With 32 homicides including 30 murders, scores of armed robberies, shootings, home invasions and burglaries in 2016, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris was silent on the rampant criminal activity when he presented the 2017 Budget Address in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Senator Hon. Nigel Carty who sits on the opposition benches in the National Assembly slammed Dr. Harris for his omission and his failure to ensure the safety of nationals, residents and visitors in his three hour presentation on Wednesday.
“Not one word, not even a comforting word to the families who have lost loved ones during this year. We have had 32 murders and counting and not one word in the Budget Address to deal with the rampancy of crime in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Carty on Wednesday’s Issues programme on Freedom FM and Kyss FM.
He said that he is troubled by the allocation of monies for several of the ministries in the 2017 Budget.
“The Office of the Prime Minister has been allocated EC$43 million and National Security Services – Police, Defence Force, Fire & Rescue – only EC$70 million. The Prime Minister’s Office is consuming three-quarters of what Dr. Harris is apportioning for the entire National Security apparatus of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Carty, who asked:
“What is it that is happening in Timothy Harris’ office that he would want EC$43 million assigned to his office? Why is that? What is happening up there? Where is the money going? What is all that money being used for?