Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Honorable Dr Timothy Harris revealed on Wednesday that some $380,000 had been paid out to persons on a committee with responsibility for the PEP. Explaining that on taking office the Team Unity government became aware Peter Jenkins’ a businessman, was also at the time chairman of the board of directors for ZBC (ZIZ) was being paid thousand from the program, Harris revealed that after investigation his Government immediately asked that those payments stop.
Former Prime Minister, SKNLP Leader Hon Dr Denzil Douglas, has taken issue with Dr Harris’ comments in regard to the PEP programme. Speaking on Freedom Fm, Dr Douglas expressed disgust at what he feels is the unwarranted targeting of individuals at his press conferences.
Pm Harris further disclosed at Wednesday’s Press Conference that investigations into the administration of the PEP had revealed that the pass administration had paid a hotel owner $3000000. Dr Harris said that to date no rational had been found for the payment of these funds.
Dr Douglas, who led the Federation for the past 20 years before losing the February 16 General Election, explained that the now Prime Minister Harris is aware that the money was paid to the Marriot Resort in order to prevent workers being let off.
Meanwhile the SKN Observer in an article entitled “Shocking Details About PEP Surface! PEP Board Disbanded” quoting an unnamed Government source, contends that the level of corruption perpetrated by the PEP is staggering and unbelievable.
The article written by L.K. Hewlett portrays a scenario where malpractices and corruption were rampant. PEP workers were not working, submitted sick claims to Social Security, were working other jobs, yet filing weekly claims for compensation. “In one case a PEP worker was hospitalized after undergoing surgery, yet the paperwork for the program claimed she had been reporting to work all the time’, the Government source is quoted as saying.
At last Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Press Conference, Prime Minister the Honorable Dr. Timothy Harris indicated that the PEP Board/Committee was disbanded as he said it was a means for the former SKNLP Government to pay party beneficiaries thousands of dollars. Among those singled out by Prime Minister Harris was Former ZIZ Chairman Peter Jenkins, who according to Dr. Harris received over $300,000.00. Jenkins told Freedom Fm on Monday that he has consulted his lawyer over the allegations made by Prime Minister Harris and he would have no comment at this time.
Freedom FM also spoke to Former Ambassador Roslyn Hazelle, who according to the Observer article received a monthly stipend of $1200.00. Others mentioned in the article are Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Elvis Newton ($1400-$1500) and Director of PEP Geoffrey Hanley $4,500 monthly.
Hazelle told Freedom Fm that there was no PEP Board, but a steering committee chaired by Elvis Newton was in place to oversee the affairs of the People’s Employment Program (PEP).
Hazelle claimed that Prime Minster Harris continued to demonize SKNLP public officials and supporters. She added that the PEP Committee had not met since the February 16 General Elections, and that as far as she was aware, that Committee had been disbanded. Hazelle warned Harris against throwing stones at SKNLP supporters as one day these stones would be thrown back at him (Harris).