PM Harris urges citizens to prepare for 2019 Atlantic hurricane season

With the start of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season (June 01-November 30) fast approaching, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris, has urged all citizens and residents alike to be prepared and to do all that they can to ensure that they remain safe.

“We urge all citizens and residents to avoid complacency and begin now to make their best efforts to mitigate the exposure to loss of life and damage to property,” said Prime Minister Harris. “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is already being engaged and has already begun work on disaster preparedness and risk reduction.”

He spoke briefly of the assistance given to thousands of persons during the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season via the Hurricane Relief Programme.

“Thanks to our Team Unity’s compassionate Hurricane Relief Programme over 2000 families across the length and breadth of our country have received assistance. The beneficiaries include the elderly, the poor, vulnerable, handicap, pastors, churches, schools, early childhood care facilities, carnival village, and UWI Open Campus Centre. Our Fire Stations, Police Stations, all received under this programme,” he said. “Never before in our Nation’s history and certainly not in the twenty (20) year period before Team Unity has such a magnificent, helpful response followed post hurricane ravages.”

Prime Minister Harris acknowledged the new chairman of the Inter-Ministerial National Emergency Operations Committee, Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron and Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Shawn Richards, who served as Cabinet’s focal point on matters relating to NEMA disaster preparedness and responses during the previous Hurricane Seasons.

“I record Cabinet’s deep satisfaction and support for his herculean efforts, dedication and superb performance. He has left a big shoe for the Attorney General to fill,” he said.

He used the occasion to invite one and all to the National Service of Prayer slated for Thursday, May 30 at the People’s Evangelistic Centre located at Needsmust Estate. The service was organized by the St. Kitts Evangelical Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs.