BASSETERRE St. Kitts, Mar. 19.2018 – WITH St. Kitts and Nevis recording another deadly weekend, Opposition Member of Parliament for Constituency #3, Hon. Konris Maynard believes that it is time the government pulls all stakeholders together to discuss the problem.
On Friday (Mar. 16), Glenville Francis was shot dead in Newton Ground as he was making his way home, while Hannibal Bassue was shot and injured in Taylors.
On Saturday (Mar. 17), Ricardo Jeffers was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he was shot in Stapleton, St. Peter’s. And Calvin Archibald was shot to death later that day in Crab Hill.
Maynard told SKNVibes News that the time has come for the government to put politics aside and engage all stakeholders on the way forward in dealing with the crime problem.
He said that the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) continues to be very concerned with the spate of gun violence occurring on the federation’s streets.
“We continue to be extremely concerned about the trend of crimes and criminal activities in our country. This is not good for our country. We want to see this come to an end as soon as possible, in fact immediately.”
The MP acknowledged that it would not be easy to put a lid on the problem, but he thinks it is time for the government to gather all stakeholders for the consultation.
“It would need to involve all stakeholders coming on board to realize once and for all, that crime was never a Dr. Douglas issue. Crime was never a Labour Party issue and crime is a problem that we all have to solve.
“And I think it will be well serving of this government to acknowledge that and accept our calls to come together on this issue of crime so that we can do better for St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The Opposition has over the last two years, been very critical of the government’s handling of the crime problem, calling out officials for the number of gun-related incidents occurring in the federation.
Putting politics aside, the MP reminded that there are currently seven homicides that occurred in the federation, pointing out that the possibility exists that there could be another year of 30 murders.
“We don’t want that. And so, we condemn the violence that is taking place and is calling on the government to partner with us and all stakeholders, including the opposition, to put aside political difference and think strongly about how we can affect the change that we need.”
The young parliamentarian recommends that the time has come to engage more with yourh whether through community-based activities or sports.
He reminded of the People Empowerment Programme (PEP) and community engagement activities which he stated was being done through a collaborative effort between the former Labour Party administration and the Police Force.
“What has happened now is that a lot of those young men don’t have that positive engagement…” he noted.
Currently, the police are carrying out their investigation into the four shooting incidents
