Nevis Island News and Notes

Minister Daniel Lauds Success Of Nevis Culturama 2008

Minister Daniel Speaks About Nevis Culturama 2008

Charlestown, Nevis
August 08, 2008

Deputy Premier and Minister of Culture in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Hon. Hensley Daniel, lauded the efforts of all who contributed to the success of Culturama 2K8 but expressed the need for greater participation.

The Minister’s comment came when he delivered remarks at a post mortem and press conference on the island’s annual summer cultural festival Culturama 2008 which concluded on August 05, 2008. The post mortem was held on Friday August 08, 2008, at the Red Cross Building in Charlestown.

“We have had a successful Culturama but I really have to say that the responsibility for ensuring that we have a quality festival, maintaining the key components that we have, rests squarely with the people of Nevis.

“We have become too much a nation of spectators and Culturama invites us to increase our participation in our cultural activities. I think we have at our disposal in Nevis raw cultural talent and Culturama provided that opportunity,” he said.

Mr. Daniel noted that since the NIA assumed office in July 2006, it had created avenues to enhance greater participation in Culturama. The implementation of community festivals, he explained, provided a list for Culturama so that people who participated in parish festivals could build their confidence to take part in the bigger festival.

“We have also created the Nevis Cultural Development Foundation with four distinct units one of which is a Festivals Unit, another is Artistic Development and the third one is Research and Documentation.

UNESCO Youth Path Team In Nevis

Charlestown, Nevis
August 8th, 2008

Members of UNESCO Youth Path of Nevis have initiated work on one of Nevis’ heritage trails that leads to New River Spring and Devil’s Copper, says Youth Path Coordinator in Nevis, Vanessa Webbe.

According to Ms Webbe, the group which is comprised of young adults between the ages of 15 to 25, was assisted by members of the community, as well as staff members of the Ministry of Tourism. Work started on Saturday July 19, 2008 when the young people cleared over 200 yards of the overgrown trail.

Prior to clearing the trail, the members of Youth PATH visited the site and were taken on a tour of the trail by an experienced tour guide, Mr Lemuel Pemberton, to determine the extent of the work that needed to be done.

The group selected the New River trail in an effort to keep the rich history of the area alive. The New River Spring was once the main source of water for residents in the Zion community, who frequented the area to wash in the water that overflowed in the ghaut and to fetch water from the nearby trough. Lynnell Liburd of Sunrise Tours has conducted tours for tourists on the trail in the past. Ms Webbe is grateful to Liburd for allowing the youths to use it as their training site.

A quick look back at our local history would indicate that people came from as far as Hanley’s Road, Butlers and Brick Kiln to wash in the river. Water was also taken from the nearby trough for home use. Located in the same area is French Man’s Care, where it is said that a French man once lived during the sugar and slavery period. It is believed that he survived only on fruit from the surrounding fruit trees and water from the river.

Nevisian Author – Mr. Whitman Browne

Charlestown, Nevis
August 7th, 2008

As the Nevis Reformation Party led Nevis Island Administration continues to look at crime in a serious manner, Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry hosted a lecture by Nevisian Author and Educator, Mr. Whitman Browne who discussed the topic: Countering Criminal Behaviour in our Changing Caribbean, at the Red Cross building on Chapel Street in Charlestown on Wednesday night.

Among the audience, crammed into the main hall of the Red Cross building, were returning nationals, students and persons from the private and public sectors.

On delivering brief remarks, Premier Parry stated that the police have done a wonderful job trying to combat crime on the island. “I would like to give congratulations to Superintendent Seabrookes, Commissioner Williams and Deputy Commissioner Stafford for doing a marvellous job during the Culturama season. I would also like to thank the members of the St.Kitts Police Force for their assistance and support in executing checks and raids. I am also pleased to announce that the raids will be on a continual basis until we are satisfied that we have brought this crime wave under control,” said the Premier.

Premier Parry noted the steps taken by the NIA to alleviate crime in Nevis. He said that surveillance cameras would be around Charlestown shortly to monitor the crime on the island. Premier Parry also discussed the recently ended training program in Trinidad, where young Nevisians were granted the opportunity to acquire skills that would give them a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Former St. Kitts Minister – Dwyer Astaphan
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
August 08, 2008 (CUOPM)

Former Minister of National Security, Immigration and Labour, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan has been praised for his outstanding service as a Cabinet Minister for the past 13 years.

“I am certain that the entire nation would join with me in thanking Minister Astaphan for his outstanding service and for the diligence, passion, commitment and capacity for hard work that he amply demonstrated during his 13-year period in office,” said Prime Minister Douglas in an address to the nation on Friday morning.

The Hon. Dwyer Astaphan came to office in 1995 as part of a new Labour Administration, at a critical juncture in the history when St. Kitts and Nevis was in dire need of leadership, direction and social change.

“He brought his own unique and effective style to bear on the many developmental challenges faced by our nation during his tenure in office, and this contributed in a significant way to many of the achievements of the very competent and successful team of Ministers, policy-makers and administrators that I lead as Prime Minister of our proud nation,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

Geothermal Energy Drilling In Nevis, West Indies

Charelstown, Nevis
August 07, 2008

Local interest in the geothermal operations on Nevis continued to grow and according to a top official of West Indies Power Nevis Ltd. the trend was evident in the number of persons who continued to visit the Spring Hill Nevis1 site and the Upper Jessups Nevis 2 site.

Chief Operations Officer (COO), Head of Drilling Operations of West Indies Power Mr. Bobby Tinsley, made the observation when he spoke with the Department of Information at his Nelson Spring office on August 07, 2008.

“We have seen a lot of people up there [Nevis 2]. Our security guard handles most of the in betweens stuff and the people who want to come see the location. So stop and see the security guard if you are coming up. They will bring you up and show you around the location.

“During Culturama in the last three or four days I guess people were off work we have seen a tremendous amount of people up there asking a lot of questions. What we are doing? When we think it will be online? Where is the plant going? What is the pad for? Why did we dig the pond? Typical questions from the public that have a lot of interest. Their reactions have been very good they are all smiles and are waiting to see the productivity come along,” he said.

Minister Daniel Lauds Success Of Nevis Culturama 2008

UNESCO Youth PATH Members Clear Overgrown Heritage Trail

Noted Author Addresses Nevis Crime Problems

Dwyer Astaphan Praised By St. Kitts PM Douglas

Geothermal Energy Drilling In Nevis Draws Interest