NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 15, 2014) — The EC$29.6million Nevis Water Supply Enhancement Project jointly funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) got injection of a EC$2.5million grant from the St. Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) on June 24, 2014.
The first payment from the grant, was presented by cheque to Junior Minister in the Ministry of Communication, Works and Public Utilities Hon. Troy Liburd by the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Terrence Crossman at a small but significant ceremony at the Ministry of Finance Conference room.
In brief remarks, Mr. Liburd thanked the Foundation and the Federal Government for the positive response the Administration had received for its request for assistance.
“Some months ago, when discussing the project with the financial people…we realised that because of the financial constraints, the NIA may not be in a position to carry out this project in the way that we would like to, in a timely manner and so on. So we decided to approach the SIDF to seek some funding…
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Crossman and the SIDF. I also wish to thank the Chairperson and the Board of the SIDF for favourably considering our application. I also want to thank the Federal Government, who also was very supportive of this donation from the SIDF. The NIA had discussed the project with the Federal Government and from the outset, the Federal Government was very supportive of our application,” he said.
The Nevis Water Department is the contractor of certain areas of the Project which has four segments: Water Supply and Network Upgrade; Capacity Building, Public Education and a Water Resource Management Component.
Mr. Liburd noted that although the donation would advance the project, because of the immensity of the project the Administration would likely approach the Foundation for the necessary additional funding.
“Today it’s the end of one process and the beginning of another process because with this project, now we are on the track and here we have $2.5million that can help us to make a couple laps around the track.
“Mr. Crossman I want to say that even though this will get us a couple laps around the track, this project is a marathon and this won’t take us all the way so I am looking forward to seeing you come back…in this same capacity, to give another grant or another means of financing, so that we can get this project to the finish line,” he said.
The Junior Minister assured the SIDF that the money from the grant would be used for the development of the people of Nevis.
“I want to give you and the SIDF the assurance that this money that is handed over to us today, would be put to very, very good use. In a few minutes I will hand the cheque to Mr. Dore and I think everybody in Nevis knows that Mr. Dore knows how to handle money, so the money will be in safe hands.
“I want to give you the assurance, that we will get every inch of work that we can get out of this money and this money, you will be able to feel it, you will be able to touch it and at the end of the day, the people of Nevis will be able to drink it. I want to give you that assurance,” he said.
Mr. Liburd also used the opportunity address personnel from the Nevis Water Department who would be engaged in the project and urged them to commit to hard work, mindful that it would be for the benefit of all.
“I also want to take the opportunity to speak to those persons who are going to be working on this project and to let them understand that this is something that is going to be good for all of the people of Nevis.
“So when you are working on this project, make an extra effort. If you are accustomed to working hard, work a little bit harder on this project because it will benefit all of us,” he said.
Meantime, in brief remarks Crossman said he was pleased to present the cheque for assistance on behalf of the Board of the SIDF, in response to a request from the NIA, for assistance for a critical project and added that they both shared a close working relationship.
“Some weeks ago I was in conversation with the Minister and he brought this matter to my attention and immediately he set upon providing the SIDF with the critical information for us to make what was really a very easy decision to support a very important project.
“The SIDF has had a history of working very closely with the Nevis Island Administration. This is not the first project that we have done here but probably one of the more important projects, given what it represents – water, an essential component for life and so we thought it necessary to jump on board and provide what is this morning a grant…to see this project through to fruition.
“So on behalf of the Board of the SIDF and management and staff, Minister I am happy to present you with this cheque,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communication, Works and Public Utilities Ernie Stapleton, who chaired the ceremony, explained that the Water Department was responsible for the execution of some parts of the project.
“The Nevis Water Department is charged, in this particular project, to be the contractor and this is in particular with respect to the Network Upgrade which has to do with the construction of several reservoirs, pumping houses, a new chlorination system and also the introduction of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System,” he said.
According to Stapleton, the NIA was expected to contribute 20 percent of the project as part of its agreement with the CDB.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Colin Dore also made brief remarks at the ceremony.
