Suggests founder has “agenda”
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER of Education the Hon. Nigel Carty has declared that the government would be willing to sit and discuss with the management of Operation Future to see if it is possible for the administration to lend some financial assistance to the programme.
Recently, founder of the proactive anti-crime programme, Officer Lauston Percival told SKNVibes in an exclusive interview that the government has been approached on several occasions about providing financial backing to the programme.
And speaking with Minister Carty, he informed that he is unaware of anyone communicating with him on the matter.
“Everything can’t be in the government budget and I am not aware of anybody attempting to have a conversation with me about how we can structure a programme that is critically important as part of the government’s budget. I have always looked at Operation Future as a component of our student development that was being undertaken by civil society. And if people are willing to make the contribution, we don’t see in the Ministry a need to specifically say put it in the budget.
“If people were to make known to me how they want to improve on the programme and how government budgetary support may be able to assist in that, then we are open to that discussion. …I have been Minister of Education for three years, at no time has anybody approached me as to indicate they would now want government to play a particular role aside from the fact that, of course, we make accommodations to facilitate our corroboration with the schools and teachers and principals.”
The Education Minister suggested that Officer Percival “may have an agenda”, and while he is open to having a discussion with Operation Future about possible financing by the government, he would not engage in conversation intended to cater to someone’s agenda.
“I am also aware that Officer Percival is someone who may have his own agenda. I must say that to you upfront. He certainly has not spoken to me. I am the Minister, I have been in touch with Officer Percival and others in the past, not of recent. They have my email, they have my number and they do have contact or an opportunity to make contact with other people in the Ministry.
“If they (Operation Future) are now at a stage where they believe that we need to make things bigger and better and get some financial from the government, then I’m open to do that. But what I’m not open to do is to engage in a conversation which is designed to put forward or to play according to somebody’s agenda. I am very much aware we are in the political season, I am very much aware of where a number of persons stand. I would want to say again, the Ministry is very open to discussion with all its partners…
Prompted to clarify his statement about Officer Percival’s “agenda”, Minister Carty was adamant that he is “not going to explain any further about any agenda”.
In an attempt to ‘school’ the media, he insinuated that if an operative thereof asks a question that the interviewee does not want to answer, that media operative should not agitate for a response.
He berated the journalist, saying: “…I am a big man, you understand? I am a big person. If I ask you a question and you answer it, fine. If I ask you to clarify yourself and you don’t, then that is your decision and I respect that. I have made a response, then you asked for clarification. I have given the clarification that I want, and I would suggest that in interest of mutual respect for each other, as we’ve always done, that you accept the answer I’ve given.
“I believe that people in the media have a right to ask questions. When those questions are answered you can cross examine, you can ask what you want to ask in furtherance of that. If the person whom you are speaking to cares not to clarify any further, I really think that one ought to respect that position.”
