Local News

Unconfirmed reports state that Romeo “Bucum” Cannonier, who is serving two life sentences for the murders of police officer Delvin Nisbett and Gavin Gilbert, a witness in the same case, ran off and disappeared, while he was with other prisoners doing work around the abattoir area, in Lime Kiln, at approximately 11 a.m.

Reliable sources also indicate that he showed up at Her Majesty’s Prison sometime after 12 and he was returned to “lock up.”

The incident has triggered incredible social responses.

Efforts to reach the head of Her Majesty’s Prison were unsuccessful.

Dwyer Astaphan, a local lawyer and former Minister of National Security, is calling on relevant authorities to launch a thorough and speedy investigation into reports of alleged corruption in the granting of St. Kitts and Nevis visas, visa extensions and work permits.

Astaphan intimated that he was appalled by the allegations of corruption and called for accountability. He noted that “it is high time for people in positions of responsibility who are involved in grossly reckless practices, corrupt practices or bypassing the normal processes get put in their places.”

The issuing of visas and work permits fall under the Ministry of National Security, which falls under the portfolio of Prime Minister Dr.Timothy Harris.

Speaking on his weekly radio programme “The Operating Room”, Astaphan indicated that his suspicions were aroused when a foreigner, who is married to a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, made some allegations of corruption against the office of the Ministry of National Security, while speaking to him. After being denied a visa for her child, the foreigner was adamant that it is “factual” that there is an illegal visa operation ongoing.

“Some people pay somebody EC$500 or EC$1,000 and they get visas or visas extensions. Some people go to the Ministry of National Security. The technocrats in the office assess their applications. The applications go the permanent secretary and the applications are denied. A phone call is made and the persons who are denied reappear at the office with the money to pay for the visa or the visa extension and they get it by a phone call,” Astaphan said, as he relayed what was said by the foreigner.

He said if the alleged corruption is confirmed, “appropriate action, even if it means dismissing somebody from whatever office that person or somebody is in, should be taken.”

Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Michael Perkins says he will begin an immediate assessment of the Motion of No Confidence filed by the leader of the Opposition St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas, against the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris.

The motion was filed on December 11.

Speaker Perkins indicated that the House rules determine that such a matter should be forwarded at least three clear days before a Parliamentary sitting and noted that his receipt of the Motion of No Confidence filing just a day before the December 12 (today) sitting of parliament means that it is not proper for the filing to be entertained today.

Hon. Perkins, however, noted that he is committed to addressing the matter of the filing of the Motion of No Confidence as speedily and efficiently as possible, despite several constraints. These include today December 12 being the budget hearing and notice already being sent out for the next sitting of Parliament- December 19.

Speaker Perkins also pledged to treat the filing with the priority and importance it demands.

The Honorable Speaker indicated that he will give an update of his assessment at the December 19 sitting of Parliament, as he wrapped up his notes to the start of the national budget hearing.

The opening bars of the Motion of No Confidence reads, “WHEREAS since the installment of the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris as Prime Minister in February 2015, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has been governed in a manner that has seen a rapid erosion of the democratic and good governance standards that are enshrined in the Constitution, and the rights, liberties and democratic interests of citizens are being trampled upon using methods that are reminiscent of a full blown dictatorship.”

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS MEETS TODAY, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 12, AT WHICH TIME THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 2018 WILL BE LAID BEFORE THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT AND THE APPROPRIATION (2019) BILL, 2018, WILL BE DEBATED.

THE APPROPRIATION BILL IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS PLANS AND PROGRAMMES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS FOR THE UPCOMING FINANCIAL YEAR, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2019, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019.

DURING WEDNESDAY’S SITTING, THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR 2017, AND THE DRAFT ESTIMATES 2019, WILL BE LAID BEFORE THE HOUSE.

AFTER THIS, PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE, DR. THE HONOURABLE TIMOTHY HARRIS, WILL INTRODUCE AND MOVE THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF THE APPROPRIATION (2019) BILL, 2018, OF APPROXIMATELY EC $773 MILLION.

The opposition St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party, led by the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has filed
a motion of No Confidence against the government led by Prime Minister Dr. Timothy
Harris, citing the high level of corruption within government and poor leadership.

As per Standing Order 27 of the rules of the National Assembly, I hereby give you
notice of the presentation of a Motion of No Confidence, a copy of which is attached,

and ask that it be noted in the Order Book of the Assembly for tabling and debate as a
matter of urgency,” a correspondence from Dr. Douglas to the Clerk of the National
Assembly reads.

More on this story as it develops. Be sure to join us for our morning news package at
11:45 a.m. on KYSS fm- your one true source.

Reliable sources have indicated that joint investigations, inclusive of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the Coast Guard and possibly other agencies, are ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to a small yacht running aground at the Indian Castle area, in Nevis, over last weekend.

Unconfirmed reports say that the vessel was unoccupied when the wreck was discovered.

Police have not yet issued a statement in relation to the matter.

Several questions have been generated in relation to smuggling operations and the origin of the yacht, since its discovery.

A video being circulated on social media shows a number of Police officers and other security forces personnel assessing the apparent running aground of the boat.

There was no visible name on the wreck.

Police have confirmed that Pemberton was the target of a robbery.

An appeal is being made to the general public to forward any information they may have in relation to the incident to the Police.

According to Police press release, “at about 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 08, Carlisle Pemberton was shot and injured at his home in Montpelier during what Police have ruled as a robbery. He was opening a gate at his home, in order to park his car in the yard, when he was attacked by two armed assailants. He was wounded in both legs by a single bullet. A number of personal items were taken from him by the assailants before they fled the scene, in his motor jeep. Police later recovered Pemberton’s vehicle in the Bath Village area.”

The .38 revolver and ammunition were discovered on the premises of a home in Rawlins, Nevis, on December 9th, during joint operations carried out by the Special Services Unit (SSU), officers from the Regional Securities System (RSS) and the soldiers from the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force.

A release disseminated by Police states, “the Police, with the support of the SKNDF and, more recently, the RSS, have been working day and night to rid communities around the Federation of firearms.”

According to the Police, thirty seven firearms have been confiscated so far for 2018.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Timothy Harris’ assertion that the local economy is the best it has ever been has come under fire from yet another source. This time local financial analyst and accountant Schneidman Warner is questioning the prime minister’s boast.

“We would like to see evidence when these things are presented and one of the ways is access is what we call independent verification of the state of the economy, is via the IMF report and one understands that the last IMF visit, the report coming out of that visit has not yet been approved for release by the government,” said Warner, in comments on the recent edition of the radio show Money Matters.

Warner also questioned the source of funding for two major initiatives that Dr. Harris recently announced- payment of double salary and payments for the poverty alleviation payout- for December.

“From whence shall it be funded? I doubt that this was in the 2018 Budget that was approved in December of 2017. If so, would someone show me the line item providing for an extra month’s remuneration?” Warner questioned.

The accountant’s musing comes days before the national budget, which is scheduled for December 12.

Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Dr. Denzil Douglas has also vocalized his concerns in relation to the state of St. Kitts and Nevis’ economy and reminded residents that things are hard, despite the Dr. Harris’ claims.

Critics have expressed disappointment with the local Police for failing to capitalize
on an opportunity to improve on the relationship between them and the general
public. Ironically, the expressions of dismay come days after the Police made a
plea to residents to utilize the recently reactivated national crime hotline,
guaranteeing confidentiality.

Several persons have argued that the inconsistency of information disseminated to the
public has raised questions about transparency and undermines common trust in the
security forces.

“Imagine, over a week ago, there was an alleged Police shooting, in the Phillips’ village area
and up to now, there has not been any statement from the Police,” one critic stated.
“What is baffling is the fact that there was a rumour circulating saying that Police had shot
and killed a young man and the only Police reference to the incident was a response from
the Acting Commissioner of Police, who branded it as ‘fake news’,” one other person
added.

The critic added that it would have been in the best interest of the Police to issue an official
refutation of the Police killing allegation.

The critic also called for clarification on a related “circulation” that suggested that while
the young man’s vehicle was being pursued by the security forces something was tossed
from his vehicle and a firearm was later found, in the same area.

Interestingly, a press release was issued several days ago, where the Police were soliciting
the help of the general public in apprehending a gunman who fired after several juveniles
and then, while being pursued by a Police officer, pointed what appeared to be a gun at the
officer. The officer then fired two shots, after the perpetrator, but apparently missed.

“Leave as little room as possible for people to speculate,” one critic lashed out.”It is very
important to jump at every opportunity to refine the relationship between the Police and
the public.”