Following the approval of the National Security Council, a number of inmates have returned to the Territory, today 16 August, to continue their sentences in HM Prison Balsam Ghut following their temporary relocation to St. Lucia following the damage to the facility caused by Hurricane Irma last year.
Over the past several years, my Government has been laying the ground work through research, policy development and consultation to use the infrastructure, experience and expertise from our main industries and related services to chart a more diversified economic course for this Territory.
Madame Speaker, I rise to provide an update on the state of the combined fishing and farming industry. Following a series of public consultations that the Premier and his team conducted after the hurricanes, a number of issues were identified in the fishing and farming communities.
Madame Speaker, as we rebuild our economy, the Department of Labour continues to play its role in our rebuilding efforts. Shortly after the devastating hurricanes of last September, a Skilled Workers Programme was implemented to ensure that the necessary labour was able to enter the Territory in a timely manner. Employers have taken full advantage of this policy and to emphasize this point, a total of one thousand, seven hundred and ten (1,710) skilled workers have entered the Territory, the majority of which are in the construction industry.
At approximately 4:17 pm, a C-150 aircraft destined to Pointe a Pitre International Airport in Guadeloupe departed the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport and crashed into the waters off the east north east end of Runway 07 immediately after take-off. There was one person on board.