CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE man voted as the Federation’s first Everyday Financial Hero, Anthony Jones, has been honoured by the financial institutions which organised the inaugural campaign.
Jones, a poultry farmer from Newcastle, was honoured in the form of a cheque for $5 000 and a plaque which were presented on Wednesday (Nov. 25) by Deputy Director, Corporate Relations of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Sybil Welsh at the Bank of Nevis (BON) conference room. The presentation took place in the presence of representatives of six of the 19 financial institutions which collaborated on the effort. SKNVibes and LIME were also part of the promotion.
According to Welsh, the award, which was launched during financial information month – October 2009 – had as its objective to acknowledge persons who, through prudent savings, investments, sacrifice and hard work, have been able to attain their financial goals of advanced education, home ownership or entrepreneurship.
“…when you consider all of the positive issues that come out of being able to achieve your financial goal, one would say you are a hero. One could ask where would the economy be? Where would the household be? Where would the community be? Where would the country be if we did not have persons who are achieving their goals?”
Welsh said it would put pressure on government to put more resources to social welfare, causing fewer resources to be put to infrastructural development. She said that without private individuals providing employment, government would need to fill that gap which is impossible. She also said that without persons pursuing the goal of home ownership, then financial institutions would be without a critical component of their loan portfolio. Therefore, they would not be able to extend more loans in other areas of the economy.
Jones thanked the public for voting for him and said business persons are just facilitators for the customers who keep businesses alive. He said it is important that businesses provide to quality service and goods to persons they serve.
“We should also always try to improve on what we produce – whether it is service or goods. If a customer is satisfied with goods or services they receive they will advertise the business.”
Jones also said he considered the award as belonging to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and he is just holding it for them.
