NIA thankful for multi-million dollar gift from Japan to assist in disaster management

in NIA

Seven vehicles at the Nevis Disaster Management Department’s parking lot at Long Point, part of a multi-million dollar gift from the Government and people of Japan to the Nevis Island Administration
Seven vehicles at the Nevis Disaster Management Department’s parking lot at Long Point, part of a multi-million dollar gift from the Government and people of Japan to the Nevis Island Administration

 

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (February 20, 2019) — The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) through the Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) is on the receiving end of a multi-million dollar gift from the government and people of Japan to assist with disaster management.

Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, inspects equipment at the Nevis Disaster Management Department at Long Point on February 20, 2019. They are part of a multi-million dollar gift from the Government and people of Japan
Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, inspects equipment at the Nevis Disaster Management Department at Long Point on February 20, 2019. They are part of a multi-million dollar gift from the Government and people of Japan

The disclosure was made at the grounds of the NDMD on February 20, 2019 when the NIA Cabinet inspected some of the equipment received. Premier of Nevis Hon. Mark Brantley thanked the donors for the gift.

“It is for me as Premier of Nevis to thank the government and people of Japan for this very generous donation, for this very generous investment that they have made in the development of our island, and I think that all of us should be proud this morning, all of us should be happy this morning that we are seeing the fruits of that continued engagement with important countries such as Japan, in terms of what they have offered,” he said.

The gift which is being delivered in tiers includes two front-end loaders, three disaster management mini storage units, rescue equipment, one drone, two SLR cameras, one dump truck and a pallet of spare parts, one rescue vehicle with snorkel and three pick-up trucks.

The second consignment which is expected to arrive in April will contain 24 fire suits, 1 set  Close Circuit Tv, three generator sets, 400 tarpaulins, 30 VHF hand-held radios and accessories, 10 VHF vehicle mobile base radios and accessories;  and a medical vehicle.

(l-r) Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Disaster Management; Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, inspecting disaster management equipment at the Nevis Disaster Management Department’s warehouse at Long Point during a Cabinet tour on February 20, 2019
(l-r) Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Disaster Management; Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, inspecting disaster management equipment at the Nevis Disaster Management Department’s warehouse at Long Point during a Cabinet tour on February 20, 2019

Mr. Brantley believes that the gift would put Nevis in a better state of readiness to face disasters.

“We are making Nevis more resilient. We are making the island better equipped to deal with storms when they come and other disasters when they come and whilst we pray that they won’t come it is important that we be prepared in the event that they do come and I think that is important,” he said.

The Premier stated that the donation came as a direct result of engaging the government and people of Japan for the assistance in the development of Nevis.

“What you see here is a realization of those efforts in terms of engaging with foreign governments, seeking to build our country, build our little island here in Nevis and to get from those relationships things that are beneficial for us and our people,” he said.

Meantime, Mr. Brian Dyer, Director of the NDMD, explained how the gift would be utilized noting that the front-end loaders would be used for clearing roads in the event of an emergency and to assist with beach nourishment in the event of erosion after severe wave action.

“The vehicles would be used in various ministries for response mechanism. We have three small warehouses that were received that would be used in the communities as satellite warehouses, where we

Front row (l-r) Ms. Rhosyll Jeffers, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Disaster Management; Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis; Mrs. Hélène Anne Lewis, Legal Advisor to the Nevis Island Administration, Hon. Eric Evelyn; Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Disaster Management; and Mr. Wakely Daniel, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry. Back row (l-r) Mr. Alastair Thompson, Building Supervisor in the Public Works Department; Mr. Huey Sargeant, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Disaster Management; Mr. Brian Dyer, Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department; Mr. Stedmond Tross, Cabinet Secretary; Hon. Spencer Brand Minister of Public Works; Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister; and Mr. Daniel Williams, Supervisor of Roads at the Public Works Department at the Nevis Disaster Management Department after inspecting a gift from the Government and people of Japan to the Nevis Island Administration
Front row (l-r) Ms. Rhosyll Jeffers, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Disaster Management; Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis; Mrs. Hélène Anne Lewis, Legal Advisor to the Nevis Island Administration, Hon. Eric Evelyn; Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Disaster Management; and Mr. Wakely Daniel, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry. Back row (l-r) Mr. Alastair Thompson, Building Supervisor in the Public Works Department; Mr. Huey Sargeant, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Disaster Management; Mr. Brian Dyer, Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department; Mr. Stedmond Tross, Cabinet Secretary; Hon. Spencer Brand Minister of Public Works; Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister; and Mr. Daniel Williams, Supervisor of Roads at the Public Works Department at the Nevis Disaster Management Department after inspecting a gift from the Government and people of Japan to the Nevis Island Administration

will be storing emergency supplies so the volunteers in the various communities can act responsibly in the immediate aftermath of any emergency or crisis for a period of up to two days before the professional help arrives,” he said.

Among the equipment in the warehouses are rescue ropes, backboards, wheelchairs, faucet kits, reflective vests and chain saws etc. for use in emergencies.

Regarding the equipment which is expected later this year he explained that the medical vehicle is for use by the Ministry of Health. The generators would be placed at the community centres when they are operating in emergencies.

The CCTv will be used at the NDMD compound. The VHF radios will be installed at community centres and in all the vehicles in the gift package.

Japan is expected to send a team of technical experts to assist in training in the use of some of the equipment.

Also present at the inspection were Hon. Alexis Jeffers, Deputy Premier of Nevis and Minister of Disaster Management; Hon. Eric Evelyn; Hon. Spencer Brand, Minister of Public Works; Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister; Mr. Stedmond Tross, Cabinet Secretary; Mrs. Hélène Anne Lewis, Legal Advisor to the NIA; Mr. Wakely Daniel, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry; Mr. Huey Sargeant, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Disaster Management; Ms. Rhosyll Jeffers, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Disaster Management; Mr. Daniel Williams, Supervisor of Roads at the Public Works Department and Mr. Alastair Thompson, Building Supervisor in the Public Works Department.

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