Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris (left) and Dr. Denzil Douglas
Former Prime Minister now Leader of the Opposition Dr Denzil Douglas speaking at a SKNLP meeting in St Pauls on Thursday took Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris to task for the decline in the CIP program.
Dr Douglas who visited Dubai recently, said in meetings he attended there with UAE officials, he was told that the SKNCIP program had fallen on hard times because of comments and releases made by the Team Unity prior to taking office in February 2015.
Dr Douglas said he was told by UAE officials that they were finished with St. Kitts-Nevis until he (Douglas) returns to power.
Douglas said Prime Minister Harris was shunned during his recent visit to Dubai and Abu Dabi a few weeks ago. Douglas maintained that Prime Minister Harris did not meet with one government official there during his recent visit. Douglas said not even security was provided for Prime Minister Harris.
Meanwhile earlier in March Prime Minister Harris had hailed his weeklong visit to the United Arabs Emirates a success declaring that “St. Kitts-Nevis intends to protect its brand and the CIP programme”. Dr Harris said he was pleased with discussions held with representatives from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. “I am extremely pleased with this visit. I was delighted with the response to our visit and the keen interest in our programme and in the many opportunities that currently exist in St. Kitts and Nevis. For the last several months, my government has been committed to our pledge to work for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, to fulfilling our people-empowerment agenda and to upholding the principles of good governance.”