By:Curtis Morton
Charlestown-Nevis-The Branch Office of the St.Christpher and Nevis Social Security Board, which is currently located at Chapel Street in Charlestown, is all set to relocate to its new headquarters, situated at the Pinney’s Industrial Site in Nevis.
The majestic looking brand new office, which was constructed by Mr. Analdo Chiverton and his construction crew, is indeed a wonderful edifice to behold.
The three storey building which was originally valued at a cost of EC 17.7 million dollars, was officially commenced on June 5th 2013, with a ground breaking ceremony.
At that time, Director of Social Security, Mrs. Sephlin Lawrence, indicated that the Social Security operations had outgrown the current office in Charlestown and noted that the Board decided to construct a new office in a developing commercial area in Nevis.
According to a recent release from the Social Security Board, operations will commence in earnest at the new office as of Friday 1st April, starting at 8.15 am. A drop box will also be operational at the said location.
Part of the building will be offered for rent to interested businesses, in order to ‘augment our investment income,’ said Director Lawrence, at the ground breaking ceremony.
The Social Security scheme was officially commenced in the federation of St.Kitts and Nevis on February 1st 1978 and since then has served as a source of income for thousands of individuals when they are out of work for varying reasons for example sickness; job related injuries; invalidity and maternity, among others.
The system operates on the basis of building a pool of funds from compulsory contribution income and other income, which will be utilized for the payment of benefits and for meeting administrative expenses.
The Public Relations Department remains quite active in educating the general public and as recently as the last Agriculture fair held in Nevis, Public Relations personnel, Chesil Hamilton and Walter Morton, used the opportunity to educate many of the scores of persons who showed up for the event.
It is obvious that persons will be initially somewhat inconvenienced, as they will now have to travel a longer distance outside of the main Charlestown area, to get their business conducted. However, it is logical to assume that they will eventually get accustomed to the idea.
It is understood that the new building will be officially commissioned at ceremony to be announced at a later date.