Story courtesy of the Nevis Island Administration
As part of the Nevis Reformation Party led Nevis Island Administration‘s (NIA) pledge of transparency, Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry gave a report on the activities commencing May 19th 2008, at the studio of Nevis Television (NTV) on Monday, May 26th, 2008 .
Presently Nevis is experiencing a six-week drought. The Nevis Island Administration is proposing a number of measures to be taken to replenish the island with quality water.
“We have had a program of well-drilling around the island and I am happy to report that several small wells and one major well in the area of Maddens Estate will produce over three hundred gallons of water a minute. We (NIA) have been told by Bedrock Exploration and Development Technologies (BEAD) that a pump is under construction and will be connected to the system by Mid June,” said Premier Parry.
To assist the water Department, the general public is being encouraged to be prudent with their use of water. Necessary precautions for water conservation, such as limiting the frequency of washing cars and watering plants, are being echoed. Residents are also implored to listen to the radio for updates on any disruptions in the water schedule for given areas.
“In the next four weeks the water problem will be resolved and if the drought continues water will still be available,” said Premier Parry.
On the subject of geothermal energy, Premier Parry said that he was informed by West Indies Power that the first well in the Springhill area is a productive well and has the capacity to provide 34 megawatts of power. That plant will be able to supply an abundance of electricity that will be cheaper, and will significantly impact the cost of living in Nevis.
During the course of the report Premier Parry apprised listeners on development of the AMMAN hotel, a hotel chain that operates out of Asia with the highest reputation of upscale accommodations for the high-end clients. “The chief architecture came to Nevis and they are very excited about the prospects here in Nevis,” he explained.
Mr. Simon Lowe of AMMAN Development visited Nevis and stated that the area in Hanley’s Road, Gingerland is an improved site. “We are at a stage now where the architects have gone to work. Documents must be drawn up and later this year. The country will be in s position to calculate the time period when the hotel will start,” articulated the Premier.
Additionally, last week Wednesday the Premier, Cabinet Secretary- Mr. Ashley Farrell and the Permanent Secretary of Finance, Mr. Laurie Lawrence visited St.Kitts to discuss a number of important projects for Nevis with Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas.
One of the major projects discussed was that of the road work done from St. James to Market Shop, at a cost of EC$25 million. This, Mr. Parry said, will be refinanced to assist the fire services, the hospital and Charlestown Secondary School with projects that will be in a place the island in a greater position to move forward.
While in St. Kitts, the Premier also discussed modifying the Company Act and companies based in St. Kitts that have offices in Nevis will be asked to pay taxes in Nevis. “Companies like Cable and Wireless, Scotia Bank and RBTT will be required to pay taxes to Nevis,” he said.
Meanwhile, on his return to Nevis that same day, Premier Parry attended the launch of the Nevis Investment Promotion Agency (NIPA). “We launched the agency to promote the development and the marketing of Nevis Investments and projects. Now we have a very vibrant agency to get projects done on time. Instead of Nevis being number eighty- five in the world to do business, it will now be number one!” exclaimed Premier Parry.
Continuing his report on the island’s success over the past few month’s the Premier explained that in an effort to promote young men to be skilled technicians, Deputy Premier, Hon. Hensley Daniel and himself, through the auspices of the NRP led Nevis Island Government, have sent seventeen persons to Trinidad to develop skills in masonry, plumbing and carpentry. Another group of young persons will be sent off to Trinidad in the very near future.
Premier Parry also informed the public on his trip to the Organization Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) forum in St. Lucia. “The Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines has offered Nurses to several other islands such as Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad,” he said. “Now we are exploring the possibility of having Nurses supplied to Nevis.”
Meanwhile, Premier Parry sought to offer some clarification on the issue of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) saga, where, in his remarks, he spoke to the issue of the Minister of Health not being invited to speak at the opening ceremony. He indicated that one of the top organizers, Matt Crouch, apologised for the TBN Nevis office, incident.
Premier Parry articulated, “As far as the TBN matter is concerned we have made our point, it is behind us. We understand the recklessness and anxiety of the young Mark Brantley in his efforts to get the attention of the people of Nevis. I am only left to regret that a man like Hon. Vance Amory, who served as Premier of Nevis for fourteen years can condone wrong doing and do not have the courage and the leadership to apologise for his team in his absence.”
The Premier ended his report by reminding listeners that his Government in Action is aggressively working on behalf of all the people of Nevis.
By Mark Brantley
I believe that I have seen a Press Release from TBN which lends the lie to the Premier’s claim that bands were given to me by TBN to hand out and that Minister Daniel was snubbed by not being invited to speak. TBN has now confirmed that no bands were given to any politician or political party and that only Premier Parry and Leader of the Opposition Amory were to speak.
Mr. Amory was unavoidably away dealing with a family issue and asked me to fill in for him. TBN also confirmed that the opposition speaker removed from the programme at Premier Parry’s insistence. Premier Parry seems to forget that TBN is a private company holding a function which was not a government function. They were therefore free to invite whomsoever they wished.
As to water and the difficulties being experienced by the people especially of St. Johns and St. Pauls at this time, I am happy that the Premier has finally seen it fit to say something to our people notwithstanding that the problem has been going on for well over a month now. You will recall however that we were promised by the NIA that the new water found by BEAD would be in the system by December of 2007. This is now May of 2008 and no relief is yet in sight. I too call on the people of Nevis to conserve as much water as possible to weather these very difficult times.
I am very happy to hear of the progress of the geothermal exploration and thank the Premier for continuing the excellent programme started and well advanced under the previous CCM Administration. I and all of Nevis, however, await the details of the deal struck between the NIA and West Indies Power which the Government has so far refused to disclose.
The launch of the Nevis Investment Promotion Agency is also good news, but I gather that the members of this Agency were not announced at the launch. I and all of Nevis await word on the membership of this most critical of agencies and I hope for our sake that the members have been selected with an eye to what they can contribute rather than an eye to their politics.
As to personal attack on me as being “reckless”, Premier Parry’s constant attacks on me suggest a level of ill-will that goes well beyond the usual party politics. He is 20 years my senior and his unhealthy fixation on me is becoming most worrisome to even the most disinterested bystander. I call on all Nevisians to pray for our Premier and to ask our Father in Heaven to give him grace so that he may be at peace with himself and with all men.
Nevis and Nevisians have never been more divided and Premier Parry’s constant unprovoked and venomous outbursts send the wrong message to our people and especially our youths who continue to search for role models in this society. I had hoped that Premier Parry would have used the occasion of this speech to apologize for embarrassing the people of Nevis at the TBN/Friend Ships Health Fair opening ceremony. I still call on him to do so for the time is never too late to do what is right.
