BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – BASSETERRE, the capital of St. Kitts, has a very rich history dating back to the indigenous peoples, and today this once British-owned city attracts thousands of tourists from various parts of the world on a weekly basis.
Most of those visitors to this beautiful paradise opt for tours which would take them around the 68-square-mile island but with emphasis on the city where slaves were sold and from where they were shipped to other parts of the Caribbean.
Among the various sites in Basseterre that tourists get the opportunity to observe is the Independence Square and the Victorian architecture that surrounds it.
The Old Electoral Office
Prior to the introduction of voters’ identification cards in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Electoral Office – the hub of election-related activities - was located on East Independence Square Street, adjacent to the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Services Complex.
The Electoral Office was relocated to Central Street next to the Development Bank compound, and since then the abandoned property has become known for a vagrant, who apparently has made the outer corridor of the building his resting place, and the unsightly quantities of garbage which he collects and places there from time to time.
An Eyesore, a Health Hazard and a Waste of Resources
Father Bernard Latus of the Church of the Immaculate Conception – located at East Independence Square Street – lives and operates from the church’s presbytery which sits adjacent to the old Electoral Office.
The man of the cloth has since voiced a number of concerns about the current state of the property and some of the effects it has on the environment.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Fr. Latus noted that the building still bears a sign that identifies it as the “Electoral Office”.
He expressed that persons who live within the Federation would most likely be aware that it is the old home of the Electoral Office but visitors to St. Kitts may not, which would give an unsavory impression.
Fr. Latus said the removal of the sign would alleviate that impression but explained that there is a health risk associated with the garbage often collected by the vagrant at the old Electoral Office.
“The rats affect me directly. They run over into the back yard. I have a dog here and they eat from the dog’s dish. There is a school nearby and the rubbish really attracts rats. The rats have come into the yard but not into the house…my secretary called in 2009 and she indicated to them what I observed and the problem still exists.”
The Catholic Priest said he had also observed that one of the air conditioning units with which the building is fitted, shuts on and off periodically which, in addition to being a waste of energy, causes noticeable fluctuations in the flow of electricity to the presbytery.
“I don’t know what is happening inside. I have never been on the inside but I know that it was not been used since the electoral office has moved. The AC goes on and off and when it goes on the light on pole, to which we are connected as well as the electoral office, dims and here everything dims…the television, the computer, and then it goes back to normal almost immediately.”
Offering advice on a possible use for the old electoral office, Fr. Latus suggested that it could be used as “a waiting room for witnesses for the court, since it’s in the yard with the Court House”.
Official Response
SKNVibes broached the issue with Permanent Secretary (PS) of Public Works, Utilities, Housing and Energy, Lenrick Lake, who indicated that it was the first time he was being made aware of these issues, having assumed that position only months ago.
The PS however promised that he would contact the relevant departments/entities with a view of rectifying the problem.
“This is the first that I am hearing about this. I will refer the matter to the Public Works Department and to Solid Waste, because it is a matter for them also. I will also speak with the Electoral Commission and see what it is that they want us to do.”
Lake added he would also contact the Electricity Department.
