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

The Beach at Four Seasons Resort Nevis..After Omar

Charlestown, Nevis
February 09, 2010

Premier of Nevis Hon. Joseph Parry said the role of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) in the successful reopening of the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis was proactive and not passive.

Mr. Parry made the NIA’s position clear in an interview with the Department of Information, on the heels of a number of meetings with bankers, Four Season’s representatives and other stakeholders on Thursday.

“The government’s role cannot be passive, we have to be very proactive [and] try to come up with creative ways to help them to move forward in the interest of all so that the hotel can be opened before the end of the year,” he said.

The Premier said the NIA had gone beyond the stage of offering concessions and had to become an active partner in the interest of Nevisians.

Four Seasons General Manager and Regional Vice President Mr. Andrew Humphries described the discussions as positive. He said in the end emerged a spirit of cooperation which brought the timely opening of the resort closer with the requisite standards.

“We all agree that a teamwork approach to resolving some of the issues is the way to go forward. I have to say that everyone has indicated they are very willing and open minded as to how we can achieve that goal and willing to step up to the plate.

“So I think it’s a testament to the government and to the banks that we have managed to move that far so quickly,” he explained.

Mr. Humphries also noted that the Homeowners Association were also involved in the deliberations since the homeowners on the estate were very critical to the discussion.

The Resort’s General Manager said during the meetings, there were also several consultants who presented various plans for several matters including reinstatement of the coastal protection and reinstatement of the landscaping. Others presented ideas on how the feel of the resort could be modernised, all with the aim of completing renovation work in a fairly short time period.

Related posts:

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2. Four Seasons Resort Nevis Closed Until April 30, 2009!
3. Four Seasons Resort Nevis Remains Closed
4. Nevis Premier Reports On Four Seasons Resort Closing
5. Open Letter To Four Seasons Resort Employees

Sea Bridge 2 Ferry In Nevis

Charlestown, Nevis
January 04, 2010

The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) was commended by a local entrepreneur and businessman for what he described as its key support to the development of small businesses on Nevis.

Mr. Rawlinson Isaac Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sea Bridge (SKN) Inc, a ferry service which provides a 15 minute route to St. Kitts for vehicle owners and passengers, praised the Administration’s efforts in a recent interview with the Department of Information.

“I could never thank Premier Parry… for allowing us the opportunity to develop the thoughht and the idea of the Sea Bridge. The Nevis Island Administration as far as I am concerned, is the Administration for small business development and I can say that without any water in any corner of my mouth.

“Praises to the Hon. Joseph Parry and his cabinet, they continue to look out for small business and for small business opportunities,” he said.

The Sea Bridge commenced its ferry service in August 2007 via Cades Bay in Nevis to Majors Bay on the South East Peninsular in St. Kitts. Mr. Isaac described the venture as one which had exceeded expectations so far and had proved to be rewarding.

“That was always a pet project which came to fruition and it has exceeded expectations. When we did that project it was in response to the Christophe Harbour Development the government developmental strategy for the South East Peninsular and we said if that is going to happen, Nevis people must benefit.

“We had no intention of having this traffic that we see emerge as a result of the undertaking. It was really to encourage the Lefcos and the Chivertons and so on, to move material both aggregate and building material across to the Peninsular, so that we [Nevisians] got our fair share and if per chance anybody wants to go across, we will provide some human and vehicular accommodations that was it,” he explained.

Mr. Isaac said the project was an instant success from the first day of operations and a decision was taken very early to continue the investment, expand the fleet for greater service and provide employment.

To date the company has invested in excess of $12million in the undertaking notwithstanding the challenges that have been encountered.

“We have acquired the land there and we have done some work on the St. Kitts end. You must have heard that there are some challenges on the St. Kitts end…People are saying that they have to move us from there but I am saying that it may be the Sea Bridge who may have to move them from there.

“I think that the more people understand that that is the way forward the better it is for all of us. We are not going anywhere. We either work together or none of us get anywhere and that is going to be the mantra. We work together or we go nowhere together,” he said.

The Businessman thanked the people of Nevis and St. Kitts for their support which he described as “tremendous” and noted that the venture would have failed was it not for the unwavering support from individuals who use the service and the commercial sector.

With regard to the future of the Sea Bridge ferry service, Mr. Isaac predicted that it would get stronger.

“My view is one of these days because of the affordability, safety and the short distance that you have to traverse, one of these days, Sea Bridge is going to be the way to St. Kitts.

“When the development takes place over there, everybody is going to want to go through there in order to go to St. Kitts you are not going to go 11 miles… it is thee future gateway to St. Kitts and from St. Kitts to Nevis,” he said.

Plans include expansion that would enhance the Nevis tourism product with the addition of a restaurant and a shuttle service from St. Kitts to Nevis for tourist who visit the Federation on cruise ships.

Mr. Isaac pointed to the contribution the Sea Bridge had made to assist workers who had been displaced due to the closure of the Four Seasons Resort. He explained that some of these workers were able to commute to St. Kitts daily at reduced prices to take up employment at the Spice Mill restaurant in St. Kitts.

Continued expansion at the landing sites had also provided employment to heavy equipment operators, truckers and construction workers plus a total of eight persons who had full time employment as crew members.

“So what we are saying there is a benefit for everybody. Can you imagine when the peninsular gets developed there are a number of persons from Nevis who will be able to go across so I think it’s one of the hottest things we are going to see around for a long time.

For me my pride in it as we have as our slogan “Bridging the Gap” is that I can slip across to St. Kitts in 10-15 minutes, do what I have to do in St. Kitts and come back into Nevis almost unnoticed. It is a seamless movement that is what is critical,” he said.

Related posts:

1. Sea Bridge Car Ferry On Nevis Shores
2. Nevis Premier Welcomes Sea Bridge Ferry
3. Nevis Commended For Marine Tourism Awareness Efforts
4. Nevis Moves Forward With Business Development
5. Nevis Premier Addresses Local Business Sector

Nevis Health Minister - Hensley Daniel

Charlestown, Nevis
December 07, 2009

A Bill designed to facilitate good governance and will allow for the more efficient functioning of the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority, was one of two Bills which passed unopposed in the Nevis Island Assembly on Monday.

The new legislation which was tabled by Minister of Health Hon. Hensley Daniel amended the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority Ordinance No. 6 of 2002. It was replaced by the Solid Waste Management Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2009.

“This reflects a deconcentration of power and a devolution of authority and it allows the Ministry of Health to have a more independent assessment of the Authority,” The Health Minister said after the Bill received safe passage.

Mr. Daniel explained that the new legislation served to eliminate any prospect of the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health to hold the position of Chairman of the Solid Waste Management Authority.

“When the Chairman of the Authority is also the PS of the Ministry of Health, the relationship can only be conceptualised as incestuous, in the sense that, the Ministry of Health through its Permanent Secretary, is responsible for the implementation of policies.

“What we are seeking to do here, is to give the Authority some leeway so that it is not constricted by the presence of the PS, who is perceived in our democracy, naturally, to carry the sentiments and ideas of the Minister of Health. So this allows someone not directly linked to the Ministry to give direction to the management and operation of the facility,” he said.

The old legislation called for the Authority to consist of five members of which the Permanent Secretary would automatically serve as the Chairman.

However, the new legislation makes provisions for three members and the chairman’s position would no longer be held by the PS.

Mr. Daniel explained that the amendment guarded against the long arm of the political process to ensure that it would have no involvement of the operation and management of the Authority.

“There are several persons outside of the Ministry of Health who can give the kind of leadership and direction to this and it is very important for us to remove the political directorate as it were from the management and operation of the Solid Waste.

“Of Course Madame President, this is a very important entity because as we can see, the government through the authority has invested heavily and also is making very good strides in the operation and management of the facility,” he said.

The Health Minister also registered his hope that similar measures would be taken in relation to other statutory bodies on Nevis.

“We hope in the future that all our statutory bodies are removed from the direct influence as it were in terms of policy and direction so closely removed from the political directorate,” he said.

Related posts:

1. Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority GM wants Garbage Collection Fees Increased
2. Nevis Uses Imaginative Approach To Solid Waste Disposal
3. Nevis Waste Management Commissions Tire Baler
4. Nevis Island Receives New Garbage Truck!!!!
5. Laws To Create Solid Foundation, Says Attorney General