BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PREMIER of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry has expressed that while some aspire to lead both the Nevis and the Federal governments, his interest is only in Nevis, its people and their advancement, and as such, he is the better option to lead Nevis into a more prosperous and brighter future.
Parry made this pronouncement Saturday evening (Jan 05) while announcing the date on which Nevisians would head to the polls to elect their local government.
As a prelude to the announcement, Parry noted that what is best for Nevis at this juncture is a leader who is 100 percent dedicated to the island and its people, and one who is 100 percent focussed on its advancement.
“Now on this matter of putting Nevis first, one of the most significant developments since the dissolution of the Parliament here in Nevis has been the announcement by some in our midst of their intention to spearhead the formation of a coalition effort to govern the country. St. Kitts and Nevis are one Federation, but we have separate governing administrative systems. My dear people, we are living in very difficult and challenging times and, I determined many years ago, at the dawn of this economic crisis, that leadership of Nevis meant giving this beautiful island of ours 100% of my focus and attention.
“I recognise the need to cooperate and to assist wherever with the federal effort, but for years now I have assumed the posture as leader of the Nevis Reformation Party of becoming 100 percent Nevisian in my focus as your leader. I believe that Nevis deserves nothing less from its leader at this particular juncture in our history.”
Parry counted as worrisome and concerning that rather than focussing on Nevis’ needs, some “find time and opportunity to be actively pursuing the goal of entering into a federal coalition; not in a supporting role as is the Honourable Patrice Nisbett, in his role as Attorney-General, but, we are told, as leaders and driving forces behind the effort of the coalition”.
He said Nevis is in need of full-time leadership and full-time attention, and while he has no difficulty with Nevis’ Parliamentarians serving in the Federal Parliament, he has “a fundamental difficulty with persons seeking to lead Nevis and lead the Federation as well, at this particular juncture in our history. Something tells me Nevis would suffer badly in that arrangement”.
Making clear his ambitions, Parry elucidated, “I want to be the Premier of Nevis and the Premier of Nevis only. I want to do what's best for the island of Nevis! That is why, as Leader of the Nevis Reformation Party, I am running for governmental office in Nevis and in Nevis only! These are not the 80s or the 90s we are living in. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is 2013 and each leader must have as his focus the best interest of his island”.
On January 22, Nevisians would be hearing to the polls to elect their government which is expected to serve them for the ensuing five years.
Both the Nevis Reformation Party, led by Premier Parry, and the Concerned Citizen’s Movement, led by former Premier Vance Amory, are expected to contest all five seats.
