LK Hewlett of the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister, "Last time we spoke, you said you'd give us an update, you'd get back to me on the figures as to what I Consulate in Dubai would cost the people of St. Kitts. Can you give us an update as to where we're at? I think you said you were trying to procure the building or the space, whatever, and, so could you tell us what's going on with that?"
The Right Honourable Prime Minister responded, "The building office space has been secured, contract has been signed. The figures I don't have but I'm sure Mr. Newton in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can give you the figures if you ask him. But we have advanced and so we're now waiting for the final, official opening of the Consulate."
Ms. Hewlett followed-up with, "Any time frame on that?"
The Right Honourable Prime Minister responded, "I'm not certain, September, October, I'm not certain. That of course is determined by other factors. It's very hot in Dubai at this time plus a few weeks ago they were into Ramadan. Nothing happens during Ramadan and so they were awaiting until all these and then there was Eid I think it was, another religious celebration period. And so I'm expecting by September, October, things would be moving forward."
Ms. Hewlett followed-up with, "Moving forward or would be opened?"
The Right Honourable Prime Minister responded, "Opened; That's what I mean."
Ms. Hewlett followed-up with, "Would it be staffed by locals? You have staff identified?"
The Right Honourable Prime Minister responded, "Well, Ms. Woodley has already been appointed as the Consul General and of course it would need other staff; maybe local, local meaning there, UAE, would have to have some support staff I would think. And the idea I think was that it'll have people from here also moving in to lend support here and there. It's being put together. I don't know the final details as yet but it's being put together."
Ms. Hewlett followed-up with, "So, hoping to get the figures maybe by next. Oh you said Mr. Newton?"
The Right Honourable Prime Minister responded, "Oh yes, Mr. Newton. I don't walk around with figures in my head."