Charlestown, Nevis
January 22, 2008
Premier of Nevis Hon. Joseph Parry said that the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Mediation Centre on Nevis, could not have come at a better time for the island, in light of its growing economy and expanding population. He said the top notch facility was an indication of the importance the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) had attached to law and order on the island.
Mr. Parry made the observation on Thursday January 17, 2008, at a ceremony to launch the new facility on Government Road in Charlestown. The event brought Nevis in line with a number of jurisdictions throughout the Caribbean who had already implemented the mediation programme.
“With any growing population and in any changing society, there will be need for other changes there is a ripple down effect”¦ We are changing and we have been leaders in Nevis in so many areas. First to have full secondary education; first to have a land reform programme so we are accustomed to being first and creating our own new pathways.
“We are not first in the Mediation Programme, I understand we are last but nevertheless I have been assured “¦ that we are the best and “¦ that it is an indication of how serious we as a government take the business of law and order and the rule of law on Nevis. I must reiterate that law and order is very important in our society. We see seeds of growing crime, we see drug related activities and we notice problems in the schools. We also have an increase in divorces and other problems and I do believe that this mediation exercise is very timely,” he said.