Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 15, 2017 (SKNIS): Mr. Cosbert Manchester, Chairperson of The St. Kitts and Nevis National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC); Mr. Ervin Williams, Director of the NTRC; and Mr. Quincy Prentice, Director on the Board of Directors of The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) are special guests on “Working for You” on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.
The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (St. Kitts and Nevis) was established pursuant to the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority Treaty and the Telecommunications Act 2 of 2000 as amended to regulate the newly liberalized Telecommunications market in St. Kitts and Nevis in collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) and to ensure fair competitive practices by Telecommunications providers and to promote and maintain high quality Telecommunications services at fair and competitive prices for consumers.
The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) was established on 04 May, 2000, by Treaty signed in St. George’s, Grenada, by the Governments of five Eastern Caribbean States – Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
ECTEL is the regulatory body for telecommunications in its Member States. It is made up of three components – A Council of Ministers, a regional Directorate and a National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in each Member State.
The Council of Ministers comprises the Ministers responsible for Telecommunications in the ECTEL States. The Director General of the OECS as an ex-officio member. Responsibilities include giving directives to the Board of Directors on matters arising out of the Treaty, and ensuring that the Board is responsive to the needs of the Member States in the implementation of telecommunications policy.
The Board of Directors comprises one member and an alternate from each Member State and the Managing Director of ECTEL as an ex-officio member. Responsibilities include making recommendations to the Council on any matter relating to telecommunications, and establishing rules and procedures consistent with the Treaty for the management and operation of the ECTEL Directorate.
The NTRCs – National Telecommunications Regulatory Commissions – are the Telecommunications regulators at the national level in each Member State. They are responsible for the processing of applications and advising the Minister on the award of licences.
Mr. Manchester, Mr. Williams and Mr. Prentice will speak to issues pertaining to telecommunications within the region including the new Electronic Communications Bill, which will update the legislative framework to meet modern needs.
Hosted by Lesroy Williams, “Working for You” offers news, views, reviews, interviews and all the happenings of the Team Unity Administration, which has pledged transparency, accountability, good governance and a fair share for all citizens of the Federation.
The programme features government officials, heads of government departments, permanent secretaries and other government officials who will provide you with timely, relevant and accurate information as it relates to the social, economic, human, political and sustainable development of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Working for You” is carried live every Wednesday on ZIZ (96, 89.9 FM); WinnFM (98.9 FM) and Sugar City Rock (90.3) from 1:30-3:00 pm and rebroadcast on Freedom FM (106.5) and Von Radio (860 AM) on Thursdays from 7:30-9:00am and 10:30-12:00pm respectively. The programme is also streamed live on the SKNIS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sknismedia/
