The day marked one year after the 2011 11th July Island Assembly elections that took place in Nevis between the Concerned Citizens Movement, CCM, and the incumbent Nevis Reformation Party, NRP.
The election was eventually declared in favour of the NRP but the cloud of controversy that surrounded the landscape led to a court battle that could possibly see an overturn of the declared results. At least that is what is hoped by the opposition CCM, which ended up with two of the five seats in the small island legislature. NRP gained the other three.
However, for NRP, yesterday’s milestone was significant enough for them to issue a press release recognizing their first year in the new term. Most members of that administration however, were also at the cricket match in St. Kitts and no doubt focusing more on the game that the politics.
Premier of Nevis Joseph Parry says his NRP-led Nevis Island Administration (NIA) continues to be government committed to the people of Nevis.
“This NRP has always been a party of and for the people of Nevis, committed to the development of the island and its residents,” said Premier Parry.
He pointed to what he considered were many achievements of his NRP-led Administration in the development of infrastructure, agriculture, and housing programs for Senior Citizens and education.
He said training and education have been the hallmarks for his Administration and by training people, he fells they have helped with the future development of the country.
The Premier noted that since taking office in July 2006, young people of all political backgrounds have been invited to receive training and be assisted with university education.
Premier Parry noted that he continues to have open discussions regularly with his one-and –one meetings with the public, his weekly call-in program, and his informing the public of when he travels and what he travels for.
Joseph Parry informed the department that when he took the reins of government, the global economy was going through the worst recession since the 1930’s. He also spoke about how he worked assiduously in getting the Four Seasons Resort to stay in Nevis.
Joseph Parry said as the island celebrates the first anniversary of the NRP’s second term in office, he looks to the future with a renewed sense of commitment.
However, the island is still awaiting a court decision. Following the election, CCM took certain matters of irregularities to court and won; resulting in the High Court declaring one of the five seats vacant and the election there, in the constituency of St. John’s null and void. NRP lodged an immediate appeal and was also granted a stay of execution. The appeal case was heard last week and the decision of the appeal judge is now being awaited.
As part of the NRP’s anniversary celebrations, the Premier and his Cabinet will host a public meeting at Brown Pasture by Linda’s Shop on Friday, July 13th at 8pm.