BASSTERRE, St. Kitts, 15th August 2009 – The National Association of Heavy Equipment Operators (NAHEO) Ltd., a local company limited by guarantee recently formed by heavy equipment operators in the Federation, held its first meeting on 28 July 2009, at Basseterre. The first Directors are from four local major Heavy Equipment Companies, namely; Mr Vincent Buckley of B&B Backhoe Ltd, Mr Alexes Hazel of Rock & Dirt Ltd, Mr Radley Lake of ELCO Ltd, and Mr Trevor Isaac of I&B Ltd. Mr. Austin ‘Gary’ DaSilva was asked to serve as the Company’s first chairman.
In recent years, local heavy equipment operators and, indeed, contractors in general, have seen their livelihoods threatened and profits eroded, as foreign investors have steadily been bringing equipment and operators into the Federation duty-free to undertake earthworks on construction projects.
This has placed the survival of local operators, who are capable of bringing in the same equipment, whether individually or collectively, and who possess the requisite expertise to do the work.
But they are not been given a fair chance, as the developers get the duty concessions( which have not been made available to locals), and no conditions are laid by the relevant authorities to ensure maximum local value added from these projects.
Further, the developers also bring in operators to man their heavy equipment.
Still further, the developers have been known from time to time, to deliberately bring in equipment in need of repair and upgrade, to have such equipment repaired and upgraded duty-free and to send same back in improved and appreciated condition.
NAHEO finds this situation untenable and it can, it will, and it must use its best endeavors to sensitize all relevant interest groups and the general public of St.Kitts & Nevis and to provide a sustainable remedy.
NAHEO will therefore do all in its power to: (1) organize and protect the heavy equipment sector in the Federation, and (2) lobby the Federal Government and the Nevis Island Administration to create policies that will ensure maximum local value added and fairness.
Accordingly, NAHEO is inviting other heavy equipment operators, and other service providers and operators in the construction and physical development sector in the Federation to join them in this mission, as they strive to move forward in protecting and sustaining the local economy.
For more information, please contact the Association’s Secretary, Ms Sandra Tweed at (869) 665-3156.
