The Chairman, TDC Group of Companies, Michael Morton, handed over the keys of the ambulance to the Premier of Nevis, Joseph Parry, who in turn gave the keys to the Hon. Hensley Daniel, the island’s Deputy Premier and also the Minister of Health.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony, Morton commended the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) for ensuring the island has an excellent infrastructure, excellent hotels and a cross-section of the most highly educated people.

The Chairman said they were giving back to Nevis community by donating the ambulance and “our successes have been due to Nevis’ loyal customers.” He said TDC had established a scholarship programme that has benefited Nevisians, noting seven students are beneficiaries in the 2008 academic year.

Morton said a total of EC$30 000 had been spent on scholarships this year alone. He also said TDC Group of Companies is incorporated in a way that enables the entity to pay taxes of money raised through Nevis directly to the NIA.

He said TDC pays taxes to the tune of $7M directly to the NIA per annum and the current partnership would help to further build Nevis.

Premier Parry thanked TDC for its generous gesture and said the Group of Companies was “progressive, productive and constructive.” He said the pioneer Premier of Nevis, Simeon Daniel, had approached TDC and had requested the entity to pay its taxes directly to the NIA.

The Hon. Parry called on TDC competitors, who have branches of their companies in Nevis, to emulate TDC and pay a portion of their taxes directly to Nevis.  He said Nevis is deprived of EC$10M in taxes per year.

He said tourism organisations were fond of asking for concessions but paid their taxes overseas. “TDC is the positive example and a pioneer,” Parry said, adding it is a company that possesses “social consciousness”.

Minister Daniel, described TDC as a company that understands the social and health needs of Nevisians. He said the ambulance would go a long way in complimenting the government’s efforts to provide curative care.

The Minister of Health advised the drivers to take good care of the ambulance, as it was a cost to TDC, adding, “The health of the country is the wealth of the country.”

Ernie France, the Executive Director,TDC (Nevis) Limited, said the brand new ambulance was timely due to the emerging cultural advancement. He noted that the donation demonstrated the corporate sector’s contribution to nation building.

The handing over ceremony was witnessed by government ministers and officials of the Ministry of Health and TDC Group of Companies.