Last Updated on December 16, 2022, 2:24 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The local assembly elections in Nevis are hours away, and all the political parties are currently in the last leg of preparation ahead of the impending elections. The politicians of the present administrative Party, the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), have laid out various plans for the administration’s future regarding Social Development.
The Concerned Citizens Movement is highly committed to providing the people of Nevis with Social Security Nets. The CCM government has also laid out plans to give non-nationals the fair treatment they deserve.
CCM’s Plans for giving Nevisians a social safety net
We are a caring government committed to providing a comfortable life for all. Your CCM-led government commits to the following:
• Broadening existing social safety nets to include food, medicine and rent vouchers.
• Providing free water, electricity and bus pass, not only to seniors but also to those in need.
• Opening a daycare facility to accommodate the childcare needs of lower-income mothers
• Construction of a community facility in St.Paul’s
CCM’s Plans for giving non-nationals fair treatment
In the election manifesto, the Concerned Citizens Movement stated that the Party recognizes the contributions that our sisters and brothers from our Caribbean neighbours have always made to the development of Nevis.
Thus, if they return to the Nevis Island Assembly following the elections, the political Party promised that they would continue to welcome non-nationals to aid in our development. They further stated that the CCM is a party of inclusion. Additionally, the CCM party has always advocated for a managed migration approach in which non-nationals can join their labour force as our development needs dictate.
The Party further stated that they are aware that many of our citizens reside in Caribbean countries and elsewhere. The political Party expects them to be able to live comfortably and have their rights respected. According to the political Party’s manifesto, These principles will serve as a guide while your CCM-led government commits to implementing the following programmes:
• Non-national children legally residing in Nevis will pay the same rates for school and other educational opportunities as Nevisian students.
• Caribbean nationals who are legally resident in Nevis can buy real estate without paying the 10% Alien Landholding Licence fee.
• Non-nationals legally residing in Nevis will be eligible for citizenship after seven years, and we intend to lobby the Federal Parliament to pass this into law.
• Non-nationals who are not members of the legal, medical, accounting, engineering, land surveying, the management or actuarial professions will have their work permit and residency fees reduced by half.
• In 2023, a final amnesty will be granted, giving all non-nationals living in Nevis illegally the opportunity to legalize their status.
• For non-nationals legally migrating to Nevis from the Dominican Republic, we shall provide tutoring in English for 12 months to allow for better assimilation into the local community. This would have special relevance to children entering our school system.
• Ensure that we have bilingual personnel in the public service to guarantee access of the Spanish-speaking community to government services.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
