Charlestown, Nevis (June 11, 2007)
Premier and Minister of Tourism and Finance the Hon Joseph Parry, introduced two amended pieces of legislation and a resolution when the Nevis Island Assembly met in Charlestown on June 09, 2007.
The Amenities for Tourists (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 and a resolution which called for the commemoration of the death of the late Hon. E. Malcolm Guishard who passed away on June 11, 2007 were passed.
With regard to the tourism ordinance, Mr Parry noted that the amendment was made to ensure a greater level of protection and security for visitors and locals who visited the island’s beaches.
“We need to take certain steps on Nevis especially those frequented by our visitors to ensure the safety of our people. Tourism has been the pillar of our country and has been the greatest employer,” he said as he introduced the ordinance.
The Amenities for Tourists (Amendment) Ordinance now widens the scope for person who have been given the authority to arrest offenders.
According to the new legislation, any person who failed to comply with the directive of an Inspector [meaning a police officer, port constable, custom officer or any person appointed in writing by the Minister of Tourism] commits an offence and may, without a warrant, be arrested by an inspector and his goods confiscated.
Any person convicted under shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.The amended legislation also stated that no person at the time of operating as a vendor shall have in their possession any animal [included any horse, cattle, ass dog, mule, sheep, pig, goat or monkey]. Any animal found in the possession of a vendor may be seized by any inspector.
The vendor, if found in possession of an animal in a prescribed area, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.
Nevis International Mutual Funds (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2007 received its first reading.
While he read the resolution, Mr Parry described Mr. Guishard as one who gave outstanding service during his 14 years in the Nevis Island Administration as the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and Labour; Minister of Cooperatives and Fisheries; Minister of Communications, Works, Public Utilities and Posts; Minister of Tourism and Culture; Elected representative in the Federal House for the island of Nevis and Leader of the opposition in the Federal House.
“And whereas the late E. Malcolm Guishard has played an important and significant role in the political affairs of St. Christopher and Nevis and in the social economic and political life of St. Christopher and Nevis.
“And whereas it is necessary to recognise the significant role which the late E. Malcolm Guishard has played in our country as an illustrious son of the soil and statesman, whose active life of unstinting service above self will continue to shape the island of Nevis fr a long time to come in the field of politics.
“Now therefore be it resolved by the Nevis Island Assembly that the death of the late E. Malcolm Guishard be commemorated by the country,” he said.
Other tributes also came from Deputy Premier the Hon. Hensley Daniel, the Hon Robelto Hector and the Hon. Dwight Cozier, while the Assembly observed a minute of silence in Mr. Guishard’s honour.