CCM Leaders assess NRP’s performance

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - LEADERS of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) yesterday assessed the performance of the ruling party, Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) at a press conference held at the Red Cross building.

The leaders, Hon. Vance Amory former Premier and leader of the Opposition, Nominated Senator Mark Brantley and a local attorney Collin Tyrell spoke on crime,existing political climate, geothermal energy, cost of living and other issues of concern at a press conference attended by Nevis News Cast(NNC), VON radio, Choice FM, Observer newspaper, SKNVibes.com, and Trinity Broadcasting Network(TBN).  Elected Member of Parliament, Jean Harris was not present at the press conference.

Crime

Amory said the matter of crime is of very great concern to his party and the public at large. He said a small island like Nevis could not afford to have crime and what he described as “social dislocation”. He said even a single criminal activity should cause leaders to re-think strategies of combating crime.

He said the 13 murders that have been recorded in the Federation over the past six months is a cause for worry. “We have other serious incidents such as what happened to a businessman in Bath. Last year a man was cut with a hammer,” Amory said, adding this and other incidents would tarnish the reputation of Nevis.

He said the island’s youth should be given guidance on how to get employment by the Labour Department. 

Senator Brantley said the Federal Government has a constitutional responsibility to combat crime and the Prime Minister’s budget should have been a crime budget.

Economy

Amory said he came across a number of students who were unemployed after returning home, and stressed that the government should reduce taxes due to the cost of living caused by local and external forces.    ~~Adz:Right~~

Tyrell said the CCM had a track record of developing the island in the 14 years it was in power, noting the party had concentrated on development of infrustructure such as the  seaport, airport, roads and Nevlec, among others.

“We are certainly not better off than we were two years ago,” he said. “There is an uneasiness among the people.” He said there is no “good feeling” in the atmosphere and it is important that people feel comfortable in their own island. He said the NRP-led Government must agree to dialogue with the CCM on important issues that concern the country.

Cost of Living

Brantley said he had written to the Premier and the Prime Minister asking them to tackle the cost of living, but to date he had not received any response.

Politics

The CCM Leaders claimed that polarisation has gripped the country and was tearing it apart.  They further claimed that there was harmony when the CCM was in power for 14 years.

Brantley said he was not responsible for the existing divisive politics as claimed by the NRP. He complained that the Culturama Complex has been painted green and said Nevisians must show to which party they belong. He is of the view that this was further dividing Nevisians.

Geothermal Energy

Citing a paragraph in the 2006 Budget that indicated the CCM was committed to the production of geothermal energy, Amory said, “We were part of the move to seek alternative sources of energy.” 

The CCM wants the names of geothermal financiers to be disclosed and noted that in Dominica the geothermal energy was being funded by the European Development Bank and the European Union.

Brantley claimed that there had been no competitive bid prior to West Indies Power being given the contract to explore and process geothermal energy. He also wants the purchasing power agreement scrutinised so that Nevisians benefit more than any other stakeholders involved.

He however pointed out that his party is not opposed to access of alternative energy.

Voter Legislation

Brantley called on Nevisians living on the island and overseas to register before the process closes in September.

A cross-section of the press sought to find out why the Hon. Jean Harris was not at the press conference, what role the civil society Faith Based Organisations would play to end divisive politics on the island and how transparency would be ensured in the geothermal purchasing power deal.