Former Minister of Tourism Ricky Skerritt has been denied outstanding gratuity payments by the Team Unity Coalition Government. According to the St.Kitts Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) Opposition on Freedom Fm “Issues” on Wednesday, Skerritt’s gratuity matter had reached the treasury where a check was available. Upon reaching there Skerritt was handed a check for the amount owed, however when he sought to have the check honored by National Bank it was subsequently turned down as the bank indicated that any amount over $20,000 had to be approved by the Ministry of Finance and Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance the Honorable Dr. Timothy Harris.
On Wednesday’s edition of “Issues” parliamentary representative for Constituency #2 the Honorable Marcella Liburd explained the process and indicated that Skerritt to date has not been paid. This denial of payment to the Former Tourism and International Trade Minister comes closely on the heels of Former speaker Curtis Martin querying why payments and benefits due to him remain outstanding to date. The former speaker is apparently of the view that he is being victimized by the new Team Unity administration for political reasons.
Curtis Martin told Winn FM last week that he wants the government to explain why monies owed to him are not being paid. The question was put to Prime Minister Timothy Harris at his news conference last Wednesday.
The prime minister says such matters are being handled by the appropriate authority and as a rule he does not have to get involved personally in these issues.
Skerritt joins Former Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle, former SKNIS reporter Deli Caines, former PM speech writer Hazel Ross-Robinson, former Commissioner of Police C.G Walwyn, former Tourism Advisor Cedric Liburd, and Electoral Officers such as persons who worked on Election Day including presiding officers, poll clerks, and returning officers, who are yet to be paid by the Team Unity Government.