Last Updated on January 2, 2025, 5:29 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley extended his New Year greetings to the citizens and residents of the twin island nation.
Through a video message, he warmly greeted everyone with the promise and hope for a new chapter where the dreams and aspirations of everyone comes true, with 2025 becoming a year of accomplishment.
Premier Mark Brantley wished the families of the nation great happiness, good health, success and prosperity, living in a nation bound by peace and unity.
He hopes that the New Year will bring better opportunities, progress, and more accomplishments for individuals, families, communities, and the nation, creating a time to reflect, and commit to positive changes, grateful for blessings received in the past year.
Praying for courage, determination, resilience, and strength in the darkest days, Premier Mark Brantley hopes for endurance, creativity, and national spirit of togetherness and unity in the year 2025.
Achievements of Nevis during the year 2024
Premier Mark Brantley shared some achievements made in the past year like the completion of Solar Desalination Plant at Maddens, opening of one more International Bank, completion of the Oualie Water Taxi terminal Building, and completion of the Bath and Butler’s Village road projects.
The history making cornea transplant which was done at the Alexandra Hospital was the first of its kind in the Federation, along with start of the Water Drilling Project with the discovery of water at two sites at Maddens – one of the new well already being the highest yielding well in Nevis.
They also operationalized the 9-1-1 First Responder Crisis Intervention Programme with assistance from the Four Seasons Homeowners Foundation, and the historical shipping of plastics off the island of Nevis which is also a first for the Federation.
Nevis also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Culturama Festival in 2024, which was not a homecoming celebration and a reunion of families and friends, but was also an unforgettable cultural display.
Challenges faced by Nevis in 2024
Premier Mark Brantley talked about their difficult times in 2024 like humidity and heat, and long periods of drought resulting in scarcity of water and crop failures.
He added that the Torrential rains impacted the agriculture sector, homes, and infrastructure, causing existential threats while reminding that protecting and sustaining environment is critically important to survive.
He further stated that 2024 was a year of high inflation that affected the lives of every consumer with global conflicts, high energy, and transportation costs being the leading factor for inflation, which resulted in cost of food, fuel, electricity and other utilities to increase while reducing purchasing power and personal savings.
Government initiatives improved living conditions
Premier Mark Brantley shared that 2024 was the year that recorded significant improvement in the lives of people with wages and salaries being increased, more job opportunities, better education and health care services.
Projects for 2025
Alexandra Hospital Project will continue to develop in the year ahead, with construction of forty-six houses for the people of the nation, and launch of new programme to promote the campaign to bring people back to work, retire, or invest.
Premier Mark Brantley shared the vision for 2025 being economic transformation through diversification, while building economy through expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises.
Vision for Nevis
Premier Mark Brantley appealed to the parents to train their children and to guide their development and behavior.
He further added that to create a better society, parents, teachers, churches, civil society, and government must unite and engage, making St Kitts and Nevis a global example of best managed Small Island State.
Premier Mark Brantley said that there are differences in opinions in every democracy, but the people of St Kitts and Nevis has more that unites them than divides them.
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.
