Charlestown, Nevis (April 04, 2007)
Premier of Nevis and Minister of Tourism and Education the Hon. Joseph Parry, lauded the efforts of students who participated in the annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s Environmental Poster Contest while he underscored the importance of keeping Nevis clean.
Mr. Parry spoke to students of the Special Education Unit and the St. Thomas’ Primary School in separate but consecutive presentations on Tuesday April 03, 2007 at the St. Thomas Primary School, when he handed over two US$200 cheques to Local (Nevis) Division winners Ms. Lavonda Forbes and Master Akeo Bailey respectively.
“I want you to be conscious about keeping Nevis clean, to be conscious about the environment. When you become grown ups, insist that Nevis not only remains clean but when visitors come here, they do not contaminate or do any damage to the environment. We must always insist our beaches must be kept clean, the roadside must be cleaned and Nevis must continue to be a beautiful place.
“We [Nevis Island Administration] have the responsibility to pass on to you a clean and beautiful Nevis and you will have the responsibility to keep it clean,” he said.The Tourism Minister told the students, he was pleased that they understood what it meant to be involved in cruise tourism and to keep the environment clean to ensure that Nevis as a destination continued to attract visitors.
Ms. Vanessa Webb Research and Document Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, contest coordinator, said that the students had submitted “excellent work”. She explained that a total of nine students had participated. Seven participated in the Junior Category and two in the Senior Category.
The participants were drawn from the Bellevue International School, Charlestown Primary School, Violet O. Jeffers Nicholls Primary School, the St. Thomas Primary School, the Special Education Unit, the Gingerland Primary School and the Charlestown Secondary School.
Meantime, Ms. Earline Maynard, Principal of the St. Thomas Primary School noted that the poster contest meant much to the students because it offered them the opportunity to become aware of all the environmental issues that impacted Nevis. She said that as children the students had to understand that the care of the island was in their hands and as such, had a major role to play to ensure that Nevis remained clean and beautiful in the future.
Also present at the functions were Mrs. Christine Springette; Advisor in the Ministry of education; Mrs. Adela Francis Supervisor of the Special Education Unit; Ms. Bussue Education Officer responsible for Special Education and Mrs Averil Elliott Education Officer for the St. Thomas’ Primary School.