St Kitts-Nevis PM welcomes continued public dialogue on nation-building

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris has welcomed the call for continued open conversations with members of the general public on how nationals, at home and abroad, can contribute to the future growth and development of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The call was issued by social and political activist, Dr. Kuba Assegai, while making a contribution to last Friday's (November 23) edition of WINNFM's "Voices" programme. Prime Minister Harris was the special in-studio guest for that show.

"People constantly seem to want to know what you [the Prime Minister] or what the Government is going to give them. I don't see what people are going to do to elevate and to develop the country," Dr. Assegai said, while referencing the famous quote by former United States President John F. Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

For instance, Dr. Assegai, who currently resides in the United States of America, said he is interested in having a conversation on the possible development of a national service for youths between the ages of 16-25, "so at least on Saturdays or after school or after work, they can go out and work in the communities, or go out and do something that actually enhances the community and enhances the nation."

In response, Prime Minister Harris said he is open to the idea of returning to WINNFM's radio programme to continue the dialogue, "which will allow persons to say what they would like to see, what they can do, [and] what groups in the society can do to change the conversation from what the Government is doing to what persons can do and can help to do."

Dr. Harris said he knows there are many Kittitians and Nevisians at home and in the Diaspora "with interesting ideas, and so we would want to give them that opportunity and I am prepared to come back some time to have that forum."

Since assuming office, Prime Minister Harris has regularly made himself available for dialogue with the public using various forums, including town hall meetings, one-on-one consultations and live radio appearances.

In fact, the Honourable Prime Minister will be the special guest on Sugar City 90.3 FM's "The People's Voice" radio programme this Friday (November 30) with host Ambassador Michael Powell, starting from 9am. There will be a live simulcast of the radio programme on ZIZ Radio (95.9, 96.1, 96.3 or 96.9 FM).