By Lesroy W. Williams

Observer Reporter

(Basseterre, St. Kitts) - Prime Minister Denzil Douglas said the nation must move beyond satisfying just biological, physiological and material needs and strive to attain higher ideals.

The Prime Minister’s message came while delivering his Silver Jubilee Anniversary Independence address to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis at Warner Park during the ceremonial parade on Sept. 19.

The ceremonial parade, with its pomp and splendor, was witnessed by many citizens, dignitaries, government officials and non-nationals who came out to witness a young nation celebrating 25 years as a sovereign state.

Dr. Douglas said that we must give as much emphasis to the development of intangible assets as the country has done with respect to the development of its tangible assets, because it is the intangible assets that determine ultimately the success of the country.

“At this stage of our development, we must now – all of us – place as much emphasis on developing our intangible assets as we have been on developing our very important, tangible assets – our physical infrastructure,” Dr. Douglas said.

Some of the intangible assets that determine that fate of the nation are discipline, determination, initiative, perseverance, fair play and integrity, and respect for self and others, he said.

“It is these powerful intangibles that determine which societies realize their potential – which people truly become masters of their own destiny,” Dr. Douglas said.

“People of St. Kitts and Nevis - What does the future demand of us? The future demands of us vision…..and determination. The future demands of us self-awareness…..and self-mastery. The future demands of us courage; conviction; competence; compassion. Nothing less will do,” Dr. Douglas said.

The nation is at a point when only focusing on physical, material and economic development will not do, he said. The nation must look inward, assess who we are as a people, who we want to be and what it will take for us to get there, he said.

“We have been very successful at building schools across the length and breadth of the Federation. Together we must now promote the intangible assets of dedication and discipline – on the part of parents, teachers, and students – to stimulate innovative young minds so they will be equipped to seize the new opportunities being created by our evolving and expanding economy,” he added.

“We have been very successful at establishing hospitals and health centers throughout St. Kitts and Nevis, to serve as oases of preventive and curative care. Together we must now promote the intangible asset of adults becoming very, very serious about shaping young people’s characters so as to prevent our health care facilities – and communities throughout the Federation - from becoming embroiled in youth-based conflict, hostility, and rage,” he said

“We have been very successful at establishing important educational facilities like the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College and the Information Technology Center. Together, we must now promote the intangible assets of vision and initiative so that our people will continue to gravitate toward these facilities, keenly aware that these institutions were established to ensure that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis will be equipped to compete with anyone – whether as employees or as entrepreneurs - in the Federation’s progressive post-sugar, services economy,” Dr. Douglas said.