Nevis, West Indies. ?A Non-Tourist-Trap? Blog About Nevis.

PM Douglas At Recent Press Conference
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts - Nevis
February 24, 2010 (CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian will deliver the traditional Speech from the Throne at the opening of a new session of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on March 10 following the recent general election.

This has been disclosed by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, who said the 2010 Budget Address will be presented two weeks later on March 23 2010.

“The special emphasis of this Government, during this term, on the heightened development of our people will be clear, with innovative policies both to develop the individual, and to energize communities.  This is because success in any area; agriculture, crime-fighting, entrepreneurship, the arts, community health - begins and ends with the individual and the community,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said that economic diversification will be a priority noting that the succcesful completion of the  Libyan Investment Bank of the Eastern Caribbean to be based in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“The benefits of this to both the Federation and the OECS are obvious. I should also, perhaps, add here that there are many ways to judge the degree of economic vitality triggered by a government.  One, for example, is owning one’s own vehicle since this dramatically expands one’s employment and entrepreneurial options, while significantly increasing the convenience and ease involved in matters pertaining to both health and safety, as well as recreation,” said Dr. Douglas, who pointed to the number of vehicle registrations in St. Kitts and Nevis, which moved from 9,200 in December 1995 to 21,500  in December 2008, an interesting indicator of the expanded options delivered by our policies.

He said St. Kitts and Nevis tourism will continue its policy to be a leader in tourism and said next month’s introduction of a second British Airways direct flight from London-Gatwick, a second weekly flight by Delta Airlines last December in addition to the daily American Airlines flight from Miami, the twice weekly American Airline flights from JFK, and the US Airways flights from Philadelphia and South Carolina augurs well for the industry.

Dr. Douglas also noted that despite the economic downturn, cruise arrivals in St. Kitts and Nevis are set to increase some 18 percent in the 2009/2010 season.

He said that the collaborative approach to crime fighting continues with the Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry, pointing out that the national security teams of both islands met in Nevis on January 12th.

“In addition the collaborative approach with the international community also continues, with members of our Defence Force having recently met with their US national security counterparts in Barbados, in order to agree upon the strategic areas of emphasis and training which our forces will be pursuing, in the United States, over the next year.  We have already reduced non-gang crime, and will continue pushing this downward while  maintaining a sustained push against gang-related AND white collar crime, as well,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

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Nevis Businessman - Mr. Arthur Evelyn

Charlestown, Nevis
February 10, 2010

The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) continued its promise of recognition to stalwarts for their significant contributions to the development of Nevis, when the Old Treasury building which houses the Nevis Tourism Authority offices, was renamed after Nevisian businessman, pharmacist and former politician, Mr. Arthur Evelyn.

The moving ceremony took place on Friday afternoon, in the presence of Government officials, his family and well wishers in Charlestown.

Premier and Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Joseph Parry announced the new name while he also declared the 2010 Nevis Tourism Week opened.

Mr. Parry referred to the renaming of the Nevis Tourism Authority (Old Treasury Building) as a “befitting tribute” to a man who had worked hard for the benefit of Nevisians. He added that the establishment of the Four Seasons Resort was assisted by Mr. Arthur Evelyn who was involved the negotiation process.

His profile which was read by Ms. Janette Grell-Hull, a former employee of Mr. Evelyn, stated that he had served the people of Nevis as a Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Tourism, a member of the Nevis Blind and Visually Impaired Association, the Mental Health Association, President of the Jaycees and the Nevis Horse Racing Club.

In response, Mr. Evelyn thanked the NIA and Premier Parry for bestowing such an honour on him.  He gave God thanks for the award and the pleasure that the Old Treasury building that now carried his name would bring to all.

Mr. Evelyn was the third of eight local heroes whose names will grace seven landmarks on Nevis. The names were announced by Minister of Social Development Hon. Hensley Daniel at a ceremony held in their honour on National Heroes Day in September 2009.

The well attended event was chaired by Mr. Walter Morton. Also on hand were the winners of Culturama 2009 King I Sour Sop, Miss Culturama Queen, Miss Macinda Nisbett and the winners of the Miss and Mr. Talented Youth Pageant.

Related posts:

1. Nevis, West Indies Honours Eight Local Heroes
2. Nevis Netball Complex To Receive New Name
3. Nevis Finance Ministry Receives New Building
4. Premier Parry To Honor Outstanding Nevisians
5. Nevis Government Increases Police Presence

Dr. Timothy Harris Loses Favour

Basseterre, St.Kitts - Nevis
People’s Action Movement
February 9, 2010

The pomp and glamour of this past Sunday’s swearing in ceremony was highlighted by the announcement of the Hon. Patrice Nisbett as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General but may have been over-shadowed by what many saw as the “clipping of the wings” of Dr. Timothy Harris.

Dr. Harris who is now designated as a Senior Minister was given the responsibility of overseeing the Ministries of International Trade, Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, Consumer Affairs and Constituency Empowerment. However the Ministry of Finance was most notably missing from the list of portfolios assigned. This fell in line with the predictions of many political observers as well as former Labour MP Dwyer Astaphan who all indicated that Prime Minister Douglas may want to “clip the wings” of Dr. Harris and strip him of the all important Finance portfolio.

Dr. Harris’ success as Minister of Finance has been well publicized. In November the Ministry under Dr. Harris’ leadership was lauded for  being able to make agreements translating to nearly EC $4 million worth of taxes, penalties and interests being paid during the Tax Amnesty programme, which was an initiative of Dr. Harris and his finance Ministry that was launched  in April of last year.  

“Dr. Harris’ success in the Ministry of Finance, which  is  now been seemingly rewarded with him being stripped of the Ministry, certainly adds much credence to the view  that Dr. Harris’ wings have been clipped by PM Douglas,” said PAM MP Eugene Hamilton

Dr. Harris’ efficient brief 12 month long handling of the Ministry of Finance was in stark contrast to his predecessor and now successor Dr. Denzil Douglas who oversaw the 12 year rapid rise of the St.Kitts-Nevis national debt to almost $3billion.

In the last 12 months fiscal performance of the gov’t has been described by Dr. Harris as historic as out-turns had been consistently in surplus.  It would seem therefore that Dr. Harris’ assessment and that of most does not find agreement with Prime Minister Douglas.

“I would have to agree with Dwyer Astaphan that the stripping of the Ministry of Finance from Dr. Harris is in my view an attempt by PM Douglas to clip his wings,” said Const #8 representative the Hon. Eugene Hamilton. “Why else would you remove someone who has brought a level of success to a Ministry in terms of improving fiscal out-turns. It therefore does raise a significant concern as to the Prime Minister’s motive which may very well go way beyond just trying to “clip the wings” of Dr. Harris,” Hamilton continued.

Dr. Timothy Harris has been speculated to be the heir-apparent to Dr. Denzil Douglas as leader of the Labour Party. However inside sources have suggested that the Prime Minister may be resistant to Dr. Harris being his successor.

Related posts:

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2. Ministry of Finance Committed To Produce Quarterly Reports
3. Williams Says Harris Is Making ‘Fairy Tail’ Promises
4. Harris Labels PAM News Release As Fabrication
5. Nevis’ Finance Minister Discusses Economy