NIA Press Release
NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (SEPTEMBER 24, 2014) –The St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Nevis Division added a new vehicle to its fleet, thanks to a gift of a new Suzuki Grand Vitara donated by retired local businessman Charles Brisbane.
In a brief but significant handing over ceremony on the grounds of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) at Bath Plain on September 18, 2014, Brisbane thanked the people of Nevis and the Nevis Island Administration for accepting his gift and expressed his love for Nevis.
“I never expected this to be considered to be so important but to my mind I have to thank the people of Nevis and the Administration under Premier Amory and anyone else to do with this…I thought of this car business and I dismissed it once or twice and I went to Mr. Morton and said let’s do it and I must thank him for all the help he has given in getting it done. Mind you, he made a sale, he made a profit but any way I want to thank Nevis.
“I’ve always loved Nevis, believe it or not, all the years I have been coming here. I stopped business about 12 years ago so you didn’t see much of me but my son and other people come all the time. Well I am very happy to be here today and I thank you for accepting my gift because if you didn’t accept it I would have been upset. Thank you,” he said.
Meantime, as he accepted the keys to the vehicle, Premier of Nevis Hon. Vance Amory thanked Mr. Brisbane and his son, Max, for what he termed as a generous and timely gift.
“I want to thank you for this very generous gift to us, the Administration, which we intend to pass on forthwith to the Police but in saying that, I want you to understand and to accept our gratitude but also to know that this contribution which you have made is timely and the Police, I am sure, would be very happy to have a new vehicle to conduct their business of providing security and protection for the people of Nevis…
“I am accepting this vehicle which you have so generously given as a show of appreciation to the people of Nevis, as you yourself said and which we accept in that spirit but also I want to hand it over to the Police simultaneously, so that they can know that the government, the private sector are in partnership with them to continue to do the work that we expect them to do and which they have committed themselves to do, to provide security for the peace and safety of our people,” he said.
Premier Amory, who is also the Security Minister, noted that the economy of Nevis was dependent on tourism and as such a safe environment was paramount.
“Our country depends on tourism, depends on the private sector to do business and you, having been a businessman, having provided service to this country, you are now giving back something to enable us to continue to provide the environment which will ensure that business continues to grow but also, that we can attract new visitors and new investments…
“I think it’s a wonderful gesture and I want to thank you very much, you and your family and your business partners, for this gift,” he said.
Notwithstanding, the Premier urged the police officers to take care of the gift, which was for use in the fight against crime on the island.
“Use it to patrol. Use it to protect and serve the people of Nevis and the people of St. Kitts as well because we are an open boarder and we want to make sure that crime is reduced, crime is eradicated as far as possible,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Robert Liburd who is attached to the Nevis Division accepted the keys to the new vehicle on behalf of Commissioner Celvin G. Walwyn and expressed gratitude.
“I want to express how appreciative we are for this gift. It symbolises, Sir, your commitment to crime fighting and more specifically your support for the police.
“I want to assure you, Sir, that we have always reminded the public and the corporate body that crime fighting is everybody’s business and not just for the Police and so we look to the public for any assistance that they can give whether it be tips, information even your prayers. Gifts of this sort, we are very gracious for and we are happy that you have come forward for us,” he said.
According to the ACP, the new vehicle would replace a number of existing vehicles in the fleet.
“We are very, very gracious for this vehicle. We can’t thank you enough for coming to our aid with a vehicle like this.
“I can only hope that other corporate citizens will take note of your demonstration and would come forward with some assistance likewise. We are going to press this vehicle into service to assist the people here in Nevis with a view to help to mitigate against the crime that we are now suffering,” he said.
Among those at the ceremony son of Mr. Charles Brisbane, Max Brisbane, Cabinet Secretary to the NIA Steadmond Tross, Supt. Hilroy Brandy, Director of the TDC Group of Companies Michael Morton, Director of TDC (Nevis) Ernie France and Mr. Kevin Barrett Assistant Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry who served as chairperson for the event.