St.Kitts-Nevis First Prime Minister to be featured speaker at Grant's Anniversary
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Dr. the Rt. Hon. Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds
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Basseterre, St.Kitts (September 27th 2007):-In October of 2000 accomplished and successful Lawyer Mr. Lindsay Fitz-Patrick Grant stepped into the, at the time, unenviable position of Leader of the Peoples Action Movement. PAM a significant and major political force in St.Kitts-Nevis had just come out of what many categorized as a disastrous election for the party in which it failed to win a single seat in parliament for the first time in over 20 years. Many argued that at the time the party was at its lowest ebb despite the fact that many questions were raised about the integrity of the elections.
After over 30 years at the helm of the party and 15 years as Premier and Prime Minister, the Rt.Hon. Dr. Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds stepped down as Party leader and left some pretty lofty and hefty shoes to be filled. The young Grant was identified and elected as the new intelligent, charismatic and vibrant Leader of the then 35 year old party.
Mr. Grant over the last 7 years has led a party that many have suggested experienced easily one of the most difficult, eventful, tumultuous and trying periods in the party’s 40 plus year history. The Harvard Law School trained lawyer has faced a myriad of government orchestrated obstacles and hindrances and regardless has been able to steadfastly and effectively provide strong leadership for the party. On Sunday 7th October the party will be celebrating Mr. Grant’s 7th Anniversary as Leader of the People’s Action Movement with a Luncheon at the Party’s Headquarters on Lockhart Street. ~~Adz:Right~~
The guest speaker for the Sunday afternoon event will be the nations esteemed, respected and much loved very First Prime Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds. Sir Kennedy’s vision as Prime Minister is still being felt and experienced in most of our everyday lives on St.Kitts-Nevis. Port Zante, the Southeast Peninsular or the Dr. the Rt. Hon Kennedy Simmonds highway, the east by-pass road, the school meals programme, the world renowned Four Seasons Hotel on Nevis, the re-constructed JNF General Hospital and the upgraded and refurbished RLB International Airport are just some of the projects that were either initiated and or implemented under Sir Kennedy. The loans for both the renovations and upgrade of the JNF Hospital and the R.L Bradshaw airport were already secured by Sir Simmonds when the Douglas led Labor administration took office in 1995. Sir Kennedy was also the first Caribbean leader to establish ties with the ROC on Taiwan. Despite the many criticisms by the then opposition Labor Party, Sir Kennedy forged on with the relationship which today is reaping huge benefits for our country. The Warner Park and the new athletic stadium at Bird Rock were both funded by the Taiwanese. Another one of Sir Kennedy’s projects ,Port Zante, is now the hub of tourism and economic activity.
The RLB International airport can now accommodate regular and direct international flights from all over the world , particularly the US and the UK. The southeast peninsular is now the base of the country’s next big development with a number of hotels and resorts, which according to the Labor government will be constructed over the next few years. It is interesting to note that every major development that the country is now experiencing or has experienced had it’s genesis under the leadership of Sir Kennedy.
The Luncheon event will also include a fashion show, a Chinese auction, kidz zone and a domino competition on the outside. The event starts at 1pm and the afternoons proceedings will be complimented by the smooth sounds of Melli Hewlett’s Pan Rhythms. and the King Sacrotes Band. According to organizers of the event tickets are available at the PAM secretariat on Church Street.
