by the Premier Hon. Vance Amory
13th December 2001
Madam President, I have decided to caption my presentation of the 2003 budget, �Consolidation, Stimulation and Growth�. The title is very appropriate considering the position of the Nevis Economy today vis-�-vis the rapid changes that are unfolding in the global political economy. ....................
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
126. Madam President, the protection of the environment is a top priority for this Administration. Sometimes environment issues are not accorded serious attention because of the inherent difficulties in attaching economic values to environmental assets. However, we need to conserve these assets for posterity to sustain the economic development of our country.
127. In this regard, Madam President, the Administration has an ambitious plan of action aimed at preserving our environmental assets for the benefit of present and future generations. During the fiscal year 2003, the Administration will draft and enact a new Planning Act, which will make provision for the orderly and progressive development of land in both urban and rural areas, and the preservation and improvement of amenities. I am aware that the Act is long overdue but we were careful to obtain external assistance to ensure that modern and progressive legislation is enacted. With the kind assistance of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean our plan will be realized in mid 2003. A part of the process will include the acceptance of a Uniform Building Code with associated regulations to ensure that the construction sector complies with building safety standards. This will be twinned with the drafting and development of a five-year Physical Development Plan to formulate policies and guidelines for sustainable development. Selected areas will be earmarked for housing, agriculture, industry, national parks, conservation areas, hotel and tourism development based on land suitability and other physical environmental factors.
128. Madam President, of growing concern to this Administration is the operation and management of Quarries in Nevis. The poor management practices have left significant scars on the landscape and has contributed to soil erosion, sedimentation of reefs and the build up of ghaut beds, as the vegetative cover of these lands have been removed and no remedial action taken. During 2003 the Administration will draft and enact the Quarries Act. The purpose is to regulate the Quarry industry, as well as to implement conservation and rehabilitation measures in areas that have been degraded by mining and quarrying activities. Mention must be made of the fact that the guidelines and policies for quarrying will apply to both government and privately owned lands as we seek to control and regulate all Quarries on Nevis.
129. Madam President, I am happy to report that the Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme (CREP) has selected Nevis as one of several demonstration sites in the Caribbean where environmental interventions are more likely to be sustainable. The site selected in Nevis is the Bath Estate Area, which includes the Bath Stream, Bath House and Bogs. Under the Project, Nevis is expected to receive approximately $488,000 in grant funds for the improvement and development of the area with the objective of promoting heritage conservation and sustainable development utilizing existing environmental and natural resources.
130. Madam President, the existing maps of Nevis are more than twenty (20) years old, and therefore missing critical and essential information. During 2003 an aerial fly-over will be undertaken to ensure that planners, surveyors, landowners, developers and the general public have access to the latest cartographic information. The maps generated will be available in hard copy or in digital format and would be sold to visitors and the general public.
131. Madam President, this is just a synopsis of the major initiatives proposed for 2003. The plans and programmes for the management of our environmental resources in the future are far reaching. I have no doubt that our efforts will reap significant dividends as we chart the course for the sustainable economic development of Nevis in 2003 and beyond.
by the Premier Hon. Vance Amory
13th December 2001
Madam President, recurrent expenditure is estimated to increase by $2.2 million mainly because of the increasing non discretionary costs such as debt service payments; retiring benefits; and the costs associated with new and focused programs geared towards ensuring sustainability, stability and growth in the Nevis economy; and the creation of a new Ministry of Physical Planning, Infrastructure Development, Natural Resources and Environment.
on the Occasion of the
1st Anniversary of Being Elected to
Parliament of the Nevis Island Assembly
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Fellow Nevisians and other Residents of Nevis:
Today September 07 is a very special day for me because it is the anniversary of the day that you the good people of Nevis returned the Concerned Citizens Movement Party to the halls of power and also the day when you invested your confidence in me by returning me as the successful candidate for St. Paul - Nevis 01. I thank God for giving me the health, strength and ability to serve. I thank you, the people of Nevis, and in particular the people of St. Paul most sincerely for the faith you have placed in me. I thank my family � both immediate and extended � for standing so solidly behind me. Indeed, my family could have easily been discouraged by the negativism, false rumors, and threats that have been hurled at us; however, the overwhelming words of encouragement and overall support that we have received, have been so much more than these negatives, it now makes it so easy for me to pronounce that this is what has caused me to be still here today � and much stronger than before!
My victory at the polls one year ago gave me responsibility to the constituents of Electoral District Nevis 01 firstly, and when I was appointed Minister of Physical Planning, Infrastructural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, this gave me responsibility to all the people of Nevis. My first order of business was to establish the assigned Ministry and a critical component of this was to give greater life and synergy to the aspect of environmental control. To this end, we conjoined the Department of Physical Planning and the Department of the Environment; we reclassified the Project Management Office as the Department of Infrastructural Development; and strengthened the administrative section through the appointment of a Permanent Secretary . This has allowed us to offer the best service possible at the least cost. Since September 2001, my Ministry has formally hosted a number of workshops for the expressed purpose of consultation. I have personally met with constituents, with the experts � local and foreign, and with stakeholders.
We have also participated in training sessions at home and abroad, all in an effort to give to the people the best that there is in the circumstances. The point here is that consultation has been a hallmark of my Ministry and I pledge to you, fellow Nevisians, that this will remain a feature for as long as you permit me to remain in government. I believe in consultation, because I truly believe that every resident has a right to be heard and to participate in national development. I also believe in consensus, but at the same time, I stand ready to make decisions that, though they may not appear to be popular at the time, will be in the best interest of Nevis in the long run.
As Minister of Physical Planning it is my intention that my Ministry becomes as close as possible to being that ONE STOP that you will have to make as you plan and execute your own development works, and we are moving expeditiously towards this. To this end, we expect that the Development and Planning Control Act will be tabled and passed in the Nevis Island Assembly in the not too distant future. This legislation will revamp old and outdated laws and ordinances and will make available a new law that will enable us to deal with the many problems, anomalies, and duplications, which impact negatively on development in both the private and public sectors.
In this the first year of existence of my Ministry, I am pleased to report to all the people of Nevis the progress made in the construction of the new Terminal Building Newcastle Airport. As you may be aware, this facility is an ultra-modern state of the art facility with a capacity to handle almost 100 passengers per hour. It has excellent safety features and allows one smooth passage from here to metropolitan countries which includes the ability to check one�s luggage right through to final destinations. As a result of the efficiency and modernity of the facility, we are already seeing increased interest in Nevis as a tourist destination. Most important is the fact that one can now fly directly into or out of Nevis with all one�s luggage intact. When you return home now, you are really at home!
I am also pleased to report also on the completion of Phases 1 & 2 of the Island Main Road Project and at the same time give the assurance that the Administration is making vigorous efforts to source funding for Phase 3 of the project � Market Shop to Newcastle via Butlers. After decades of living with appalling road conditions, our CCM-led government, spearheaded by my Ministry, has widened the Main Road to a 20ft carriage-way with shoulders. We have built new drains, created sidewalks, and grass verges. In the words of Po-Po Wheeler, this is no longer the �old farm road� as we have �straightened bends and taken out curves�. All such features redound to a much higher level of safety for motorists and pedestrians alike. I think all would agree that driving is no longer a chore or pain, but rather �a pleasurable experience�.
One of my greatest pleasures on this 1st anniversary of my being in office, is the near completion of the Ramsbury Road and Blind School Road Project. Many of you may recall that the construction of this road was a campaign promise and I am happy to have been able to deliver. I now look forward to a day in the not too distant future when we all will gather by the river, I�m sorry, not by the river , but gather at Ramsbury and witness the cutting of a BRIGHT BLUE RIBBON to officially declare this road open. I am also very pleased to report that work on the Charlestown Bypass road is progressing smoothly. This project includes a major upgrade of Pump Road and Lower Hamilton Road and the construction of a new road from the top of Craddock Road through Pinneys Estate to join the Island Main Road near the Nevis Craft House. When completed, this project will greatly reduce the flow of heavy equipment through Charlestown and will serve as an alternative route for other motorists. It will also facilitate the future expansion of the commercial and industrial area at Pinneys.
I must pause at this point, fellow Nevisians, to acknowledge the sacrifice that you the people of Nevis have made in order for these developments to occur. You have given up your lands and you have suffered considerable disruptions to your lives. It is heart warming to note however that of the many persons whom I have had to dialogue with over the various issues arisen and problems encountered, only a handful have chosen to be uncooperative or confrontational. I take this opportunity to say profound thanks to all of you who have cooperated.
As alluded to before, my first year in office and my achievements to date, have not been without efforts by some to frustrate me or derail progress. There are those in society who seek to tarnish my good name by the fabrication and spreading of totally false rumors on me and my family. I am confident however that my record speaks for itself and all such fabrications will be exposed for what they are. Then there are those who have attempted to undermine my position both within and outside of the public sector. I have dealt with them and will continue to deal with any future instances in ways I see fit.
Regarding the matter of the election petition and my request for an enquiry into the conduct of the petitioners, of which so many continue to ask me about, rest assured that this matter has not been placed on the backburner. The office of the Attorney General has been asked to investigate and I and all the people of this fair land await its findings. As I have indicated before, I remain absolutely convinced, as I have the evidence, that the petitioners and their associates within High Court colluded, and took part in fraudulent activities within our High Court system. I am now left to wonder if, the fact that I have not been paid the $7,000.00 awarded to me by the High Court, is as a result of a situation where the petitioners and their associates so bungled and falsified the court documents, that now, not even they are sure who is responsible for paying me. But somebody will pay some day! Fellow Nevisians, there are many other issues regarding the actions of the petitioners that I can speak to, but time and space do not permit me at this time, NOR would I want to end this anniversary message to you on such an unfortunate note.
I would prefer to end by saying to you the people of Nevis and in particular my Constituents that we have had a good year. By us working together and committing ourselves to the continued development of our beautiful island, I am confident that we can have an even more successful 2nd year. For those who chose to be negative and continue to do the things to impede progress, I call on you to change such woeful ways: one year is more than enough time for you to wake up out of that dream and come to terms with the fact that �the people of St. Paul are happy and moving on� and also accept that � Charlestown will never be the same again�. I predict, and will do all in my power, to make Charlestown the most beautiful little town in all of the Caribbean. I will continue to do the things that I can to make Nevis one of the most sought after destinations the world over!
To all my supporters, friends, party colleagues, and well-wishers, I say a huge thank you and commit that I will continue to represent our lovely Nevis as best as I can.
May the good Lord bless you all.
by: Hon. A. Michael Perkins
September 07, 2002
