Labour Party took bold reforms to combat crisis from previous govt: PM Drew

St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew delivered a powerful address during the 92nd conference of the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party. He discussed the significant financial issues caused by the previous administration and his government’s continuous efforts to rectify them. 

PM Drew said that the Development Bank owes Social Security over $100 million, which puts citizens’ future pensions at risk, and emphasized the lack of audits since 2018, saying that such mismanagement cannot be overlooked and noted, “Whoever is responsible must be held responsible for the missing of those Funds.”

While talking about the pensions, he said that everyone must get their pension that is why his administration decided that it cannot allow the Development Bank to fail which led the government to pump millions of dollars into the bank to save it so that it can the citizens’ pensions.

He also talked about the minimum wages and said that St Kitts and Nevis has the highest minimum wage in the Caricom and added, “Your Labour Party has brought that for you and the people of the Federation. We have increased the wages and salaries for our civil servants which is also some of the highest in the Caribbean.”

PM Drew highlighted that the Labour Party also reinstated the pension system and is about to restart it for the GAE workers, which is due to start in July 2024. 

In addition to this, the Prime Minister mentioned various major achievements of his government in less than two years of assuming office. He mentioned the launch of housing program, new equipments at JNF Hospital, providing Cayon with water which was long neglected by the previous administration, dropping the student interest loan from 9 percent to 5 percent. 

“We have made sure that we freeze the interest payment so that while you are studying you do not have to pay high interest which is difficult for many families in St Kitts and Nevis,” said PM Terrance Drew. 

Furthermore, while talking about the tourism sector, he added that more flights and big ships are coming into the harbours including the world’s largest ship, Icon of the Seas, which chose St Kitts as its first stop during its maiden voyage to the Caribbean. 

In his conclusion message, PM Drew noted that the mission that he is on is to work hard and uplift the people always. He urged the citizens to work together in order to prosper together and added that the Labour Party could not do it alone, and it needs the support of the good citizens of St Kitts and Nevis.