BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER of Public Infrastructure the Hon. Ian “Patches” Liburd is rejecting claims that the Government does not have the security of passenger bus operators and the wider St. Kitts and Nevis at heart.
This comment comes after a recent report published by this media house, and comments made by a local passenger bus driver about the security of bus operators who ply their trade in the evening hours.
Following reports of two drivers allegedly being robbed over the weekend, President of the St. Kitts Bus Association Dale Hodge claimed that not much has been done to protect the drivers who ply that trade in the evening hours.
When contacted before publishing the article titled “No security changes implemented since bus driver’s death in 2014”, the Minister indicated to SKNVibes that he was in Barbados about to board a flight, but indicated that he would have spoken to us the next day.
Contacted today (Oct.13), Liburd indicated that the Government has a role to play in ensuring that all the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are safe.
“It is important to us that the people have safety and security; that is paramount to us.”
He pointed out that it is for that reason that the Government sought the assistance of the Regional Security System (RSS) - “to improve on our security”.
“Nobody is going to drive us down that road and force the negligence of the former administration on us. That is why the people rejected them…we have a programme, let us outline our programme for you and not let us go backwards. In other words, let us not drive our car in the rear view mirror.”
Hodge told SKNVibes that not much had been done by the administration to protect their interest and implement what they were asking for, following the shooting death of their colleague.
“It is worse! We have not gotten any further with anything since the previous administration exited office. Whatever was put in place under the former administration; nothing more was done up to this point.”
The safety and security of bus operators were thrust into the spotlight several years ago when popular driver Kevin “Broadie” Newman was shot and killed during a robbery.
Members of the various bus associations had called on the then government to put several recommendations in place to protect their interest, including increases Police presence at the various bus parks and the installation of lights at the various bus stops.
