Government must do all that it can for the advancement of its people of all political affiliations
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Hon. Rupert Herbert speaking at the signing ceremony. |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 5TH 2005 Parliamentary Representative for Constituency #4, the Hon. Rupert Herbert said the signing of documents for the construction of a US$5.6 million Fisheries Complex in Old Road, is a significant gift to mark the 10th Anniversary of his election to the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly.
Mr. Herbert, who was among seven successful St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party candidates in the July 1995 General Elections, which brought an end to the 15 year government of Kennedy Simmonds, said the soon to be constructed fisheries complex is among the achievements of his stewardship as the Parliamentary Representative of Old Road.
The former High School Principal and former Labour Commissioner in St. Kitts, who also taught in Africa, told scores at the ceremony that when he assumed office, he found a plan left by the Peoples Action Movement Administration, to build a lone landing site for the fishermen of Old Road.
Although it was a good idea, I did not think that the fishermen of Old Road and the people of Old Road deserve that. I believe that with the long fishing history of Old Road, they deserve something better. Rupert Herbert does not settle for second best.
Today I feel 10 feet tall on the 10th Anniversary as the (elected) Representative for this area, because it marks another step in the realisation of the dream of the fishermen and the people of Old Road for the construction of a state-of-the-art fisheries complex, said Mr. Herbert.
He thanked the people of Old Road, Challengers, Verchilds, Middle Island, Lamberts, Godwin Ghaut, Conyers, Green Tree and New Guinea for their support and for electing him first on July 4th 1995 and re-establishing confidence in his representation and leadership in March 2000 and October 2004.
I have attempted to provide the kind of service that you deserve, said Herbert, who described the signing ceremony as historic. Mr. Herbert, who is serving as Minister of Health, said Old Road, the first town in St. Kitts has produced prominent businessmen, civil servants, legislators and fishermen.
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Fishermen from Old Road at the signing ceremony on the site for the construction of the Fisheries Terminal. (Photos by Erasmus Williams) |
Reflecting on his tenure as Parliamentary Representative for the past 10 years, Mr. Herbert highlighted several achievements in the constituency. These included the construction of the Tyrell-Williams Primary School in Verchilds, the construction of the Old Road Community Centre, which houses the Post Office and a gym; the construction of the Old Road Day Care Centre; the Challengers Community Centre and Day Care now under construction; the new 200-gallon reservoir at Old Road, a new reservoir at Challengers; new roads; 140 homes built in Lamberts, Old Road, Verchilds, Stonefort Heights, Green Tree and Conyers and distribution of over 300 lots of land to residents throughout the constituency and the lighting of the Verchilds and Challengers Playing Fields.
I am proud that we have achieved much in the last 10 years, said Mr. Herbert, who added that when the fisheries terminal is completed it would be a significant step forward in the realisation of that dream and expressed thanks to the Government of Japan and Ambassador Kato for the financial assistance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for ensuring that the project becomes a reality.
Mr. Herbert also paid tribute to stalwart fishermen of Old Road including some whom he knew as a boy. Owen Wigley, George Wigley, Marks who could not swim but would not keep off the sea; the Challengers and many others who have laboured on the sea to make a livelihood, said Mr.. Herbert, who also expressed thanks and appreciation to some of the younger and current fishermen including the Spencers', Cyril and Pastor Woodley, who earlier delivered the invocation.
The Government must do all that it can for the advancement of its people on all fronts and all political affiliation. The construction of this facility is going to rebound to the benefit, not only of the fishermen, but of the people of Old Road and its environs and the whole country. The fishermen of Old Road can take their proper place with us as citizens of this country as we march forward confidently into the future where equal opportunities must, said Mr. Herbert.
A fish landing area, office, meeting room, sanitary facilities, jetty, fuel facility, boat repair yard, slipway and lockers are part of the project. Construction is to start in January next year.
