Charlestown, Nevis (Wednesday, January 28, 2015) -Leader of the Nevis Reformation Party and former premier the Hon. Joseph Parry says the Contract for Progress is a solid plan for empowerment for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis through the collaboration of the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and his Nevis Reformation Party (NRP).
Parry made the comment before scores of Nevisians who turned out for a Conversations for Progress Town Hall Meeting held at the St. George’s Anglican school room on Monday, Jan 26.
The meeting was dubbed “Progress for All.”
The former Nevisian leader, along with leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas signed the Contract for Progress during a Be At One event held simultaneously on Pinneys Beach (Nevis) and Port Zante (St. Kitts) on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014.
The two leaders promised then, to come back to the public for its input.
St. Kitts- Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs and NRP Federal Parliamentarian for Nevis 11, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett who was not able to attend Monday’s event has been the lynchpin between the Federal Government and the people of Nevis, bringing myriad benefits through initiatives such as the one-to-one lap top program, Long Service Gratuity Payments, increased minimum wage, employment in the PEP, and the many other SIDF-funded programs.
“When the NRP came to office in 2006, I decided that a collaborative approach to governance was best for Nevis, and the Federation,” Parry told the overflow crowd.
“ I reached out and Prime Minister Douglas extended the hand of friendship and we grabbed it.”
“It is important for me to say this, because as Dr. Douglas has said in the past, we must not and cannot live in the past,” Parry said.
Parry cited several instances where he sought and obtained help from the Federal Government.
“One of the first issues that the NRP had in government was with the financing for the Nevis Performing Arts Center (NEPAC). I asked Dr. Douglas for assistance and immediately $3.5 million was given and the project was completed.”
In addition, according to Parry, financing through a grant came for refurbishing of the Bath Stream, the rebuilding of the tender pier damaged by Hurricane Omar, and the development of Saddle Hill as a tourist attraction.
“There was no controversy, no abuse, just simple courtesy from both of us, and we achieved what we achieved together.”
Parry also recounted the issue of the Fisheries Complex which was started under the late Malcolm Guishard of CCM with proposed funding from the Japanese.
“The Hon. Robelto Hector, who was then minister of agriculture during the NRP administration improved on the project along with then permanent secretary, Dr. Kelvin Daley. Then, lo and behold we heard that the project was transferred to Middle Island, St. Kitts by federal agriculture minister Dr. Timothy Harris. I called Dr. Douglas, he investigated, and later the project was returned to Nevis,” Parry said.
He said further, that when the NRP was trying to get funding for the Cotton Ground Police Station it was the same Dr. Harris who said, “Why don’t you get a grant from Four Seasons.”
Mr. Parry also informed the audience of the federal assistance to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Water Enhancement Project. He said at the time St. Kitts and Nevis was going through the IMF structural adjustment program and the Federal Government was advised it should not guarantee any new projects, but Dr. Douglas did. He said further, that the present CCM government did not have the 20 per cent for the part financing and Dr. Douglas assisted with $8miilion to be delivered.
Parry asked: “So can we say that this man (Dr, Douglas) has anything against the people of Nevis?”
In his presentation at the Franklin Browne Community Center on Wednesday, January 21st, Prime Minister Dr. Douglas told Nevisians that “the rock-solid commitment between the NRP and the St. Kitts- Nevis Labour Party will continue to work in a focused and effective style to benefit the entire nation.”
“The NRP and Labour have shown that we put results over posturing, and that has made the world of difference in the lives of the people of St. Kitts and the people of Nevis”, the prime minister said. He pointed out that for the past five years the Hon. Patrice Nisbett has been serving this country and its people in the important, high-profile posts found in any government, anywhere.
“It is real and it is this collaborative spirit which will in 2015 and beyond, with your help ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis attains even higher levels of real progress and real change,” Dr. Douglas said.
He called for overwhelming support for Labour and NRP in the upcoming general elections.
The Contract for Progress marks the first time in the history of St. Kitts and Nevis that two parties formalised their relationship to promote progress and democracy across the Federation through the shared principles of mutual respect, fairness, freedom and justice.