Social media network Facebook was abuzz on Thursday with claims that a Minister in the Nevis Island Administration has been suspended following an investigation that revealed that sums of money had been spent on a house, plane tickets and vehicles. It was further alleged that the said minister was asked to repay the money and that the Nevis Treasury had begun the process of deducting the money from the Minister’s salary.
Freedom Fm contacted several persons in the Nevis Island Administration for confirmation or denial of this story in circulation, including Minister Alexis Jeffers and Jr Minister Troy Liburd. A Senior official at the Treasury refused to comment and indicated “I don’t know what you are talking about”. While Minister Jeffers could not be reached and calls to his cell phone went unanswered Jr Minister Liburd immediately rubbished the story, calling it nonsensical and undeserving a comment. Liburd instead pointed to the positive nation building developments that were being undertaken by his Ministry including the refurbishment of high schools in Nevis in time for the opening of school in September, the Hanley’s road project and an ongoing water works project in Nevis.
The Nevis Island Administration recently enacted integrity in public life legislation to deal with issues of corruption by public officials.