Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 13, 2016 (SKNIS): Senator Akilah Byron Nisbett will be sworn in as the second Deputy Speaker under a Team Unity Administration when the Parliament convenes for a special sitting on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the National Assembly Chambers, Government Headquarters, Basseterre, at 10:00 am.
Speaking at his most recent town hall meeting at the Violet Petty Primary School in Lodge Project on Sunday, November 13, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris confirmed that Senator Byron-Nisbett will be the next Deputy Speaker under the 21 month old administration.
Senator Byron-Nisbett’s elevation as deputy speaker follows on the heels of Senator Michael Perkins, who was elevated to Speaker of the National Assembly from the deputy speaker position after Speaker Franklyn Brand’s resignation was declared in May of this year due to his ill health.
Mrs. Byron-Nisbett was appointed Senator in the National Assembly by the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton, on October 26, 2016, at a ceremony at Government House in the presence of Prime Minister Harris, other government ministers and officials, and family and friends.
After receiving the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance, Senator Byron said that with her new role she could be a voice for women and young people.
“As I go on, I know that I will be standing tall as a woman in Parliament and as such I represent a great cross-section of the individuals who perform such great roles and who statistically are the ones always out in front taking the lead and I vow today to do my part in Parliament to ensure that a woman’s voice is heard, but not only women, but young people’s voice is also heard, and also to be able to bring some gender balance within Parliament. With such an honour and privilege, I just want to say thank you to everyone and I definitely look forward to my seat in Parliament,” she said.
Prime Minister Harris said he was truly pleased with Senator Byron-Nisbett’s appointment.
“I am truly delighted to welcome Mrs. Akilah Byron Nisbett as our newly appointed Senator to the Federal Parliament. In surrendering a lucrative career at the ECCB, she has demonstrated how highly she regards national service through her own self-sacrifice. Not only does her appointment increase female representation in one of the highest public offices, but as a working mother of three, she stands as an excellent role model and inspiration for all women across the Federation, showing just what can be achieved through hard work and dedication,” Prime Minister Harris said.
Senator Nisbett holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Computer Information System from Quinnipiac University, Connecticut, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Systems Management from the University of South Florida. She has extensive experience in Management Information Systems (MIS), having worked at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the MIS Unit, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Ltd, as a systems analyst.
For a number of years, the newly appointed honourable senator has been involved in the organisation of the annual Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant. Senator Byron- Nisbett has the distinction of representing the Federation in 2000 at the Commonwealth Millennium Youth Parliament.
Senator Nisbett is married to Alexis Nisbett. The couple has three children, two boys, Ajani and Amani, and one girl, Anaya.
