As the island of Nevis celebrates another year of Independence, the Nevis Island Government honoured 11 citizens for their outstanding contribution in various fields of nation building, during the annual ceremonial parade and awards ceremony.
The ceremony, which was held earlier today at Grove Park in Charlestown, Premier the Hon Joseph Parry, took his first salute as Premier of Nevis. He inspected the ceremonial parade of armed and unarmed uniformed bodies and accompanied by the Deputy Governor General, His Hon Mr Eustace John.
The 11 honourees were presented with a plaque by the Deputy Governor General. In the area of Community Service, Mr George Maynard, Mrs Millicent James, Mrs Beryl le Cointe and Mr Eustace Nisbett and in the area of Cultural Development, Mr Joseph Brandy.
Mrs Floristine Morton received in the area of Education and Mr Arthur Cornelius in the area of Agriculture. In Trade and Industry, Mr Frederick Liburd and Mr Neville Mills, in the area of Health, Mrs Dolpher Hobson and in the area of Politics and Business, Mr Uhral Swanston.
Meanwhile, the Nevisian Leader delivered his Independence Address before the large gathering that witnessed the march past in slow and quick time. However, it was the Cadet Corps on display. Noticeably absence, in the 23- year history of the Independence parade was a contingent of police.
Premier Parry in his delivery sought to clarify the Nevis Island Government's role within the Nevis Division of the Police Force. "..We have looked at and we have discussed the matter of the police and we will look at the police to determine the direct involvement of the Nevis Island Administration, in terms of working with the police in Nevis," he said.
Police in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is the direct responsibility of the Federal Government, but Premier Parry pointed out that the Nevis Reformation Party had worked closely with the police on Nevis.
~~Adz:Right~~"We have had meetings regularly, sometimes once a week and we have discussed matters of importance to the administration and to the police. At this point, I am very happy to congratulate the people of Nevis for their patience, for their tolerance and their extremely good behaviour in the last few days, as we have had some difficulties because of some dissatisfaction in terms of the police.
"We have had no break ins, we have had two cricket matches and a number of events and we have had no disturbance whatsoever," said Premier Parry. "I want to say to you, on this Independence Day, let us continue to conduct ourselves in our usual manner, let us continue to demonstrate good behaviour and let us continue to be good citizens and our neighbours" keepers," said Mr. Parry.
The ceremony was witnessed by Ministers of Government, Advisors of the Nevis Island Administration, Her Ladyship, Justice Ianthea Leigertwood-Octave and Mr. Octave as well as Captain Williams Tait of the RFA Wave Ruler. The ship is presently anchored in the Charlestown harbour.
