Contribution to Homeland Security
Social Security’s
Contributions to Homeland Security
Prime Minister Douglas Hands Over Donations
On Friday February 22nd, 2013, coinciding with the observance of the 35th Anniversary of the Social Security Board during the month of February, a significant donation was formally handed over to the Ministry of Homeland Security by officials of Social Security. Prime Minister and Minister of Social Security, Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas presented the keys to two vehicles to Hon. Patrice Nisbett who received them on behalf of Her Majesty’s Prisons and the National Emergency Management Agency, respectively.
The 2012 Toyota Hiace Bus and the 2012 Nissan Pick-up Truck were part of a wider array of items donated to the Ministry of Homeland Security. Also included among the donated items were building supplies to the Fire and Rescue Services and Her Majesty’s Prison and a gas stove to the Sandy Point Fire and Rescue Services Unit. At the brief handing over ceremony at the Fire and Rescue Services Headquarters in Basseterre, the items valued at EC$155, 000 were gratefully accepted.
The ceremony was chaired by the Executive Director of the Social Security Board, Mrs. Sephlin Lawrence who welcomed the attendees and expressed great satisfaction in the Board’s ability to make such a donation to the Ministry. She alluded to the fact that the benefits of enhanced capabilities by these agencies provide indirect but significant benefits to all persons of the Federation.
The invocation was delivered by Chief Officer at Her Majesty’s Prison Mr. Alton Liburd. He thanked God for using the Social Security Board to assist the respective units of Homeland Security and prayed for God’s blessing on the Institution.
Chairman of the Social Security Board Mr. Halva Hendrickson gave brief remarks expressing gratitude for the noteworthy progress made in Homeland Security over the past two years and noted that the Institution would continue to provide support for the Nation’s security forces and auxiliary branches such as the Fire & Rescue Services, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Her Majesty’s Prison.
Prime Minister and Minister of Social Security, the Rt. Hon Dr Denzil Douglas remarked that he was pleased that the Social Security Board has viewed its commitment to promote National Security as an important one by its mandate to contribute annually to this essential cause.
The receiving Minister, Hon Patrice Nisbett thanked the Board for the donation and pledged his Ministry’s support to the Institution. He vowed that the items donated which have already been commissioned would be used for the purposes solely intended and would aid in enhancing National Security.
Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Hester Rawlins delivered the vote of thanks, lauding the Board for the significant donations. He encouraged the Board and other Institutions to continue making donations of this nature and indicated that the ambience of the Fire Station has already greatly improved.
Other delegates attending the ceremony were Mr. Elvis Newton, Head of Public Service, National Disaster Coordinator Mr. Carl Herbert, Deputy Chairman of the Social Security Board Mr. Stanley Franks Jr., and other members of the Board, staff and well wishers of the represented entities.