BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 4th 2010 (PAM Secretariat) - People’s Action Movement Constituency Three representative Bernard Welsh has issued a passionate appeal for new strategies to be implemented in addressing corruption in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Welsh, a former engineer within the Electricity Department, said the Douglas-led administration should concede that there is corruption within his administration and as the Prime Minister he should have already addressed them.
Welsh said also that the Douglas-led administration has failed miserably in coming up with new strategies and tactics to deal with corruption. “We within PAM recognize these constants and numerous shortcomings. However, despite our attempts and efforts in getting government to address them they have failed to do so. As such, we strongly believe that to ensure new strategies are taken on board, it requires a new administration to govern the Federation’s affairs, Welsh said.
He declared there is much evidence that points to corruption in St. Kitts and Nevis, adding that while a system to stave off corruption should have been in place, there is no thread of evidence to suggest that the Government is serious about addressing this grave concern. He also suggested that the public has to continue pressing the Government through many platforms, such as “Ask the Prime Minister and Voices”, among others, by querying the possibility of corrupt events pointing to collaboration.
The PAM Constituency Three representative declared that his party is not supportive of corruption, hence immediately after taking office it intends to implement the Integrity in Public Life Legislation and also the Freedom of Information Act which the party’s Leader, Lindsay Grant, has been referring to on the campaign trail.
Welsh opined that with the current administration being in office for some 14-odd years, there should have been the establishment of the Integrity in Public Life Legislation. He also noted that the failure of such an act being establish indicates the level of seriousness and commitment of the Government in addressing corruption, among other social issues.
Welsh insisted that the allegations of corruption been blown out of proportion is not true but very significant in the Federation. “We within PAM is cognizant that attempts and systems can be put in place so as to ensure corruption is eradicated or minimized, thus we strongly support the view that change is evident and change is critical so as to ensure the future of our children are preserved,” he said.
Welsh is adamant that senior officials of the Labour Party benefit significantly from corrupt money or any money from which contractors benefit.
