Last Updated on October 24, 2022, 4:04 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Premier of Nevis and leader of the ruling political party, Concerned Citizens Movement, Mark Brantley, took to his Facebook account to share an update communicating the situation of the honorarium payments.
Premier Mark Brantley was allegedly receiving criticism from the NRP, or the Nevis reformation party, for the payment of honorarium payments to the frontline workers in Nevis.
In response to the allegation, the Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, took to his Facebook account to share the timeline of the events.
In the first few lines of the update shared by him Premier Mark Brantley criticized the NRP’s efforts to politicize the issue of the honorarium payments. He stated that in such a situation, the wise thing to do is to share a timeline of events which would help the public understand better.
He wrote, On September 12 the Media reported that the Federal Cabinet had decided to pay an honorarium to frontline workers. PM Drew repeated this on October 4, 2022. However, there was NO decision or statement regarding the amount to be paid or who would be considered a “frontline worker” for payment.
On October 6, 2022, I held my press conference and indicated when asked that we had heard of the Federal Cabinet decision to pay the honorarium but had no details and I had to check with the Prime Minister on the matter. I then indicated that I agreed that the government should also recognise our Nevisian workers with an honorarium for their Herculean efforts during the Covid19 pandemic.
On October 20, 2022, the Media reported that the Federal Cabinet had finally determined:
1. the amount of the honorarium ($2,000) and
2. the categories of persons who would be eligible.
It was also reported that eligible frontline workers in St. Kitts would receive payment the next day, October 21, 2022. the office of the Prime Minister had not communicated this information to the NIA prior. So it would have been impossible for the NIA to compile lists of eligible workers in Nevis and arrange payment in 24 hours. I have spoken with PM Drew, and that communication issue has been resolved.
As a result, the office of the Premier issued a Press Release that same day explaining this and giving the assurance that eligible workers in Nevis will also receive their honorarium as stipulated now that the federal government had stated the amount and the category of eligible workers nationally.
I am confident that the people of Nevis KNOW that in the CCM, they have the leadership they can trust to secure their best interests permanently. Therefore, please ignore the noise and the noisemakers to our eligible frontline workers.
He assured the people and frontline workers of Nevis that their honorarium to say THANK YOU for the hard work that they have done during the Covid19 pandemic SHALL be paid to them as soon as lists are completed.
Additionally, Premier Mark Brantley stated that the NIA shall shortly share information with you on this.
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.
