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Press Releases
NIA offers prime lands for sale
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (October 20, 2005) -- Premier of Nevis and Minister of
Finance Hon Vance Amory has voiced his satisfaction on with the 13-year
tenure of his government, which he said is being manifested in the quality
of life for every Nevisian.
His comment came while he delivered the feature address at the official
launching ceremony held at Nugents Heights to mark the sale of residential
and commercial lots at Pinneys Estate by the Pinneys Estate Development
Agency (PEDA) on Thursday October 20, 2005.
I am satisfied that over the tenure of this government that every single
Nevisian has seen an improvement in his or her quality of life. The
environment which this government has created to make it conducive for
investment has also spawned increased opportunity for employment, has
increased the governments revenue so that we could improve the quality of
our schools and our health service and our infrastructure, he said.
The Premier also pointed to the unprecedented levels of development in
Nevis commercial sector citing that his government's achievements is no
mystery but was a result of his government's approach to a job they had been
given with seriousness and with the desire to deliver on the promises they
had made mindful not to promise more that they could deliver.
Mr Amory explained also that when his administration sought to acquire
approximately 738 acres of virgin land at Pinney's, Belmont and Clark
estates and in Upper Jessups Estate in 2004, they had encountered a number
of difficulties but remained focussed on what they wanted for the people of
Nevis and made very serious efforts to ensure that lands would be made
available to Nevisians along with foreign investment and that the
development of these lands would generate new wealth for the people of
Nevis.
It is in fact our stated position and policy to make this tract of real
estate which we have purchased for the development for the five star hotel
and villas and for our own people to invest in commercial and residential
activity to make this the means to generate new wealth for the people of
Nevis and to ensure that persons here who have an idea and are able to raise
the financing can have an opportunity to invest to make themselves better
off and also to add to the value of this country, he said.
Premier Amory noted that the government would benefit from the development
of the area through the collection of revenue and urged Nevisians to become
involved in the project he said adding that unless the government was able
to recoup the US$10million investment and to have money to provide the
services it would be difficult.
Mr. Amory said that he was convinced that the development of the area had
great potential to transform and take Nevis to a higher level of socio
economic development including the creation of 1-1,500 jobs within the next
five years. He termed the development futuristic noting that much of Nevis
future development hinged heavily on the development adding that it had the
potential to provide more than 25 times the initial US$10million debt.
The creation of the US$10million debt to purchase this property, even
though we had persons being critical of it, has a greater potential to
provide more than 25 times the initial debt which has been created and it is
not just the monetary returns.
It is in fact the long term benefits which will accrue to the people of
this country in terms of employment, in terms of better services, in terms
of something which is not always quantifiable that is in terms of the pride
and the dignity which our people will feel in seeing this land developed and
sharing and partnering with government in the development of this land, he
said.
Mr. Amory also explained that the development would also provide an
opportunity for the expansion of Charlestown, a location which would provide
a good quality rural and urban feel to Nevis. He also announced his
administration's intention to construct a performing arts theatre outfitted
with conference facilities.
He took the opportunity to thank all government agencies that worked
together to ensure that the development far surpassed any other on Nevis in
an effort to deliver the next level of prosperity for the people of Nevis.
Meantime, Deputy Premier and Minister of Lands Hon Malcolm Guishard during
his address disclosed that the lots are being offered at reasonable rates
and he was hopeful that the financial institutions on the island would lend
money readily for purchase and development.
Mr. Guishard also announced that the NIA was seeking to subdivide 100 acres
of land in the Upper Jessups area they owned and offer them for sale as
another site as soon as the lots are sold out at Pinneys Estate adding that
it was the governments intention to engage the services of the same persons
who were involved in the Pinneys Project.
The Housing and lands Minister also took the opportunity to give an update
on the Newfoundland Developers on the five star hotel at Pinney's.
Let me say that plans for the construction of this hotel are proceeding
smoothly. The Nevis Housing and land Development Corporation (NHLDC) has
been approached by the Secretary to Newfound Developers seeking to bring a
number of persons together in Nevis to speak about the development.
They will be coming with concepts they have already to present to the
people. They are looking at meeting with contractors and the like, other
business persons in the community and others who have an interest in the
hotel development so it is on its way, he said.
He thanked Mr Bob Hull Project Manager of the PEDA and his team for a job
well done and offered them offer encouragement. The agency is a division of
the Nevis Housing and Lands development Corporation.
Brief remarks came from Mr. Lloyd Lescott Manager of the NHLDC, Ms. Lillith
Richards Ag Director of physical Planning and Mr. Nicholas Brisbane Engineer
Consultant, Mr. Basil Manners rendered the National Anthem on pan, Pastor
Theophilus Kelly Pastor of the Emmaus Chapel gave the invocation while Mr.
Hull served as Chairman.
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Photo caption:
1: A cross section of persons who attended the ceremony at Nugents Heights. |
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