By John Denny Observer Reporter
johndenny@thestkittsnevisobserver.com (Charlestown, Nevis) ” Members of the Nevis Island Administration are getting to experience cool weather and the near 24 hours of daylight that the upper latitudes afford in the summer on their present trip to Iceland. At the invitation of the people of Iceland, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Finance in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Hon. Joseph Parry, Junior Minister for Works and Utilities Hon. Carlisle Powell and Permanent Secretary Ernie Stapleton will be in the land of fire and ice until Aug. 21. Thursday Online Code for Issue # 720 is OPN The trip is planned as a fact finding mission on geothermal energy. The Premier announced the trip on August 08, while he delivered the feature address at a ceremony to mark the official opening of the Jessups, Barnes Ghaut and Cotton Ground road and also the handing over of a gazebo/bus stop at Five Turnings in Cotton Ground. “While in Iceland, the Premier will pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Iceland, Mr. Geir H. Haarde and then the delegation will meet with the Icelandic Minister of Industry, Mr. Ossur Skqarphediinsson.” Visits will also be made to geothermal plants and educational institutions there.” “I am visiting Iceland because it is considered the headquarters of geothermal,” he said. “We are going there to get advice including technical assistance and to strengthen our negotiating team. Based on this trip, we will have a better idea of how to negotiate and earn maximum benefits for the people of Nevis.” Upon the delegation’s return to Nevis, a negotiating team will be established. It will consist of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for Natural Resources and the Environment Mr. Ernie Stapleton, Legal Advisor to the NIA, Mr. Patrice Nisbett, an adviser from the Organization of American States (OAS), a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) representative, a QC from England, an experienced financial analyst and a representative from the Iceland geothermal industry, he said. “By next year, the cost of living should come down. By the end of next year we [NIA] should be able to do something to ease the burden with the assistance of geothermal,” he said.
