Public meeting crowd at Craddock Road

(Charlestown, Nevis- Monday 17, 2007) Public meetings were held in all five parishes of Nevis from Monday, July 9 –Saturday, July 14, as part of the activities for the First year celebration of the New Nevis Island Administration. The public meetings gave the Nevis Island Administration a chance to report on the government’s year in retrospect to the people of Nevis.
 
The first public meeting began at the village of Jessup in St.Thomas parish. Supporters and on lookers were treated to a power point slide presentation and a video displaying the major achievements of the Nevis Reformation Party led administration.  
 
Premier of Nevis, the Hon, Joseph Parry, set the tone at the start of the Saturday night meeting, “The former government talked about projects, airport project and seaport project, we the Nevis Island Administration are talking about developing the people of Nevis, and that is what we want to establish here tonight.

We have trained over 300 persons, 66 alone have been already sent to study for degrees. We are presently working on the education system, we hope to see parents allow their children to register for the homework assistance program and we hope to see benefits of that investment in the next five years. We are providing lunches we are providing text books all for our young people, to make it easier for them to get a great education.”
 
Mr. Parry also went on to discuss his sadness with the young people who are fighting one another and engaging in gang activity. “ I understand that one young man from Hamilton was fighting with another young boy who is from Cotton Ground. The thing about it is that the young man from Hamilton has family from Cotton Ground and could be fighting his cousin! I ask the young men of Nevis to stop the foolish fighting now!” 
 
Among the many accomplishments of the Nevis Island Administration was the very important negotiation of the Newfound Group where Mr. Parry re-negotiated a deal where the people of Nevis regained 172 acres, all historical  sites became sole property of the island of Nevis, The tax free concession were reduced from 30-20 years, Newfound will establish a tertiary training institute for the hospitality industry and Pinney’s beach would not be privatised but remain fully accessible for the general public. ~~Adz:Right~~
 
In St.James, the Hon. Dwight Cozier began the meeting by stating that his administration has almost finished Phase III of the island’s main road much to the betterment of the people of Bricklyn and Butlers who will have a much smoother, wider and pot hole free road to travel on.
 
Junior Minister, the Hon. Carlisle Powell told the people of St.George that his administration have performed many duties to improve the water situation in Nevis. “An extra million gallons of water will be in the water system here in Nevis by year end. This will be accomplished by deep drilling. In terms of road construction, we the Nevis Island Administration are progressing smoothly by finalising the move for the promise of a Camps road to Cades Bay via Fountain. The ministry will also be fixing the road at Hanley’s Road!”
 
 
In St.John, Deputy Premier, the Hon Hensley Daniel informed the people that he is a fellow St. John’s man hailing from the village of Cox and his administration has only the best interest of the people.
 
“I want people who are supporters of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) or the Nevis Reformation Party to fall in line and put a plan in place as the Nevis Island Administration wants to empower the people of Nevis whatever their political persuasion with duty–free concessions or financial assistance to study. The mission of the Nevis Island Administration is for Nevisians who are interested to be able to gain a chance to start a business and become investors of the island of Nevis and their own destiny.”   
 
The Hon. Robelto Hector had the crowd jumping as he told them that the Nevis Island Administration is working hard for the people of Nevis. ” Shake your keys to the East as The Nevis Housing Land and Development Corporation (NHLDC) have built 22 homes in our first year of taking office, while the Concerned Citizen Movement have built only 200 houses in the 14 years that they have been in power. The Nevis Island Administration has also secured a loan of EC$10 Million dollars from Social Security to assist Civil Servants to obtain a house of their own! ”  
 
The Moderator for all the public meetings was Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Ashley Farrell who organized the set up of the meeting, the line up and kept the meetings moving and alive with his witty humour and jovial behaviour.
 
The big finale was at the Play Field at Craddock Road in St. Paul’s on Saturday, July 15th when numerous people came out in green hats and clothes (which is the colour affiliated with the NRP) to display their support to the New Nevis Island Administration. At the end of the night there was a prize of $300 given to Ingrid Forbes of Bath Village who won best NRP outfit.