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| Photo caption: A beaming Premier the Hon. Joseph Parry (l) showing off a token of appreciation given to him by Mr. Patrice Nisbett (r) on behalf of the people of the St. James Constituency. |
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (November 29, 2006) -- Immigrants from the Caribbean, who become part of the workforce to develop Nevis during the construction of the third phase of the Road Improvement Project, can expect to enjoy a price reduction in their work permits.
Premier of Nevis the Hon. Joseph Parry made the announcement on Monday November 27, 2006, while he delivered an address to officially break ground for the commencement of work on 8.5 kilometres of the Island Main Road on the grounds of the St. James Anglican Church Rectory.
The project is expected to be completed in 12 months and will encompass simultaneous work from the St. James Anglican Church and Market Shop in Gingerland.Mr. Parry said that his Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) had given the undertaking that they would reduce work permits for persons who came to Nevis to help build the road and to help develop Nevis.
I must say that we made a promise to our friends from abroad who have come to this island, that we will reduce the work permits. I am happy to say tonight, that as they help us build this road, and they help us build Nevis, we have ensured that those who are labourers who used to pay $1,600 per year will now pay $1,000 a year.
That is a strong message, it is not a signal, to the immigrants from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Santo Domingo that the Nevis Reformation Party is here with them, we are reaching out to them and we are embracing them regardless of what is said in this country. The NRP is here for you. We were here for you in the past and we are here for you right now, he said.
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| L-R) The Hon Carlisle Powell, Hon Robelto Hector, Hon Hensley Daniel, Premier the Hon. Joseph Parry, Hon Dwight Cozier, Mr Patrice Nisbett, Mr Jamie Chang, Mr. Dan Wilkin and Mr. Ernie France at the ground breaking ceremony. |
Mr. Parry also thanked the Bank of Nevis who accommodated the NRP led NIA when it facilitated the US$25million loan for the road project. He said the NIA was proud that a local financial institution supported by Nevisians, was able to invest in the roads.
It is an outstanding Institution that has uplifted the people of Nevis and served the people of Nevis. Tonight I salute the Bank of Nevis, he said.
Premier Parry also complimented Surrey Paving and Aggregate Caribbean Limited for their plan to complete a quality road, on time and on budget minus cost overruns.
He pledged the NIAs support and sought the cooperation from all land owners to ensure the timely completion of the road. Meantime, Mr. Patrice Nisbett, Legal Advisor in the NIA and the NRPs candidate for the St. James Constituency during his keynote address, said Premier Parry and his team had accomplished a miraculous feat having secured funding and a willing contractor with a significantly reduced contract price, to get the road project going in only four months after the NRP had assumed office.
He presented a pleasantly surprised Premier Parry with a token of appreciation (a pen set) on behalf of the people of St. James and to express their wish that every time the gift was used it would serve as a reminder of the momentous occasion and what he had done for them. Mr. Nisbett said the road project was an early Christmas gift to the people of St. James and that people development should include the development of roads.
Premier Parry has kicked off his governments Christmas season with gusto here at our beloved St. James. Nevisians at home and abroad should salute in gratitude this wonderful and unexpected gift. What a way to kick start the Yuletide season.
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| Some of those present witnessing the ground breaking under the cover of night. |
The road to development of a people should include the development of roads. To this end, there are some novel ideas that may be entertained in the development of roads, particularly as they are going to lead through lands belonging to large private developers, he said.
He made reference to the Jessups Barns Ghaut Road also under construction is an economic development road which would lead to increased revenue to the government and as such the government believed that the road in St. Thomas and St. James would pay for themselves by transfer taxes over a period of five years while bringing much need relief to both communities.
According to Mr. Nisbett, Government received just over 12 percent of all land sales on the island. However in cases where large private land developers wished public roads to enhance their development, the Government and the Ministry of Finance may be looking for a special development levy to offset the high cost of the road.
Also during the ceremony, Mr Jamie Chang, General Manager of Surrey Paving and Aggregate Caribbean Ltd. gave his assurance that the road project would be completed on time and within budget.
He said his company felt compelled as a Caribbean company, to safe guard their cooperate reputation and to perform to the satisfaction of the people of Nevis.
As a Caribbean Company we hope not to pack up and leave at the end of this project , we really have no where to go but to continue working with the Nevis Island Administration to rehabilitate and build lasting infrastructure for the island of Nevis.
We are here for the long haul and I know that this project would be watched closely by potential clients and competitors in the region. On this project we will work closely with as many Nevisian artisans and sub contractors as possible supporting them and ensuring the transfer of skills and technology where applicable and learning from the local experience where we can, he said.
The ground breaking ceremony was also attended a cross section of the community and by other members of the NIA Cabinet including the Hon. Hensley Daniel, Hon, Robelto Hector, Hon. Dwight Cozier, Cabinet Secretary Mr. Ashley Farrell and also Special Advisors in the NIA Mrs. Christine Springette, Mr Llewellyn Parris, Mrs Patricia Hanley and Mr. Alistair Yearwood.
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