St Kitts and Nevis: PM Harris announces policies in favour of residents

St Kitts and Nevis: The Team Unity-led government has been adopting policies to contain the spiraling cost of living, which has been triggered by international events beyond the country’s control. This has been adversely affecting the residents of St Kitts and Nevis.

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris attended the sixth National Convention of the People’s Labour Party (PLP) on March 26, 2022 (Saturday). During his presentation at the Convention, PM stated, “The government would soon bring some measures which would relieve the residents. The newly added measures would include reduction in the gas prices at the pumps and reduction in certain taxes on certain items of groceries, which will make the cost of living more manageable.”

Prime Minister Harris further mentioned, “In other words, we are delivering again for you.”

PM further stated that income support would be provided to the unemployed residents of the nation. He was quoted as, “The government will provide financial support worth $1,000 per month to the unemployed citizens. We will keep the amount the same for the first three months, and after three months, it will be increased because ‘we care.’ I think that we had it in the 2022 budget.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Harris, who also handles the Ministry of Finance in the Federal Cabinet, announced that the Government has been planning to increase the wages and salaries of all public workers.

Furthermore, Prime Minister mentioned that the administration will move in the right direction and will continuously support the development of the twin-island federation. PM was quoted as, “Team Unity has been working to reduce the cost of fuel and energy in the country, and to so we have been planning to construct the alternative energy programme. This will be our contribution towards building a healthy environment and ensuring a sustainable as well as affordable energy supply.”

He further counted on Deputy Prime Minister as Minister responsible for Energy to deliver on that.

The government will concentrate on the blue economy, which the World Bank termed as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.”

PM Harris further mentioned that the government would expand the digital economy, and it is our foremost priority. He further outlined that this would contribute to creating new jobs, improved opportunities for our people to work away from home.”