“People-Centered Governance”
BASSETERRE St. Kitts, February 02nd, 2015 -- We, the Parties to this Agreement; CONCERNED about the social, economic, political and cultural challenges that we have faced as a country and the multiple threats to the well-being and advancement of our people and, therefore, determined to resolve these permanently.
CONSIDERING our shared determination to uphold, defend and sustain the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity, as a respected member of the international community, a nation where all citizens respect and, therefore, enjoy equal protection of the law and have equal opportunity to compete and prosper in all spheres of life.
ACKNOWLEDGING the sacrifices made by our forebears in the fight against colonialism, slavery and racial discrimination and determined to accept, cherish and recognise the significance of their struggle as the foundation of our sovereign independence, freedoms and human rights.
DEDICATING ourselves to putting an end to the polarisation, divisions, conflict and intolerance, that have characterized St. Kitts & Nevis politics and society in recent times.
COMMITTING ourselves to putting our people and our country first by arresting the fall in living standards and reversing the decline of our economy.
EMPHASISING our shared commitment to re-orient our attitudes towards respect for the Constitution and all national laws, the rule of law, observance of St. Kitts & Nevis’ national institutions, symbols and national events.
RESPECTING the rights of all our citizens regardless of political affiliation to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events freely without let or hindrance.
RECOGNISING, accepting and acknowledging that the values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, non-discrimination and respect of all persons without regard to race, class, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, place of origin or birth are the bedrock of our democracy and good governance.
DETERMINED to build a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hatred, patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality.
RECOGNISING and accepting that Good Governance has been at the core of disputation in St. Kitts & Nevis and acknowledging the centrality of issues relating to the rule of law, respect for human rights and democracy.
COMMITTED to act in a manner that demonstrates loyalty to St. Kitts & Nevis, patriotism and commitment to St. Kitts & Nevis, national purpose, core values, interests and aspirations.
DETERMINED to act in a manner that demonstrates respect for the democratic values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, respect of all persons and human rights.
APPRECIATING the historical obligation and need to forge a national partnership in order to move forward and give St. Kitts & Nevis the best chance of reversing its economic, social, political and moral decline.
PURSUANT to the desire of the Parties, herein, to agree and subscribe to this historic Partnership and to pool our considerable talents and resources at this critical juncture in the history of St. Kitts & Nevis, with a common purpose, for the good that we can do to build a durable recovery that leads to sustained growth, development and shared prosperity, the Parties hereby agree:
ARTICLE I: DEFINITIONS
The "Agreement" shall mean this written Agreement signed by the stated individuals in Article XIII: (Commencement).
The "Partners" shall mean –
THE PEOPLE’S ACTION MOVEMENT …………………………………………………………………………………
THECONC ERMENED CITIZEN’S MOVEMENT …………………………………………………………………………………..
THE PEOPLE’S LABOUR PARTY …………………………………………………………………………………..
The "Government" or "New Unity Government" means the new Government to be set up in terms of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
The Partners hereby declare and agree to work together to create genuine, viable, sustainable and nationally acceptable solutions to stabilize our staggering economy; rebuild our fracturing society around core values and principles; restore trust in government; engender a new political culture and; give our people a genuine chance to improve their livelihood and fulfill their dreams and aspirations.
ARTICLE III: RESTORATION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND STABILITY
The Partners agree:
(a) to give priority to the restoration of economic stability and growth in St. Kitts and Nevis. The new Unity Government will lead the process of developing and implementing an economic recovery strategy and plan. To that end, the parties are committed to working together on a full and comprehensive economic programme which will address the key issues of job creation, cost of living, local empowerment, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, food security, land distribution, poverty alleviation, education and health care.
(b) to establish a National Economic Council composed of representatives of the Unity Government and of the following sectors:
(i) Manufacturing
(ii) Agriculture
(iii) Information and Communications Technology
(iv) Tourism
(v) Commerce
(vi) Financial Services
(vii) Labour
(viii) Energy
(ix) Construction
(x) Education
(xi) Health Care
(xii) Academia (xiii) Church; and
(xiii) Other relevant sectors such as women and youth.
(c) that the terms of reference of the Council shall include giving advice to Government, formulating economic plans and programmes for approval by government and such other functions as are assigned to the Council by the Government.
ARTICLE IV: LAND
The Partners hereby agree that the new Unity Government will pursue a policy direction that is a clear departure from that of the current Dr. Denzil Douglas Labour Administration. In consultation and collaboration with local stakeholders, the new Unity Government will develop a comprehensive land management policy that is in alignment with local priorities, mindful of the fact that our land resource is very limited, and cognizant of the fact that local empowerment is critically important to sustainable and durable economic growth, shared prosperity, human development, poverty reduction and social stability.
The Partners agree to revisit the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (Vesting in Certain Lands) Act 2012, to safeguard and protect the best interest and patrimony of St. Kitts and Nevis.
ARTICLE V: CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
The parties agree that the new Unity Government will, as a matter of urgency, establish a Constitution Commission to engage in the widest possible public consultation as a pre-requisite to Constitutional Reform.
Notwithstanding the plethora of rhetoric on constitutional reform in the past, the fundamental institutional structures remain unchanged. One of the recurring themes in the constitutional reform discourse is the need to strengthen and/or meliorate democracy in St. Kitts and Nevis. Issues of participation, legitimacy, accountability, good governance, the fusion of the executive and legislative branches, the lack of proper parliamentary oversight of the Government and the people’s constituent power have driven the discussion for more than two decades.
In the premises, the new Unity Government will table amendments to provide for and/or strengthen civil, political, social and economic rights, as may be required, to include, but not limited to:
• Safeguards against the abuse of power (Government)
• Freedom of the Press
• Freedom of Information
• Integrity in Public Life
• Eradication of corruption in Government
• Right of recall for non-performing Parliamentary Representatives
• Fixed election dates for national and local Elections
• Mechanisms for a referendum process
• Term limits for the Prime Minister
• Conduct of all political parties during an election period
• Review the Composition and Function of an independent Electoral Boundaries Commission and Electoral Commission
• Establishment of appropriate procedures that are clearly outlined for a Vote of No Confidence
• Legislate the proper functioning of the Public Accounts Committee.
ARTICLE VI: PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY
The Partners hereby agree that the new Unity Government:
a) will ensure equal treatment of all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin and will work towards equal access to development for all;
b) will ensure equitable and fair development of all regions of the country;
c) shall give consideration to the setting up of a mechanism to properly advise on what measures might be necessary and practicable to promote national healing, cohesion and unity; d) will work together, in earnest and with expedition, to provide a durable framework for addressing, on an equitable basis, the critical issues (revenue sharing, representation abroad, devolution, inter alia) affecting the relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis;
e) will create an environment of tolerance and respect so that all citizens at all times are treated with dignity and decency irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin or political affiliation.
ARTICLE VII: ELECTORAL REFORM
• The Partners recognize the urgent need to correct the weaknesses and deficiencies in the electoral system and hereby agree that the new Unity Government will implement, without delay, the following recommendations some of which were contained in the Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team: St Kitts and Nevis General Election 25 October 2004:
• Constitutional amendments to facilitate wider consultation especially with major national political parties which may not be represented in Parliament:
o by the Governor General in the appointment of members of the Constituency Boundaries Commission, Electoral Commission and the Supervisor of Elections;
o by the Supervisor of Elections in the appointment of election officials to ensure confidence in the system by those involved.
• A comprehensive review of constituency boundaries to reflect balance and• fairness in the number of electors;
• A systematic national registration and enumeration exercise to ensure a reliable and accurate register of electors.
• Passage of political campaign finance laws to ensure transparency, probity• and fairness in campaign financing and to remove undue influence of large financiers on the outcome of elections.
• Introduction of a Code to govern State media coverage during an election• period to ensure balance and fairness in the presentation of issues, parties and candidates.
ARTICLE VIII: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
The new Unity Government will put a high priority on diversification of the energy portfolio of St. Kitts and Nevis and through deliberate and determined action, encourage and promote use of renewable energy sources by giving tangible assistance to energy companies, investors and consumers.
ARTICLE IX: RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS
The Partners hereby agree that it is the duty of all political parties and individuals to:
(a) respect and uphold the Constitution and other laws of the land;
(b) adhere to the principles of the Rule of Law.
ARTICLE X: GOOD GOVERNANCE
The partners hereby agree that there is urgent need for a government that is more responsive to the present and future needs of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and which makes the best use of the country’s limited resources. In the premises, the new Unity Government will take immediate action to enhance our representative democracy by strengthening existing institutions and establish new formal government structures to promote informed and organized participation, broader consensus-building, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, efficiency, consultation, equity and respect for the rule of law. This to guarantee that corruption is minimized, that the views of civil society are properly taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in our society are heard in decision-making.
ARTICLE XI: FRAMEWORK FOR A NEW UNITY GOVERNMENT
The Partners agree and declare as follows:
a) The Leader of the Partnership and Prime Ministerial Candidate is and shall be the HON. DR. TIMOTHY HARRIS;
b) Consultations will take place with Leaders of all Parties in determining the allocation of portfolios to ensure equity and proper representation by all Parties to this Agreement.
ARTICLE XII: IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS
To ensure full and proper implementation of the letter and spirit of this Agreement, the Partners hereby constitute a Partnership Implementation and Monitoring Committee (PIMC).
The committee shall have the following functions:-
(a) ensure the implementation in letter and spirit of this Agreement;
(b) assess the implementation of this Agreement from time to time and consider steps which might need to be taken to ensure the speedy and full implementation of this Agreement in its entirety;
(c) receive reports and complaints in respect of any issue related to the implementation, enforcement and execution of this Agreement;
(d) serve as catalyst in creating and promoting an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding between the partners; and
(e) promote continuing dialogue between the Partners.
The PIMC shall be the principal body dealing with the issues of compliance and monitoring of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XIII: COMMENCEMENT
This Agreement shall enter into force upon its signature by the Parties.
In WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have signed this Agreement.
a)
Signature ……………………………………………….
Name: the HON. SHAWN RICHARDS, for and on behalf of
Partner: THE PEOPLES ACTION MOVEMENT (PAM)
b)
Signature ………………………………………………
Name: the HON. VANCE AMORY, for and on behalf of
Partner: THE CONCERNED CITIZENS MOVEMENT (CCM)
c)
Signature: …………………………………………….
Name: the HON. DR. TIMOTHY HARRIS, for and on behalf of
Partner: THE PEOPLES LABOUR PARTY
Signed at Charlestown, on the Island of Nevis, on this 31st day January, 2013.
In WITNESS THEREOF:
Name: ………………………………….. Signature …………………………....
Name: ………………………………….. Signature ………………………..…..
Name: ………………………………….. Signature ……………………..……..
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
