25th Independence celebrations activities officially launched in Nevis
...Parry highlights current and past achievements

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com

The Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry

Parry made this pronouncement during an address to the nation at a ceremony held outside the Nevis Tourism Authority Building, where the 25th Independence celebrations activities were launched.

He recalled the economic circumstances in 1983 and reminded Nevisians that a meagre sum of EC$250 000 was the start-up fund that was available to kick off development in Nevis. He said in spite of challenges, Nevis had made great strides in economic development.

He said the road construction spoke volumes of the development that has taken place on the island. He also said availability of an additional one million gallons of water brought great satisfaction to Nevisians, investors, farmers and tourists.

“Despite the current drought, we have water 24 hours. We have every reason to be proud,” he said. He also said Nevisians enjoyed one of the best telephone systems in the region.

Parry said the founding Premier of Nevis, Simeon Daniel, had recognised education as the most important factor in the development of a country and, as a result, the establishment of education institutions was a priority. Hon. Parry said serious land reforms had enabled Nevisians to own beautiful and modern homes, noting the reforms enabled Nevisians to purchase land cheaply.

Parry said he was proud to have been associated with all the governments in St. Kitts and Nevis that had brought about development in the Federation. He said more lands are being purchased to ensure land and housing needs of Nevisians are met. ~~Adz:Right~~

Over the years, he said, Nevis had linked agriculture to tourism: “Nevis was the first Caribbean island to link agriculture and tourism.” He noted that this linkage had been identified by the University of the West Indies as a model that could be replicated elsewhere in the region.

Parry said media houses placing commercials of past leaders should recognise Nevis leaders and list them as having contributed to the development of the Federation. He said it was in order to list Simeon Daniel, Vance Amory and himself in the list of leaders who had contributed to development of the twin-island. A commercial running presently excludes Nevis premiers.

He said Nevisian leaders, and not Kittitians leaders, had led to the establishment of the Four Seasons, the Sixth Form College and many other achievements in the past and also presently. Nevisians experienced full employment when Four Seasons was established in 1991, “civil servants were able to have two jobs”.

He said despite the challenges, today, Nevis can boast of an outstanding home ownership programme, full employment and an emerging vibrant private sector. The Premier told Nevisians the second stage of the development of revolution would ensure that they are properly remunerated.

He said a high profile hotel would be established in Nevis. He said such new ventures would ensure that Nevisians could choose where to work.  Parry also said the economy would be diversified and cited the new call centre that hopes to employ 100 persons by December. He also revealed that a new telecommunication system would be headquartered in Nevis.

He said the envisaged geothermal plant would be the centrepiece of development in Nevis and the island would be able to have power for consumption and for export. He added that international agencies continued to contact Nevis to enquire about the envisaged geothermal project.

Parry said Nevisians had no cause to worry about the geothermal power purchasing agreement. He said he would lead a delegation to Iceland where geothermal energy plants are highly developed and, after this visit, a power purchasing agreement would be signed. He said the negotiations should be completed in the next six months.

Turning to crime, Hon. Parry said Culturama festival went down well without serious incidents. He said his Administration would continue to work closely with the Police and  close circuit cameras would soon be installed to monitor any criminal activities in Charlestown.

“People of Nevis must be free to walk in safety,” he said.

On the issue of cost of living, he said this posed a challenge but his government would face it courageously: “We are already subsidising water, electricity.”  He noted some food items were also being subsidised.

“You have a government that understands. You have a government that cares. Let us celebrate our island, our government,” Parry said and added that Kittitians and the government of St. Kitts respect his government.