BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 13th 2010 (PAM Secretariat) - People’s Action Movement Constituency Three representative, Bernard Welsh is of the firm view that the failures being experience within the Electricity Department commenced under the leadership of Cedric Liburd during his tenure as Minister of Public Works.
He made this disclosure while speaking at a public meeting Monday night in St Peters. Welsh, who is an engineer by profession, advised that residents of Constituency Eight should not make the mistake of re-electing Cedric Liburd for another term, as the nation has suffered and continues to suffer under his woeful leadership.
He however declared that under a PAM administration Liburd and his colleagues would have to answer to the many ills they have committed against the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, including monies and deals.
“I can assure you the public that we will ensure that whatever monies we can retrieve for you will be done expeditiously, as your tax dollars have been misused. This reimbursement may take the form of free electricity over a specified period,” Welsh.
Addressing a decision made by Minister Liburd in 1998, Welsh said that against technical and other advice, the Minister proceeded to buy some generators which cost the Federation some $30M. He said that the Minister travelled to England where he made the purchase, and since then the Federation has faced a number of severe challenges owing to his misguided mistakes. He noted that since 1998 the Federation has spent in excess of some $200M, stressing that there are evidences of corruption and mismanagement.
Welsh told his audience he is aware that the current supply of electricity in St. Kitts is unreliable and unaffordable, stressing that his party has an emergency plan which would roll out immediately upon taking office. Making reference to the fuel surcharge, Welsh said that for a number of years PAM has been calling for its removal despite the Government’s comments that it was unrealistic. He however claimed that he was surprised to see that last December the Prime Minister dropped the fuel surcharge which had been killing customers financially.
“We have committed to ensure that the unreliable and unaffordable service of electricity that you receive will stop, as we will restore electricity to St. Kitts and Nevis to its glorious past,” Welsh said.
Welsh declared that after the election his administration would carry out a compete investigation and evaluation of the Electricity Department and all those found guilty would be made to answer why customers have suffered for so many years, despite some $200M-odd dollars in taxes was spent.
“I will not speculate, but I can tell you that there is evidence to suggest that something is amiss within the Department and, therefore, the people will have to know what really took place with their monies,” he said.
He pointed out that the level of leadership provided by Cedric Liburd leaves much to be desired, declaring that the time has come for the public to hold Government officials accountable as they were elected by the public and should answer to the public.
“Minister Liburd continues to make promises while failing to deliver, and as such he should be given the boot. For too long the people of this constituency have stuck with a man who continues to fail and continues to refuse to serve his people, therefore, I call upon you to give him the boot and elect a man who will go to work in representing you,” he charged.
Welsh noted that despite the many appeals and invitations extended by Eugene Hamilton for a public debate with Liburd, he continues to refuse and this demonstrates that he is afraid of being confronted on issues.
“If Liburd has done so much as he claims, then he should be more than happy to debate with Eugene Hamilton. But I tell you that he hasn’t because he knows that his record is embarrassing and ridiculous. I join my colleague Hamilton is demanding a debate so that the young people of this constituency can be properly educated so as to make informed decision,” he declared.
