Nevis, West Indies. ?A Non-Tourist-Trap? Blog About Nevis.

The Union Jack Flag

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
April 07, 2010 (CUOPM)

The Government of St. Kitts – Nevis is among five in the Eastern Caribbean whose nationals will continue to enter the country without a visa.

The four other affected countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

British Home Secretary Hon. Alan Johnson, in a statement published on the British government website, said London had written to the five governments “to advise that, while they will maintain their visa free status for the time being, the decision will be subject to a further review.”

Mr. Johnson said that in addition to those five countries, London has also written to the Dominica and St. Lucia governments, highlighting a number of concerns and giving them a six-month period to deal with them.

Britain said that the review of the Eastern Caribbean countries represents the final stage of the United Kingdom’s first global review of visa regimes in relation to the seven countries.

“A visa regime is a very effective immigration, crime and security control measure. As part of our overseas defences our Visa Waiver Test helps us determine whether our visa regimes are in the right places. Travellers from every country beyond the European Economic Area and Switzerland were measured against a range of criteria including illegal immigration, crime and security concerns,” he said.

The Home Secretary noted the close historic, economic and political ties with Dominica and St. Lucia and said London was aware that the introduction of a visa regime would be a significant step.

“It is a decision we do not take lightly,” he stressed.

“As a result we will now enter a six-month period of detailed dialogue with the governments concerned to examine what actions will be taken to address our concerns and mitigate the need for a visa regime to be introduced,” Johnson said.

He explained that during that time, Dominica and St Lucia “will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to put into effect credible and realistic plans, with clear timetables, to reduce the risks to the UK, and begin implementing these plans by the end of the dialogue period”.

The Home Secretary said that the United Kingdom government remains committed to operating a firm but fair immigration policy.

“It gives a high priority to treating all foreign nationals coming to or present in the UK with dignity and respect, and the highest legal standards. However, it expects all visitors to the UK to play by the rules.

“The UK will always welcome genuine visitors, whether business, tourist, student or family, but will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the security of the UK,” he added.

Related posts:

1. Visa Free Travel To St. Kitts and Nevis
2. St. Kitts – Nevis And EU Sign Visa Waiver Agreement
3. Caribbean Tourism Seeks To Quell Fears About Caricom Visa
4. Waive Visa Regulations Longer, Says Caribbean Tourism Group
5. St. Kitts – Nevis To Discuss Duty Free Policy

Don’t Mix Politics and Religion

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 18, 2010 (CUOPM)

The ongoing debate in the media with respect to certain transactions between the Evangelical Association and the Customs and Excise Department has been brought to an end.

This follows a meeting Thursday afternoon between representatives of the St. Kitts Evangelical Association, the St. Kitts Christian Council, the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department.

A joint statement signed by the President of the NGO Coalition, Bishop Ron Dublin-Collins and the Financial Secretary, Mrs. Janet Harris said the parties agreed that there has been certain instances of miscommunications, misconceptions and wrong perceptions which have led to the current situation; that no useful purpose was being served by the current dispute and therefore the current Press Release would be the final official communication on the matter.

“All of the issues having been resolved, the parties decided to retract all of their previous statements to the media,” said the one page statement.

It added that the “parties reflected on their past cordial and supportive working relationship and expressed a desire for that sort of rapport to continue. They further decided that in future every attempt would be made to settle differences of opinion or complaints through the normal administrative channels by way of telephone contact, meetings and written correspondence.”

It concluded: “Having agreed to continue to collaborate for the building of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, the parties would like to encourage all citizens to also adopt this approach and to work in harmony for the enhancement of the quality of life of our people.”

Related posts:

1. Douglas and Parry Agree To Frequent meetings
2. St. Kitts’ Basketball Association To Elect New Executive
3. New National Association To be Installed In St. Maarten
4. St. Kitts – Nevis Nationals Association Opens In Atlanta
5. Cuban Alumni Association To Help Fight Youth Crime

Mr. Thomas Sharpe - Nevis COI Commissioner

Charlestown, Nevis
February 05, 2010

Commissioner to the Commission of Inquiry on Nevis Mr. Thomas Sharpe QC commended Nevisians for what he said was their willingness to provide evidence critical to the investigation.

His commendations came during an interview with the Department of Information on Tuesday, at the Commission of Inquiry Secretariat on Government Road.  He was at the time giving an update on the status of the Inquiry at which public hearings were curtailed due to an appeal filed at the Courts by witness and former Premier Mr. Vance Amory.

“Even though Mr. Amory is successful in his stay application that only stops the public hearings. It does not disable us from doing our homework and taking evidence from people, who I have to say, proved remarkably willing and helpful to the Commission and I pay tribute to that.

“Even people’s interest are not always you would think directly support, even people of opposing political persuasions have been very forthcoming and very helpful and I pay tribute to that,” he said.

Mr. Sharpe who described Nevisians as incredibly friendly said members of the public had come up to him and he had not received any bad complaints about the Commission of Inquiry.

“Nobody has said the Commission is a bad idea, not to me anyway, people are not saying that to my face, I see it in posters but everyone says isn’t it very expensive at this very difficult time and I cannot emphasise enough I sympathise with that completely and my personal position on that I have made well known,” he said.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to explain what was expected of him and gave a brief insight into some of the matters that he continued to deal with.

“Looking at the paper work and analysing these things deeply, when we look at the Marion Heights acquisition for example, my job is to see whether the people of Nevis got value for money; whether there was a good deal in buying something that on its face, some say, was at a very significant over valuation and in any event was inappropriate for the University offices they were doing, that’s one thing.

“Then the airport tender was for EC$30million and it came out at over EC$20million and that’s serious money and I want to know where that money went and I am looking for people who were very responsible for the whole project who on behalf of the people of Nevis were engaged in that,” he said.

However, he disclosed that some witnesses continued to be resistant to give evidence and urged them to come forward of their own accord.

“I’m hoping they will volunteer as well I hope ex Premier Vance and Ms. Nichols in the Marion Heights matter and Mr. Perkins of the Airport they will come forward on a voluntary basis and give their evidence and explain their side, [and] what went on so we get all the jigsaw pieces on the table and we don’t get gaps.

“This is what I’m hoping and I don’t think I am going to be disappointed. So when I come back again in a few weeks time we get the hearings going and we look forward to more interesting developments,” he said.

Related posts:

1. Nevis’ Commission Of Inquiry Saga Continues
2. Date Set For Court Hearing Filed Against Commission of Inquiry
3. COI Adjourns Prematurely For Temporary Injunction Hearing
4. PM Douglas To Give Evidence In Contempt of Court Matter
5. Denied Request Prompts Mass Walk Out From COI Hearing