Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 23, 2017 (SKNIS): Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said that St. Kitts and Nevis is “making steady progress in the buildout” of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Surveillance System Project, which commenced in 2016.
“We have procured the necessary installations of equipment, as well as training, and these of course are being undertaken by one of the largest and the best firms in this area, VIVOTEK. The VIVOTEK Project in St. Kitts and Nevis is being facilitated by local CCTV expert, Mr. Errol Wilkinson,” said the Minister of National Security during the Sitting of National Assembly on Tuesday, May 23. “All of the equipment and furniture for the first phase, which involves Basseterre and its environs among other areas, have been supplied and the CCTV cameras have already been installed at Shadwell and in Conaree.”
Prime Minister Harris hailed the progress thus far and thanked the citizens in the above mentioned communities for their “support in ensuring that they do all that they can to support the project and to maintain the peace and safety of their environment”.
“The programme of course will continue its buildout over the upcoming weeks. We have already had in February [2017], exposed some six individuals who would be providing technical support during the training exercise,” said Dr. Harris, referring to the officers and civilians from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force who departed the Federation on Friday, (February 17) for the Republic of China (Taiwan) to undergo extensive training in a “real world” environment on the effective and efficient use of CCTV used in public safety.
The training of the group was done in preparation for the deployment of enhancements to the system being used in the federation.
The Governments of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) entered into a formal arrangement that would see police cooperation between the two countries. This cooperation agreement provides for a law enforcement personnel exchange, to include a technical component and study opportunities in Taiwan.
Prime Minister Harris and His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, signed the bilateral agreement on police cooperation on Friday, December 2nd, 2016, at Government Headquarters. EC$5 million for the “Cities and Roadways Surveillance System CCTV Project” – Phase One was handed over following the signing. On Wednesday, December 14, St. Kitts and Nevis signed the Sales Agreement for Supply of CCTV Equipment with VIVOTEK.
