AG Nisbett says ‘consultation and not confrontation’ has reaped significant benefits for the people of Nevis

Attorney General, Hon. Patrice Nisbett

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 11TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Attorney General of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett has hailed the relationship between the Federal Government of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP)-led Nevis Island Administration of Premier Hon. Joseph Parry as one “consultation and not confrontation.”

Addressing scores of nationals at a Town Hall Meeting in The Bronx, Mr. Nisbett credited Prime Minister for showing “the political maturity to include a Nevisian in his Federal Cabinet.”

“Gone are the days of confrontation and instead the NRP have brought consultation,” said Attorney General Nisbett, who disclosed that he accepted the appointment from Prime Minister Douglas and went to Basseterre with the consent of the people who selected me and the party of whom I am a member of and by extension, the people of Nevis.”

He said that his tenure in the Federation’s capital has been bearing fruits that have already benefited the people of Nevis and he must be judged on his performance and achievements, because “as we say in the NRP, Performance Matters.”

Audience in New York

Premier Pary’s Office reported the Attorney General listed among his several accomplishments the payment of Corporation Taxes directly into the Nevis Treasury by businesses operating in Nevis, the One to One Laptop Programme for Fifth and Sixth Form students and the reopening of the Four Seasons Resort -Nevis.

He informed the large audience that when Premier Parry was experiencing difficulty with the reopening of the Four Seasons Resort, he called on him, as the Attorney General to assist the case in Delaware, USA.

“As soon as he called me I summoned one of my senior counsels to assist the case by witnessing and giving evidence on behalf of the people of Nevis. The senior counsel was able to put a human face to the case and inform that the Gross Domestic Product depended greatly on the Four Seasons Resort,” recalled Attorney General Nisbett, who noted that that after much evidence the judge understood the hardships and repercussions and allowed a December opening of the Resort and since then over 600 persons on Nevis are now gainfully employed.

“As a result of the working relationship, the Resort opened. The previous (CCM)-Government brought no major international investment to Nevis for 14 years because many foreign investors did not like the level of instability and acrimony between the two islands,” commented the Attorney General. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Douglas and US Virgin Islands five-term senator, the Hon. Roosevelt David credited the working relationship between the Federal Government and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) led by Premier Parry for the significant strides in the social, economical and developmental of the island of Nevis.

Head table- L-R: Minister of Housing, Hon. Robelto Hector , Chairman,Mr.Chilstone Francis, Premier of Nevis-Hon Joseph Parry, Attorney General, Hon. Patrice Nisbett and Deputy Premier, Hon. Hensley Daniel

Prime Minister Douglas in toast noted in his 16 years in office “there has been in the last nearly five years a particular relationship that I had never experience before as Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

Dr. Douglas emphasised that “under the leadership of Joseph Parry, unlike (previously) where there had been on occasion’s uncertainty, where there might have been strife and division, under his leadership, there is definitely a positive feeling for the future.”

“Harmony and unity are terms which I would like to describe the relationship that exists today between the Nevis Island Administration and the Federal government,” said Dr. Douglas.

Former five-term United States Virgin Islands Senator, Nevisian-born the Hon. Roosevelt David said also that the relationship that has been fostered by the Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas and the Hon. Joseph Parry, has created an indomitable team that is on its way to building a legacy of exponential magnitude; this Nation will never be the same.”