NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 09, 2018) — Nevis was graced with a visit by a number of heads of state from the Caribbean on April 09, 2018, ahead of the official start of the 16th Conference of Governors-General and Presidents of the Caribbean Region in St. Kitts at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort from April 9 to 12.

His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton, Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis at the end of the visit said in remarks at the Nisbett Plantation Beach Club he was pleased to bring his colleagues to experience the sister island Nevis.

“It’s been a pleasure to see my colleagues and to bring them to the island of Nevis so that they can see what the Federation really is all about…It’s not often that we get heads of state who can come and who can relax for a while and so we have to treasure the moments,” he said.

Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis in invited remarks welcomed the visiting delegates to the island and thanked them for coming.

He said the fact that the Governor General brought his colleagues to experience the other half of St. Kitts and Nevis, is a demonstration that the Federation is more than St. Kitts and is indeed two islands one paradise.

The Premier noted that the idea of twin and multi-island states in the Caribbean is not unusual but in the case of St. Kitts and Nevis it is distinctive.

“We feel unique because we are so close, St. Kitts and Nevis in terms of distance, two miles of ocean separating us. So it really allows us to experience both; to stay on one and experience the other and vice versa,” he said.

In response, on behalf of his colleagues, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda thanked Sir Tapley Seaton for hosting the conference.

He described the visit to Nevis as an interesting and informative one. He also expressed delight with the development that has taken place on Nevis and the harmonious relationship existing between St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Antigua and Barbuda Governor General, also stated that he is hopeful the visit to Nevis would help to guide the delegates, in terms of helping to strengthen relationships between the individual countries in the region.

Sir Rodney William also made some comments regarding the conference in St. Kitts.

“We have a very interesting programme and in as much as our positions are not executive in nature, it does not prevent us from getting together from time to time and looking at the various challenges; looking at the political situation and to see how best we can contribute towards ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that our people derive maximum benefit,” he said.

The Antigua and Barbuda Governor General also had high praise for the management and staff of the Nisbett Plantation Beach Club, where they were treated to a sumptuous meal.

While on Nevis the delegates toured various places of interest with historian Mr. Leonard Stapleton, including the Alexander Hamilton Museum, Bath Springs, Fort Charles, the Governor’s House and the Newcastle Pottery.

Also present at the lunch hosted by the Governor General were Deputy Governor General on Nevis Her Honour Mrs. Marjorie Morton, Hon. Eric Evelyn, Hon. Spencer Brand and Mrs Brand, Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Hon. Troy Liburd and Hon. Joseph Parry.