BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Federation’s newest Attorney-General, Nevis’ Hon. Patrice Nisbett, said his recent appointment would lead to fewer Nevisians feeling isolated from the federal decision-making processes.
Speaking to SKNVibes yesterday (Feb. 10), the Constituency Eleven representative claimed that many persons in Nevis are distrustful of the federal government’s interest in them. He stressed that his fellow islanders should see the value and significance of his ground-breaking appointment as the first Nevisian AG since independence.
“When policy initiatives are being developed and discussed that would have an impact on the Nevis people, I would be able to influence and give an input as to how they would want the policy to be drafted or implemented to their advantage,” he noted.
“The Nevisian people have been saying for some time that a lot of matters are discussed at the federal level and they have had no say, but it gives us an opportunity now to really say that the federal government is one for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Nisbett earned his law credentials at the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School, practicing as a barrister-at-law for 11 years until his 2006 appointment as a legal advisor to the Nevis Island Administration (NIA). He has held the Constituency Eleven seat since 2000, and served as Deputy Speaker in his last parliamentary term.
The incumbent St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), led by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, captured the majority of seats in the January 25 general election, while Nisbett’s Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), which has formed the NIA for the past three years, won fewer seats than the rival Concerned Citizens Movement.
Although the NRP won the least seats in that last election, they were the only other party besides the SKNLP to have a representative in the nine-member federal cabinet.
Said Nisbett, “When the approach was made by the Prime Minister after the election, the NRP met in caucus and discussed the benefits and disadvantages of a possible appointment. I also consulted with my constituency group and heard discussion and debate on either side of the issue and, in the end, the party made the decision to allow me to join the federal cabinet.
“The reaction has been generally positive. Nevisians are happy for the appointment and are waiting for it to bring some positive results for them.”
He added that there had been preliminary discussions about the AG chambers having some level of presence in his home island, but for now he would be commuting to St. Kitts to do his job.
Former AG Dennis Merchant, who held the post for almost four years but declined to serve again because of his dual citizenship, had nothing but encouraging words for Nisbett.
“It was a pleasure serving as AG and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs in the three years, five months I operated. I would like to welcome Nisbett and I wish him all the best. I am pretty confident he will do a fine job in that particular role.”
During the last few months of his AG term, Merchant was found in contempt of court by resident high court judge, His Lordship Francis Belle. He is now serving as the general counsel to the federal government.
“As far as I am concerned, I’m in a new position and I’m just getting adjusted to the new role,” Merchant said. “But I’m very happy to serve and will do so in as best a way as possible.”
