BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH a local election on Nevis ominously close, Premier Joseph W. Parry – who is also leader of the Nevis Reformation Party – is continuing his bid for reelection and is highlighting the accomplishments of his government over the past 18 months.
As recent as last week, Premier Parry made a national address informing that he had instructed the Governor-General to dissolve the Nevis Island Assembly (NIA).
Also within that address, Premier Parry explained that since gaining a second term in office in July 2011, his government has put its shoulders to the plough, ensuring that it delivered on its promises.
“So the Nevis Reformation Party contested the last elections on the strength of its performance in government. It received the majority of votes cast and was awarded the majority of seats in the Legislature. Immediately, upon being sworn into office, it went back to work. It did not bask in the glory of past achievements neither did it rest on its laurels. My ministers and I went back to work and have not let up to this day. Indeed, even with the court decision, our momentum as a weakened government did not lessen in the least.”
He said economic diversification is foremost on his government’s agenda.
“Of top priority was the continued diversification of our economy. We sought in the last year and a half to minimise our reliance on the Four Seasons Resort through the development of cruise tourism and the expansion and upgrade of our hotel plant to include the AMAN Hotel, Ocean Reef, the development of Pinneys, the restoration of Villa Paradiso, construction of the Marina at Cades Bay and Nelson Spring Phase 2.
“Additionally, as part of the economic expansion drive, Government pursued the establishment of a Cosmetology Centre in New River to employ 100 persons as well as the oil storage facility that, at its peak, will employ in excess of 200 persons. Further growth was also pursued and achieved in the Financial Services Industry.”
Premier Parry expounded on his government’s efforts and successes in resuscitating the island’s construction sector.
“During the 16-month period under review, your Nevis Reformation Party administration worked with the Four Seasons Resort Estates to encourage and facilitate their expansion of home construction in the Four Seasons area. Not only did we help the well off, but, also, we reached out to single parents, young couples and others, who under the previous administration had seen their hopes of owning the roof over their heads severely dashed. Credit in this regard must be shared with the Federal Government for its generous incentives on the importation of building materials and the low income rate offered by the St. Kitts Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF).
“Today in Nevis, as a result of the efforts of your government, we have witnessed construction springing back to life. Brown Hill Communications, Deon Daniel of Nelson Spring Projects, Greg Hardtman and Villa Paradiso, currently in a state of restoration, are but some of the projects that have generated meaningful employment on the island of Nevis. Today, therefore, despite the closure of the Four Seasons from 2008 to 2010 and the ongoing global economic recession, Nevis is in full employment and the economy is stabilising.”
And in light of the achievement of his government, Premier Parry suggested to Nevisians that “we have a perfect opportunity in these forthcoming elections to continue the progress and accelerate the performance of government and social sectors”.
