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A cross section of participants at the meeting: From left, Hon Guishard, Pastor Pemberton, Mr Yearwood, Mr Evelyn, Mr Guilbert, and Mr Hunkins. With her back to the camera is the Hon Jean Harris, Minister of Health. |
Charlestown Nevis (January 28, 2005) -- The conservation of public places policy of the Nevis Island Administration has come in for praise from the Private Sector Committee in Nevis.
Chairman of the committee, Mr Ken Evelyn, told the Government Information Service that at a meeting they held with the Nevis Island Administration Cabinet on Wednesday, members of the committee expressed their fear that with the accelerated development in Nevis, there would be no recreation areas for the public.
I must say that we left there feeling extremely happy after we were told by the Hon Minister (Malcolm) Guishard of the plans that Government had for us, commented Mr Evelyn. In fact they outlined their plans to us and it was even better than we were asking.
The meeting was held at the Pinneys Training Centre, and accompanying Mr Evelyn were members Mr John Yearwood, Mr Eustace Hunkins, Mr Evered Webbo Herbert, Mr John Guilbert, and Pastor Eversley Pemberton. Missing was member Mr Martin Sinclair, who was off island.
We need development of course, but we also need to secure some of our beachfront for locals and visitors to our island, observed Mr Evelyn. So, at this point I would like to give the CCM government much credit for their foresight into what they are doing.
Apprising the Government Information Service of what transpired, the Honourable Premier, Mr Vance Amory noted that the Private Sector Committee members had made some very interesting observations, in that they recognised that development in Nevis was booming, with the new thrust for developing the Pinneys Estate.
They expressed a desire to ensure that government plans to provide open spaces on that property and other properties were definitely going to be implemented, said the Premier. We gave them the assurance that we have made provisions for open spaces for Pinneys Estate beach area for the locals to have picnics or develop any business opportunities.
Saying the tourism was the mainstay of the economy in Nevis, Premier Amory pointed out that the Pinneys Beach area expects an additional two five star hotel to add to the tourism attraction and the tourism infrastructure of Nevis.
He said that they also looked at other areas in Nevis where there are such open/public spaces. They discussed areas like Fort Ashby, Herberts Beach, Paradise Beach and other areas in the St. James area, open pastures where people can go out for recreation adding that these were long term projections that the government was keen on ensuring that they would make provisions for those open spaces.
There were also issues on the quality of development, Premier Amory observed. I was able to advise them on the official opening of Villa Paradisio, a new villa hotel which has opened (in St. Thomas Parish), and which has plans to expand and double its capacity in the next year, by adding another seven three-bed roomed villas.
He pointed out that his Administration did not want Nevis to become overrun by visitors, but since the economic viability of Nevis hinged to tourism, they want to ensure that the island is not left behind in the long run.
But at the same time, he added, we want to preserve the pristine nature of Nevis and to maintain the high end quality, five star and higher, tourism product which we feel is much more conducive and much beneficial to Nevis and the people of Nevis.
The meeting also looked at other areas, including the expansion of the airport, but according to the Premier, this is not an immediate issue, but it is something which I thought we should lay on the table so that the Private Sector Committee would recognise that the planning for Nevis is being looked at long term.
