The Federation’s Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, has been accused of practicing “transactional politics” with the finances of the twin-island federation.
“We have been informed that the company contracted to provide trees for the National Heroes Park has a local partner – a family member,” said St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) Chairperson, Hon. Marcella Liburd.
Ms. Liburd, who is also the Member of Parliament for St. Christopher 2 (Central Basseterre) also accused the Team Unity Government of Prime Minister Harris of “trampling on the peoples’ rights to free speech, freedom of the press and peoples rights to freedom of association,” said Liburd added that Prime Minister Harris has continued his victimization of citizens.
“We have seen the dismissals of workers at every level. We have seen the treatment of persons who go to work daily, given no task (and) disrespecting them hoping that they would leave. There are three women who have been sent home without reason (and getting their monthly salaries.) One has been at home for two years, another for a year and a half and the third one is sitting at home for 9 months,” said Liburd.
“This abuse of power is rampant in government departments and institutions,” said Liburd, who expressed agreement with a caller to a recent talk show who described Prime Minister Harris “as practising transactional politics.”
“He gives out these contracts to persons who are on the Executive Committee of his Peoples Labour Party (PLP). The latest award is to the new Director of the STEP. You have to be openly walking with him, and part of the deal is to give back some of the money to the PLP. It is really transactional politics,” said Liburd, a two-term elected MP and former deputy speaker and speaker of the National Assembly.
“This is sad. This should be a government of all the people, who are taxpayers. It is unfortunate that tax payers’ money are being abused in the abuse of power,” said Liburd.