CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE proposition team of Best Speaker Kris Liburd and Althea Campbell emerged winner of the Nevis Housing and Land Development Corporation (NHLDC)- sponsored debate held at Occasions in Pinney’s on Thursday, November 26.
In what turned out to be a closely fought contest, the proposition accumulated 538 points out of a possible 690 to the opposition’s 537. The opposition consisted of Joanne Flemming and Shanroy Caesar.
The Moot of the event, organised by the Nevis Literary and Debating Society, was “Be it resolved that the housing policies of Caribbean governments are just political ploys to satisfy their party supporters”.
Legal Advisor to the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Patrice Nisbett said the debate was sponsored as part of the corporation’s 25th anniversary celebrations. He said the debaters would use the event to sharpen their skills in preparation for the Leeward Islands Debating Competition which is scheduled for Nevis in February 2010. He urged that Nevis’ debaters return to their winning ways at that competition. Hon. Nisbett also promised that the NHLDC would ensure that Thursday’s debate would be an annual occurrence.
Before announcing the winners, Sherry-Ann Liburd said she and the other judges, Wakeley Daniel and Sheryl Barrett-Field, were impressed with the level of research by the debaters, noting that information was quoted from a variety of regional territories. She also pointed out some areas that the judges believed need to be improved ahead of the Leeward Islands tournament. She identified these areas as grammar, pronunciation, diction, clarity and making eye-contact with the audience.
Minister responsible for Housing and Land, Hon. Robelto Hector and General Manager of NHLDC Eustace Nisbett were among those on hand to witness the debate. Minister Hector presented the trophy to the winning team.
