Left to right, Commander of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Major J. Anthony Comrie; Attorney General the Honourable Vincent Byron Jr.; Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Osmond Petty; and National Security adviser (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Stewart SaundersMajor Comrie attends first defence board meeting as SKNDF commander
From the press unit of the Office of the Prime Minister
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Board convened a meeting March 15 at Government Headquarters, where pertinent matters surrounding the advancement of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) were addressed.
Thursday’s meeting saw Major J. Anthony Comrie introduced as the board’s newest member after he assumed command of the defence force March 1 from Lt. Col. Patrick Wallace, who is now retired.
The three other members of the board are Prime Minister and Minister of National Security the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris, who serves as chairman; Attorney General the Hon. Vincent Byron Jr.; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Osmond Petty, who serves as secretary of the board.
The primary function of the board is to provide support in the running of the SKNDF, which comprises the Infantry and the Coast Guard. The board has oversight for all the activities of the SKNDF.
According to Petty, the board made a decision to include National Security adviser (Ret.) Maj. Gen. Stewart Saunders in Thursday’s meeting, based on its agenda.
Petty further noted that the agenda for Thursday’s meeting included matters relating to the administration of the board, the establishment of a Commissions Board for the SKNDF, the promotion of Major Comrie as well as disciplinary matters within the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force.
He added, “We have, of course, a new commander in Maj. Anthony Comrie and this is his first meeting.” Petty said. “The board meets as regularly as possible to deal with matters of urgent interest [that] require attention, and given that we have a new commander on board, today’s meeting is especially important because there are a number of matters that have to be dealt with.”
The board is a requirement of the St. Christopher and Nevis Defence Force Act, Chapter 19.14, of the revised laws of St. Christopher and Nevis.
