Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher 3 (West Basseterre) Hon. Konris Maynard, has accused the Timothy Harris Government of not informing the nation that a Proclamation has been issued by the Governor General “calling out the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force with its arms and ammunition for six months.”
“This Government does not have the decency, the decorum, the leadership to inform the public that these are the steps that have become necessary in their view to help address the escalating crime wave here in St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Maynard, who pointed out that it was the opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party that informed the public this week, although the decision was taken by the Cabinet on May 22nd and the Proclamation printed in an Extra-Ordinary Issue of the Gazette on June 23rd it
He took umbrage to the secrecy of the decision, pointing out that the public was never informed although there has been Post Cabinet Briefings, meetings of the National Assembly and statements from the Office of the Prime Minister.
“This is not how leadership works. The public ought to have been informed so that the people can be aware and respond appropriately,” said MP Maynard, who suggested that the government could have been hiding this development to avoid the notion that they have lost confidence in the St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force “and they do not have the resources to handle what is clear to everyone an escalating crime problem in St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The West Basseterre MP pointed out that although there is always a need for collaboration and joint operations between the Police and the Defence Force, the public should have been informed.
He said there appears to be a pattern that the Team Unity Government continues to do things under a cloud of darkness.
“Every decision has to be underhanded or mischievous, even if it is for a perceived good,” said Maynard.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Political Leader of the SKNLP, Dr. Earl Asim Martin weighed in on the issue.
He too was of the view that the public should be informed of the proclamation.
“This is not a matter to hide from the public. This is a matter that should be transparent so that the Federation is aware of the police powers given by law to the army,” said Dr. Martin.
“The police officers were not even aware of the Proclamation that called out the Defence Force soldiers with their arms and ammunition and given police powers,” said Dr. Martin, who noted that the measures are basically to address the rise in crime.
“There was no need to hide the information from the public as the whole country is aware of the rise in crime,” said Dr. Martin who continues to express the concern of the deafening silence of non-governmental organisations on the escalating crime and gruesome murders.
“The interest groups refuse to speak out on the crime and other issues. Prior to February 2015, the voices of the Christian Council, the Evangelical Association, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Bar Association would speak on the escalating criminal activity. Where are them today? They are all silent,” said Dr. Martin.