Charlestown, Nevis
March 25, 2008
Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry reported to Nevisian Nationals on the accomplishments of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) led Nevis Island Administration (NIA) at the Holiday Inn in Hollywood, Florida on Friday, March 14, 2008.
Mr. Parry said that the Florida meeting will take place at least once a year so that Nevisian Nationals and friends of Nevis living abroad can be abreast of the projects, programs and the way forward of the government and the island of Nevis.
Premier Parry’s report was accompanied by a collective and well organised power point presentation that contained text and pictures of the undertakings and progress of the NRP led NIA over the past year.
During his discourse on government’s development in Education, Mr. Parry discussed the new direction for Education.
He explained his Government’s move to allow teenage mothers the opportunity to return to school to continue their education and Rastafarian children to attend school without headwear. The Homework Assistance program’ he indicated, is on stream island- wide, with over 300 students participating in after school sessions.
Included in the New Direction for Education are free text-books provided for all government school students and one million dollars have been allocated to assist students pursuing tertiary education.
“The goal of this NRP government is to have a University graduate in every home,” articulated Premier Parry.
Mr. Parry also elaborated on the crime situation in Nevis, stating that the gang activity in Nevis needs to be combated immediately. “The young men are fighting, dividing themselves into groups like blue ribbons and red ribbons, Crypts and Bloods,” he said. “I want to end this gang activity and I want the police and parents to help give the proper guidance to these young people.” He went on to note that Minister Hensley Daniel has set up a program with an organization in Trinidad where the young men can travel there for Industrial training in Masonry, Carpentry, Plumbing, etc. This, he indicated, would be a boost in charting our young people in the right direction.
The meeting included a question and answer period where Mr. Parry was asked a number of questions about the Geo-thermal energy project which is presently taking place in Nevis. “I will state this: Geo-thermal drilling has gone down some 900ft and there will be numerous benefits to Nevis such as revenue for the island once we export the energy to neighbouring islands, more jobs and a cheaper electricity bill monthly,” he explained.
In his response to one participant’s question as to Nevis’ relationship with St. Kitts, Premier Parry stated, “I am not afraid to negotiate with St.Kitts and I am pleased to note that through our negotiations, Nevis will receive financial assistance from Taiwan via St.Kitts for a Fine Arts theatre. I must also note that Cable and Wireless will give Nevis their share of the assets recently promised to the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis.” When asked about Secession for Nevis, Premier Parry said, “I believe economics is economics and I do not believe in Secession for Nevis right now.”
After the question and answer period, moderator and organiser, Mr. Theodore Daniel asked the audience for a financial contribution to assist with the cost of medication for Sasha Hanley of Government Road, who has been hospitalised and is now recuperating in Florida.
Following the meeting, a number of participants expressed their pleasure with the power point presentation and the opportunity to have open dialogue with the Premier. They also suggested that with the success of this meeting, they await another one, with great anticipation, in the very near future.