 |
| A life size billboard on display at the rally. |
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 23, 2006) -- Nevisians will go to the polls on July 10, 2006. The date was announced by Honourable Vance Amory as he addressed hundreds of his concerned Citizens Party supporters at a rally at the Hard Times playing field in Gingerland late Thursday June 22, 2006.
According to Mr Amory, he had advised the Governor General Sir Cuthbert Sebastien to dissolve the Nevis Island Assembly as of June 22, 2006 and had also consulted with Prime Minister Hon Denzil Douglas
Before the evening was over, Mr Amory introduced his team which he compared to a cricket team with himself as captain, Mr Malcolm Guishard as his deputy and vice captain, Ms Jean Harris as wicket keeper, Mr Michael Perkins as spin bowler and newcomer Mr Gene Herbert as all rounder pace man and batsman.
 |
| (L-R) Mr Malcolm Guishard, Ms Jean Harris, Mr Vance Amory, Mr Michael Perkins and Mr Gene Herbert on stage moments after the date for Nevis Island elections were announced. |
"Now we have formally named the team we are getting ready to call play. Your captain, I have asked the Governor General to declare the time for this serious contest the date for elections would be the 10th of July." he said.
Mr Amory said elections were always somewhat disruptive of social and economic activity and it was for that reason why the process should be short and incident free as possible.
During his address, Mr Amory told cheering supporters of the many successes which everyone had benefited from under his party's leadership and they had an "excellent report card" and therefore was seeking a renewal of its mandate to continue the work it had been doing for the people of Nevis. "The foundation is laid," he said, "and we are poised for greater achievements in the next five years."
Mr Amory spoke of the advancements made on the island including that in the private sector through tourism which had provided opportunities for employment and unlimited opportunities for economic empowerment; the advancements in the infrastructure; the transformation of the health services and care for the elderly; the investments made on behalf of the young people of Nevis particularly in the area of education physical and otherwise through policies and programmes; investment in the island's human resource and the steady growth in the economy.
 |
| A section of the cheering crowd at the Hard Times playing field in Gingerland on Thursday night. |
He said that there was no doubt that the CCM Administration had fulfilled its contract with the people of Nevis and had performed and the quality of life was ample testimony of its delivery on its promises.
"Perhaps the most potent area of our performance is the provision of affordable houses that have been converted to homes, meeting the needs of 1340 families," he said adding, "one of the most satisfying things about the provision of these homes is the very large number of young people who have acquired them and the number of applications that are yet to be filled."
Property ownership Mr Amory said, instilled responsibility, engendered a sense of pride and achievement, engendered independence and it encouraged saving.
He also gave an insight into some of his party's plans designed to further transform Nevis for the better if the CCM party was re elected to office including the creation and enhancement of an environment for life long learning; increased investment in the development of Nevis' human resource; instutionalise and expend technical and vocational training for all who would like to benefit from it; establish a centre for children at risk to provide additional opportunity to maximise their talent; prepare civil servants for entry into the private sector and to forge a closer link with the religious leaders on the island.
Mr Amory said too that there would also be continued expansion in the areas of health and agriculture with the establishment of a Nevis Medical Health Insurance Plan and the construction of a theatre and a four bed intensive care unit; establish an agro processing Unit to add value to the island's agriculture sector production and create a culture of intensive crop and livestock farming.
Notwithstanding, Mr Amory also took the opportunity to address a minority on the island whose actions sort to derail the progress made in Nevis over the years through their involvement in crime, vandalism and violence. He said the CCM party in government would do all within its power to preserve the stability that had been enjoyed on the island.
The event which was carried live on NNC Channel 8 and on Voice of Nevis (VON) radio was dotted with performances from noted Trinidadian calypsonian Gypsy, Jamaican reggae artist of Bob Marley fame Marcia Griffiths and local calypsonian Meeko. The Small Axe band from St Kitts provided musical accompaniment and brought the curtains down at midnight.
