Charlestown, Nevis (June 01, 2007)
Acting Premier of Nevis the Hon Hensley Daniel in a message to the nation advised Nevisians to use June 1st to reflect and prepare themselves psychologically, to deal with a potentially dangerous 2007 hurricane season.
Mr. Daniel’s comment came while he delivered an address on behalf of Premier the Hon Joseph Parry, at a church service with the theme “Lord Visit Us”, during a National Day of Prayer for Nevis, at the New Testament Church of God on Bath Road on Friday June 1, 2007, the first day of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
“As a government and as a people we do not want any disruption but we must bear in mind that this is God’s world. We must use this day to reflect on how we could prepare ourselves psychologically top deal with this potentially dangerous season.
“The stress from the threat of hurricanes is often greater than the effect of hurricanes. Let us take the necessary precautions and follow the direction of the authorities and where possible report instances that can lead to damage during the hurricane season,” he said.
Mr. Daniel urged persons to ask themselves what they had done to reduce the impact of hurricanes; whether they dumped refuse in ghauts which caused blockages, built houses too near to waterways or whether they were sufficiently concerned about the preservation of the natural environment, which was so important to anchor Nevis’ tourism development.“Are we doing enough to protect our beaches? Are we still building too close to the beach? Are we still ignoring professional advice regarding the construction of buildings along water courses or in ghauts? This day of prayer is for us to have the zeal and the desire to make the kinds of decisions to minimise loss of life and property,” he said.
Mr. Daniel said that he was of the view that the prayers for protection had been answered since Nevis had not experienced any major disruptions from hurricanes over the last six years.
He said despite the predictions of Professor William Gray and his colleagues at the Colorado State University that existing indicators suggested that the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season would be an active one, the invocation of God’s presence and guidance during the hurricane season could work miracles.
“We have come [to pray] because we want God to do what the Psalmist David says to hide us under the shadow of his wings during the hurricane season. We have come here because we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and we do not lean unto our own understanding,” he said.
Meantime, Pastor Eversley Pemberton during his message spoke on the importance of prayer and reminded those present that prayer played an integral part in the life of an individual and the life of a nation.
Among those present at the church service were other members of the Cabinet and top Civil Servants, Opposition members the Hon. Vance Amory and nominated member the Hon. Mark Brantley.
Do you really think the hurricane season will be bad this year? I’m planning on coming for 3 weeks in August, which may be at the peak. Have you ever been there in August?