CHARLESTOWN NEVIS, September 20th, 2011 -- The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis which is marking its 30th anniversary has, as part of the celebrations, launched a fruit tree planting exercise in all public schools in the Federation, aimed at not only enhancing the country’s environment, but also increasing food security.
Two lime trees were planted on Wednesday September 15, the first at the Charlestown Secondary School and the second at the Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School. Hon Hensley Daniel, the Deputy Premier, and Hon Robelto Hector, the Minister of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration, lauded the exercise.
“We have decided that we will be planting a tree at every public school in the Federation,” said Mrs Alexa Pemberton, manager at the Nevis branch of the Development Bank, speaking at the Charlestown Secondary School. “We want to help to promote the idea of food security as well as to encourage our youth and our nation as a whole to make healthier food and drink choices.”
She told students and teachers who came out to witness the planting of the lime tree behind the school’s staff room that while the bank would be willing to plant any fruit tree requested by the school, most of the schools had agreed on lime trees.
“We present this tree today to the members and staff of the Charlestown Secondary School and we encourage everyone to take care of it,” appealed Mrs Pemberton, who was accompanied by staff member Ms Sasha Liburd. “We will provide the fencing material. We want you to nurture it and use the fruits to make lemonade, and to take part and plant more trees as well.”
Witnessing the occasion included a director of the bank, Dr Telbert Glasgow, the Minister of Agriculture Hon Robelto Hector, General Manager of the Nevis Housing and Land Development Corporation Mr Eustace Nisbett Jr., school principal Mr Edison Elliott and agriculture-science teacher Mr Yahsonn Tafari.
Giving remarks, bank director Dr Glasgow said that his presence was “an indication that the entire board of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis is solidly behind this project. We not only want to see that your financial needs are taken care of but we also want to ensure that we make a contribution to environmental sustainability. I hope that you will take care of this lime tree and ensure that more fruit trees are planted so that we can have a healthier Nevis.”
Minister of Agriculture Hon Hector congratulated the Development Bank on its 30th anniversary celebrations and choosing to plant trees to be a symbol of that achievement. He also congratulated the bank, recognising that tree planting and environmental consciousness were issues that all persons ought to be aware of.
“Let me say also that I am happy for the contribution that the Development Bank has made in this country, be it education, agriculture, housing -- sometimes it seems to me that within my (ministry) portfolio the Development Bank has worked for the last 30 years,” said Hon Hector. “I want to say congratulations to the management, staff and to the Board of Directors.”
At the Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School, the team of Mrs Pemberton who was accompanied by Dr Telbert Glasgow and staff member Mrs Jean Alcendor-Browne was met by the school principal, Mrs Adina Taylor. Area representative and Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Hon Hensley Daniel, helped in planting of the lime tree at the school compound near the parking lot.
“If all of our institutions plant a tree on the premises, you are sure we will have a good source of fruits and vegetables in the future. I am to hope that other institutions will,” said Hon Daniel. “I have to ask the St. John’s Community Improvement Club to plant some kind of tree here as a means of following the role of the Development Bank.”
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
Nevis News