Published 27 September 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Looking back and planning for the future important to the independence journey, says Douglas
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 27TH 2017 – St. Kitts and Nevis has not arrived at this point in its independence journey without looking back and planning for the future.
Such were the words of political leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas when asked Tuesday to reflect on the recent celebration of National Heroes Day, which was marked by a well attended wreath laying ceremony despite inclement weather.
Opposition parliamentarians, diplomats, family members, trade union leaders and Labour Party and Trade Union officials laid wreaths at the Robert L. Bradshaw Memorial Park to pay tribute to those national heroes who have made sterling contribution to the political, social and economic development on St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I used the opportunity to outline where we came from. From the inception of the recognition of our national heroes to the creation of the National Heroes Park in St. Paul’s with the erection of the first life-size monument to our First National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, and of the vision that with enough room available on the acres of land around, that statues of the other national heroes would find a place there,” said former prime minister Douglas during Tuesday’s Ask the Leader on Kyss 102.5 FM..
He noted that the present PLP/CCM/PAM coalition government has had a different route, but his Labour administration’s plan and that of the Parliament, has been to house other heroes.
“The second part of the message was that phase two of the park that already has the monument of Sir Robert (Bradshaw), should be done,” said Dr. Douglas who noted that the financing of phase 2 was included in the 2015 Budget approved by the National Assembly in December 2014.
“It outlined clearly the monies that would have been spent in establishing the other features of phase 2. I said since the present government of the last two years has basically refused to go along with the plan and provide the necessary amenities that are expected to be in the Park, the people of St. Paul’s, together with the rest of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and contributors will ensure that those amenities are established,” said Dr. Douglas.
He also took the opportunity to highlight that the achievements of St. Kitts and Nevis have been due to the hard work and untiring efforts of the National Heroes – Their Right Excellencies Sir Robert L. Bradshaw, Sir C. A. Paul Southwell, Sir Joseph N France, Sir Simeon Daniel and Sir Kennedy S. Simmonds “and they must not go to nought.”
Among the dignitaries were former Governor General Sir Edmund and Lady Lawrence, Venezuela’s Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Romolo Camilo Henriquez Gonzalez; Cuba’s Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Hugo Ruíz Cabrera; Republic of China (Taiwan) Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou; granddaughters and children and family members of the National Heroes; the President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, officers of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.
Photo 1 – Political leader of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas pays respect
Photo 2 – Former Governor General, Sir Edmund Lawrence lays wreath
Photo 3 – Cuba’s Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Hugo Ruíz Cabrera lays wreath
Photo 4 – Venezuela’s Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Romolo Camilo Henriquez Gonzalez lays wreath;
Photo 5 – Republic of China (Taiwan) Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou lays wreath
Photo 6 – Granddaughters of Sir Robert Bradshaw lay wreath
Photo 7- Miss Lorenzo Southwell-Smith – daughter of Sir C. A. Paul Southwell lays wreath
Photo 8 – President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union, Mr. Fidel O’Flaherty lays wreath
Photo 9 – Mr. Erickson France, son of Sir Joseph N. France lays wreath
Photo 10 –
