By Liz Rahaman and Anastasha Elliott
Nevis Premier Vance Amory announced Thursday night that July 10 would be the day for the Nevis general elections.
The Premier promised that if his Concern Citizens Movement Party (CCM) is re-elected to office, major investments would be made in the future development of Nevis.
At a political rally held in Gingerland last night, Amory said that in keeping with the national Constitution, he requested that Governor General dissolve the Nevis Island Administration on last Wednesday, paving the way for elections on July 10.
The CCM’s list of candidates are Malcolm Guishard, Jean Harris, Michael Perkins and Jean Herbert.
The opposition party stands in the form of the Nevis Reformation Party, whose candidates are Joseph Parry —St. Thomas, Hensley Daniel — St. John’s, Patrice Nisbett — St. James, Patricia Hanley — St. Georges and E. Robelto Hector — St. Pauls.
Amory pointed out that it was because of his Government that the standard of living on the island had improved over the years.
He said there were more development to be done.
The sectors slated for development include the tourism, education, off-shore services, and the up-grading of the security system on island.
“We are proud of the partnership that has developed between the people and your Government, over the years in the areas of social development, health care and the education of the young minds,” said the Premier.
“The country has had the benefit of changing and improving over time because of the vision of your CCM Party,” Amory said. “Under the leadership of Minister of Health Jean Harris, we have seen a level of quality of health in this country, which before CCM, we never thought was possible …
“We see a quality of social development, which we never thought was possible: the introduction of a hot meals programme, for senior citizens — who were sometimes left unattended without proper meals — is one of the hallmarks of your CCM Party in Government.”
The Nevis Reformation Party, which was created late 1970, has stated that a lot more needs to be done to improve the lives of all Nevisians.
NRP has campaigned on issues such as the high cost of living and the health situation. NRP claims that the hospital is not safe and has questioned why patients have to go abroad for treatment.
The party also claims that the cost of health care is too high.
Amory contends that health care has always been a top priority for his Government.
In this regard, he pointed to the refurbishment of all the health facilities for the benefit of the citizens of Nevis.
“But our action and performance in health, the way we have sought to ensure that we provide good health service in our country, is only second to the investment, which we have made in the development of our young people in education and ensuring that they are able and prepared for the future development of our country,” Premier Amory contended.
Under CCM, the high schools have performed exceptionally well, Amory pointed out.
“… because your CCM Party has made it possible through our visionary injection of ideas, our visionary injection of those curricula changes, which ensured that our people are properly looked after, ”he said.
He also pointed that tourism, public infrastructure and housing have developed to levels that have left him completely satisfied with his Government performance.
“I am satisfied with the development …we have seen the growth of housing in this country where we have been able to provide housing for 130 families — this is one of the hallmarks of this Government.
“We have to look also at our Minister of Infrastructure, Michael Perkins, who ensures that we the people of Nevis see the transformation of infrastructure … the kind of dynamic and vision, which he has brought to the job.
“We as a government and people can feel proud in what we have achieved in our term in government. One of the most import indicators is the level of employment in tourism, in the social sector, in the offshore service sector, manufacturing and in all areas of this small beloved country, which your CCM Government has been able to transform.”
According to Amory, more than 1,700 new jobs were created over last 10 years.
