as “heartening” but that the government has to consider the way forward.

Liburd said that the meeting was convened with other stakeholder representatives including Dr Vince Henderson, ambassador of Dominica to the United States; Jacques Chouraki, president of Teranov; Dr Devon Gardner, programme manager for energy at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat; Joseph Williams, sustainable energy advisor at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); representatives from the St Kitts Electricity Company Ltd (SKELEC), ministry of finance, Office of the Attorney General, and private sector “as it relates to solidifying our roadmap in respect of our geothermal development here on St Kitts and in Nevis with particular focus on the development on St Kitts.”

“We have so far done the 3G studies — the geological, geophysical and geochemical studies or the surface studies… there is potential on St Kitts to develop at least 18 to 36 megawatts of geothermal power and that’s heartening for us here in St Kitts and Nevis,” said Liburd, while indicating that the next step is to consider the way forward for slim-hole and exploration drilling.

Liburd said that the government received a draft geothermal agreement from its partners for which Cabinet decided that there should be an independent review. According to the minister, the government consulted with the CARICOM and the CDB.

“Where we are right now in terms of the next steps, next set of actions and timelines, we have agreed today that we would restructure the geothermal agreement and we have put a timeline on that to be completed by the end of June this year. We also have agreement in terms of the provision of a business plan and financial model from Teranov. We would in terms of the joint venture company arrangements consider the shareholder agreement issues that deal with decision-making; and the commercial issues are key business points in some reform and indeed we did agree on the way forward as it relates to… development of this resource on St Kitts,” Liburd said.

He said it was necessary to have further discussions because any agreement signed off on has to bear in mind that government owns the land, the utility called SKELEC and the government will own the resource.

Liburd said that whatever comes out of the agreement has to “ensure we protect the best public interest” and “there must be real benefit for the end consumer.

In November 2015, Teranov began geothermal exploration exercises in the Sandy Point area around Brimstone Hill, going to the top of Mount Liamigua. Five geo-scientists were in St Kitts conducting feasibility studies in geophysics, geology and geochemistry.

President of Teranov, Jacques Chouraki, said then that the prospects for geothermal energy on St Kitts were promising.

In September 2015, Liburd signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Teranov, which includes a road map that can possibly see the production of geothermal energy in 2020.

Liburd has underscored the point that fossil fuel costs are very exorbitant and that “if we are going to continue our development and if we are going to ensure economic growth” that the government must adopt a policy of renewable energy because “we are blessed with sunshine, we are blessed with wind and in the federation of two islands we have two volcanoes.”

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Business, Crime/Justice, International news, Local news

US slams St Kitts-Nevis in money laundering and financial crimes report

Published on March 29, 2017

By LK Hewlett

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) — A US State Department report claims that St Kitts and Nevis “remains susceptible to corruption and money laundering and its deficient vetting of citizenship by investment candidates is also problematic”.

The scathing report, released in March, attributes the country’s susceptibility to corruption and money laundering to “the high volume of narcotics trafficking around the islands”.

On the matter of alleged weaknesses with the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment (CBI) program, the State Department said, “St Kitts and Nevis derives a significant portion of its revenue from its program offering citizenship through investment; however, this program’s prior lax vetting created anti money laundering and security vulnerabilities domestically and internationally. Despite recent efforts to improve the application process and vetting procedures, the CIP continues to be afflicted by significant deficiencies in vetting candidates and conducting due diligence on passport and citizenship recipients after they receive citizenship.”

The report went on to charge that St Kitts and Nevis did not report passage of new enforcement legislation or prosecutions in 2016, and there have been no money laundering prosecutions or convictions since 2013.

The US government did acknowledge the fact that its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is engaging St Kitts and Nevis to evaluate if recent CBI improvements sustainably address US anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism concerns.

The report was also critical of the offshore sector in Nevis, saying financial oversight in Nevis remains problematic due to the federation allowing the creation of anonymous accounts, strong bank secrecy laws, and overall lack of transparency of beneficial ownership of legal entities.

It read, “The ambiguous regulatory framework regarding customer due diligence makes Nevis a desirable location for criminals to conceal proceeds.”

The US government advised that the government of St Kitts and Nevis should work toward transparency and accountability in financial regulation; and promote close supervision of the CBI program and be transparent in reporting monitoring results.

Republished with permission of West Indies News Network

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Local news, Politics

Rt. Hon Dr. Denzil L. Douglas attends Police Awar

Rt. Hon Dr. Denzil L. Douglas attends Police Award
Ceremony; Congratulates deserving Retired Officers

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS March 18th 2017 – Former Prime Minister and Minister of National Security of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas was in attendance at the Officer’s Mess Dinner and Award Ceremony at the St. Kitts Marriott and Beach Resort on Friday night.

Dr. Douglas joined in extending heartfelt congratulations to retired officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force who were awarded for their years of service in the area of law enforcement in the Federation.

The ceremony was attended by members of the High Command of the Force as well as family and friends of the awardees. The awardees would have served for the greater part of their professional service in the Force under the tenure of the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas who held the ministerial portfolio for National Security and hence had responsibility for the Police Force.

Dr. Douglas was generous in his commendation of all the officers who held the ranks from Assistant Commissioner to that of Inspector of Police and who would have served in various Departments in the Force throughout their career.

He said that in their respective ways, they would have impacted the Forces’ efforts to implement the safety and security agenda as the Federation forged ahead in creating and sustaining an enabling environment for development which was a priority for his Labour Party Administration.

Dr. Douglas noted that the aggregate years of these officers who had responsibility for operations, intelligence, criminal investigations, immigration, special services among others, would have contributed significantly to the advancement of law enforcement as the nation managed to attain the leading position in economic growth and development in the sub region.

Dr. Douglas, who never missed an occasion of this nature during his tenure as Head of Government and Minister of National Security, never hesitated to socialize with the officers.

He equally lauded the spouses, parents, siblings and other family members for the support that they gave to the officers over the years that accounted, in large measure for their successful performance and the effective execution of their duties while in the Force.

The officers awarded were ACP Robert Liburd, ACP Vaughn Henderson (who is now serving as Crown Counsel), ACP Mireless Dolphin, Supt. Charles Smithen, Inspector Winston Wilkenson, Insp Rufus Webbe, Insp. Luther Kelly, Insp. Zanhestal Hector and Insp. Franklyn Belgrove,

Force Chaplain, Rev. Leroy Benjamin and Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Eulynis Morton were also among the list of awardees.

Dr. Douglas commended Commissioner of Police Mr. Ian Queeley for his leadership of the law enforcement agency and the other members of the organizing committee for their contribution towards the successful outcome of this evening’s event.

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Local news, News, Politics

Dr. Douglas achieves milestone of 28 years of parliamentary service

Published 30 March 2017

Dr. Douglas achieves milestone of 28 years of parliamentary service

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, March 23rd 2017 – Leader of the Opposition the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas on Tuesday celebrated 28 years as Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher 6 (Newton Ground to Harris’).

Dr. Douglas first served in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly as Leader of the Opposition from March 1989 to July 2nd 1995; as Prime Minister from July 3rd 1995 to February 15th and is now on his second stint as Leader of the Opposition from February 16th 2015.

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Local news, News, Politics

PLP recognises and awards individuals who gave support during its formative days

Published 30 March 2017
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, March 28, 2017 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — When the Peoples Labour Party’s (PLP) Political Leader, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris appeared on Sugar City 90.3 FM’s ‘People’s Choice’ programme on Monday March 27, he told the host: “All is well with the Peoples Labour Party. Our support is at its strongest level.”
 
Dr Harris, who is also the Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, told the programme’s host Ambassador Michael Powell that the party had come thus far and especially its phenomenal growth in the Team Unity Movement because of the unwavering support it received from a number of individuals, many who gave voluntary service.
 

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