BASSETERRE, ST KITTS – Sixteen months after taking office, the Timothy Harris-led three-party (PAM/CCM/PLP) coalition lacks vision, leadership and focus and is yet to present a developmental plan for St Kitts and Nevis.
“What is their claim to fame for improving the St. Kitts and Nevis economy? What is the Government’s policy on job creation, on career creation, on revenue generation, apart from imposing or increasing taxes on the backs of the local people,” asked West Basseterre Member of Parliament, Hon. Konris Maynard on Wednesday.
He pointed out that former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, while in office, had not only highlighted and articulated a vision but introduced measures, programmes and policies in a continuing effort to make St. Kitts and Nevis the smallest and first sustainable state in the world.
“There was a vision and each part of the Labour Government was attuned to that vision. There was a vision for the empowerment of young people, because with a new sustainable state and with the diversification of the economy, we were bringing on stream a number of five-star hotels. The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration understood that there will be a need to train our people to take up those jobs in the new and progressive economy. We knew the direction we were continuing to take the country and it was clear,” he told listeners to Wednesday’s “Issues” programme on Freedom FM 106.5.
Mr Maynard made reference to the use of the Citizenship by Investment Programme by continuing to make St. Kitts and Nevis a pristine and prime destination for nationals to live comfortably in and tourists to visit.
“In addition there was the vision and the policy of increasing the services offered, facilitating manufacturing and continued diversification of the agricultural product, improving the infrastructure with new and safe roads, reliable water and electricity supplies and empowerment of locals in land ownership, home ownership and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people,” said Maynard.
He added that 16 months into the PLP/CCM/PAM Administration “nobody, not even their own supporters can outline to me or anyone else the vision of the TUG.”
Maynard asked: “What have they said that will move St. Kitts and Nevis from point A to point B or point C? What have they identified as their main job creator? Are they still relying on the hotels and other development projects that the Labour Party Administration brought to this country? And because of their negative rhetoric in opposition and which continues even now they are in government has caused many of those projects to either be halted completely or limping to completion. What is their vision? That is where leadership comes in. If there is no proper leadership, if there is no resolute leadership, then everybody in the government is going to be doing their own thing. There will not be a focus.”