Former Prime Minister now Opposition Leader Dr Denzil Douglas is characterizing the 2016 Budget address given by Prime minister the Hon Dr Timothy Harris as one of “fraud, deception and hypocrisy”. Douglas said these elements permeate the length and breadth of the 2016 budget presentation.
Referring specifically to the budget support extended to the Nevis Island Administration, Dr Douglas said there were three different figures quoted for budgetary support to the NIA. He said PM Harris had said it was 15 million…the 2015 budget states 20 million and Nevis Premier in his budget address had put the figure at 25 million budgetary support.
Dr Douglas called on the TUG to be transparent and upfront as nationals as taxpayers had a right to know what was involved.
In a prepared statement and media release made on Budget Day 2015, Dr Douglas challenged PM Harris as Finance Minister to stimulate the economy by granting a double salary to civil servants.
Dr Douglas further encouraged the TUG not to terminate the services of the young PEP workers as was being planned for in the 2016 budget, as a revenue saving device. Douglas said such an act would further disadvantage the youths and would exacerbate crime and unemployment.
Dr Douglas said the historic revenue collection enunciated by PM Harris, was a tribute to the solid economic foundation put in place by the previous Labour Party government.