BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 6th 2009 (PAM Secretariat) – People’s Action Movement (PAM) Leader and shadow Minister of National Security, Lindsay Grant has released one of his party’s crime plan initiatives.
Grant pointed out that an urgent plan that government should seriously consider is that the protection of women and children should be of paramount importance. Grant said that with the recent loss of lives where two women were brutally killed, protecting women and children should be of critical importance.
In a recent media interview, Grant expounded on a number of issues, noting appropriate legislative actions need to be passed immediately in Parliament so as to eradicate some of the significant fears that plague the Federation.
“As a Federation, regardless of our political, social and cultural affiliation, we must be committed to this fight as crime will affect all of us regardless of who the victims or perpetrators are,” he said. “As a political party, the People’s Action Movement is very serious with its commitment in fostering pride and dignity amongst the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. Therefore, we should not allow ourselves to tolerate the abuse of our women and children. We continue to see where criminals and people associated with crime and violence continue to pose a major threat to the well being of women and children, even as we recognize that legislation is just one of many means which are required to end the pathetic and heart rendering scourge of gang violence,” he added.
The PAM Leader declared out that in an effort to address the problem, he has issued an urgent and immediate call for Parliament to enact certain crucial child welfare and protection legislations. He stressed that a Child Care Protection Agency Bill be included as well. Grant said that having the following bills would certainly aid in ensuring a proper approach is taken, and he is therefore calling for the establishment of the Protection of Children Bill, the Status of Children Bill, and the Adoption of Children Bill.
Stressing on how effective his administration would be should his party be elected to government, Grant said they have already begun discussions on a number of key proposals with the view of implementing them within the first 60 days after assuming office.
“We as a party are very confident of winning the elections, therefore, we have already begun working on a number of proposals geared at being implemented immediately after taking the oath of office,” he said.
Explaining the approach his party intends to implement in order to combat the problem of women allowing themselves to be used by unscrupulous individuals, Grant said there is an urgent need for greater emphasis to be placed on the relevant ministries to ensure there is progress in addressing the problems.
“To ensure that gang violence is properly addressed, we within the party have developed a strategy that seeks to ensure that it is eradicated through recognizing key areas where funding and spending need to be improved.
“Added to that, a more sensitive and proactive approach has to be instituted by the police force in effectively responding to the victims,” Grant said.
The PAM’s shadow Minister of National Security stressed that all these measures are intended to provide St. Kitts and Nevis with a greater sense of security, allowing for the productive development of the Federation and the improvement of the standard of living of its people under a People’s Action Movement government.
