St Kitts and Nevis: PAM, CCM pledges to suspend controversial prison project if elected

Mark Brantley and Shawn Richards lambasted Prime Minister Timothy Harris for his multi-billion dollar prison project in St Kitts and Nevis.

Tuesday, 28th June 2022

St Kitts and Nevis: People's Action Movement (PAM) and Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM) lambasted Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris for prioritizing the "Prison Project" at such a high cost. In the press conference held on June 27, 2022, the leaders, including Shawn K Richards and Mark Brantley, condemned the Prison Project and asserted that this only benefits Dr Timothy Harris and his so-called rich cabinet, not the people of St Kitts and Nevis. In addition to that, both the parties also promised that they would cancel the project once they were elected as representatives of the twin-island Federation. Richards, leader of PAM, during his address, outlined several drawbacks of the prison project and stated that the project has not even one percent in the interest of the general public. He also believed that there was an urgent need to halt the project and must be returned for the public consultation. Leader of Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) Mark Brantley also targeted People's Labour Party (PLP) and PM Harris over the project and termed him a "failed leader" who is primarily focusing on the "Prison Project instead of the developmental agendas of the Federation". The policies of the PLP-led administration are self-centred and bluntly ignore to provide quality education, better health sector and employment to the citizens. While calling the project a scam, Brantley urged people to voice against it for the betterment of St Kitts and Nevis. He further criticized PM Harris over his policies of the incarnation of the fund and cited,"Any leader in the world who prefers to fund incarnation over education is a failed leader." Shedding light on some facts, Brantley emphasized that in the Budget 2021, the government has allocated 88 million ec dollars for the project, which eventually now increased to 2.4 billion ex dollars- an amount which is six times more than the whole money delivered to Nevis in the last seven years. He further asked how PM Harris-led administration could explain the massive enlargement in the total allotted amount for the project. Meanwhile, both the leaders promised that step of the abolition of the project will be undertaken when PAM-CCM came into power. He also hoped that the election date would be announced by next week. Moreover, they have also outlined various other matters about PM Harris' administration and asserted that the government is based on the nepotism phenomena. Richards added, "Instead of using their power to construct institutions, people and forge a better future for the people of St Kitts and Nevis, the Harris administration is actively and publicly abusing its' power, ignoring the wants and needs of people". He also blamed PM Harris for allotting all the contracts of the governments to their allies (family and friends) rather than providing an opportunity to the hard-work and deserving citizens of the twin-island Federation. Richards bluntly called PM Harris' government irrelevant and ineffective and stated that the Federation needs a modernized and forward-thinking government that could pave the path the development, which is apparently reflected in the policies of PAM-CCM. Mark Brantley also underlined the concept of a fair share and the houses that are being constructed by the administration of PM Harris are present in one constituency. While showing their agenda, PAM-CCM affirmed that their policies are 'people centred' and will always be worked for the development of St Kitts and Nevis once they get elected.