There has been so much happening in our beloved island that it’s beginning to be a problem choosing what to write about. Then again, it is not always wise to publicize negativity as doing so might do more unintended harm than good. However, I’ll brush aside a most disturbing and disgraceful issue and touch briefly on some information printed from our Government Information Service. The truth of the matter is that misinformation is being spewed from articles that should be more wholesome.
Reading from articles headlined Nevis will become the envy of the Caribbean – Premier Parry says and, Administration’s record of road construction unrivaled – Works Minister Powell says causes one to wonder what is radically wrong with our leaders.
Firstly, Nevis is already the envy of the Caribbean and I might even add, the envy of the world. Evidence of that is glaring as we move across the island and witness the construction boom, social activities and the diversity of individuals living here on Nevis.
However, statements made at the groundbreaking ceremony at Stoney Grove causes one to wonder quite seriously about our leadership. I do, however, join the people of Stoney Grove in welcoming the road repair work being carried out there and to the other places that will also benefit likewise. One can vividly recall as the previous administration did roads in the same area and throughout the entire island, they were lambasted and continuously labeled as the “Government of concrete and steel”.
The section of road at Stoney Grove starting above CSS through joining at Pump Road was criticized vehemently and was also sarcastically suggested that it should be called the Olvis Dyer highway. That road along with others in that area, were done about 6 years ago with A. Michael Perkins as minister of work. Yet still our present leaders state that no roads were done in Stoney Grove by the previous administration, a blatant case of misinformation.
It is also rather conflicting and hypocritical that the same criticizers are boasting that by the end of their second year in office, they would have fixed more roads than the previous government did in their entire 14 years in office.
It must be re-emphasized that the on going road works are a continuation of what was underway when the present government took office. Surrey Paving was contracted by the previous administration and already had footing here on Nevis when they left office in July 2006. As many of us also know, finding and contracting for work of this magnitude cannot happen over night. The fact that Surrey Paving was also targeted, by the present members of government while they were in opposition, makes one feel very uncomfortable with happenings here on the island.
At present, something happening within our communities that do not foster well and we eagerly await transparency within government. We eagerly await truthfulness on matters of concern to the general public. The situation that has caused the American Eagle to halt flights to and from Nevis and Puerto Rico are our immediate concerns and we await that situation to be resolved as soon as possible.
