Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5861/-1/132/
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NEVIS PREMIER ADDRESSES NEVISIANS IN ANGUILLA Focusing On Economic Development, Not Secession
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Premier Joseph Parry of the Nevis Island Government, his Deputy, Hensley Daniel, and Legal Adviser, Patrice Nisbett, met with a large number of Nevisians residing and working in Anguilla at the Scouts and Guides Ruthwill Auditorium on Sunday, April 20. The meeting was called to update the Nevis nationals on their Government’s achievements and the continuing programme of development.
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Deputy PM Hensley Daniel, Premier Parry and Mr. Patrice Nisbett
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Just before the start of the meeting, Mr. Parry told The Anguillian that his Nevis Reformation Party administration was pursuing a course of greater autonomy within the framework of the Federal Government in St. Kitts and that there was continuing dialogue on the matter. “Our focus in Nevis is on economic development,” he explained, hinting that unlike the previous Island Government of the Concerned Citizens Movement, led by former Premier Vance Amory for 14 years, his administration was not interested in secession from St. Kitts.
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Group of Nevisian nationals at meeting
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The reasoning appears to be that with mutual cooperation and agreement between the Federal Government and the Nevisian leadership, Nevis can remain an integral part of the twin-island state and enjoy a greater degree of autonomy over its own affairs. Mr. Parry revealed that an announcement of a workable arrangement was likely to be made on the Federation’s Independence Anniversary in September.
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One of the groups of Nevisian nationals
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“I am very pleased with the turn out and that there are so many people here who went to school with me,” Parry told the gathering. He told his listeners that his Nevis Reformation Party Government, elected to office in July 2006, “is focusing on educating children in the primary and secondary schools and training people abroad. We feel that Nevisians should be part of any development that takes place…Our masons, carpenters, electricians, teachers and managers must be outstanding. They must be able to perform in Nevis and also be able to perform outside the island.”
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Two other groups of Nevisian nationals
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Parry said there were a number of outstanding Nevisians who were making a name in Anguilla and had left a void in Nevis and he invited them to think about returning home to serve when needed. “We have been working in the development of geothermal energy, we have been involved in developing the tourism product, discovering water, building roads and improving the lives of Nevisians on the island,” he stated. “The Anguilla Government delegation from Anguilla came to Nevis to look at the geothermal project and we are hopeful that we will have enough energy not only to supply Nevis but St. Kitts as well, and will be in a position to provide other islands like Anguilla if they are interested.”
Premier Parry said people from Germany, Iceland, the Organisation of American States and others had all identified Nevis as the best place to obtain geothermal energy. He reported that other sources of such energy, which are doing well, are Guadeloupe, New Zealand, Iceland and various parts of the United States. He said a company had been employed to explore the Nevis geothermal energy source, to determine the level of its commercial supply, to arrive at the company’s charges and the royalties which would be forthcoming to the Government. He made reference to the rising cost of fuel and spoke of the benefits of geothermal energy and cheaper electricity.
The Nevisians at the meeting were given a video presentation on various development projects by Deputy Premier Hensley Daniel assisted by Public Relations Officer, Deli Caines-Bussue. Mr. Nisbett, the Legal Adviser, was on hand to speak on various legal matters and other issues of interest to the Nevisians, who asked many questions during the interactive session.
Meanwhile, the Nevis Premier and his delegation held talks with Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming. The two leaders exchanged views on alternative energy sources, affordable housing, economics and other matters of mutual interest.