Mark Brantley

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - Hon. Mark Brantley, the Parliamentary Representative for Nevis constituency # 9 yesterday (Dec. 11) told Parliament that there will be no meaningful development unless the current wave of crime is dealt with.

Brantley, Leader of Opposition in the Federal Parliament, also said cost of living needs to be addressed as it has a direct coalition with crime. He also pointed out that there was need for transparency and fiscal prudence, calling on leaders to rid themselves of any form of greed or corruption.

Brantley was responding to the Nevis Island Administration Budget Address 2009 themed “Overcoming Challenges through Persistence and Determination”.

He said nobody could be blamed for the wave of crime but was critical of the lack of practical responses when break-ins in Jones Estate, Jessups, and Medical of University (MUA) students’ apartments had become the order of the day.

“Nevis has in the past been marketed as a safe destination but I’m concerned that crimes against property and the proliferation of guns will mar the reputation of Nevis. It is now common to see youngsters dressed in red and blue, colors that indicate they belong to gangs.

I have been ostracized by my critics for talking to the BBC after a young man was shot in cold blood at Marion Avenue, Charlestown and said one murder was too much in Nevis. Already there have been five murders in Nevis this year. Nevis had never seen such carnage,” Brantley stated.~~Adz:Right~~

He said Nevis Island Administratation (NIA) should request further funding to beef-up security and called on them to flush out any known criminals. He also beseeched both St. Kitts and Nevis governments to ensure there was adequate security at the Sea Bridge docks.

“Grandiose speeches and going to churches will not help to combat crime unless it is coupled with tough sustainable measures. Talk less and deliver more,” he said.

He said NIA should be transparent in all official procedures relating to the geothermal energy production and water drilling and called on the Premier of Nevis, Joseph Parry, to scrutinize his officers and persons he has delegated to and ensure that they were not involved in any “shady deals”.

Brantley claimed government officials were involved in some legal outfits registered recently which he alleged are involved in construction projects. These outfits, he pointed out, were questionable and called on Parry to investigate the integrity of the entities. 
He also cited malpractices at the Land and Housing Corporation and said steel worth EC $30,000 was reportedly missing. Brantley called on the Premier to reshuffle several personalities that are believed to be involved in corrupt practices.

“The government of Nevis is running on an overdraft that is being financed by companies. They should reduce expenditure incurred by wages and monuments and leave the private sector to generate jobs.”

Brantley was also critical of the projected revenue for the year 2009 and said it was an “unrealistic figure” as Four Seasons Resort would remain closed until April 30, 2009 and as a result the resort would not remit hotel and room tax.  He said it was unlikely that the government of Nevis would generate more money than last year when there was global recession.