Friday, September 20th, 2019 The Federation’s Politically Independent News Source Issue #1299 36 OF INDEPENDENCE YEARS AND PRIDE STORY ON PAGE 21 STORY ON PAGE 13 ... STORY ON PAGE 7... STORY ON PAGE 19.. NO CONFIDENCE POLICE GET CANNABIS MOTION BILL DIGITAL BUSINESSMAN TABLED UPGRADE READY FOR COURT CMYK Page:2 The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday September 20th, 2019 LOCAL NEWS Hundreds Unite in Nevis for State Service of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving Hundreds of citizens He has bestowed upon and residents took us as nation. We can part in the traditional say with assurance, gathering for the an- truly we have come nual State Service this far by faith lean- in celebration of ing on the Lord,” St. Kitts and Nevis’ the Reverend Bonny 36th Anniversary Byron, Superintendent of Independence of Methodist Church- where they engaged Nevis Circuit, said in in prayer, praise and his sermon. thanksgiving Sunday at the Charlestown “Today, as citizens of Methodist Church. St. Kitts and Nevis, we look back at where we The congregation lis- have come from and tened attentively to we look forward to scripture readings, where we are going as were entertained by a nation. Many would the liturgical dance, say that God has been observed reverent si- mighty good to us…” lence for the moments of prayer and sang Reverend Bonny lustily throughout the Byron refl ected on service. the theme for this years’ Independence “Today my brothers celebrations: Unify, and sisters, we pause Transform, to give thanks to God Enrich: Uplifting Citizens and residents gather for State Service of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving in celebration of Independence for the many blessings Communities for 36. SKNIS Photo. Independence 36”. in many areas of life followed shortly af- and for this we are ter by the singing of “…We speak in our truly thankful to God. the National Anthem. nation of unity, trans- We are thankful for Mr. Georges, who formation and enrich- public servants and wrote and composed ment for our nation. all who labour dili- St. Kitts and Nevis’ And as we look around gently for the good National Anthem, us it is true that there and upliftment of our passed away on August is much to unite us. people. But God says 26. to us my friends that At times like this, this there is room for im- The state service for the grand celebration, provement in many anniversary celebra- we come together to areas…” tions of Independence recognize that we are in St. Kitts and Nevis one nation unifi ed un- A moment of silence was held on the sister- der God or we should was observed in hon- island of Nevis for the be,” she said. “We our of the passing fi rst time in 2015, and have made progress of Kenrick Georges, then again in 2017. ` LOCAL NEWS The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday September 20th, 2019 Page:3 Faron Lawrence Appointed as First Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia to St. Kitts-Nevis Faron Lawrence was my efforts to bind them appointed as the firstvia successful trade ar- Honorary Consul of the rangements that will Republic of Indonesia also promote business, to St. Kitts and Nevis culture, tourism, and Tuesday during a commerce and science brief ceremony at his affairs.” office located in the Horsfords Complex H.E. Lawrence noted on Wellington Road, that he is committed to Basseterre. performing his duties and roles as honorary His Excellency consul with “pride, in- Lawrence expressed tegrity, zeal and to the thanks and appreciation best of his abilities”. to both Governments for affording him theMinister of Foreign opportunity to serve in Affairs, the Honourable such capacity. Mark Brantley, congrat- ulated Mr. Lawrence “As honorary consul, I on his new post and am expected to represent extended thanks to the Government of the the Government and Republic of Indonesia people of Indonesia for in St. Kitts and Nevis, strengthening the ties acting to assist and pro- between both countries, tect its citizens here and noting the opening of to facilitate trade and the honorary consul- friendship between the ate is significant for the Minister Brantley (centre) cuts ribbon with Ambassador Iswanto (right) and His Excellency Lawrence people of both coun- Government of people tries. I see my role as to of St. Kitts and Nevis. be informed about the the foreign minister. “It Indonesia to St. Kitts very constantly. Visa- presented three items cultural, commercial “It is significant because is tangible evidence of and Nevis, expressed free for both citizens of to His Excellency and political situation of it marks yet again the the strides that we have his most sincere ap- our two countries to visit Lawrence: the copy of both countries and have journey on which we made thus far, and it is preciation to all who each other will serve as Letter of Commission the consul be the instru- have embarked, a fur- tangible evidence of the were instrumental in a very vital facilitation of the President of the ment through which ther step on that journey. commitment both on making this step a real- to strengthen our peo- Republic of Indonesia, that information is It is significant because the part of the Republic ity, while at the same ple to people contact,” the official identifica- shared and utilized for I am told that other than of Indonesia and on the time congratulating said His Excellency tion pin of the Honorary better relations between Trinidad and Tobago, part of the Government Mr. Lawrence on his Iswanto. “We have to Consul and the flags of our countries,” said Mr. this is the only other of St. Kitts and Nevis to appointment. take advantage of this both countries. Lawrence. “Further, in the entire Caribbean strengthening and deep- facilitation and we need I am to promote the and certainly the first inening this relationship.” “The relationship be- to rid the perception that St. Kitts and Nevis alliance between the the Eastern Caribbean tween St. Kitts and we are geographically and the Republic of Republic of Indonesia that the Republic of His Excellency Priyo Indonesia is relatively distant.” Indonesia established and the Federation of Indonesia is opening Iswanto, Ambassador young… but we have diplomatic relations St. Kitts and Nevis by such a presence,” said of the Republic of been moving forward Ambassador Iswanto Jan. 30, 2014. Four take top spots in STT Fest calypso By Monique Washington STT Fest committee content and best stage C who expressed her At the end of the eve- response. decided to “mellow” performance. The disappointment on the ning, the reigning King down the competition calypsonians were turnout. The event was of the festival Sookie This year’s festival ran Four calypsonians have and allow the calyp- backed by the Eclectic held at the St. Thomas received the award for from September 12 - received the top prizes sonians to be more Band. Primary School. best lyrics, reigning ju- 19. Other activities this past weekend after relaxed and put on a nior Calypso king for that were held were the St. Thomas’ Parish better performance. The night was blessed Performing a song for Culturama, Invincible the Paradise Beach Festival held its annual with showers of rain, the competition were, received the award Affair and Fun Day, calypso show, but did The competition was but that did not stop the Murray, Lady Smooth, for best stage perfor- Mr. Physique, Miss not crown a king. judged in four catego- show. Very few per- Lady Hammon, Lady mance, Irwin received STT fest Talented Teen ries which included sons turned out to sup- Destiny, Mighty J, the award for best and closing of the fes- This year a crown and best-dressed calypso- port the competition, Invincible, Sookie, Lil costumes and Lady tival which was a Cool the title of “King” were nian, the best crowd however. The show Legend, Irwin, Akedo Destiny received the down on Independence not up for grabs as the response, best lyrical was hosted by Sister and Signing Sparkle. award for best crowd Day. Page:4 The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday September 20th, 2019 LOCAL NEWS EDITORIAL Stability This year, our beloved Federation celebrates 36 years since the at- tainment of Independence. It is a remarkable feat considering our size and our limited natural resources. These successes have been achieved because, to use a biblical term, the people had a mind to work. We congratulate all for their hard work over the years up to the present; and encourage those who have not lived up to their full po- tential to get on board and help with the unification, the upliftment and enrichment of our communities. In the same week that we celebrate Independence, we celebrated National Heroes Day. We salute all four of our heroes, and thank them for their sacrifices and their contributions to national develop- ment. We note, however, that all of them are politicians who had reached the pinnacle of their professions, the offices of Premier and of Prime Minister. The fact that we have only had 3 Prime Ministers and 4 Premiers (of Nevis) illustrates how stable we have been as a country, politi- cally, socially and economically. However, it is time to broaden the field to include other contributors. The public is already sens- ing this as, in a public discussion about the programme, the ques- tion was raised. At the National Heroes Park, we can find statues of the Heroes, but little about the other holders of the “lesser” National awards, but who played a large part in our development. Let us change that.