Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 15, 2015 (SKNIS): In his first Budget address as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Sylvester Harris outlined his Government of National Unity’s robust plan to fight crime in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Delivering the Budget address in Parliament on December 15, 2015, under the 2016 Fiscal Prospects, Prime Minister Harris said that “it is proposed that the re-established Ministry of National Security be granted $47.6 million to carry out its recurrent activities and $15.4 million for capital projects in the upcoming fiscal year.”
“The allocation for Recurrent Expenditure represents a $3.8 million or 8.7% increase over the 2015 Estimate,” he said.
Prime Minister Harris said that “the Ministry understands its role as it relates to the issue of crime and national safety and as such will continue its crime fighting efforts by implementing its existing Police Six Point Plan.”
“He said that some of “the resources would be used to support training, expand the use of Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) and upgrade equipment in the Police Forensic Lab and Crime Scene Unit. It is anticipated that the use of such technology over time would help to reduce the high costs associated with the protection of witnesses.”
“Mr. Speaker, of paramount concern to the Team Unity Administration is the safety and security of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. The people of this country must feel free and unencumbered in their daily lives and business endeavours,” Prime Minister Harris said.
Dr. Harris said that the Government “will spare no effort in ensuring that there is a safe and secure environment in which all can prosper.”