Last Updated on March 18, 2023, 2:51 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, recently took to his social media account to express his concern about the situation he is witnessing in the island nation. According to the Premier, some people on the island are using the issue of environmental protection to stop the problems of development on the island.
The premier of Nevis clarified that as a government, his administration is passionate about protecting the environment. However, he added that they also recognize that as countries anywhere, our people need development. Accordingly, he shared that the NIA has been embroiled in at least two pieces of litigation, both couched as an environmental concern. However, neither had anything to do with the natural environment.
He shared the specifics of both issues. In one, a wealthy property owner was against any Chinese in the neighbourhood, so a lawsuit was filed saying that an EIA for development was not properly done. Meanwhile, In another, a wealthy landowner tried to force his neighbour to buy his land, so a lawsuit was filed that the development in question was damaging to the environment.
Premier Mark Brantley took the opportunity to share that None of these protagonists was Nevisian, yet the NIA and the people of Nevis had to find money to defend these lawsuits. One development proceeded, while the other is now an eyesore.
In developed countries, Premier Mark Brantley noted, we see towering bridges, 10-lane highways, tunnels, trains, ferries, skyscrapers, underground bunkers, high-speed rail, nuclear power, hydro-electric dams, and oil drilling (even in natural reserves). We have Las Vegas, Disney World, New York City, London and Paris. Yet many from these same countries come to Nevis and tell us that we must not build roads or expand our airport or build the beautiful park at Pinney’s because we are destroying the environment.
So at home, they enjoy all the modern conveniences and amenities the world offers to make them comfortable. In Nevis, they prefer Christopher Columbus to recognize us if he rose from the dead and returned tomorrow. Sadly, they are often actively aided and abetted by political operatives who care nothing about the Nevisian people and their development.
As Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley committed to being the first to protect and preserve our environment. I will also be the first in line to develop our island responsibly for the benefit of the Nevisian people. Premier Mark Brantley asserted that Nevis is all we have; we must never surrender it to those with narrow self-interests.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
