Douglas says retreat to totalitarianism threat to St Kitts-Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis' Leader of the Opposition, Dr Denzil L. Douglas in his New Year message said it provides an opportunity for new beginnings and to set new goals and resolutions for self-advancement.

"As we prepare for what lies ahead, let us step into the unknown, not with fear and trepidation, but with optimism and anticipation that whatever the New Year brings, God will remain our anchor, our constant refuge and our strength," he said.

Dr Douglas noted that the steady erosion of democracy and good governance, and the retreat to totalitarianism has left a dark and threatening cloud, looming over St. Kitts and Nevis, which threatens its prospects for social and economic development moving forward.

"In a country where the accounts of important public corporations are not being laid in the Parliament as required by law; where the Public Accounts Committee has been rendered toothless; where unbridled victimization has undermined the quality and delivery of public services and has infringed the rights and liberties of law-abiding citizens; where the IMF has been denied the consent of the Government to publish its report; where the resources generated by the Citizenship by Investment Programme are being channeled into Funds that are without accountability or transparency and have no basis in law; where taxpayers' money is being diverted to spurious projects and activities; where the underselling, bribery and forgery in the citizenship by investment programme is known to the government are being ignored; and where the National Budget lacks any serious strategy to promote growth and development; it is no small wonder then that poll after poll reveals that majority of citizens feel that the country is going in the wrong direction," said Dr. Douglas.

Dr. Douglas said 2018 has not been an easy one for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis during a climate where crime and criminality have reached new and dangerous levels; and together with an epidemic of non-communicable diseases are taking the lives of young and old alike, and in a flagging economy that has led to increased levels of underemployment and unemployment, there are many who are hurting, and hurting badly.

"There are many of us who have lost loved ones as a result of crime and illness. All across our Federation, there is a palpable sense that moral decay is taking root and, that as a nation, we are veering off course. The sense of social and economic decline you see is concomitant with a galloping dictatorship that has declared war on the democratic and good governance standards upon which our great country was founded. The rule of faction has replaced the rule of law in our country to the detriment of the social and economic interests of ordinary people," said Dr. Douglas, who noted that as "more and more power is being concentrated in the hands of one family, it has created an enabling environment for even more corruption and nepotism to thrive, with little or no accountability in the public interest."

He said 2019 "brings with it an opportunity to take our Federation into a focused direction under new leadership."

"I am satisfied that our people have had the chance to compare and contrast, and I am persuaded that our people, whenever they are given the opportunity in the impending General Elections, will move definitively and overwhelmingly to return our country to the path of good governance, growth and prosperity," said Dr. Douglas, the former prime minister