Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 26, 2025 — Yesterday, the Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources; Sports; Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Cooperatives and the Creative Economy, donated 400 hurricane relief packages to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The packages — including water bottles, flashlights, and tarpaulin — were generously provided by Aquarian Consult of Nigeria, marking yet another milestone in the growing partnership between St. Kitts and Nevis and the African continent.

The presentation was made to both Mr. Livingston Pemberton, Director of the St. Kitts Disaster Management, and Mr. Brian Dyer, Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department. Both Directors expressed their gratitude to Minister Duggins for the generous donation, noting that hurricane preparedness is an “all hands-on deck” approach and that partnerships like these strengthen readiness across the Federation.

While unable to attend the ceremony in person, Ms. Aisha Maina, Managing Director of Aquarian Consult, provided a powerful statement on the occasion:
“We are not expected to form bonds however the work we have done with Hon. Samal Duggins and the stewardship of the Prime Minister Dr Terrence Drew in the last 21 weeks has created a bond which manifests in real time, some of what the greats such as Marcus Garvey envisioned. These bonds are building the transatlantic bridge and we will live and we will push and we will try until the bridge is solidly built to be broken no more. In understanding the unique placement of St. Kitts and Nevis, Aquarian Consult is donating 400 hurricane relief packages, as our brothers and sisters must be safe, alive and together to ensure the bridge is sustained.”
Minister Duggins expressed his gratitude, noting that while the Federation has been spared from hurricanes so far this season, the hurricane season continues until November, underscoring the need for ongoing preparedness.
“Preparedness saves lives, and partnerships like these ensure our communities are better equipped to face any storm together. I am especially thankful to the NEMA team for their tireless work protecting and serving our people. Together, we’re strengthening our readiness and resilience for whatever may come,” Minister Duggins said.
This handover reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to disaster preparedness, resilience-building, and forging meaningful transatlantic partnerships to protect the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
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