Clear Harbour and NIA seek amicable agreement!!
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - IN a major twist of an ongoing issue, the Nevis Island Administration [NIA] and the embattled Clear Harbour will seek an amicable agreement in an effort to ensure that jobs are secured and protected.
The positive move caused Magistrate Yasmine Clarke to adjourn case 05/08 NIA vs. Clear Harbour (Nevis) Ltd. in favour of a negotiated amicable agreement. Visiting Managing Partner, Clear Harbour Lee Waters said all parties were “negotiating in good faith.” He said the parties had chosen to negotiate a settled agreement to ensure that jobs are secured for the 40-plus persons in his company’s employ.
Contacted for further clarification, NIA Legal Adviser Patrice Nisbett and Clear Harbour’s attorney Mark Brantley confirmed an amicable agreement was being sought.
“The case was adjourned so that parties can discuss and reach an amicable resolution to the matter,” Nisbett said.
Brantley said, “We are optimistic that the matter will be solved amicably in the interest of continuity of employment. Parties have come to the table to solve the matter in an amicable way.” ~~Adz:Right~~
Clear Harbour, established on Nevis in 2004, has been operating from a building leased from the NIA, but it has expired in October 2007. SKNVibes was unable to establish the reason(s) why Clear Harbour did not pay any rent after the expiration date, but Brantley said all issues in the dispute would be discussed amicably.
Brantley said Clear Harbour has a keen interest in Nevis, noting that a year ago when the company decided to remain on the island only 10 persons were in its employ. He pointed out that that amount has increased by 32 and an additional 12 would be employed in the near future.
“All management is local. Clear Harbour has not imported labour but has employed who is available. The entire management is local. I am happy we were able to sit down and seek an amicable agreement,” Brantley said in an interview.
