St Kitts passes Freedom of Information Bill

The St. Kitts-Nevis parliament has given the green light to the Freedom of Information Bill which is intended to usher in a “new level of openness and transparency” while opposition legislators claim the move to debate the law is nothing more than “window dressing.”

- Advertisement -
Taste of the Caribbean 728x90

The Freedom of Information Bill was first tabled in Parliament in 2015 and during the debate that began on Wednesday, Information Minister and Attorney General Vincent Byron Jr. said the legislation will usher in a new archetype of accountability, good governance, and transparency in the twin island federation.

“The bill before the National Assembly …is intended to usher in what is anticipated would be a new level of openness and transparency. In that vein, the enactment of Freedom of Information Law to provide for a regulatory framework for public access to certain information is important at this juncture.

“The enactment, the implementation, and application of the Freedom of Information legislation would mark a new era of openness and greater transparency in our country. It represents a paradigm shift in governance that would better ensure that citizens of St Kitts and Nevis can more effectively enjoy the right to access information,” he said.

Byron said the Freedom of Information legislation will help in the fight against corruption and engender public participation in the national decision-making process.

But Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas dismissed the government’s intention, as he questioned the administration’s seriousness in implementing the bill.

More Stories

UN Economic and Social Council

Saint Kitts and Nevis secures seat on UN Economic and Social Council

Saint Kitts and Nevis has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UN’s top body for coordinating global sustainable...
Terrance Drew St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis passes legislation to launch electronic travel authorisation system in June

St. Kitts and Nevis has taken a major legislative step toward modernizing its border control systems with the passage of the Advance Passenger Information...
Dr. Terrance Drew St Kitts

St. Kitts PM Terrance Drew condemns attempted blackmail over CBI program

Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has issued a firm condemnation of what he calls a “calculated and malicious” attempt to blackmail and extort the...
Saint Kitts and Nevis officially launched the Medicinal Cannabis Authority

Saint Kitts and Nevis launches Medicinal Cannabis Authority

In a major leap forward for public health, economic development, and social justice, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis officially launched the Medicinal...
St. Kitts -Nevis Government to pay second CBI dividend in June

St. Kitts PM Terrance Drew Takes Legal Action Over Defamatory Claims

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, has initiated legal proceedings against Ms. Annette E. Frank in response to what...
US travel ban

Saint Lucia and St. Kitts & Nevis respond to reports of US travel ban

The governments of Saint Lucia and St. Kitts & Nevis have responded to media reports suggesting that their nations are included in a draft...
imf

IMF projects economic growth for St. Kitts and Nevis in 2025

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a modest economic rebound for St. Kitts and Nevis in 2025, with growth expected to rise to...
St. Kitts and Nevis PM meets with King Charles III

St. Kitts and Nevis PM meets with King Charles III

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew met with His Majesty King Charles III on Friday, January 24, at Sandringham Estate in...
Dr. Terrance Drew St Kitts

St. Kitts and Nevis seeks independent body for fair share agreement

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis is moving forward with efforts to establish a fair share agreement between the two islands, with the...
Terrance Drew St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis announces major increase in education budget

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis has announced a record-breaking increase in its national budget allocation for education, reaffirming its commitment to accessible...

Latest Articles

Skip to content