Charlestown Nevis (June 17, 2004) Premier of Nevis, the Hon Mr. Vance Amory while addressing the opening ceremony of the 7th annual general meeting of Port Management Association on Thursday, said that it was important that each country pays special attention to the importance of efficiency, safety and security at all ports.
The function is being held at the Mount Nevis Hotel over a two-day period. The Premier noted, “All of us who function in the region, recognised that the pressures under which we are now forced to operate, although we have had the system in place to ensure safety and security, the pressures which are now being foisted upon us; the microscopic treatment which we now receive, means that we have to go beyond and above our stated policies to ensure that the environment in which we function, in which we operate, is truly safe.”
As minister responsible for ports, Premier Amory noted that developed countries have insisted that smaller countries in the region must ensure the safety of their citizens who visit their shores.
“We recognised also that our borders have become an integral extension of the borders of all other countries in which we do business,” said Premier Amory. “It is this concept of the integrated borders that forces us, require us in the Caribbean to take every precaution, using the available technology, the available resources to guarantee a high level of professional security in our ports.”
“We must recognise that this will take commitment on the part of governments, on the part of ports authority, to ensure that the global parameters which are being set for safety and security are met without question,” the Premier commented.
“It will require that each person who is involved in our systems whether they are security persons, persons in immigrations, persons in customs that he or she has a responsibility to ensure that the high standards of efficiency and reliability which have been set, are met, are complied with, and that there is no doubt, no question and there is no room for error.”
Chairman of the Regional Port Management Association, Mr. Everton Walters in giving brief remarks expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of the association for the hospitality they have received so far.
He pointed out that despite the many challenges and threats which face the maritime system, it was his hope that the strength from within the forum would be able to bear not only fruits but to deal with the many challenges that the association and the countries in general face.
Chairman of the Nevis Air & Sea Ports Authority, Mr. Colin Dore chaired the ceremony. The session is expected to conclude with an awards dinner at the Mount Nevis Hotel on Friday evening.
