CCC responds to the Compulsory Acquisition of its Nevis operations by the Legislature

(CCC Release, December 8th, 2009) Yesterday, through an Ordinance of the Nevis Island Legislature, legislation was passed to compulsorily acquire, virtually expropriate, Caribbean Cable Communications (Nevis) Ltd operations in Nevis. The Bill was read a 1st, 2nd and 3rd time in a single sitting. But no notice of its existence was given to CCC or even to the Opposition which only became aware of the Bill at the start of the Sitting. Apparently this was in response to CCC's removal of NIA from Channel 8 access.

The public needs to know that CCC repeatedly invited NIA to sign a Channel Lease Agreement. By their lack of response they refused to do so apparently maintaining that they had a right to free use of that Channel at no cost under terms that they would dictate.

This morning, Tuesday 8th December, 2009, a delegation led personally by Minister Robelto Hector, Nevis Minister of Communications, along with the several high ranking police officers came to CCC’s offices in a very high handed manner and demanded the staff turn over their keys and cars and leave the building. Minister Hector also informed CCC that Government had through legislation taken over CCC Nevis Ltd. This was done even though not a penny of compensation has been paid.
Mr. Damien Hughes, Director of Franchise Operations for CCC and present at the office, informed Minister Hector that he would like some time to confer with legal counsel. He further instructed Minister Hector that CCC was preparing an application before the Court and that CCC requested that NIA’s actions should be deferred until the Court had an opportunity to hear the matter.

Minister Hector flatly refused and ordered the Police to escort all CCC employees out of the building. Mr. Hughes informed Minister Hector that CCC employees were leaving under protest and that in fact his actions and the actions of the Police have warranted CCC to consider enjoining them in their personal capacities for their actions.

Presently, CCC Nevis Ltd’s operations are closed and the Company regrets but must state very clearly that CCC is not and will not be responsible at this time for the quality of customers’ cable, internet and telephone service. Neither are we responsible for any damages caused to property leased by CCC prior to Government’s wanton disregard for CCC’s rights exhibited by the actions of Minister Hector.

It is instructive to note, that to date, the Nevis Island Administration has not approached CCC ownership to discuss the compensation for CCC, despite the legislation’s call for prompt payment of CCC’s assets at fair market value. The Nevis Island Administration has taken CCC’s property without any payment. Under the NIA’s purported legislation, payment is to be assessed under a plan grossly unfair to CCC and in violation of the Franchise Agreement and International Standards.
CCC believes that there is nothing more frightening to investors, particularly foreign investors, when a Government can summarily take their property without proper notice or compensation. These actions by the Nevis Island Administration have far reaching geo-political and legal implications which we at CCC have every intention to highlighting over the course of time.

As other matters unfold, CCC will be providing the media with updated information. Meanwhile, any persons with questions can direct those questions to Damien E. Hughes, Director of Franchise Operations.