Amory: Federal Government’s Assistance to Nevis Not Enough

ZIZ News — Nevis’ Premier and Finance Minister, the Honourable Vance Amory, in updating Nevisians on investigations surrounding the January 17th 2014 Treasury Building fire said the assistance received from the Federal Government was not enough.

According to Amory, an initial set of investigators was secured by the Federal Government and the Commissioner of Police.

He said, “Those investigators spent a brief period in Nevis. Their preliminary report suggested that the cause of the fire was uncertain. They however offered to undertake a more thorough investigation but indicated a cost of between US$70,000 and US$100,000 would be necessary to have such an investigation conducted.”

Premier Amory then said his Administration was unable to facilitate the high investigative costs.

“Your Administration expected that this cost would be borne by the Federal Government as it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to deal with such matters. However, there was no indication that the Federal Government was prepared to fund the cost of this very critical investigation. Your Administration was therefore left to resolve this matter on its own and as best as it could.”

In speaking of his administration’s initiative in facilitating a thorough investigation, Premier Amory quoted retired Fire Chief and Expert Fire Investigator Chief Robert T. Riches as confirming that the fire was caused by arson.