CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - THE post election panic that had gripped Guyanese nationals on Nevis last week, following rumours that scores of them were listed to be sent back to their homeland, were toned down after their concerns were addressed at a special meeting convened by the Nevis Chapter of the Guyanese Association on Saturday, February 6.
Present at the Saturday night’s special meeting held at the Red Cross building were: Guyana Honorary Consul to St. Kitts and Nevis Stanford Conway; the Premier of Nevis Press Secretary Deli Caines-Bussue; the Association’s Chairman, Eton Sertima; Deputy Chairman Donovan Matthew; Assistant Treasurer Alvin Fraser; and Assistant Secretary Veronica Simon.
In his opening remarks, Sertima told the gathering that the Association normally holds meetings on the last Wednesday of every month and the Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry, would be in attendance at this month’s meeting (Feb. 24) to listen to their concerns.
He further told the scores present that in addition to airing their immediate and long-term concerns, the Association had convened the meeting to ensure an amicable and respectful relationship exists among Guyanese nationals and the government as well as the people of Nevis.
The panic and the rumours became rife on Nevis in many circles following the arrest of Joylyn Ross who violated election regulations on January 25. She was charged for entering a polling station booth carrying a cell phone and using a cell phone in a polling booth.
Prior to her appearance in the District ‘C’ Magistrate’s Court in Nevis last Tuesday (Feb. 2), Ross was in custody from (Jan. 25) at the Charlestown Police Station, thence to Her Majesty’s Prison in St. Kitts. She was fined EC$3 000, to be paid in six months, on the first charge and the second one was dismissed. However, on leaving the court, she was again held in custody at the Charlestown Police Station for violation of an immigration law. Ross did not have a work permit for the current year. She winged out from the RLB International Airport for Guyana on Saturday, February 6.
In addition to the Ross incident, the Guyanese nationals were concerned with an article published in a local newspaper, headlined “NIA to reduce number of work permits”, purporting that a number of non-nationals would be sent home and some people have already been asked to leave the island.
In her address, Caines-Bussue said she was puzzled by the report which claimed that she admitted to the reduction of work permits, among other statements. “We haven’t sent anybody home. Instead, when we took over power, we lowered the price of work permits for unskilled workers. We are seeking a proper relationship between Guyanese nationals and the Nevis Island Administration,” she said.
Caines-Bussue also stated that the author of the article misquoted her and he failed to inform readers that she said “those who have had work permits for the previous year will be renewed, but there will be no work permit for newcomers to the island”.
Taking the floor, Conway told the meeting that the media is the people’s investigative watchdog and protector, and they report on how governments and the people interact. He said he had spoken to the author of the article because “it bothered me when I heard there would be a reduction of work permits and I wanted to confirm if what I read were factual”.
Conway however explained to his people that following the closure of the Four Seasons Resort due to its devastation by Hurricane Omar and also because of the global economic downturn, issuance of new work permits to non-nationals of various countries has been reduced in order to give priority to those locals who are unemployed.
Recalling Ross’s circumstances on the eve of her departure to Guyana, Conway said he was present when she arrived, still in custody, with her three-year-old daughter at the Basseterre Police Station.
“I met the Commissioner of Police at the station on Friday evening and enquired what would become of the child if Ms. Ross were to be in custody until her departure on the following morning. Negotiations were had and a kind-hearted senior police officer took responsibility of Ms. Ross and her daughter and afforded them the comfort of boarding and lodging at his family’s residence until she left St. Kitts on Saturday (Feb. 6) morning,” Conway said.
Conway said he was told by Ross’ counsel that no picture of the ballot was found in her phone, noting that “the entire incident reeks of suspicion and irony”.
The Guyanese representative declared that the Ross election saga had created great interest and tension in Guyana, as articles related to the issue had appeared in major newspapers there. He said his government is aware of the incident and he would regularly keep them abreast on all matters arising from it.
Conway told the Guyanese nationals to be careful of what they say, to whom and where, and advised them not be involved in criminal activities, regardless of the circumstances, even if they are being pressured.
“Avoid involvement in criminal activities. If you are being coerced into committing an illegal act, seek out the law or immediately inform me. Do not be involved in political dialogue…if you must, do it collectively.” He further said, “We have left our land of birth for greener pastures as many people of other countries do, and we are in a land where we are accepted. Therefore, respect yourself, respect those who you have now come to call your neighbours and members of the same community, and you will certainly gain their respect and appreciation.”
Among the issues tabled by the Guyanese nationals and asked of the Premier’s Press Secretary to forward to the Nevis Island Administration are: privileges of CARICOM nationals with regard to free movement; clarification on Federal laws that are applicable in St. Kitts and not in Nevis; early morning raids by immigration and police officers into the homes of non-nationals who are legally on the island; immigration and police officers barging into the homes of non-nationals without warrants and invading their privacy while some couples were naked; exemption from voting because of the oppression and victimisation exercised by nationals on Guyanese; and the granting of temporary residence after three successive annual work permits.
According to Conway, he would be present when Premier Parry visits the Association later this month, but he would attempt to seek audience with “the island’s political leader before that meeting in order to discuss other matters that are also pertinent to Guyanese presence in Nevis”.
