Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 23, 2016) — Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mr Warren Thompson, has lauded the important role played by the pioneering staff of the institution saying that the Bank would not be where it is today without them.
Mr Thompson made the remarks Sunday, May 22, at the Estridge Moravian Church where board members, management and staff from the head office and the Nevis branch office joined worshippers for a thanksgiving service to mark the bank’s 35th Anniversary which was being observed on the day.
“It is always important to give God thanks,” said Mr Thompson. “We know it is a part of life where we have ups and downs, but nevertheless we have made it, we have been equipped, and so we are here because those before us did not give up – they did not quit.”
Mr Thompson prayed for the continued commitment and endurance of management and staff and the board of directors that the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to be a beacon that would help to build the economy of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
He thanked God for the hardworking management and staff of the Development Bank, following which he asked them to stand and be recognised. He also thanked God for the hardworking Board of Directors, and asked them to also stand and be recognised.
“We thank our clients who stayed with us through thick and thin,” noted the Chairman. “We are here to promote total empowerment, through economic, social and national development – that is education, agriculture, business, tourism, and housing. Whether it is livestock in agriculture, fishing or whether you have a piece of land that you plant and already growing some provisions, Development Bank is here to help.
“Everything starts with nothing, but when you partner with Development Bank, your nothing becomes something. I hear Amen?” he posed, and the congregation roared back, ‘AAAMEN’. “We thank God for being here.”
He encouraged the congregation to visit the bank as it celebrates the anniversary with a number of activities including a customer appreciation day on Tuesday May 24 and business fair on Friday May 27 in Basseterre and Charlestown, a health walk on Saturday May 8 from the second roundabout in Frigate Bay to Major’s Bay in the South Eastern Peninsula and a fun day on Saturday June 4 at Frigate Bay lawn.
The Bank’s Chairman was accompanied by Directors and members of staff were led by the General Manager Mr Lenworth Harris who also announced that the Bank’s Board had pledged $10,000 to help with the renovation of the Estridge Moravian Church. Second scripture was read by Ms Coralee Benjamin, Development Bank’s Support Officer for Human Resources, who is the longest serving member of staff having worked for the institution since its inception on May 22, 1981.
After the church service board members, management and staff of the Development Bank travelled to the Ottley’s Plantation Inn where they had lunch at the Royal Palm Restaurant. Chairman of the Board, Mr Warren Thompson led them in toasting for the Bank’s 35th Anniversary.