“In doing so, it is of the view that this initiative would indeed assist to enhance and motivate their work attitude,” commented the Coordinator of Parks and Beaches Unit, Mr Daniel Henry, when he received a sponsorship cheque last week from the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis to go towards the hosting of the event.
“The recognition is scheduled to be held at a ceremony which would include the distribution of plaques and subsequent serving of refreshments at Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI), which would give ambience to the occasion,” observed Mr Henry.
The sponsorship cheque was handed over by the Bank’s Executive Assistant to the General Manager, Ms Danienne Brin, at a brief ceremony at the Bank’s boardroom, where Mr Henry thanked the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis for not only accepting to sponsor the event, but for its being a long-time partner of the Unit.
“Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis is one such business enterprise where we have a partnership,” said Mr Henry. “In our Adopt-A-Space programme, the Development Bank has adopted two particular areas in St. Kitts; the front of Joseph N. France Hospital and one of the roundabouts at College Street.”
According to Mr Henry, the Parks and Beaches Unit will also be recognising their partners in the Adopt-A-Space programme at this ceremony which will be hosted by the Minister of Health, the Hon Marcella Liburd.
“We are hoping to give them a certificate to tell them thanks for that partnership because the Parks and Beaches cannot do it all alone in what we are trying to do in St. Kitts especially aesthetic programme, and the Development Bank is a critical member of that programme,” said Mr Henry.
In accepting to sponsor the ceremony, the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis is paying tribute to those men and women who work under harsh climatic conditions to keep the country clean, according to Ms Brin.
“As a promoter of economic and social development in the country, we are cognisant of the importance of a clean environment,” observed Ms Brin. “We can reduce the many lost hours when productive persons stay at home due to illnesses that can be eliminated if we have a clean environment,” observed Ms Brin. “A clean environment will also attract more visitors to the country and that will be a boon to the economy.”
The Parks and Beaches Unit, a department in the Ministry of Health in the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, has been in existence since 1996, when it first started under the Department of Environment. In 2004 it became its own entity as an autonomous department.
According to Mr Henry, it is important to recognise these dedicated workers, some who have retired, and make sure that they are well looked after and remembered for their services, “particularly to St. Kitts, which is now developing into a tourism and service oriented economy and the Parks and Beaches Unit plays a very critical role in that regard.”