While St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris remained silent that a member of his family was given the job to demolish the Tabernacle Health Clinic, he denied that a family member was awarded the contract to build a new one.
As a result of statements made by the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Leader of the Opposition in response to the 2018 Budget, Dr. Harris told parliament that the contract to construct the new Tabernacle Clinic was awarded to a Mr. William Challenger.
Several contractors and other persons have indicated that Challenger is not much known in the construction industry and is the next door neighbour of Prime Minister Harris.
During the debate Dr. Douglas expressed concern that eligible contractors have not been given a fair share as promised by Dr. Harris and his Team Unity Government and referred to the spending of EC$50.6 million in capital expenditure for 2017.
In February 2017, Dr. Harris said that the 2016 fiscal year had resulted in a Recurrent Account Surplus of EC$128.3 million, an Overall Surplus of EC$130.3 million and a Primary Surplus of EC$154.7 million and among the several projects that were going to be constructed were the Tabernacle Health Clinic and the National Heroes Park.
Last month, Dr. Harris accepted a US$1 million (EC$2.7 million) cheque from the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the construction of the Tabernacle Health Clinic.
“The Government had already allocated money for the Tabernacle Health Center. What happened to the money that was allocated for the Tabernacle Health Clinic in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 budgets? ” asked Dr. Douglas.
The opposition leader noted that Prime Minister Harris in 2016 had also accepted a check from the Taiwanese ambassador for the construction of the National Heroes Park at the cost of EC$2 million and questioned the need for more money allocated in 2017 for the three-acre park to complete it.
He said it was a family member of the prime minister that demolished the Tabernacle Health Clinic and constructed the National Heroes Park.
Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Michael Perkins told Dr. Douglas he was not allowed to make any reference to a Harris company or Harris family member.
“Ordinary people like Ali and Ion and other contractors must also be awarded jobs. Let them get involved in the bidding process and not one set of people. Let them get involved in the opportunity. Everyone must eat,” said Dr. Douglas.
Several small contractors have complained that they are being left out of being awarded contracts.
Besides the National Heroes Park and the Tabernacle Health Clinic, relatives or persons close to the Harris family, have been awarded contracts to resurface the Tabernacle Playing Field, clearing land for the new prison, replacing a section of the roof at the Primary School in Tabernacle, and placing protective boulders at Black Rocks in Belle Vue, all in St. Christopher 7, the constituency that Dr. Harris represents in the National Assembly.
Inspite of remarks by Prime Minister Harris that there is a transparent bidding process, contractors and the public are not convinced of a level playing field.
“Prime Minister Harris needs to be honest. He needs to tell who the bidders are. He needs to tell us the amount of each bid and the reasons for accepting or rejecting bids. He has never, ever, being forthright with this information. He always avoids giving answers. His usual banter of good governance, transparency and accountability, lack currency. They are just mere words to fool the general public,” said a senior civil servant who requested the name not be used for fear of persecution.