There are numerous allegations of impropriety by ministers of government and the public has very little access to government records so that the truth can be known. ﾠSuch is the present state of affairs in my little country.
Citizens continue to demand integrity in public office and accountability and transparency from government ministers. ﾠThere are still many unresolved issues and the government is still determined to sweep them under the carpet and pool wool over people eyes. ﾠThe following allegations are just the tip of the iceberg:
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe disappearance of $2,000,000 from the electricity generation project.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe disappearance of $9,000,000 from NHC.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe disappearance of a US$1,000,000 gift from Libya.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe movement of $1,000,000 from the treasury to a Consulting firm.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe under the table deals involving road contracts.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe condos and mansions owned by labour ministers.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe rental of generators.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe sale of sugar lands to foreigners.
ﾕ ﾠﾠ$4,000,000 debt forgiveness to labour building contractor.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe disappearance of monies from Solid Waste, Port Authority and other government departments.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe Whitegate and LaValle scandals.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe awarding of government contracts without proper procurement procedures.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe giving of a government house rent-free to a labour man to run a gym.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe Stevia land deal with a Chinaman.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe 5% cut that ministers take for certain projects.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe US$8,500,000 that was taken to the Bahamas.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe hiring of Hartley Henry as a government consultant.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe murder of Jude Matthew and Billy Herbert and his fishing party.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe awarding of government scholarships to persons who do not satisfy the requirements.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe non-filing of land sale documents in the Registry.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe abuse of Social Security and National Bank funds.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe purchase of land and property by certain government entities.
ﾕ ﾠﾠ$300,000 to put stones in front of a hotel in Nevis.
ﾕ ﾠﾠ$1,300,000 for advertising roads by a building company.
ﾕ ﾠﾠAn overseas trip by a minister to buy prototype generators.
ﾕ ﾠﾠGovernment scholarships given to a minister”s daughter.
ﾕ ﾠﾠUse of taxpayers’ money to finance a honeymoon trip.
ﾕ ﾠﾠThe golf course deal government and a big hotel.
The Labour government has betrayed the trust of the people. ﾠAfter eleven years of mal-administration, the government has not seen it fit to practice good governance. ﾠThe Integrity in Public Life Bill was introduced in Parliament way back 1996 and the government has not touched it since. ﾠWhat is the Labour government afraid of? ﾠQuite often we hear government ministers talk about a transparent labour government yet since 1995 the financial accounts of music festival, carnival, and other statutory corporations have not been tabled in parliament. ﾠThe opposition has no access to the government”s media house. ﾠIn fact one worker was reprimanded for allowing Mr. Lindsay Grant to appear on television.
It is now the norm for ministers of government to do things without giving an account of their actions. ﾠThis type of behaviour does not bode well for the development of our nation. ﾠWe need a few good men and women to lead us out of this social and economic morass. ﾠThe People”s Action Movement is offering the strong and effective leadership that is needed to chart a new course in good governance in St. Kitts and Nevis.
By: Glenroy Blanchette
East Basseterre Constituency #1 P.A.M. Candidate
St. Kitts and Nevis
Source: www.pamdemocrat.org
