“The government will reverse the biggest theft of the future of our people. We will return the land back to the people where it belongs,” That was the assertion from Governor General Deputy Hon Tapley Seaton QC during Thursday’s traditional throne speech to mark the historic opening of parliament in St Kitts and Nevis.
Governor General Deputy was at the time speaking in reference to the controversial St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (Vesting in Certain Lands) Act, which was was passed in October of that of 2012.
Members of the PAM and CCM who now form the new Team Unity government were at that time in Opposition and argued against the bill accusing Douglas of undoing what the founding fathers of his own party had fought so hard to achieve, putting ownership of the lands in the hands of the people through the Crown.
Now in Government Team Unity is vowing to repeal that legislation which saw 1200 acres of government land turned over to the National Bank to cover $900 million of government debt.
The leader of the SKNLP Dr Denzil Douglas is convinced however that to repeal the bill is crazy.
He explained that not only did the land for debt swap free the country of a high debt but it brought confidence back to the national bank. He said that the bill also help to raised investor confidence in the federation.
Dr Douglas said that the new Prime Minister is simply trying to trying to fulfill a campaign promise.
He challenged the Prime Minister to tell nationals how he plans to handle the resulting debt.
Former Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis now Leader of the Opposition Hon Dr Denzil Douglas on Thursday commenting on the recent explanation of a privy council ruling that found that the February 16th polls were to be held on the boundaries that existed before January 16.
Dr Douglas noted two fundamental positions taken by the Privy Council.
Hon Marcella Liburd SKNLP Chair person also commenting on the Privy Council explanation explained that the new government is now on both sides of that issue.
On Friday January 16, an Emergency Sitting of Parliament was convened at 4.15 pm, moments after the Constituency Boundaries Commission signed, by majority vote, new constituency boundaries.
A Proclamation was put before the then Speaker Curtis Martin in the National Assembly, approved by the government benches, signed by the Governor General Sir Edmund Lawrence, and a Proclamation for the Dissolution of Parliament was signed by Sir Edmund and read from the steps of Government Headquarters, on Church Street, by then Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas. Opposition parliamentarians now members of the Team Unity expressed outrage and sought an injunction from the high court.