BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris has responded to concerns raised by Milton Watterton who was injured and incapacitated during the infamous bridge collapse that took place seven years ago.
Weeks ago during the commencement of the Federal Parliament where a large crowd was gathered, Watterton, his wife and another female staged a peaceful demonstration with the use of placards which reminded of the fateful incident.
Watterton’s wife told the media that that day was the seventh anniversary of the bridge collapse incident which claimed the life of one and injured her husband and another man. She said she staged the demonstration to remind the Prime Minister of the incident and that her incapacitated husband has been unable to work because of an injury to his back.
This week, SKNVibes made contact with Prime Minister Harris who explained that while he might be aware of bits of pieces of the situation, nothing had been properly and formally done to his government for any action to be taken.
“Certainly, by their own account, they have put nothing before this government. So I don’t have the facts of the case other than what was reported by the media. Certainly that is not a basis enough for action.
“I am unaware of any matter in relation to the Wattertons that is before this government and if the Wattertons have a matter to put before the government, they should put that before the government in a proper way. They have not done so to the best of my knowledge and belief and therefore there is nothing before us that could form the basis of any inquiry or other action. I would sympathise with their case…they have been waiting for a long time for the government to act but that is a government that is now passé.”
Dr. Harris said, according to his recollection, Watterton indicated that he had spoken with former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas about the matter although he has never heard him make reference to it.
The Prime Minister suggested however that if the Wattertons, or anyone else for that matter, have an issue that they require the government’s oversight or intervention, the proper channels should be utilised.
“If there are people with grievances against the government there are established mechanisms for bringing those properly before the government. As of this time, there is nothing before the government as far as I am aware.
“We are now in the present! If you have continuing concerns and there is a just cause to be pursued, then they should properly address it to the Attorney-General.”
Background information
“In 2008 when the bridge in the vicinity of the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport was being constructed, a portion of it collapsed and resulted in the death of Vincentian Allick Toney, 64, and two Guyanese, Watterton and Ian ‘Shatta’ Warde, were injured.
“Information which this media house received indicated that Warde had recovered but Watterton suffered a back injury which rendered him unable to work.
An investigation into the bridge collapse was launched shortly after the incident, and in 2011 the compiled report on the findings was made available to the media. It was however inconclusive and left many questions unanswered.”
