BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE issue of non-payment of salaries to public servants on Nevis for the month of April was addressed by Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas. However, that island's Deputy Premier Hon. Mark Brantley and Junior Minister Hon. Troy Liburd view the issue as an act to destabilise the Concerned Citizens Movement-led Administration.
Responding to a question at his Monthly Press Conference on Wednesday (Apr. 23) on the Nevis salaries issue, Dr. Douglas told media representatives that he had a conversation with Premier Amory that day and addressed concerns over the non-payment, and, if needs be, the Federal Government would provide assistance.
"Yes, the conversation that I had with the Premier had something to do with that. Naturally, I think the Premier is concerned and as the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance at the Federal level, we did have a conversation about that matter. I have expressed my serious concern as well on this matter. I don't want to say too much but I gave my assurance and I give it now to the people of Nevis that the Federal Government will see whatever it can do to assist the situation," he responded to the question asked.
On the other hand, Brantley said that the move was a political one, stating that since his Administration took office in January 2013, efforts have been made to undermine and embarrass the CCM and the NIA.
On WINN FM's call-in programme 'Voices' yesterday (Apr. 24), Brantley said that there were forces that have aligned themselves together to undermine the CCM-led Administration.
Brantley claimed that Dr. Douglas has been visiting Nevis often within recent times and the reason being that "he needs help and he is now reaching out", but has showed up without anything to assist the people there.
He then claimed that "how can the Prime Minister in one breath come to Nevis, shake hands and clap back and pretend to love the people of Nevis and then on the other hand, the National Bank, which as much as he would pretend otherwise he controls, is going to bounce the same people’s cheques. It is a travesty and I think the people of goodwill everywhere should condemn this”.
Brantley also noted the NIA's efforts in trying to improve the fiscal shape of the island.
"We have not in any way, shape or form worsened the economic shape in Nevis. Indeed it has been gradual but it is getting better. The overdraft is down from where we met it, so what possibly could be the excuse? Up to now we can't find an explanation...except politics."
Supporting Brantley's allegations is NIA's Junior Minister Troy Liburd, who stated that it would be very difficult to convince them that the act was not deliberate.
"As a Nevisian, how does anyone convince us that this was not a deliberate attack on all of us? I firmly believe that every insult was intended by those who perpetrated this attack on us. The National Bank was the weapon that was used to cause injury and shame to all Nevisians. Consider though who runs this bank!”
Minister Liburd further stated: “Indeed, a dark day in the history of the great Nevisian people...Wednesday, 24th April, (Black Wednesday). A day that will live in infamy for the blatant attack on the people of Nevis by an institution that claims to work for the people, built up on the blood, sweat and tears of many Nevisians.
"This was indeed an attack on all Nevisians, irrespective of political affiliation, or any other petty things that divide us at times. It is time we realise that the things that bind us together are far greater than the petty things that we squabble about. Nevisians, my brothers and sisters, we should be united in condemnation of this most high-handed, despicable wrong perpetrated against us on Black Wednesday. They have, by their actions, shown us how little regard they have for us. That somehow we are to be trampled upon and rolled over.
"They will claim that somehow there is justification, but there is none. There is only an ingrown lack of respect and a cultivated disdain for anything Nevisian.”
